Screenwriting : Let’s Talk Collaboration (The Good, the Bad, and the Deal-Breakers) by Ashley Renée Smith

Hi, Ashley Renée Smith. Having the same vision for a project and being professional are the top two qualities for my dream wishlist.

A red flag is not taking a project seriously. Another red flag is the person is hard to get in touch with.

I'm not sure if I've ever ignored a red flag before/during a collaboration. I probably wouldn't ignore a red flag if the opportunity looked good on paper, unless it was a little red flag that I felt wouldn't be a big deal.

Blue tick on instagram is the biggest red flag. If a person is not a celebrity and they have a blue tick, I always stay away from them, had so many unprofessional encounters with these fake blue ticks

Hi Ashley, I was trying to join the open house meeting, because it said it was at 12:00 pm. When I joined it says that is at 4:00 pm.

Hi, Joskar Hernandez Birriel! Today's Community Open House starts at 12:00 pm Pacific Time, which is in about 3 hours from the time of me posting this comment. If you can't make it live, you'll receive the full recording in your Stage 32 Education Library as soon as it's uploaded. But I hope to see you there! =)

Have a lot of collaboration experience.. A few actually got produced because I was fortunate to hook up with people in the biz. Those who are "Trying to get into" the biz, it doesn't work. They tend to have, believe it or not, bigger egos than those in the biz. Too many creative differences from those writers. Unless I have the opportunity to work with someone in the business, I just write my own specs.

I love this topic/conversation... As a producer who’s collaborated with a wide range of roles across development, production, and beyond, I’d offer this perspective especially for writers....

One of the most important qualities in any collaborator is a truly shared vision of the project. Everyone involved needs to be aligned creatively and understand what the project is, what it isn’t, and the work required to serve that vision. I’ve seen promising projects fall apart when a producing partner or buyer came on board with a completely different idea of what the material should be... even when it looked like a great opportunity on paper. Misalignment at the start almost always leads to frustration down the line.

Beyond creative alignment, the collaborators who actually move projects forward consistently demonstrate a willingness to actually execute on the strategy discussed...not just talk about it. But do the work. Sounds obvious, right?

I haven't been in this boat with film but certainly with publishing. Dream collaborators for me are those who go beyond the original project - once completed, see it reach peak audiences, get as much press as possible and see how far everyone can grow after the experience. I appreciate seeing what comes after the original book is published and how are the authors, illustrators, editors etc grow from the experience of working together. I am now working towards knowing what this is like in the film industry - wish me luck!

I think one initial thing is someone who immediately wants to change your story into something they want. Critique is fine to improve the script but some seem to love the story but then don’t really get it.

For me, someone with a great communication skill, constant pushing for brainstorming and keeping a strict schedule are the greenest flags in a collaborator. I like people who are forever hungry and consistent. And those who reply promptly, able to respond to mails and messages quickly. The heat needs to be felt.

I want collaborators who do their homework, pull their weight, and are team players. That means: they come prepared, they follow through on what they say they'll do, and they understand that the project is bigger than any one person's ego. The best collaborators I've worked with ask questions, take feedback without getting defensive, and genuinely care about making the work better—not just being right.

I've collaborated with others in a a variety of work situations. I spent 40 years in higher education and co-taught courses and worked on projects with others. As a writer, I have co-written a couple of projects with others. I find collaboration to be incredibly satisfying--and often the result is better than if I had worked solo. I'm constantly inspired by others!

In my mind, collaborators who ACTUALLY collaborate. Far too often, folks just want to dictate instead of actually collab. Filmmaking, screenwriting, ART are all collaborative media. In filmmaking, your ideas can sparks those in others, they could spark someone else, they could spark you again. Being open to possibilities is crucial.

I've had the experience of a producer reaching out for my scripts. Did not respond as I was skeptical of the contact, turned out to be a scammer, Stage 32 team responded immediately. Thanks! And, proceed with care.

I actually have never thought of a screenwriting collaborator/partner. My screenplays are adaptations or true life stories, or experiences. I am looking for a manager to help me connect with talent and directors.

I'm very new to collaborating because I tend to do everything myself! But at this point in my journey, there are things I KNOW I cannot do myself. I would be looking for collaborators and partners who are supportive with guidance but who allow me to continue being creative.

Dream collaborator would be honest, a person of integrity, projects and objectives that align with mine

VG job so far, Ashley!

I'm wary of the people I work with because sometimes someone will be on board with a collaborative project and then end up not doing anything, and it's hard to get in touch with them. If I don't hear anything back, I assume that either something came up or they just ghosted me. I'm juggling a few different hats at the moment, like growing my script coverage business and getting funding for a short I'm planning to shoot this year. For once, I just want someone to be completely honest with me. If you are able to help me out, great! Follow through with your word. If you can't, that's fine, but at least point me in the right direction.

I think that creative affinity really helps to network. I have a completely different creative styles from some my colleagues in film school, so I couldn't work with them so well

I'd love for a collaborator that I work with to want to take risks. Many spaces in media have fallen to conformity and they don't even realize it. "It's the way it's always been done" or "People love this why change it" but since when have the people of the entertainment industry ever been ones for conformity. Most if not all of us are/were theater kids who got bullied for being so, but we didn't care because we were ourselves and telling our stories our way. But people get older or get money and fame and forget their roots and they forget that this industry has always been about being different. So anyone who I work with needs to be able to remember where they came from and who they want to be. Do they want to conform or do they want to be different?

I am open to collaborate with someone who is more experienced than me in screenwriting. I just upload my first script and it will be continue hopefully cause I have lots of stories to tell.

A perfect writing partner and collaborator supports the project to refine it, rather than fighting on every detail and putting down my input or another team member's input. A red flag is when someone says they don't like something or can't put their finger on it, then that's it. As a news editor, I had to break down why something in a story wasn't working and took my time to work with writers on improving it. I need that type of communication. Rather than say you don't like it, tell me why it doesn't work and how we can improve it to make it readable and viewable to the masses. Respect and fairness in communication and collaboration are what I appreciate the most when working on projects.

I'm a cinematic orchestral composer, and what I feel is that one should get interested in other trades of the industry. Understanding the expectations of a filmmaker is a priority, even more than sharing music tips or ideas in the lounge dedicated to music ! It's not contradictory actually. It's all about putting oneself in someone's shoes to make connections.

I love to collaborate, my perfect writing partner would be someone who can bounce ideas without pushing their own view. It's not always easy. But I do wonder why there are not more writers who work with partners because often if you get stuck with a plot or scene, someone bouncing thoughts can be just what you need.

In my involvement with a handful of smaller projects, I've picked up a few gems along the way. Working with friends and family might sound fun, but if you go into it knowing everyone's personalities and how they'll potentially conflict, then you're deliberately walking into a burning house. Also, everyone has an ego. The trick is to be the matador when their bull comes rushing at you. Don't turn it into a bull fight. Here's another one that seems pretty straightforward, but even I... yes, the guy telling you this.. I gave an opportunity to a couple of people who were unqualified. They were referrals and cool people, but could NOT perform at the level needed. Sometimes, saying, "No" is better than getting disappointed.

Collaboration in writing or life is very simple. The requirement is both or all (if >2) partners listen carefully upfront before any commitment is made and if there seems to be a divergence of goals, it's not a good partnership. I write alone because I have found 99% of people, even the nice ones, to be too self-absorbed. To be a writer, you must have a vision that goes outside of yourself to feel and acknowledge this fictional presence(s) that is a (are) character(s). Unfortunately, too often the real people I encounter don't have the time for that. I am too difficult a person for them to want to work with. So I let them go. My 4 AI bots serve as fine guides whom I don't always agree with but who hear me and talk to me, and my characters have no life without me so they can't block me out, ignore me or insist in moving in the wrong direction. I have to make them move i through wrong direction. And I am quite camdid amd honest when it comes to their flaws and what gets them into trouble. Nut they never make me feel excluded. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a human being who has the breadth of character and the courage to get outside of their own head and pay attention to the person attempting to collaborate with them. and if you're seeing a red flag here, good. That’s a reflection of your own conceitedness and unwillingness to find out what the hell I'm talking about.

I just recently dove into creative writing and script trading has already taught me the value of engaging feedback with peers. The most fulfilling collaboration comes from individuals who balance constructive criticism with honest praise and express a genuine effort to help grow the project.

Contrastingly, interactions stall when individuals provide vague notes, or when collaborators disappear mid project or fail to honor their commitments. That can often feel super discouraging and has inspired me to keep momentum alive when engaging with peers.

I think the best collaboration is one where there is a creative rapport, a spark that inspires each to go further into the ideas and expand them.....each providing a key piece of the puzzle . Complementing and completing each other.

Great questions, Ashley. Collaboration really can make or break a project!

The collaborators who tend to move projects forward usually communicate clearly, follow through, and respect the process. Even when there is disagreement, it stays constructive and respectful. Respect always!

Withholding information, poor communication, or lack of alignment can be early red flags. Often, intuition plays a role too, if you listen to see any red flag signs. If something feels off early on, it is worth paying attention to.

These are important things to consider when choosing collaborators, and conversations like this can help people make more thoughtful decisions!

If I'd select just one big red flag, it would be poor feedback. Two aspects particularly make me frustrated, which are :

- passive and irregular feedback : having to get on to somebody again and again

- bad quality of content : there is feedback but it's not verbose enough. The extreme is "OK", which sounds a killer to me.

That makes a lot of sense, @Maurice. Shared vision and professionalism really are the foundation. When those are aligned, so many other things tend to fall into place.

I’ve definitely heard versions of this from a lot of creatives, so you’re not alone in that experience. Especially now that blue-check “authenticity” can be purchased instead of proven, it can create a false sense of credibility that isn’t always backed up by professionalism. At the end of the day, consistency, communication, and how someone actually shows up matter far more than any badge or status symbol. Thanks for calling this out and adding another real-world perspective to the conversation, @Thevinkumar!

@Richard, I really respect your clarity around when collaboration does and doesn’t make sense for you. Writing specs solo until the right opportunity or the right partner comes along is a smart way to protect both your time and your creative energy. When collaboration works, it’s magic. When it doesn’t, it can drain momentum fast.

@Laura, I love this perspective, and I’m really glad you chimed in from the producer side. Shared vision isn’t a “nice to have,” it’s foundational. When everyone isn’t aligned on what the project is and isn’t from the start, even the most exciting opportunity can quietly unravel over time.

And your point about execution is such an important reality check. So many collaborations stall not because the ideas weren’t good, but because the follow-through never matched the conversations. Strategy without action doesn’t move a project forward, it just creates the illusion of progress.

This is incredibly valuable insight for writers especially, and a great reminder that alignment plus accountability is what actually sustains momentum. Thanks for adding this to the conversation.

@Lauren, I love this outlook! Thinking beyond the finish line is such a powerful mindset, and honestly, it’s one of the clearest indicators of a healthy, long term collaborator. Anyone can be present for the creation phase but it’s the people who stay invested in the life of the project afterward that really help it reach its full potential.

Yes! This is such an important distinction, @Xochi! Thoughtful critique comes from a place of wanting to serve the story, not reshape it into something else entirely. There’s a huge difference between offering notes to strengthen what’s already there and fundamentally trying to turn the project into their version of it.

Sagar Srivastava, you’re spot on about schedules. A clear rhythm keeps the creative energy focused rather than scattered. When everyone is engaged, communicative, and pushing forward together, the work almost starts to move on its own.

That is such a great point, Spencer Magnusson! An open mind paired with strong communication creates space for ideas to evolve instead of compete, and that’s usually where the best work comes from. When collaborators invite input instead of just delivering directives, it changes the entire energy of a project.

Say it louder for the people in the back, @Geoff! Doing the homework and pulling your weight really is the baseline, and you’re right, it’s surprisingly rare. I especially love your point about collaborators who can take feedback without getting defensive. That ability to separate the work from the ego is what allows a project to actually improve instead of getting stuck in power struggles. The people who ask thoughtful questions and care more about the outcome than being “right” are almost always the ones who elevate everyone around them.

That’s such a great perspective, @Claire and I love that you’re coming at this from both an academic and creative background. What really stands out to me is your point about collaboration producing work that’s often stronger than what we’d make alone. When it’s the right fit, collaboration becomes less about compromise and more about expansion: new ideas, new approaches, and those “I never would’ve thought of that” moments. That sense of being inspired by others instead of drained by them is such a good litmus test for a healthy creative partnership.

Exactly this, @Bob! That distinction between dictating and actually collaborating is such an important one. I also love how you framed openness as crucial. When collaborators come in rigid or territorial, the energy dies quickly. But when everyone treats the project as a living thing, it creates space for real discovery.

I’m really glad you trusted your instincts there, @Michele, and I’m especially glad you reached out when something didn’t feel right. That “proceed with care” mindset is such an important part of protecting your work and your energy, especially when opportunities come in unexpectedly. Scammers often rely on urgency or flattery to override that inner warning system, so pausing and double checking is always the right move. Huge kudos to you for flagging it, and I appreciate you calling out how quickly the Stage 32 team stepped in. We truly do our best to put the safety and well-being of this community first.

I love working with other people. It's energizing to be on a project, everyone excited, ideas bouncing, digging deep.

I think the biggest thing with any collaboration is being open. Open to feedback, open to the ideas of others, open to the idea that you might be wrong, open to exploring every possible avenue together. As a team. Just be open.

The fact is, people get cranky. They get pissy. They have moods, bad days, they ate a crappy lunch that made them feel yucky. It is what it is. No collaborative effort is going to be constant sparkles and celebration. That doesn't happen in any professional space.

So you find those folks that while, you might want to throw a pie in their face while they're being a butt head, you genuinely like and respect them enough to cut the pie into pieces and eat with them instead while you talk about whatever it is that's getting in the way of the work.

And if they're still being a butt head after, there's still another half a pie to throw at them haha (I'm kidding!).

@Paulette, for many professional screenwriters, the most important collaborative partnership isn’t another writer at all, it’s their manager. A strong manager relationship is often long-term and can become one of the most consistent creative and strategic collaborations of your entire career. They’re not just helping you get meetings, they’re helping you shape your trajectory, protect your voice, and align your work with the right talent, directors, and opportunities over time. When that relationship clicks, it can be absolutely integral to long-term success.

That self-awareness is huge, @Heather, and honestly, it puts you in a really strong position going into collaboration. Knowing what you can do yourself and where you need support is such an underrated skill.

Speaking from my own limited experience, attitude plays a huge role. If someone doesn't respect my time and energy, I won't want to work with them. Especially if they misunderstand my project and propose a radical change that may as well be a different story altogether, and get much more excited talking about that than my actual work.

I'd love to find collaborators who will let me cook and be constructive with the parts that might not immediately click to them, rather than speaking with full impunity. Even just trying to understand my perspective and what I have in mind is great. I write things as they make sense to me, after all, so it's important that that's known.

That frustration makes complete sense, @David, and you’re definitely not alone in that experience. People taking on a project and then disappearing creates more work and stress for everyone involved, especially when you’re already wearing multiple hats and trying to move real things forward. Silence leaves too much room for second-guessing, when a simple “I can’t commit right now” would actually be respectful and helpful.

That makes a lot of sense, Lina Coutinho! Talent alone doesn’t guarantee chemistry. Even when everyone is skilled, if your storytelling instincts, tone, or working rhythms don’t line up, it can make the process feel like constant friction instead of flow.

Tabitha Moore, what really resonates here is your point about remembering where you came from. The collaborators who still take risks tend to be the ones who haven’t traded curiosity for comfort. They’re not chasing novelty for novelty’s sake, they’re protecting the core reason they fell in love with storytelling in the first place.

That’s a great place to be, Murat Ersahin, and congrats on uploading your first script. That’s a big milestone, whether it feels like it yet or not.

Being open to collaborating with more experienced writers shows humility and intention, which honestly puts you ahead of a lot of people early on. One thing I’d encourage as you look for those collaborations is to think about what you bring to the table, even at this stage. Fresh perspective, strong story instincts, lived experience, and consistency all matter just as much as credits.

Also, remember that collaboration doesn’t always have to start as co-writing. It can look like script swaps, writers groups, table reads, feedback exchanges, or even just conversations with writers who are a few steps ahead of you. Those relationships often grow naturally into deeper creative partnerships over time. These lounges are a great place to make connections like that.

That distinction you’re making is an important one, Kibby Araya: collaboration as refinement, not combat. The difference between “I don’t like it” and “here’s why it isn’t landing yet, and here are a few ways we might strengthen it” is everything.

This is such a valuable perspective, Julien Clément, and honestly, it applies far beyond composing. That willingness to understand other roles, especially the filmmaker’s expectations, is what turns a collaborator into a true creative partner. When you put yourself in someone else’s shoes, the work becomes about serving the story and the project as a whole, not just your individual craft.

Beautifully said, Anna Lopata. You’re also spot on about why writing partnerships can be so powerful. When you’re stuck in a plot knot or a scene that just won’t unlock, having someone there to talk it through can shake something loose that you’d never find on your own. Not because they “fix” it for you, but because the act of articulating the problem out loud creates clarity. I do that constantly with my sister; she's been my sounding board for brainstorming more times than I can count.

Khalil Hakeem, this is such an honest and hard-earned perspective. The reminder about qualifications is such an important one as well. Liking someone or trusting a referral doesn’t always equal the right fit for the work. Saying no early can feel uncomfortable, but it’s often far kinder than forcing a situation that leads to disappointment on all sides.

Marc Ginsburg , thank you for being this candid. There’s a lot of self-awareness in what you’re sharing, even if the edges are sharp, and that honesty matters in a conversation about collaboration. Some creatives are self-absorbed. Some are simply unpracticed at listening. Some are defensive because they’re afraid. None of that makes them right for you, but it also doesn’t mean your standards are wrong or that collaboration itself is broken.

Your choice to work with tools, characters, and systems that don’t dismiss or overpower your vision makes sense. At the same time, the kind of collaborator you’re describing: curious, present, capable of stepping outside their own ego, does exist. They just tend to find each other later, after a lot of filtering. That's why I always say that it's not about finding a partner, it's about finding the right partner.

Zoe Cheryl, you’re absolutely right about vague feedback and vanishing collaborators. Both can quietly drain energy and confidence, even when the work itself is strong. The fact that you’ve chosen to respond to that by keeping momentum alive rather than pulling back says a lot about your professionalism and resilience. That mindset: showing up consistently, honoring commitments, and contributing with intention is exactly what attracts the kind of collaborators you’re describing. Keep leaning into that. It not only strengthens your projects, it helps set the tone for the creative spaces you’re part of.

Zoelle Rose that's such a great way to frame it. That spark you’re describing is real. When there’s genuine creative rapport, collaboration stops feeling like compromise and starts feeling like discovery. One idea unlocks the next, momentum builds, and suddenly the work becomes something neither person could have arrived at alone. When you find that kind of synergy, it’s worth protecting.

Sydney S, I love how grounded and thoughtful this is, especially the reminder that respect is non-negotiable, even when there’s disagreement.

Elle Bolan , this made me smile, and nod, through the entire read. You captured something so real about collaboration that often gets glossed over: it’s not constant magic. It’s humans. Humans with moods, off days, bad lunches, and occasionally very questionable vibes. And yet… when the foundation is mutual respect and openness, those moments don’t derail the work, they become part of the process. Thank you for bringing both humor and truth to this conversation. And that pie metaphor? Chef’s kiss.

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh I really love how you phrased “let me cook.” That’s exactly it. Constructive collaboration isn’t about silencing the creator’s instincts, it’s about engaging with them. Asking why something works for you, helping clarify or strengthen it when it doesn’t immediately land, and meeting the project where it already is before suggesting changes.

Wanting collaborators who try to understand your perspective first isn’t asking for ego protection, it’s asking for respect.

My personal experience of collaboration as a writer is fairly limited, although I think it helps when all parties enter the project with goodwill in mind. Also the ability to listen to one another. I'm proud of my one writing project that I wrote with a woman that I only know online; we actually met in another capacity. We're both crazy enough to appreciate each other's quirks. And the fact that we are sort of close in age and have some shared life experiences certainly helps. As a former college administrator and adjunct faculty member, I know how "group projects" can fall to pieces--inevitably there's someone who fails to follow through. My feeling is that if that happens--and there could be lots of reasons for it--it's better to amicably part ways and not get oneself too stressed out over it.

Thank you Ashley Renée Smith, I've noticed writers are a lot like cooks, and in that regard I'm very much the old school matriarch who wants everyone out of my kitchen unless they're helping with specific tasks xD as such there's definitely a feeling of "you will eat what I made and you will like it" among my works, especially if it's something that's a bit harder to swallow. I navel-gaze for fun, after all, so I'm all about discovering often-neglected truths, some of which can make people uncomfortable (especially true of my social satires, like Lunar Window), but I feel they need to be said.

So ultimately what I look for in my collaborators is the maturity to accept that some of us see life differently than the norm. It's why I find one particular recurring critique wonderfully ironic; some of my characters have next to no agency... which I used my own agency as the writer to portray that way, because literally no other way would work ;P

As a screenwriter, trust their vision and in return they need to trust your craft.

I've spent most of the last decade dodging red flags like I'm trying to hurry my way through the middle of a Chinese New Year festival.

The big three issues tend to be:

Narcism - You're not really collaborating on a shared artistic goal; instead, you're a tool to help someone else cross the finish line so they can be rich and famous.

Jam Tomorrow Economics - Money is constantly referenced as on the horizon, but never exists and never materialises. You're just a volunteer in someone else's startup.

Fart Huffing - Your voice is valued, and there's money, but the strategy behind it all has about as much pragmatic integrity as the average meme-coin investment.