Introduce Yourself : Do over by Michael Valente

Hi, Michael Valente. Great to meet you. "*Well, I'm just guessing here, but there is a lot of evidence to suggest that the biggest mistake I have made is failing to network*." I made the same mistake for years, and I made the mistake of networking the wrong way. Did you see today's blog? Sandra Isabel Correia talks about networking and how it can change the game for screenwriters. www.stage32.com/blog/how-networking-can-be-a-game-changer-for-screenwrit...

I agree. It's not too late. do you enter your work into contests and festivals?

Hi Michael Valente I appreciate your honest and willingness to be vulnerable in sharing your self-reflection here. Never too late Indeed! I look forward to seeing one of your screenplays in the cinema soon! This is a great place to network.

Hi Michael - it’s never too late!! We always say that you have to approach a life in creativity with 50% dedicated to your craft and 50% dedicated to networking. You have to treat your creative pursuits like a job. Spend an hour every day on Stage 32 meeting people, making connections even though writing is an insular and lonely experience, the business of writing is actually a collaborative experience. You need the help of other people to get the stories off the ground. You’re doing the right thing by introducing yourself here! tell us what genres you’re interested in and hopefully you can start to find some great collaborators this weekend!

It's never too late Michael! Keep networking here on Stage 32. I met a director/producer who filmed my short horror script. It did really well at a bunch of festivals. Don't give up and best of luck!

Too late is a corpse. History is full of people that became successful with their endeavor later in life. Lincoln, a failure most of his life, Col Saunders (65 years old when KFC franchised) Grandma Moses, etc. Keep doing what you love, keep making connections.

Jay E. Miklavcic Love this!

Thank you for sharing so openly, Michael Valente. First of all, 50 years of writing is an incredible testament to your dedication and passion for the craft. That’s no small feat, and it speaks volumes about your resilience and love for storytelling.

You’re absolutely right; networking can be a game-changer, and it’s never too late to start. One of the most beautiful things about this industry is that it values good stories and passionate creatives, no matter when they come into the spotlight. I’m so glad you’re here on Stage 32, and I hope you’ll stay active in the Screenwriting Lounge and other parts of the community. The connections and conversations you make here can absolutely lead to new doors opening. Looking forward to seeing more of your voice in the community!

And if you haven’t already, I highly recommend reaching out to our Stage 32 Success Team at success@stage32.com. Let them know more about your projects, experience, and goals. They can help connect you with the right executives or offer suggestions for resources that align with where you are in your journey. They’re here to support you and help you make the most of everything Stage 32 has to offer.

Thanks to all for the words of encouragement, although I think you can assume anyone who has given 50 years of his life to something that keeps kicking him in the face is already pretty motivated.. I agree, it is not too late, never too late, well sometimes, but not now. I have projects under consideration and I continue to write, continue trying to defy the ever shrinking, yet already miniscule odds. Then again, I married the same woman three times, so it's hard to discourage me. Good luck to us all, and thank you for accepting me into this community.

You're welcome, Michael Valente. Congratulations on having projects under consideration! Hope you sell them!

Hi Michael Valente - it's terrific to see you here stepping out and making connections. Awesome to hear about your dedication to your craft and love of the game. And age is just a number - Raymond Chandler is a favorite and he didn't publish his first novel until he was in his 50's. What are your favorite genres to write in? Do you have any scripts that you've written that you love the most?

Hello Sam, Raymond Chandler could be my son:-). Thanks for the kind words and thanks for your interest. To answer your questions, I typically write dramas, but have touched on many genres, Rom Comes, Thrillers, Action, even Sci-Fi. I let the story dictate. I love all my scripts, they are all my kids, but yes there is one that is more special to me for some very good reasons. If I were to get that one done, it would overcompensate for 50 years of struggle.

I totaly get having that "one" script that would be the most magical to get made, Michael Valente. I have one of those myself. Stage 32's Managing Director Amanda Toney recently posted about a film project that she's been working for years that's finally moving forward. It's all about sticking with it. My dad used to call it the "African Queen syndrome" - don't give up because what you've been striving toward may be just moments away (a nod to the end of that movie). Jon Shallit shares some great advice, as do so many community members here, which is always inspiring to see, and speaks to the power of networking efforts.

Your a writer, write. Don't network, its a waste of time if you have talent.

Hey Michael, fifty years of screenwriting—wow! That’s amazing. And it’s never too late to network! Stage 32 is all about connections, so I’m glad you’re here. Would love to hear more about your scripts!

First, let me say to Willem Elzenga, I respectfully disagree, and I stand before you as living proof to my argument. Your statement seems to embrace the idea that talent is everything. Without quoting age old cliches, I can assure you it is not.

To Sydney S, thank you for your interest and encouragement. I cannot believe it has been 50 years, but it has been every day of that. I would love to chat further with you anytime. My email is michaelvalente475@gmail.com, text is 714-329-3488. Best of luck to you, Sydney.

Sam Sokolow, thanks for the sound advice, I'm right there with you. The script to which I refer in my post is an updated revision of the very first script I ever tried to write, more than 50 years ago. The journey of that script from then to now is a movie of it's own. Anyone who has read any of the many versions of that script was properly moved, and it has come very close to getting made, a few times. Alas, something always went wrong. My point is, death will come before I give up on that script. Thanks again for your follow up.

Willem, thanks so much for simplifying things for me, but again we will agree to disagree.