Trending Lounge Discussions

Glad to hear it, Richard "RB" Botto! It's not just about seeing a movie. It's also about the experience (buying a ticket, the arcade, getting snacks, seeing the posters on the walls, etc.). And some movies get short theater time. There were some movies I wanted to see in theaters, but when I went to check the showtimes, they were already on streaming. Yeah, I can watch them on streaming, but again, it's also about the experience.

Tremendous point and comparison, Lindbergh E Hollingsworth. And, to an extent, speaks to the cyclical nature of this business.

Agree, Patrick "PK" Koepke. Now if we can just get people to get off their phones and shut up.

Also fantastic insights, Debbie Elicksen. And your example is a worthy one. I was on a call late last year that included executives from various theatrical exhibitors and the words that kept coming up were "spectacle" and "experience". The push back, of course, is that part of the "experience" needs to include the customer experience. We'll see where they place the guardrails regarding that subject. But in the meantime, it's full speed ahead. No one is shying away.

I grew up in my father's theater, and I remember Bud Spencer, Terence Hill, and Bruce Lee from my childhood. Going to the theatre nowadays is an experience for me, a ritual, and the sound is another aspect that makes the uniqueness of the experience. You make memories. At home, I enjoy streaming, but it does not generate memories; rather, it makes everything go faster. Richard "RB" Botto I believe we will have the same that happens with paper books and online books. In Portugal, the audience at the theater is increasing and that’s good! Thank you for sharing.

To me as a director ideas are everything. Maybe this AFI clip might shine some light on that. https://youtu.be/S2RFMCmfRmc?si=L_15qhHVTa3CGdwR

Of course, Willem Elzenga. But the film doesn't get made without financing and producers.

That's true, but will they recoup.

Richard "RB" Botto What would you advise me as someone who likes to develop ideas and experiment with high-concept storytelling? A collaboration with someone who writes scripts?

I concur with Richard "RB" Botto - if you don't have a script (and/or some killer IP and hopefully both) then it's extremely difficult to get things moving - not just for you as a creator but for the producers, themselves, which is one of the reasons its so tough. You need to come in with the tools that producers can take and work with to build something. One of the main reasons the script is so crucial is that a movie or TV show is not an idea - it's a take and POV of an idea. The Sopranos isn't an idea. It's David Chase's appraoch to the characters and material and tone and world building and dialogue. Actors don't attach to ideas - they attach to a script and a character and a tone. Directors don't attach to an idea. They attach to a script that they connect with and visualize when they read the writer's work - that they we're meant to tell this story this way. Of course, some creatives have ideas that they develop themsleves and writers are often re-written, but the spark for meaningful talent to bite is the script most of the time. So most producers need that because they know if they take on an idea, they have to get a script written to do the job (most of the time). It's an extra heavy lift. As for action steps, partnering with a screenwriter is a good idea and you can network here until you find someone you connect with. Turning your ideas into IP - like graphic novels or a podcast or a book - can be a good start, and may involve different partners and collaborators. And maybe consider taking some screenwriting courses here and writing a draft of one of your ideas - Stage 32 has amazing screenwriting courses and educators that can take you from zero to sixty. That would give you the tool you need to start more meaningful conversations with producers. These are all just suggestions. Wishing you success in your creative journey. If you want to see some of the screenwiritng courses I'll share a link here so can check them out: https://www.stage32.com/education/collections/screenwriting

Thank you all so much! This has been such an education for me and the majority has come from being a Stage32 member!:)

I'll add to the chorus...First person for sure.

I think it really depends on the subject matter. if it's a story about reeeeally dark taboo things that will put you in a bad light, then perhaps 3rd person and give the twist at the end that it's based on your story. you don't want an exec to be biased before they even hear the story.

Thank you for your comments. I was able to pitch last night and tried in 3rd person to keep from becoming too emotional. Everyone was very kind and I'm grateful. Feeling down last night and something unexpected happened. I received an email TWO FATES is a Semifinalist at SanFrancisco Independent Film Festival and TWO FATES was one of the Semifinalists that scored highest with the readers! What?? Wowwww!!! Brilliant timing :)

Double congratulations, Lori Lee Peters!

Kevin Hager - see the post above: Ayanna Anene, Producer at The Walt Disney Company, ABC Studios, Story27 Productions is now available for:

Available for what?

Kevin Hager Given that you really seem to want to write utilizing Disney IP I would suggest applying to the next writing program (2025 program applications are closed) the company runs. The 2026 program should likely open up for submissions in the next few months I imagine. You do have to be cognizant of the fact that the two TV pilot submissions are for live-action (not animated) stories and both writing samples have to be original. Disney doesn't specify non-spec in the application requirements so you may be able to write using Disney trademark characters, but if you apply I would check with the program runners just to make sure. https://sites.disney.com/ctdi/application/

Hi, Kevin Hager. I searched for the post about Ayanna Anene's services, but I couldn't find it. You can email success@stage32.com to find out what she's available for.

I'm glad you're safe, Anna Marton Henry! Sorry to hear your friends and colleagues lost their homes and the historical places were lost. I hope you and everyone stays safe!

I knew of the loss of the Will Rogers estate, but I didn't even know there was a Zane Grey estate. I would have loved to visit. We're mourning the loss of too many historical structures.

SAGAFTRA also has an actor fund. they have grants available for actors and you don't need to be a member just have been paid for acting for the past five years.

Thanks for letting everyone know, Suzanne Bronson!

Hi, Dr Samita Nandy. Hope you're having a great year so far! I'm gonna check out Butterfly this week.

Maurice Vaughan it has been phenomenal and I would love to receive your positive thoughts on the YouTube comments - this film turned out to be miracle. I hope you like the story - it is part of a trilogy now

Mike Childress, at the end of the day, there are luxuries that others can take advantage of. The Gauntlet is expensive. To do the job right is expensive. To take that opportunity means a cost many feel that cannot afford to risk. That's fair enough, but it doesn't make the service any less effective, fair, and valuable.

Screenwriting is such an insanely cheap form of the arts to get into. I see people grumbling all the time. It's crazy. I used to have to spent nearly $1,000 a year just to have the Adobe suite I needed to work when I was in marketing and design, and that's before the $2,000 iMac, $100 Pantone swatches, etc...

CJ Walley Film School at USC: "One million dollars!" Forty screenwriting competition entry fees: One BILLION dollars. Final Draft 13: $200.

Yeah man, everything you just said I agree with. I graduated from Adv Dip Pro Screenwriting recently and one of my specials was TV Drama. Teaser+Five Acts+Tag. Yep, that's the way to go :)

Lukas Strautins Nice!

Congratulations on graduating, Lukas Strautins!

Hi, Teambera! Welcome to the community! It’s great to have you here. I love that you write across such interesting genres—mystery, dramatic comedy, and romance offer a lot of creative potential! What are you working on right now? :)

Hello and thank you both so much. Right now I am organizing myself to begin blog writing in the area of lifestyle.

Welcome to our creative family.

Welcome Teambera glad to have you here.

You're welcome, Teambera Ware. I'm looking forward to reading your blogs!

Great insights, Vincent Weberink! "A great film won’t succeed without a solid marketing strategy." There are a lot of great movies I didn't get a chance to see until years after they got released because I didn't know about them/I never saw promo for them. Not even one ad, promo video, etc.

Fantastic insights, Vincent Weberink. All points are valid and worthy, although I would say that in this day and time, everything stems from #1. It's vital for all artists, not just filmmakers, to understand the business and the market. The more you know, the more value you bring and, quite honestly, the easier it is to sell yourself. It's one of the reason I urge filmmakers, screenwriters and even actors to take producing webinars and classes here even if they have no intention of producing. The knowledge you'll gain will be invaluable toward your networking and when you get in a room. You'll be a standout instead of just another number.