Hello everyone! I’m new to the group. I’m a relatively new screenwriter with a longtime passion for film and TV. I’m especially drawn to stories where characters are not one-dimensionally good or bad. I believe everyone exists in shades of gray, and I love exploring that in my characters.
I recently received a “Double Recommend” for my latest script, The Instrument’s Days. I recognize there’s always room for improvement, but I’m excited to see where this journey takes me.
Looking forward to growing with you all
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Hi, Neil Jaye. Welcome to the community. Getting a “Double Recommend” as a relatively new screenwriter is really impressive! Congratulations!
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Welcome Neil Jaye to the community.
I'm glad to hear your success. keep moving!
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Hello Neil! Welcome! Love your approach to complex characters—shades of gray make for the best stories. Love the characters not being good or bad. Huge congrats on the Double Recommend! Excited to see where your journey takes you!
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How doyou feel about Joseph Smith junior? Is he a gray character?
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Emily Stoll I have to be honest, I'm not sure who that is. Tell me more..
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Hey there Neil, it’s great to see you here—I’m also new to the platform and just starting my journey into filmmaking (coming from a novel-writing background). It’s exciting to connect with others who are passionate about storytelling and creativity.
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Congratulations on the double recommend, Neil Jaye. Getting that from an industry exec is no small feat. Only 1% or so get the honor.
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Congratulations on that double reccomend Neil Jaye - that is awesome! So glad you're with us here on Stage 32!
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Hi Neil Jaye Nice to meet you. I love films about the different shades of grey. I mean i agree we are all different shades of grey (whether we are explicit about it or not) so seeing films that explore those qualities in its characters helps us to connect with different parts of ourselves. Anyway, that's just my two cents. What is it specifically you love about exploring the shades of grey?
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Alexandra Stevens Thank you for your comment. In regard to your question, I love the idea that fundamentally good people can be driven to do bad things, but also bad people also have a good sides—families, friends, loved ones. No matter how bad someone is, they are not evil 24 hours a day. I find those characters more interesting and complex. I'm certainly not the first or only person to explore this, but more often than not, villains/antagonists are portrayed as crazy or psychotic, and that side of them isn't explored enough. Sure, it may drive the story and make it easier to root for the protagonist, but sometimes, I think it's lazy storytelling. Just my opinion.
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Hello Neil Jaye nice to meet you ! I am also new to this community, looking forward to connect with everyone, for a better life! of course, in shades of gray....
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Welcome to the community, Neil Jaye! Huge congratulations on joining us and hitting the ground running with such a fantastic victory! That’s an incredible way to start your journey here, and I can’t wait to see what you do next.
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Neil Jaye Yes indeed it makes for better story telling. I love movies where i end up feeling conflicted because i have some sympathy/empathy for the 'bad' guy/girl. I look forward to hearing more about the "Instrument's Days" or seeing it in on screen some day :)
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Hey there Neil Jaye! It's interesting, I was just talking about this very notion of morally complicated characters recently, with the passing of Gene Hackman. I had always admired the film Unforgiven, for which Hackman won an Academy Award of course, as a study in shades of gray characters, in that the sheriff is the villain and the outlaw the hero of the film. Often times that makes for more interesting storytelling!
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That's a great choice, Nick Phillips. So many layers to those characters. Just a tremendous film.