Mariia Rudenko's Lounge Discussions

Film Grants

hi guys! what feature film grant programs would you recommend to submit to? Just submitted to ScreenCraft Film Fund. What else is good out there?

Sam Sokolow

Hi Mariia Rudenko - your film sounds great. I recommend Rick Davis' Stage 32 Webinar on tapping into Donor Advised Funds, which can be great for social impact projects. Rick is a fountain of knowledge...

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Mariia Rudenko

thanks a lot Stephen Folker ! Will look for it in Spain where I reside now.

Mariia Rudenko

thanks a lot for the tip Sam Sokolow ! Will check it out. I also already bought How to Finance & Produce an Independent Film Between $250K-$2M

Mike Boas

I've had my eye on the Filmmakers Collaborative. Not a grant, but a 501c3 that allows a pass-through for tax deductible donations. Requires a $200 membership fee. https://filmmakerscollab.org/fiscalsp...

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Stephen Folker

Mariia Rudenko how much are you trying to raise?

Mariia Rudenko
Box of Chocolates

hi guys! sharing my second short film with you:

https://youtu.be/9fnfGimlRkU

comment and subscribe :)

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Mariia Rudenko. Have you thought about taking a filmmaking webinar or class on here?

Mariia Rudenko

I definitely want and will at one point. I’m just now polishing 4 scripts! (feature, TV pilot, episode for existing show and another feature), and physically don’t have time.

I also thought of taking acting class:)

Maurice Vaughan

You're busy, Mariia Rudenko! Here's the Filmmaking Education whenever you're ready (www.stage32.com/education/search?term=filmmaking). I'm looking forward to seeing your next film!...

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Mariia Rudenko

thank you so much for good advice and all the support Maurice Vaughan !

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Mariia Rudenko. Hope you have a great weekend!

Mariia Rudenko
Second Rounder at Austin Film Festival!

Hello beautiful community! I'm here to share a very unexpected joy. My screenplay Let Me Save The World made it to Austin Film Festival Second Round in Comedy Feature category. I'm stunned and shocked and feel like I'm gonna faint!

Thank you so much for always being such a huge support!

Mariia Rudenko

Pamela Jaye Smith Jack Binder thank you guys so much!...

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Mariia Rudenko

hi Matthew Kelcourse ! thank you so much! and congratulations to you too! this is so exciting! although this year AFF Second Rounder is as far as I am getting as in the email they congratulated me but...

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Maurice Vaughan

Congratulations, Matthew Kelcourse!

Mariia Rudenko

Matthew Kelcourse yes, totally! and yeah, I’m querying literally all the time haha. Pitches, competitions, coverages etc. contacting everyone I know, everyone I don’t know :)

Mariia Rudenko
My debut short film!

Hi guys! So after your amazing support and very helpful recommendations I dared to try and shoot my first short film. It's very amateurish with a lot of mistakes, inconsistencies and flaws, but I put my heart into it, and it's my first! A big deal for me. Scared to share, but here it is -- https://y...

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Brightman Majiduh

It's actually funny and inspiring ..what camera did you use ?

Mariia Rudenko

thank you a lot Brightman Majiduh ! it was a selfie camera of iPhone 14 ProMax

Mariia Rudenko

my main question is what software for video editing would you guys recommend? Google gives million variants, but what is your experience?

Mike Boas

For editing, Resolve is a favorite among many filmmakers. There’s a free version.

Another free software I’ve heard recommended is Shotcut.

I’ve used Resolve, but I prefer Premiere, part of my Adobe subscription.

Mariia Rudenko

thanks a lot for advice Mike Boas ! Will check them out!

Jim Boston
Many, many, many thanks, Stage 32!

RB, Amanda, Nick, Ashley Renee, Maurice, and Co, thanks for all the great work you're doing...and, among other things, encouraging screenwriters and TV writers to have more than one script in those portfolios.

And thank you for introducing Cayla Tyne as one of Stage 32's new executives.

Last night, Ca...

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Jason Mirch

Amazing! Great stuff Jim Boston !

Jim Boston

Thanks a bunch, Jason!

Mark Deuce

Totally concur Jim Boston you gotta have a large portfolio of scripts when a Producer or Manager comes-a-callin.

Jane Tumminello

28 Scripts! That's incredible Jim Boston! Wishing you much success.

Jim Boston

Mark and Jane, thanks for the encouragement...and Jane, congratulations on selling "The Mix-Up!" (Here's wishing you both more and more success!)

Mariia Rudenko
My script was requested!

I just want to share joy of this moment when after multiple pitches and “passes” my screenplay was finally requested! now fingers crossed

Mariia Rudenko

thank you so much Jim Boston and Andre Reid ! this community we have here is also a big achievement for all of us!...

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Nick Phillips

Sometimes that one "yes" can make all the difference Mariia Rudenko!

Mariia Rudenko

of nos (is it correct to say “noes”?), and I was just telling my husband: jeez I need a win to see I’m taking the right direction, to keep going. it was th...

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Mariia Rudenko
Antagonist/Love interest

Hi guys,

opinions are different on:

- whether antagonist and love interest can/can’t be the same character

- whether antagonist can/can’t be inanimate/phenomenon/force of nature etc

what are your thoughts?

Mariia Rudenko

hahah Dan Guardino good point! my husband would totally agree

Pat Alexander

I would say A Star is Born is a good example of antagonist/lover being the same character

Mariia Rudenko

right Pat Alexander ! thanks for one more very good example!

Dan MaxXx

Im old; this type of genre was big in the 1990's: Fatal Attraction, Body Heat, Basic Instinct, The Crush..

Preston Poulter

After two divorces, I'm inclined to see all lover interests as antagonists.

Aisha Abubakar
I just made my first moive.

Hello my name is Aisha i am new here. I just finished my very first film! It's been a whirlwind of learning, challenges, and pure joy, and I'm so excited to share this project with the world someday.

While Netflix might seem like a distant dream right now, that's definitely the ultimate goal I'm work...

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Aisha Abubakar

Thank you so much Christopher Maes will look into it

Aisha Abubakar

Pat Alexander thank you

Sandra Isabel Correia

Welcome Aisha Abubakar congratulations on finishing your first film, that’s a big achievement! the journey is longer, but Dreams come True! Believe!...

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Mariia Rudenko

hi Aisha Abubakar ! wow congratulations on your first movie! this is a big big accomplishment! it gives me a push to be more active making my first short film. as for film schools I attended few scree...

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Maurice Vaughan

Stage 32 Certification, Aisha Abubakar. Here's a blog with more information about it: www.stage32.com/blog/the-future-of-film-school-is-here-stage-32-launches-global-entertainment-career-certification...

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Melanie Lang
Screenplay Treatment: What is your experience with these?

Is my treatment complete? How often are you asked to share yours (before or after) executives are willing to read the script? I used the "Writing a Screenplay Synopsis" Resource Sheet graciously shared by Stage 32 (thank you!), but I haven't seen an actual sample. I'm willing to share mine if that i...

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Melanie Lang

Thank you, everyone, for your thoughts and sharing your experience! I feel pretty good about my treatment. It wasn't too difficult to write, which probably means I am getting closer to creating a concise verbal pitch.

Mariia Rudenko

title

genre

logline

theme

world

characters

synopsis

oh, and of course my name, mail, telephone etc...

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Maurice Vaughan

Happy 4th of July, Alejandro Marello.

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Melanie Lang. Are you a Writers' Room member? There's a weekly Pitch Practice that can help you with your verbal pitch.

Travis Seppala

I have literally NEVER been asked for a treatment for one of my scripts. Like, EVER ever. lol

I've been asked to write treatments when hired to write a script - they want a treatment or outline done t...

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Ian Milne
A surprise OWA!

Was shocked and amazed to learn "SHERMAN OF SHERWOOD" was submitted for another OWA. So excited! Thank you, Stage32. For so long my writing sat on shelves (er in my computer) and was read only by my closest inner circle of friends and peers. Thanks to your team and this opportunity, the circle is expanding.

Richard "RB" Botto

Good on you for taking those scripts off the shelf and getting your work out there, Ian Milne. Glad to see it's paying off. Inspiring.

Ian Milne

Thanks Richard "RB" Botto and all! Appreciate your support.

Richard "RB" Botto

Absolutely, Ian Milne. Keep charging, my friend.

Nick Phillips

Way to get that script off the shelf Ian Milne! You miss 100% of the shots you don't take!

Debra Kurtz
Semi finalist in short film contest

I can’t express my happiness enough that both my short films “When Crows Fly “ and “Jesse James Gang Rides Again” have been upgraded to semi finalists in the short film competition. I’m excited to see the winner. Congratulations to all other semi finalists. 

Mark Deuce

Congratulations Debra Kurtz

Wendy Weising

Congratulations! How exciting!

Jed Power

Congrats, Debra. Where can I read Jesse script, please? jedpower@verizon.net

Anita Hogans-Simpson

That's amazing!! The best to you in this contest.

Mariia Rudenko
Fighting procrastination

Hi good people! What helps you to stop procrastinating? How do you push yourself? For me other than actual deadlines it’s a question “what did you do today to be closer to your goal?”. Works wonders.

Mariia Rudenko

thank you a lot Robin Gregory . What you’ve described is really close to what I often experience. sometimes it works to be in the moment, sometimes I find it hard though. Nice catch about kids. True....

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Mariia Rudenko

Nick Phillips yeah, deadlines work like that for me. the closer to deadline it is the faster I write. Even inspiration comes from nowhere

Mariia Rudenko

gotta try to indeed do it every day same time Thom Reese !

David Paulsen

For me, writing is a hobby. I'm retired and I do it because I love it. I don't push myself at all. If I'm not feeling it, I don't write that day. Once I lock into a fun story, it writes itself. The wo...

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Robin Gregory

I like your attitude, David Paulsen! It's pretty much the way I get things done, too.

Mark Deuce
Introducing Myself

Hello everyone.

I have not introduced myself in awhile and here it goes!

This is why I write:

I grew up around the industry as a kid.

My Uncle was a Sound Producer for Universal Studios for 34 years and he was honored to have worked with Howard Hughes and my dad got the golden watch given to my uncle f...

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Mark Deuce

There are boxes of them Sydney S and my sisters have them now.

Glenn Axelrod

Hi Mark! Impressive post! I'd love to connect and talk more. My late cousin George Axelrod co-wrote the 1952 three-act play " The Seven Year Itch" with Billy Wilder and also worked on the screenplay a...

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Jed Power

The watch is probably valuable as a collectible!

Jessie Spillman

Thanks for sharing, welcome :)

Brian Kamau

thanks for the welcome

Short films newbie

Hi guys! I want to shoot a short film, but have zero experience in it. Please how do I do it with minimal investment? where do I learn it? I bought a course on Udemy, but would appreciate different opinions.

P.S. idea for the movie is already there, screenplay will write shortly. The problem for me...

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Sam Sokolow

Hi Mariia Rudenko - you are going to learn so much making your film - it's truly exciting. You've gotten terrific advice here from the community. I'll add 2 tips from experience:

1) Feed the crew & cas...

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Richard "RB" Botto

That is the daily double, Sam Sokolow. No doubt!

David Santo

Kapow!

Nobody has mentioned "story" (everybody thinks they got that on lockdown).

A great story is still the cheapest way to make a short. 1 location. Small cast. Tons of twists.

And if you're shooting...

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Mariia Rudenko

yes, totally agree Sam Sokolow ! pizza and beers are already included in my film’s budget. Thanks for pointing out the sound. I also read about it. Will dig more on the technical side of this question...

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Mariia Rudenko
Spec for existing TV show

Hi dear writers! I need a tip. I wrote a spec episode for an existing TV show that had its final season this year. It’s okay to use it for my portfolio, but would it be okay to submit it for screenwriting contests copyrights wise? I mean the show is not mine obviously:) the spec is though.

Sam Sokolow

I agree with Richard "RB" Botto on building your arsenal and cultivating scripts that show off your unique voice. That's what excites reps and showrunners looking to staff. The courses that Tom Lapke...

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Mariia Rudenko

Sam Sokolow thanks so much for precious advice. I act...

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Sam Rivera

What great advice from everyone! I agree with everything that you should show your voice!

Tom Lapke

Mariia Rudenko Here are some options that will cover what you are looking for:

What Do I Cut? How to Approach Your Script Rewrite

How to Better Rewrite a...

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Mariia Rudenko

Tom Lapke thanks a lot! already checking those out!...

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Sandi Jerome
I made it!

It is almost my one-year anniversary with Stage 32, and I want to say THANKS!!! After participating in over 50+ pitches, numerous workshops, and entering your contests - I have made it. I have one screenplay in production, one optioned and a Manager -- all thanks to Stage 32!!!

My manager signed me...

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Anita Hogans-Simpson

That's awesome. Thanks for sharing your story!!!

Joo Lee

Amazing, congrats!

Payne Patchett

That's awesome! Congratulations!

Anselmo Garcia

Congratulations Sandi. That’s awesome!

Ashraf Nahlous

I know it is 7 months old but this is amazing to see!!! It made my day better, I wish you all the best Sandi!

Mariia Rudenko
Small victory

Just wanted to share my small victory. I just made it to Quarterfinals of ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship 2024. I’m so thrilled!

Pamela Jaye Smith

CONGRATULATIONS!

Francisco Castro

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Celebrate!!!

Mariia Rudenko

thank you so so much Francisco Castro and Pamela Jaye Smith ! didn’t go farther than semifinalists, but I’m considering it a great result as well:)...

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Francisco Castro

You're welcome, Mariia Rudenko. Always-Always-ALWAYS celebrate your victories, big and small!!!

Mariia Rudenko

yes Francisco Castro ! I totally do! because every and each one of them matters a lot! actually I’m celebrating this and the AFF Second Rounder one now:)...

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Mariia Rudenko
What are your tricks?

hi guys! how do you come up with the specifics of your story? I mean yeah, here you have a general vision and even understand beginning, midpoint and ending. But still need to fill it all up with events, inciting incidents etc.

what helps me is to just write backstories of each character. Even some...

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Göran Johansson

when I started no-budget filming, I borrowed ideas from others. When I gradually learned what works, it became easier for me to invent.

Every time I have an idea, I write it down. So I can use it later...

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Mark Deuce

That is a great idea Mariia Rudenko and also what I do too along with the backstory of the time period as well.

Mariia Rudenko

thanks Mark Deuce ! right? it gives so many new ideas and can completely change the initial plot structure

Bradford Richardson

Mariia, if your initial concept CRACKLES with conflict, the story writes itself. If your initial concept doesn't crackle, there's no amount of "Fun Bits" which can save it.

Mariia Rudenko

Bradford Richardson well of course. What I meant is that when sometimes you get stuck, it’s good to shift attention to something else, like thinking deeper about characters’ backgrounds, setting, envi...

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