Screenwriting

Hello friends!

Over the past few years, I've advocated for thousands of writers while cultivating relationships with executives and representatives who genuinely care about developing new talent. One standout among them is Lameese.

Back by popular demand, Lameese Hassen is offering pitch sessions THIS SUNDAY...and only a few sessions are left! I personally know writers she has signed and whose career trajectories were transformed as a result. If you're seeking representation and valuable feedback from someone with a proven track record of discovering talent, don't wait!

There are only a few spots left! Once they're gone, they're gone!

https://www.stage32.com/happy-writers/pitch-sessions/Pitch-Lameese-Hasse...

And because good news come in two...Alexandra Hensley, a development executive at Portobello Electric, an Academy-award winning production company JUST added slots this Saturday.

If you want to get feedback from a producer WHO GETS MOVIES MADE...don't wait.

https://www.stage32.com/happy-writers/pitch-sessions/Pitch-Alexandra-Hen...

Alexandra Hensley is a Producer and Development Executive who serves on the development team at Portobello Electric, where she is responsible for overseeing a diverse slate of television and feature film projects. Portobello is a London-based production company, working across film, television and theatre. Portobello has produced multiple films including the Academy Award-winning films IDA and KOLYA. She is also actively developing a feature film in collaboration with AKA Productions.

Lameese is a manager at Marathon Management, one of LA’s premiere management companies. Her clients have worked on major shows like SUITS: LA, THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER, LOST IN SPACE, THE WITCHER, and WILL TRENT. She’s also worked on HOTEL TEHRAN starring Liam Neeson. Before joining Marathon, Lameese gained valuable experience working under Robert Lazar and at top-tier companies like Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Oakhurst Entertainment, where she helped shape content for film, TV, and digital platforms.

Hello friends,

This is Geoff, Stage 32's Director of Development, hard at work bringing you the best opportunities.

We have a couple of exciting pitch sessions coming up next week that I wanted to highlight for you.

If you've ever watched GLADIATOR (I & II) or DiCaprio's version of THE GREAT GATSBY and are working on studio or four-quadrant movies, you'll want to meet with Tess McGuinness who works at Red Wagon Entertainment. I've known Tess for a few years now and I can confidently tell you writers LOVE working with her. She truly cares about the craft and the story, but she also can help you find universal and commercial appeal.

Next, we have Nat Topping, another heavy-hitter with a ton of studio experience. He works at Amasia Entertainment, which is known for DARK SHADOWS: REINCARNATION for Warner Brothers and the grounded reboot of the GREEN HORNET franchise, set up at Universal. If you have a genre feature and want to know how to sell it to a studio, he's your man!

If you're more interested in mid-budget movies and elevated genre, Kristy Grisham has a long list of credits across thrillers, horrors, dramas... One of my personal favorites? LOOPER!

And last but not least, Carver Diserens, who currently works with Disney Streaming, has worked on amazing comedies and family TV shows: CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, ANCHORMAN 2, you name it!

And if you ever need help finding the right executive or opportunity for your projects, just email us at Success@stage32.com, and we would love to help you!

Hope that you are having a great writing day!

What are you Writing Today?

Coverfly is shutting down, and I am heartbroken. Is anyone else feeling the same way? I'm just curious if someone knows of any other place like Coverfly, especially for writers outside the USA like myself. I was so happy when I reached the Top 16% in folk horror and an Irish dark TV Drama. I will miss the awesome free peer-to-peer notes and the rankings. In your opinion, what do you think will happen next? How will this affect your screenwriting? Where are we moving towards? I honestly just want to talk about it.  Perhaps we can share each other's coverfly page before it officially closes in August Here's mine: https://writers.coverfly.com/profile/writer-45c26fd7d-72755

I would be interested in hearing other writers' thoughts on the Black List being the only way indie writers can now enter the Nicholl.

Side note: IF you're enrolled in a school or program from this list https://www.oscars.org/official-nicholl-partners then you can enter the Nicholl through that program.

The rest of us now have to go through Black List -- which has a very checkered past and can potentially cost much more to enter than the traditional Nicholl cost.

Perhaps the good folks at Nicholl were receiving too many scripts and didn't have enough readers? I'm at a loss as to why something as prestigious as the Nicholl would align with Black List which has a very checkered past re: their services. You buy (multiple) reviews and hope you get a good enough score to be added to the Black List. There are many threads online where you can read about their practice, including this older one that is chock full of details: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/The-Blcklst-Scam

Please share your experience or thoughts on the Black List and Nicholl here. Thanks so much.

Like probably all of us, I am working very hard to get my scripts noticed. I have been using several platforms ( Stage 32 being the longest) and a number of competitions with variable success. I was fortunate to receive several requests and won or placed highly in a few competitions. Finally, one of my pilot scripts, WAR CRIMES, made it to the top 10 % on Coverfly, but now I learned it will be shutting down this summer... Very frustrating!

(Please note that this is done as it would be a script for a comic, I have a background in comics, so I use comic terms for the script. I do hope to get this made as a movie or short TV show. I'm looking for feedback on the pages, if you can take the time to read and leave a review in the comments. replace panels with shot.)

Page 5 - Six Panels (Flashback Sequence)

(Ch3 Pg5 Panel-One)

The scene opens with the throne room, bathed in sunlight streaming through the high windows. The grand tapestry is fully unrolled before the King, his court, and Garerit. It is an ancient, faded cloth depicting scenes of battle, sorcery, and forgotten legends. An adviser gestures toward it as the candlelight flickers, casting eerie shadows across the throne room. A dark, ominous shadow spreads across the room, causing a ripple in the atmosphere.

CAP (Narration - Adviser): "Long before your time, before even the reign of your forefathers, there was another war..."

SB (Adviser): Sire, this is no mere myth - this is history.

(Ch3 Pg5 Panel-Two)

The image on the tapestry comes to life - a swirling portal rips open the sky, dark tendrils of magic spilling forth, and through it comes a dark castle flying in the sky. A towering sorcerer, his hands crackling with dark eldritch power. His face is shrouded, cloaked in black, with a menacing aura. The portal itself distorts the light, making everything feel cold and unnatural. But his eyes glow with an eerie light. The medieval kingdom in the background is peaceful until his arrival.

CAP (Narration - Adviser): "A sorcerer of great evil, a conjurer of nightmares, descended upon the land through a gate of darkness."

SFX (Portal opening): VWOOMMMMM

SB (Sorcerer): "This world will kneel before me, or it will burn!"

SB (Person 1): (Shocked, pointing) What is this madness?!

SB (Person 2): (Horrified) A sorcerer... from beyond the veil!

(Ch3 Pg5 Panel-Three)

The tapestry now shows a great battle - knights in shining armor charge forward, their weapons raised high against the sorcerer and his monstrous legions. Fires rage in the background as the castle walls crack from the force of dark magic. The scene is chaotic, steel clashing against unnatural horrors.

CAP (Narration - Adviser): "The great King Erik and his armies fought against him, but steel and courage alone could not prevail against such sorcery."

SFX (Battle Sounds - Written into the tapestry's artwork): CLANG! BOOM! AAARGH!

The sorcerer steps forward, his face obscured by a hood, but his eyes glowing with malevolent light. He lifts one hand, and dark tendrils of magic begin to swirl around him, pulsating with a life of their own. The room shakes, and the courtiers stagger back in fear. The King and his advisers watch in disbelief, realizing the dire nature of this threat.

SB (Sorcerer): (With a chilling, echoing voice) You dare challenge me, mortals? I have come to claim what is mine!

SB (King Erik): (Shouting, trying to maintain authority) Begone, sorcerer! This kingdom will not fall to your dark magic!

(Ch3 Pg5 Panel-Four)

Amidst the chaos, a wise and powerful wizard stands atop a hill, staff raised to the storming heavens. The tapestry's threads shimmer where the wizard is depicted. A great seal of magic glows around him, runes burning bright as he chants an incantation. The sorcerer writhes, caught within the glowing sigil.

CAP (Narration - Adviser): "It was not until the wizard Magnus the Wise sealed him away that the kingdom was saved... but the price was high."

SB (Wizard Herla - On the Tapestry): "BEGONE, FIEND! LET YOUR DARKNESS BE LOCKED AWAY FOR ALL ETERNITY!"

The sorcerer raises both hands high, summoning a storm of dark energy that blasts toward the walls, shattering windows and creating an explosion of debris. The guards try to advance, but they're swept aside by the magical force. The King and his court take cover, but Garerit, standing in the background, watches with a mixture of fear and determination.

SFX (Explosion): CRACK! BOOM!

SB (Guard 1): (Screaming as they are thrown backward) No! We cannot withstand this!

SB (King Erik): (Under his breath) This is no ordinary sorcerer...

(Ch3 Pg5 Panel-Five)

The sorcerer strides toward the King, his eyes glowing brighter, now fully visible under his hood. He speaks with cruel mockery as his dark magic surrounds him. The King, grim-faced, stands tall, refusing to back down. The atmosphere is thick with tension.

SB (Sorcerer): (Laughing, cruelly) You have no idea what you've unleashed. This land will burn, and no one will stop me.

SB (King Erik): (Clenching his fists, defiant) You may be powerful, but you will not take this kingdom!

(Ch3 Pg5 Panel-Six)

King Erik, his face filled with resolve, steps forward from the crowd, unsheathing a small, finely crafted blade. He stands between the sorcerer and the King, ready to face this formidable foe. The light from the sorcerer's magic flickers off the blade, creating an intense contrast of dark and light. The courtiers and soldiers stand back, watching Gerarit, unsure of what he can do against such a powerful adversary.

TB (King Erik): (Stepping forward, with quiet determination) If it's a fight you want, sorcerer... you'll find that I'm not easily defeated.

SB (King Erik): (Aloud, to the sorcerer) You're not the only one with tricks up your sleeve. (FIX)(CUT?)

Admins, please feel free to move or delete if this is inappropriate. I am new to this, and I have been contacted by a production company offering packaging services for one of my screenplays, including attachment of talent, sales, distribution, and securing financing. There is an up front cost for this, is this normal for this industry?