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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

TV Drama Regular

Liked by Hakim Kisakye and one other

Jed Power
Vertical Script?

What is a vertical Script, p[lease? I guess I better not apply, if I don't even know what a "Vertical Script Writer" is!

Maurice Vaughan

I think vertical scripts are used to make YouTube Shorts videos and TikTok videos, Jed Power.

E Langley

Ironically, what it is became part of another post: "Layout that pulls the reader's eye down the page." Compare that to dense Actions that force the reader's eye to scan left to right - Horizontal Scripts.

Christopher Phillips

Jed Power Vertical screenwriting makes reading easier on the page. It's the process of breaking up large paragraphs of description and making short, snappy sentences with whitespace between the senten...

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E Langley

How about that!

Liked by Eon C. Rambally and 5 others

Sydney Summers
Screenwriting Lab: Write Your 1 Hour Pilot for A Major Streamer in 10 Weeks!

Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Max, Apple TV, Paramount+...

Do you want to write for them?

Their audiences want amazing new shows every day. But the bar is set high. That's where Stage 32 comes in.

Whether you want to sell a show or be staffed on a series, the first step is writing a great one-hour pi...

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Sydney Summers

I hope everyone had a lovely first lab session and has a great one-on-one this weekend.

Russell Bruce Hoffman

Hi Sydney, yes I was looking for the recording if it is available

Jed Power

This would be great for me, Sydney, I have a few pilots I'd love to improve.- Do you have any Complementary options for Disabled, Destitute Seniors.?

Sydney Summers

Hey Russell the recording is available in your my library! Email edu@stage32.com if any issues accessing!

Sydney Summers

Hey Jed! Happy to help, email me at edu@stage32.com and I'll send over some stuff!

Liked by Maurice Vaughan

Sydney Summers
Stage 32 Screenwriting Lab: Write a Drama TV Pilot in 8 Weeks !

Stage 32 is excited to welcome Spencer back!

In this lab, Spencer will be working directly with you in a virtual class setting and also during one-on-one sessions with the goal of helping you write a fantastic, market-ready pilot. To do so, Spencer will guide you through picking a concept, creating...

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Liked by Wendy Weising and 5 others

Andy Byrne
Adapt a screenplay to longform as an exercise: The benefits...and pleasures

Been offline on a writing slog-bender. Sharing this in case it resonates or appeals to you good folks here.

Off a chat with Jake Wagner (via Stage 32!) late last year, I was prompted to write a novella version of the series pilot for a project -- THE COMMONSTATE -- currently in development (link bel...

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The Commonstate - Production & Contact Info | IMDbPro
The Commonstate - Production & Contact Info | IMDbPro
https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt27761389/
See The Commonstate's production, company, and contact information. Explore The Commonstate's box office performance, follow development, and track popularity with MOVIEmeter. IMDbPro - The essential…
Christopher Phillips

Andy Byrne Great advice and congrats on moving to being in development.

Maurice Vaughan

I like that idea, Andy Byrne. Thanks for sharing it. "The Commonstate" sounds intriguing. Congratulations on being in development! Can't wait to see it!

CJ Walley

Yeah, I have converted all eleven of my feature spec scripts into novellas this year. It's certainly helped me artistically.

Wendy Weising

Great idea! Thanks.

Liked by Wendy Weising and 5 others

Christine Capone
Sights and Sound

Hi All, do you think we should capitalize sights and sound in a script that's being submitted into competitions? Someone once said to me that it can be distracting. Thx!

CJ Walley

The issue is that, in today's world, we've become accustomed to reading anything in all caps as shouting.

My advice is to use it sparingly. I recently read a script where the writer had been advised to...

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E Langley

Avoid Bold, Underline and Italics for emphasis at all costs.

As noted, the moderate use of CAPS for sounds, what Maurice suggests, in mini slugs and POV.

A clean page for a fast, flowing read is the go...

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Christine Capone

Thank you everyone. This really helps a lot!

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Christine Capone.

E Langley

Welcome, girlfriend.

Maurice Vaughan
Multi-Hyphenate Creatives: You Can Do It All - But Should You?

“You know all the tools in your toolbox, but that doesn’t mean you have to use all of them to get the job done. Be smart in your execution and you will not only create beautiful work, but you will also create relationships and a lifelong career you are proud of.” —Annisa Belonogoff

www.stage32.com/bl...

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Daniel Husbands

Thanks Maurice Vaughan This sounds like a great read.

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Daniel Husbands. It's a must-read.

Liked by Maurice Vaughan and one other

Carl Creighton
Website advice for screenplays

Hi friends! I’m looking to put my three screenplays and their supplemental materials on a website for people to see. Can you recommend a good free website service for this? Thanks! Carl

CJ Walley

You are more than welcome to come join Script Revolution, Carl.

Maurice Vaughan

Welcome to the community, Carl Creighton. You could post your loglines, synopses, scripts, and posters/promo pictures on your Stage 32 profile. Some people post links to their pitch material in the sy...

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Daniel Husbands

I agree with Maurice Vaughan Your Stage32 profile is a great free way to have your screenplays seen. You can also use a free website builder and have additional information on their as well....

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Liked by Michael Wormald and one other

Tony Ray
Scary scripts

Odd question, but have you ever read a script that scared you a little bit or, at the very least, freaked you out a little? And if so, what made you a little freaked out about it?

Travis Seppala

Sadly, no.

Michael Wormald

I've written several that freaked me out, but never in a good way.

Ewan Dunbar

Vice was one of the most terrifying scripts because of howm uch of it happened!

Paul Rivers

Every script I've written that I've found my Character's voice and the wonderful moments when I can write through thier VOICE freaks me out!

It is the best creativity and sometimes the most difficult...

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Christopher Phillips

No. Books neither. It’s hard to be “scared” purely with writing. Horror movies rely on a lot of psychology using jump scares, ambient music, sound effects and other techniques to open up the central n...

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Liked by Rachel Troche and 2 others

Dewayne Edwards
Fellowship Programs?

Hey, anyone have any suggestions for good screenwriting fellowships to apply to?

Christopher Phillips

Dewayne Edwards TV or Film?

Some places to start:

https://www.wgfoundation.org/fellowship-writing-programs-for-screenwriters-masterlist

Some more and probably a few repeats:

https://lauridonahue.com/resou...

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Liked by Maurice Vaughan

Niki Galiano
It's Monday! Here's my writing music for today. What's yours? (Sorry, they tell me I have to ask for feedback from everyone in order to keep posting in this lounge....but I just like being a D.J.)

I just love Bob Seger, so I'm naming today Bob Seger Day.

I vaguely remember writing a synopsis/treatment to a screenplay called "Hollywood Nights" one time when I was on here (a few years back), and I was a little crazy from recently having a big temporal lobe seizure. 

It's starting to kind of come...

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Bob Seger Greatest Hits
Bob Seger Greatest Hits
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLppkHUzE8rU2gpdKFkZWo5jmGKmfQIPOU
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
Niki Galiano

Ah, yes...now I remember. There's nothing like good music to help you remember the fun times...and let go of the rest.

Liked by Bill Albert and 18 others

Pat Alexander
Female Driven Screenplay Contest -- who submitted?

Let us know if you submitted and tell us more about your scripts!

Cassandra Slough

I’m finally able to comment! Had some troubles with my account but it’s all cleared away and working!

I submitted my screenplay THE DEEP DARK. This screenplay is certainly a little piece of me and a da...

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Daniel Goudreau

Cassandra Slough Kudos to you for being so brave and to get all of that not only onto paper but in a compelling narrative that can even educate instead of just entertain. I'm sure your piece is in goo...

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Rachel Gassi

Hey guys, I submitted my pilot, Club Paradise, based on my time working in a strip club. Set in the 90s it follows an ex-exotic dancer and grieving mother as she struggles to run the city's hottest st...

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Paul Rivers

I submitted my feature STETSON tagline: it 's not just my hat it's the code I live by.

Its a neo-Western drama with tears.

Bill Albert

I submitted my pilot for In the Shadows of November.

Matthew D Rhodes
Exploring Book Series Adaptation: Seeking Community Insights

I find myself contemplating the potential transition of my work into either movies or a television series. With two books nearing publication and two more in active development, the possibility of expanding my literary universe into visual media has piqued my interest.

In particular, I'm exploring th...

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Jed Power

Hi Matthew, I have a Completed Screenplay adapting my published 8-book Dan Marlowe/ Hampton Beach, NH crime series into an hour-long pilot or Feature. I also have a completed pilot for a thalf-hour Dr...

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Matthew D Rhodes

Shawn Day That's why I'm working to make connections with people that share the same objectives. Even if I can't get my own project done I would love to help on someone else's. I'm looking to voluntee...

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Matthew D Rhodes

Jed Power I love to write, both novels and screenplays. I will always work towards my goals. I will never give up. It just feels a shame that the only thing holding me back is finances. Can't do anyth...

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Jed Power

I hear you, Matthew. I am Disabled and Destitute. I can't afford the cheapest contest, so obviously, I am desperate for sale/option or any type of writing gig.

Matthew D Rhodes

Jed Power "Birds of a feather flock to together, so do pigs and swine. Rats and mice may have their chance as will I have mine" - Simon, Jeromy Irons, Die Hard: With a Vengeance

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