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3 [Frightening] Writing Fails to Avoid in a Horror Script

Writing a script is challenging in many ways. After you overcome the stress of facing the first draft review and all the reviews after that and then you see the job done it is, without a doubt, a very satisfying achievement. During the process, we can make mistakes (yes, even writers make mistakes) with the way we tell the story. This is why we must keep reading and or talking about script techniques. Today I want to talk specifically about three things we must not do when we are writing…

Celebrate the September 2024 Stage 32 Community’s Successes!

Hello There, Stage 32 Community! Summer has turned to Fall, time for sweater weather, foliage and all things pumpkin spice! And of course it is also time for end of the month celebration of our phenomenal members here at Stage 32, in particular their recent successes! We love to take this opportunity to shine the spotlight on just some of the incredible writers and creatives in the Stage 32 family and share their stories of success with everyone! We know how much time, effort and dedic…

Coffee & Content: It's All About The Comps!

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? I have some content here for you that is sure to get the creative juices flowing, so grab your coffee, and let's dive in. First up, in this video essay by Elliot Roberts, he’s comparing the approach of two different feature film biopics- 'Steve Jobs' by Aaron Sorkin and Danny Boyle, starring Michael Fassbender, and ‘Jobs’ by Joshua Michael Stern and Matt Whiteley, starring Ashton Kutcher. You can lea…

Avoiding the Rabbit Hole: Story Research Tips

I’ve talked about research before, offering some general tips on how to approach the process effectively. But when I asked in the Stage 32 lounges recently what writing problem you’d solve if you could wave a magic wand, one of the responses was “going down the rabbit hole” on research. I’d break this concern down into two parts: Letting research swallow up too much time in the creative process. Getting sidetracked into very interesting but potentially…

Red Carpet Roll-Out: October 2024's New Executives at Stage 32!

Happy Friday, Stage 32 Community! Our Stage 32 Team has been working diligently to bring in as many new resources and opportunities as possible to enrich your experience here in our community! At Stage 32 you have direct access to award-winning industry executives and professionals who’ve written, produced, developed, and represented acclaimed projects such as PLAYING WITH FIRE, BODYCAM, SPELL, LOVE & MONSTERS, AM I OKAY?, BORDERLANDS, DRAFT DAY, FLIGHT, AIR, THE INSTIGATOR…

Stage 32's October 2024 Education Schedule!

Happy Thursday, Stage 32 Community! I hope that the last month has been joyful and productive for you all! Our Stage 32 Education Team has certainly been hard at work to bring incredible education opportunities and resources to this fantastic community. This October, you'll have the chance to learn from knowledgeable industry executives, award-winning writers, producers, consultants, authors, podcast hosts, and representatives. Impressive creative professionals who have worked on or re…

More Pitchin’, Less Bitchin’: How I Found Representation & Partnerships Through Stage 32!

Do you partake of the opportunities to pitch Industry folks through Stage 32 Script Services or do you complain about how your manager/agent never sends you on Generals? What? You don’t have a manager? Are you worried you can’t get through to Hollywood types and others can? Would you like a manager? I recommend that you stop complaining that you never get any breaks and look into pitching with Stage 32. I got my current manager from a pitch and recently signed a shopping agr…

Coffee & Content: Are You Feeling Too Overwhelmed To Try?

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! First, congratulations to all of you who have already participated in our monthly Introduce Yourself Weekend! Thousands of connections have been made between entertainment creatives and professionals from around the globe. Whether you are a long-time member or brand new to Stage 32, take a moment to pop over to the Introduce Yourself Lounge and say hello before the end of the weekend. In this video from Corridor Crew, they’re diving into the history o…

10 Mistakes Screenwriters Make When Querying

It’s true that the writing sample is the most important part of any query letter. However, you need to spend some time making sure that the query letter is solid as well. First impressions matter, and you can rub agents the wrong way if your query letter isn’t up to snuff. Here are the 10 biggest mistakes screenwriters make when querying. 1. Using A Generic Greeting If you are submitting a query letter, address the agent properly by name in your greeting. It’s u…

How Stage 32 Helped Me Accomplish My Goals: Sometimes It Takes Years... Until It Doesn't

I wrote my first screenplay in my mid-twenties when Syd Field’s Foundations of Screenwriting was the major go-to for the craft. “Spa Wars” was a parody steeped in small-town politics and, of all things, an ongoing economic rivalry between two competing health clubs. Really tacky stuff. I requested script notes from Sam Havens, Professor Emeritus at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. Solution: rewrite the damn thing. I did what most mystified young screenwriters d…

Coffee & Content: What Are 3 Things That Motivate You?

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? I have some content here for you that is sure to get the creative juices flowing, so grab your coffee, and let's dive in. First up, in this fantastic interview from Film Courage, Screenwriter, Director, & Editor R.J. Daniel Hanna is sharing the truths that no one can teach you about screenwriting. Honing in on the hard fact that sometimes “good” isn’t good enough. As creatives, rejection is a con…

5 Tips For Creating Great Characters In Your Screenplay

There are so many different aspects to your screenplay that will guarantee its success. A compelling story is one such aspect, but without interesting characters, the story will just fall flat. Here are some tips to help you write the best characters possible, and bring that story to life. 1. Make The Lead A Likable Person You may want to avoid this, as trying to make a character likable can often make the story dull and uninteresting. After all, if there's no one creating conflict, t…

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