Hi everyone! After spending a decade as an ad man, I’ve made the jump to screenwriting a few months ago! While I started off by reading as many screenwriting books as I could, there’s still a lot I need to learn to keep honing my craft - so I’m looking forward to engaging with the community :)
I’m originally from the West Bank, currently living in Dubai, and I plan on writing screenplays with (primarily) LGBTQ+ protagonists - I’d know I’ve made it when I get deported for “infringing on the sanctity of traditions” :D
Writing has always been my outlet to work through my own identity issues & self-acceptance. It’s what drew me to film as a medium and showed me how a well-crafted visual story could be used to help those in a similar position to navigate their own self-acceptance journeys + fight misinformation by shining the spotlight on their plight and begin to nurture a sense of understanding and tolerance within their communities.
I posted my first ever logline today - any feedback is greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
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Let me offer you this; attend a film festival every two years. When you attend do not ask anyone to read your script. Have reserved fun while mingling. At a film festival a little over two years ago, I met a Director who I sat next to at a Table Reading event for forty-minutes. He tutored me in screenwriting throughout the Table Reading. It was mind blowing! Ever since then, every script that I entered into a film festival won top prize in someone's fest. At the time I didn't know who the guy was, but now I know that in the 90's he worked on a very famous franchise blockbuster and last year he directed a film starring Oscar award winners. Good journey to you.
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Sounds like a plan! Thanks, SherLann
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My advice:
Read more screenplays than screenwriting books. You will learn more from screenwriters than the how-to writers. Avoid passive writing, keep brevity in mind, do not forget the page-to-screen rule, leave plenty of white space, keep it under 120 pages (until you're a renowned screenwriter), and the biggest thing of all: remember that it is a screenplay and not a novel - what you write has to be filmable.
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Welcome, Ayman! Nice to meet you. Glad you're here.
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Thanks, Matthew Parvin :)
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Thanks Ryan Little :)
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Welcome to the community and screenwriting, Ayman Jaber. There's a lot to do and learn on Stage 32, so here's a blog about navigating the platform: https://www.stage32.com/blog/navigating-stage-32-for-your-best-experienc...
Here's the Screenwriting Lounge: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting It'll help you hone your craft. Let me know if you need any screenwriting advice.
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Thanks Maurice Vaughan !
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Welcome Ayman! You'll love it here, its an amazing community :D Wish you luck and hope we can connect
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Thank you, Julio :) It’s been great so far!
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You're welcome, Ayman Jaber.
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Welcome aboard! You won't have any problems with an "x" in "espresso" from me, since I drink tea.
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Fantastic IY post Ayman. Now to get you more optimistic than delusional! You're in the right place and this community - the most positive and creative on the planet - will help you get there, no question.
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Thank you, Richard! Everyone has been extremely welcoming and supportive :)
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Thanks, Vincent!
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Ayman, I'm with you in the slightly delusional mind space... but I think you have to be to take this industry on and not take no for an answer. I tell people that I have a healthy amount of delusion because that is belief ;)