Screenwriting

From structure to content to representation to industry trends, this is the place to discuss, share content and offer tips and advice on the craft and business of screenwriting

Liked by Maurice Vaughan

Tony Sterago
My story reality

So, I have a world extremely developed. I also have characters with great story. the thing i am struggling with is the main story that pulls them all together. that has been the biggest hurtle for my new journey as a writer. Although A.I. as given me some great character photos.

Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Tony Sterago. What I do is develop the A Story, then the B Story (the love story, a broken relationship, etc.) and the Subplot(s) stem from the A Story....

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Elle Bolan

Hi Tony! Have you signed up for the writer's room yet? You can sign up the first month for free.

If you're comfortable sharing a bit about your world and cha...

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Tony Sterago

Elle no I haven't i didn't know i could. I am still learning this site and all it's stuff. you have to pay for the access to that room?

Liked by Ingrid Wren and 27 others

Leonardo Ramirez 2
How Your Life Shapes Your Stories

The stories we tell are often pieces of ourselves. My own experiences—struggles, joys, lessons—slip into my characters, their choices, and even the worlds I create.

I write science fiction and fantasy, but at the core, it’s about conquering the dark night of the soul and replacing it with hope.

So her...

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Luis García

I’ve always found it interesting when people assume that art is a direct reflection of the artist. It can be true to an extent, but as writers we often build worlds far removed from our own lives. We...

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Pat Alexander

Leonardo Ramirez 2 yea, it's like every two years when he's in between movies, some article or soundbite comes out with anonymous studio sources or even worse a podcaster quoting anonymous studio sour...

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Leonardo Ramirez 2

Both Luis García. "The Jupiter Chronicles" is a steampunk space-opera. It's a setting I haven't (obviously) lived. The poverty and single-parent setting that the protagonist's story starts out in is o...

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Leonardo Ramirez 2

Gotta love those anonymous sources Pat Alexander. It adds to that belief that repeating a lie over and over makes it a truth.

Ingrid Wren

This is a great thread Leonardo Ramirez 2 I write sci-fi/fantasy, and for something completely different recently completed a psychological thriller. I always look for the light and the joy that can c...

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Liked by Banafsheh Esmailzadeh and one other

Luis García
Taboo zones

I've always been fascinated by the “taboo zones” in storytelling — those topics that most people avoid, but writers can’t help exploring because they reveal something raw about human nature.

What are the taboo themes you find yourself returning to in your work?

Why do they pull you in?

For me, I often...

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Maurice Vaughan

I don't think I've written about taboo subjects, Luis García. Thanks for the idea.

Luis García

Thanks for your comment!

Even if it hasn’t shown up in your work yet, I’d be interested to know what kind of themes you would explore if you ever decided to push into uncomfortable territory.

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Luis García. I'll give it some thought.

Liked by Amber Wagoner and 3 others

Shayla Booth
I have no confidence

I want to post my pilot screenplay, but I took it down. I suppose I'm scared? I'm proud of it, but scared to post it fully as I have dyslexia, and this is my very first screenplay! Any feedback would be appreciated. :)

INT. FARMHOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

7:30 PM

Dinner. The warm glow of overhead ligh...

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Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Shayla Booth. Great job again! I hope you sell this script!

Sam Rivera

First, congratulations on finishing your very first screenplay, that is a massive accomplishment in itself, and being proud of it is the most important part. The fear of sharing is completely normal,...

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Asia Burgudy

First of all, congratulations on completing your first script that’s truly an amazing achievement and I really admire you for it. It did take me some time to read since English isn’t my first language...

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Elle Bolan

Hi Shayla! Congratulations on finishing your screenplay! Great job on that AND for posting this up for people to see, despite being nervous. That's a big step, I know.

For one thing, the story is inte...

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Luis García

Hey! I just finished reading your script, and first of all I want to say this: you clearly understand the fundamentals of screenwriting. The formatting, pacing, scene descriptions, and transitions sho...

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Liked by Shahara Marie Ruth and 8 others

Pat Alexander
Artemis Craig

Hello,

I’m Artemis.

I am a screenwriter, author and poet.

I submitted my screenplay “The Value of Blood “ which is a Thriller about Simetra Thomas, an office manager at a hospital being accused of murder...

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Alverne Ball

I submitted a pilot entitled, Specter. Logline: Vincent Specter, the black sheep of a legendary family of private investigators, struggles to live up to his legacy—until he inherits four ghosts that help him become a "Guardian of Goodwill"

Alex Bright

The screenplay/script that I submitted is for a series that I believe would fit on either a streaming service or network. ZON is a character-driven, politically charged prestige sci-fi drama built for...

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Jim Boston

Pat, I turned in a comedy-drama-mystery called "Down to One."

Here's the logline: A single juror's painstaking caution forces her otherwise-preoccupied, totally-entrenched colleagues to carefully consi...

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Shahara Marie Ruth

Hello!

My name is Shahara Marie Ruth.

I am a retired English Language Arts and Social Studies Educator. My work is a reflection of past and present experiences and observations regarding the complicatio...

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Liked by Mathieu Vayron and 3 others

William Holmgren
Written Pitch Refinement - Hard to hit moving Targets

Hi all!

Looking to get some clarification on the art of written pitch sessions here at Stage 32.

I have pitched many times with high marks across the board, and some have resulted in script requests.

My 2 page pitch is based on Stage 32 coverage that resulted in a "Double-Recommend" rating.

I have submi...

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Jim Cushinery

Pitching is a completely different type of story telling than film/tv writing. There are experts at pitching who couldn’t write long form if you held a gun to their head (nice premise for a film- you’...

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Michael David

William Holmgren If what they are saying is contradictory then they simply don't want your script and don't want to tell you why. Most executives will never tell you why; in this business no one wants...

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William Holmgren

Michael David Let me clarify.

They don't contradict themselves in their feedback.

I can handle a "pass" or "no thanks" response; that's not a problem.

From my experience, execs have no problem being h...

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Michael David

I see. I don't know, then.

Liked by Laurie Ashbourne and 4 others

Geoffroy Faugerolas
Stage 32 x DramaBox

Who wants to win $5k and do what they love the most?

We recently partnered with DramaBox to find writers that can adapt their titles or create new ones for their vertical series app. Interested? Read more here: https://www.stage32.com/happy-writers/contests/Stage-32-%20-Drama-Box-Sc.......

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Maurice Vaughan

I do, Geoffroy Faugerolas! I'm excited about this contest!

Asia Burgudy

Liked by Banafsheh Esmailzadeh and 11 others

Nia Jones
The loneliness of the long distance writer.

Hi Everyone,

I must admit I'm feeling pretty lonely as a writer and I've always wanted to find a writing partner or people to discuss stuff over with..

Anyone feel the same?

N..

Tania Ocasio

Good morning Nia Jones and yes I do feel the same way I print out my scripts so it’s easier to read I have support from my coworkers but at home I feel lonely because the person I want to read my script it’s not remotely interested in my work. !

Kseniia Zhuravleva

Hi Nia Jones I also write alone, but it has become a habit for me. However, I would be happy to discuss films and work with like-minded people in my free time. Unfortunately, cinema isn’t very develop...

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Michael David

I find the best writer partner or "writing friend" are well written screenplays and excellent movies/shows. They teach you what you need to know and help you along the way.

Sam Rivera

The writing journey can be incredibly solitary, and that craving for a creative partner or sounding board is completely natural. This community is a great first step for finding those connections.

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh

I definitely feel that. Most of my stuff I'll naturally work on by myself, but I know for one of my bigger projects, Karma Dealers, I definitely can benefit from at least one other co-writer (maybe two).

Liked by Maurice Vaughan

Sydney S
Work one on one with a top literary manager to hone your pitch!

Join our exclusive and interactive private Stage 32 virtual pitching lab led by top literary manager Spencer Robinson of Art/Work Entertainment. If you are looking to sell your show or work in TV in 2024 and beyond, I urge you to take this lab. Not only has Spencer sold dozens of shows, he’s been on...

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Sydney S

Hey all! Happy Wednesday, just wanted to update the group only 4 spots remain :) Spencer is excited to get going with your pitches, you can start connecting with him today when you sign up! Email edu@...

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Liked by Federico Alerta and 3 others

Gregory Barone
the Giant Killer Script Ch 5 Pg 6 review

(Please note that this is done as it would be a script for a comic, I have a background in comics, so I use comic terms for the script. I do hope to get this made as a movie or short TV show. I'm looking for feedback on the pages, if you can take the time to read and leave a review in the comments....

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Maurice Vaughan

Yeah, I think that's fine, Gregory Barone.

Gregory Barone

had to move some things around.

(Ch5 Pg6 Panel 2 - Medium Panel)

Garerit, with a raised eyebrow, responded to Garna's request with a wry smile. He seems to be giving a moment of pause as if considering...

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Maurice Vaughan

That's better in my opinion, Gregory Barone.

Shahara Marie Ruth

Hello! My name is Shahara Marie Ruth. The stories that I write are always based on my personal experiences and observations. I am a retired English Language Arts and Social Studies educator. I pride m...

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Liked by Sam Rivera and 9 others

Zarya Rowland Bintz
Well written shows

I'm wondering what some of your favorites are. I noticed in the OWAs that I haven't seen most of the shows they are inspired by. I guess I need to watch a lot more tv, lol. I thought I already watch too much! I really loved the writing on Black Sails. From beginning to end it had strong character de...

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Shirley Collier

Adam, this is how to make a pitch resonate. Clearly you know your subject and can expound on its entertainment value. With such an engaging opener, "What Stories Owe Us," I can't imagine why it would...

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Shirley Collier

Zarya do you have a character preference from Red Dwarf?

Shirley Collier

Thanks to everyone who answered my question. I just created a Word fact sheet with the help of AI about characters and stories new to me. Let me know if you want me to share. I tossed in a few that we all know too.

Ashley Renee Smith

As a previous development exec, I spent years training myself to watch as many on-air shows as possible, and now it’s such a habit that I can’t break the routine even if I try. Part of the job was mak...

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Sam Rivera

That's a great question, and Black Sails is a perfect example of stellar writing. It's impossible to watch everything, but studying a few shows for their specific strengths is incredibly valuable.

Liked by TOM SCHAEFER and 4 others

Meriem Bouziani
Sci-fi textbook

Hello creatives,

I have a question for all sci-fi screenwriters.

Have you ever considered developing a companion textbook explain the science behind your story?

The screenplay format doesn’t allow for heavy scientific detail—if you try to insert everything into the scenes, the audience becomes overwh...

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Alex Bright

Hahaha I have a 100 page Tech bible that’s part of my series Bible…

Meriem Bouziani

Thank you for this information.

It makes me even more excited about writing my own companion book Michael David...

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Meriem Bouziani

Thank you for sharing your experience.

A hundred pages to explain your tech idea shows how layered and complex it really is.

I’m genuinely curious to know what it’s about Alex Bright...

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Michael David

Also, Mary Pope Osbourne wrote companion non-fiction volumes for her fictional Magic Tree House series. I used to get those for my kids.

Meriem Bouziani

That's a good example as well. Thank you Michael David

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