Stage 32 Success Stories

Here’s the lesson I want to share today, especially for anyone pitching on Stage 32:

If they didn’t respond or passed, circle back when you’re more prepared. Yes, there’s a caveat: sometimes a pass really does mean “not for our slate right now.” T...

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Here’s the lesson I want to share today, especially for anyone pitching on Stage 32:

Don’t stop at one pitch—go back to the same executive.

If they didn’t respond or passed, circle back when you’re more prepared. Yes, there’s a caveat: sometimes a pass really does mean “not for our slate right now.” That’s a real thing. But often the scorecard makes the difference clear. If you’re consistently getting low marks across fundamentals, it’s not that the concept isn’t marketable—it’s that you haven’t yet learned how to show it. That’s not weakness. That’s craft still waiting to be forged.

After my worst pitch ever, I almost quit. Instead, it lit a fire. I didn’t just tweak my delivery. I re-envisioned the whole thing. I went through something like twenty revisions, and not the tidy kind—deep ones. I fully rewrote the script at least twice, maybe three times. Then I went back to the same exec.

Second time: best scorecard I’ve ever received, materials requested, and one of the most encouraging responses of my career.

Here’s what changed: confidence built on undeniable work.

When what you’re holding is clear and true, talking about it stops being salesmanship and starts being invitation. People lean in—even those who didn’t get it the first time. They might still pass for reasons of fit, but now they want to hear it.

And let me add this: one of the things that helped me get to that point was finding readers. Not just one or two, but as many as I could. I was lucky enough to find close to twenty, some I knew, some I didn’t. Out of all of them, most gave me small useful notes, but one in particular gave me the most excellent, on-point, honest feedback I’ve ever had. And yes, it was someone I knew. People say not to ask friends or family because they’ll go easy on you, but it depends on the kind of people you know.

There are friends who would never tell you when you’ve got broccoli in your teeth… and there are friends who’ll point it out (and laugh with you while you fix it). The second kind are the ones you want reading your script.

Honesty born of care—for you and for the story—will sharpen your work more than flattery ever will.

A “no” is not a tombstone. It’s data. It’s direction.

Go back when you’re ready. Go back when it’s undeniable.

Huge thanks to the Stage 32 team and community for the sound advice: Don’t just pitch once. If someone doesn’t respond, return when you’re truly ready. That simple wisdom kept me from quitting—and changed everything.

My scripts have recently been recognized on the festival circuit. Both my feature Drop Project and my animated short Norman: The Dog Who Didn’t Mean To have been officially selected for the CKF International Film Festival (September 2025). In addition, Drop Project was selected earlier this year for...

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Maurice Vaughan

4
4 people like this
5 months ago

Congratulations on getting all 5s on your pitch and a script request, Jim Cushinery! Getting all 5s is really impressive! Glad you didn't pack it in!

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh

Congratulations! It's definitely how it goes. Just when you're as discouraged as can be, you get good news :)

Tania Ocasio

Congratulations Jim Cushinery

Lauren Hackney

Jim Cushinery I'm really happy this happened for you. To hear you get a win is awesome! And I know there's many more to come for you!

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Leonardo Ramirez

2
2 people like this
- Adam Spencer
- Maurice Vaughan
6 months ago

Very well said Michael Reeves. I'm glad you included humility in that list. We can't grow without it and since the learning never stops, we'll always have need of it.

Adam Spencer

3
3 people like this
6 months ago

Leonardo Ramirez & Michael Reeves: Yes indeedy. I’d even go one step further: I think mercy is the precondition for honest change. Humility opens the door to mercy—for our peers in the industry, and m...

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Sanna Peth

2
2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- Adam Spencer
6 months ago

Adam Spencer Hi! I submitted the first version to 3 execs. One of them wrote back saying they thought it was a really good idea and a great story, but unfortunately it wasn’t something they were worki...

2
2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan
- Sanna Peth
6 months ago

Sanna Peth That really hit home. I don’t think anyone gets more nervous, impatient, hopeful, or downright delirious in the waiting than I do — and then somehow ends up overwhelmed with gratitude just...

Adam Spencer So be it! It’s certainly an exciting process. It brings many sleepless nights, yet it has its own kind of beauty. And I truly hope our work will find its way to its destination....

Fabio Acri

well done! congrats!

Mark Osborn

4
4 people like this
6 months ago

Patmos is beautiful. I was there 20 years ago and toured the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian. Amazing place. hopefully you had time to explore. I love Rom Coms especially on a Greek Island. I will look for your film.

Michael J Goujon Jr

Congratulations

Hannah Woolmer

2
2 people like this
- Vanessa Chattman 2
- Maurice Vaughan
6 months ago

wow, what a great location to be filming in. I look forward to seeing the final film!

Mark Films

LET´S GOOOOO!!

1
1 person likes this
- Michael Dzurak
6 months ago

Congratulations on 100 LIFETIMES advancing to the Semifinals, Kevin J. Howard!

Michael Dzurak

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
6 months ago

Congrats. What is this story about?

Alan Raynor

What is Ashley's address?

6 months ago

Hi, Alan Raynor. Do you want to write a blog for Stage 32? If so, email Ashley at blog@stage32.com.

I suggest adding a profile picture of yourself. People will feel more comfortable networking and coll...

Kevin Hager

I have Asperger Syndrome, so I am a private person. But I am also a dog lover, so I use the picture of one of my dogs.

Hey, Kevin Hager. I think you told me that before. That comment is for Alan. And since you're a writer and you want to work in film and TV, Kevin Hager, you could use a picture about writing, a pictur...