Happy Friday, Stage 32 Community!

There’s a lot of mystery surrounding the word “development.” It’s one of those industry terms that gets tossed around constantly, but when you ask five different people what it means, you’ll probably get five different answers. That’s why this week, inspired by a recent conversation in the Writer’s Room Lounge, I want to pull back the curtain a bit.

In honor of July Filmmakers Club, we’re getting real about what filmmaking actually looks like, the good, the bad, the endless rewrites, and why "Development" is one of the most important (and misunderstood) parts of the creative process.

DEVELOPMENT IS A TERM THAT MAY BE USED A FEW DIFFERENT WAYS

You’ll hear “development” used in all kinds of contexts, from brainstorming an idea to pitching a packaged project. Broadly speaking, development covers everything from a project’s inception to its official greenlight, and sometimes even into pre-production. This phase can take years. And even then, it doesn’t guarantee the project will ever get made.

One development exec might use the word to describe script rewrites. A producer might be referring to the process of attaching talent. A writer might think of development as the stage they’re in once they finish the first draft. The truth is: they’re all right. Development is a winding path, and every project walks it a little differently.

THE SIMILARITIES & DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FILM AND TV DEVELOPMENT

In film development, the journey is usually centered around the script. A writer (or producer with a concept) begins developing the story, and the packaging process builds from there. Film typically focuses on securing attachments like actors or directors before pitching to buyers.

TV development, however, is often concept-driven. A series bible or pilot script gets developed first, and then the showrunner, production company, or studio may be involved early on to shape the creative direction. TV buyers want to know how the show sustains over seasons, so development includes extensive world-building, long-term arcs, and visual branding.

In both worlds, development is where vision meets strategy, and a lot of it happens without pay.

YOU SHOULD NEVER PAY SOMEONE TO “DEVELOP” YOUR PROJECT

This one’s important. If someone tells you they want to help develop your project… for a fee? That’s a red flag.

In a legitimate development process, producers, directors, writers, and actors typically work on spec, meaning they’re not paid until the project is sold or financed. Their compensation is negotiated with the buyer, not with you.

As the writer or creator, you may get paid for your script earlier in the process than everyone else; when it's optioned by a producer, sold to a buyer, and even when future drafts are written, they usually come with additional pay. Producers often aren't paid until physical production begins. That’s the industry norm: shared risk, shared reward.

So if someone asks for cash upfront to join your team, proceed with caution. And if it happens here on Stage 32, always report the person to us by emailing Support@Stage32.com.

A SIMPLE BREAKDOWN OF WHAT DEVELOPMENT SHOULD LOOK LIKE

Let’s demystify things even more. Here’s a straightforward roadmap of what a real development process might include:

Story Development:

You start with your concept and develop it into a strong, compelling script. This can involve multiple rewrites and stages with feedback from trusted peers or professionals. Sometimes the project starts with a Producer, and they have to find the right writer to collaborate on developing the story and script.

Packaging:

A producer comes on board to help build out the right team: additional producing partners, a director, lead talent, or other key attachments that make the project more appealing to buyers.

Pitch Prep:

Together, you create materials like your written pitch document, pitch deck, lookbook, or sizzle to visually and emotionally communicate your vision.

Pitching & Negotiation:

The project is taken out to production companies, financiers, streamers, broadcasters, and studios. If there’s interest, deals are negotiated, and that’s when compensation discussions happen for the team. If you're really lucky, multiple people are interested and there's a bidding war that makes your project even more interesting and valuable.

Story Development Round 2:

Often, before an official greenlight, the team works closely with the buyer to re-develop the story and script to align with the buyer’s mandates, brand, or target audience. This might include creative revisions, structural changes, or tone adjustments to meet the needs of the distributor or platform. This can take a few drafts to get right.

Greenlight & Pre-Production:

If everything lines up—team, financing, final script—the project gets a greenlight. Then the real hustle begins with pre-production and scheduling.

AT ANY TIME BEFORE GREENLIGHT, THE PROCESS CAN HIT A WALL

This part’s hard to hear, but it’s true:

• You may spend a year or more developing with a team, only to discover that creative differences make the partnership unworkable, and the project stalls.
• You might take the project out to pitch and face multiple rejections, forcing you to either rework your approach, shelve the idea temporarily, or start over completely.
• You could find a great buyer and make it to the redevelopment stage, only for the company to restructure, bringing in new execs who don’t support the project and let it go.
• Or maybe collaboration with the buyer’s team breaks down. Perhaps their notes clash with your vision, and there’s no way to align creatively. If the partnership can’t work as a whole, the greenlight simply won’t happen.

Development is fragile, and not every project survives. But with the right knowledge and the right team, you can navigate these twists and turns more strategically.

HOW STAGE 32 CAN HELP YOU THROUGH EACH PHASE

Stage 32 isn’t just a platform; it’s a toolkit for your development journey. We're here to help guide, educate, and support you at every stage of this complicated and agonizing process.

Story Development:

• Get feedback early with Stage 32 Logline Reviews
• Ask questions and build peer support in the Screenwriting Lounge
• Join the Writer’s Room for community support, weekly Writer’s Cafes, and the Monday Night Coverage Report (Click here for your first month FREE)
• Explore Stage 32 Screenwriting Education
• Receive Professional Development Notes on your First 10 Pages
• Adapting an IP? Get an Adaptation Review

Packaging:

• Pitch your script directly in Stage 32 Pitch Sessions
• Book Career Development Calls to get professional guidance from Pros about your next steps
• Use Script Coverage & Consultations to strengthen your material
• Attend Wednesday Webcasts live on Zoom with Executives in the Writer's Room (Click here for your first month FREE)
• Access Writer’s Room OWAs to submit your material to Reps and Producers
• Learn about strategic networking with our Networking Education
• Build Relationships through active participation in the Stage 32 Producing Lounge

Pitch Prep:

• Practice your pitch weekly in the Writer’s Room on Thursday Night Pitch Practice (Click here for your first month FREE)
• Get expert feedback through Pitch Deck/Series Bible Reviews
• Learn how to build killer Decks, Bibles, and Lookbooks through Stage 32 Education

This July, Stage 32 is hosting a FREE Webcast- How to Create a 2 Page Pitch For Your Feature Film, taught by Producer Sara Elizabeth Timmins! You can click here to register now!

Pitching & Negotiating:

• Explore Stage 32 Education around financing, legal, and representation
• Ask questions, build relationships, and soak up insights in the Financing & Distribution Lounges
• Be informed so you can confidently advocate for yourself and your work

Greenlight & Pre-Production:

• Stay involved creatively and explore new roles with Stage 32 Education in Filmmaking, Casting, and Production
• Ask questions and make connections in the Filmmaking, Acting, Cinematography, Composing, and Post-Production Lounges
• Understand as much of the pipeline as you can. It will make you a stronger creative, and a smarter one too.

HAVE YOU JOINED IN ON STAGE 32’S JULY FILMMAKERS CLUB?

If you’re feeling motivated after reading this—good! That’s exactly what July Filmmakers Club is all about.

This month, we’re celebrating the power of setting intentional goals and working together as a global community to move your filmmaking forward.

Week One Challenges:

• Comment on this week's July Filmmaking Club blog with your thoughts, a question for me, or what you’re excited about this July
• Post in the Filmmaking Lounge and share your current goals
• Comment on 3+ posts in the Filmmaking Lounge to encourage and support other creatives

Completing all three will automatically enter you to win a FREE Stage 32 Pitch Session, with the winner announced in next Monday’s blog!

Development is where your vision starts to become a reality, but only if you understand the road ahead and lean into the right resources and partnerships. I’m so glad you’re here and ready to grow with us. You don’t have to do this alone.

So, let’s get to work, together.

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Got an idea for a post? Or have you collaborated with Stage 32 members to create a project? We'd love to hear about it. Email Ashley at blog@stage32.com and let's get your post published!

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