Your Stage : My First Horror Script by Rahul Sonawane

What is your goal? Please try to be specific.

Hey, Rahul Sonawane. I’m a Stage 32 Lounge Moderator. I wanted to let you know I moved your post from the Screenwriting Lounge to the Your Stage Lounge because it’s promotion. Promotion can go in the Your Stage Lounge and on Your Wall.

You can put promotion in a main Lounge (Screenwriting Lounge, Filmmaking/Directing Lounge, Producing Lounge, etc.) if your post starts a conversation that’s helpful or educational to the community, like giving advice or asking a question.

You can also put promotion in one of the main Lounges if you're asking for feedback.

Let me know if you have any questions.

You could post your script on your profile. Producers search profiles on here for projects, and other members can read your script and give feedback on it. Click the gear symbol in the top right-hand corner and select “Edit profile” in the drop-down menu. Scroll down to “Loglines” and click “Add/edit loglines” to the right of “Loglines.” You can also post your script on your profile this way: www.stage32.com/loglines (near the top where it says “Add a Logline”)

I suggest adding a profile picture. People will feel more comfortable networking and collaborating with you if they know what you look like. And if you have a picture, your profile will show up when someone searches for you.

My goal is to sell it because I cannot shoot it myself, as I explained earlier, though I would really like to shoot this movie but, I will do it in the future; right now, I just want to sell my short film.

I sold four short scripts to a producer through Stage 32, Rahul Sonawane, so it's definitely possible. Here's a blog that'll help you connect with producers, creatives, and industry pros: www.stage32.com/blog/the-importance-of-community-and-collaboration-in-th...

Thank you so much.

You're welcome, Rahul Sonawane.

Hey everyone!

I’m Aisha, a passionate screenwriter looking to collaborate with directors, producers, and filmmakers who need compelling scripts. I specialize in crafting emotionally gripping narratives, strong character arcs, and impactful dialogues—whether it’s for feature films, short films, or web series.

If you need a scriptwriter who can bring your vision to life, I’m open to both freelance projects and long-term collaborations. I can adapt to different genres but particularly excel in intense dramas, psychological thrillers, and deep, character-driven stories.

Let’s connect and discuss how I can contribute to your next project. Feel free to DM me or drop a comment if you're looking for a writer who can deliver engaging and production-ready scripts!

Greg Lyon My main goal is to sell my first horror script, and see my name on the credits.

Twenty pages won't cut it without a track record. So the first step should be to finish the script around 90-110 pages. The next step is get some people you know to read it and give you a beat down. Not a physical beat down, but a real beating of your script. Brutally honest. From there you can rewrite and hopefully get a quality script.

After that you have to network as much as possible. Screenplay contests are a good way to get it out there and get you a little juice. From there you just have to find a producer that really likes and wants to make your story into his film. Scrip coverage to your entries and/or have your script read with notes.

Don't use your personal friends unless they know screenplay writing. Even then, they may not be willing to tell you the truth. You could possible find some at Stage 32 that are willing to do a quid pro quo. For networking, you just have to get out to festivals, premiers, markets, etc and work it. Good luck.

Greg Lyon I didn’t get a notification for this comment, so I’m sorry for the late reply.

Thank you for being honest about how this works.

I originally started writing the screenplay with the intention of directing it myself, but I soon realized I’m in no position to do that right now. My goal was to craft something emotional, unsettling, and deeply disturbing — and I managed to tell that story within 7 pages.

I made it a habit to read my screenplay every day, and pretty quickly I began to notice its flaws — plot holes, inconsistent scenes, weak dialogue, and words that lacked impact. So I did a second draft where I fleshed out the characters, refined the scares, tightened the pacing, and fixed some of those inconsistencies. I'm currently working on the third draft, and while I still see a few issues, I’m doing my best to resolve them. Hopefully, this version will be the final one.

Unfortunately, I don’t have anyone around who can offer me honest, brutal feedback — though I’m always open to it. I’d be willing to swap scripts, but I’m unsure about how safe that really is.

Right now, I’m hoping someone from YouTube might come across my screenplay, connect with it, and turn it into a short film. That would at least give me some exposure and help me take the next step.

Once this is done, I plan to start writing my first feature. I already have a very disturbing story in mind, partly inspired by real-life events, and I’ve already figured out the ending.

Once again, thanks for all the insight.

Feel free to send your script over to gklyon@halfmoonfilms.biz and I will give you some feedback. As it stands, I too always worry about someone stealing my stories. Just make sure that you have it copyrighted or registered with WGA. With me, I have award winning scripts that I am trying to sell/finance. I am careful to whom I shop my scripts. One script, I wrote specifically to sell it and entered in lots of festivals. So along with copyright and the festivals, it would be difficult to steal the story.

Nevertheless, someone might try to rip it off, but they would have to do enough work to rewrite it in order to steal it. With seven pages, you basically have an idea, but nothing to really protect.

Greg Lyon I'm really glad to hear you'd be open to reading my script—thank you for that. Once it's ready, I'll be sure to send it your way.

At the same time, I'm also slowly piecing together the bones of a feature-length horror film. Right now, it's still just an idea—fragmented scenes playing out in my head and a haunting ending that's keeping me up at night. It'll take some time before I start writing it in earnest.

As for copyright, my only hesitation is timing—whether to register the script after I've finished it, or wait until I've shared it and gathered feedback. It’s something I’m still figuring out.

Anyway, I truly appreciate your guidance. I hope we can collaborate down the road—I'd love that.

Best of luck with your feature; I genuinely hope it comes to life.