Screenwriting : One Step You’re Taking by Maurice Vaughan

I'm preparing for a pitch and a script consultation. No nerves involved in this whatsoever!

Hope the pitch and consultation go great, Ingrid Wren! You've been pitching at the Pitch Practices and Pitch Tanks, right?

Yep! The more practice, the more I learn to control the nerves. And the feedback helps improve my pitch.

Maurice Vaughan I'm beginning to write my reverse rom-com, ready to come to life, and preparing for a pitch this weekend for another screenplay I have been pitching these months. Training and flowing into the "doing several things at once and enjoying it", and not thinking I can't. I can : )

Glad to hear it, Ingrid Wren! I get nervous when I do live pitches. I've been to Pitch Practices, but I haven't pitched yet. I need to try the Pitch Tanks too.

Reverse Rom-Com! That's really unique, Juliana Philippi! I can't wait to watch that! I hope the pitch goes great!

I'm writing one scene a day on average for my fantasy rom-com.

Another unique Rom-Com, Anthony A Miller! One scene a day on average adds up.

I’m resting my brain currently lol which for me is a very important and oft-neglected part of the process.

Hi Maurice, just going to reread a manuscript before getting it type

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh I feel that, I must get a bit of rest time too, writing down ideas and working now, but after the first draft, break : )

Haha You're right, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh. It's very important. I need to get better at resting my brain.

Hi, Billy Kwack. Cool. Is it one of the projects you told me about?

Maurice Vaughan I’m writing down ideas for my upcoming short film script.

Ingrid Wren Good Blessings on your consultation.

Great, Abram Christian. I'm looking forward to hearing what your script is about!

Abram ChristianMaurice Vaughan It’s about a transgendered woman who must grapple with reappearing as her male identity after she learns that hormone treatment will no longer be covered by her insurance. it’s titled TRANSitioned.

Hi Maurice, yes, the low budget one, where 3 kids get push into the woods by a crazy man

I'm working on a rewrite of Roger Corman's Attack Of The Crab Monsters. One of my favorite ways to analyze is to transcribe the dialogue and then go back and write out the scenes

Hi, Maurice!

I was in the early stages of researching and script writing for my Nature Documentary when my Video Camera died. So I've decided, while I am researching and saving up for a Netflix-acceptable Camera, I will write and publish the Book of the Documentary. I can, if required later, use the Book as a reward in a Crowd Sourcing / Crowd Funding process.

TRANSitioned sounds interesting, Abram Christian. What's your plan for it?

I remember that one, Billy Kwack. I'm excited to watch it!

That's a fantastic idea, Zarya Rowland Bintz! Are you rewriting the script just for practice?

Hi, Wayne Jarman! Sorry to hear your video camera died. That's a great idea! Using the book as a reward! I'm looking forward to hearing what your Nature Documentary is about! You could also sell the book and if there are enough sales, it could help you pitch your Documentary to Netflix.

Finishing a paranormal TV series Pilot procedural and Pitch; Editing a period piece. Starting to build a sequel to my Rom Com. Editing outlines; A little time allocated to plan the next one - New? - Adaptation? - Or Other.

Hi Maurice, me too, hope i can find a OWA for it

Hi Maurice Vaughan , I'm accepting my failure after pitch rejection which is a little bit disappointment. But I look at this as a part of the life and preparing myself to move ahead by figuring out my mistakes whether it is in pitch or story structure. Then I'll start working on it and learn new things which I missed earlier.

Congratulations on finishing your pilot and pitch, David Taylor! You're busy! I vote for new.

Stage 32 posts new OWAs regularly, Billy Kwack. Hope you find one for your script!

I am going to try writing with AI to finish taking written pilots to pitchable condition. In other words areas of writing (scientific), AI has massively moved my productivity forward. So hoping the same will happen with screenwriting.

That's a great attitude to have about rejection, Priya Mistry! Check out the pitching resources in my comment on this post: www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Pitching-and-Filmmaking-Strategies-...

Hi, Lloyd Faul. Why not do it yourself or with a writing partner instead of AI?

I suggest adding a profile picture of yourself. People will feel more comfortable networking and collaborating with you if they know what you look like. And if you have a picture, your profile will show up when someone searches for you. You can upload a picture by clicking the gear symbol in the top right-hand corner and selecting “Edit profile” in the drop-down menu, then clicking the red button underneath your location and choosing "Update profile picture."

I'm putting together my deck for TETHERED this week. And heading into my next project head first. No slowing down. No stopping. Keep it moving.

Deciding between SHIFT and PERPETUAL MOTION is going to be the hard part.

Thanks Maurice, I'll try

Captions!!!

Hi Maurice, will try to see if I can find a picture. May try to adopt a real estate technique & see if I have any from younger days. I am curious about AI because of the massive speed & productivity increase from analytic writing doing in days, that would have taken months. So we'll see if there is any help with screenwriting. AI seems to work best in a back & forth, not on it's own, & the back & forth is super fast with results in seconds where a human could take days, if not longer.

Couldn't do too much in terms of writing without my laptop(stuck at Geeksquad lol). But I DID build my network this week lol

At the moment, I’m editing and translating my script, a historical and war drama, and then I’m planning to break it down into episodes.

Wishing all writers good luck and inspiration with your projects.

I’m treating every day like the general meeting is already on the calendar. My “one step” right now is knowing my story inside and out — rereading the script, tightening the pitch, and living with the characters until I can talk about them from the macro (theme and arc) down to the microscopic (why they choose each action). Basically: breathe, eat, sleep the story so I’m ready when the room opens.

Currently, I'm writing a scene for my biblical, historical script 'All the Way to Damascus '.

Hey, Maurice Vaughan. Thanks for asking. Now, I am polishing The Misstep and waiting for my one-on-one with Mahtub Zare, the Nobody Wants This from Netflix writer, to have notes about the Soul Mated rom-com. My next step will be to jump to pitch sessions :)) And you?

hello Maurice Vaughan

I'm Writing my script "The Silent PFC War"

A big redraft that I am kind of nervious yet hopeful about. I am trying to be less perfectionist as I think I dabbled too much on too many small details in previous scripts and this extended the writing process.

Thanks@Maurice Vaughan, for suggesting me resources. You never miss a chance to help someone. Really good job .

Maurice Vaughan once done and polished, I plan to direct it but beforehand, I will also be looking for distribution deals.

Priya Mistry Hey! I totally get that feeling Priya, when you feel so good in that pitch meeting, or when the written pitch was just so on point, but then it's a pass. Last night I go several passes for a screenplay, but I also realized, I have come so so far, and you have come so far too. I sat down, and did an exercise: what did I learn from their feedback, do I connect with it, did I have "aha!" moments while reading it, and am I fired up to go back, regroup, and dive in? Heck yes. And, one more thing: You are the key to the next step, you have it inside of you, the story will resonate with the true person ready for it, keep pitching, it's about clicking in with the one person, who is waiting for this story. You got this : )

Maurice Vaughan taking on board feedback from Alie Rivier Gutman on a 2-page written pitch review which highlighted helpful ways for improving it - I'm prepared to go through several tweaks and iterations before getting it right

Sketching out The Doll Keeper: Part Two

“No slowing down. No stopping. Keep it moving.” I like that, Elle Bolan. Maybe pick the project you’re most passionate about/that’s most marketable.

You're welcome, @Billy.

Hey, @Vincent. What are the captions for?

Diane Sismour Woooo!!!!!!

Congratulations on building your network this week, @Holly! Hope your laptop gets fixed soon!

Thanks, @Olga. Best to you with your projects!

That’s a great plan, Adam Spencer! I need to do that more with my projects (knowing my story inside and out). Hope you do great when you get the meetings!

How's the scene coming along, P. J Oken?

You're welcome, Sandra Isabel Correia. Thanks. I can't wait to watch the feature version of The Misstep and all your projects! I'm rewriting my feature script (the main project I worked on for Stage 32's November Write Club), working on other projects, networking, and pitching projects.

Hi, Meriem Bouziani. How's The Silent PFC War coming along?

I know what that's like, Michael Dzurak. I get to the point where I'm just changing tiny things during rewrites. That (and feedback and my gut) is when I know I need to start pitching the script.

You're welcome, Priya Mistry. Thanks. I hope those resources help!

Hope you get distribution deals, Abram Christian! You could make a post in the Distribution Lounge, asking for advice for how to get the deals. www.stage32.com/lounge/distribution

Glad you got helpful ways for improving your pitch, Michael Thorn! The written Pitch Sessions helped me get better at writing pitches. I hope you get script requests, meeting requests, and more when you pitch your script!

I like that title, Diane Sismour! What's your plan for The Doll Keeper Part One and Two?

I'm fighting my mind to not use AI drafts,

but I think I’m writing better now.

And using Arc Studio makes me feel like a professional, and the structure has become much stronger Maurice Vaughan

Right now, a little bit of everything. I finished my latest horror feature last month and have started getting it out there through sites like this. While doing that, I’m already diving into the next feature screenplay and am deep in the outlining phase. I actually started this idea while writing the last one, so I’ve got a nice head start. After that, plan to rinse and repeat as I already have the next next one too haha.

I'm glad you're fighting to not use AI drafts and writing better, Meriem Bouziani! Congratulations again on winning the Arc Studio license! I plan on trying Arc Studio.

Thank you very much — the project is worth the fight, Maurice Vaughan

Congratulations on finishing your Horror feature, Martin Graham! What's it about?

You're welcome, Meriem Bouziani.

Hey Maurice Vaughan Thank you so much! Title is 11 ELMRIDGE.

Logline: A grieving mother discovers a supernatural tear in her home that reveals a person’s life from birth to death, unleashing disturbing hauntings and an obsession that begins to consume her idyllic town.

I have it up on my profile as well and will be adding the full screenplay soon. I checked out a few of your loglines, and it looks like we both enjoy the horror genre, haha. You’ve got some great ones. I’ll definitely be diving into a few soon. Cheers, and have a great week!

You're welcome, Martin Graham. 11 ELMRIDGE sounds interesting! Unique concept! Interesting title too! Thanks for checking out my loglines. Yeah, I mainly write Horror (Monster Horror, Supernatural Horror, etc.). Have a great week too!

Maurice Vaughan Thank you! Appreciate and excited to get it out there finally!

You're welcome, Martin Graham. Have you thought about entering contests? Stage 32 is the Global Screenwriting Contest Hub (www.stage32.com/scriptservices/contests).

Today I’m starting the first round of rewrites for my new script, and I’ve already hit a wall. (Not my day!) I hope someone out there is feeling like a MEGA awesome screenwriter today!

Absolutely! I have a few lined up that I’ll be entering soon. I’ve also already used the First 10 Pages service here. I’ve entered contests in the past, so I’ve got a solid list of ones I plan to submit to. Maurice Vaughan, I really appreciate the resources though. I’ll definitely check them out!

Hi, Kseniia Zhuravleva. What are you having trouble with?

Great, Martin Graham! Hope your script wins the contests!

Thank you, my friend. It will take months, if not years, but I believe I can do it! Maurice Vaughan, I love that and the fact that NVC was vital for your stage now. I am cheering for you :)

You're welcome, Sandra Isabel Correia. Thanks! I have some really unique projects to pitch. I'm rooting for you to reach your goals this month!

Maurice Vaughan Thank you Maurice. you’re a gem!

Thank you my friend :)

You're welcome, Abram Christian. Keep us posted on your film.

You're welcome, Sandra Isabel Correia.

Haha yes, resting your brain is very important Maurice Vaughan and Juliana Philippi :) especially after you work on a major project that takes a lot out of you (I love BoFS to death and it definitely altered my brain chemistry when I was finished lol). Living life is an important part of the creative process and I am horrible at it personally xD

I know what you mean, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh. I took a rest after November Write Club. I'm horrible at living life too. I might make that a goal for next year.

Just finished the full script and pitch deck for my feature film THE CALL.

Now taking the next step — refining my materials and connecting with other writers and filmmakers here on Stage 32. One step at a time.

Hi, Roberto Micheletti. Congratulations on finishing your script and pitch deck!

Here's a blog that'll help you navigate the platform and connect with creatives and industry professionals all over the world. Filmmakers, writers, executives, and more. www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-platform-...

Stage 32's November Community Open House was last week. It'll also help you navigate Stage 32 and connect with creatives and industry pros. The recording is up now. It's free to watch. www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-s-november-community-open-ho...

Reach out to the Success Team at success@stage32.com when you're ready. Geoff and his team can help you connect with producers, executives, and more.

Warching webinars and reading scripts this week .

thanks for this super question Maurice Vaughan - just what I needed to hear on these few days where I was losing a bit of focus... trying to step with both feet at the same time :)

so now I'm just working on ensuring one of my turning points isn't as predictable as I fear it may be to the reader. ouch lol