Screenwriting : The Official Q&A Post for Today’s Sci-Fi & Fantasy Roundtable: The State of the Industry & Adapting IP Today by Ashley Renee Smith

Hey, everyone! I'm tuning in from Greenville, North Carolina. Thanks for hosting, Geoff! Thanks for moderating, Ashley Renee Smith! Thanks for having this Roundtable, Jonathan, Matthew, and Thomas! What's one tip for writing a Grounded Sci-Fi script?

Okay, I hope this is the right lounge. There's a BUNCH of lounges!

Are any of these professionals looking for new IP?

There's also a book and a marketing team.

Hi, I am an aspiring writer from Seattle. When writing Sci- fi , how do you run checks of whether topics like religion and God fall within "Science" fiction

What advice do you have for a screenwriter to convert their script into a novel, thus reverse-creating IP?

Tuning in from Greensboro, NC! Thank you for hosting this Stage32!

As movie theater trends continue to shift, how do you get a sense of what movies would excel in theater versus a film that will thrive on streaming? I see too many films in theaters but often times I mention great films that no one has heard of until months later when they hit digital.

Hi, watching from New York.

What is a good sign that the genre, the situation, or the world, is taking over the character(s) and threatening the success of the show?

I’m a first-time screenwriter with a strong creative background, able to generate fresh ideas and detailed stories with ease. However, I’m finding the process of converting my stories into a professional script format challenging. As a newcomer, I’d love to hear your advice on how to overcome this hurdle. Are there writers who collaborate on a share basis, or other alternative approaches, such as tools, workshops, or partnerships, that you’d recommend for someone like me to successfully adapt my stories into scripts?

Thank you for your time and insights!

Hi I have a couple questions

World building ….

What elements do you think are essential to balance in a grounded sci-fi series like mine—especially when blending political intrigue with alien conflict?”

Are there any red flags in the premise or world-building that you think would concern studios or networks?

Pitching….

I have a IP and am attempting to figure out the best way to position my IP, as I have developed, a high-concept series, table top- game, comic?

Question for Panel: To what extent are you seeing generative AI Video being incorporated into Pitch Decks. What's working for you in this regard, what's not.

As a writer/director, how do you take the next step when you’ve already developed a full concept, placed well in competitions, gotten strong industry feedback, and even have award-winning creatives attached – but no production company wants to be the first to board a genre show like fantasy/sci-fi, where budgets escalate fast?

How do you build a real package when you’re not repped and can’t get past the major firewalls?

Question for Panel: For Hard SF oriented writers who don't neglect character but do prioritize idea evolution (aka 2001, Arrival) over character arcs, what are the most receptive networks/streamers right now to that kind of content.

I'm seeing a lot of high profile screenplays lately (The Substance / Heretic) that when they have a precise visual in mind (a specifically formatted Title GFX, a real world art piece) the writers are actually inserting the image graphic in the screenplay - is this becoming a more broadly accepted norm?

Question for Panel Where are modest budget SF television shows (that used to air on networks like SyFy) looking to land now that basic cable is on it's very last breathes?

I'm a screenwriter in the UK and have found it difficult to find UK based writers' rooms and pitch practice opportunities. Is there a central resource that can be consulted where these opportunities can be found?

I find authentic specs give execs/producers a heightened level of uneasiness. Despite receiving all positive feedback about characters, world building, and plot, the lack of IP is the reason I'm told they are passing on my story.

For someone without any connections to the industry, outside of contests, how can writers best build IP that would ease the concern of lack of IP?

The feedback I've received on my fantasy and sci-fi screenplays is that they would cost too much to make ($100 million). For this reason I've gone down the graphic novel route to be able to see my work in a physical format. Have other fantasy/sci-fi writers had the same experience?

My question for the panel: How do you see the current appetite for IPs that feature dual worldbuilding—specifically where a spiritual realm mirrors the Earth realm? Are producers and platforms open to stories that explore metaphysical parallels and emotional resonance across dimensions, especially when the fantasy world reflects inner transformation as much as external stakes?

Hey, what's it like getting involved in all these big-budget projects? How do you get recognized as a screenwriter? And is living outside the United States a problem when it comes to working with big companies like Disney, HBO, or Netflix?

Hi, happy to be here from Charlotte, NC! Thanks for sharing this valuable information - Q: What is the most important information to include in a logline when pitching a Sci-Fi TV Series? The protagonist's situation and obstacles to overcome? How long should it be? Thank you!

In my story am struggling with defining the arc of the lead character who is chosen one , just showing her progress from a normal human to superhuman but am not sure what conflict to put in her path , the only conflict is her own oblivion of her abilities - her lack of confidence , like Bella in Twilight movie had, but is this conflict going to be amusing enough if the world building is good enough ?

Knowing that the lower the production cost, the more likely they will be made, what type of scenes should we avoid that are too expensive?

what do you think about role of AI in movie/ TV show making ?

Ashley Renee Smith I have a sci-fi screenplay and am thinking about writing a few more. How important is research and accuracy in writing a great script.

I am not creating any sci fi or fantasy at this time. However, I have written hundreds of songs, many of which would fit perfectly well in character driven sci fi and fantasy films.

Plus, anyone else a fan of the sci fi film Hunter Prey (2010) that is totally character driven.

I've had to rewrite my alien-driven sci fi novels to introduce people before aliens. (About half my readers did not want to start visualizing until after they were story-invested) In ET, the alien came first. Does the visual medium of movies enable us to start with the alien, letting the World Building speak for itself, or is it better to start with people? Especially when submitting a script?

I've sold 6,000 units on my own, and my work is about to his the BIG gaming cons!

I've got The Witcher on Girl Power!

Are the speakers seeing these massages?

My cousin has written several sci-fi books, and he gave me permission to adapt them. I'm working on the first one. How do I relay permission from the author? Do I need a legal agreement or something less formal? What is best?

Question for Panel: What is the path for sci-fi comedy in features?

Everyone can check out the Global Contest Hub Announcement blog that I was just talking about by clicking here: https://www.stage32.com/blog/stage-32-launches-global-screenwriting-cont...

As someone who does well in a collaborative environment, what the process for getting into a writer's room (if they exist anywhere)? I'm not specifically a fantasy writer, but I love the genre, and am working on a screenplay in that genre now.

How can you get into a writing room? What's the actual trajectory to get into a studio writing room?

Should I write the stories following trends or should I wirte the stories I want to see?…. I want to show my voice not follow a trend….

As a young person, is going to film school important for breaking into bigger productions, not just indie or art films? Or is networking and experience more crucial?

Thank you for recording this! Gotta run!

Thanks for your time guys. To pitch a spec show, beyond the elevator pitch, one pagers, three pagers, etc etc etc... do you need the whole series written or will a pilot and a world/character bible be sufficient?

I have a very important question for Thomas V. , Matthew B., and Jonathan W. which tv show did you enjoyed more... X files or Millennium???

Hi to all, I'm tuning in from Trinidad & Tobago.

Congratulations to Stage 32 and the initiative in filling in the gap for CoverFly!

Q: Concerning copyrights, technicalities and production, what are "the present" risk factors in going ahead and produce a film (at least conceptual) that has characters like say, the comic book characters, are there any new perspectives, laws etc. and any immediate (within consideration & reason) advice / updates, incentives to be informed of?

Are you talking about Blakes's Seven, Matthew?

LOVE THIS PANEL!! Amazing advice. I'm looking for a Producer/Director for a project I;ve been developing I hold the option to 5 Historical Vampire books by Les Daniels, The Don Sebastian Chronicles- A History of Blood, it was Top 3% on Coverfly, CINEQUEST top finalist 2025, and I've revamped it to time travel to reduce the budget. What's the best way to get through to the right producers? Agencies are such a roadblock.

Hi! Which industry news sources do you use to stay up to date with developments in the field, is that relevant for screenwriting?

The original Dr Who programmes had more horror in them. The new version is more intellectual and wants to create parables I think.

Incredible Roundtable! So much helpful advice and insight! Thanks again, Jonathan, Matthew, Thomas, Geoff, and Ashley Renee Smith!

Many thanks to Matthew, Jonathan and Thomas on making the webinar so informative and interesting. Brilliant!

Was runing late and missed it. Is a recording available?

Thank you all, it was great :))

Hi, Evelyn Von Warnitz. The recording will be added to your Education Library soon.

Thank you all for tuning in! We'll be sharing the coupon shortly with those who registered to the Zoom.

You're welcome, Geoffroy Faugerolas.

Diana Lock thank you for asking questions!

Judi Jordan Glad you enjoyed it! I'd recommend looking into our script services to get direct access to executives and producers. And those who apply to the Stage 32 Sci-fi & Fantasy Screenwriting contest will of course be eligible to be mentored by our 3 panelists + Nicholas.

@Yulia - I'd recommend Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, but also Writers' Room members have access to exclusive industry intel and Q&As.

@eon I'd not recommend producing a movie based on stories or characters you do not own the copyright to.

Jeffrey Said pilot + bible should be enough. Rarely you see showrunners bring more than 1-2 episodes.

@david - if you can get away with. But these are often written by writer/directors.

@erin rado - thank you for joining!

Thanks Geoffroy Faugerolas, I do not intend to! Really interested to see what the new initiative(s) concerning CoverFly produces!

Thank you Geoffroy Faugerolas and Ashley Renee Smith. It was a great session. Looking forward for more :))

Absolutely Eon C. Rambally ! I came from Coverfly to help writers and creators and will continue to do so!

Sandra Isabel Correia Absolutely! It's been great to see all the positive feedback. Really motivates us to do more of those :)

You are in the right place Geoffroy Faugerolas, and we are happy to have you. It’s refreshing:)) Thank you.

Excellent learning this Geoffroy Faugerolas . Great you are here on the stage 32 platform!