Stage 32 Success Stories

I would guess that; like many 'budding' screenwriters who have lives to live and day-to-day employment, I've spent far too long procrastinating about whether or not I can actually do this. Seriously - it's been over a decade for myself.

Over the years I've had flurries of activity from time to time,...

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Over the years I've had flurries of activity from time to time, often on the same project - the one I started with when I signed-up for that first course!

Last year I got space and time. But as 2020 drew to a close and I was just beginning to think I'd missed my window, my company took the decision to furlough me (put the job on-hold, for those outside the UK reading this). In late January I was temporarily unemployed - so I started writing. Obviously I started with the project I've been messing around with for years (Duh !), but then I realised that the two Theatre Groups I've been involved with for the last few years had nothing to do - so I decided to write a piece for each and made the bold decision to properly test myself by making sure they were VERY different.

I guessed I might be furloughed for 4-6 weeks, so I also had a deadline. Perfect. Let's see if I can do this!

Now, before I go any further, I should point out that the two pieces in question were both designed to be performed on Zoom, so I had very little existing material to draw on. David Tennant and Michael Sheen offered something to guide me, but it was an awfully high bar and I certainly wasn't going to have anything but Amateurs (with a capital A) to work with IF I ever got them to the production stage.

However, after 5 weeks I had a light comedy completed and set about getting some readings, casting, rehearsing and recording done. It was about a rural radio station in Northern England and I have to say we had the same technical issues I suspect the real station may have encountered. But 3 weeks later, it was done and I was learning how to piece it together using Microsoft's basic Video Editor software. I think this was one of the most frustrating parts of the whole process, but second to me having to achieve my second goal ie: writing a second piece while this was all happening.

As "Barnydale FM" was being published on YouTube (as quietly as possible and without any fanfare), I was finishing the second piece and listening to it being read by a second Theatre Group. Being far more organised and having done it all before, this was a smoother process and that second piece, a home drama based around seven conversations taking place during the pandemic, was published today.

It's funny how hard you can work when you've a deadline, a goal and the ambition. It's remarkable (even to me) how quickly you can learn new skills!

"Life, Love & COVID" seems far more accomplished than "Barnydale FM", yet they were written and produced 3-4 weeks apart.

You have to start somewhere is a very common (and flippant) expression, but it's true for me. So my next goal is merely to remember that I HAVE actually started now. I just need to keep it up!

For anyone who's interested, both of these Zoom plays can be found on YouTube:

Life, Love & COVID

https://youtu.be/bZlVBnyXI8I

Barnydale FM (2 episodes)

https://youtu.be/gBOaU30yVM8

https://youtu.be/Wox8H_G6R1c

Thanks for reading !

Keith Irons

Darlington, UK

The official laurels are in from the Phoenix Film Festival where my short film ZAP! has been selected. Come August we'll be attending the fest in person and can hardly wait!

A year ago the Phoenix Film Festival selected the script for ZAP! as the winner of their Screenplay Search. We've come full ci...

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CJ Walley

6 years ago

Thank you, Julie :)

Aaron Majewski

Thank you and sending blurb :)

Stephanie J. Castillo

4
4 people like this
6 years ago

RB is a creative and a genius, who put this idea together where he saw a void and decided to fill it. By following his instincts, his love for his fellow creatives, and his understanding of the diffic...

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Stage 32 Staff - Julie

3
3 people like this
6 years ago

I am so inspired by what everyone is writing! Thank you so much... Love to you all!

Angela VanZandt-Bumpass

2 months ago

I agree! Stage 32 is an ethical company akin to finding a bird nest on the ground.

Indigo Hughes

4 months ago

Congratulations my fellow Seattleite. We should try to connnect!

Adrienne Thorne

1
1 person likes this
- Jim Hubka
4 months ago

I'm pretty sure this was not a real job. It's been deleted. This is the second time I've been "hired" for a fake job on here in the past couple of months.

Victor Ramon Mojica

Congrats!!

Oh wow. I'm sorry to hear that. We should try to connect anyway. Maybe meet for coffee and chat writing!

James Welday

1
1 person likes this
- Lyter Daniel
2 months ago

Great story, and you should feel so proud of yourself! My mantra has always been: be creative, no matter how you do it. Procrastination is truly the name of the game when it comes to us writer's, so it's great that you're putting your work out there.

Wally Wu

I am working on a TV show as well titled: Proper English....Procrastination has been my downfall and want to get things rolling too. Cheers and good luck

Elisabeth Meier

1
1 person likes this
- Shawn Speake
3 years ago

Thank you, homie! ;-)

Cee Whirx

1
1 person likes this
- Elisabeth Meier
2 months ago

Good for you, Elisabeth

Congratulations, Elisabeth Meier!!!

Thank you guys! Anyone who would like to read it? I just got a poem from Jacob and a vague idea of a plot... look what I made out of it at scriptrevolution: https://www.scriptrevolution.com/scripts/th...

Elisabeth, I’d be happy to read it! I’ll check your profile over at SR.

Barry John Terblanche

Congrats Lisa!

Craig Parsons

Congratulations Lisa!

Doug Nelson

1
1 person likes this
- James Welday
2 months ago

Yes Lisa - you are now official - savor your moment in the sun. Congratulations are in order.

Karen "Kay" Ross

Congrats, that's awesome!

Mariannjely Marval

Congrats!! That's wonderful!! :)

Maurice Vaughan

1
1 person likes this
- Philip Sedgwick
2 months ago

Congrats, Philip

Philip, I tried to find the other post you made so I could reply to your comment, but I didn't find it.

Jameson Martel

What an honor!

Philip Sedgwick

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

Maurice Vaughan Long story round, but here I am. Thanks again.

1
1 person likes this
- Jameson Martel
2 months ago

Thank you, Jameson.

Lazarus Strain

4 years ago

Congrats Ms.Diane

Eric Gilmartin

Way to go, Diane! Congratulations to you. My mom's about to publish a collection of her short fiction. This is a good time, I think, for independent authors!

Pat Savage

Congratulations to you Diane

Raymond Zachariasse

Congrats!

Christine Powell

Well done. Good Luck.

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