Screenwriting : Official Q&A Thread: From Script to Screen – How Projects Get Made with Producer Ethan Erwin by Ashley Renee Smith

Hey, Ashley Renee Smith. I'm excited for this Q&A! Thanks for putting it together, Stage 32! Thanks for teaching the webcast and doing this Q&A, Ethan! Thanks for hosting, Geoff! Thanks for moderating, Ashley!

Congratulations on all your success, Ethan! It's hard to sell big-budget scripts a lot of times. What's something a screenwriter can do to help sell a big-budget script?

Hi Ashley Renee Smith. This week, I'm spending less time online because I'm busy writing The Misstep and leading my professional life. But I signed up and will do my best to be there. It will be an excellent webcast, but if I am unable to attend live, I will watch it on demand. Thank you for delivering such high-quality webcasts to us.

This is awesome Ashley Renee Smith - thanks so much for having this.

Ethan: thanks for giving us "The Book of Eli" - it's one of my favorite movies of all time. And I'm not just telling you that because you're here - it really is! Question: do you feel that shorts are a good way to get a script sold for production?

Can't wait for this Q&A. Make sure to drop your questions here. This is your chance to ask Ethan whatever you want to know about producing.

Hi Ethan. Thank you so much for spending time with the Stage 32 community? What is some of the advice that you had to learn the hard way that you would like to share with others so they don't have to learn the hard way too when it comes to taking a story from idea to the screen?

Hi everyone, I'm in Cambridge UK - looking forward to hearing Ethan's insights.

Hello! In Houston, Texas, so nice to be here!

Tuning in from Nashville Ashley Renee Smith !!

Good morning! This is so exciting!!!!!

Hello, first of all thanks for hosting this Q&A. Warren here from Los Angeles, California.

Hello from Toronto!

Thanks, all! Tuning in from North Carolina, USA.

Joining live from Austin, Texas!

Hey Ashley, excited to join this Webinar. Tuning in from Chicago.

Greetings from Kansas City, thanks for the opportunity.

Hello from New Jersey! thanks for this valuable opportunity :)

Hey, everyone! Tuning in from North Carolina.

Hello from California!

Hi Ethan, I'm a producer based in London, my question is, what's the best way to contact a Producer in LA about a US set project for which I'm looking for a co-producer, part financier. How much info should I send on the initial mail?

Question please: What genres get your attention?

So excited for this all, I am a fellow NYU er!!! Tisch Drama!!! Woop woop,. Question Ethan: What's your advice for a hybdrid actor-screenwriter who is beginning to get traction in both pathways, who may want to be boxed in by people in the upper echelons, as either an actor or a screenwriter, is it something producers/execs/agents are wary of, what are the pitfalls I should be conscious of, advice? Thank you for your time!!! Thank you Renee and Geoff.

Great to hear from Ethan. Joining from Sydney at 6am. Two questions: 1. I know Ethan is interested in horror and action with social themes. What themes resonate for him and why? 2. For those of us writing unconventional structures/arcs/voices It's difficult to find managers (who mostly want what's an easy sell). How should emerging writers position themselves to get their scripts read and made. (The Daniels and Jordan Peele can write Everything Everywhere All At Once and Get Out read and made, but not an unknown writer)

Hi Ethan and thank you so much for taking questions today!

What it is one thing that you have seen that distinguishes a writer with staying power to build a career versus a writer who only breaks in once?

Hi Ethan - any thoughts on the best ways unproduced non-represented writers can engage with producers? Or is that not a thing?

QUESTION: what is important to consider as a relatively novice producer when seeking and approaching a more experienced producer for a co-production/international co-production? (also, Beryllium is a such a great name! ) thanks for your time! :)

Question: Hello Ethan, what do you think is the best pitch material or combination to bring into a meeting as a new writer?

For example, is it better to lead with an IP bible (scriptment), or just a script?

Or is the strongest approach a combination of multiple materials?

Ashley Renee Smith Thanks for this great webinar. This is the time for this type of webinar given that buyers are snatching up scripts.

QUESTION: Should a screenwriter consider being a director for his scripts? Would it make the scripts more sellable with them attached to direct?

I made it :) Hi Ethan, thank you for taking the time to share your insights. What guidance would you offer indie filmmakers working in Europe today, and how do you view the current landscape for international productions?

Why was my previous comment deleted?

Sonali Chandra, comments on topical threads in the discipline lounges are not allowed to be purely promotional, as those posts and comments are considered spam. You're allowed to promote yourself, your work, etc., in the Your Stage Lounge or on your Profile Page and personal Wall posts. Any promotional posts or comments that aren't contributing to the topic of the conversation or lounge space are immediately removed.

What does collaboration with producers and directors usually look like for a new writer/creator? And how would you personally define great collaboration traits in those situations?

Be nice! Great advice, Ethan. Thank you.

This was awesome! Thank you, Ethan.

Thanks Ethan and Geoff!

This was great!

"align on goals" super important for any collaboration - thank you Ethan and Geoff and Ashley!

Thank you Stage 32 and thank you, Ethan, for the great insights!

Thank you Ethan for your time, this was just fantastic, amazing, inspiring, definitely a gift to wrap up 2025 with. Violets unite! Thanks Renee and Geoff for this opportunity.

As mentioned, you can join in on Week 3 of November Write Club and complete the challenges to be entered for this week's free prizes by clicking HERE: https://www.stage32.com/blog/november-write-club-week-3-how-to-make-a-st...

What a great Q&A Ashley Renee Smith, Geoff. Ethan - thank you so much for spending an hour with us. Really enjoyed it!

Thank you everyone for joining! Great questions. Looking forward to hosting another soon. Let me know here if there's anyone else or another industry persona you'd love to hear from.

Must-watch webcast for writers, producers, directors, actors, and more! Thanks again, Stage 32, Ethan, Geoff, and Ashley Renee Smith!

Thank you Ethan and Stage 32! What advice would you have for a multi-hyphenate; Writer-Actor-Brand New Film producer? What is a good starting point once you have a script? Would you recommend finding a producer to work with initially? Or a director, ect...?

This was pretty cool