I’m curious: if we were to poll 1,000 regular users of Stage32, how many of them jumped in and learned all of the resources right away? My guess is that 8 out of 10 new members were more like me: tiptoeing into the waters.

Maybe you’re wondering, “There are so many incredible options, and how do I pick?" I felt like a kid in a candy store, and I wasn’t focusing. Plus, I really wanted to learn it all at once! The good news is: if we can get over THE NEW‑KID‑FIRST‑DAY‑OF‑SCHOOL vibes and move into a place of wonder, learning, and collaboration, we will get MASSIVE value.

I know because it was my journey. As someone who started that way and missed out on a ton of great relationships, mentoring, and a place where I felt I belonged, let me share how to start.

Every Easter (I have no idea why, because it’s not an Easter flick), my grandma would gather all of us kids, and we’d watch The Sound of Music and sing along. I still love that movie, so in honor of this time of year, and without further ado… my TOP TEN list for getting involved as a new (or seasoned) member; and feel free to sing along as we discuss!

Let’s Start at the Very Beginning (Introduce Yourself Lounge)

It’s easy, and you don’t have to “wax eloquent.” In fact, I recommend you don’t try. Just pop into the lounge and give a brief intro of WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, HOW. One weekend every month, you have a chance to reintroduce yourself.

Example:
"Hi, my name is Libby Wright, and I’m a screenwriter who also dabbles in producing and writing scores. I’ve just joined Stage 32, and I started writing scripts three years ago. I’m here because I want to find connections with other creatives. Living in rural Louisiana, I don’t have a lot of opportunities to collaborate with people in this industry, so I’m really hoping to find some connection here.”

Click here to introduce yourself now!

Do: An Open House (The FREE Open House)

Remember the campus tours when you were searching for college (or uni for our friends across the pond) and how helpful they were in making the decision? That’s what this open house is all about: learning how to navigate Stage32 in all of its glory and finding “your people.” Be able to ask questions, note experts in your area of interest, and learn about upcoming events. The goal of participating is to find ways you can plug in without stumbling around the site.

If you missed the most recent Open House Webcast, you can catch the full on-demand recording for free by clicking here!

Re: A Drop of Golden (Advice from Experts)

I did things backwards, I admit it! I started out getting a 10‑page script review before I knew much about the site or that I should even format my script (rookie mistake).

Afterward, I learned that I could get awesome expert and collaborative support from the community before I purchased anything educational. While there’s no “wrong way” to engage with Stage32, I would have gotten a lot more value if I’d gotten a little help from my new friends first, as well as expert group members and moderators in each lounge who have experience. Then made the most of these consultations to learn and strengthen my material when I was more prepared.

Now I feel more confident and comfortable when meeting with professionals to discuss my projects, goals, and material. Plus, I'm proud to say that I've received a "double-recommend" for both my writing and specific projects.

You can explore Stage 32's amazing script services by clicking here!

Mi: A Name I Call Myself (Making a Profile)

This may seem like a no‑brainer, but take the time to create and frequently update your profile.

It’s your calling card and the best way for like‑minded people to find you. Be sure to add your loglines, accomplishments, goals, interests, and projects. Use it to grow your network. There’s even a Profile Link you can use to share your page and grow your network faster on other sites and social media accounts!

Fa: A Long, Long Way to Run (To FREE Professional Insights Like Ask Me Anything Events)

I cannot stress enough how awesome this is!

Sometimes there are free webinars, which I love, and if you missed the most recent one where Producer Anna Henry did a full breakdown of the Heated Rivalry Pilot, you can catch the full recording by clicking here!

But Ask Me Anything events in the Stage 32 Lounges are hands down my favorite.

Why? Because an expert is answering whatever questions we pose for 24 hours! Yes, you might not get an immediate answer due to time zones and other commitments, but where else are you, someone from a non‑entertainment hub, going to be able to get expert advice and connections? Where I live, I could ask an alligator, but that’s about it!

The best part is that the posts stay available in the lounges, even after the event ends. So if you missed your chance to ask a question, you can still learn so much valuable information from reading through the posts.

For example, if you missed the recent Ask Me Anything Event in the Producing Lounge with Film & TV Producer, Nikita Adams, you can still read through all of her valuable advice by clicking here!

So: A Needle Pulling Threads (Finding Lounges of Interest)

Go ahead: pop into every lounge!

There’s no restriction, and you might learn something. Maybe you can come to the lounges I moderate (Screenwriting & Composing) and do a fun creative exercise, talk shop about the greatest scores or characters of all time, or get that pesky logline you’ve been trying to fix for two years up to par (thanks Maurice Vaughn).

Explore all of the amazing lounges by clicking here. But don't just scroll through, join in!

La: A Note to Follow (So Many Lounge Threads to Choose From — Like the Writer’s Room)

And… if you really want to up your game and you’re a writer like me, The Writer’s Room is a must! It’s full of great advice and feedback live on Zooms with industry professionals, exclusive access like Open Writing Assignments to submit your scripts to producers and reps, a VIP lounge where you can collaborate even further with other Writer's Room, and too many other perks to name.

Stage 32 offers everyone a first month free to explore the amazing benefits by clicking here!

Ti: A Drink with Jam & Bread (Getting Expert Help From the Stage 32 Success Team)

I have to say, the staff here go above and beyond.

Whenever I have a question, I send an email (pro tip: email — don’t DM if you have a pressing question). They have guided me to the right educational materials, the right experts to pitch to, and even helped me find other opportunities I didn’t know existed. They know their stuff, and the connections they have are phenomenal.

If you ever want advice about your creative goals, next steps, and the best experts to connect with, you can email the Stage 32 Success Team directly at Success@Stage32.com!

You can also explore Stage 32's Global Contest Hub by clicking here!

Brings Us Back to Do (A Course, A Training Course)

When you are ready, the Stage 32 education classes, webinars, certification courses, and labs are phenomenal.

Some are for absolute beginners—start there!

I learned from my 10‑pager experience and decided to make a wish list of interesting courses. I’ve done webinars and classes, but my all‑time favorite thing here is the LAB offerings.

Labs offer an intimate setting, usually over several sessions, where the expert really gets to know you and offers practical advice for your project. Jeanette Milio’s finance course for my feature film blew my mind and leveled me up in a way I’m convinced I would never have reached on my own. We got to pitch to two executives at the end, and it was invaluable!

You can explore Stage 32's upcoming courses, as well as their entire back catalog, by clicking here.

Or you can always email their Education Team directly to ask for curated advice on the best courses for your interests and goals, at Edu@Stage32.com.

Combine to Make Beautiful Music From Your Creative Efforts

Put all of this together, and you’ve got a real chance at making something happen!

Whether it’s building friendships, honing your craft, learning a new skill, or finding a path to completing a project, this is the way I’ve done it — and the way you can win too.

Do these top ten steps, and you’ll be on the path to massive connection, massive support, and true success! And, if you’re like me, you may just exponentially move your project forward…

My feature‑film script went from busted‑up, total amateur hour to a Double‑Recommended Script, a fully formed pitch deck, an expertly crafted line budget, and solid structure, all thanks to the support, instruction, and collaboration I found on Stage 32.

Now that we’ve sung our way through learning all about Stage 32, I’d love to hear your experiences. Where are you on the list? Have you completed everything, or are there things you still have yet to explore? Are there any parts of the platform that you feel most comfortable or at home? Have you built any special friendships? What favorite tools have I missed?

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Got an idea for a post? Or have you collaborated with Stage 32 members to create a project? We'd love to hear about it. Email Ashley at blog@stage32.com and let's get your post published!

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