I’m Ashley Smith, Head of Community and Blog Manager here at Stage 32. If we’ve connected in the Lounges, in the comments, at an Open House, or through the blog, I’m so glad to see you again. And if you’re brand new, welcome. Truly. You’re in the right place.
Before Stage 32, I spent many years working in scripted development and talent management, supporting television and film projects in development with studios and networks like Amazon, FX, Paramount TV, Universal TV, Sony TV, MGM, and Legendary Global. I had the privilege of working closely with writers, producers, authors, and directors, helping shape projects from early drafts through greenlights. That experience gave me a deep respect for both the creative process and the realities of the industry.
At Stage 32, my focus is connection, clarity, and momentum. I help shape our community spaces, curate the daily blog, host events, and support members as they navigate the platform and their goals. What motivates me most is helping creatives move from “stuck” to “in motion” by engaging strategically, building real relationships, and taking aligned action instead of just shouting into the void.
Outside of work, I love binge-watching great series, traveling, cooking, puzzling, and playing video games and board games with my husband, who is also my childhood sweetheart, and my sister. I’m a lifelong comic book reader and a huge fan of fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and romantasy, which absolutely influences my own writing.
One of my biggest goals this year is continuing to push forward on my fantasy novel. Long term, I want to be a published author and create stories that offer escape, catharsis, and a sense of being seen. Stories have done that for me my entire life, and I want to pass that forward.
More than anything, I want to be someone you can rely on here. Whether that’s pointing you toward the right lounge, the right resource, the right introduction, or simply cheering you on when you need it. Community works when we show up for each other.
So let me ask you this: What are you building in 2026, and what kind of support, collaboration, or accountability would make this your breakthrough year? Tell me in the comments!
And here's a picture of my puppy, Rupert. Because he's my favorite thing in the world.
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Hey, Ashley Renée Smith! Happy Introduce Yourself Weekend! Rupert's posing like a superhero. Thanks for everything you do for the Moderators and community! I'm rooting for you to become a published author and reach all your goals!
I'm building different projects this year, and my focus is finishing unfinished projects. Accountability to write pages always helps.
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Hi Ashley! Good to see you. Cute puppy! I'm primarily focused on learning and building connections right now. Those are the main goals.
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Ashley, thank you so much for all you do for this community. We appreciate you and love you always! And I have to say, I love Rupert - he’s such a star!
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I LOVE THIS PHOTO OF YOU AND YOUR DOGGO! Sooooooo good!
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Aww, thank you, Lauren Hackney! =)
What are your plans for the weekend? Doing anything fun with the kiddos?
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Always great to see you, Elle Bolan! This is going to be your BIG year for networking, I just know it!
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I'm always amazed by how much you manage to accomplish in a week, Maurice Vaughan. You make me look lazy, which is sorta wild. Lol!
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I adore you, Sydney S. Thank you for everything you do here for the Stage 32 Community and for being an incredible friend and support system.
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That's SO COOL, Vladimir Romantsev! What inspired you to tell the story as a comic?
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Haha Thanks, Ashley Renée Smith. I multitask a lot, get up earlier sometimes, etc.
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Hey grrrrrl! We are out on the bay enjoying the sunshine! I hope you are having an amazing weekend in your castle on the hill!
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Ashley Renée Smith hello! One of my favorite things about Stage 32 is the many friendly faces around here. You are one of the friendliest and I appreciate all you do for this community.
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Ashley! For anyone reading this thread: if you haven’t tapped into the Open Houses, the blog, or just consistently engaged in the Lounges Ashley helps shape, you’re missing out. There’s real strategy behind the ecosystem here. Keep crushing it also s/o to Rupert making a cameo, aha!
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Ashley, thank you for creating a space that actually encourages momentum instead of noise.
In 2026 I’m building a slate intentionally — producing a short this spring and developing a prestige drama pilot alongside other IP.
Focus, alignment, and the right conversations are the priority.
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Happy Introduce Yourself Weekend, Ashley Renée Smith! The energy, clarity, and work ethic you bring to this community really set the tone for all of us.
In 2026, I’m focused on refining a few of my story worlds and visual designs, tightening the architecture, and leaning more into collaborations. Building with visual intent and finding the right creative partners are the main goals this year.
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Thank you Ashely for your invaluable contributions. Your blogs are always informative, powerful, and empowering. Your fur baby is a cutie.
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Lauren Hackney that sounds absolutely perfect. Sunshine and water is a hard combo to beat.
I’m picturing you out there soaking it all in while I’m here in my “castle on the hill” folding laundry and watching movies. Very glamorous over here. Lol!
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Vladimir Romantsev, I don’t have personal experience making comics, just devouring them as a fan. But from my understanding from friends who have pursued it, there’s usually not one particular path. Just like Film, there’s are various ways to move forward from pursuing crowdfunding, selling through your own website or at conventions, building an audience on sites like Patreon or Wattpad/Webtoons, etc. The key, though, seems to be audience ownership. The creators who consistently earn from comics usually control their mailing list and community. Platforms change. Algorithms shift. Your direct connection is what holds value.
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Patrick Koepke, that truly means more than you know. One of my favorite things about Stage 32 is the consistency of people like you who show up, engage thoughtfully, and make the space warmer just by being present. Community isn’t built by one person. It’s built by all the people who choose to participate with generosity.
What have you been working on lately?
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Laquan Copeland, thank you!! And yes, at this point, I’m really just supporting cast for Rupert.
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Charmane, I love this energy.
“Building a slate intentionally” is such a powerful shift in language. That tells me you’re not just creating projects, you’re thinking long-term about positioning, cohesion, and leverage. That’s hoW you build real momentum.
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Dwayne Williams 2 I love those goals! Refining your story worlds and leaning into collaboration at the same time? That’s a powerful combination. Strong internal clarity plus the right external partners is where projects really level up. Are you finding that your worldbuilding is evolving more from visuals first, or character first, or does it shift depending on the project?Are you finding that your worldbuilding is evolving more from image first, or character first, or does it shift depending on the project?
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Mone't Weeks, that is so kind of you. Thank you.
It truly means a lot to know the blogs are landing in a way that feels informative and empowering. That’s always the goal, not just to share information, but to spark clarity and confidence.
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Your enthusiasm and support is always appreciated Ashley Renée Smith thank you.
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Thank you, Ashley. I’m thinking a lot about longevity and ownership right now — building stories that can live across formats and markets. Appreciate the encouragement.
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Ashley Renée Smith currently I'm in a mentorship with an action screenwriter, so he's helping me polish my first screenplay from two years ago, The Sword of the Celestial Dragon. From there my plan is to go through my other later projects with the same critical eye he's applied to that one. From there, I'm going to join the Writer's Room and start observing Thursday Pitch Sessions in the hopes to building up to live pitching (I've only done written pitches so far), and then later this year? Write my next screenplay. How about you?
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Definitely, Ashley Renée Smith, collaboration has helped me gain some great perspectives and sharpen areas I might not have seen on my own.
For me, it usually starts with images and creating visuals first. Building the world visually helps me understand tone, scale, and atmosphere, and once that foundation feels complete, the strongest characters tend to emerge naturally from within that environment.
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Hi Ashley, what a great introduction! Do you have a place you want to travel to this year?
In 2026 I’m really focusing on building my career as a screenwriter. I recently finished a road-movie drama set in Croatia that I wrote together with an actor, and I’ve just ordered some script coverage for it. My hope is to refine it and get it ready to pitch this year.
At the same time I’m developing a darker romance-thriller and aiming to have a first draft by the end of the year.
What helps me most in my writing is collaboration or just talking with other creatives. I really enjoy co-working with other writers, bouncing around ideas, exchanging notes, and keeping each other motivated. If that leads to selling a project or even a nomination(!!) somewhere, I’d definitely call that a breakthrough year.
Also - Rupert is adorable!!!