Connecticut-Based Screenwriter Options TWO Scripts Through Stage 32!

As writers, we sometimes tell ourselves that we will, “get back to writing later “, or “there will be plenty of time to write later". My later lasted twenty-seven years.

I love reading and writing, and during my teenage years and into my early twenties, I spent many a day doing both. I wrote short stories about superheroes, medieval duels, animals with telepathy, and treasure hunts in my own neighborhood. My need to write burns like a fire that can’t be extinguished, but it was. Responsibilities in my life played a role, but there was another culprit, apathy. It’s the antagonist to any writer.

Apathy had the upper hand until a luncheon date in 2016 with a dear friend, who asked me, “how’s your writing going?”, to which I had to answer, “it’s not.” That simple question made me look at what decisions I had made regarding my seriousness in my writing. It also re-ignited the smoldering creative fire within me and kick-started a love long buried.

Now that I made the choice to return to writing, where should I begin? As any writer knows, if you want a career in the industry, it’s a commitment without a successful, guaranteed outcome. It may take years before a script is even considered for an option, and even then, there’s no assurance it will be made into a film. I also had no background in the industry to use as an advantage. I wasn’t an intern or assistant to a producer, nor did I ever work for a studio. My options were limited.

Flash forward to 2021, February to be exact, when I joined Stage 32, and changed the direction of my life.

Learning about this wonderful tool through an advertisement on Instagram, I took a leap of faith, and I’m glad I did. It has enriched my writing and confidence. Using several tools Stage 32 has put together to assist a writer in their career, I invested emotionally and financially in Stage 32.

Signing up for several webinars (my favorites listed below) and live webcast sessions that educated me in script structure, tone, theme, character development, and how to write my favorite genre, horror, Stage 32 gave me the opportunity to pursue my dream with actual aids that could teach me the elements of writing that I needed to learn.

I attended pitch practice sessions that were invaluable tutors on how to convey my scripts into structured, engaging, conversations with executives in the hopes of having them requested, and eventually sold, with confidence. I began to build a network of contacts, fellow screenwriters, actors, producers, directors, and agents, in order to surround myself with support and guidance through feedback, conversations, and collaboration.

My first written feature script, “Garden of Eden”, was optioned in August, and is currently in pre-production, after being forwarded by a producer contact on Stage 32 to another producer/actor, Chris Place with Uallywood Studios and Odessa Film Studio, who loved it. He then asked that all important question, “what else have you written?”. My second feature script, “Two” was also optioned by the same producer. It felt like hitting multiple home runs in a World series game.

I’m currently writing my first attempt at a TV series, and I finished my first writing collaboration as well. I continue to work on feature scripts of different genres, because with so many stories inside me to tell, it would be unfair to just pick one.

I want to share the wisdom I’ve gained on Stage 32, and beyond, with my fellow screenwriters because the more we share with each other, the quicker we grow as writers, and achieving a collective success throughout our community would be a wonderful accomplishment.

Never stop writing

Feed your desire to create and imagine. Putting your thoughts to paper is a success story. Set aside time to write every week.

Finish a script

There’s nothing like the feeling of completing a project. It’s self-gratifying.

Protect your work

Copyright your projects. Never leave something to chance. Give yourself piece of mind for your hard work.

Continue to learn

You evolve as a writer by educating yourself, always striving to be better. Stage 32 is excellent at this, become familiar with the site, and utilize it by taking its staff’s knowledge and suggestions, as well as it’s partnering executives’ feedback and notes. Share your work with other members through script swapping and be ready to receive notes as well as you give them. You’ll thank yourself.

Network, network and network some more

It’s such an important part of your journey as a writer. Build relationships through connections with like-minded individuals and keep those relationships alive with communication. You never know when an opportunity is one request away.

Don’t be discouraged by a pass or no

A NO is simply a New Opportunity. Keep writing.

Enter competitions

Do your homework, and find legitimate competitions to enter, often. You could place or win one, but the exposure you’ll receive by getting your script in front of industry judges is equally as valuable

This is my story, and these are my thoughts. I hope that by sharing it, I let you know you have an ally in me, someone on the same writing road as you, and wants success for you. It’s so satisfying when we all win.

Stage 32 classes and Resources I found particularly helpful: 

How to Break in and Get Any Job in Film or Television

Learn How to Better Pitch Your Ideas: Go from Storyteller to Storyseller

How to Develop and Pitch a Film or TV Screenplay That Production Companies Want

How to Master Story Structure for your Horror Screenplay - With Case Studies of FRIDAY THE 13TH and HAPPY DEATH DAY

Ask Me Anything with Stage 32 CEO Richard "RB" Botto: The Great Content Gold Rush of 2021

What Managers Look for in a Horror Short or Feature Screenplay - With 10 Horror Film Case Studies

The Writers' Room Special Bonus Event Webcast: The Current State of the Entertainment Industry & How You Can Succeed Now and Into 2022

The Breakdown Webcast: The First 10 Pages

Pitch Tank Practice Sessions at 5:30pm (PT) Thursday Evenings - exclusive perk for Writers' Room members!

About John Mezes

Writing is a love, no, a passion of mine, since my early twenties. Beginning my craft with several small short stories, I found comfort and satisfaction in putting pen to paper, creating, imagining, dreaming of sharing my vision and work with others. Life detoured me for a number of years, and I returned to writing in 2017, and boy, have I made up for my hiatus!

I've completed five feature screenplays, two of which are optioned by a producer with Uallywood Studios and Odessa Film Studio.
I completed my very first tv pilot and pitched it to a WB executive.
Currently, I'm writing three more feature scripts and two more tv pilots, and I'm working on four short scripts as well.

It's said you reap the rewards of your hard work, and that has been so true for me. One of my scripts finished as a quarterfinalist in this year's Screencraft Screenwriting Contest, and I placed in the top 25% of horror projects on Coverfly.

I strongly believe in collaboration, and unity, inside the industry field, with the more who succeed, the better. Often, I give feedback and notes to fellow screenwriters in script swaps, and I receive it as well, as I am always learning and growing as a writer, practicing what I say, because we can all help each other, and make each of our individual journeys more educational, pleasant, and meaningful by working together. Let's chat, anytime, and see how we can help each other, for the next opportunity is right around the corner.

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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