Screenwriting

Hi, Mukhammed Ali Bolyspekov. Welcome to the community. 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-...

Era Zero sounds interesting, and catchy title. I suggest adding an adjective for the scientist (the main flaw the protagonist has to overcome in the script or an adjective that describes the protagonist’s personality) and the stakes.

Daniel Silvas, I really feel for you. What you’ve shared is deeply moving, and maybe it could even be the foundation of a powerful story you write someday. Why not? Just choose the genre that fits. Don’t give up — and take Douglas Ross’s advice. Hang in there!

Hey, Daniel Silvas. I agree with Douglas and Sylvia. Congratulations on what you've accomplished and chasing your dream! It can get really tough chasing dreams in this industry, but keep pushing, learning, writing, networking, pitching, and trying new things that could help you reach your dream.

Boy do I feel this.

Al of my family has passed and now all I have is my little dog and a dream for my own animated series.

My condolences, G.R. Barnett.

A path is only a path, and there is no affront, to oneself or to others, in dropping it if that is what your heart tells you . . . Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary. Then ask yourself alone, one question . . . Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good; if it doesn't it is of no use.Carlos Castaneda

Making it to the quarterfinals is nice. I hope some of the producers I’m marketing take note. Congrats to all the other QFs.

congrats everyone! lots of familiar names and a bunch of new ones! it is an exciting time to be a writer.

Heya Phillip E. Hardy, "The Real Deal" Doing well, mate. Thanks. We should catch up again soon.

Congratulations to all the incredible writers who made it to the Quarterfinals of the Stage 32 Female Driven Screenwriting Contest! Grateful and honored to be among such bold, brilliant voices. Keep creating, keep pushing, and keep telling the stories that matter. Thank you Stage32 for including CHURCH GIRLS. Logline: A group of former church kids, now grown, attempt to reconcile their wild lives with their holy upbringing. Between secret OnlyFans accounts, tequila-fueled prayer circles, and scandals in the congregation, their faith and friendships are constantly tested.

Warm congratulations to all QFs. I saw a few names I recognized and many I didn't so I look forward to learning more about the writers and their stories. I've worked on my pitch for "Ever, Oscar" at pitch practice and had a few Stage32 friends give me feedback on the script so this honor and recognition feels like it's a communal effort! Excited to see if it progresses. Thanks so much!

Taoreed, you're so very welcome!

It works best in reverse. Write your screenplay without AI, then ask it for a logline, synopsis, treatment, and budget. Then fix all the stupid stuff it spews out. And it will be VERY stupid. Perchance AI works well for images.

I just tried a sophisticated AI system that is used by many prolific authors only to see what it would do with my novel, and it sucked. Big time. The story that it wrote based on my novel was horrendous. It missed the point every time, and had interactions between the characters that would be physically and emotionally impossible. I guess that's what happens when you write a truly original work that many well read people say mine is. AI gets confused when it doesn't have anything to compare it with.

I am an engineer who spent many years developing AI systems. All AI is capable of doing is deep learning existing works it has already been exposed to and using inference engines to develop any of its "original" work. All this means is... all that AI understands is what it sees from its perspective. It doesn't "understand" the limitations of the human body, relationships, or interactions; it only slightly modifies the stories it already heard that it "thinks" compare to the story you're trying to write. Its a mathematical tool that uses statistics and random number generators to do what it does. The random number generator is what AI uses to generate what you think is original work.

This is why AI can also recognize work that was done with AI. It's an expert at recognizing work that was done using its methods. Also, the longer the work, the more easy it can detect AI with exceptional accuracy. Just like people always say, "you can't bs a bs artist."

Use your brain to write. Thats what true art is... Your brain. Not someone else's. Especially not AI's. You didn't write something written with AI no matter how many times you interacted with it.

And for all those coders out there who think virtual neurons are not random number generators... Using inference to find patterns is just that. They're random numbers based on a population's responses over time giving random numbers based on the size of the population!

Taoreed, there is also a (very long) thread about AI use in screenwriting -- specifically called "Using ChatGPT for screenwriting feedback" (so, slightly different from this one) in the Authoring & Playwriting group chat here on Stage 32. There might be some interesting reading over there as well! Best of luck and success with all your work.

Not only are there copyright issues, ethical issues, moral issues, there are also environmental issues.

AI consumes insane amounts of electrical energy. AI uses way too much water for cooling. AI also produces toxic waste.

If you care about the planet your children and grandchildren will inherit...

Excellent job on the page, Gregory Barone! It's gripping. Magnus is called Herla in the title and Panels 1, 2, and 4.

What we see bothering Hollywood is the least of the Industries worries, what they should and are terrified of is Googles New Veo 3 where anyone can create a TV Show, Series, Short Film and or a feature as good or better than them. Great for Indies, but bad for them. Writers, filmmakers, directors, producers, Actors, and staff will all be gone with the flick of a prompt. It is already here and it is SCARY GOOD!

This is something I've been trying to get people to understand for a while. Writers aren't the ones at risk of becoming irrelevant. It's everyone else in the process.

The AI material that I have seen is something that our brains instantly reject. Then process it as animated. Playing with the thought that we begin to accept it as real. Raises the question what it'll do to us. Is that when we begin to identify as cats or Barbie dolls?

Mark Deuce Like I said in a previous thread about this, someone like me who has no money and no connections might consider this but I would only do it for a proof of concept trailer or if I had a project where I really couldn't get anyone on board. But otherwise my sense of ethics would kill me. Especially if I could pay for a team.

I find it super exciting, just as the era of cheap and accessible video cameras shook the world with The Blair Witch Project and literally created the indie film industry, this new ai movement will shake the industry again, what will come, no one knows. There will be shit but there also will be genius.

Email me at edu@stage32.com with any questions you have or to sign up!

If anyone has any questions about this upcoming lab, I'm here to answer. Excited to get into this one!

Thank you Spencer!! Can't wait for Saturday :)

Hi All! Happy Friday, we are live tomorrow at 10am PT! Email edu@stage32.com to grab the final spot or click here to sign up: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-screenwriting-lab-wr... have a good weekend all!

Hello- I am testing out the lounge- this is Pam from today’s class. I’m not sure how this works but if anyone else is here or checked out here lmk! Thanks!

I'd call this movie ... The RISE & FALL of Humanity's bleep... fill in your favorite words.

My father Ken W Zimmerman served in the Navy back 1954 approx year before marrying my mother. Said the trip to the Vatican was incredible. Kept a diary ..

Appreciate our grand Heroes but hate the reason of why... no country wants death of families... soul wise.

Mattew 24:36 is still interpreted as coming from

"patriarchal" belief system. Good Ole verse...lol.

.Typically we talk of Ancient Goddess time periods when Truly we ALL Know the predictions outcomes... to some degree... depending on ones spiritual experiences ..

During my first "break" in Time (known back in 1980 as "breakdowns" ... the verse that came thru me at the mid peak of crisis (my weight at 19 years old at the time was 90 pounds)....Matthew 9:18

It was a prediction that played out within a week of this horrendous time for my mother & whole family.

I guess what I'm trying to say here is that Biblical intentions of a patriarchal time period was subjective to the control it had on society at that interim. Therefore predictions though are just that, we actually DO KNOW outcomes forcthe most part....

Ancient Goddesses ( both male & females by the way)

understood we lived by our deep intuitive knowing- not by a book of control.

Hi Jim McQuaid. Need to call you next week. New development .. with film. I'll reach out as soon as possible. . Thanks for meeting with my daughter and I this past January.

I totally agree with what James Fleming is saying. AI is a tool. dont be fooled that it will create something new and original.

As a professional photographer since the film days, I remember when digital first came on the scene. Many of us thought it would be the end of the industry—that everyone with a camera would suddenly become a "professional." That didn’t happen. Instead, it just flooded the market with amateurs who couldn’t make a living from photography.

I think we’re seeing the same thing with AI. Tools like Google's Veo 3 will give hopefuls a shot at making films or writing scripts, but they won’t replace working professionals altogether. If anything, they'll raise the bar and keep everyone sharp—which is exactly what you want in a creative field. Bring it on.

I find this intriguing seeing as I do not have the money nor the following to finance my own films right now. However, at the same time I would feel bad for not employing actual humans when there are so many out of work in the industry. Still, this might prove useful for beginners and proof of concept trailers and things.

Memo to: Filmmakers, Writers, Etc: Your services are no longer needed. Effectively Immediately.

Sincerely, The Management.

The Future of Movie Making and Artificial Intelligence: My Perspective

We're only getting started on an incredible revolution in filmmaking. Right now, people are only just starting to use AI prompt tools to create stories, scripts, and imagery — and they're yet to learn how to get out of traditional thinking. The next wave of innovation, from which this current wave is a precursor, will be more profound still: tools like AI-assisted film boards, story sketches, and visual pre-visualization — the kind of methods Pixar has been using for decades — will be within reach of us all.

This new type of creation will be similar to learning to start taking a whole new path. It's not writing prompts; it's showing machines precisely how to provide us with the precise feeling, scene, or emotion we wish to create. And although it won't always be perfect, that does not equate to failure — sometimes AI will surprise us and do even better than we initially imagined.

Until the day that brain-computer interfaces (BCI) are everywhere, we'll keep developing more natural ways of communicating with the machines — voice, sketching, emotional cues, and maybe even hand motions. These productivity aids won't kill creativity; they'll unleash it.

Yes, at first, people will resist. The technology is very expensive, and one can't expect everyone to be ready for this transition. It will take a couple of years before it's widely adopted, but it's unavoidable. And when it does arrive, it will revolutionize the marketplace. The marketplace is already volatile and fluctuating, and one who is able to transition to these tools will be more liberated in how they can build stories.

Sketches, images, mood boards — these will remain essential tools. AI is not going to replace them. AI will augment them. Creatives who take the time to learn and master these tools will be the maestros of storytelling in the future.

You're welcome, Ryan Wilford. The most valuable lesson I've learned about building meaningful relationships is see networking as building relationships/getting to know people/making friends (www.stage32.com/lounge/anything_goes/Networking-Tips-2).

Building relationships in the past/now might open doors down the line for me to pitch my scripts and sell them (my main creative goal for this year is sell 1-3 feature scripts). I also ghostwrite a lot of scripts for producers and directors, which leads to me pitching my spec scripts to them sometimes.

Thank you Sydney S I appreciate the kind words. It means a lot. I'm grateful to be at a place where I can openly discuss mental health in all its forms. I’m excited to keep sharing both mental health and art with the world — and to build a community that connects the two. Being intentional really is the best way to be. Thank you again!

David Möller Oh, that’s awesome — welcome! I’m really glad to hear that this is the first post you saw — that’s alignment for both of us. Mental health truly shapes how we move through life, and I’m grateful it’s finally receiving the attention it deserves. Sounds like you’re working on something beautiful, and I wish you the best of luck with it.

Since you’ve been in the field since 1998, I’d love to know — what are some lessons you’ve learned along the way? Any advice you’d offer to emerging screenwriters?

Also, wow — I checked out your site, and it’s amazing! It’s great to e-meet you. I have a bit of an animation background too. I studied Time Arts in undergrad (media forms that use timing like video, audio, gaming, and animation), and my master’s was in Digital Media and Communication, focusing on branding, identity, and media production.

Looking forward to following your journey here on Stage 32 — wishing you continued success!

Ryan Wilford

Hey brother. Thanks for responding so positively. wow, advice for screen writers… What helped me immensely in personal projects, as the industry and commercial work I do does not include writing, is the 8 point plot, but the secret: apply it to every character, every scene and the whole script. the look whose story you are telling, all ply their 8 beats first o the screen play, and from there see where the other characters are with their 8 points in accordance to the main plot. then apply 8 point actions or story to each scene individually. What you can’t teach is character creation, how to not write exposition in dialogue, but show it, and how to win the compassion of the audience. it takes practice, and learning to read your heart. I’m not a pro screen writer, this is simply what I’ve learned or worked for me or came to understand. Some great writing videos are available on you tube too for development and building self awareness on writing style. great topic and post, thanks for that. Great chatting.

Ryan Oh no, please excuse all the mistakes and auto corrects. Typing on a small screen.

you know how to turn a phrase!

James Fleming I don't know what you mean?

Gregory -James means "write some good dialogue'.

OH! Thanks James Fleming god knows that I try really hard on writing dialog.

https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/the-Giant-Killer-Script-Ch-...

The ghostwriting job is going well, Sydney S. Ok, I'll let you know if I have any questions. Thanks. Hope you have a great weekend!

Hi, Martha Caprarotta ! Always lovely to hear from you and that you found the webinar excellent! I am glad your question about how to elicit tears from a reader/viewer was answered by Anna!

Anna really did a wonderful job! I hope you've been well and having a nice end to your May! The handout has been added to your Stage 32 profile. Please let me know if you have any other questions!

Anna is hosting a Rewrite Your TV Series Pilot Script lab starting this June, if anyone is interested in learning more! I will put the link below, we just announced it today. Email me at edu@stage32.com if you have any questions. Have a great weekend and thank you for participating in Anna's webinar!

https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-screenwriting-lab-re...

Hi, Martha! I just double checked the handout is in for you, let me know if you don't see it and I am more than happy to email you it too! Wishing you a great weekend ahead :) Enjoy the polishing check list from Anna! Hope you can join us for her lab kicking off in June!

Sydney S I found the handout and downloaded it. Thank you so much!