Stage 32 Success Stories

Over the past several months, I’ve been intentionally stress-testing a question many of us ask quietly:

Can a single screenplay generate legitimate industry exposure without representation, paid publicity, or insider access?

The short answer: yes, if you treat visibility like a system, not a wish.

Here...

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Over the past several months, I’ve been intentionally stress-testing a question many of us ask quietly:

Can a single screenplay generate legitimate industry exposure without representation, paid publicity, or insider access?

The short answer: yes, if you treat visibility like a system, not a wish.

Here’s the framework I used, shared openly for peers and professionals who care about process, not hype:

1. One Anchor Project (No Noise)

I focused everything around one screenplay (Pretty Little Lucy).

No scattershot submissions. No diluted messaging. Every platform pointed to the same core narrative.

2. Platform-Specific Funnels (Not Cross-Posting)

Each platform had a job, not a duplicate post:

Stage 32 / InkTip → Industry validation & script discovery

IMDbPro → Professional credibility & trend visibility

LinkedIn → Executive & decision-maker awareness

Instagram / TikTok → Audience curiosity + algorithmic lift

Personal site → Controlled narrative + conversion hub

No platform existed in isolation—each fed the next.

3. Analytics Over Ego

I tracked everything:

Click-throughs

Profile views

Geographic spread

Timing of spikes after posts or festival updates

When something moved, I didn’t celebrate—I reverse-engineered it and repeated only what worked.

4. Story as the Hook (Not the Sale)

I didn’t sell the script.

I shared why it existed, what it was interrogating psychologically, and why it mattered now.

People don’t amplify loglines.

They amplify meaning.

5. Consistent Presence Without Desperation

No cold DMs.

No “please read my script.”

No artificial urgency.

I let visibility do the introducing.

When professionals engage organically, the conversation starts at a higher level.

6. Treating Festivals & Platforms as Signal, Not Validation

Selections, views, and outreach weren’t treated as trophies- they were data points.

Momentum compounds when you don’t emotionally overreact to any single result.

What Changed?

Industry professionals began finding the work before I introduced myself

Conversations shifted from “what is this?” to “what else do you have?”

The screenplay became a calling card, not a lottery ticket

No shortcuts.

No gate-crashing.

Just alignment between story, strategy, and consistency.

Final Thought

The industry isn’t ignoring talent.

It’s filtering for signal through noise.

If you can create signal clearly, calmly, and repeatedly- people notice.

Happy to answer questions or compare notes with anyone building visibility the long way.

That’s where real leverage comes from.

— David Williamson

I wanted to share a small win that’s turned into meaningful momentum over the last few weeks.

Pretty Little Lucy, a psychological thriller feature I’ve been developing, has recently started gaining traction on the festival circuit through FilmFreeway — including official selections where festivals ha...

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Ashley Renee Smith

Head of Community at Stage 32 ♦ Creative Executive, Producer, Author

December 2025 Open House Webcast

Find Your Footing on Stage 32: Join Our December Community Open House!

Monday, December 29th at 12:00 pm PT!

Every success story begins with a first step.

If you’re ready to take yours, join me, Ashley Smith, Head of Community at Stage 32, for our December Community Open House Webcast happening Monday, December 29th at 12:00 pm PT!

Free Registration: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-s-december-community-open-house-webcast-with-ashley-smith

Whether you’re chasing representation, looking for collaborators, or simply tired of creating in isolation, this live event is your chance to show up, be seen, and start making real progress.

This isn’t just an overview — it’s your creative launchpad. You’ll walk away with practical tools, new connections, and a clear path forward, no matter your background or where you are in your career.

You’ll Learn How To:

Navigate Stage 32 like a pro and make the platform work for your goals
Build authentic connections through the Stage 32 Lounges
Access Education, Certification, and Script Services tailored to your next big move
Show up in ways that get you noticed by the right people at the right time
Participate in real-time Q&A and get guidance specific to your path

Whether you’re a writer, filmmaker, actor, producer, composer, editor, or wear multiple creative hats — this is where your Stage 32 journey truly begins.

If you can’t attend live, don’t worry — registering ensures you’ll receive the full recording to watch anytime from anywhere.

Who’s planning to join me live for the Open House?

Click HERE to Register for FREE!

Event starts
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49 people like this

Vamsi Tankala

3
3 people like this
2 days ago

Elise Marenson Congratulations, and truly inspiring to newcomers like me who are just starting their writing journey. Best wishes for even more accomplishments ahead!...

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Maurice Vaughan

1
1 person likes this
- Kenneth Ellis 2
2 days ago

Congratulations on getting two Double Recommends, Elise Marenson! That's really impressive!

I’m a Stage 32 Lounge Moderator. I wanted to let you know I moved your post from the Introduce Yourself Loung...

Elise Marenson

2
2 people like this
- Kenneth Ellis 2
- Maurice Vaughan
2 days ago

Thanks, Maurice!

You're welcome, Elise Marenson. Happy Holidays! Hope you have more success in 2026!

View all All comments

David B. Williamson

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
6 days ago

Great questions, Darrell — and honestly, you’re already doing the hardest part by being intentional about it.

I don’t come from a formal “tech” background either, so my approach has been very practical...

Darrell Pennington

2
2 people like this
- David B. Williamson
- Maurice Vaughan
6 days ago

David B. Williamson Thank you so much for the thoughtful and comprehensive reply. I will certainly look to implement these in a productive way. I have sent out 129 query letters since last week and an...

2
2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- Letícia Peyrous
6 days ago

Darrell Pennington,

Visibility is the new query letter.

I stopped sending my work into quiet inboxes and started making the process visible.

Because psychologically, people are far more likely to look at...

James LO

2
2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- David B. Williamson
6 days ago

hi david, congrats on getting so much attention on PRETTY LITTLE LUCY. what stage is it at? script sold? finance locked in? would love to hear more details about how the next steps went for you

2
2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- James LO
6 days ago

James — thank you, I really appreciate that.

Pretty Little Lucy is currently a fully completed feature screenplay that’s now in a strong proof-of-concept phase.

So far, the script has stacked 15 wins in...

2
2 people like this
- David B. Williamson
- Maurice Vaughan
1 week ago

thanks for sharing your experience david—much obliged

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
1 week ago

Anytime.

Jack Binder

Congratulations! David B. Williamson Great news and very good advice to fellow filmmakers! Bravo!

Thanks Jack! I hope that sharing my journey and techniques are a guiding light to others.

3
3 people like this
1 week ago

Great post and very much appreciated!!

1
1 person likes this
- Carrolyn Foster
1 week ago

Congratulations on getting a Double Recommend, Carrolyn Foster!

2
2 people like this
- Carrolyn Foster
- Maurice Vaughan
1 week ago

Great job - very exciting!!

Carrolyn Foster

Thank you for the congratulations.

1 week ago

You're welcome, Carrolyn Foster. I hope you sell your script! Happy Holidays!

Elle Bolan

Congratulations!

1
1 person likes this
- Terry Podnar
1 week ago

Congratulations on Feral Mountains advancing to the Quarter-Finals, Terry Podnar! I’m a Stage 32 Lounge Moderator. I wanted to let you know I moved your post from the Introduce Yourself Lounge to the...

2
2 people like this
- Terry Podnar
- Maurice Vaughan
1 week ago

Congratulations! and best wishes.

Terry Podnar

Thank you Vamsi!

Maxwel Alves Gomes

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1 person likes this
- Brenda Mohammed
1 month ago

Parabéns Brenda! eu gosto bastante quando grandes projetos são reconhecidos.

Brenda Mohammed

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
1 month ago

Thank you, Maxwel Alves Gomes.

John Snell

2
2 people like this
- Brenda Mohammed
- Maurice Vaughan
1 week ago

Congratulations, Brenda Mohammed! Best of luck moving forward and getting produced!

2
2 people like this
- John Snell
- Maurice Vaughan
1 week ago

Thank you, John Snell.

You're most welcome, Brenda Mohammed.

2
2 people like this
- John Snell
- Thomas Newman
1 month ago

Congratulations on finishing your first Stage 32 screenwriting course, getting a mentorship, and being one of the top scripts at the Hispanic International Film Festival, Thomas Newman!...

Congratulations, Thomas Newman! Keep up the good work!

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh

Congratulations, Thomas Newman! Good job!

1
1 person likes this
- Dustin Williams
1 month ago

Congratulations on getting a Double Recommend, Dustin Williams!

Bobby Bridges

2
2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- Dustin Williams
1 month ago

congrats!

Congratulations, Dustin Williams!

Koby Nguyen

I read the summary of your project and it's very interesting, well done!

Love to hear of success stories like this! AWESOME!!!!! Please keep us up to date, Aleisha Brooks .

Paul Pastore

Good for you! Break a leg!

Jon Shallit

Hope it gets made. That is what I want to hear about!

Haley Mary

Congrats! I hope this gets made! Keep us all up to date on your progress!

Congratulations, Aleisha Brooks!

2
2 people like this
- Danijela Lazic
- Matthew Tallacksen
1 month ago

Congratulations on your first Stage 32 collaboration, Danijela Lazic!

Matthew Tallacksen

2
2 people like this
- Danijela Lazic
- Maurice Vaughan
1 month ago

What a truly amazing and enjoyable experience. You were so great to work with! Thank you Danijela, for your hard work, creativity, and patience with me. You are the best!

2
2 people like this
- Danijela Lazic
- Maurice Vaughan
1 week ago

Great work, Danijela Lazic!

2
2 people like this
- John Snell
- Suzanne Bronson
1 month ago

Congratulations on The Strongman advancing to the semifinals, Todd Jones! I’m a Stage 32 Lounge Moderator. I wanted to let you know I moved your post from the Introduce Yourself Lounge to the Stage 32...

Congratulations, Todd Jones, best of luck moving forward!

3 weeks ago

You're welcome, Aleisha Brooks.

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
3 weeks ago

Congratulations!!

Fuad Shawn

Huge congratulations!

Kelvin Thornton

Stage 32 Success Stories

Find Your Footing on Stage 32: Join Our December Community Open House!

Monday, December 29th at 12:00 pm PT!

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