Introduce Yourself

Jackie Letkowski, it’s so wonderful to see you here for Introduce Yourself Weekend!

First, congratulations again on winning one of the Week 2 July Filmmakers Club prizes! It has been such a pleasure getting to know you through the challenges this month. Your enthusiasm, generosity, and willingness to engage with the community have made such a positive impact, and I’m so glad you’ve been an active part of it all.

I also couldn’t agree more with everything you said about Stage 32. Knowing you’ve been here since the early days and have experienced the platform grow over the years makes your perspective especially meaningful. Thank you for continuing to be such a wonderful advocate for this community and for everything it has to offer.

It’s also inspiring to see how many hats you wear as a filmmaker, screenwriter, and actress. Your passion for storytelling and independent filmmaking really shines through, and I love seeing you encourage others to connect and build relationships.

I’m excited to continue following your journey and cheering you on.

Thanks so much for the thoughtful comment Ashley Renée Smith ! I really appreciate everything you do on this platform as well! You work very hard to create a welcoming and engaging community. In this industry, we can use a little extra encouragement and thoughtful insights!

Hey Jackie. Great to see a long time member still here. That says a lot about the platform. Years in and still finding value is a good sign. What's the most useful thing you've gotten from Stage 32 over the years?

Samantha Rivera Hello! I would say I recently obtained a certification via Stage32 in the Fundamentals of Script Supervising, and I learned a LOT. (So, with that being said, their certification courses are great! I've also had successful pitch sessions (a couple of them led to meetings). Their coverage and contests have also led to meetings as well!

Nice to have your here in the S32 and nice to (online) meet you!

Arun, this is a fascinating concept. I really like the idea of allowing the audience to connect with the human characters first, then gradually discovering the mythology through their stories, beliefs, and traditions. That emotional foundation could make the mythology feel much more meaningful. Wishing you the best in finding the right creative partners for this project!

Thank you so much, Luna Blake . I truly appreciate your thoughtful words.

That's exactly the journey I'm hoping to create. My goal is for the audience to first connect with the characters as ordinary people through their relationships, struggles, traditions, and compassion.

By the time the larger mythology begins to unfold, it feels personal rather than distant, because the audience has already found something worth protecting.

Thank you again for your support and best wishes. I sincerely happy that you taking the time to share your valuable insights.

Arun, I think u have a unique concept .All the very best

Good afternoon.

I think your theme is very interesting. However, based on the way you've described it, I honestly think it may be difficult to attract interest from the industry. Modern film and television usually need a clear story, a well-defined protagonist, and a strong antagonist.

As you've presented it, the story is about a village of people with disabilities who never lose hope and continue to believe in the gods, but there doesn't seem to be a central conflict that drives the plot forward. That may make it difficult to adapt into a cinematic story.

If I were in your position, I might consider a plot like this: a pharmaceutical company, or people trying to develop new medicines, decide to use this village for illegal human experiments. They begin kidnapping the villagers in an attempt to discover cures for the diseases they suffer from. Then one of the villagers, or someone connected to them, rises up to save them.

To me, a story like that would feel more cinematic and would create stronger dramatic stakes.

Of course, I may be wrong. Please forgive me if my suggestion doesn't fit your vision. I simply wanted to share my honest opinion.

I wish you the very best with your project.

Really intriguing concept Building the mythology through emotionally grounded characters is a strong approach. Wishing you all the best!

Hi Vincent, good to meet you as well, I'm really happy to hear you are still engaged in the create process. Rom-coms are my favorite comedy, that's amazing, I'm intrigued. Let's connect, I would to collaborate with you if I could.

It's a privilege to have you here at the Stage32 community! You help inspire our writers and filmmakers to keep going no matter what. What films are you currently enjoying?

We're having our July Filmmakers Club Week 4: The Myth of the Overnight Success: A Conversation About Visibility. You can win prizes if you complete this week's challenges. You can check the blog here: https://www.stage32.com/blog/july-filmmakers-club-week-4-the-myth-of-the-overnight-success-a-conversation-about-visibility-4534

Also, look out for Stage32's CEO, RB's, upcoming State of the Industry Live Zoom AMA (July 29th). Join the Writers' Room here: https://www.stage32.com/writers-room/plans-vip

See you around!

I enjoy blending other genres into my romantic comedy scripts. For example, I 'm presently honing i"Stand Tall!", which combines rom-coms with vintage giant -monster movie memes and '60s-style gurl-group music. And it takes place in present-day Las Vegas, without any hint of camp..

Welcome to Stage 32, Omar! It's always great to see filmmakers who are passionate about supporting both their local creative community and the next generation of storytellers. Wishing you continued success with Northzero Productions.

Hi Zoltan, It's great to meet you as well. Thank you for those kind words! I appreciate your kind words. Community is and the next generation of storytellers are important to keeping the art form alive.

I love what you are doing to connect filmmakers and the film industry professionals worldwide as well, and it's a pleasure to connect with you here on Stage 32. Would love to chat with you on compare notes sometime.

Hi Amy Kolquist - great to meet you!

Welcome, Amy! One of the best things about screenwriting communities is that every great project starts as a conversation. Wishing you inspiring collaborations, valuable feedback, and plenty of momentum as your stories move from the page toward the screen.

welcome back to the writer’s table Amy Kolquist !!

Hi Amy Kolquist, it’s wonderful to officially meet you, and welcome to Introduce Yourself Weekend! I’m Ashley, Head of Community here on the platform.

It’s great to hear you’ve spent the last few months getting to know the community before jumping in. I always love when members take the time to explore because there’s so much to discover, and I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying the conversations and connections here. I’d also encourage you to check out the July Filmmakers Club if you haven’t already. It’s been a fantastic way for members to meet one another through weekly creative challenges, and you can still jump into this week’s challenge before today’s deadline: https://www.stage32.com/blog/july-filmmakers-club-week-3-book-the-room-n...

Since you’re writing features, I also highly recommend spending time in the Screenwriting Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting) and taking a look at the Writers’ Room if you haven’t yet. You can try it free for a month here: https://www.stage32.com/writers-room/plans-vip. It’s a wonderful place to network with fellow writers, participate in Open Writing Assignments, and attend live events, including an upcoming LIVE Ask Me Anything with our CEO, RB Botto, about the current state of the industry.

I’d also love to invite you to watch my free Community Open House webcast, where I share tips on making the most of Stage 32 and building meaningful relationships here: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32s-june-2026-community...

Welcome again, Amy! I’m looking forward to seeing more of your work around the community.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the guidance and welcome! I look forward to checking those out!

Fear through belief and horror through silence is a smart approach. The producer already on board is huge. What's one image or moment from the script that still creeps you out when you think about it?

Amanda Toney కి:

Thank you, Amanda! Script writing is moving forward steadily deep in the second draft now. I'll definitely check out that webinar, sounds exactly what I need at this stage. Really appreciate you thinking of me.

Great question, Samantha! For me,

Real fear isn't in what you see it's in imagination. Walking alone in the dark, every footstep, even the wind, starts to feel like a threat. That nagging feeling that something is following you, even when nothing's there. That's the moment that stays with me. Silence, I've found, can be far more terrifying than violence and that's the core of the Ghost Method for this film.

Welcome to Stage 32, Basha! That's a compelling concept, and I like your focus on building horror through atmosphere and emotion rather than relying only on scares. Wishing you great success with (Sivapuram 9 KM).

Thank you so much Zoltan sir

Hey Chaitanya. Great to see you back. Bloom and Oops My Shadow Ran Away are such different vibes from The Sound of a Dying Joke. That range is cool. What's the core theme you're exploring in that psychological crime thriller?

Hi Samantha, thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words. The core theme of The Sound of a Dying Joke is that appearances can be deceiving, and even laughter can hide deep pain and dark secrets. It's a story about truth, justice, psychological trauma, and how the choices we make can shape both our lives and the lives of others. Thank you for asking!

Angie Scharold, I am so glad you decided to jump into Introduce Yourself Weekend! Welcome!

I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you this month through the July Filmmakers Club. You’ve been such an enthusiastic participant, and it’s been wonderful seeing you dive into the challenges, connect with other members, and share your experiences! Your range of projects is incredibly impressive.

I’m so glad this month has encouraged you to become more active. That’s exactly what I love seeing happen through initiatives like the Filmmakers Club, and I hope this is just the beginning because I know our community has loved getting to know you.

I’m looking forward to continuing to cheer you on, Angie.

Hello Angie,

It's inspiring to read about your journey and your passion for storytelling. I am a professional novelist and screenwriter, and I write across multiple genres with a strong focus on original and innovative ideas. I believe great stories come from fresh perspectives and unique voices. I would love the opportunity to connect with you and hopefully collaborate on future projects. I hope we have the chance to work together someday. Wishing you continued success with all your projects.

Official Poster – The Curse of the Clay

Welcome to Stage 32, Angie! It's great to meet another creative who's passionate about horror. Congratulations on Tasty Bones doing so well on the festival circuit and on your recent productions. Wishing you continued success with your feature films, documentary, and future projects. Looking forward to seeing more of your work and connecting with you!

Welcome, Angie! That's an impressive range of projects from horror features to a preschool animated pilot. Wishing you continued success on the festival circuit and with your upcoming productions.

You write comedy? So do I! As a male who dares to script romantic comedies, I like blending it with other genres to show that rom-coms and "chick flicks" are two different animals. Am currently honing a feature script that's a blend of rom-com, sci-fi and musical -- and it's set in Las Vegas! (A promo poster is attached.)

While I presently live in metro Los Angeles, I spent many years as a journalist in Virginia, including Front Royal and Waynesboro (both ends of Skyline Drive). Let's keep in touch and root for mutual progress

BTW, I prefer the latter logline, as it's got a bit more punch. It's so hard to write succinctly, and I"m thankful my years as a copy editor has helped me learn the skill of headline writing..

Hello Debbie, Have you written any Crime/action/horror?

It's a privilage to have you here Debbie Seagle! Congratulations to your book COFFEE CUPS & WINE GLASSES; well deserved! And totally agree with your quote not to give up.

What inspires you to write your book?

We're also having our July Filmmakers Club Week 4: The Myth of the Overnight Success: A Conversation About Visibility. You can win prizes if you complete this week's challenges. You can check the blog here: https://www.stage32.com/blog/july-filmmakers-club-week-4-the-myth-of-the-overnight-success-a-conversation-about-visibility-4534

And look out for Stage32's CEO, RB's Upcoming State of the Industry Live Zoom AMA (July 29th). Join the Writers' Room here: https://www.stage32.com/writers-room/plans-vip

Looking forward to your next milestone!

Welcome to Stage 32, Debbie! Congratulations on your book being adapted into a feature film. Your message about perseverance really resonates—it's something every creative can relate to. Wishing you continued success, and I look forward to seeing more of your work here!

Welcome to Stage 32, Debbie! Congratulations on your upcoming feature adaptation. Wishing you a smooth financing process and every success in bringing the project to the screen.

Hi Anton Charles

Anton Charles Anton action, psychological drama and crime series that is a strong mix across different markets. If the scripts have already been through a doctor and industry eyes they are probably in decent shape. Sometimes what makes the difference at the next steps stage is making sure the loglines and synopses are as sharp as the scripts themselves. That is often what gets you in the room. How are you feeling about your pitch materials?

welcome Anton Charles I hope you find what you’re looking for here!

Welcome to Stage 32, Anton! It's great to have you here. It sounds like you've got some exciting projects in development, and I hope you find the writing partner and collaborators you're looking for. Wishing you all the best with your features and series—I look forward to seeing your journey unfold!

Welcome to Stage 32, Anton! Wishing you success with your features and series. I hope you find the right collaborators and valuable industry connections here.

Hello abookishgirlie17 - it's such an honor to meet you. Congratulations on getting your first play published. We could all learn much from the process of getting a play published so feel free to share how that's going and what the process is. Be sure to stop by the acting lounge and get to know some of your fellow actors: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/acting

Also, here’s a great post that will help you navigate Stage 32: https://www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-p...

Again, great to meet you! Happy IY Weekend!

hi so nice to meet you too! just to clarify my play is not actually published, however I am trying to get it published

The desire to make someone else feel that same sense of wonder we experienced as moviegoers is what keeps so many filmmakers going. Keep writing, keep growing, and I hope the right collaboration comes along to bring your stories to the screen.

Your post is very heartwarming Daniel Silvas . I'm honestly moved by it.

Hi Daniel, it’s wonderful to see you back for another Introduce Yourself Weekend. Thanks so much for reintroducing yourself!

I really appreciate the honesty in your post. I think so many creatives can relate to that feeling of life pulling us away from our dreams for a time, only to realize that it’s never too late to step back onto the field. The fact that you made the decision a couple of years ago to actively pursue your writing again is something to be proud of, and it’s inspiring to hear you say you’re already a stronger writer than you were then.

I also wanted to thank you for participating in the July Filmmakers Club this month! It’s been wonderful seeing you jump into the weekly challenges, and I hope you’ll continue with this week’s challenge if you haven’t already. There’s still time to participate before today’s deadline, and it’s been such a fun way for members to connect and encourage one another: https://www.stage32.com/blog/july-filmmakers-club-week-3-book-the-room-n...

Thank you for continuing to be part of the Stage 32 community and for sharing your journey with us. It’s always encouraging to see members commit to growing their craft and put themselves out there.

Connecting through film is more important than ever. Two years of growing and improving is real progress. What's the story you're most proud of writing so far?

Samantha Rivera I'm most proud of a script called SHATTERED MELODIES. But, I know from a technical and narrative standpoint, my two most recent scripts are better. ABSTRACTION and THE SERAPHIM.