Coffee & Content: Finding the Heart of Your Story

Coffee & Content: Finding the Heart of Your Story

Coffee & Content: Finding the Heart of Your Story

Richard "RB" Botto
Richard "RB" Botto
5 months ago

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.

When we sit down to write, we don’t always know what the story will become. Sometimes, the heart of it reveals itself in the process. In this week’s first video, Erin Foster shares how her own experience converting to Judaism led to the inspiration for her new Netflix romantic comedy series, Nobody Wants This. She didn’t initially set out to write a rom-com, but she recognized something deeply relatable—how the biggest challenges in relationships don’t just come from love alone, but from two people bringing their unique backgrounds, beliefs, and personal histories into a shared life. It’s not always about overcoming the “wrong” person, but figuring out how to grow with the “right” person.

Her writing style is natural, conversational, and grounded in real-life humor, proving that comedy doesn’t always need a punchline—it just needs truth. By leaning into the authentic, everyday moments that make us laugh and connecting them to deeper themes of identity, faith, and relationships, Erin Foster created a show that resonates. If you’re working on a script, take a page from Erin’s process. What personal experiences can you draw from to find the heart of your story? Your life doesn’t have to mirror your characters exactly, but real emotions, struggles, and revelations make for the best storytelling.

It’s no secret that female-led projects are dominating both the box office and critical acclaim, and this isn’t a fleeting trend—it’s a long overdue correction in the industry. In this video, I break down why this is happening and why you should lean into it. From Greta Gerwig’s record-breaking directing work to Margot Robbie’s powerhouse production slate, we’re seeing a new wave of female-driven storytelling taking center stage. But it’s not just female filmmakers leading the charge—male writers and directors are also embracing female-led narratives in new and exciting ways.

What’s even more important to recognize is that many of these scripts were written years ago and were shelved because there "wasn’t a market" for them. Now, with demand growing, those scripts are finally being pulled out of the drawer and given the attention they deserve. If you have a female-led project, now is the time to make sure it’s ready to go. The industry is listening.

Let’s talk! What stories are you developing, and how do your personal experiences shape your writing? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

As always, here at Stage 32, we love to share stories and knowledge with our fellow film fans. Know someone who would love this content? Share it with them! Tag them below! You can keep up with all of our content by subscribing to the Stage 32 YouTube. For more inspirational, educational, and motivational content on all things entertainment industry, follow me on Instagram and X @rbwalksintoabar.

Wishing you a very happy, healthy, & creative Sunday.

Cheers,

RB

Still Watching Netflix | Nobody Wants This- Erin Foster's Vision

Coffee  Content Finding the Heart of Your Story

RBWalksIntoABar | Are Female Led Films A Fleeting Trend?

Coffee  Content Finding the Heart of Your Story

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About the Author

Richard "RB" Botto

Richard "RB" Botto

Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist

Richard "RB" Botto has created the online platform and marketplace designed to democratize the entertainment industry, Stage 32. By leveling the playing field for all film, television and digital content creators and professionals worldwide, Stage 32 provides networking and training opportunities as...

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14 Comments on Richard RB's Article

Thanks for sharing, Richard RB. I am a budding screenwriter based in Switzerland, with a passion for storytelling that was ignited during a visit to Canada. My journey as screenwriter began with my first completed piece, "Caribbean Cougars," a Romantic Comedy that follows a young woman on a journey of self-discovery and romance in Jamaica after a breakup with her cheating boyfriend. Continuing my passion for storytelling, I delved into more serious themes with an emotional drama, "Endemic Violence," which revolves around a wife and mother living in fear of violence from her husband. Struggling in poverty with five children, her life takes a turn when a visit from her lesbian friend offers a glimmer of hope and change. "How I became a Fish," another of my lifes work, explores the the story of a visual artist forced to confront his values after being diagnosed with the skin disease, Ichthyosis Vugaris. Thanks for reading.
5 months ago
Thank you, Richard "RB" Botto.
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
Those are some fantastic titles, Charmane Wedderburn!
5 months ago
Catherine Cole
Screenwriter
Golly RB, you hit the nail on the head by featuring this clip where Erin hits 'the nail on the romantic relationship head!' Thank you!
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
Always love hearing when the C&C vids hit the mark. Thanks for letting me know, Catherine Cole!
5 months ago
Marie Hatten
Screenwriter
I’m currently rewriting a feature with a female protagonist about domestic abuse set in both modern day and 1840’s Sydney, Australia.
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
May the writing gods be kind, Marie Hatten!
5 months ago
Tom Stohlgren
Author, Researcher, Screenwriter
I LOVE the female dialogue “Nobody Wants This,” but I love the male dialogue just as much! Erin Foster “gets” humans. I admit that I’m not a fan of the religious conversion premiss, but it works for this show because of the great writing. Hat’s off to Erin and the team. I couldn’t agree with RB more that female-driven scripts are getting second looks now. I began writing female-driven scripts 8 years ago with characters based on strong, smart professors, graduate students, professionals, and doctors I’ve befriended for decades. Today, 77 of my 94 scripts (82%) have female leads, and the scripts are finally getting into the hands of many producers. I’m optimistic.
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
I know you are, Tom Stohlgren!
5 months ago
Tom Stohlgren
Author, Researcher, Screenwriter
Will do, Pamela Jaye Smith!
5 months ago
Pamela Jaye Smith
Author, Director, Screenwriter, Script Consultant, Story Analyst
Just read through the positive comments here and I too am now inspired to pull out some of my female-lead stories and start pitching them again...on Stage 32 of course. Good luck to you all!
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
Love hearing it, Pamela Jaye Smith. Honestly, the best time to do so in years.
5 months ago
Pamela Jaye Smith
Author, Director, Screenwriter, Script Consultant, Story Analyst
That's great news for so very many creatives. Thanks for giving us your perspective, RB.
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
Always happy to, Pamela Jaye Smith. We're all in this together.
5 months ago
John Snell
Screenwriter, Actor
Thank you, Richard RB
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
My pleasure, John Snell 
5 months ago
Deborah Jennings
Author, Content Creator, Producer, Researcher
Love the subject of discussion here. But it even took Kate Winslet ten years to convince men to finance her passion project "Lee"!! I have been developing my true WWII passion project for over 30 years. I have even made it into a major producer's office, but he did not offer me an A-list screenwriter to work with like Angelina Jolie got the Coen brothers to write "Unbroken". Both recent true stories about women in WWII - "Lee" and "The Six Triple Eight" - had star champions behind them. Getting past gatekeepers to one who will champion my true female story has been elusive. It seems Hollywood would rather entrust a showrunner who writes fiction and about vampires to write this true story - sadly knowing nothing about the subject and with no decades of research like me. They will make it with insiders and without female historians like all the men's stories have behind them. There is still a lot of misogyny in the film world.
5 months ago
Deborah Jennings
Author, Content Creator, Producer, Researcher
Thanks Pamela for the support.
5 months ago
Pamela Jaye Smith
Author, Director, Screenwriter, Script Consultant, Story Analyst
And may this keep changing in the direction of the expansion to include research, visions, facts, and the elements that can create really fabulous media - be it from fact or imagination or various combinations of the two. All good fortune to you, Deborah.
5 months ago
William Joseph Hill
Actor, Screenwriter, Filmmaker
This is great -- I love Erin's process in writing and drawing from her own personal experiences. That's what makes a compelling story. And that goes great with your video on female driven content -- to me, it's always been about great storytelling. Some of my favorite films have strong female leads who are perfectly written - in Sci-fi, the original "Alien" & its sequel "Aliens" with Ripley is a perfect example. And I love "Bridesmaids"; that movie is still funny after all these years. Great storytelling will let me get caught up in a character's journey.
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
No better example than the ALIEN films, William Joseph Hill. Thanks for sharing.
5 months ago
Sandra Isabel Correia
Screenwriter, Executive, Director
“It’s really hard to be with the right person” Erin Fosters explains her rom-com and she’s right! It’s a simple subject, but a really hard one for human beings understand this without ego. I agree with you RB, Female Lead films are conquering space and that’s so good because brings more voices, more space and new stories. Thanks you my friend for always being an inspiration for all of us :))
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
Right back at you, Sandra Isabel Correia 
5 months ago
Sandra Isabel Correia
Screenwriter, Executive, Director
Sending my love to you my friend! And an amazing week :))
5 months ago
Maurice Vaughan
Screenwriter
Good morning, RB. Hope you're having a great time at Sundance! I've been resting and recharging this weekend. And networking (it's like I never turn it off). I write from personal experiences, and sometimes I don't realize it right away. Family has always been huge to me, and I write about it a lot. I'm rewriting two feature scripts that center around family. A lot of my scripts are female-driven. I do a lot of research to make sure I write female characters authentically.
5 months ago
Maurice Vaughan
Screenwriter
You're welcome, RB. I have some old female-driven scripts I need to dust off and pitch. I might even turn one into a podcast.
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
Sundance has been fantastic, Maurice Vaughan. Thanks for asking!
5 months ago
Harri-Pekka Virkki
Author, Stunt Performer
Thanks RB! Greetings from cool Berlin! Berlinale is knocking on the door! Heve a wonderful almost spring!
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
From Sundance straight into Berlinale. The momentum is real, my friend. Thanks for commenting, Harri-Pekka Virkki 
5 months ago
Wayne Jarman
Actor, Crew, Screenwriter, Stage Manager, Director, Editor, Author, Camera Operator, Photographer (Still), Playwright, Set Builder, Voice Artist
Thank you, RB, for these two thought-provoking videos. It is to be hoped that we are seeing a real female driven Correction and not just a trend. The correction is long overdue. I also loved the reference to humour in dialogue rather than punch line comedy. Clever dialogue can provide much more humour that rough comedy.
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
I can tell you straight from Sundance that it's not a trend, Wayne Jarman. 
5 months ago
Love it!
5 months ago
Richard RB Botto
Actor, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Artist
Thanks, Wendy Kay!
5 months ago
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