6th Annual Television Writing Contest

THE WINNER HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED! SCROLL DOWN TO SEE!!

Don't touch that dial! The biggest TV writing contest of the year is back !

The Grand Prize Winner will be flown to Hollywood to have private one-on-one meetings with some of the most prolific writers, producers, literary managers and executives from top television companies including NBC’s Peacock, Ramo Law, St. Amos Productions, Universal-based Captivate Entertainment, Untitled Entertainment, Warner Bros.-based Wolper Org., Schulman Management,The Coronel Group and more!

ALL Finalists will not only receive exposure to our incredible panel of Television mentors, but they will also have their titles and loglines featured in the Stage 32's industry Look Book which will be sent to over 500 executives and professionals who work directly with Stage 32. If an executive requests your script or a meeting with you, we will facilitate!

Pulitzer Prize-winner Carl Sandburg said, "The impact of television on our culture is...indescribable.There’s a certain sense in which it is nearly as important as the invention of printing.”

Television continues to experience its Golden Age as a multitude of new streamers and premium networks emerge, while existing networks continue to take greater creative and commercial risks with exciting original ideas. Across all platforms, formats and genres, content creators for television are on the cutting edge of the industry’s evolution. Comedies like SCHITT’S CREEK, GLOW and THE GOOD PLACE challenge us to be better humans in the most earnest ways possible. Dramas like HANDMAID’S TALE, EUPHORIA and LOVECRAFT COUNTRY demand we take a good, hard look at the world around us. PEN15, STRANGER THINGS and SEX EDUCATION trust us right back into our childhoods with equal parts charm and horror. TV is bolder than before, the casts more diverse and, now thanks to streaming services, there are options aplenty.

There have never been as many opportunities for television writers to find an audience, but that also means it is harder than ever to break out from an overly crowded market. Which is why...

Stage 32 is thrilled to announce our 6th Annual Television Writing Contest!

At Stage 32, we work tirelessly to pave the way for groundbreaking and undiscovered television writers all over the world! Our goal is to tear down the barriers that keep new television writers from achieving their dreams! Whether you write series, limited series, multi-camera sitcoms, or single-camera we want to see your best TV pilot!

Our writers boldly go where no man - or woman - have gone before! Previous Stage 32 contest winners have been signed by companies including 3 Arts, Verve, Paradigm, The Cartel, Energy Entertainment, Gotham Group, APA, Kaplan-Stahler Agency and Heroes & Villains Entertainment.

The Grand Prize Winner will meet with an all star panel of industry judges & mentors:

• Tiffany Boyle, President of Packaging, Ramo Law
• Drew Gatto, Development Executive - Captivate Entertainment (“TREADSTONE” for USA Network)
• Scott Schulman, Literary Manager - Schulman Management (Client credits include "THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY", "FBI: MOST WANTED")
• Arielle Cohen, Senior Manager - Peacock (“BATTLESTAR GALACTICA", “BRAVE NEW WORLD”)
• Mike Diaz, Literary Manager - The Coronel Group (Client credits include “NEW AMSTERDAM” “THE BAXTERS” for MGM)
• Samantha Schifrien, Development Executive - Untitled Entertainment
• Kevin Nicklaus, Senior Vice President, The Wolper Group (“BATES MOTEL”, “ROOTS”)
• Bret Slater, President, St. Amos Productions (“BALLERS”, “ENTOURAGE”, BOARDWALK EMPIRE”)
• Boman Modine, Emmy & BAFTA-nominated Producer, (“DARK/WEB”)

And if you’re a Finalist, you still get massive exposure to major players in the business!

ALL FINALISTS will be in a Stage 32 Look Book which includes their script title, logline & bio mailed to over 500 industry executives including, managers, agents, producers, development executives, and financiers! Stage 32 Look Books are respected throughout the industry and have helped secure dozens meetings and which have led to writer success with companies like Verve, Good Fear, 3 Arts, APA, Echo Lake, Amazon, UTA, CAA, WME, First Friday, Pathfinder, The Cartel, Art/Work and many, many more.

Who's Judging?

Our esteemed panel of mentors is composed of industry professionals including managers, producers, executives, and writers who know how to break out in the highly competitive television market. These executives have been hands on with projects that have revolutionized the world of TV, including "BATES MOTEL", “BALLERS”, “ENTOURAGE”, BOARDWALK EMPIRE”, “BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, “BRAVE NEW WORLD”, “TREADSTONE”, and many more!

These judges are masters in their field, and they are actively on the lookout for new writers and new stories to usher in!

Stage 32 Gets Results!

Stage 32 screenwriting and television writing competitions have springboarded over TWO DOZEN screenwriting careers! All of these writers have either been signed, optioned, or are now working screenwriters in the industry!

Some highlights from Stage 32 contest winners and finalists in the last 12 months alone include:

• Martin Reese - landed at $5,000 option agreement and eligibility for $100,000 in production financing after having his script selected in the Microbudget Horror Script Competition.
• Eric Jeske - was signed by literary managers Krista Sipp and Devon Byers of First Friday Entertainment after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• Greg Mania - was signed by Laina Cohn and Jon Taub of Cohn/Torgan Management after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• Christina Pamies - was signed by prolific spec script selling manager Jake Wagner of Alibi Entertainment after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32! She was hired to write the horror Thriller BAGHEAD for StudioCanal (see the announcement on Deadline here)!
• Christine Torres - signed with prolific manager and producer Brooklyn Weaver of Energy Entertainment after being set up on a meeting by Stage 32!
• See dozens of success stories below under "Our Track Record"

What Are We Looking For?

We want fresh, exciting teleplays that have something new to say to audiences. And remember: there is something for everyone on television. So, whether you have a story that will resonate specifically with the Boomers in middle America, the teenage LGBTQIA+ community, or young children who haven’t yet learned to talk, this opportunity is yours for the taking! Our mission at Stage 32 is to give you a platform to showcase the best you have to offer, while providing you with access to the movers and shakers in this industry.

What Types Of Scripts Can I Enter?

We’re looking for any and all original teleplays. Please no spec scripts based on existing shows.

Feedback Option

For an additional fee of only $49 you can receive full coverage from our industry readers on your screenplay or teleplay. Just check "coverage" upon checkout. Coverage will be sent out after the winners are announced.

"I found Stage 32’s contest coverage far better than some other services I have used in the past, where I felt almost assaulted. Please thank him or her for a well-done job. It was my first try with Stage 32 but it will not be my last." - Bob C.

"Stage 32 contest coverage is even better than some of the industry coverage I received. Thank you for these invaluable notes!" - E. Robinson

"The insight from my coverage from the Stage 32 contest helped me improve my script's dimension exponentially. I had looked at the script so much that I can't believe I missed a major plot point. Thank you!!" - S. Persons

Unprecedented access. Greater opportunities.

Better exposure. More reads.

Real success!

The Grand Prize Winner

The Grand Prize Winner will be flown to Hollywood and sent on private one-on-one meetings with the panel of industry mentors from:

• Ramo Law
• NBCUniversal's Peacock
• Universal Pictures-based Captivate Entertainment 
• Warner Bros.-based The Wolper Organization
• Schulman Management
• The Coronel Group
• St. Amos Productions

In addition, Stage 32's executive team will send your screenplay title, logline, writer bio & script synopsis to over 500 development executives, producers, managers & agents who work with Stage 32. If an executive requests the script or a meeting, we will facilitate the delivery.

If you make the top 10, you still get massive exposure to decision makers!

ALL FINALISTS will be in a Stage 32 Look Book which includes their script title, logline & bio mailed to over 500 industry executives including, managers, agents, producers, development executives, and financiers! Stage 32 Look Books are some of the most sought after talent resources for the industry and have helped secure meetings with places like Verve, Good Fear, 3 Arts, APA, Echo Lake, Amazon, UTA, CAA, WME, First Friday, Pathfinder, The Cartel, Art/Work and many, many more.

Tiffany Boyle (Mentor) - President of Packaging & Sales, Ramo Law

Tiffany Boyle has been with Ramo Law since 2009, where she works with the attorneys to review, collaborate, develop, submit and supervise creative materials on behalf of clients within the firm. She oversees all creative content represented by the firm, including the recently released WHAT LIES AHEAD, starring Rumor Willis and Emma Dumont after the Film's writer/producer William Viglione connected with Tiffany and Ramo Law through Stage 32 script services - click here to check out the recent blog series on the journey of the film!

Tiffany also produces films including the recent Mammoth Film Festival premier BURNING KENTUCKY, which took home the festivals Best Picture and Best Actress awards. Her other productions include the LA Film Festival Premiere ASHES IN THE SNOW, the action-comedy BETTER START RUNNING, the Sundance Film WHITE RABBIT, and I LIVED. She's currently in post-production on a number of films including ROLLERS, ARKANSAS, and SOMETHING ELSE. These projects have given her the opportunity to work with companies including Vision Film, StoryBoard Media, Sorrento Productions, and Freestyle Digital Media.

Other recent projects she's worked on include STUCK IN LOVE (Greg Kinnear and Jennifer Connelly), PAWN (Forest Whitaker and Ray Liotta), FRANKIE GO BOOM (Charlie Hunnam), SOME GIRL(S) (Adam Brody), FREE SAMPLES (Jesse Eisenberg), OFFICER DOWN (Stephen Dorff and James Woods), GIMME SHELTER (Vanessa Hudgens), and MALADIES & THE BROKEN TOWER (James Franco).

Kevin Nicklaus (Mentor) - Senior Vice President, Development, The Wolper Organization

Kevin Nicklaus is a veteran development executive, with a long tenure with the Warner Bros-based production company, The Wolper Organization, which has a first-look deal with Warner Bros. which covers all divisions, including HBO, HBO Max, Warner Bros. features, and more.

The Wolper Organization has been responsible for over 500 films, which have won more than 150 awards, including two Oscars, 50 Emmys, seven Golden Globes, five Peabody’s, and recognition and retrospectives from Cannes and other respected international film festivals. The company has multiple drama series and films (including films to debut on streaming platforms) in active development.

Kevin has been integral to the early development and sales of "BATES MOTEL" for A&E, the 2016 Emmy-nominated "ROOTS" for History, STEPHEN KING'S SALEM'S LOT for TNT, THE MISTS OF AVALON for TNT, HELTER SKELTER for CBS, THE BAD SEED for Lifetime and more.

Arielle Cohen (Mentor) - Senior Manager, Strategy, Peacock (NBCUniversal Streamer)

Arielle Cohen is a Senior Manager in Strategy at NBCUniversal's streaming service Peacock. Peacock is an upcoming American subscription video on demand streaming service by NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. The service is set to launch July 2020 and will offer classic series, movies and original series in Comedy, Drama, Reality, and Spanish-Language.

 

Arielle began her career at Picture This Television, an Emmy Award-winning company that has produced series including Bravo's 'KATHY GRIFFITH MY LIVE ON THE D LIST' and 'CELEBRITY POKER SHOWDOWN.' She also held positions at ICM Partners, truTV, and Bravo/Oxygen.

 

Arielle is also a Development Executive for Broadway Producer Eric Falkenstein's Spark Productions, whoseBroadway credits include MOULIN ROUGE and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.

 

Arielle received an M.B.A. and M.S. in Television Management from Drexel University. She is on the board of the Hollywood Radio and Television Society Associates, a member of TEDx Young Professionals, Women in Cable Television and Ladies of Comedy Association (LOCA).

Bret Slater (Mentor) - President, St. Amos Productions

Bret Slater is an LA-based TV and Film producer with over a decade of experience in both Production and Development. Bret is the President of St. Amos Productions, the production company led by John Stamos. St. Amos works with Netflix, Disney +, ABC and more.

Bret is the producer on the Emmy-nominated HBO series "Ballers", starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Rob Corddry, USA Network's "Shooter", starring Ryan Phillippe, Shantel VanSanten and Omar Epps, and Associate Produced the feature BROKEN CITY, starring Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe, and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Bret got his start in the industry working on features including OLD DOGS, BEDTIME STORIES, TWILIGHT, THE PROPOSAL and CONTRABAND, then moved to TV working with veteran producers Mark Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson on series including HBO's "Boardwalk Empire", "Entourage", "How to Make It in America", and "In Treatment".

Bret is currently working on a series he co-created and sold to truTV with Reddit and Wahlberg attached to executive produce alongside him.

Scott Schulman (Mentor) - Schulman Management

Scott Schulman is a Literary Manager who has staffed many writers. One of his clients sold one of their pilots to Netflix in 2022. He also went on to sell 2 more movies that year.

He got his start working at Fremantle in business affairs in both scripted and non-scripted television. He then went to A3 Artist Agency for a year as a junior agent in below the line packaging. Scott then pivoted to management and joined More/Medavoy. Scott went off and started Schulman Management in 2018. He began representing actors and then transitioned to signing writers/directors/producers. He currently has a roster of emerging voices and is adamant about breaking the barrier for women by helping get their voices heard. He is currently doing business with 21 Laps, Sugar 23, Phoenix Pictures, Omaha Productions, Harpo, Yoruba Saxon, Megamix, Boatrocker, Mar Vista, CBS and Netflix. Scott served on the Board of Directors for the entertainment organization, HRTS Associates and was also nominated as a Visionary of the Year candidate in 2022 by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Scott also sits on the Los Angeles Hofstra University alumni chapter which mentors emerging industry talent.

Samantha Schifrien (Mentor) - Development Executive, 93 Cedar

Samantha is the Development Executive at Untitled Entertainment with Michael Rosenberg the executive behind prolific series, including "Hell on Wheels," "Rogue," and "Klondike." Samantha works directly with Michael to find and develop projects for sale to cable networks.

Earlier this year, Untitled brought in Michael and Samantha to help further build out the management/production company’s television business. They are looking for television projects to find for Untitled's massive roster of on-screen talent.

Rosenberg has worked on features including Sundance Jury Prize-winner TREASURE ISLAND, and is best known for executive producing highly successful television series. Rosenberg previously served as EVP U.S. Scripted Television and SVP Original Scripted Series Programming for Entertainment One. He oversaw eOne’s TV Development, Current Programming and Production department.

Previously, Samantha worked in International Television Production at NBCUniversal, on the series "Resurrection" for ABC, and Brillstein-Grey Entertainment.

She is a graduate of the USC Business-Cinematic Arts Joint Degree Program, her experience ranges from lit management to international television.

 

Boman Modine (Mentor) - BAFTA & Emmy-nominated Producer, Strangeway Productions

Boman Modine is an award winning Producer with a history of film and franchise development. Most recently, Boman has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy for the show "DARK/WEB" on Amazon Prime.

 

Boman's production company, Strangeway Productions, is currently developing several animated, horror, science fiction properties with partners that include Sanctum Studios.

 

He is the former head of acquisitions and development for Mt. Hollywood where he also produced the BAFTA-nominated "THE PARTY's JUST BEGINNING" with Karen Gillan. He has also consulted and produced with BRAIN ACADEMY, known for the Keanu Reeves/Peter Stormare show "SWEDISH DICKS", where he packaged both features and television shows.

Drew Gatto (Mentor) - Film & TV Development Coordinator, Captivate Entertainment

Drew Gatto is the Film & TV Development Coordinator at Captivate Entertainment with almost 10 years of experience in several different facets of the entertainment industry. Captivate Entertainment is a production company behind the enormously popular JASON BOURNE franchise, which has grossed over a billion dollars worldwide. Captivate was formed by principals Ben Smith and Jeffrey Weiner to create elevated character-driven action, adventure, and thriller projects for feature and television, and the company has an exclusive relationship with the estate of Robert Ludlum to produce his novels for the screen.

At Captivate, Drew works closely with executives across the industry to source strong material and secure IP rights for projects in development. Last summer, he had the opportunity to travel to Budapest to work on Captivate's most recent TV project, "TREADSTONE", which aired on USA Network last fall.

Drew started his career at the Gersh Agency where he worked with leading film and television talent, helping them secure roles and develop their careers. He then moved to Imagine Entertainment, where he had the distinct honor of working with Brian Grazer across Imagine's slate of projects.

 

 

Mike Diaz (Mentor) - Literary Manager, ATN Entertainment

Mike Diaz in an accomplished Manager and Producer at ATN Entertainment with 10 years of experience representing Actors, Writers, and Directors.

 

Mike was previously a manager at The Coronel Group, a boutique entertainment management company that takes a holistic approach to representing actors, writers and directors for the longevity of their client’s careers. The company manages both developemental and A-List Actors and heavily focusses on project management for both their Writer’s and Director’s. The Coronel Group offers an exclusive experience and focusses on a hands-on method when working with their client’s to ensure that both talent and literature client’s receive monitorship, guidance and management from every angle of the business.

 

Mike has a demonstrated history in development and talent management with several projects in in development across, TV, Film and the Podcast space. He began his career at Principato-Young and then moved to the Coronel Group in 2014.