Community. It's the foundation of Stage 32's success and longevity. Creatives and professionals showing up for each other in little ways over time so that we are all better for it; it's a beautiful thing. It is also the heart of the Stage 32 Writers' Room. Perhaps that's why I've been a member for almost six (6) years - and counting!

Not heard of Stage 32's Writers' Room? It's designed to allow dedicated writers and multi-hyphenates to shorten their path to success through elevated resources and structure. This could be finding representation, selling a script, or financing a project, but it all centers around one core ideal: creatives have to get better at their craft AND the business. Today's blog explores how we bridge that gap through our most popular live events. HINT: Most of them are or start out as member-run events!

Interested in joining the Stage 32 Writers' Room? You can get your first month FREE by clicking HERE!

The Pitch Tank Attraction

One of our most popular LIVE events is the bi-weekly Pitch Tank as part of the Wednesday Webcast Series. Hosted by Stage 32, this is where we bring in a high-level working executive to listen to a line-up of Writers' Room Members' 5-minute verbal pitch. This structure is based on preparing members for a Stage 32 Pitch Session, which all members can elect via the Script Service tab.

During the Pitch Practice, the pitching member receives both story and execution notes from the Guest Executive, who could be a manager, a producer, or a development executive. To round out the experience, our Executive Liaison, Nick Phillips, and our Pitch Practice Host, John Mezes, also share their feedback. Now, this is primarily meant for educational purposes - all pitchers absolutely get actionable feedback every time! But also, one lucky pitcher usually receives a script request, which can lead to so much more. How exciting!

While this is a Stage 32-led event, within the Writers' Room, we host a collection of member-run events in preparation for pitching and simply getting "better in the room." The most popular of these was started by writer/producer and aspiring showrunner Brooklynn Fields, and is now hosted by two rockstar optioned and produced screenwriters, John Mezes and Noel Thompson—the Pitch Practice Session!

Pitch Practice Prep

Whether you're preparing for a Pitch Session via Stage 32's Script services, a film festival or market, or just polishing up your delivery for those chance conversations, PRACTICE is the key to pitch success. So, every Thursday at 5:30 pm PST, we host a virtual meeting called the Pitch Practice Session for writers to perform their 5-minute verbal pitch. This practice has also expanded to include: Breaking Story, or time to ask a question and get some advice on how to move forward with your story, Victory Round, where members can share something they've done that they wish to celebrate, and even a monthly Happy Hour!

Because it is member-run, there is no pressure, and yet the more involved members get, the better the event gets! And this event has been around for FIVE YEARS!

It's a huge opportunity to shape up your pitch, but also get support and encouragement from others going through the same thing. Not practicing just yet? Drop by anyway! Showing up for others still allows you to learn from their attempts. PLUS supporting others ensures there are others with enough energy to give back when it is your turn.

Okay, but what if the problem with my pitch isn't me? What if the problem with my pitch is actually the story?

You're in luck! The Writers' Room also hosts a weekly guided script exchange for story and script notes called The Coverage Report. Started by the amazing screenwriter Lit Kilpatrick, and now hosted by myself, Steph Clayton, and Dustin Quinteros, this is a deep dive into story that levels up your screencraft so you can deliver on the core of your pitch: the Synopsis.

Coverage Report Inspection

Whether you're noodling on your first draft or polishing your 12th draft, the Coverage Report was built to shorten your development and revision time.

Here's how:

• We review a writer's Synopsis as well as their Script in order to give "big picture" story notes along with the script notes
• This is in exchange for giving notes on others' works (and YES, as a member, you have to give notes to get notes - this is how we keep the event free)
• With multiple readers reading at the same time, a writer can assess a consensus, or an action item that is clear to many and not just one
• With many of our members who are professionals in the industry - professional readers, actors, directors, producers, cinematographers - we have a unique ability to evaluate and articulate the "note behind the note"
• Because it's member-run, the note is more important than the format, so all readers are at liberty to give in-line notes or top-level notes
• Finally, because we offer both written notes and unpack them LIVE, writers can ask clarifying questions from their readers, avoiding unnecessary detours during revisions

Why is all of this so important? Two reasons:

1. The core of a pitch, whether written or verbal, is a story summary, or synopsis. If the story isn't there, then no amount of dressing up the pitch will fix it. The work we do in The Coverage Report addresses this core story.

2. IF your pitch is successful, then the person you're pitching to will likely request your script. The only thing worse than a poor pitch is a successful pitch without a script to back it up.

PLUS, if by chance what attracted you to the Writers' Room is actually the Open Writing Assignments, then The Coverage Report would be a HUGE advantage. Check it before you wreck it, and we check it all: first 10 pages, voice, characterization & relationships, plot & pacing, and, of course, formatting.

Okay, okay - SO, you've gotten your notes, but you need time to review and implement those notes. Not to mention lick a few wounds, commiserate, reevaluate, and maybe do a bit of research before you dive back in. How are you going to stay on task on your way to your next revision? We've got you covered there, too!

Thanks to our long-time member Martha Caprarotta, she hosts a Writers' Cafe not once, not twice, but three times each week! She always posts about it in the Stage 32 Writer's Room Lounge.

Writers' Cafes for Accountability

Regardless of what you're writing, you now have a block of time pre-scheduled and organized to help you dedicate that time to getting the pages in. This is like National Novel Writing Month, but at a much more manageable pace. How does it work?

Martha starts the first hour by asking attendees what they intend to get done during that time. Then, they set a clock for 45 minutes and mute themselves. Attendees who don't arrive on time can still join in, of course. Then, at the end of the hour, they can chime in with what they accomplished or unpack an issue they ran into. There are even breakout rooms for further discussion.

This kind of event may seem low stakes, but it is the most important function of a community: to help us show up. Show up for ourselves, for our team, for the integrity of the project. So, what do you have to do to take advantage of this member-run event? Just... show up. Do the work. And keep going!

The Writers' Cafes are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 10am-12pm PST - and sometimes they are even extended! Look for the Zoom Link in the Writers' Room Lounge.

Not your vibe? Or not available during these times?

YOU CAN START A MEMBER-RUN EVENT, TOO!

Here's how to get started:

1. Post in the Introduce Yourself Lounge to generate interest. Perhaps share your short-term and long-term goals, and the kind of regular event you'd like to find or start to help you get there.

2. Be sure to INVITE OTHERS TO COMMENT if they would be interested in joining in such an event - and that they include what they are hoping to get from it.

3. Check availability - weekly or monthly? online or in-person? Once you have an initial date, time, and location set, you can post the event in the Meetups section of Stage 32. You never know who else might like to join you!

4. Finally, take the time to define parameters so as to set expectations. If this is an accountability group that allows for breakout rooms to workshop material, then make sure attendees know that the main room is silent except for the top and bottom of the hour. If this is a table read group, but you're only dedicating 90 minutes to the event total, consider restricting it to 10-20 pages of reading so there is plenty of time for live feedback for the writer.

I know it can be scary to get involved, but the first step to your own success is to simply get involved with active resources. The regularity of seeing familiar faces every week or every month can strengthen one's resolve. The flexibility to shape an event to one's own purposes can advance one's progress exponentially! Once you assess your next big goal, find - or start - the event that helps you get there. Just remember - every great creative has been where you are right now. You, too, can overcome your obstacles with a little focus and intentional assistance from your community.

Okay, so I'm curious - of the events above, what would serve you best right now? What kind of scares you a little? What inspires you? What events have you already organized that you would like to incorporate with the Stage 32 community? Share in the comments below!

Thanks for reading, y'all, and I look forward to seeing you in the Writers' Room! Make it happen, Capt'n!

Interested in joining the Stage 32 Writer's Room? You can get your first month FREE by clicking HERE!

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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