Where I Started in March

Last week, I was honored to receive a Double Recommend for my feature film script on Stage 32. So many amazing people have reached out to congratulate me, and I’ve received a fair number of questions asking for advice on how to get to this point. I LOVE THAT! Over the last six months, I’ve sought advice from many people, so I thought I’d pay it forward and share a brief timeline with key learning points on how I moved from a HARD double pass (twice) to a Double Recommend.

I joined Stage 32 in March without even knowing that something like this existed. I lurked in the shadows for a while, observing, and kept getting emails about having someone read my script. That was scary—what if they hated it? What if they told me they used my script to start a campfire? Was I ready to put myself out there?

I was so nervous in April when I sent my first script to an industry professional. I did my homework and decided to roll the dice, opting for the FIRST 10-PAGE REVIEW option. I researched my executive and chose wisely. I waited and waited, biting my nails and checking my spam folder, until I received an email.

Double Pass Twice!

Finally, my first 10-page review came back. My script received pretty sad scores and a double PASS, yet the executive wanted to meet with me. When we finally met, she asked about my passion and why I had written the script. We emailed back and forth a bit and built a relationship. She gave me some pointers, and I went back to the drawing board with the story. I was encouraged to keep trying!

While waiting for the meeting and feedback, I got impatient and also opted to let fate decide and tried the sushi menu option “Script Coverage From An Industry Reader - Genre: Any.” Why did I do this? Because, in truth, I really wasn’t sure how to label my genre. My story was “complex,” “difficult to explain,” and “genre-busting,” which, in retrospect, meant it was my little unfocused Frankenstein’s monster.

I got my full “let fate decide” executive script coverage back, and, no surprise, since it was the same version of the script without any revision, I received a double pass with some good notes and the realization that I needed to get some basic education on how this all really worked. For instance, I had no idea that executives would truly never glance at my script if it was formatted incorrectly. Who knew?

Ask And You Shall Receive

Back to the drawing board I went, now armed with actual expert advice. I dove headfirst into the lounges and asked for help (often daily) on whatever I was currently working on. I got help on everything from script software to logline revisions to how much music I should suggest in my script (as a composer who definitely “hears” the score as I’m writing, it was difficult to restrain myself!)

I was so grateful to be on Stage 32 because, living in rural Louisiana, it wasn’t like I’d bump into studio executives at the local deli! I labored over this project as if I were gestating and birthing it—thinking about every line, adjusting plot points, renaming characters, and even reading aloud to myself in coffee shops. (I learned to wear earbuds so it at least seemed like I wasn’t having a conversation with myself, lol.)

Then, in one of my conversations in a lounge, an epiphany happened. Was I aware that I could reach out to the team at Stage 32 and they would actually recommend executives, webinars, and education tailored to my needs?

The short answer was, “No, I had no idea I could do that.” Were they telling me there were actual humans who would help me get this script to a point of completion and make it worthy of being produced?

Then I started asking for even more expert help! The entire success team was phenomenal at giving recommendations, many of which were for things included in my Writer's Room Subscription. Pitch Tank, Practice Pitch Sessions, Free Webinars? I soaked it all up and kept putting myself out there.

You can do the same at any time by emailing Edu@Stage32.com or Success@Stage32.com.

Why Just Re-Cogitating On A Script Was Not Enough

I started pitching my vision, and the more I spoke about it, the clearer the concept became to me. I learned how to communicate in this space with new vocabulary and new ways of explaining my project. It wasn’t a genre-busting, confusing title, “The H List” film. (Thank you, Geoff.) It was “The Husband List,” a romantic drama feature film inspired by actual events.

My logline evolved from the word salad original—“Grappling with the haunting shadows of her past, Sophie navigates a tumultuous love life marked by an obsessive ex-boyfriend and the promise of new love. Set against a backdrop of psychological tension and emotional turmoil, Sophie reclaims her power while testing her faith with The H List.”

To my current logline: “After uncovering her fiancé's double life, a young nurse crafts The Husband List—a set of impossible expectations as a dare to God. In her quest for the perfect partner, she ultimately discovers the true meaning of love within her close-knit Southern community.” (Thank you, Maurice & the whole Writer’s Room VIP Lounge!)

By June, I tried the 10 Page Script Review again, this time being more selective. While it took longer than usual to get results, I received a better scorecard and a Double Consider. I was thrilled! It felt like I had won “the big game.” It was time to hone again!

I must have rebuilt and retooled my pitch deck 20 times after realizing that I was living in my own head with the script and couldn’t concisely explain what my project was or what kind of help I needed. I started pitching in live sessions and paid for a few carefully chosen executives. I landed meetings and script requests, knowing I was headed in the right direction.

In August, I took the plunge and enrolled in an advanced film finance course with Jenette Milio. You may wonder how that would help with a script, but this course provided the final piece I needed to articulate the story and ensure my plot was powerful. It worked! I pitched to Jeanette (and Jim) Milio in the final week, receiving powerful feedback on how to keep honing my craft. I went in for more revisions and developed a full budget and financing plan.

Double Recommend!

Two weeks ago, I decided I had focused on packaging as much as I could, and it was time to let my refined script out into the world again. I selectively chose my executive and submitted my entire script for coverage and a 60-minute review session. I put it out of my mind because, in my experience, these busy professionals tend to push toward the due date. To my surprise, my notes were ready for the sixty-minute review in just five days! I met with the awesome executive last week and received truly helpful feedback. Having that longer window of time allowed us to delve into a meaty discussion about my script, my package, and my pitch.

I received solid, actionable advice on how to move forward, a DOUBLE RECOMMEND, and a further meeting request. More importantly, I gained valuable feedback on where I was in the whole process and how to proceed without feeling overwhelmed.

Now, according to the email I just received, I’m apparently in the top 1% of scriptwriters on Stage 32. It’s not because I’m special; it’s because I was willing to put myself out there and work with a vision for my story. It’s because I was open to feedback and honestly assessed my project, and because I asked for help. Showing up “front row with ego checked at the door” puts us in a posture of learning.

According to the email, “Your project's logline and your bio will automatically be included in a special 'The Best of Stage 32' lookbook, which is sent out to over 1,300+ industry professionals, including agents, managers, producers, filmmakers, and studio executives.” That’s pretty awesome!

How Can You Change Your Score?

So why would I take the time to share all of this with you?

First off, I want to thank Stage 32 for the amazing opportunities that exist every single day on the platform. Bringing the entertainment industry to the whole world in this way levels the playing field. Second, I am so grateful to everyone on the team and in the community who not only put up with my questions but welcomed them and helped me learn. If you don’t participate, you don’t get the reward. So ASK!!!

Finally, I want to say that if I can do it, anyone can! This was my first attempt at writing a script EVER! I came in as a wellness coach, homeschool mom, and entrepreneur, not a “writer,” and yet in less than six months, I’ve grown into this new space.

Keep at it, don’t quit, and put yourself out there! Yes, it’s hard work, and everything worth having takes effort. Don’t abandon your vision!

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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