Introduce Yourself

"Hey @Maurice, great to meet you as well! Appreciate the kind words—expanding J and R Films, LLC™ into Charlotte is a major step, and I’m excited about what’s ahead. Greenville isn’t too far—North Carolina is becoming a strong hub for film and creative collaborations.

Are you involved in film or storytelling? Would love to learn more about your work and see if there are ways to connect."

Johnny L Watson Jr Thanks for introducing yourself! I love the mission: "telling stories that demand to be heard."

I totally agree with you Tucker Teague

I mainly write spec scripts, Johnny L Watson Jr, but I also ghostwrite scripts, write commercials, and make pitch decks.

Maurice Vaughan sounds good, at least you're staying busy.

I Margret Treiber Networking isn't my strong suit so I'm diving in by saying hello! Let me introduce myself - my name is Lauren and I have lots of stories in my head. I'm working on my 6th screenplay. I have 4 self published books and drinks lots of coffee. Peach fuzz freaks me out (fruit should not be furry), I like running and rowing for fitness and my favourite word to say is 'BUMFUZZLE'. Go on - say it - BUMFUZZLE. It's fun isn't it?!?!

It got weird, didn't it?!?

Howdy, Lauren Hackney! Nice to meet you! I'm partial to the f-bomb myself. And I'm a weirdness magnet. You have not gotten that weird. :)

Margret Treiber Inner monologue in screenplays? Normally, you don't. The whole problem with that in a film is that voice overs (V.O.) get to wordy and are telling the audience information rather than letting them see it. Boring, doesn't work.Example -A woman in a store. The voice over reads like a novel, with her listing her choices in the vegetable isle, trying to decide what to buy and what not to. Makes her seem schizophrenic rather than indecisive.

To correct this - You have the woman with the cart half full of vegetables. She picks up a red tomato in one hand and a green tomato in the other. She wavers between the two. You may even have a bit of dialogue of her agonizing over the perfect last ingredient, and worrying about getting the recipe correct, and the outcome if she doesn't. This works and the audience knows that she's having an inner turmoil from her actions and demeanor, rather than being told what is going on in her head.

The point being - Film is a visual medium. This example is the very definition of "show, don't tell". The cardinal rule of screenwriting and film making. Don't have a character tell someone they are mad, have them tear up a room or punch through a wall. Let the audience SEE and feel what is happening.

If you need help on a script, I'm more than happy to give advice. Just be warned. If you ask me to read something and give my opinion, I will be brutally honest. When someone reads my stuff, I want that same honesty. Because, how would I know what to fix if the reader doesn't tell me or glosses over a something that I missed as a writer. If you don't learn from you mistakes, you never grow. And I want everyone to be the best versions of themselves.

Margret Treiber I'm so glad you introduced yourself. I too am a misanthrope. On the Meyers-Briggs scale I'm 94% introvert, 6% extrovert! Anyway, this is a great site and, like so many things, you get out of it what you put in. Keep connecting!

Hi Margret Treiber it's great to e-meet you! I love your book titles and great to hear you've adapted your own books for screen. In any case, I highly recommend looking into Stage 32's roster of execs who specialize in adaptations! Reach out to success@stage32.com where they can help find what's right for you!

While I wouldn't attempt to dissuade you from seeking management, chances are if you find a manager, it's not going to make much of a difference, at this point. There is a better path. Instead, be PROACTIVE. Write a short film. Possibly a SPECIAL short. My cousin was Oscar-Nominated actor Danny Aiello. Even after I wrote - and produced - a feature, he persuaded me to write and direct a short. It wound up qualifying for the Oscars in the Live-Action Short category. Sixteen years later I have produced 18 pictures. You can do the same thing. BE MORE PROACTIVE! Write some shorts. Quality ones. Band up with some young, talented filmmakers! Build your IMDb page. Win some Awards! Post photos from the set AND from The Red Carpet! Go to Festivals, whether you have a film or NOT. Go to Networking Events! Network, Network, Network!!! All the while keep working on some feature scripts! Build your arsenal! Make friends and connections in the business! Read and Learn ALL you can! In other words, BE MORE PROACTIVE!

Hi; thanks for the feedback re: seeking management guidance. My biggest issue it that, as you probably know, everything takes money and I'm short on funds at this time. I was on IMDB but had to quit due to the fee. I did produce a short film, currently on my website and YouTube. I also have several treatments and pilots on deck that I've been shopping around via traditional methods. I'll just keep researching and inquiring. Thanks again!

You're welcome, JP Luce. Networking on Stage 32 is free, and it's how I get jobs and script reads. It's also one of the things I did that led to me selling four short scripts to a producer who I met on Stage 32. Here are some blogs on networking: www.stage32.com/blog/tags/networking-41

Stage 32 has in-person Meetups that are great for networking (www.stage32.com/meetups). If you don't see a Meetup in your area, you could start your own.

And you could post your short film on your profile for other members to see. You can add it by moving your mouse over "Profile" on the bar near the top of Stage 32's homepage and click "Video/Audio." You can also post your film on your profile by moving your mouse over "Browse" on the same bar and clicking "Video."

JP, I understand that in today's market funds can be hard to come by, but if you can't afford $19.99 a month - or less if you pay it all at once - then you have to find a way.. I DON'T CARE what other people on the site tell you, you have to have a professional IMDb page! I haven't seen your short, but I'd be happy to view it and give feedback. The key is ... it has to be good. It has to have value. Like your IMDb page, your short is a calling card. Speaking of which, do you have business cards? You can get 1,000 professional-looking business cards for around $30 from Vista Print. Get them, go to a bunch of Film Festivals, Networking Events and Film Expos and hand them out? Moreover, did your short play in any Festivals? No matter how strapped for cash you may be, the business is not going to come to you. You have to go to it! You have to make a decision to do this or not. Then, do it full out!

Great questions JP Luce! Here at Stage 32 we have a long list of managers who are always looking to sign new clients. Have you checked out or had the opportunity to speak with any of our execs? If not, reach out to success@stage32.com where they can help find what's right for you!

Welcome to the community, Joshua Perkins. Stage 32 had a live Community Open House the other week. You can watch the recording here (www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-community-open-house-webcast). It'll help you navigate Stage 32 and connect with creatives and industry professionals.

Stage 32 also has a blog about navigating the platform and making connections: www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-platform-...

You could also post in the Producing Lounge, asking for advice. www.stage32.com/lounge/producing

Write a businessplan and find investors for your projects and the company. Assume a strategy for the upcoming five years. If your new to writing this try the help of AI, ChatGPT works quite well.

Joshua Perkins are you talking funding?

when you write your business plan, start to guess how long each step will take and plug it into a Gantt chart. Then you will have an idea how long it will take

Thanks for sharing your journey, Geoff — super inspiring! I just joined Stage32 as a 3D animator and writer developing a satirical animated series. Still exploring the platform, but your background gives me hope that bold, quirky projects can find their way too :) Looking forward to learning from pros like you!

Geoffroy Faugerolas welcome again, to the best darn community in the business. Well done on all of your successes, that’s quite an amazing journey. What brought you to Stage32?

Bonjour Geoff,

Je suis tombé sur votre post et j’ai été touché à la fois par votre parcours et votre générosité envers les créateurs.

Je m’appelle Koby, je suis un jeune auteur-réalisateur français. J’ai rejoint Stage32 récemment, sans formation classique dans l’industrie, mais avec une grande passion pour l’écriture visuelle et émotionnelle.

Ce serait un immense honneur d’avoir votre regard, même rapide, sur ma démarche ou mon projet. Je suis encore en train de construire mon univers, mais j’y mets tout mon cœur.

Merci encore pour ce que vous apportez à la communauté.

Bien à vous,

Koby

Geoff Hall I was brought in by the desire to help creators all around the world. I've always been an advocate for emerging voices and I'm excited to be out there creating opportunities for the community.

Koby Nguyen Happy to take a look! Feel free to email me and the team at success@stage32.com

Happy Introduce Yourself Weekend and Friday, Sydney S! How has your week been?

Thank you Maurice and happy now Monday :) Week and weekend was wonderful, excited for this week! How was yours?

You're welcome, Sydney S. My week and weekend were busy. I started a ghostwriting job, networked, had fun at Introduce Yourself Weekend, etc.

Wow!! Congrats on the gig, how's going?

Thanks, Sydney S. It's going great. I got a lot of work done on it.

Hey, Ryan Wilford. MJ or LeBron? I'm kidding. Someone should make a movie about the G.O.A.T. debate though.

Maurice Vaughan lol I'm not a sports guy, but of course MJ! I did grow up watching sports and remember all the bulls games in the 90s especially being from Chicago. So, MJ all the way, lol not even a LeBron fan by any means.

I'm going with MJ too, Ryan Wilford. I might write a G.O.A.T. debate script. Probably just a short script.

Hey, Chris Kanakis. Hope you've been great. Congratulations on all your accomplishments! I listened to MC Hammer growing up. I watched the Batman movies, Robin Hood movies, and All That (Snick) growing up too.

Hi, Jason Sylvester. Great to meet you. I watched Star Trek growing up. I've written fan fiction scripts too. Just short scripts. I write them to showcase my writing skills on social media and for fun.

This looked like a lot of fun to put together Jason Sylvester. So it looks like it takes place during Archer's command, yes? They never really elaborated on Risa on TNG so this sounds interesting. How does it mesh with the recent S31 movie?

Hello, welcome and good luck with everything! That's awesome that you've had the opportunity. Eminence Lendo

Eminence Lendo Well done on your achievements, Welcome here, I know you will find some amazing people to collaborate with

Great to meet you Eminence Lendo and welcome aboard!

Thank you so much everybody! @Maurice Vaughan i'll definitely check it out!

You're welcome, Eminence Lendo.

Hey John X. Ingram, I tend to isolate from movies and music for long periods—sometimes up to a year or more—to avoid absorbing outside influences and shape my own creative style. My concept lore often comes from vivid dreams I wake up from, and when I don’t have dreams, I turn to songwriting and singing for inspiration. Though I love video games, I’ve also made the sacrifice to stay away from them, keeping my focus entirely on creating.

Hi Dwayne. I respect you so much for not only choosing to take yourself away from other influences but sticking with that. Certainly a less talked about way to keep the mind flowing and encourage creativity; it's wonderful that you've carved out your own, personal style.

John X. Ingram Thank you so much! That really means a lot—I truly appreciate the support and encouragement. It’s been a journey sticking to my own creative lane, and hearing that means a lot.

While I'm in no way saying that listening to the advice of others is detrimental, I do think people sometimes get stuck by looking to their favourite creator and following their ideas about a process that works rather than finding their own way to help their ideas flow. Absorbing some suggestions is always great, but the best way to ensure creativity is secure is finding what works for you. It really is most of the battle, isn't it? Once you have that down, even if you're ever stuck you have a path through that. I hope that it continues to work wonders for you :)

Yes, thank you John X. Ingram! I completely agree—once you find your creative rhythm, the ideas just keep flowing nonstop. This approach has been so effective for me that I’ve had to dedicate a lot of time to securing patents, and it can definitely get overwhelming. But having a reliable process makes all the difference!