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6 Things To Know About Script Legal Research
6 Steps To A Successful Writing Partnership
Announcing the 10th Annual Short Film Contest
The Rise & Struggle of Independent Filmmakers: Sustaining Creativity in a Studio-Dominated World
Coffee & Content: How Do You Overcome Negativity?
Coffee & Content: Traits You Need To Succeed In The Entertainment Business
St. Pete-Clearwater Film Commission Partners with Stage 32!
Announcing the 2nd Annual Period Piece Screenwriting Contest
Stage 32 Certification Welcomes El Paso, Texas!
Mapping Out a Multi-Season Story Part 2: Where Do You Get Ideas For This Much Story?
How Stage 32 Turned A Dream Into A Reality!
I have been working on my teleplay for my TV Rom-Com, NUMBER 54, since 2004. Yes, it’s been twenty years of working on and polishing the Pilot script. I would sit at my desk and write a little, scrap it, and start over. I felt something was missing, but what was it? After twenty years of writing and rewriting, I finally figured it out. It was too long and it wasn’t funny enough. So as a member of STAGE 32 since 2015, I decided to write my best rendition and pitch it to someon…
Captivating Heroic Journey Narratives: The Art Of Beat Sheets
Crafting captivating narratives is an art form that elevates screenwriting to new heights. If you’re seeking success in screenwriting, understanding the concept of beat sheets is paramount. These guides provide a roadmap for plot development and creating engaging narratives. In this exploration of the Heroic Journey as a beat sheet in screenwriting, I will unravel their significance, their applications, and how they intertwine with the timeless allure of the Heroic Journe…
What I Learned From Nic Pizzolatto's Work Part 2: Themes, Tropes, and Conflicts
In part 1 of this blog series (which you can find HERE), I delved into character and plot development inspired by Nic Pizzolatto's work. Now, let's focus on content aspects: themes, tropes, and conflicts. Unlike the first part, there's no specific order here—it's a writing toolbox to be used as needed. Themes are the flesh of a story, giving it depth beyond the plot. They offer an interesting perspective on everyday life, resonating with audiences long after the story ends. For …
How Stage 32 Got My Work In Front Of The Right People & Connected Me With My New Manager!
In The Beginning… Five years ago, I made the bold decision to try my hand at writing for the screen. I had just had two musicals (written with the brilliant composer/lyricist Eamonn O’Dwyer) published and licensed by Samuel French at Concord Theatricals and until that point, my experience was mainly in period adaptations for the stage - it was time for something new. Making the decision was the easy part – trying to execute it was almost impossible! I live in the UK, …
Understanding The Heroic Journey: The Importance Of Character Arcs
Crafting compelling characters is important for successful screenwriting; with character arcs playing a pivotal role in captivating audiences. Understanding the Heroic Journey as a character arc sets the stage for dynamic and engaging characters that resonate with viewers. Delving into the concept of character arcs, you will explore why they are crucial in screenwriting and how they breathe life into your narratives. By dissecting common character archetypes within the Heroic Journey, …
Unleashing The Heroic Journey: A Framework For Screenwriters
Starting your screenwriting career can be a daunting task, especially for new writers seeking to sell their scripts and captivate audiences with their stories. The Heroic Journey, a powerful narrative framework deeply rooted in well-known storytelling, holds the potential to breathe life into characters, the moral premise, and your dramatic structure. Last week we covered what the Heroic Journey is, where it originated, and when you should consider applying it in your own storytelling.…
Stage 32 Success Story: Zero To Zealful In Under Six Months!
Last year, I snagged a 2nd Rounder badge at the Austin Film Festival with my script Kira and Henry and sat in on a roundtable led by Larry Postel, a non-represented screenwriter living in Dallas. Larry’s story is unique in that he has managed to have four original spec screenplays purchased, produced, and released since 2020. Larry told us his secret; he sent out query emails after doing lots of research on who would be a good producer for his scripts. He didn't have a manager and …
The Power of Comps: How They Break (Or Make!) Your TV Pitch
You’re ready to pitch your TV series idea. You’re there, in the room or on Zoom, you’re nervous as hell but you know your stuff, you’ve got this, you draw a deep breath, you say that much-practiced logline and end with “it’s X meets Y!” Someone somewhere told you to use “comps”, so you picked two shows or films that bear some resemblance to your show and put them together. They told you to pick comps that were profitable to show your …
Announcing the 5th Annual New Voices in Animation Screenwriting Contest
Hey, Stage 32 Community! A great animated film or TV show combines adventurous storytelling, colorful character development, visually stunning animation, and a imaginative spirit to create an immersive and memorable experience. Classic animated shows like THE SIMPSONS or SOUTH PARK are some of the most watched series of all time, in the television and film spaces. Current animated franchises like DESPICABLE ME, INSIDE OUT, and MOANA have fans waiting on the edge …
Coffee & Content: Creating Powerful Dialogue
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 from Writer Brandon McNulty, he’s breaking down how to write strong and effective dialogue--with examples from The Dark Knight, Game of Thrones, The Godfather, and more! He highlights what he feels are the “3 Higher Purposes of Dialogue”, looking at how in …
What I Learned From Nic Pizzolatto's Work Part 1: Character Development & Plot
The first season of True Detective stands out as one of the finest offerings in the realm of quality TV shows. All episodes were penned by a single writer: Nic Pizzolatto. But what exactly makes them so compelling? I took this question as an opportunity to closely analyze Pizzolatto's novel *Galveston* and the first three seasons of *True Detective*. From this exploration, I extracted dramaturgical similarities and devised a writing model. This process was enlightening, and I'd like to s…
Celebrate the May 2024 Stage 32 Community’s Successes!
Hello, Stage 32 Community! We love celebrating our amazing members and all that you have worked hard for and achieved, and we know you do too! We wanted to shine a light on all of the successes you've garnered and make sure they are getting their proper due. So sit back and read on to learn all about signings, deals, meetings, script requests, and all of the fun happenings from the month of May... Success Stories Congrats to Stage 32 Community Members Jessica Calvello, Stephanie Harr…
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