Part II: Advice from Stage 32's "Happiest" Writer

Part II: Advice from Stage 32's "Happiest" Writer

Part II: Advice from Stage 32's "Happiest" Writer

Frank Ponce
Frank Ponce
10 years ago

Two weeks later, we celebrated over cocktails. I had the opportunity to rub elbows with a few of the exec judges, the two other finalists and the fine folks of Stage 32. I met two fantastic producers I’m privileged to call mentors. I’m currently collaborating with one of them on a short film I will direct in June starring Danny Trejo, the one and only! I’ll be sure to post crew positions soon on Stage 32!

Part II Advice from Stage 32s Happiest Writer \Part II Advice from Stage 32s Happiest Writer

Stage 32, execs, and the finalists celebrating at the cocktail party of the Stage 32 | The Blood List Search for New Blood Screenwriting Contest

Joey wasn’t done. He had set up a meeting with an exec at Atlas Entertainment, at their office, not too long after the cocktail party. Atlas produces everything in the DC Comics Universe… I was pinching myself as I walked past the framed movie posters of The Dark Knight trilogy in their office hallway*.* We hit it off immediately and fortunately, he loved one of my pitches. Although it wasn’t ready yet, I told him to expect it in time for a holiday read.

I didn’t want to blow it this time, not like I did at AFM. Stephen, my talented friend who recruited me to Stage 32, became my writing partner for this project. We worked on this screenplay 24/7, literally. We turned down weekend parties from our friends. I deleted social media apps off my phone and disconnected my computer’s wi-fi. We were off the grid and fully focused on this screenplay. We cranked out a readable dramatic screenplay in a month. After we turned it in before Christmas, we slept like newborn babies, snapped back to reality, and began brainstorming other material.

The Atlas exec followed-up with an overwhelming response this New Year – and just like that, 2015 started out with a bang! In February, he passed it around the production company, offered us some notes, and expressed it go into development. By the end of March, we signed a shopping agreement!

It’s been a whirlwind of creative discovery since signing up for Stage 32 less than a year ago! My only wish was to find this site sooner for the sake of saving time, discovering in-depth educational value, and making legitimate connections. I have to tip my hat at RB, Joey and the gang for changing the game and helping shape my future in filmmaking. I’m honored to be swimming in a community of like-minded individuals. I’m proud to be Stage 32’s HAPPIEST WRITER right now!

Part II Advice from Stage 32s Happiest Writer

Striking an Iron Man pose

Here are a couple of creative tips to pass on:

Be prepared. One of my producer mentors offered these quotes that stuck with me:

1. Perseverance and persistence will prevail, if you are properly prepared.

And the classic:

2. Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.

Always keep learning. We live in an incredible information age. Stage 32 is a great resource to film info and connections! If you have questions, post it! If you need help with your film project, post it! Need coverage for your script? It’s all there!

Study produced scripts. Branching from that, if you’re a writer, it is imperative that you study scripts by A-list writers. This was advice I took from a top-tier writer. I’ve also read many “how to write a screenplay” books only to learn the techniques and rules -- which I believe you can break once you develop the craft well enough. However, I learned more about the style of screenwriting by reading scripts from: the Coen brothers, Rian Johnson, Frank Darabont, John August, Mark Boal, John Logan, Aaron Sorkin, Quentin Tarantino, Woody Allen, John Milius, Paul Schrader, Francis Ford Coppola, Paddy Chayefsky, Oliver Stone, Paul Thomas Anderson etc. (I’m jotting these names down while staring at a bookshelf full of scripts by these writers). Think of it this way, great produced scripts are like famous gallery paintings; would you rather read about it, highlighting a small section of the screenplay, in a book probably authored from someone who hasn’t written a screenplay or experience it firsthand? Learn from the best. Then discuss it in the Lounge on Stage 32!

Let go of your ego. If you have a writing partner, be sure you have the similar tastes, instincts, and respect for each other. Above all, you have to trust each other. Don’t take things personal if you disagree about something – figure out what is most interesting to best serve the story, not your ego.

Share your work! Get in the habit of performing a short creative exercise in the morning. You need to work out and stretch your creative muscles. Ex: pick up a camera and take pictures of something that interests you. Try different angles. If you don’t have a camera, you can use your phone’s camera. If you don’t have a phone, sketch it! There are no excuses. Then once you’re done, share it!

Part II Advice from Stage 32s Happiest Writer

Capturing an epic time lapse

Focus on story and characters, not the latest trending camera or technological equipment. I run into many filmmakers whose main concern is something along the lines of; does it shoot in 4K? What kind of lenses do you have? Etc. If you can speak technological lingo, good, but you better know how to tell a solid story. Don’t get me wrong, if you’re a filmmaker, you should know what your equipment is capable of but that’s not your first priority. Cameras and technology comes and goes, faster than ever, but great stories with good characters last forever.

Don’t be afraid or rejection or failure, its part of the process of becoming better and stronger. It builds character. I could have quit filmmaking after my grant debacle of 2012, as it hit me hard in many ways. I didn’t quit and came back stronger than ever. It was a mixed blessing. You can apply this to life in general but this is so relevant to the film industry. When you do get a ‘YES,’ you’ll appreciate the opportunity more and you will work harder.

Set deadlines! You should always work towards an upcoming hard deadline; otherwise nothing will ever get done, you will get lazy, and your work will never see the light of day. That said, I’ll leave you with someone who said it best --

“Our main business is not to see what lies dimly in the distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.” -- Thomas Carlyle

Frank will be a guest on a FREE webinar with Stage 32 Happy Writers President tomorrow, Thursday, April 23, 2015 at 3:30pm PDT. Frank will talk more in depth about how he achieved his successes using Stage 32. To register, click here.

Like this blog post? Please share it on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, email etc) by using our shiny new social media buttons at the top of the blog. Or post to your personal blog and anywhere else you feel appropriate. Thank you.

As always, Frank is available for questions or remarks in the Comments section below...

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About the Author

Frank Ponce

Frank Ponce

Director, Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter

Producer. Strategist. Wizard. Frank co-wrote and sold an Evel Knievel limited series to USA Network with Atlas Entertainment, Wonderland Sound & Vision, and Universal. It was scheduled to begin production in March 2020 and crashed hard in spectacular Evel fashion. Not letting the pandemic slow...

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19 Comments on Frank's Article

Keith Betts
Actor, Author, Camera Operator, Director, Editor, IT Tech, Screenwriter, Theatre Director, Video Display Engineer, Video Playback Engineer
This is truly an inspirational story. Frank, thanks for sharing your journey.
10 years ago
Sandra Webb Smith
Screenwriter
Thank you, Frank, for sharing this inspiring story. Just as screenwriters share their visions of story, you have also shared this true one.
10 years ago
Sandra Webb Smith
Screenwriter
Thank you for the connection!
10 years ago
Frank Ponce
Director, Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter
Thanks so much Sandra!
10 years ago
Suzanne Lutas
Screenwriter, Singer
Thank you so much Frank for such humility and courage, and for sharing such an amazing story! I'll keep in mind your creative tips. Best of luck with all your endeavours!
10 years ago
Frank Ponce
Director, Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter
Thank you Suzanne for the warm-hearted words!
10 years ago
Dawson Howard
Screenwriter, Author
Well done Frank and as per all the others, offering great words, I want to extent my congratulations on a great achievement. All the best for your future.
10 years ago
David Levy
Screenwriter, Content Creator, Host/Presenter
Congrats Frank. Everytime I read a success story here I kep my nose to the grindstone. I know with more seasoning I will be a better writer. Just takes time, patience, and being persistent. RB, Joey, and the HW team bust their ass to help these success stories. I am pushing to be one of them. Thanks again, Frank!
10 years ago
Frank Ponce
Director, Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter
Thanks David! Keep on pushing! :)
10 years ago
Vladimir Skomarovsky
actor, dramaturge, screenwriter
Joey Tuccio, thanks for your tenacity. Your presidency over Happy Writers is impeccable.
10 years ago
Frank Ponce
Director, Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter
100% agree! Joey is truly amazing!
10 years ago
Kimmie Dee
Illustrator, Screenwriter, Author, Line Producer, Playwright, Filmmaker, Videographer, Makeup Artist, Host/Presenter
You are right about setting a deadline, because being lazy or being a procrastinator gets in the way.
10 years ago
Great work Frank. In depth knowledgeable advice too. Stage 32 is a God send for creatives, otherwise left spinning their wheels wading through untold obstacles chasing their dreams of telling stories to the masses. The whole landscape of the industry is a change with the technological advancements of our day. And, the simplest answer is: your success relies on you to change and adapt to become the you, you wish to be. No excuses or you'll shoulda, woulda, coulda 'til the day you die. It's a bit easier than changing the world. The art of story telling can have some amazing unexpected results, though.
10 years ago
Frank Ponce
Director, Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter
Absolutely 100% agree K.D.!
10 years ago
Great to read of your success, it just goes to show persistence is well worth the effort. Keep up the good work.
10 years ago
Frank Ponce
Director, Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter
Thanks Colin! :)
10 years ago
Tad Israel Wojnicki
Screenwriter, Script Consultant
Wonderful stuff! :) Thanks, Frank!
10 years ago
Frank Ponce
Director, Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter
Thanks Tad and Abraham! :)
10 years ago
Great stuff....Thanks so much Frank.
10 years ago
Rebecca Fink
Screenwriter
Congratulations, Frank! It seems like you're most deserving after all the hard work you've put into your career, even just since you've been in L.A. Keep us posted as you move forward with all your projects. Thanks for sharing!
10 years ago
Frank Ponce
Director, Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter
Thanks Rebecca! It's been a rockin' roller coaster! :)
10 years ago
Lisa Johnson Mitchell
Screenwriter, Author, Director, Producer
Such great info. Thank you and bravo to you!
10 years ago
Frank Ponce
Director, Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter
Thanks Lisa! :)
10 years ago
Cali Gilbert
Photographer (Still), Author, Director, Screenwriter
FABULOUS! Thanks so much Frank for sharing and great tips. I've been living by them since I took the plunge. I've always loved learning and since deciding I wanted to be a filmmaker I feel as though I'm attending a new school, eager to learn and excited about what I can create. I'm also a networking queen which has been very beneficial over the last eight months. I loved your mention of sharing your work. In addition to being a writer, I'm also an award winning photographer and the camera goes everywhere with me. I mostly write at the beach and have captured some of the most spectacular sunsets (according to those who comment when I post the photos). I also am finding that the way my mind works, I really view the big picture of filmmaking, not just writing. I want to direct. I want to learn as much as I can about EVERY aspect of the business and then pursue what truly makes my heart sing. Thanks again for your guidance and support.
10 years ago
Frank Ponce
Director, Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter
Thanks Cali! I'll always be a student of cinema! :)
10 years ago
William Anderson
actor, screenwriter
Great article Frank!!!! I know you will continue to succeed!!! Keep up the great work it is very inspiring!!!
10 years ago
Frank Ponce
Director, Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter
Thanks William! :)
10 years ago
Christopher Bessette
Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Great advice, worth saving and rereading. Thanks
10 years ago
Frank Ponce
Director, Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter
Thanks Christopher! :)
10 years ago
David W. Keffer
Screenwriter, Producer, Director, Gaffer/Lighting Technician
Just echoing what everyone else is saying - but that's awesome. Thanks!
10 years ago
Frank Ponce
Director, Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter
Thanks David! :)
10 years ago
Shari D. Frost
Screenwriter, Playwright, Script Consultant
Big congrats, Frank! Your story is inspiring, and I'm looking forward to seeing your films!
10 years ago
Frank Ponce
Director, Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter
Thanks Shari! :)
10 years ago
Laurie Ashbourne
Screenwriter, Producer, Author
Completely awesome. PREPATUNITY! Looking forward to seeing the development of all your hard work. Congratulations!
10 years ago
Frank Ponce
Director, Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter
Thanks so much Laurie and Virginia!
10 years ago
Virginia Shine
Screenwriter
Inspiring story, can't wait for the webinar!
10 years ago
Don Kinsey
actor, voice actor
Well done !
10 years ago
Frank Ponce
Director, Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter
Thanks Don!
10 years ago
Vladimir Skomarovsky
actor, dramaturge, screenwriter
No seating deadlines - child is born on it's time. Also - if you're lazy it means you are empty.
10 years ago
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