Pattana Thaivanich: Screenwriter.

I just got finished doing a Producing seminar and I'd say 99% of the gang was stuck on getting their film made because of a budget they've decided it needed to be and cannot come up with the money. Who set your budget, I'd ask? All of them admit to placing that self-imposed price tag on the project which, if you're seeking private equity may be a bit of a stretch to put it kindly. I'm reminded of when my father, Lee Stanley had put a $1M price tag on his big labor of love, "Desperate Passage" (back in the mid-80s) and after 4 fruitless years, he finally got the call. We drove up to Moniesito where a wealthy friend of the family lived and he said he was tired of watching my father talk about his dream without bearing any fruit. He handed over an envelope and said, "Go make your movie!" We got into the car (would'a popped champagne if we had it) and when dad opened the envelope, it had $25,000 in it. Assuming this gentleman was going to put us on a draw payment schedule, my father went back to ask when we'd see the rest of it? A minute or three later, he returned with his head slung low and said, "That's all he would give us. He told us to figure it out and go make your movie!" Well, guess what? We did. Mom, Dad, and I went out, gathered some cheap, borrowed gear and a crew of 4, and made the film. It took 2 yrs for anyone to even watch it after it was done but then a miracle happened. Steve Bell, former Pres. of KTLA somehow saw it, called us into his office and said he wanted to make it the biggest event on television. And he did just that. Michael Landon signed on to the project to open and close it and the show went #1 in the Nielson ratings (twice) and was nominated for 4 Emmys, winning 2 and launched the "Desperate Passage Series", where we did 6 more which gathered 33 Emmy noms and won 13 of those little ladies. And the budgets for the other 6 shows never exceeded $200,000 "Gridiron Gang" was part of that series, which went on to be re-made with SONY Pictures starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and was a #1 blockbuster hit. I tell you guys this simply to encourage you. We have more resources now than ever to make movies look good on a shoestring budget. Don't look at what you want to make something for, grit your teeth and figure out what it'll take to really get it done. I promise you, you'll get a lot more movies made and better, each one will be a stepping stone to the next which can have a bigger budget and a lot better chance to get you where you want to be, rather than talking about it. You've got this! Now let's go make some movies! xo

Just want to post what a wild week it has been for me. Not to brag but to thank the community for all the support, advice, and encouragement through the year. This week: 

I met with the Director and Producer on a Proof of concept film that will be produced in 2022.  

I met with the DP and Producer on a short film I wrote and am directing in Feb 2022

And I am in the top three for production selection at Get it Made for another PoC on my Feature Film A Girl to Love.

Whoo! 

Ok, here's my logline:

Tom wants to write and produce a screenplay that will provoke the world into a better place. But before eventually engaging his community, he begins the Jubilee at a renowned scholar’s classroom, and contrary to traditional Jesus movies, Tom conveys in a series of flashbacks, the true wine drinking celebratory Jesus, who (rather than the wooden cross) utilized “The Wooden Table” as his main platform for diplomacy, acceptance, love and forgiveness.

Greatest1command.com

My name's Katherine Cerulean and I'm just so excited to be here and among you wonderful folks! 24 years of writing experience and an undying love of all things character and story -- grab me for any writing-related questions at all. I LOVE to help!

Hello all, I finished the last rewrite of my first completed screenplay a few weeks ago. After copyrighting and registering it with the Writer's Guild, I listed it on the Black List and paid for their evaluation. It took a little over 2 weeks. If you're a newbie, I'd recommend buying the evaluation first, before hosting your script on the site. Basically, NOBODY is going to download your script, unless it gets an 8 rating or higher. My $25 month of hosting was halfway used up before a reader bothered to download my script. I must say, I think that's kind of lame. Lesson learned... Before I go to the specifics of my evaluation, I would like to preface it by saying I SINCERELY don't mind criticism. I realize TBL's evaluation is studio-style coverage versus detailed notes, BUT...I was hoping to get some concrete information, so that I can make my script as perfect as I can. Having said that, my scores were low: Premise 6/10 Dialogue 5/10 Plot 5/10 Setting 5/10 Character 6/10 Script rating 5/10 Here's where I'm having some difficulty understanding their rating system. For the most part, I can't tell if the reader liked my script, or didn't read it, and used generic responses. Here's the first part of the eval: "The script moves along at a sufficiently well-done and entertaining pace, never feeling as though it is dragging while never feeling rushed or incomplete either. It's engaging from the very beginning and does a nice job of retelling a (classic) story in a modern way as it's intending to do. The plot is relatively simple and easy to follow, but also intricate enough that is calls back to the (original story) in a very poetic way. The reader goes on to say "the main protagonist is very likeable. His relationship with his fiance adds a necessary and fun love story, but is written in such as way that it doesn't at all take away from the central plot line about the XXXXXXX. Also, the ending has some morally redeeming qualities that gives the reader an enjoyable appreciation for the story and characters they have come to know throughout the entirety of the script." As for weaknesses, the reader noted two problems. The first was dialogue, which the reader thought sounded "too white-washed". I will admit I wholeheartedly agree with the reader, as this was a conscious choice. This is a story about an African-American character, and I certainly didn't want to offend anyone by trying to "write ethnic". Perhaps there's a balance between respectful authenticity and sounding like Quentin Tarantino? I'll certainly try to improve my script here. The only other area of weakness mentioned is the one I sort of have a problem with. The reader says "adding more depth to the stakes as it approaches the climax will help the script to feel more significant. It's clear what the stakes are-- (financial) success--however adding higher emotional stakes and a more significant backstory beyond the "superficial" financial success...will give the story depth and the reader for investment in it's outcome." Please understand I'm not trying to sound like sour grapes, but it sort of seems like they didn't read the whole script. Right before the climax, my protagonist's best friend was murdered, and his fiancé is being held for ransom. I guess I'm having trouble seeing how the emotional stakes could be much higher for my poor protagonist. The evaluation closes with : "This script feels commercially viable because of it's (classic) nature and well-developed entertaining plot. The entertainment that is inherent in the storyline makes this a story that would be widely appealing to a number of audiences, however it's questionable whether or not it would attract high-level talent or financers without a plot that employs a little bit more depth." Please understand that I am under no illusion that my script is Oscar-worthy. That's why I wanted an evaluation. I want to make my script perfect. I also want to make sure it's clear that I'm not trying to slam the Black List, or their reader. What I'm trying to do is figure out is if this is sort of rating par for the course? I guess what I'm saying is that from the evaluation, it seemed like the reader enjoyed my story, and only had two problems with it. So, it seems to me like the score should have been a little higher. Of course, the most probable scenario is that I deserved the low score of 5, and I'm okay with that. I just feel like the evaluation was far too vague, and it seemed like perhaps the reader skipped some of my script. I was hoping to get some more actionable feedback that I can use to help me during the next rewrite. It just seems like "higher emotional stakes to add depth" is sort of a canned answer. Have your experiences mirrored mine? Did you feel your scores seemed appropriate, based on the feedback? Am I expecting too much for $75? I'm supposing that 5/10 is only 50%...in other words, an "F" based on my college grading scale. With such a low score, I'm wondering if it even makes sense to try and salvage my story? For what it's worth, I also paid for the triple notes from Spec Scout. Hopefully, I'll get some info from them before too long. What do you all think? Rewrite and resubmit? Pull my script from TBL? Just enter screenplay contests, and forget about paid evals? Have some rum and a stogie? Thanks, Brad (fumbling for the rum and cigar...)

I thought I wrote this a couple of days ago, but can't locate it and wanted everyone to know...DON'T GIVE UP!! Because Stage 32 offered assistance and guidance and everything in the world a want-to-be screenwriter needs to become successful and because Joey took 10 minutes for me and told me to CONCENTRATE ON WHAT I WANTED, I stopped and let God know I thought I was ready......less than 24 hours later, I had a network request from a producer. Three days and sending samples of work back and forth, I signed a contract. Thirty days later a feature film was registered to the Writers Guild and we are looking forward to its production...........as Gary W. Goldstein encouraged me via Twitter..."Stay in constant action, work a game plan and most of all contribute to others and ask for help equally well". Thank you Stage 32, Happy Writers, and Gary Goldstein for contributing to others and helping us become the screenwriters or actors we want to be!!

I have been writing a lot about these movies I have. These are all true facts on how I used to survive take care of my son a single father takes care of he’s moms & son. I have risked my life to help these two in my life. I just want a chance to show the world.

Recently I got an email from this site. And i can submit my screenplay to a free contest. Have you guys used this? If so, please share our experience or your thoughts about this. Thanks.

Buddha’s Shadow has collected another accolades at Atlanta Film Festival! Cheers!