Trending Lounge Discussions

It is self serving to say this but I wonder why long term committed relationship stories that demonstrate how people can stand the test of time aren't considered 'rom-com'. Although the premise of my project Dixie Dynamite is predicated on an out there premise it ultimately is a love story of 2 mid 50's that have been together 30+ years, weathered the storm of life, personal mistakes and failings and kids and are still in love decades later. I've actually had near universal acclaim and applause from pitches that the main characters are actually 'in-love' with one another rather than 'putting up' with one another but these types of stories don't see a lot of screen time in my experience.

Great news and great work Geoffroy Faugerolas @Stage32. Epic!

I really need to cook up more romcom ideas lol

Darrell Pennington,

Because romantic comedy is a genre in which a simple, sweet young girl seduces a confirmed bachelor, a handsome successful man, to start a serious relationship.

Haha Arthur Charpentier it's not always easy to tell but I am sensing a bit of well placed sarcasm in your reply but it is a well made point I suppose. Perhaps it is a well defined toolbox that must be drawn from in order to qulify as a 'romcom'....I need to create a snappy phrase that defines the romance and comedy stylings of a mature and complex relationship. Silver Shenanigans perhaps.......

Your post got me thinking about characters entering and exiting scenes, Suzanne Bronson. That could help me write better characters and scenes. Thanks for the idea.

Suzanne Bronson I close my eyes, take a breath, and forget everything I thought I knew, let go of any expectations, and connect to my breath, and live Her, the character I am interpreting.

Congratulations, John Doble!

well done

John, way to GO! Congratulations...and here's to "Sisterhood's" continuing success!

Awesome!!

Great work. Let me know when and where it's playing.

Hi, Murat Ersahin. Hope you're doing great! I gave you feedback on The Fracture a couple weeks ago. I can't wait to watch it!

Something I do to pitch my scripts is post pages in Stage 32's Your Stage Lounge (www.stage32.com/lounge/promotion), on Twitter/X, and on Instagram, like First Page Friday, Third Page Thursday, and Sneak Peek Sunday. I've gotten interest and script requests this way. I post loglines and script posters with the pages.

And sometimes I post short pitches (like two-word pitches and three-word pitches) on social media.

Thank you Maurice Vaughan I will consider your advices. I am very excited about reactions and can it get attention of producers. Fingers crossed!

You're welcome, Murat Ersahin. Hope you get the attention of producers and sell your script! I also suggest reaching out to Stage 32's Success Team (success@stage32.com). Geoff and his team can help you connect with producers, executives, and more.

When it comes to comments on your screenplay. Do as I have done. Write to those in your network here at Stage32. "I am willing to read your script if you read mine." Has given me multiple useful comments.

Maurice Vaughan the outlining starts in the notes app, and once it’s completed we move onto the proper screenwriting tools like FinaDraft or Celtx.

I use Final Draft, Westley Cornwell. I heard it has an outline feature. I plan on trying it out.

Hi Westley Cornwell , congratulations on your semifinalist placement — that’s a great milestone.

I’m a senior 3D artist and animator, working with cinematic characters, environments, and visual development for film projects.

If you ever need visual or 3D support for a short, proof of concept, or pitch materials, I’d be happy to connect.

Portfolio: https://bento.me/pj-arts

Demo Reel: https://vimeo.com/1061099584

Best,

Pablo

Pablo Oliveira thank you! And WOW, that reel is incredible. I will definitely keep you in mind!

Andre Kemp welcome! This is a great website to connect with the film world. What are you working on?

Have a great weekend!

Thank you, everyone.

You're welcome, Rich Terdoslavich. I'm doing well. Thanks. I haven't seen any Kurosawa films. I've heard of them though. I'll have to check them out. Have a great weekend too!

Beautiful work!

Thanks, Michael!

CJ Walley Experience is the greatest teacher. And I'm always reading screenplays to improve my craft.

Registering with WGA seems important to Americans. I never have. It's protected under law anyway because you have the original files.

This issue with not having a registered copyright with the US Library of Congress comes down to employing a lawyer to defend it. LoC infringement is subject to statutory compensation, so if you win, that lawyer's getting a payday, which makes hiring one a lot easier to the average writer.

Only LoC gives this advantage. WGA doesn't. People seem to conflate registering a script through the WGA as becoming a member of the WGA.

Then there's chain of title. The prodcos and distributors I've worked with want to know there's an LoC paper trail when securing rights to a script.

People can take the risks they want, but I've always found it odd how many people are hoping for a seven-figure spec sale while refusing to pay $50 and spend 10 minutes registering it.

Have you chacked out The Writers´ Room here on Stage32 T.A. Uner this is the place where you can pitch to 6+ producers per week here. Cheers and CONGRATULATIONS on your completed Script!!

About receiving comments. Do as I have done. Write to those in your network here at Stage32. "I am willing to read your script if you read mine." I have received multiple useful comments in this way.

Congratulations!! A consider on the writing is such a meaningful milestone — especially your first. That’s real validation. Onward

Congratulations to you. This is absolutely hopeful —refine it further, polish it carefully, and you will make it.

That's awesome Shayla Anne - congratulations!! Super hyped for you!

Good for you, Shayla!

Shayla Anne YES!!!!!!!!

Geoffroy Faugerolas The “onion method” is a perfect way to frame it, because it acknowledges that real relationships aren’t built in a single exchange, they’re built layer by layer, with trust and curiosity doing the heavy lifting. Yes, it takes longer. But the payoff you described: better responses, deeper conversations, and relationships that actually go somewhere, is exactly the point.

Trevor Learey, I really appreciate you being this honest and I want to clear up one important misconception right away.

Stage 32 is fully global. We have members, executives, educators, and active industry professionals from over 190 countries, including a strong and very active presence in the UK, Europe, and beyond. Many of our UK-based producers, writers, execs, and development professionals are working across book-to-screen adaptations, international co-productions, and broadcaster and streamer pipelines right now.

If you haven’t already, I strongly recommend reaching out to our Success Team at Success@Stage32.com. Let them know about your goals, that you’re specifically looking for UK-based or London-connected collaborators, and tell them about your book. They can help identify UK-based executives and producers aligned with adaptation and development and point you toward the best opportunities and next steps.

One of the biggest advantages of Stage 32 is that you don’t have to guess your way forward alone. When your goals are specific, as yours are, our team can help you be equally strategic in how you connect.

That makes total sense, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh. Work-hour conflicts are such a real barrier, and you’re definitely not alone in that.

I’m really glad to hear you enjoy the Writer's Room Zoom webcasts when you can make them. There’s something about seeing faces, hearing voices, and having real-time back-and-forth that makes connections click in a different way than text alone. Even popping into one occasionally can make the community feel a lot smaller and more human. And honestly, the fact that you’re thinking about how you want to engage, instead of forcing yourself into something that doesn’t work with your life, is already a really healthy and sustainable mindset.

Ashley Renee Smith Thank you for your advice. I will fire off an email over the weekend.

thank you for this thread Ashley Renee Smith - how we connect (network) bears increasing importance as we live and operate within an increasingly ... I'll call it 'impatient' social dynamic. We're made to feel that we have to move so fast and produce so much that it's not surprising that sometimes we confuse 'relationships' with 'transactions' -and your thread here is SO critical because I believe the ones that 'make it' are the ones that find and execute ways to manage and control the tempo and vector of their choices, to have control of their 'intention' as you've said. And I've read some great advice on that in this thread from some very wise people :)

Going back to my 7 Habits facilitating days (sometime in the 18th century lol), Covey's Public Victory habits would nicely summarize this advice::

- think win-win, as in 'what's in it for US, not just for ME' (habit 4)

- seek first to understand, than to be understood i.e., listening (habit 5)

- synergize, where your contribution plus the other's contribution compounds, doesn't just 'add up. where 2 + 2 is 5 or 6 or 26! :)

And, of course, the important part is that these need to be respected and used sequentially. Can't jump to great synergistic results if you haven't established the win-win

One of my favorite quotes from Covey: "With people, fast is slow, and slow is fast" if you want to build a relationship with impact.

Lastly, I'll confess for me it's been a struggle lately to live these habits out - but I need to remember that, ESPECIALLY, when things get crazy and busy and... crazy, I need to double down on this path.

Incredible score, Alberto Caputo! Composition can change a film scene. It can change the feel of a movie trailer too, like recut trailers.

Maurice Vaughan Thank you!!❤️❤️

You're welcome, Alberto Caputo.