1. Home
  2. The Stage 32 Blog

"Braveheart" Descendent & Author Lands Producer Through Stage 32!

Comedy Feature Regular
Posted by Seoras Wallace
Jason Mirch Jason Mirch
Good morning Stage 32 Creative Crew! I hope you had a very productive Introduce Yourself Weekend on Stage 32! There were thousands of new connections made around the world and already unique projects developing as a result. 

Speaking of amazing connections happening across the world, I just heard an incredible success story that I had to share. The story comes from Alexia Melocchi of Little Studio Films and Stage 32 member Seoras Wallace in Scotland! Seoras began his film life as a stuntman in the 1986 film "Highlander.” Over the period since, he has made a successful career in the film industry that includes national and international recognition for his contribution to projects shot in Scotland, having worked closely with industry icons including Sean Connery, Mel Gibson, Russell Crowe, Stephen Spielberg and Ridley Scott.

He is also the acting Chief of the Clan Wallace Scotland. Yes, that "Wallace"...as in William Wallace. As in Braveheart. 

Alexia first reached out to me via email to let me know, writing, "Seoras and I had a great chat over Skype during the Pitch Session...His personality won me over. We stayed in touch and he shared he was a direct descendant of the Wallace Clan (Braveheart) and had written a series of books for a television series about the Legendary Scottish Hero. I almost fell off my chair."

Alexia continued, "I told him I wanted to see everything he had being a huge Braveheart fan. We got on Skype and discovered we had so much in common with our visions for integrity, honor and heroes. And he was so humble, nice, kind, and a real gentleman.  As you have to work with people whose work you believe it but also like, I just HAD to sign him as an author and represent his amazing work. I can’t wait to show it to my broadcasters overseas."

I reached out to Seoras directly for the rest of the story and was also blown away by his connection to the Scottish film industry and the Wallace Clan! This story is so cool and, again, illustrates the power of Stage 32 to connect likeminded creatives all around the globe to make things happen! As Series exlains, we are only limited by our own imagination and ambition. Seoras took the leap to make a connection with someone half a world away, and now there is potential for real momentum for an incredible project!

And as Alexia adds, "I would have never found him had it not been for Stage 32." 

Take it away Seroas...

A few years ago, I joined Stage 32 as a member and I found it to be most suited to my experience in the film industry, with very informative content and great networking facilities. I must say though, I am one of those cynical kinda members, probably from a lifetime of being an independent minded individual who thinks, if you want something done, do it yourself. As I continued to write, I realised how relatively easy it was to adapt a novel into a basic screenplay. At the same time I was following Stage 32 and noticed how accessible it is for an “Independent” writer to not only access and gain advice and valuable guidance, but also to present your work to an industry professional for comment and even have the possibility of your project being picked up and eventually maybe even getting the green light.
 
As acting Chief of the Clan Wallace Scotland, and following a serious back injury while filming Ridley Scott’s GLADIATOR, I decided to use the knowledge gathered over many years, in particular focusing on the family legend of William Wallace (Braveheart), which has been a prominent and inspirational story in my life from a young age. Many previously unearthed facts became available regarding William Wallace as the years passed by. Anyone who ever hears the family accounts are astonished, realizing the family story is very different from the limited academic version or Mel Gibson’s Oscar-winning feature, BRAVEHEART.

 

Braveheart Descendent Author Lands Producer Through Stage 32

Seoras Wallace and Mel Gibson on the set of Braveheart

Everyone said I should write the story down some day...well that day came. Written in an epic tale for the first time and told in nine intimate narratives following the legend of William Wallace, a story that has been passed down through the Wallace family orally for generations, now Wallace, Legend of Braveheart.

 

Braveheart Descendent Author Lands Producer Through Stage 32

Wallace, Legend of Braveheart book series Witten by Seoras Wallace

I thoroughly scanned my options on the world-web. After much research and scrutiny, I personally found that there was none comparable to suite my needs other than Stage 32. So I thought, "Ok, why not give this a shot, despite having luminary connections within the industry, even just to get feedback regarding the merit of my slate..." I can only say this in hindsight, "why did I wait so long?!”

I also appreciate that everyone regards their project or slate as “precious” and it is, and although many within the industry knew what I was doing with the “Wallace” and it’s potential, I would not let it go despite interesting offers, as I know there is only one way this story can be told and I hadn’t yet met anyone I felt could deliver.

Now that’s not a mistake, but holding back can also hamper the potential of your project. I took my time, prepared my projects as best I could and committed to testing the various offers Stage32 are making, after a very few good experiences and invaluable advice sessions, I listened, adapted and felt it was now time to commit. My first pitch session was with Alexia Melocchi of Little Studio Films.

 

Braveheart Descendent Author Lands Producer Through Stage 32

Alexia Melocchi(R) with Stage 32 CEO Rich "RB" Botto(L) and Stage 32 Managing Director, Amanda Toney(C)

I have to say it was a revelation to me, as her professionalism was outstanding, matched only by her heartfelt understanding and insight regarding the subject(s). I hadn’t realised I was a wee bit nervous, mainly as my heavy Scots brogue can be daunting to a non-Scots speaking listener, but Alexia was very patient with me, allowing the connection to open and flow freely. I have worked on many productions over the years and had forgotten what it felt like to get excited about a project, but Alexia’s ability to see past the initial pitch, then with the follow-up Skype calls and conversations, I knew that my “precious” was going to be in the right hands.

I signed contracts with Alexia, who is now acting as my worldwide manager and representative, with Little Studio Films prepping the background work to produce and bring Wallace, the Legend of Braveheart to our screens as an epic television series! 

I am really excited about this! William Wallace, as a renowned and much loved world hero, is perfect for the next generation of television storytelling and viewers. With so many recent high benchmark examples of great historical dramas being produced for world television audiences, Spartacus and Vikings to name a few, all now television legends and passed into history. I have no doubts whatsoever that the passion to which Alexia and Little Studio Films, partner Alexandra Yacovlef, have already shown me. They will not stop until they bring together a team to produce an outstanding iconic television series to our screens, to excite, enthrall and inspire past, present and future generations.

 

Braveheart Descendent Author Lands Producer Through Stage 32

Seoras Wallace with Zach McGowan on the set of Robert the Bruce in 2018

 

My advice to anyone out there who feel or believes that they have a good story to tell, then Stage 32 has to be your first choice mentor into the industry. If you follow their advice, take up the opportunities that they provide, get your project analyzed then listen and adapt to what is required, there is no reason why these unique opportunities should be missed that could propel your project forward. Stage 32 provides an invaluable service, be it to aspiring writers or top industry professionals seeking new material, I can only say that I am so glad that I ditched my skepticism and took up the opportunity. What Stage32 provides for the industry is very affordable for the individual, but in the end, priceless... in my opinion.

 

About Seoras Wallace:

Seoras began his film life as a stuntman in the 1986 film "Highlander.” Over the period since, he has made a successful career in the film industry that includes national and international recognition for his contribution to the genre in Scotland, having worked closely with such industry icons as Sean Connery, Mel Gibson, Russell Crowe, Stephen Spielberg and Ridley Scott. This experience gained over thirty years from stuntman to a much sought after fight scene and stunt director, has also gained him a reputation as a credible and successful negotiator, securing many Feature Film and Television productions to be shot in Scotland and Ireland.

In January 2019, Seoras launched his first novel: "Sergeant Mackenzie," a dramatic real-life story about a Scottish soldier and his comrades during the Great War of 1914-18. Seoras says, “It's the back-story to a heroic soldier made famous through a song co-written by his grandson, Joe Kilna.” Mel Gibson heard the tune then contracted Seoras to produce the soundtrack for the acclaimed film, ”Once we were Soldiers.” Now the narrative is being adapted for a limited television series.

 

 

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Got an idea for a post? Or have you collaborated with Stage 32 members to create a project? We'd love to hear about it. Email Taylor at taylor@stage32.com and let's get your post published!

Please help support your fellow Stage 32ers by sharing this on social. Check out the social media buttons at the top to share on Instagram @stage32online , Twitter @stage32 , Facebook @stage32 , and LinkedIn @stage-32 .

The Ancient Rules of Storytelling
Coffee & Content - Filmmaking Lessons from the Director of "Shazam!" & Seth Rogan Explains How to Write a Movie
 
 

Search Stage 32 Blog

register for stage 32 Register / Log In
Register for FREE Stage 32 Membership
Members sign in here