Introduce Yourself : It’s Introduce Yourself Weekend! How does your work CONNECT? by Leonardo Ramirez

As a composer, my hope is that the listener feels a sense of clarity. While understanding that my job isn’t to tell the viewer what emotions to feel, but to undergird & support the story that is being told; I’d want to ensure that the viewer/listener felt secure in satisfied clarity that the music did what it was supposed to do.

Leonardo Ramirez what a beautiful way to frame this weekend, and happy Introduce Yourself to you too. I love your question because it goes straight to the heart of why we do any of this.

For me, the feeling I hope someone walks away with is a sense of possibility. Even when the story goes dark or messy, I want people to feel that there’s a thread of agency, dignity, or transformation running underneath it. My background is in business and leadership, and now as a filmmaker and storyteller, that same impulse shows up in my work: stories that empower, stories that heal, stories that remind people they’re not alone in the chaos.

If someone finishes something I’ve created and feels even a small shift, a recognition, a spark, or an emotion, then I’ve done my job.

Love what you’re bringing into the world with hope at the center. I am really PROUD of you, my brother.

Great post, Leonardo. I really like how clearly you’ve expressed the heart behind your work and the kind of stories you want to tell. Exploring what it means to be human through sci-fi and fantasy, with hope woven in, is such a strong creative space to live in. For me, I always hope people feel entertained first, but also seen, inspired, and maybe even a little more connected to themselves or others after experiencing something I helped create.

Great question, Leonardo. Through storytelling, I aim to create emotional resonance that stays with the audience beyond the final page or final scene. I’m drawn to stories exploring identity, transformation, and complex human choices, often through layered characters.

If a story invites reflection or creates a lasting emotional connection, then it has done its work.

Beautifully said, Dixon Morisseau. I grew up in music. Played the french horn in orchestra and was trained vocally so I got to sing with the Houston Masterworks Chorus for a short season. I primarily listen to soundtracks or instrumental music. All that to say that when I watch a movie, I'm taking in the soundtrack just as much. I don't know if movies would be as impactful if not for the music. Totally get where you're coming from.

It sure does my friend, Sandra Correia. And I'm all about transformation through hope that brings about a personal victory or an awareness about self. I am so very proud of you as well my sister. Your presence alone lights up a lounge even when it's the written word.

Thank you so much Joshua Young - it really means a lot. I've mentioned before that my mantra is "science fiction fueled by hope" but I recently changed it to "stories fueled by hope" to encompass other genres. I love it that you want people to be seen - yes, entertained but also seen and inspired. Words, music, and all that we create has powerful influence that's also beautiful. Love your work, btw.

Hey Leonardo Ramirez ! love that you're asking the big question about connection and hope. That's what makes sci fi and fantasy hit so hard when done right. For me, I think the best stories leave people feeling a little less alone. What's a recent movie or show that made you feel that hopeful thread you're chasing?

I absolutely LOVE the thought of a story staying with an audience beyond the final scene Charmane Wedderburn. And it doesn't have to even feel transformative - simply something that brings a peace to an overwhelmed soul will suffice! Beautifully said Charmane. Love how you put that.

"I think the best stories leave people feeling a little less alone." - I absolutely love that Sam Rivera. You hit the nail on the head with that one. The last movie that demonstrated this for me was Zack Snyder's Justice League. Victor Stone feels like an outsider who is tempted to succumb to his hopelessness by the evil he seeks to destroy. It's an evil who taunts him towards the end of the movie. After discovering his purpose and finding his new family of friends, his reply is simple and poignant..."I'm not alone." Landing there gives him the strength to defeat the "Mother Box" and set freedom in motion. Thanks so much for commenting Sam. It means a lot.

Leonardo, what a way to kick off the weekend!

The hope angle you describe resonates deeply. There's a reason audiences keep coming back to sci-fi and fantasy even in the darkest cultural moments...those genres carry possibility in their DNA. They ask "what if" in a way that opens people up rather than shutting them down.

We have executives actively searching for material in those categories right now so make sure to update your genres: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Our-executives-are-waiting-...

This community is lucky to have you in it.

Geoffroy Faugerolas That means the world to me coming from you friend. I think it's funny that I got a notice of your comment just as I was commenting on your IYW post! Can't say thank you enough to you. YOU have been a real source of hope this year.

Leonardo Ramirez ((((hugs))) I've not seen Justice League but I like the thread. We are not alone. As an actor, I like the feeling of comradie. The bond that forms with the cast when doing a stage play is a microcasm of what life should be like for everyone. We are all connected. That is the feeling I want the audience to come away with. A reminder that there is a ripple effect in all that we do and instead of being divided on things that don't matter, we need to be united, as we are all in this together. The Artemtis astronauts gave us a reminder of that. "Earth you are a crew."

Thank you for all that you bring to this community. I am grateful you are my friend and fellow squad member.

Hugs back at you my dear friend Suzanne Bronson. I could not have said that better or agreed more. We are all connected. Creativity weaves us together in such a profound way. I love it that you mention Artemis as well. I sat and watched the launch, flyby and splashdown in their entirety. Such a beautiful thing this was. Can't wait to go back next year with III and IV.

We are ONE creative mindset :)) Thank you, my lovely. Leonardo Ramirez <3

Absolutely Sandra Correia !!

Leonardo Ramirez, happy Introduce Yourself Weekend!

You already know I love how clearly you define your storytelling lens, that thread of hope you bring into sci-fi and fantasy is something people feel. And I have to say, the way you show up as a moderator in the Screenwriting Lounge and Writer’s Room reflects that same intention. You don’t just talk about connection, you actively create it.

For me, what I hope people feel is seen. Whether it’s through a character, a moment, or a choice, I want someone to walk away feeling like, “That’s exactly what I’ve felt but didn’t know how to put into words.” And if there’s a little catharsis or escape layered in there too, even better.

You always frame these questions in a way that gets people thinking a little deeper. What’s been the most meaningful response you’ve gotten from someone about your work so far?

Hello Leonardo Ramirez you show up on this platform with heart, so I've no doubt that heart and hope are also on the page. This is a little dark but in my current project it's my intention and hope for the audience to feel the dread, the fear, the anxiety, the closing in, suffocating , breathlessness of my protagonist. I want them to identify what they see in the news (escalating femicide rates ) with an individual and step into their shoes to feel the full weight of the loss like that scene in Fruitvale Station of Oscar sharing a meal with his extended family before his life is cut short.

I love that Ashley Renée Smith. There is something healing about being seen through and through - a validation that helps us to jump the hurdle from pain to hope. And when someone else puts it into words for us, there’s a release of that pain that’s replaced by breath.

Akin to what you’re saying, the most meaningful response I received was, “I see myself in her.” This was from a young lady who had just lost her father just as Haven lost hers.

Leonardo Ramirez What could be more meaningful than that? Your writing would have helped her on her healing journey.

I hope it did Marie Hatten. And thank you so much for the kind words. They mean so much. As for what you bring, we all have our own voice and way of bringing hope to the world. It’s not always by ignoring the realities of what is happening. Sometimes we need truth to jar us awake.