Screenwriting

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! I hope your weekend has been a creative one so far. Whether you have been writing, filming, editing, or sketching out the next spark of an idea, I have got something today that will give you a boost. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in. This week’s featured video comes from Vanity Fair: Rian Johnson Breaks Down a Scene From “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”. If you love mysteries, this is a quick masterclass in building a story that feels layered and fu...

When my 1st screenplay made the 2nd Rounder list at the Austin Film Festival several years ago, I wasn’t sure whether I should attend. After all, I had a day job, 3 kids, a Maytag full of dirty laundry, and an ever-waning bank account. How could I ditch all that glam to go to Texas? I polled my friends, my partner, and my dogs: they all said go. My wallet disagreed, but I never listen to my wallet, so I went for it. Was it worth it? Hell, yeah—and that still resonates, even years later. Wher...

More than 100 new executives have joined Stage 32 in less than a year. Your global community of producers, managers, agents, and development executives is growing rapidly, fueled by the rise of the independent producer and a more dynamic international market. Now more than ever, creatives and executives can work outside of the system and are less dependent on the same five companies for permission to make content. It's inspiring to see executives build their own slates and get their first produc...

Happy Wednesday, Creative Army! One of my favorite parts of festival season is the energy that comes from people coming together in the same place, at the same time, all focused on storytelling, collaboration, and opportunity. That’s why I’m excited to share about Stage 32 Lodge: Monday on Main St in Park City, Utah, during the festival! This is one of those events that has become a true networking staple over the years, where Stage 32 Members can go for great conversations over a drink, i...

As an artist, you’re called to show up in the world. Whether it’s on stage, making a pitch, submitting your screenplay, putting on an art show, you make yourself vulnerable to others over and over again. Making art is a unique process. The initial stages of creating are deeply personal, but, eventually, you need the attention of your audience to bring your creative work to life. Though it began as something private, your art only achieves its purpose and full potential when it impacts someone...

Happy Monday, Stage 32 Community! As we continue to settle into a new year, I want to invite you to something that has become one of my favorite moments each month here on Stage 32: our Community Open House. This is where conversations begin, connections form, and clarity replaces overwhelm. If you’ve been meaning to get more involved on Stage 32, meet collaborators, ask questions about next steps, or simply stop creating in isolation, this Open House is for you. This Month’s Community O...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Let’s kick things off with a huge shoutout to everyone who has already jumped into this month’s Introduce Yourself Weekend. Thousands of creatives from around the world are connecting, sharing their stories, and building relationships that can lead to collaborations, opportunities, and lifelong friendships. If you haven’t made your introduction yet, you still have time. Head over to the Introduce Yourself Lounge before the weekend wraps. Be bold. Introduce yourse...

Want to know what the industry is actually looking for? We have the data. Stage 32 connects over 3,000 industry professionals with writers submitting thousands of scripts every month. By tracking what gets requested, what leads to representation, and what projects move into development, we can see exactly what's working (and what's not). Here's what fellow executives are telling us through their script requests heading into 2026: Producers and representatives are sparking to high-concept genre...

Every screenwriter has experienced that sinking feeling when a reader says, "I just didn't connect with the characters." After months of work perfecting plot structure and crafting witty dialogue, hearing that your characters fell flat feels devastating. But here's the truth: weak characters will kill even the most brilliantly plotted screenplay. No amount of clever twists, stunning visuals, or snappy banter can compensate for characters that audiences don't care about. The good news? Charac...

Exclusively on Stage 32, the ONLY Female Driven Screenplay Contest in the World is Back! Featuring THREE LITERARY MANAGERS as mentors - giving YOU the best chance to get signed you'll find all year! Hey Stage 32 Community! Ever dreamt of seeing your female driven script come to life on the big screen or stream on flat-screens in living rooms across the country? This is your chance to turn that dream into reality! We're proud to announce the 5th Annual Stage 32 Female Driven Screenwriting Con...