Screenwriting

We find ourselves in each of our characters. That’s what we get it from Mark Deuce Maurice Vaughan

Not all of mine Nicholas P some are really bad and that is not me.

Sometimes that happens Mark Deuce

Very, very true Nicholas P I toally agree with you. We write from our experiences the Good, the Bad, and the very ugly.

Thank you Mark Deuce and our characters are a reflection of ourselves

That is amazing Frank Van Der Meijden and I really think that Rome never did fully go away, it just changed with the times.

What do you think of this last Pope Thing?

You really have the makings of a great story there for sure.

Would love to visit Rome one day.

It is on my bucket list!

Cheers.

I've read this prophecy years ago Mark Deuce and it sure does make for an interesting story.

The topic is going in such an interesting direction. The next Pope certainly has an air of mystery attached. I'll give a clue. Given modern science you may think he's not even human or attached/controlled by human affections and certainly a god-like personality, capabilities and all!

However look at 24:10 min. into this vid. to see actual rare footage of the picture frames inside the particular church/building including the vacant last, to see an ongoing discussion of the topic

https://youtu.be/DREVCHoOhGk

And/Or

It sure does Pat Savage and with President Trump already in Rome for the funeral kinda looks like a London Has Fallen film. Now, that would make a great movie!

Great video Eon C. Rambally but, according to St. Malachy´s prophecy, Pope Francis is the last pope, so who is really going to be the last one? Very interesting and I have been following this for a decade. With Trump in Rome and JD vance the last American to see the Pope Alive has so many connections here. We will see soon.

I am super excited to start on Saturday! If you know anyone who wants to get into writing for TV, this lab covers it all. I try to teach a method that you can use to write any pilot in the future, not just the one you are working on in the lab, so the lab is an investment in yourself, not just in a project.

Thank you Anna!! I can't wait for the lab to begin!

Hi, folks! Greetings from Poughkeepsie, New York! I'm looking forward to the next eight weekends! Should be fun! In the meantime, I'm wondering if the syllabus is just the information in the "What You'll Learn" section of the lab description, or if there's info that I'm missing. Could anyone please provide any direction? Thanks much, and have an awesome Friday!

Hi, Gena! Excited to have you in the lab :) You're in great hands! That is correct that is the syllabus, did you by chance fill out with questionnaire? Happy to resend from edu@stage32.com ! Happy Friday!

Thanks, Sydney! Yes, I did fill out and return the questionnaire. Looks like I'm good to go! Yea! :)

You're welcome, Ryan Wilford. That's great that you're focused on getting your first script in shape. It's better to get a script in shape than rush it for a contest, but some contests like Stage 32's contests have the option where you can enter your script, then submit another draft later on, so you'll have time to get the script in shape.

Ryan Wilford I love the thoughtful way you’re approaching this, you’re asking the right questions.

The writers who build strong foundations first tend to have more lasting success. That means stacking your portfolio with a few great samples, getting active in screenwriting communities (like here on Stage 32), and developing real, genuine relationships with other writers, producers, execs, and filmmakers. Those connections are often what open doors long before formal representation comes.

For getting your work seen, a lot of writers here have had success with Stage 32 consultations, pitch sessions, and the Writer’s Room: https://www.stage32.com/writers-room/plans-vip. You might also want to reach out to the Success Team at Success@Stage32.com. They can help you create a strategy for your goals and projects.

Hi Ryan Wilford - you're definitely on the right path and asking the right questions. There's a lot of good advice here. The only thing I would add is to learn all you can about other aspects of the film business...especially producing. If you have a bug to act, take an acting class. If you would like to some day produce your own work, take some Stage 32 classes on production (I did and they're wonderful). Learn all you can which brings me to my side point - I'm not a fan of the word, "newbie" because learning really never ends. Learn as much as you can for as long as you can. You're going to do great Ryan.

Ryan Wilford I think there's a lot of great advice here. I don't really have anything else to add, but I will say that I encourage you to continue to share your journey with us here on Stage 32. Your questions are the kinds of questions I'm sure many here also have.

Hey Ryan Wilford being out in LA already, it's easier than you think to get your script's in the right people's hands, even as a newbie. One way I've made a lot of industry contacts living out here is just through daily life. I've met big producers, big managers, agents at big firms, great directors and actors by simply living (and being a very social person). I've met them at the dog park, on hikes, at restaurants and bars in my neighborhood, at museums, at coffee shops, at the ball games, through dating(!!), at the gym, in classes (like a pottery one I took where I was sat next to a TV Producer and we became pals), at screenings, at networking events, in acting/improv classes, in workshops, at yoga, at plays, at comedy shows, through rec league sports, heck my landlord's a TV Lit Agent and I met him through signing a lease! All you gotta do is put yourself out there and do stuff to try to make new friends. Then, once you make a connection, develop the relationship by asking them to coffee or lunch and bonding as pals. If you throw a little get-together, night outing, or have an extra ticket to a ball game, invite them along and focus on building the relationship. It's not a fast way to do things and there's no magic bullet approach, but getting people on your side through creating strong, positive personal relationships is a great way to make inroads. And as long as your relationships are real/folks don't feel like you're using them for their access, more often than not, they'll take a look eventually or pass your script along to someone they know. It's a great part of being in LA!

Hey TonE Watson,

Congratulations on REDSTONE and your impressive competition wins! This is a significant achievement that demonstrates the quality of your writing. You're asking exactly the right question – "what's next?"

With your competition success, you've established important industry validation. Here are some strategic next steps:

Pitch Sessions: Book pitch sessions with managers who specialize in TV pilots. Your competition wins give you valuable momentum to leverage and market yourself to managers. Through Stage 32, you can pitch directly to managers actively seeking new clients.

Consultation Calls: Consider booking consultations with development executives who can provide specific feedback on how to position REDSTONE in the current marketplace. They can also advise on your broader portfolio development.

Career Development Calls: With your competition success, you might want to talk specifically to a working exec (manager/producer) to help develop a personalized strategy and path forward.

Your competition wins demonstrate market viability. Now it's about strategic positioning and getting your work in front of the right decision-makers. Email me at success [at] stage32.com and I'd be happy to recommend specific managers or executives who would be a strong fit for REDSTONE based on their current mandates.

Keep the momentum going – you've already accomplished the hardest part!

Thank you for your service, TonE Watson. It's great to meet you. Congratulations on finishing your TV pilot and winning the awards!

I second what Pat said. You could also post your pilot on your profile. Producers search profiles on here for projects. Click the gear symbol in the top right-hand corner and select “Edit profile” in the drop-down menu. Scroll down to “Loglines” and click “Add/edit loglines” to the right of “Loglines.” You can also post your pilot on your profile this way: www.stage32.com/loglines (near the top where it says “Add a Logline”)

That sounds like a great challenge, Phoenix Black! I probably won't be able to join, but I hope you make connections, get script requests, and sell your scripts!

I love this, Phoenix Black!

considering I feel like I don't query enough, 1 a day in May sounds great. how do we keep each other accountable?

I'll join in!

Congratulations, Brian!

Laughs on laughs on laughs with this one! Congrats @Brian Pracht

Thank you for the thoughts. I'm hoping others post theirs as well (I put mine out there.) It was very informative especially for someone at my just-a-year-in level.

Robert Franklin Godwin III What a fantastic takeaway and real-world example! You're right that what we see released today is the result of decisions made years ago, which makes staying connected and looking ahead so important. RB’s emphasis on networking and having real conversations with people actively working in production was such a valuable reminder. Trends aren’t born on release day, they’re seeded far earlier, and if we’re plugged into the right circles, we can anticipate rather than react. Thank you for sharing this story, it really drives the point home!

So, Ashley, thanks so much for your very valuable suggestions! What's hot right now to be written to appeal to producers? I have had enough of robots blowing stuff up...I am sure they don't want that either.

Robert Franklin Godwin III That’s such a powerful summary—thank you for sharing it! I truly appreciate your insights.

Robert Franklin Godwin III Years ago I read Paul Hawken's book, "Growing A Business." (Which is a great book, btw.) In it he writes about starting a business and one quote really grabbed me: "If everyone thinks you have a good idea, you´re too late." In other words, if you look around see other businesses doing well you might think you could do the same. Sometimes that might work, but most often you're arriving late, especially given how much time and work it takes to get a business off the ground. Similar for films.

Patrick, thanks a BILLION for posting these notes!

RB, great advice!

Thank you for taking the time to compile and share all of this, Patrick "PK" Koepke!

Hope you enjoyed the AMA!

Hi, Sydney S. Some things came up, and I could only listen to some of the AMA, but I plan on listening to the recording.

You'll have to let me know your thoughts Maurice! I learned so much!

I will, Sydney S. I have a unique Rom-Com script on the back burner, and this AMA will help.

Awesome to hear Maurice!