Screenwriting

Hi Christine. I'm in the middle of doing the same thing, and mine became a pilot and a full TV Series that I'm currently pitching.

My advice from what I've been told: you can write the other episodes, but you need to focus on your pilot. The team you sign with will help decide the direction of the other episodes along with whatever studio wants to fund and help with it. Writing the other episodes could turn out to be a waste of time.

Also, don't listen to that stuff about a hard sell. It's all a hard sell. A short script getting produced is a hard sell.

If you want it, and you're willing to work for it and you believe in it, like I believe in mine, trust your own advice for format (whether it's TV or a movie.)

I'm still going to. Trust me, it's a LONG, HARD road.

But the one thing a lot of producers and studio execs don't see is that crime drama--a good one--is almost always a good sell.

People like crazy, people like gangsters...it's fun to watch the series and see how they lived. It allows people to see what it's like without committing crimes.

Good luck and see you at the Emmy's (or Oscars) one day!

Danny, your response gave me goosebumps. I love watching the Harlan Coben limited series. I can go through one a day.. I also love Mare of Easstown. Mine is similar as far as theme and tone. Thank you for input and advice and good luck with your work as well! And yes, see you there some day!

Ha Dan! I just like his positive outlook. I'm still realistic about it all, but it doesn't mean a girl can't dream.

Thanks Maurice and good luck with your work! I'll check out that webinar.

You're welcome, Christine Capone. Thanks. I hope you sell your project whether it's a feature, limited series, or TV series!

There's always a test question. You can agree to a rewrite that 1300 from the script and have popcorns ready when they explain why not.

Guessing there are hundreds of other wannabe car salesmen that you'll be moving on to next.

Be sure to mention that. Shows you've done your company research.

I have produced 22 hours with no-budget films. I know that one can easily have something at IMDb. And besides, I can imagine scammers stealing an email address from somebody who is at IMDb.

Sus.

Don't pay these people. If they were enormous and everything they made was successful, they wouldn't have to charge people $1,300. They'd have millions and they wouldn't want bothered by guys like you or me.

It doesn't mean it's not beneficial, though. Stage32 is all pay to play and I find I've learned a lot on here.

However, I felt the need to reach out because real executives all have said this 100 times: "Don't pay for shit. Never again besides maybe a small coverage. You don't need to. When you're for real, you will be the one getting paid."

Querying is free, so is cold calls, so is getting optioned.

CONGRATULATIONS!!

66 script requests and 32 meeting requests! Wow! Congratulations, everyone!

That's really COOKIN'! Here's to the writers who won those 66 script requests and 32 meeting requests!

Congrats everyone!

This does not sound legitimate, always do your due diligence before engaging in a creative collaboration.

Hi Michael, I think if you're looking for a producer with great background and can help you with you project, reach out to success@stage32.com for recs!

I had a producer ask for up front money. I thought that they took a percentage of the profits to sell the script. Writer's spent their time and effort to write. Their contribution should be enough.

Another one. Can you guys list the Producers name, email, website etc?

I have twice reported scammers to admin. Better write in such a way that one can produce oneself as a no-budget movie.

They Cloned Tyrone is incredible, Chase Cysco! It's one of my favorite movies from 2023. Fontaine, Yo-Yo, and Slick Charles are one of the best movie trios in history. I didn't know there were so many hidden details in the movie.

I put symbolism, callbacks, and references in my scripts. I add them when I'm outlining, writing, and/or rewriting a script.

After watching this video, I want to rewatch They Cloned Tyrone and look for the hidden details! Thanks for sharing the video.

Maurice Vaughan one of my favs as well ! also need to re watch under the silver lake , i remember hating it at first than a buddy of mines was like re watch it lol

I haven't seen Under the Silver Lake, Chase Cysco. I'll check it out. Thanks. Jordan Peele is one of the best at putting hidden details in his films.

I try to foreshaddow. So in my new screenplay, a woman tells in the phone that she needs a bird. Without explanation. Later there is a carrier pigeon. Once there is tube mail, and later the same tube mail is used in a different way to surprise. And so on.

I bought Michelle Alexandria’s webinar “Tips for Networking Online if You Live Overseas," Leonardo Ramirez. Great. Shane really knows his stuff! I've been to his AMAs on Stage 32.

Oh that sounds like a really good one Maurice Vaughan . Enjoy!

Thanks, Leonardo Ramirez. I also ordered Brian Herskowitz's on-demand webinar "What Do I Cut? How to Approach Your Script Rewrite" today. Enjoy Shane's webinar if you decide to take it!

That sounds like a great one Maurice Vaughan - let me know what you think!

Ok, I will, Leonardo Ramirez.

Thank you for sharing, Maurice Vaughan!

You're welcome, Ashley Renee Smith. To 1.5 million! I know we can get there.

We are Maurice Vaughan. Yes, it helps a lot to have a business mindset as a creative, and never forget that: You are your brand! And you do that very well :)) Kudos for us :))

It isn´t easy to be our brand because it requires a very regular work, but I know it´s very important and it´s my biggest challenge nowadays.

Someday I will write about that Maria Caeiro How to build your brand :))

Hi, Maurice! You're so welcome! That’s such an exciting realization—going back to your earliest scripts with fresh eyes and all the knowledge you’ve gained since. It’s amazing to see how far you’ve come and how you can elevate your past work with new insights. I bet you’ll find some gems in there just waiting to be polished! Enjoy the process, and I’d love to hear how it goes!

Hi, Sydney S. Thanks. I'll let you know how the scripts turn out. It'll probably be a lot of work, but I'm sure it'll be fun too.

Looking forward to the webinar and going to watch this week!!

Can't wait for tomorrow! Make sure to sign up!

Looking forward to this!

Thank you to everyone who attended today, great turn out!! Thank you Jason Mirch :)

Was a transcript posted somewhere can't remember where, so sorry. My memory is spotty as I have long covid and just had a hernia operation.

Apart from everything that's been said above. The best advice I can give is that you sex scene should be honest in depth, but definitely not pornographic. "He does her doggy, or she swallows him whole just doesn't cut it for me personally. Good luck with it.

i just write it ! i dont think 2 much ! just write , at the end of the day no matter what when you get a bite there gonna change things anyway lol ... just get it to where you like it and keep it moving

When we worked on Red Shoe Diaries Zalman (King) didn't want them written out - often just, LOVE SENE HERE and he would block it out. Often we still use that unless something specific needs to be written in that is monumental other than a well-choreographed love scene which can be worked out in rehearsal or on the day. Sometimes, they are graphic as can be... it's a preference and also a respect level for your reader(s) what you decide. I will say, the more conservative my readers have been, the more graphic they've wanted them, LOL.

I write the sex scene as descriptive as I can because I have a very vivid imagination, as long as it doesn't fall into clichés or pornographic territory. I can see them as explicit, but sometimes, a story needs that in order to input more realism.