Filmmaking / Directing

Thanks so much Sydney S~ I’ll definitely work hard. I’m wondering if maybe I should also try for at least a second double recommend before I dive back into pitching lol

Just have the believe and courage, you can do it

Those are awesome goals, Banafsheh! I'm sure you can succeed!

Thank you Rosie Lyons~ I’ll definitely go for it~

Thanks so much Haley Mary, I’ll work hard~

Hi Elle Bolan, happy July Filmmakers Club :)) I appreciate that you are doing a collaborative horror project. How is your experience co-writing ? I never did, so I am curious:)) I love that you want to branch out, it’s so healthy for us. Your goals aren’t small, they are rich goals :)) I love that. Here cheering for you. Let’s gooooo

You can do it, Elle Bolan!

Thanks my friends. Looking forward to all the progress we are gonna make.

The only thing i could pay for myself the last 12 months is making a feature into a comic book, half way now.

Jen Winters Such a great question. I think there are so many options to grow IP beyond the traditional route of getting a script straight to screen.

I'm doing the same thing myself, actually. I was pitched an incredible story on Stage 32, and we've been trying for two years to get it made via attaching a director and cast, but it's been a struggle, mainly because it's period and, well, just generally hard.

We recently made the decision to incubate the IP by turning it into a podcast instead. The material is perfect for that medium, and we already have recordings. Since we started reaching out, things have moved fast, and we're hopeful we'll have a commission before the end of summer.

Jen Winters IMO, it does not unless the IP is remarkably strong across all genres. The reason is because different media have entirely different audiences, entirely different market dynamics, and entirely different conventions. For example, the film audience is very passive and tends to watch what it is told to watch (with exceptional moments) and knows little about the process, product and marketing of movies, while the gaming audience is very engaged and informed about everything in a gaming title from budget to which individuals have worked on it, the profit and audience numbers history of the studio that produces it, and they expect to be canvassed and respected in some of those decisions to the degree that can be done.

Hi Jen! First off, congratulations! Turning your novel into a pilot, launching the audiobook, earning festival recognition for the pilot, and maintaining strong reviews is an incredible accomplishment. You're building real momentum around your IP!

To answer your question: yes, having your story succeed across multiple formats can absolutely help strengthen your proof of concept, especially in the independent space. Strong reader reviews, festival selections, audiobook performance, and an existing audience all demonstrate that your story resonates. While they're not a guarantee of getting a project produced, they can certainly make your pitch more compelling to producers, managers, and investors.

More and more creators are taking this approach—using novels, podcasts, web series, and other formats to build an audience before a screen adaptation gains traction. Every bit of validation helps tell the story that your IP has market potential.

Since you're already thinking strategically about expanding your IP, you might find these Stage 32 webinars helpful:

-How to Develop Source Material IP Into a Series or Film** explores what producers look for when evaluating books and other source material for adaptation, and how to position your project for the screen: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/how-to-develop-source-materia...

-Verticals: How to Package and Protect Your IP** covers strategies for packaging your intellectual property, maximizing its value across multiple formats, and protecting it as you continue building your brand: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/verticals-how-to-package-and-...

Congratulations again on everything you've accomplished so far, and please keep us posted on your journey—we'd love to hear how the audiobook launch and pilot continue to progress. Wishing you the very best! Any questions just email edu@stage32.com at anytime!

These are great goals, Sandra! I keep meaning to dig into verticals, but time has not been on my side with it. But I will get there! Fingers crossed you get that one sold. And it's so exciting that you're getting ready for pre-production.

I'll be cheering for you to get these things done! Happy July Filmmakers Club!

Thank you, Elle Bolan. I try to have them always in different projects because I never know what will succeed:))

Verticals are a very good challenge and I accepted Kay Ross challenge, that’s why I have written the episodes and concept :))

It’s a fun medium to write and fast. Thank you for you friendship and support. I want to see yours and cheering for you also :))

Great goals, Sandra Isabel! Best of luck!

Thank you sweetie. They are too much, but we’ll see :)) Now I go to see yours Banafsheh Esmailzadeh :))

u will get one dear...

Thanks.

Want us to be friends, well I can guess that you are older than me, but don't worry I will respect you.

Hey Adedoyinsola, this is Lauren from the Stage 32 team. I just wanted to let you know I moved your post from Authoring & Playwriting to Filmmaking / Directing, as it fits much better there. Let me know if you have any questions, and all the best to you!

Thank you Lauren Hackney, please text if you are here, I would like you to give me tips that can help me.

okay Leonardo we get it

Thanks for sharing Leonardo. Are you setting any goals for this month?

Hey Elle Bolan - Right now, I'm going through Robert McKee's "Story" book based on his seminars. My goal is to study through that - it's a little over 400 pages. We're in development with "Sol Rise" so we remain focused on that. In the meantime, I've got a consult coming up for my animated work. Busy month! I saw your comment on the blog itself - sounds like a wise strategy!

Abhijeet Aade, I believe your point is that all compelling films are character-driven (if I understood you correctly).

While I respect that view and agree that many enduring masterpieces are indeed character-driven, I don't think we should treat it as an absolute rule.

Audiences are not a monolithic group with a single mindset. There are landmark films in cinema history that are driven by concept or plot rather than character, yet remain absolute masterpieces—take Inception or Memento, for example.

Before deciding whether a screenplay should lean more on character or concept, we must first ask: Who is this film for, and what is its core purpose? While character is vital, it is not the only way to create a lasting impact.

Mohammad Ali RANJBAR Thank you, Mohammad. I appreciate your perspective, and I agree that it shouldn't be treated as an absolute rule. Films like Inception and Memento are brilliant examples of concept-driven storytelling executed at the highest level.

My point was more that, regardless of whether a film begins with a powerful concept or a compelling plot, audiences ultimately stay invested because they emotionally connect with the people experiencing that story. A great concept may attract attention, but memorable characters often give it lasting impact.

I completely agree that understanding the intended audience and the purpose of the film should shape every storytelling decision. Thanks for adding such a valuable perspective to the discussion.

I agree. Of course, for the characters and the story to remain in the minds of the audience, the script alone is not enough. In character-driven or even concept-driven films, choosing the right actor is also very important. I do a lot of research in the pitch deck of my scripts, in the team introduction section, and I try to suggest the most suitable actors for the main roles.

hmmm