Screenwriting

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! First, congratulations to all of you who have already participated in our monthly Introduce Yourself Weekend! Thousands of connections have been made between entertainment creatives and professionals from around the globe. Whether you are a long-time member or brand new to Stage 32, take a moment to pop over to the Introduce Yourself Lounge and say hello before the end of the weekend. In this video from Corridor Crew, they’re diving into the history of one of the...

It’s true that the writing sample is the most important part of any query letter. However, you need to spend some time making sure that the query letter is solid as well. First impressions matter, and you can rub agents the wrong way if your query letter isn’t up to snuff. Here are the 10 biggest mistakes screenwriters make when querying. 1. Using A Generic Greeting If you are submitting a query letter, address the agent properly by name in your greeting. It’s unprofessional to use a...

I wrote my first screenplay in my mid-twenties when Syd Field’s Foundations of Screenwriting was the major go-to for the craft. “Spa Wars” was a parody steeped in small-town politics and, of all things, an ongoing economic rivalry between two competing health clubs. Really tacky stuff. I requested script notes from Sam Havens, Professor Emeritus at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. Solution: rewrite the damn thing. I did what most mystified young screenwriters do—chalked up the project...

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 fantastic interview from Film Courage, Screenwriter, Director, & Editor R.J. Daniel Hanna is sharing the truths that no one can teach you about screenwriting. Honing in on the hard fact that sometimes “good” isn’t good enough. As creatives, rejection is a constant part of the journey an...

There are so many different aspects to your screenplay that will guarantee its success. A compelling story is one such aspect, but without interesting characters, the story will just fall flat. Here are some tips to help you write the best characters possible, and bring that story to life. 1. Make The Lead A Likable Person You may want to avoid this, as trying to make a character likable can often make the story dull and uninteresting. After all, if there's no one creating conflict, then the...

So you’ve finally caught on that the easiest script to get made is horror. It’s global, it’s cheap and it’s the most-made genre with independent investors. What do you need to know? 1) Low Budget If You Are Not Established There are so many genius horror movies that take place in a house or a hotel or in the woods. Why? Because you only need one location. Monsters are tricky, but ghosts that you never really have to see (Paranormal Activity) are cheap. The cheaper your budget, the more likely...

I started screenwriting and joined Stage32 in 2016 when I read a statistic that only one out of 3,000 feature scripts are made into a movie. My response was, “I’ll just write 3,000 scripts.” I’ve received great feedback and encouragement from RB and the Stage 32 community. I want to share my three most important lessons after almost eight years into this new chapter in my life after a career as a scientist. 1) Just Keep Writing I’ve completed 90 scripts to date. I try to write compelling, con...

Hey, Stage 32 Community! The Biggest Feature Screenplay Contest in the World is Back! Ever dreamt of seeing your feature film script come to life on the big screen or streaming on TVs in living rooms across the country? This is your chance to turn that dream into reality! Drama is the basis of every story that endures throughout entertainment. From the world-altering tension of OPPENHEIMER to the relentless turmoil of KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON and the emotional depth of THE HOLDOVERS, audie...

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 StudioBinder, they’re explaining Aristotle’s Poetics, one of the earliest examples of literary theory analyzing dramatic storytelling. By understanding Aristotle’s 6 principles- plot, character, thought, diction, spectacle, and song, you’re mastering a guide that if followed...

Hey There, Stage 32 Community! The last month of the Summer of ’24 is behind us (how did that happen so quickly??), and we all know what time it is at the end of each month - it’s time to celebrate our amazing members here at Stage 32, in particular their recent successes! This is our monthly opportunity to put the spotlight on just some of the super-talented writers and creatives in our family and share their stories of success with everyone! We know how hard everyone works on their craft, w...