Screenwriting

Thank you very much Adam Spencer

My story has a very gradual development of events, which is why it may need more space.

But I’m trying to write it without forcing it to become either a movie or a series.

I want to finish the story first, and then I’ll see what form it naturally belongs to in the end.

For me it was easy - my tv series project, ARIGNI, was just too long with too many characters for a movie feature

That’s great that you know how to develop it easily Michael Thorn

For me, it’s harder to decide since I’m still a new screenwriter.

Meriem Bouziani even fleshing out the villains so players can step into their perspective would be fun. If it helps, I usually finish writing the full franchise as a film first before adapting it into games. I try to flesh out 40–50 action scenes that can fit one character, or break them up into multiplayer so each player has around 20 missions per story.

Thank you very much for sharing your experience in making games — that’s truly fascinating Dwayne Williams 2

I’ll try to think more about it once I finish my writing.

Hi Yan I use Canva pro. Canva also allows you to ‘animate’ your pitch deck for your website or socials. Re pitching, I’ve always done in person. People want to get a sense of whether they could work with you or you’re a psychopath and they can’t get that from a one pager. You can put a poster for your script as your background. On the other hand, a bit cheekily, you can add accolades or visuals to a written pitch that you couldn’t do in an in person.

I have started to learn to use Canva and create simple movie posters for each script I have that makes a memorable visual. I started doing written pitches and did get a request for my 1975 Husker volleyball auto-bio docu-drama. I attend a monthly Table-Read and got another script request there. It just takes perseverance and a willingness to talk with people and willingness to keep learning new things about the film industry.

A pitch deck and a film budget are critical elements to prepare your pitch, know the cost of production, and be able to convey the numbers with confidence. Even a creative pitch deck can contain a budget number, if not a full blown financial presentation.

I've been making my pitchdecks using powerpoint. Honestly, I normally have casting ideas in my head while I write the story- so it's easier for me to know how and what to pitch because it's like-- This character has that Paul Mescal vibe, or this one is pure Connie Nielsen, etc. I think when you have those concepts in your head-- it's so much easier to write the characters themselves. Their dialogue then is specific to that person, not generic because you "hear" those actors in those roles- living the life of your characters. As for budget- honestly, I try to keep most of my fantasy style stories beween $15-30mm and my horror is anywhere from $5-28mm depending on the SFX, VFX, and practical magic, but I include how much is needed in my pitchdeck or lookbook.

I'm a university student, so I'll certainly have experience using such tools. I present my ideas using PowerPoint or Canvas, sometimes in addition to designs I might use when I want to improvise. I prefer this approach because it gives the audience more space to understand what I mean by each character in my script. I value the budget and like to always present it alongside the main idea, as most of what I write revolves around a clear concept that usually reflects what's inside the viewer. I write novels and psychological screenplays with a touch of imagination that attracts the reader or viewer by including questions of self-reflection, perhaps ultimately leading to understanding someone's character based on your own portrayal of their actions, whether in the film or the novel.

Hey, Sandra Isabel Correia! Congratulations on being about 20 pages away to reaching your goal!

I wrote and rewrote a one-page script for Week 3. I'm trying to decide if I'm going to use it as a writing sample or pitch it. A producer, director, etc. could easily turn the one-page script into a feature film. I might outline and write another short script this week. Maybe 3-5 pages long.

I'm learning more about screenwriting and other areas of the industry to prepare for future opportunities. Something that keeps me going when things feel tough is talking with the Stage 32 community.

I didn't even know this was going on so this is Day 1 for me. But it's not Day 1, it's Year 8 for CHRYSALIS - THE FAMILY ADVENTURE(S), now into an even more exciting phase that includes a Billie Eilish concert, another divided house election result, something else which my ADMLed mind cannot remember at this moment, and eventually the fire that sends the family packing to place 2 in their saga not of rich Americans that can pediddle and wile away their time in meaningless boring shit that gets top TV ratings, but real people who are struggling and get hit at every turn. I chose Billie Eilish because I immediately connected with her when I first heard "Bad Man". She doesn't write hits that industry insiders love. She hits back and forces the industry to reckon with her because she has billions of fans around the world who relate go her music. That's Chrysalis - The Family Aedvrnture(s) exactly A show that grapple with life.

My new determination:

● I KEEP WRITING CHRYSALIS - THE FAMILY ADVENTURE(S) AND IT BECOME EVEN BETTER AND EVEN MORE EXCITING AND GET WRITTEN AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

● 15 MILLION PRODUCERS, EXECUTIVES & DIRECTORS, in addition to ROB REINER & RAEGAN REVORD as actors, WANT TO & ARE READY TO WORK ON CHRYSALIS - THE FAMILY ADVENTURE(S) & TURN THIS SCRIPT INTO THE VERY EXCITING TV ADVENTURE WITH 8 BILLION FANS THAT IT MERITS AND THIS WILL START THIS INSTANT

Maurice Vaughan, Thank you, and congratulations on pushing through your Week 3 work! A one-page script that could expand into a feature is such a powerful tool, whether you use it as a writing sample or pitch it. I love that you’re already thinking strategically about how it might serve you in different contexts.

Outlining another short script this week sounds like a fantastic way to keep the creative momentum going. Those 3–5 pages could be the seed of something bigger or simply a sharp showcase of your voice.

I really appreciate what you said about the Stage 32 community; it’s true, connecting here keeps us moving when the industry feels slow or competitive. That kind of perseverance is exactly what this week’s Write Club blog highlights about making strong first impressions. You’re already building that foundation.

I'm cheering you on as you decide the next step for your one-pager and dive into the new short!

Marc Ginsburg, I love the passion and determination you’re bringing into Week 3; it’s contagious! Eight years of commitment to Chrysalis. The Family Adventure(s) is no small journey, and it’s inspiring to see how you’re weaving in cultural touchpoints like Billie Eilish to capture that raw, relatable energy.

Your vision of a show that grapples with real-life struggles, rather than glossing over them, is powerful. That kind of authenticity is exactly what resonates with audiences and collaborators alike.

I admire how boldly you’re setting your determination, writing ahead of schedule, keeping the project exciting, and imagining the scale of support it deserves. Keep channeling that drive; it’s the kind of perseverance that turns long-term projects into breakthroughs.

Cheering you on as Chrysalis continues to evolve , and can’t wait to see how this phase unfolds!

Love this. Also, incredible vocabulary and writing in this post. So well done.

Maurice: why am I a #2? (spare me the scatalogical references). Who is Michael Elliott 1?

It's a glitch, Michael Elliott 2. The Tech Team is working on it.

You should keep the 2, it sounds catchy lol

It's my truth, AdamAdam Spencer. Thank you :))

I stumbled on "tattooed countdown" - trying to visualise what that would be

I just started writing a holiday screenplay myself, and would love to swap and give each other feedback if you're willing

If you're writing in acts, you already have an idea of where you want to go. If your deadline is late December, then it's not for this year so don't wait for other's opinions. Just write it out. With all the titles you have listed in your credits, you are more likely far more qualified to judge your own work. As a writer, you should know that you write for yourself and hope that you can build a fan base off of your inspired creative thoughts. Just go for it. On other sites for producers looking for screenplays, I only submit the first 10-30 pages for them to judge if they want to read the rest, but the work is finished. I think you're already on the right track, just remember that what you finish with should be something that audiences will want to revisit every year. A one and done viewing of a film is a failure. Make it memorable and make it part of a family tradition and you'll be fine.

I'll read it and let you know what I think. I do a good amount of this and the people whose works I read usually compliment my comments. Let me know if you want me to read it and I'll send my e-mail address where you can send it.

Looking for Management or Producing Partner – Original Sci-Fi Series: THE PHOENIX

Hello Stage 32 community!

I’m seeking representation or a producing partner for my original series THE PHOENIX, a

mythic sci-fi drama that explores humanity’s lost history and the legends written in our DNA.

Materials completed:

Pilot Script

50-Page Show Bible

Full Pitch Deck

Storyboards + Music Direction

Season One Draft (with arcs through Season Four)

The Phoenix is built for HBO-level storytelling — cinematic, character-driven, and deeply

mythological.

If you manage or produce genre content and love stories with scale, mystery, and heart, I’d love

to connect.

Ilanna: Send it to lenilevi@comcast.net

Hi, Luciano Mello. I think "turns into a manufactured fantasy controlled by a powerful billionaire" is vague. What's the manufactured fantasy?

Thank you and you are right Maurice Vaughan "Manufactured fantasy" is her modeling carrear , I think this may sound better “A shy small-town teen’s modeling dream is taken over by a powerful billionaire who controls her rise, forcing her to confront the predatory industry behind it.”

You're welcome, Luciano Mello. I think that's a stronger logline. What's the "it" in "behind it"?

Harney and Sons makes the best choco-mint tea- it's like hot chocolate but tea. Some sugar and cream and YUM! Glad the pitchdeck and lookbook prep idea can help. I think on average it takes me about 8 hours to create one from scratch- including pictures. It's not hard to do, but it's timeconsuming if you don't have major drawing skills- I do not.

Thanks, Cynna Ael. I make pitch decks with Canva Pro. What do you use?

Powerpoint. I find it lets me shape and reshape things easier. I should take the time and learn Canva Pro. I mean if I can master Illustrator and Photoshop, I should be able to do Canva Pro. Right?

I haven't used Illustrator and Photoshop, Cynna Ael, but I used Powerpoint to make a pitch deck. Canva Pro is easier than Powerpoint in my opinion.

Neurodivergent? Well, well—welcome, fellow traveler!

ElevenReader (or any similar AI reader app) has been a huge help for me. The trifecta of hearing the words, reading them on the screen, and following along as the highlight dances across the text keeps my attention in just the right way—every time.

Congratulations on blowing your week 1 goal out the water and finishing BoFS's first draft, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh!

Thank you, Maurice Vaughan! I just sent it in for its table read and will be working on the date and time soon. If it weren’t for the bad sleep I’d even think about how I want to open SiR (or part 5 lol). But as it stands, very excited for the table read and how the actors will view the characters as well as the story developments, and also who’s coming back and who’s new (some actors I really hope will come back since they were perfect for their characters). Also wanna see if anyone will get some of the truly epic multilingual puns I cooked up lol

You're welcome, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh. Is the table read gonna be recorded?

Yup Maurice Vaughan, I’ll get the recording and try to learn how to cut the choice parts so you can see it too :D

Hi, Nicholas Kirschner. Welcome to the community. I suggest focusing on rewriting TAD1 and pitching that instead of working on the sequel scripts. You could post your script 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 script on your profile this way: www.stage32.com/loglines (near the top where it says “Add a Logline”)

Stage 32 has a blog that'll help you navigate the platform and connect with creatives and industry professionals all over the world. www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-platform-...

Stage 32 is having a free Community Open House on November 25th. It'll also help you navigate Stage 32 and connect with creatives and industry pros. It's a fully interactive event where the community gets to guide the discussion. You can sign up here: www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-s-november-community-open-ho...

And it's Stage 32's November Write Club. It can help you reach a goal(s), it's a chance to connect with writers, directors, producers, etc., and you can get support for your goal and projects. Week 3's blog came out Monday. There's three prizes you could win this week! www.stage32.com/blog/november-write-club-week-3-how-to-make-a-strong-fir...