Screenwriting

From structure to content to representation to industry trends, this is the place to discuss, share content and offer tips and advice on the craft and business of screenwriting

Stage 32's FREE Heated Rivalry Script Breakdown Webcast Is An Event You Won't Want To Miss!

Stage 32's FREE Heated Rivalry Script Breakdown Webcast Is An Event You Won't Want To Miss!

LIVE on March 20th at 1:00 pm PT!

Sometimes a show takes an already beloved story and launches it into an entirely new level of cultural impact. That’s exactly what happened with Heated Rivalry.

Adapted from Rachel Reid’s popular Game Changer romance novel series, the story already had a passionate fan base behind it. But when the six-episode series premiered in November 2025, it didn’t just satisfy existing fans. It exploded into a global phenomenon.

  • 10+ million viewers in the United States
  • Reached #1 on global streaming charts
  • Become the most-watched acquired series ever on HBOMax
  • Sent the original novels to the top of the New York Times Bestseller list
  • Boosted NHL ticket sales by 20%
  • Sparked worldwide distribution deals

And here’s the part that really caught the industry’s attention: The series was produced for roughly $11–12 million, with about 30% of the budget covered through tax incentives.

Now writers, producers, and executives across the industry are asking the same question: What made this show work so well?

On Friday, March 20th at 1:00 PM PT, Stage 32 is hosting a FREE script breakdown webcast where Producer and Development Executive Anna Henry will walk through the pilot episode and unpack the storytelling choices that helped make the series such a success.

Even if you can’t attend live, registering ensures you’ll receive the full recording to watch or listen to anytime.

It’s a great opportunity to look under the hood of a show that proves smart storytelling, strong structure, and a clear understanding of audience can turn a modest production into a global phenomenon.

Don't miss out! Make sure you sign up today!


Liked by Kevin Patel and 8 others

Psychological Folk Horror Story Available for Film Adaptation

Hello everyone,

I’m an independent author exploring potential film adaptation opportunities for a psychological folk-horror story I recently wrote.

Logline:

When a mysterious tailor begins creating garments that slowly alter the identities of those who wear them, a young woman must uncover the truth be...

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Harold Gnansounou

What truth must the young woman uncover? The one surrounding the mysterious tailor?

Phil Leasure

After reading that logline I'd love to see the movie. This is a great concept! Where and when does it take it place?

Shanan Samuels

The concept is eerie—very “Needful Things” meets “The Dressmaker.” If the core horror is identity loss, I’d love to see the protagonist have more personal stakes. Is she starting to lose her own sense...

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Porshia Nowrin

Thank you for your interest. The story is set in a small isolated European village with a quiet, timeless atmosphere—somewhere between the late 19th and early 20th century. The setting plays an import...

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Harold Gnansounou

I want to see the film adaptation of this screenplay!

Liked by Charmane Wedderburn and one other

Ruslan Malakhov
Question

Hi everyone,

I’m new to the industry and had a question that’s been on my mind. If people ask to read your script, do you usually register it with the WGA first, or do something else as well? Or do most writers just send it out and not overthink it?

Just curious how others handle it.

Kya Harris

Always register your script. Always make sure that you have a title page with your name on it. Also, if someone wants to read your script, make sure he or she sign a NDA!

Ruslan Malakhov

Oh, the NDA part is new to me. Thanks, Kya — I really appreciate your input.

Mike Boas

Don’t worry about an NDA or the WGA registration. But do register it with the copyright office.

Ansh
Visual Storytelling in Psychological Thrillers : How this genre shows internal struggle without explaining it

Many thrillers rely heavily on dialogue to explain what characters are feeling.

But some of the most powerful psychological thrillers do the opposite.

They reveal internal conflict through behaviour.

- A subtle micro-expression.

- A repeated ritual.

- A moment of silence that lingers longer than expected...

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Liked by Paul Samson and 4 others

Yaman Najm
What if the “victim” is actually the predator?

I’m working on a psychological thriller where the person everyone thinks is fragile is actually orchestrating the hunt.

The challenge: building suspense, fear, and audience empathy while keeping the hero’s true intentions hidden, until the very last moment.

Producers, writers, and fellow screenwriters...

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Muhit Bhuiyan

why does he becomes the victim if deep down he's a predator? (eg: he's a serial killer or a crim...

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Eric Charran

Great premise. For suspense I often build empathy by anchoring the predator’s early behavior in genuine survival logic, not random red herrings. Give the audience a pattern that makes sense, then slow...

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Lindbergh Hollingsworth

Do it right and someone may come knocking on your door. Shudder Island had a similar premise.

Liked by Charmane Wedderburn and 10 others

Bill Brock
Time to hang up the keyboard. The reason I’m writing my 9th and FINAL feature screenplay.

Hello, all you “Fancy Talk” screenwriters.

After watching the attached YouTube video, I’ve come to the conclusion that the film industry is dying…. Quickly. SO many industry folk are currently unemployed. Viewers are no longer attending theaters. Hell, even I’m guilty of it. I saw 6 movies that pique...

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Göran Johansson

My perspective. If Hollywood disappears, more room for people like me who do no-budget filming.

I don't live in USA. Here in Sweden, the film industry is subsidized by the taxpayers. Just as in many ot...

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Michael Thorn

? video not available any more

Leonardo Ramirez

Sharing so many of my colleagues and friends sentiments Bill Brock - I haven't been in quite a while but it's not the end. It's simply morphing into a different animal. And I couldn't stop creating ev...

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Bill Brock

Michael Thorn Swing over to YouTube and type the title into the search box. It’s there.

Anthony Miller

OK.

Liked by Charmane Wedderburn and 12 others

Kendall Helton
Building Suspense

Hey everyone!

I’m a thriller/horror writer. I used to live in the movie theaters growing up. I’ve seen a LOT of films. Like all of you.

My question though, since we all have different takes on movies and ideas…what are some movies that you think nail tension? I like to get different opinions because...

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Kendall Helton

Abhijeet Aade Those are all great ones! I have forgotten all about Se7en. I get too excited and blow the surprise early or drag it out too long. Trying to find that sweet spot is my biggest challenge....

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Kendall Helton

Stephen Barber Looking back, Uncut Gems definitely has a lot of tension as a drama/thriller. I’ve been stuck in a loop of action/thriller/horror and didn’t think to expand my list. I love horror but i...

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Stephen Barber

Kendall Helton, I get it. To me, there are two distinct precursors to tension: physical trauma (slash/punch/shot, etc.) and then the more horrific-- psychological. When I think about it truthfully, th...

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Ruslan Malakhov

For psychological horror, I’d say The Shining, Black Swan, The Witch, and The Others all build tension really well in different ways. What always gets me is when the tension comes from atmosphere, beh...

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Kendall Helton

Stephen Barber I’m the same way. all of my work is pure mental horror with gore incorporated. a lot of self reflection and high stakes as well....

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Liked by Charmane Wedderburn and 4 others

Jason Green
Momentum

I wanted to share a small but meaningful milestone in my writing journey. My first script ever — The Bushmen, a prestige limited series drawn from my lived experience — was recently selected to compete in the WRPN.tv Screenplay Competition. I didn’t realize until now that “selected” is a curated acc...

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Liked by Phil Leasure and 12 others

Spencer Robinson
Attaching Producers to Your Project

I’ve talked to countless aspiring writers who tell me that they have a producer attached to their project, and when I ask who the producer is, it’s often someone with no credits who doesn’t actually bring anything to the table. Having a producer onboard is great if that person adds value, but if the...

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Eric Charran

Thank you for saying this. A producer should add measurable value, whether that is packaging, access to partners, or an honest development process. In my experience it helps to define what the project...

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Spencer Robinson

Göran Johansson What’s the question?

Spencer Robinson

Eric Charran What’s the value ad?

Göran Johansson

I apologize for causing a misunderstandment. I wanted to know if it is easier to sell if one has already created something related to the idea one wants to sell. In my case I have an idea for a TV ser...

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Spencer Robinson

Göran Johansson Just having created that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be easier to sell.

Liked by Oleg Mullayanov

Steve Windels
Die Hard 5 – Why It Doesn’t Feel Like Die Hard

I’ve loved every Die Hard film from 1 to 4 — even the fourth, despite its long gap, exceeded expectations. But A Good Day to Die Hard didn’t work for me. The problem? A structural shift in the villain’s setup and the story’s narrative architecture.

Unlike previous films, the antagonist is hidden and...

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Film Review: Die Hard 5 - A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)
Film Review: Die Hard 5 - A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)
A structural problem with the antagonist's design and the film's narrative structure.

Liked by Oleg Mullayanov and one other

Israel Samuel
I Need A Manager

Hello,

My name is Israel Samuel. I’m a young screenwriter and aspiring actor currently developing original film projects, including my screenplay “Stormborn .” I’m passionate about storytelling and building creative worlds that could translate well to film or streaming platforms.

I’m currently lookin...

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Göran Johansson

Do as I did. Join your local group of no-budget filmmakers. If you write well, they may volunteer to film something you have written. That will make it possible for you to show that you can create, not only put words on paper.

Ewan Dunbar

See the process as a two way street. Its not just them working hard for you, you have to go look for opportunities yourself and make yourself valuable as a client. Being proactive about these things will make you appeal to managers and agents.

Michael David

Göran Johansson ...because putting words on paper is something anyone can do!

Göran Johansson

Yes, many are confident that they can tell stories. I learned filmmaking at a public access television studio. Film and edit, and then show some other person. Watch their face while they watch your short video. That is a fast way to learn what works in practice.

Michael David

@Israel, @Goran has excellent advice that will lead you to finding representation!

Liked by Eva Marosvari and 5 others

Dominick Lordes
Producer didn't show up to the pitch. session.

Has anyone had a producer not show up for a. pitch session before? What do you do? My guy ddn't show, and I'm utterly pissed bc I literally went thrugh a lot of bullshit to make this happen.

Sanna Peth

If that happens, I would definitely recommend reaching out to the Stage32 team and letting them know. They’re usually very helpful in situations like this and can often help reschedule the pitch session.

Emilia-Maria

One didn't get to mine for 7 weeks - made a complaint via email, got a voucher for another session.

Thunder Levin

The way Stage 32 schedules these quick pitches, the producer might have 20 or more 6 minute pitches back to back. If even one thing goes wrong it's easy to get behind. If several things go wrong, or i...

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Leonardo Ramirez

Sorry this happened Dominick Lordes. I understand how much juggling has to take place on your side to make that happen. Definitely reach out to Stage 32 at writerhelp@stage32.com. Hoping they can help...

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Michael David

This is why I don't do pitches on Stage32 anymore. They lost a loyal customer. Still waiting for late feedback from 2 producers. Oh well. Live and learn and look for alternatives.

Stephen Barber
Sometimes the hardest part of writing is having to (GETTING TO) write that thing you can't.

There are so many things to unpack with that sentence, but I wanted to see how many other people can relate. For years - I'm talking like 30! - I've been a fan of Sublime since I was a 16-year-old kid. I got to see them multiple times before they ever "made it" BIG, and I've even introduced my own c...

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