Introduce Yourself

Hi, David Downes. Hope you've been doing great! I'm looking forward to hearing MC Santa!

Are you joining Stage 32's November Write Club? It can help you reach a goal (like your music), and it's a chance to connect with writers, directors, producers, etc. Today’s the last day to do Week 2's challenges for a chance to win three prizes! www.stage32.com/blog/november-write-club-week-2-insights-from-the-stage-...

I am tied up today but will try and participate even if no prizes are in the offing. November Write Club is a great annual event.

Great, David Downes. There's gonna be prizes for Weeks 3 and 4 too. I plan on rewriting a Holiday Crime Comedy script soon. I'm gonna listen to MC Santa when I do.

David, I've written a script inspired by a true story, and each episode has a story thread based on the theme and title of a popular song. jim

Love this approach, David Downes !

"Greenlight yourself" is one of the most powerful mindsets you can have in this industry, whether it's music, film, or any creative work.

The fact that you're actively learning production, distribution, and rights on the music side will make you a smarter, more resourceful filmmaker when you return to those scripts.

When you're ready to dive back into the screenwriting side, the November Write Club (free, all month) is great for accountability as you develop those concepts: https://www.stage32.com/blog/november-write-club-week-2-insights-from-th...

And if you ever want guidance on script services, connecting with collaborators, or navigating the filmmaking side when the time comes, email success@stage32.com—we can point you to exactly what you need.

Keep building. The vision and drive are clearly there. Good luck with the release!

Happy IYW, Elle Bolan! Congratulations on joining the moderator team. Psychological and emotional journeys through symbolism are really fun to see. Can’t wait to see what you create!

Congratulations to you for joining the lounge moderators team.

And I wish you much more success in your creative journey.

Elle, so glad you're here and stepping into the moderator role!

The transition from author to screenwriter brings such valuable skills. Thanks for offering to help point people toward resources. That kind of generosity is what makes this community work.

And if you ever want curated guidance on education or script services as you continue learning the craft, email edu@stage32.com or success@stage32.com—we're here to match creators to exactly what they need at each stage.

Looking forward to seeing your work develop!

Welcome (back), Elle Bolan ! It's great to meet you, that's fantastic that you've joined the moderator team; thank you for helping guide everyone. It's a pleasure to have you here, and I look forward to seeing you around the lounges

that's beautiful Elle Bolan - thank you for sharing those. it sounds like an 'inside - out' approach a painter or sculptor or a choreographer would use :)

That’s a wonderful father–daughter relationship.

I truly hope both of you reach your goals.

I agree with you completely — it’s important to protect your dreams, because not everyone can see what you see or believe in the fire you carry in your mind.

Sometimes it’s better to stay quiet until you find the right place to reveal your work and shine.

And Stage 32 is one of the best platforms to showcase creativity and talent.

And that's the way it should be Lauren Hackney - love it! Happy IY weekend friend!

Beautifully said Meriem Bouziani. May all of your dreams and more come true friend.

thank you very much Leonardo Ramirez 2

haha Maurice Vaughan that's awesome! I know the idea is in great hands :)

oh that's right Leonardo Ramirez 2 - forgot that. yeah... if you know you know ;)

Mathieu Vayron great to e-meet you! your story does sound very inviting and, as others have already commented, love the title. If you can share, what made you decide on "a remote Idaho town" for the location? I spent some time quite up north in Idaho - certainly great cinematic potential. cheers

Thank you so much, Sebastian — really appreciate your comment.

To be honest, before I even knew the exact location, I already had a very clear vision of the setting in my mind: a remote, quiet place surrounded by forests, mountains, fog, and deep-rooted local history.

When I began researching landscapes and small towns in the U.S., I quickly realized that northern Idaho matched that vision almost perfectly. The atmosphere there — the isolation, the natural beauty, the sense of mystery — felt like the exact cinematic environment Ludmilla needed.

So the location really came from an instinctive image first, and Idaho revealed itself as the perfect fit.

Thanks again for your warm message — it means a lot. And it’s amazing that you know the area personally!

Bienvenue, @Mathieu! Multi-timeline supernatural thriller spanning 130+ years is ambitious—that scope might suggest a limited series rather than feature. Blending rural Americana with French storytelling sensibility could create a distinctive perspective. The folklore + FBI investigation combo has commercial potential if the timelines connect compellingly. Looking forward to seeing how you navigate that structural complexity. Welcome to the community!

Thank you so much, Pat — I really appreciate your message.

You’re right: with the different timelines and the story covering more than a century, a limited series feels like the best format. It gives the characters and the mystery enough space to grow.

The mix of rural Americana with a French storytelling touch came very naturally when I imagined the world of Ludmilla, so I’m glad it feels distinctive to you.

And honestly, knowing you’ve worked with Steve Zaillian is amazing. Se7en is one of my favorite films ever — the atmosphere and the structure really marked me.

Thanks again for the warm welcome. It means a lot.

"So the location really came from an instinctive image first, and Idaho revealed itself as the perfect fit." I think that's a wonderful sign Mathieu Vayron

and you are so on point about the atmosphere - it looks stunning. the lakes are windows into nature's soul. the mountains and forests are friends with those who've paid the dues and seem to tolerate the visitors. and the people speak like an iceberg is structured: they only verbalize the trivial 10%, and keep the other 90% to themselves.

And I agree with Pat - the mix of sensibilities could be magic. look forward to tracking your project - keep us in the loop! :)

PS: a short clip of an evening drive there: https://shorturl.at/cbDJx

Maurice Vaughan Haha, my writing partners, who are more like physical trainers and life coaches. Letting me know when it's time to take "me" on a walk, or get some sun in the backyard, or…get a snack. lol.

Haha That's a great way to look at it, Juliana Philippi!

love it Maurice Vaughan ! and Juliana Philippi , talk about writing a character I can identify with! lol ;)

I decided on haiku, because why not, right? I asked ChatGPT to assist since it knows way more than it should about all my projects, my philosophy, etc.

"Scripts, states, souls in play

I weaponize quiet truth

Teaching how to see"

... don't ask lol

Thanks, Sebastian Tudores. I've been thinking about learning how to write a haiku. Or maybe write a script built around a haiku.

here is my scene, I wrote it with AI corrections

INT. LIVING ROOM – EVENING

THE FAMILY discuss together, she sits alone in silence. Her mind racing for the next twist, the next weird idea.

INSERT – her phone

She taps feverishly, unleashing questions at her AI chatbot.

Her (typing)

What if…?

But then what happens next?

How could they ever survive that kind of crisis?

thank you very much Geoffroy Faugerolas

Happy IYW, Geoffroy Faugerolas! Amazing work, and thank you for building so many pathways of opportunity for creators in the world. The way you connect writers and projects to the right people is truly inspiring. It’s a fantastic chance for the community to learn and grow, and I’m looking forward to the Q&A!

Hello Geoffroy.

Very nice to make your acquaintance

i have a question for you and the community. When looking for script to produce/direct, what would be your reaction if the concept of the script and its potential were really great and unique yet the screenwriter is unproven and the script itself need to be polished. Would you pass, would you ask the screenwriter to improve it with the hope it would be better enough to acquire it or would you acquire it and improve it by your own means?

I would buy the script and rewrite it myself or hire an experienced writer to rewrite it, Nicolas Lavoie.

Great question, Nicolas Lavoie. It really depends on where you are in your journey. As an emerging producer/director, you can't afford to pay a write and have them polish someone's script. Your best bet is to work with the original screenwriter and give them notes, guide them to get the script where you want it to be. That's what producers and directors do at all levels. But if you target a more experienced screenwriter, they will need to be paid.

I remembered you, even if the character isn’t you, I used your name (Leo), just like I call you Leonardo Ramirez 2. I’m so happy you liked it! Hehehe. Have an amazing weekend, my friend. I’m done with writing too, so now it’s time to enjoy some free weekend vibes!

Fearless, strong and always curious - I see Lara shining in you @sandra Happy IY Weekend!

Ahahaha Lauren Hackney, who knows one day from my thumbs to the script :))) Thank you my friend. Have a great IYW :))

Thank you very much for your encouragement Sandra Isabel Correia

The idea grew out of what I was learning about human brain physiology, especially the role of the prefrfrontal cortex in handling the hard-thinking tasks — decision-making, critical reasoning, and the entire architecture of adult cognition.

So I asked myself a simple but dangerous question: What would happen if we lost access to this cortex?

From that point, the madness expanded little by little until it became mature enough to develop into a screenplay — and perhaps one day, a film or a three-episode TV series.

Sandra Isabel Correia it would be George Smiley. I'm afraid I can't tell you more... hahaha

Oh, and that picture is from when I had my photo taken with Weird Al Yankovic!

You're welcome, Eddie Lawhorn. I'd definitely watch that! I don't think you need the PI's name in the logline though. And it's pretty cool you had a photo taken with Weird Al Yankovic! It has a Weird Al feel.

Eddie, you had me at "professional nerd" and sealed it with "$50K from Millionaire." Winning the Bulwer-Lytton contest for worst opening sentence then turning it into an actual novel with actual representation is the most chaotic-good energy I've seen all week. Building a playable game show demo to verify your fictional TV concept's math? That's not newbie behavior—that's unhinged dedication (complimentary). Great to meet you and welcome!

I absolutely love the chaos! Way to bring it all out onto the table. Very good to meet you! I'm Elle, also from the Huntsville AL area. So great to find a local writer on the platform!

Thank you all for your kind comments! I posted the script for Mike Hardware, Private Eye over in the Your Stage area. I am a newbie, but I want to avoid looking like too much of one, so I really desire all constructive criticism - that's the way to learn. And yeah, getting the demo working was a challenge. When you see it you'll understand how hairy the math behind it is. It started as an Excel spreadsheet, and I got decent reviews from the folks who saw it, but I eventually converted it to a web application on my site so more people could use it. (I'll make another post in the Your Stage for RISK vs. REWARD.)

Sam Rivera Oh, thank you! Very kind of you, and success to you as well!!!

I cannot wait to see "Hotel Puerto Rico" Juliana Philippi Happy IY weekend friend!

Leonardo Ramirez 2 Thanks Leonardo!! Happiest weekend to you too!!!

Juliana Philippi, it's wonderful to see your growth—two script requests from 10+ pitches shows you're connecting with industry professionals effectively. The range across drama, comedy, and thriller demonstrates versatility, though you may eventually want to establish a primary genre identity. Your dual actor-writer perspective gives you unique insight into character and performance. Keep that momentum going, and congrats on the holiday script bringing you joy during the process!Retry

Pat Alexander Thank you Pat, I really appreciate that, it is growth, learning, and just doing the thing. I love writing, and sometimes it just wants to come out! Lol. I do have a core voice though, lots of female-driven stories, genre-bending tones, and challenging plots…yet, more refinement will come: ) Indeed!

Sydney S Hi Sydney! Such a pleasant intro!!!! Love that calendar idea. I'm writing a holiday/Christmas screenplay, which will be the last project I finish off with this 2025. Once that's "done", lol, mostly, I'll focus on auditions, acting projects and contracts that are coming in, and be with my hubby, and two huskies, with lots of gratitude and love for an extraordinary 2025, and…possibly…lots of baking : )

Hi, Sydney S. Happy Friday & Happy Introduce Yourself Weekend! Thanks for everything you do for the community! A boho ‘70s holiday shiny vibe with floral, stars, eclectic disco-inspired trees sounds unique. I'm looking forward to seeing pictures!

I'm rewriting a feature script for Stage 32's November Write Club. My second goal for NWC is outline and write a short script.

Hello, nice to meet you Sydney S

Thank you very much for your time and for guiding the community.

For me, I’m focusing on one sci-fi project — The Silent PFC War — which I’m currently developing as a screenplay.

Logline: When an alien-engineered gas regresses humanity to the mindset of six-year-olds, rebel aliens join forces with imprisoned ISS astronauts to restore global intelligence before a hidden genocide plan is triggered.

Oh ok. Sorry, Jim Ramsay. I thought you were saying you used to be an architect. Your script sounds really interesting, and it deals with important topics!

You could post your scripts on your profile. Producers search profiles for projects. That and networking are how I sold four short scripts to a producer. Click the gear symbol in the top right-hand corner and select “Edit profile” in the drop-down menu. Scroll down to “Loglines” and click “Add/edit loglines” to the right of “Loglines.” You can also post your scripts on your profile this way: www.stage32.com/loglines (near the top where it says “Add a Logline”)

Jim Ramsay Yes, the process is similar, in many respects. Are you interested in producing your own projects and getting them to screen? Or more confined to writing?

Maurice, we support a few organizations that deal with sex trafficking, which has increased in the U.S. by 700% over the past four years. I don't care for films that preach to us, so I created "Godless", an action-thriller that incorporates a trafficking thread, featuring an ultra-strong woman protagonist, and a young girl who levels the playing field when they take on the cartels that control southern California.

I hope it raises awareness of the situation subliminally through an exciting action flick. I'll check out the script posting. Thx, jim

Shadow, I would love to produce and direct my projects, but it isn't easy to do when you don't have the experience. jim

You're welcome, Jim Ramsay. I hope so too! Something I do to pitch my scripts is post pages in Stage 32’s Your Stage Lounge, on Twitter/X, and on Instagram, like First Page Friday, Third Page Thursday, and Sneak Peek Sunday. I post loglines and script posters with the pages. Sometimes I post short pitches (like two-word pitches and three-word pitches) on social media.

Lauren Hackney thank you so much!

Sebastian Tudores thank you so much!

hey Alex Hunter Congrats on 'The Harvest' becoming an Amazon bestseller and Page Turner finalist—that's impressive for a debut! Your focus on atmospheric dread over gore sounds perfect for folk horror. UK horror writers bring a distinct sensibility to the field. Welcome to the community, and looking forward to seeing how your work translates to screen if you explore adaptation!

Pat Alexander thank you! Fingers crossed something will get adapted, you never know!

Hi Alex! Congratulations on all your success with THE HARVEST! That's such an achievement. Have a great IYW and make all those connections!