Screenwriting

Hi everyone.

Something's been bothering me. I'd really like to share it with you, the Stage 32 community.

It's a question about the development of a screenwriter from beginner to professional.

Should you watch more movies than you write, or should you write more than you watch?

This is a very relevant question!

I’ve been working on a script where the main character is a father who can’t accept the life he ended up with.

Specifically, he’s raising a son with severe developmental challenges, and instead of rising to it, he spirals—resentment, guilt, denial, the whole 9 yards.

It made me wonder:

Where do you draw the line with an unlikable protagonist?

Is there a point where honesty turns into something audiences reject outright? Or is discomfort the point?

Curious how others approach this. I know how I did.

Can you write a screenplay based on a charcter created by someone else? Or do you need permission?

For example, what if I have a story based on Jason and his mom or Michael Myers during his prepubescient years? I figure I write the screenplay, enter it in contests, and perhaps get someone's attention for a new addition to a franchise.

Hi Writers, I´m sitting here trying to polish my script, you know, that magical stage where you fix one line and somehow break three others. And while I was doing that, a question popped into my head:

What’s a hard truth about screenwriting you wish someone had told you earlier?

Mine is: You can spend weeks perfecting a scene, and then cut the whole thing because "it´s not interesting at all" There might be someone out there who really needs to hear that..

Hi everyone — looking for feedback on two prestige‑drama loglines (pilot + feature)

I’m Aaron, a NYC‑based writer working in psychological drama and character‑driven thrillers. I’m currently refining two samples — a pilot (ARSONIST) and a feature (PENNY) — and would love thoughts on the loglines as I prepare them for queries and potential coverage.

ARSONIST — Pilot (Prestige Psychological Thriller)

A brilliant but emotionally impenetrable suburban mother quietly manipulates the surveillance systems around her community to control the people in her life — until one night of bad decisions, captured on a dozen cameras, sets off a chain reaction of lies, leverage, and escalating danger she can no longer contain.

PENNY — Feature (Prestige Trauma Drama)

After surviving 9/11 with a head injury that fractures her memory and perception, a woman struggles to reconstruct the missing hours of the day and the life she had before it — forcing her to confront the trauma, identity, and long‑buried truths she’s spent years trying not to see.

Happy to return feedback on others’ work as well. Appreciate any thoughts or reactions.

— Aaron

Does anything need fixing?

INT, CASTLE HALLWAY - DAY

Garerit dashes down a hallway, determined. His breath is heavy, but his eyes show focus. He grips a small pouch at his belt- his secret weapon.

Garerit (thinking): "I knew this moment would come... Time to put my plan into action."

Flashback - Garerit in His Room, He sketches a rough map of the castle on parchment, marking key locations.

Garerit (thinking): "The giant is brute strength. The sorcerer is cunning. I'll need to outwit them both."

Present - Golithor bashes a fellow giant who got in his way.

Golithor (Yelling): "OUTTA MY WAY FOOL!"

Garerit skids into a grand hall with a massive chandelier above, He eyes the thick ropes holding the chandelier.

Garerit (thinking): "That should slow Golithor down…"

Golithor charges in, just as Garerit slices the rope! The massive chandelier plummets! Glass shatters, dust explodes into the air, and Golithor lets out a furious roar.

SFX: CRASH!

Golithor (bellowing): "RUNT! YOU CANNOT HIDE!”

(Gareirt): "That should get me some distance."

Ch7 Pg 6

INT, CASTLE HALLWAY - DAY

Garerit Standing at the Base of Two Towering Trees, Looking Up. The trees are massive, with thick trunks and their tops disappearing into the mist above. A makeshift ladder, fashioned from thick vines and branches, stretches between them.

Garerit (calling out): "Come on, Golithor! Or are you too slow for a mere tailor?”

Garerit Reaches for His Magic Shoes, Ready for the Jump. He adjusts his magic shoes. He mutters to himself, preparing for his leap. The shoes glow faintly with magical energy, indicating their power.

Garerit (whispering): "Time to make my move.”

Garerit Leaps, Propelled by the Magic Shoes. With a burst of energy, Garerit jumps off each rung of the ladder and soars through the air. The magic shoes propel him with unnatural speed and height. His body stretches upward, a small figure against the vast height of the castle and the towering ladder.

Garerit Lands at the Top of the Ladder Just as Golithor Reaches It. Garerit lands lightly on the top platform of the ladder, landing just as Golithor reaches the top rung. The giant stops in his tracks, confused, as Garerit stands tall on the narrow platform.

Garerit (smiling smugly): "You're a little slow, aren't you?”

Golithor's Confused Face as He Looks Up at Gerarit. Golithor glares at Garerit, surprised by his agility and speed.

Golithor (roaring): “Impossible!"

Garerit (smirking): "You might be big, but I'm quick.”

Golithor, the great giant, stands at the base of the ladder, grinning. He looks up at the long climb ahead. He prepares to ascend. Garerit is at the top of the ladder, a small but confident figure in the distance.(CUT?)

The Post (English)

Subject: Distilling the Core: "The Frost Protocol"

I’ve spent the last few weeks grinding through the world-building phase of my new project—a point where the line between the script and reality starts to blur.

I’ve finally carved out the logline for "The Frost Protocol," a gritty, high-stakes exploration of manufactured existence.

The Logline: After discovering his entire life is a six-month-old simulation, a factory worker joins a band of "glitched" rebels on a suicide mission to infiltrate the Admin Core. Their goal: to shatter the central archive and restore true reality to a world that has forgotten it was ever free.

The conflict isn't just about survival; it's about the cost of truth. If they succeed, they liberate billions, but every trace of their own existence is permanently deleted.

I’m looking for professional feedback on the weight of these stakes and the clarity of the "false memory" hook. If you’re working on something similar or have thoughts on the psychological tension of the "Human vs. Code" dynamic, let’s talk.

Best,

Wael

I guarantee it's the most interesting read you'll have this week.

Good day everyone!

I’m based in a small town in NC, so film opportunities are a bit limited to me. That said, I’ve been pushing forward regardless because I genuinely love writing and believe I’ll get my shot one day.

I’ve been focusing on pitching and continuing to build my scripts, but I’m starting to think more seriously about the next step…representation.

For those who have gone through it, what’s been your experience connecting with a manager or getting your work in front of producers? Are there specific steps, platforms, or strategies you found most effective?

I know this industry can be tough to navigate, and I want to make sure I’m moving in the right direction and not investing time or money in the wrong places.

I’d really appreciate any insight. Thanks in advance!

I’ve been developing a feature screenplay titled Pie & Coffee, a character-driven story centered on burnout, return, and rediscovering connection through community.

After an intensive writing and rewriting process, the script has reached a stage where I’m beginning to think more seriously about its next steps particularly in terms of representation and finding the right path toward production.

As a director-writer, I’m interested in connecting with managers or collaborators who are drawn to grounded, emotionally-driven storytelling and are open to helping position a project like this with the right production companies or partners.

I’m currently exploring opportunities to share the script, build meaningful relationships, and understand how best to move forward in the industry.

If this resonates, I’d be glad to connect.

— Abhijeet Aade