Screenwriting

Media Platforms 101 New technology and platforms pop up every time you open your phone or a tab in your browser. With updated and additional software, media and social platforms, apps, algorithms, and search engine optimization rules, it’s hard to keep up. When it comes to marketing, these are common attitudes: Newbie: “I just need to get my book on Facebook, and I’ll be rich.” Arm crosser: “I don’t do social media. I tried Facebook once. It didn’t work.” Seasoned platform user: “You c...

Cinderella is my favorite Disney Princess. But I have always identified with Belle: growing up, my nose was always stuck in a book. I would come home from school and public libraries with piles to read. As a child, I roamed the shelves of the fiction section barely giving time to nonfiction. As an adult, I’ve realized the value of the genre. Taking a look at a bookstore, you realize just how much of the store is taken up with nonfiction. Everything from reference books to cookbooks to memoirs...

Hey, Stage 32 Community! The Longest Running Comedy Screenplay Contest in the World is Back! Ever dreamt of seeing your feature comedy script come to life on the big screen or streaming on flat-screens in living rooms across the country? This is your chance to turn that dream into reality! Laughing until we cry is one of the bedrocks of entertainment. From the goofy nostalgic delight of BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE to the relentless hi-jinx of THE FALL GUY and the emotional depth of THE HOLDOVERS,...

Happy Monday, Stage 32 Community! Creators are often solitary creatures, which makes it difficult to navigate a collaborative environment like the entertainment industry, where networking is so crucial. On the other hand, humans crave community and can learn more from each other than we can on our own. We need the support of others to keep motivated. We need feedback to refine our work and craft. We need mentorship and guidance to pursue new challenges. We need different perspecti...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? I have some content here for you that is sure to get the creative juices flowing, so grab your coffee, and let's dive in. First up, in this video from best-selling author Brandon Sanderson, he’s sharing tips and tricks for overcoming “writer’s block”. Brandon Sanderson is a prolific NYT best-selling author of high fantasy, science fiction, and young adult novels. As well as the creator of several graphic novels and the co-h...

Writing a stage play is a challenge because of the unique nature of the theatre – all of the dynamics of having a real live audience and a limited space in which to tell a story must be taken into account. Writing for the screen is no less of a challenge, but logically the approach must differ due to the medium by which the end product will be presented – the screen - varying greatly from its older cousin, the stage. Writers must appreciate and embrace the uniqueness of these mediums in order to...

As I sit down to reflect on my journey as a first-time author, the word "rejection" echoes in my mind like a haunting melody that I can't quite shake. Like many aspiring writers, I had dreams of sharing my stories with the world, but the path to publication is rarely a straight line. Instead, it resembles a winding road filled with unexpected twists, turns, and—most daunting of all—rejections. Leaving California for a year-long adventure in Bali, Indonesia, I sought solace and inspiration to w...

Writing a novel is a daunting task. There are so many things to consider before committing even a single word to that intimidating blank screen. What is the main line of action? How many subplots do I have? Who is the main character? Who are the supporting characters? What is the theme? The tone? The setting? How many settings? When does it take place? Why am I doing this? How stupid was I to think I could do this?! How in the holy hell am I going to get 90,000 words out of this stupid time trav...

Hey There, Stage 32 Community! Scary season is behind us, hope everyone had a fun October and a spooky good Halloween! More importantly, it is also time for our monthly salute to our incredible members here at Stage 32. Nothing like highlighting and celebrating the successes of these hard-working folks, it’s what we live for here at Stage 32. We love to shine the spotlight on just some of the kick-ass writers and creatives in the Stage 32 family and share their stories of success with everyone...

As an extroverted introvert and a natural producer, I find I hate writing. Don’t take that the wrong way - when I’m in a groove, I actually adore the craft. Unfortunately, more often than not, in order to find that writing pace, I also have to be entirely alone. Well, me, my laptop, a good soundtrack, and a cuddly kitty on my lap. Perhaps a cup of tea and a blanket. See? Who sees the light of day when writing solo is so inviting?! My most productive writing sessions, however, have always been...