Screenwriting

Hi Mike, I bought that book you told me, Save the Cat

You're so right Mike Thompson

Thank you Mike Thompson for sharing it! I will look at it.

Sandra Isabel Correia my pleasure!

Chiara Torrisi crazy, right?

Looks amazing Maurice Vaughan and yes we have to be business folk as well.

You're right, Mark Deuce. It's not just about writing scripts. It's also about pitching, marketing scripts, networking, and knowing the legal side and financial side of the industry.

Thanks again!!

You're welcome, Mark Deuce.

So so so important, lovely share!

Thanks for sharing Maurice Vaughan I will need to check this one out!

You're welcome, Mark Deuce. It's definitely worth checking out this blog! I always learn things and get advice/insight from the Coffee & Content blogs.

Don’t submit as your script doesn’t meet the basic requirement.

Hey, Holly Fouche. It says this on the contest page: "We’re on the lookout for all types of TV drama scripts! Classic family melodramas? Atmospheric psychological mind-benders? Bold period pieces? Genre-twisting Legal, War, Musical, Sports, Fantasy or Sci-Fi? The next legendary biopic? We want to see it all!" You could email contests@stage32.com if you still feel unsure about it.

LET´S GOOOOO Holly Fouche

Maurice Vaughan Ooooooh, I like your idea of a mirror subplot, Maurice! Wow! Just imagine the possibilities! The avenues one could take. Quick, origin story. What fuels its power? Why does it exist? Agreed. The Mirror doesn’t get enough credit.

Mark Deuce Agreed, Mark. Rule #1 in Show Biz: KNOW your audience demographics. #2. ENTERTAIN said audience. I refuse to pay 15 bucks for a LECTURE.

Wal Friman Totally agree, Wal. Excellent point. The THREE most important things to making a stellar film: THE SCRIPT, THE SCRIPT, and…… THE SCRIPT.

Holly Fouche Awesome perspective, Holly. I definitely like your approach to witnessing Snow’s growth (Perhaps, in a trials and tribulation “throughout the years” montage).The Evil Queen definitely needs more depth. Some reviews have stated that Snow and The Queen appear to be so off base, that it’s as if they’re appearing in two different movies — NOT a good sign.

Same here Bill Brock and collapse shows that we are not alone in this.

Ashley Renee Smith That is such a beautiful and encouraging perspective—thank you for sharing it. I love the idea of shifting from “I have to succeed” to “I’m here to grow.” And you’re absolutely right—every word we write, every revision we push through, is progress, even if it doesn’t always feel that way in the moment. I also find so much strength in this community, in knowing that we’re all navigating the same ups and downs. Thanks again for sharing your perspective—I really appreciate it.

I heard someone in the industry say on a podcast "watch a movie you watched when you were 15" because it'll remind you why you wanted to do what you do. We're in this crazy business for the love of movies and TV. Might help.

Ewan Dunbar That's great advice! Thank you so much for sharing that! I remember how passionately I used to watch teenage movies about love, friendship, and personal growth. Those films truly shaped my perspective, and I still think about my favorite characters from back then. Now, as I rewatch them, I can appreciate them with much deeper insights. Thanks again for the advice; I'll definitely take it!

My biggest tip (that's totally not my own): just write. You can't edit and empty page. Write a blurb, half-assed prose, or w/e.... look at it, cringe, drink water, go back to your cringe scene (or half-scene), take a deep breath and improve it, then more, and more and...

This is possible due to modern word processing. Imagine the unavoidable headache if we still had typewriters.

Michael Dzurak Thank you for reminding me of the most important part of screenwriting: just writing. I still remember the first time I downloaded screenwriting software and wrote a page of a scene, just to see how the format looked. It felt like stepping into a whole new world!

Imagine what is the most logical place for the scene, and then choose a very different place. Or the most logical object in the scene, or the most logical clothes the characters are wearing...

Great tips, Göran Johansson (both comments)! I've used the "change location, object, and clothes" tip before. Changing the location, object, clothes, etc. can make a big difference and give a writer all kinds of ideas.

Final suggestions.

One character has a bomb, which will explode at noon, and only two minutes are left. Alright, that is a cliché, but one may have a third person who is texting one of those who is present in the scene, and if the text message arrives Before the scene ends, Everything will be turned upside down.

Due to alcohol, one person behaves in an odd way.

No, I didn't ask AI for help. But a few days ago I asked AI two similar questions.

In the first case, AI gave me 5 suggestions that appeared useful.

In the second case, the 5 suggestions from AI appeared far less useful.

Which illustrates the rule that AI gives answers based on what has been written in earlier screenplays. So answers are often Cliché.

Nice tips! Looking forward to using them at some point!

Putting a twist on a cliché is a great idea, Göran Johansson. I might make a post about that (putting twists on clichés). Thanks for the post idea.

No. It's for everyone, Billy Kwack.

Hi Maurice, maybe if I come across it

You can sign up for it here, Billy Kwack: www.stage32.com/education/products/how-to-navigate-the-cannes-film-festi...

Thank you Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Mark Deuce.

Okay. Where can I get comps for my pitch deck then?

I search Bing or Google for comps, Paul Hewitt. I look for movies that are similar in tone to my scripts, and comps that were successful at the box office. It's tricky with streaming original comps since some of them weren't released in theaters.

Thanks, Maurice. I am just looking for a comparable budget for a single camera, thirty minute TV series. Some dollars and cents (so to speak) to add to my pitch deck. A series like The Bear, for example.

You're welcome, Paul Hewitt. I'm not sure if companies/networks post the budgets for single camera, thirty minute TV series. Someone in the Financing/Crowdfunding Lounge might know (www.stage32.com/lounge/fundraising).

Maybe try IMDB Pro? You can find budget estimates for some shows, maybe not the Bear, but something similar might be there?

Here are some bold, evocative title suggestions for your Western script that capture the gritty, mature tone and central elements of Kain Thorne’s dangerous quest in the unforgiving Old West:

Blood and Dust

Highlights the violence and harshness of the setting, hinting at the stakes of the treasure hunt.

The Devil’s Map

Suggests a cursed or treacherous treasure map, tying into the moral complexity and danger.

Thorne’s Reckoning

Centers Kain Thorne’s name while implying a personal journey steeped in vengeance or redemption.

No Man’s Gold

Evokes the lawless pursuit of treasure and the toll it takes, perfect for a mature audience.

Iron and Ash

A visceral title that reflects the brutal landscape and violent clashes of the story.

The Black Trail

Mysterious and ominous, it hints at the dark path Kain Thorne must follow.

Sinners’ Bounty

Ties into the morally complex characters and the treasure as a corrupted prize.

Kain’s Curse.

Personalizes the story to the protagonist while suggesting the map brings doom.

Gravedust Bounty.

Combines death and reward, fitting the explicit, mature themes of betrayal and violence.

Hellbent Frontier

Captures the relentless drive of the hunter and the savage Old West setting.

These titles aim to grab attention, tease the story’s intensity, and appeal to an audience looking for a raw, adult-oriented Western.

I like the concept, Oded Nave, especially the “dangerous quest to recover a mysterious treasure map” part!

These scenes are the best/most interesting out of all the scenes you posted for feedback. And the dialogue in these scenes is the best.

Same note from my other feedback: I also suggest describing your characters' personalities when you first introduce them in the script. And their appearances and clothes/accessories if those things are important to the story. You don't have to take a lot of space describing their personalities, appearances, and clothes/accessories.

Similar note from my other feedback: Describe the locations. A setting is an opportunity to reveal important things about characters and the story.

Similar note from my other feedback: The escort seems important to the story, so I suggest giving her a name.

“She gets out a knife slowly and tries to cut his throat.” I wasn’t expecting that! Readers love when unexpected things happen in scenes. But I’m not sure what “like you said cut the bulshit talk” has to do with her trying to cut his throat.

In scene 3, it says “BARTENDER (while he searches for the room keys in the counter. He gets one out.) It'll cost you 50 cent for one night” and “BARTENDER Room number 10 is free to stay.” I suggest putting some action between the bartender’s dialogue or combining the dialogues.

Similar note from my other feedback (the “showing, not telling” note): In scene 3, it says, “She looks agitated.” I suggest “showing” that the escort is agitated, not “telling” us. You could write that as something like “She scrunches up her face and glares at him.”

Scams and scams and scams. They want your precious money. I get thousands of these on my phone, email, and craig....you didn't pay your toll, from a hotmail address. LOL

One guy on here wanted money to help with 'my brand', and said I was a good writer, but never read anything I wrote. "Explain yourself in one sentence'.

Everyone is looking for a big break and everyone is looking for someone to sell something too.

do you have your script on film freeway? I submitted mine to Hollywood script festival and they did not move it forward but apparrently that is also under liftoff network and i got the same email about my 11 page script they wanted the same amount. i think it may be an automated message whenever you submit anything through their liftoff network whether you knew it was lifroff or not. not sure ot is a scam but it is definately suspect

I have never heard about the company.

There are also cases when a company offers a service which is legit but worthless.

Are they willing to talk to you face to face? Have they showed you identification cards? Have you visited their office so you know that it is not a scammer who has stolen the identity of a legit company?

One thing I noticed. Writing a detailed review and give one hour at Zoom for 225 dollars would be reasonable. But creating a video of one of the scenes also for that price, that sounds odd. One single short scene with one single actor in front of the camera can easily cost a lot. Unless it is created by somebody who is not paid.