The Stage 32 Lounge

It’s like requiring everyone to spend half their income on eco‑friendly products for vegans.

Welcome, Charles! Congrats on the 2 features this year! That's a big win. What prompted your turn into acting?

TThank you to all those who have welcomed me.

I've played a granddad and a police chief so far. I didn't get into acting, acting was in me all along so I finally decided to do something about it.

Hello Charles. I just completed a thriller called Stone Cold. You have the perfect look for I envision the leading character. I would love to work with you. You would be compensated with a percentage of ownership of the project.

Hey Charles Ray, welcome and congrats on acting in the two films! Was it fun for you, did you find it enjoyable?

Thank you all so much for sharing your questions with me and joining in on this AMA event. Y’all did that okay! I did my absolute best to answer everyone I could, but if I somehow missed you, I sincerely apologize. At this time, the event has come to an end.

If you have any remaining questions, or if you’d like to connect with me for a consultation about a specific project, you can reach out to the Stage 32 Success Team at SuccessStage32.com to get that coordinated.

I also spend a lot of time here in the Lounges, and I love jumping into your conversations to offer advice and insight, so this won’t be the last time we see each other. You all have been a blessing to me. See you around the community!

Hi Whitney Davis - I love your photo - thanks for making me smile!!!

@Whitney Davis, you are appreciated. Thank you. I have one in my pocket ... that mustard seed.

You're welcome, @Whitney. Thanks again for having this AMA! You were incredible! Have a blessed day and weekend!

Thanks for taking the time to share your perspective, Whitney Davis! That makes sense regarding how traditional studio packaging works I guess, even if it bursts my bubble a little. I appreciate the insight and all the advice that you've shared.

Jasurbek, thank you so much for the detailed feedback. I really appreciate you taking the time

Hi Sooraj! I came across your post about THE GUARD. The premise of a night watchman discovering a magical door that unleashes monsters has some intriguing possibilities.

I’m a dramaturg and script consultant, and I help writers develop story structure, character motivation, conflict, and the internal logic of their fictional worlds.

Since you’re starting the first draft, this could be a good stage to identify the key dramatic questions before they become difficult to fix later. If that would be useful, I’d be happy to tell you more about my approach to story development.

Hi Aleksei, thank you so much for reaching out and for your kind offer.

I really appreciate it. For now, I have a clear direction for THE GUARD and I know what I want to do with the story in this draft.

I'll definitely keep your consultancy in mind for a later stage if I need an outside perspective.

Thanks again!

Sooraj

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Hi Sooraj,

Thanks for letting me know. I understand, and I appreciate your reply.

Best of luck with THE GUARD and the current draft. If you ever feel that an outside dramaturgical perspective could be useful at a later stage, you're welcome to reach out.

Best,

Alexey

Hi Alekesi,

Thank you so much for understanding and for your kind wishes.

I truly appreciate you keeping the door open. I will definitely reach out once this draft is complete for a fresh perspective.

Best regards,

Sooraj

Hello Taylor. I would love to collaborate with you. let me know how we could make that happen.

Khurram, you’ve clearly put a lot of thought into the larger story. With a project this ambitious, I’d be especially interested in how the pilot establishes the central hook, character motivation, and mystery while giving viewers a strong reason to continue. The cultural and mythological foundation also gives the series a distinctive identity. How are you currently approaching the balance between the mythology and the character-driven side of the story?

Hi Johnson,

Thank you for your thoughtful message and for taking an interest in SHALIMAR: THE FORBIDDEN TUNNEL.

My approach is to introduce the mystery through the characters rather than explain the mythology too early. In the pilot, the audience encounters unusual events and unanswered questions alongside the characters, allowing the mystery to unfold naturally.

The central hook is an ancient tunnel beneath Lahore's historic Shalimar Gardens that is connected to a terrifying supernatural force and another dimension. While the mythology provides the larger mystery, the emotional core comes from the characters, their personal fears, relationships, and the choices they must make as they become involved in events they cannot fully understand.

I intend to reveal the mythology gradually across the seasons, so each answer creates new questions while the characters' journeys remain at the heart of the story. This approach allows the series to combine Pakistani cultural heritage with a larger international sci-fi horror mystery.

I've developed the five-season story arc and completed the 23-page screenplay for Episode 1. I'm now focused on strengthening the pilot's opening hook, character motivations, and the questions that encourage viewers to continue watching.

I'd genuinely appreciate your perspective on how the pilot could communicate this balance effectively to an international audience.

Best regards,

Khurram Rk Asghar

Creator & Writer

SHALIMAR: THE FORBIDDEN TUNNEL

Great! Hope you project works for you!

Welcome, Khurram! SHALIMAR: THE FORBIDDEN TUNNEL sounds intriguing, especially the blend of Pakistani history, mythology, and supernatural horror. Having a five-season arc and a completed pilot screenplay gives you a solid starting point. Are you looking for producing partners to help assess the series and explore its path toward the screen? I’d love to connect.

Hello Khurram. I have a project that I would love to collaborate with you on. Respond for more details.

Hey, @Kyle. I write about God's love, family love, friendship love (like best friends), and loving others/your neighbors.

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh thats nice i agree with you but sometimes requited love is very sweet

but i agree with you unrequited is very great

and yeah love doesnt need sexual things

Nicholas Greene nice mr nicholas

Maurice Vaughan Mr maurice god love...family love...all of them are very lovely

continue writing them it s very great

True

Paying to pitch makes me want to quit

It is my friend and thank you for that Xx

Details made

You're welcome, @Sandra. Have a great rest of the week and weekend!

You too my friend and Happy Introduce Yourself Weekend. It’s our fav time of the month Maurice Vaughan :)

Pat Alexander

Hey! Thanks for asking! I've always been drawn to psychological thrillers and stories that explore the darker sides of human nature. I wanted to write something that goes beyond solving a crime and looks at how trauma, abandonment, and the desire for justice can shape people in very different ways. That eventually grew into The Orphan's Creed. I'm especially interested in morally complex characters, hidden identities, and exploring the thin line between justice and revenge. There's a much bigger story behind the pilot that I'm excited to keep developing!

I will read it tonight . please put me in your network . thanks .

Welcome Regina Kamara ! I hope you'll join us at our upcoming webcasts in the Writers' Room. Sign up for a Free Month of the Writers’ Room: https://www.stage32.com/writers-room/plans-vip

Welcome to Stage 32, Regina! The Orphan’s Creed sounds like an intriguing psychological crime thriller, especially with its focus on family secrets, manipulation, and the line between justice and revenge. Since you’ve completed the pilot, are you hoping to develop this into a full series and connect with potential producing partners? I’d love to connect and learn more about your vision.

Janet Eunice

Thank you, Janet! Yes, my goal is to develop The Orphan's Creed into a full series. I've mapped out the larger storyline, character arcs, and intended ending, and I'm currently continuing to develop the episodes while seeking honest feedback on the pilot. I'm also interested in connecting with people who understand the creative and production sides of television and could help me explore the project's potential as it develops. I'd be happy to connect and learn more about your work and what you have in mind!

Thank you so much, Jaz! It’s great to be back. I’m really looking forward to the Pitch Tank with Andrew tomorrow — excited to be part of it!

Thank you, Haley! I’m really excited about both of them. THE GHOST is the one I’m preparing to pitch tomorrow, and THE GRANDMOTHER is another project that’s very close to me. I really appreciate you taking the time to mention them!

Hi Charmane, I came across your profile and immediately felt that our creative interests might align.

I’m Afsaneh, an emerging screenwriter from Iran currently developing an original psychological horror feature for the international market. What caught my attention was your interest in psychological and supernatural horror, international stories, and long-term world-building.

I’m developing a high-concept story built around an international competition that brings couples from different countries together — but what initially appears to be an extraordinary opportunity gradually reveals something much darker.

I’m currently looking to connect with serious industry professionals who understand genre storytelling and see potential beyond the usual horror formulas.

I’d genuinely love to connect with you and hear more about your work. If the concept interests you, I’d also be happy to tell you more about the screenplay privately.

Best,

Afsaneh

Indeed, go on bask in the glory of your stories!

Hi Afsaneh, thank you for such a thoughtful message. It sounds like we definitely share an interest in psychological and supernatural genre stories, particularly those with an international perspective.

Your premise sounds intriguing — especially the idea of bringing couples from different countries into what initially appears to be an extraordinary opportunity before revealing something much darker.

I’d be happy to connect and hear a little more about what you’re developing. I’m always glad to meet another writer who is serious about building distinctive genre stories for an international audience.

Wishing you the best with the project, and I look forward to connecting!

Charmane

Brian Shell Welcome back! Finishing a screenplay after such a long break must feel good. What genre is the new script?

Welcome back, Brian! I’m sorry for your loss, and it’s good to hear you’ve found your way back to writing. Congratulations on finishing your new screenplay! What kind of story have you been working on? I’d love to hear more.

What am I looking forward to on 32? Connection with likeminded people... artistic... creative. My new script is a blend of Good Will Hunting and Contact/Disclosure Day - dimensional sci-fi with a professor/graduate student influence.

That sounds like an interesting mix, Brian Shell. Combining the character-driven side of Good Will Hunting with dimensional sci-fi could make for something really compelling. Is the script more focused on the scientific mystery or the relationship between the professor and graduate student?

Hi, @Brian. My condolences. Welcome back to Stage 32. Congratulations on finishing your first screenplay in years!

Welcome Andi Goldberg

Welcome...you'll find some good resources here. Best wishes!!!

Hi Andi Goldberg - nice to meet you and best of luck with your new role at WSM Talent.

Welcome to Stage 32, Andi! Congratulations on your new role at WSM Talent and your mentorship work. I’d love to connect and learn more about the kinds of writers and projects you’re looking to bring onto your roster.

Hi, @Andi! Great to meet you. Congratulations on starting as a Junior Manager at WSM Talent and a mentor at Stage 32!