Screenwriting

From structure to content to representation to industry trends, this is the place to discuss, share content and offer tips and advice on the craft and business of screenwriting

Ask Me Anything - FREE Virtual Webcast Now Available On Demand

Ask Me Anything - FREE Virtual Webcast Now Available On Demand

Available for Immediate Download

What’s up, Creative Army!

As I prepare to head off to the Cannes Film Festival for our 10th Annual Education Partnership with the Marche du Film, I'm thrilled to announce that my "Ask Me Anything" session is now live to download and watch for FREE. In this 2 hour jam-packed Ask Me Anything session and I'll provide a couple of hours of no-holds-barred shop talk to get you ready to conquer your entertainment career. Again, all creatives and pros are welcome to watch no matter your profession(s), skill level, or geographical location.

Here's just SOME of what we go over in this jam-packed 2 hour AMA!

  • What is the current state of streamers?
  • Will there be more consolidation of streamers?
  • ANORA’s Sean Baker said “Keep making movies for the big screen” Do you agree?
  • Is the $10-$15 million feature film market opening back up?
  • How is AI going to affect the film industry?
  • Is YouTube taking over the entertainment industry?
  • Is there crossover between influencer culture and film culture?
  • Will LA land its new tax incentive proposals?
  • Why did you produce films in Costa Rica & Columbia?
  • Do you think California Tax Credits will pass?
  • How can international creatives use Stage 32 to break into the U.S. market or collaborate on cross-border projects?
  • Thoughts on Robert Rodriguez and Eli Roth bringing on fans as investors and own profit participation in their films?
  • Was Quibi too early to market?
  • Is Disney looking for Material?
  • What are the Top 3 features on Stage 32 to help connect with industry professionals?
  • I was attacked on X (formerly Twitter), what are your thoughts?
  • Thoughts on SINNERS and its effect on the studio system
  • Do short films still matter?
  • Advice for attending markets like Cannes or AFM
  • Advice for networking as a creative
  • How to make authentic connections that matter
  • What beats should be in your pitch?
  • What is RB’s personal process of pitching?
  • What is the Stage 32 Writers’ Room?
  • How do you vet execs you work with on Stage 32?
  • I’ve won screenwriting contests, now what?
  • Advice for crippling fear of failure
  • How to choose what social media is right for you
  • The spec market is heating up – what should you write?
  • If I sell my script, can I keep the rights to my characters?
  • If my script becomes a sequel and I don’t write it, can I get paid on it?
  • Does Age Matter When Selling a Script?
  • Protecting Your project on a film slate
  • Who should I trust to read my script and give me notes?
  • How do I go about getting Script coverage?
  • How do I network as a composer?
  • How do I network as a creative based in the UK?
  • Stage 32 Success Story!

Now go get it....

RB


Liked by Pat Savage and 4 others

Selina Co
2 true crime movie screenplay - agent needed

Hi, I'm a new movie screenwriter (but I am an award-winning author in true crime). I have written 2 true crime movie screenplays and wish to pitch to agent. The question is: 1) where should I find an agent? 2) how can I know the agent is legitimate and reliable (won't just steal my ideas and run?)

Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Selina Co. Welcome to screenwriting. Congratulations on being an award-winning author and writing two scripts!

I suggest writing more scripts before looking for an agent. Agents will usually want t...

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Sam Rivera

Hi Selina Co! Great question! Luckily, you're in the right place—Stage 32 is packed with legit agents, managers, and industry pros who actually want to connect. If you're ever hunting for recommendati...

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Mark Deuce

Check out The Writers Room here on Stage 32 Selina Co

Liked by Mark Deuce and 2 others

Pat Alexander
Fun news!

In the last year, two great screenwriters - the writing duo of Brandon Feldman and Ben Agron - placed as finalists our New Voices in Animation and Family Friendly contests with their animated family script DINAH. While chatting with Brandon this week, he mentioned big news about another one of their...

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Emma Roberts and Matt Rife to Star in Romantic Comedy 'Marriage Material' (EXCLUSIVE)
Emma Roberts and Matt Rife to Star in Romantic Comedy 'Marriage Material' (EXCLUSIVE)
Emma Roberts and Matt Rife will star in romantic comedy "Marriage Material," from BuzzFeed Studios, with Capstone Global launching sales in Cannes.
Maurice Vaughan

Thanks for sharing the news, Pat Alexander. Congratulations, Brandon & Ben! Marriage Material is one of those scripts you can pitch in a few seconds and the producer, director, etc. is hooked. And it...

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Mark Deuce

That is Amazing!!

Liked by Mark Deuce and one other

Pat Alexander
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED: 10th Annual Period Piece Screenwriting Contest

Congratulations to all the Finalists in this year’s Period Piece Screenwriting Contest! Let's show them our support, and if you're placed, tell us more about your scripts!

See the Finalists here: https://www.stage32.com/happy-writers/contests/2nd-Annual-Period-Piece-S......

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Maurice Vaughan

Congratulations, Finalists! Great news for the weekend!

Mark Deuce

CONGRATULATIONS

Liked by Mark Deuce and 13 others

Maurice Vaughan
Picture the Trailer

Something I like to do when I outline a script is picture the trailer. It helps me think of scenes, characters, dialogue, locations, props, technology, vehicles, clothes/accessories/etc. for characters, twists, etc. Try it out. Teaser trailer, full trailer, or both.

Maurice Vaughan

Is it harder to make a trailer before making a movie than waiting until the movie is done, Mike Boas?

Robert Franklin Godwin III

Sydney S I create a teaser (as opposed to a trailer) to help visualize the look, feel and atmosphere of the screenplay. Usually 45 seconds to a minute. Keeps costs manageable. Example here: https://cr...

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Maurice Vaughan

Fantastic job on the teaser, Robert Franklin Godwin III! It pulled me in, and it's only 46 seconds! I've been thinking about making mood reels for my scripts.

GJ Harvey

I make concept/pitch trailers for all my scripts which are essentially Pitch Decks in video format. But only after the scripts are completed. Can see my YT channel and trailers here:

https://youtube.co...

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Mark Deuce

That is a great idea Maurice Vaughan

Mark Deuce
HappY WritinG WeekenD

Hope your writing adventures are wonderful as you grind through your project with JOY & HARMONY!

What are you into these days?

Liked by Billy Kwack and 4 others

Mark Deuce
Must Read This Book Before Writing First Screenplay!

15 years ago I was lost as a screenplaywriter until I read This Book! I got scammed by a ghost writer and was going to quit when I bought this book recommended by another writer. It literally saved my Writing Life!

Do you have a similar story?

Mark Deuce

It was the best thing that happened to me Maurice Vaughan and Leonardo Ramirez because it pushed me to not rely on someone else to create my stories. And I still use Save the Cat structure to help me...

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Colin Mummery

Save the Cat is a great read! RIP Blake Snyder, you died too young.

Leonardo Ramirez

That's a great way to look at what happened Mark Deuce. Cheers right back at you friend.

Mark Deuce

Totally agree with you Colin Mummery and happy writing to you!

Mark Deuce

Have a wonderful weekend Leonardo Ramirez

Liked by Mark Deuce

Eric Rosner
A fun and wacky show.

working on a zany new concept.

Liked by Sydney S and 10 others

Maurice Vaughan
1,000 Most Popular Last Names in the U.S.

I'm picking last names for characters in a story I'm outlining, and I thought I'd share this website with the screenwriting community. There's a thousand names and their meanings on this site, so I'm sure you'll be able to find last names for your characters. https://babynames.com/blogs/names/1000-m...

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1,000 Most Popular Last Names in the U.S. - BabyNames.com
1,000 Most Popular Last Names in the U.S. - BabyNames.com
Check out the top 1,000 last names (surnames) in the United States and their meanings, according to the U.S. census. Is your family name on the list?
Zee Risek

I can't write until my characters are named. I don't use placeholder names. Once I put a name down, it's permanent. I can't think of the characters with any other name than the first name I come up with..

Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Zee Risek. I try to avoid using placeholder names when I outline, but sometimes I think of scenes, ideas, etc. so fast, I use placeholder names so I can get everything on the page. I use other th...

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Robert Franklin Godwin III

Maurice Vaughan I use the census reports. Especially useful for period pieces.

Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Robert Franklin Godwin III. I've been thinking about writing a Period Piece. I don't think I've written one since around the time I started writing scripts. Census reports might come in handy. Tha...

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Sydney S

Love this!! Always makes me smile seeing all of the beautiful baby names out there!

Liked by Lauren Hackney and 4 others

Ryan Wilford
In-person meetups

Hello everyone, Happy Thursday!

I hope everyone is doing well! I wanted to spread some positive energy as well as gauge the in-person meeting/networking scene.

1. "Name one positive thing that happened this week for your screenwriting journey, or any creative journeys you're currently on".

I'll go fir...

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Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Ryan Wilford. Hope you're doing well too. Congratulations on getting to page 102 of your first re-write for your first script!

I started a ghostwriting job this week, but I've been talking with th...

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Ryan Wilford

Happy Friday! Maurice Vaughan As always, thank you for your time. That's awesome, congrats on that. Thank you, I'll check out the meetups page.

Once I'm done with the rewrite, I'll upload it or the lo...

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Maurice Vaughan

Happy Friday, Ryan Wilford. You're welcome. Thanks for the congrats. Ok, looking forward to seeing your logline and website.

Lauren Hackney

Thank you Ryan - one positive for me is learning to take what I thought was negative information as positive information. Using all those 'red lights' as learning. Thank you for your inspirational post!

Liked by Lauren Hackney and one other

Geoffroy Faugerolas
The Power of Mentorship

In the labyrinthine world of Hollywood screenwriting, talent alone rarely guarantees success.

The industry's complex landscape, filled with unwritten rules, constantly shifting demands, and relationship-driven opportunities, requires more than just skill with words. It requires guidance.

This is why...

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Anthony McBride

Geoffroy Faugerolas Mentorships are valuable and I've done a few through Stage32. I'm hoping to submit to the Sci-Fi contest this year.

Geoffroy Faugerolas

Glad to hear Anthony McBride! There's nothing better than producers, writers and showrunners empowering the next wave of storytellers.

Lauren Hackney

Thank you Geoffroy Faugerolas for taking the time to write and share so much valuable information - but I'm tripping over the opening line 'talent alone rarely guarantees success'... Your post help ch...

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Liked by Jody Solomon and one other

Nathalie Mayht
A shadow entity that responds to despair – Introducing the “Sikító”

I’m developing a supernatural story (currently in book form, with a pilot concept in progress), where unseen spiritual laws shape reality.

Here’s a short teaser about a creature called a “Sikító” (meaning “Screamer” in Hungarian) – a terrifying presence that seems to answer despair with death.

Would l...

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Geoffroy Faugerolas

Sounds spooky! Love it. Reminds me a bit of IT FOLLOWS but with your own twist. Who's the protagonist?

Nathalie Mayht

Thank you so much, Geoffroy! I really appreciate that – especially the IT FOLLOWS comparison.

The main character is Tammy – and let’s just say… she sees things no one else dares to.

Maurice Vaughan

Sikító sounds creepy and scary, Nathalie Mayht! It reminds me a bit of It Follows too, Geoffroy Faugerolas. And The Ring....

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Nathalie Mayht

Thank you so much, Maurice!

I really appreciate the comparisons – both IT FOLLOWS and The Ring were huge inspirations in how fear is built through silence and presence.

The “Sikító” is just one of many...

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Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Nathalie Mayht. I think Sikító is going to stand out from other Horror stories.

Liked by Mark Deuce and 12 others

Tucker Teague
Coverfly Is Shutting Down. What Does This Mean for Screenwriters?

nofilmschool has shared that Coverfly is going away. (See link below)

I have used Coverfly only a couple times to submit to screenplay contests. But it's sad to see it go. However, there are other options, like FilmFreeway, for managing contest submissions (which I prefer anyway).

And yet, IMHO, I fin...

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Matthew Tallacksen

Well done Raymond Zachariasse, being in the top 6% is not small feat.

Matthew Tallacksen

Callie Currence, fortunately you will have all of those amazing achievements forever! Maybe someone at Filmfreeway will take the data and incorporate into their website. Fingers crossed. Keep up the amazing work!

Stephen Folker

The percent you rank can alter. One of my screenplays was in top 2%, then 15, now 13%. Yes, it would be nice to keep.

Raymond Zachariasse

I think and hope those achievements will move to FilmFreeway as I heard both have the same owner. So, maybe a red list in FilmFreeway?

Dustin Quinteros

Update 2025, so doing some online research, take that for what it's worth, but Coverfly is not closing/shutting down, it's only Coverfly X.

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