Hello everyone,
My name is İlay Yılmaz, and I am a screenwriter from Turkey. I write autobiographical and true story screenplays that reflect real experiences of survival, family struggles, and resilience.
One of my works, Encounter with the Snake, tells the true story of a young girl who comes face-to-face with a deadly snake in the mountains. In that terrifying moment, fear transforms into courage — a symbolic turning point that shaped my life.
This screenplay has already been submitted to international competitions. Now, I am looking to connect with producers, directors, and collaborators who are interested in powerful, authentic stories based on real life.
I would love to share more about my work, hear your feedback, and connect with like-minded creatives here on Stage 32.
Thank you for reading, and I wish success to all fellow storytellers here!
— İlay Yılmaz
3 people like this
Hi, Ilay Yılmaz. I hope you're doing well! Encounter with the Snake sounds interesting. Something I do to pitch my scripts is post pages in Stage 32’s Your Stage Lounge (www.stage32.com/lounge/promotion) and on my other social media profiles, like First Page Friday, Third Page Thursday, and Sneak Peek Sunday. I post loglines and script posters with the pages. And sometimes I post short pitches (like two-word pitches and three-word pitches) on social media.
2 people like this
Maurice Vaughan “Hello Maurice, thank you very much for your kind message and the advice you shared. I will check out your posts on Stage32. Your suggestions are truly helpful for me.”
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Ilay Yılmaz, welcome to Stage 32. There are some great people here in every area of entertainment. I actually visited your beautiful nation years ago. While not connected to your story, I am reminded of my own childhood when I got to play with rattlesnakes. I wish you the very best with all of your projects.
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You're welcome, Ilay Yılmaz. Glad to hear it's helpful! I hope it helps you sell your projects!
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Wyman Brent“Thank you so much, Wyman, for your warm welcome and kind words. I truly appreciate it and wish you great success in all your creative projects as well.
It was such a unique and profound feeling, and I deeply sensed that you understood it. Witnessing the unique energy of every living being leaves a lasting mark on the soul. For someone who was very afraid, mustering all my courage just to survive was an entirely different experience. No matter how much time passes, those moments remain as vivid as that very day. Even in my dreams, I still see those eyes—it has become one of the most fascinating and unforgettable parts of my life story.”
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Ilay Yılmaz, you are welcome.I am truly glad that you survived. I had my own experiences for years that I was very lucky to survive. Playing with rattlesnakes was the fun and easy part of my childhood. I would enjoy hearing more about your work and your inspiration.
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Lauren Hackney “Thank you so much, Lauren, your support truly means a lot. I admire your journey and achievements — it inspires me as I share my own story here.”
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“Thank you so much, Erik. Your support truly means a lot to me. I admire the humanitarian work you do, it’s inspiring.”
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“Thank you so much, Alessandro. Your support means a lot to me. Music is such a powerful way to give more life to stories, and I truly admire your work as a composer.”
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Değerli William “Thank you so much, Precious. Your support means a lot to me. I truly admire songwriters — music has such a beautiful way of touching the soul.”
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Kenneth Ellis 2 Kenneth,
Thank you very much for your like. Your sensitivity to the real-life experience I shared means a great deal to me. I’m grateful for your interest and support.
Warm regards,
Ilay
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David Silcox you for your like and for your sensitivity to the real-life experience I shared — it means a lot. — Ilay
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Mohanad İsmailhank you very much for your support. I wish you every success on your writing journey.
Best wishes,
Ilay
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Daniel Nedyalkov“Hello Daniel, thank you for your appreciation. I am also working on projects inspired by my true life story. Your experience in creating visual worlds is truly impressive. Perhaps one day my story might also catch your interest for an animation or cartoon adaptation. Wishing you the best with your work.”İlay
1 person likes this
Good luck with your writing. It sounds very exciting.
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“Thank you so much, David! I appreciate your kind words.”
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Hi Ilay Yılmaz, I’m Ashley Renee Smith, Head of Community here at Stage 32. Thank you for sharing your story and for being so open about the inspiration behind Encounter with the Snake. It takes a lot of courage to turn personal experiences into screenplays, and those kinds of authentic, true stories often resonate the most with audiences.
Since you’re hoping to connect with producers and directors, I recommend spending time in the Screenwriting Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting), the Producing Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/producing), and the Filmmaking Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/directing). All three are great places to start conversations and build relationships around your work.
You may also find the Stage 32 Writer’s Room helpful, it’s a space for ongoing education, script development, and networking with other writers and high-level professionals. Here’s a free month link so you can explore: https://www.stage32.com/writers-room/plans-vip
And if you’d like personalized guidance and introductions, our Success Team can provide curated connections based on your goals. You can reach them anytime at Success@Stage32.com.
I’m glad you’re here and look forward to seeing how your storytelling journey unfolds!
3 people like this
"Great to meet you, Ilay Yilmaz! Your screenplay sounds powerful and deeply personal. I’m based in Bulgaria, so we’re actually neighbors across the border, always inspiring to see strong stories coming from our region. Wishing you much success with Encounter with the Snake and your future projects. Greetings from Bulgaria!
1 person likes this
Thank you so much, Ashley.
Your message made me very happy. It felt so warm and sincere, and it gives me even more hope for my journey. I truly appreciate your kind words and guidance. I will spend more time in the Lounges you suggested, and I’m very excited to explore the Writers’ Room with the free month you shared. It means a lot to me during this time.
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Daniel Nedyalkov means a lot to me that you felt inspired by my story. Yes, we are indeed close neighbors, and it’s wonderful to feel that connection. Sending warm greetings back to you from Turkey, and wishing you success in all your creative projects as well
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Thank you, Ilay Yılmaz ! Who knows, maybe one day we’ll share a Turkish coffee and exchange ideas in person. Until then, I’m really glad we connected here, and I wish you inspiration on your creative journey!
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Nice to meet you Ilay Yılmaz - your story sounds very powerful. How long have you been writing screenplays?
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Amanda Toney - Sonraki Seviye Eğitim Thank you so much for your kind words
I have only recently started writing my story in screenplay format, but storytelling has been a part of my life since childhood. My background is not only about writing — it is about living through unique and painful experiences that I now want to share on the screen.
I believe authenticity is my greatest strength, and I am eager to learn, grow, and connect with fellow screenwriters here.
Marina Albert“Hikayemi beğendiğiniz için çok teşekkür ederim. Benim için çok şey ifade ediyor.”
1 person likes this
Hello Edwin,
Thank you very much for your support and for liking my story. It means a lot to me to receive encouragement from a creative professional like you.
I am working on a deeply personal true-life screenplay based on my journey — the daughter of a strong Central Asian karate master, who faced loneliness and many struggles on the road to resilience. Finding support here on Stage 32 has been a very uplifting and hopeful path for me, and it makes me truly happy.
Wishing you continued success with your inspiring projects.
Best regards,
Ilay
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Hello Koby,
Thank you so much for liking my story. It truly means a lot to me to see support from a young filmmaker who is exploring such poetic and emotional themes. Your vision about memory, time and human connection is inspiring.
I am also working on a true-life screenplay about resilience and identity, and finding this kind of encouragement here on Stage 32 gives me hope and strength.
Wishing you continued inspiration on your creative journey.
Best regards,
Ilay
1 person likes this
Hello Marina,
Thank you very much for liking my story. It means a lot to me, especially coming from a writer and producer with such rich experience across different genres.
I truly admire how your work explores family, resilience, and deep emotions — themes that also define my own life journey and screenplay. Finding this kind of support on Stage 32 gives me strength to keep moving forward.
Wishing you continued success and inspiration with all your projects.
Best regards,
Ilay
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Thank you, Landon. I truly appreciate your support.
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“Dear Debbie, thank you so much for your kind appreciation. As someone who believes in the power of stories and helps others share their voices, your recognition truly means a lot to me. It’s a great privilege to meet someone as experienced and inspiring as you here. I wish you continued success in your work and in your writing journey.”
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Dear Krasimir Koev,
Thank you very much for appreciating my story. During my time in Moscow, I had many Belarusian friends at the market. Thanks to their kindness and sincerity, Belarus has remained in my memories as one of my favorite countries.