Introduce Yourself : About me by Grace Balistreri

Moving to a totally new place is always very hard Grace Balistreri but you're making it work and you're strong about it. I'm glad that you found us here - it's a good place to be encouraged by your fellow creatives. Be sure to continue to foster friendships here - you won't be disappointed. There's also a free community open house where you can make new connections. It's on Wednesday, March 25 https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32s-march-2026-communit... Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Hey Grace Balistreri great to meet you - Italy is a great place to be with passionate film communities in Torino and Milan. Keep on writing those witchy stories. As our latest New Blood contest Selma Karayalcin winner who won with her script Witch Mother can attest - the industry can't get enough of them!

Yes, I know I see lots of TV series with magic or supernatural characters, in America I use to live in a town near Selam.

@leonardoRamirez Ok tenterò di partecipare al open day

@Pat Alexander it's awesome that stage32 has connections in Torino and Milano Hopefully stage32 can get connection in Rome too.

Hi Grace Balistreri - so wonderful to hear Stage32 has been such a positive for your journey :) what projects are you working on right now? cheers

Hello Sebastian,

Yes stage32 is awesome platform that have helped me a lot. At the moment I am taking a mater certification class in film production management and I also took a screenwriting course to understand more about about script writing. I have a couple of ideas in mind that I want to write but currently I'm working on a TV series written by me, that talks about a curse, with witches and Hunters and other supernatural characters set in Sicily, Palermo.

Hello Grace Balistreri Love that you are finding the site helpful! If you’re looking to connect with the right producers, reps, or executives to move your project forward, I highly recommend emailing our Stage 32 Success Team at SuccessStage32.com. We specialize in matchmaking members with the right partners and can also share curated guidance on your next steps.

Love that we’ve been able to help keep your creativity live! What types of films or TV shows have inspired you for what you write?

@lauraHammer as soon as I have at least one episode ready I will write to the Success team

@Amanda Toney the TV series that inspired me the most are Charmed, Supernatural and Grimm

Grace Balistreri, thank you for reintroducing yourself. Moving from the U.S. to Sicily at a young age and finding your voice through storytelling is such a powerful path. And I love hearing how Stage 32 has been part of that growth and confidence for you.

Also, your taste in shows is top tier. Charmed, Supernatural, and Grimm are Such fun series! I’m curious, what kind of supernatural story are you most excited to tell?

Hello Grace! We're glad you're here and great to hear your find Stage 32 helpful in your endeavors! (I love Sicily! Sailed there 3 times in two years! - beautiful place!

Hi @Ashley Renée Smith Yes these are one of the 3 TV series that Inspired me the most. I developed this story from my cultural identity, blending my American and Sicilian roots. Before I began writing, I discovered that during the same historical period as the Salem witch trials, similar phenomena also took place in Sicily, particularly in Palermo.

Sicily, was conquered from lot of people and had dominations throughout history, has absorbed a wide range of traditions, beliefs, and cultures over the centuries, giving rise to a rich world of folklore and superstition.

The story tells of a forbidden love between two young individuals from opposing worlds: a good witch and hunter that hunts supernatural creatures. Their bond, feared and opposed, breaks an ancient balance and gives rise to a curse destined to spread through time, affecting all of their descendants.

The narrative unfolds in contemporary Palermo, interwoven with continuous glimpses into the past that gradually reveal the origins of the curse and the inevitable fate of the protagonists.

@Jack Binder it's like you said it is very beautiful.

Hi Grace,

great to read your story – and respect for finding your path and sticking with it. Moving countries at a young age and still developing your creative voice is not a small thing.

Sicily is a very special place. I’m currently working on an international film project that is set there, so your post immediately caught my attention.

I also come from a writing and filmmaking background, and I know how important it is to find the right people to exchange ideas with.

Would be great to connect and stay in touch.

I have new films, ideas which I wish to sell to producers or directors for a legal contract for high prices

Welcome, Grace! what a journey, and what a backdrop to develop a love of storytelling. Growing up between two cultures and finding your voice later than expected is actually a tremendous creative asset, and the supernatural world you're drawn to -- angels, witches, hunters -- feels like it has real cinematic potential. So glad Stage 32 has been part of that path for you. Since you're continuing to grow here, be sure to check out the Navigation Blog at https://www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-p... and the Platform Walkthrough Video at https://www.stage32.com/help?category=how-to-navigate-stage&parent=341676 to make the most of everything available to you.

@Daniel Vossen that's get what project are you working on, it would be fantastic to keep in touch. you are shooting your project in Sicily. Where?

@Sam Rivera thank you very much

I will look at the platform Guide

Grace Balistreri Yes, exactly — the project is currently being discussed with producers in Sicily as well as in the US.

It’s an international thriller, with around 60% of the story set in Sicily, mainly around Palermo.

At the moment, we’re still exploring locations, so it’s possible that local producers might suggest even better places to shoot.

Since you're from that region, I’d actually be very curious — are there any locations around Palermo that you think would work well for a thriller setting?

@DanielVossen To be honest, everywhere in Palermo expecialy in the city it also depends on the story, as a future film production management I would suggest you choose the locations not too far away from each other so it makes eseyer to shoot everything on time. If there's a murder in the story I would use I 4 canti that it's a square in Palermo.

Grace Balistreri That’s a really good point — especially about keeping locations close together. It makes a huge difference once you’re actually in production.

And I 4 Canti sounds like a strong choice, especially for a key moment like that. Visually it’s a very powerful location.

For some of the thriller moments just before everything escalates, I’ve been looking at Piazza Marina in the script — mainly because of the accessible rooftops for sniper setups and the immediate connection to the streets leading toward the coast.

But I’m definitely still exploring options, so it’s really interesting to hear your perspective.

Are you already involved in projects in Sicily with your production management background?

@DanielVossen piazza marina is a very good spot too if it would have been via Messina marina it would have been a bit difficult but I've seen other products do there projects there but I think you would need la regione Siciliana's promition. No I'm not involved in any project at the moment but I haven't finished studying yet. I would like to finish my studies in film production management first. But if you need to know other places in Palermo in particular make me know.

Grace Balistreri That’s really helpful, thank you.

And yes, Piazza Marina stood out to me for similar reasons — it has that mix of openness and tension that works well for certain moments.

The project itself is currently being discussed with a few producers, so I’m still refining locations and seeing what makes the most sense practically. It’s great that you’re focusing on production management — that’s a strong position to be in, especially for projects shooting on location.

I’m curious — are you also developing your own scripts, or mainly focusing on the production side right now?

Discovery after a journey. As writers were always on a journey. Nice to have you here, Grace Balistreri. Cheers.

@DanielVossen I'm doing both things, I'm studying for my third test for the Master Certification in film production management course and at the same time I'm fixing my pitch document i made two for the same project one is on regular paper and the other is done with canva.

@Michael Dzurak thank you

Grace Balistreri Fixing the pitch is a big step, that’s where a project really starts to take shape.

What kind of story are you working on?

@Daniel Vossen its a TV series set in Palermo it's in the morden days but it ha flash backs and a teaser from the Past it a story about a Good witch, And a forbidden love with a Hunter that hurts supernatural creature and a curse that involves the descendants of the two and it has other supernatural presence Like angels.

Grace Balistreri That actually sounds really interesting, especially the mix between present day Palermo and the flashbacks.

The dynamic between a good witch and a hunter already creates a strong conflict, especially with the curse and the descendants involved. There’s a lot of emotional potential in that.

Are you focusing more on the love story, or on the supernatural mythology at the moment?

@Daniel Vossen I would say both, because in my story one cannot exist without the other. The supernatural mythology creates the characters’ fate and conflict, while the love story gives emotional weight to everything that happens. Without one, the other would lose its meaning.

Grace Balistreri That makes a lot of sense.

When both are that connected, it usually creates a much stronger story, because the emotional stakes and the world are tied together. The interesting part then is how clearly that connection comes across on the page, especially in the key moments.

Are there specific scenes where that balance is already working the way you want it?

Hi Grace - my mum's side are Glaswegian Sicilians! Never met the Italian side, but they're all from Palermo, too.

Love watching supernatural and witchy shows and film, but haven't the brain capacity to write it - though I'm more psychological thrillers with my writing!

Welcome :)

@Emilia - Maria Hi, nice to meet you too. That's great that you have family in Palermo. Yes, I love watching those TV series too. That's very interesting what you write I don't know if I would be capable to write what you write that awesome it's not easy to write that type of subject my compliments.

@Daniel Vossen Yes, there are specific moments where this balance already works as I envision it. For example, there are scenes where the supernatural elements directly impact the emotional connection between the characters—such as when a revelation about the curse forces them to confront their feelings for each other. In these moments, the mythology doesn’t just exist in the background, but actively shapes the characters’ choices and emotional stakes.

At the same time, there are quieter, more intimate scenes where the love story unfolds naturally, but with an underlying tension created by the looming supernatural threat. I think these contrasts help reinforce the idea that one cannot exist without the other, and together they create a more layered and meaningful narrative.

Grace Balistreri ciao Bella Amica and welcome to stage32 I am certain you've come to the right place to fulfill your goal of writing for film and television. Happy networking!!

Grace Balistreri That actually sounds really good. I like how clearly you connect the emotional side with the mythology. What you described about the curse directly affecting the characters’ choices is especially strong, because that’s where it stops being just a concept and starts driving the story.

I also like that it doesn’t sound like it’s drifting into cliché territory.

A lot of fantasy stories tend to fall into that, but the way you describe it feels much more grounded and character-driven.

That could actually give it a very fresh tone.

Hey Grace Balistreri welcome. We're not exactly neighbors but we're country, Slovenia shares a border with Italy and I've been to Sicily twice in my life, but I go to Italy a lot and even speak Italian fluently. I recently had a few actors from Italy in my feature film.

Anyway nice to meet you.

@Pat Savage nice to meet you too. And thank you very much

@Daniel Vossen thank you very much. When I have an idea I like to study every detail in the story and I like to do research the history of the subject to not write datas or events that are not real.

@ButinarioVitale Nice to meet you, and thank you!

Wow, Slovenia must be a wonderful place. It’s great that you speak Italian--languages are incredibly important in the film industry.

Which Italian actors have you worked with?

Grace Balistreri it's a nice place to live, but not such a great place to make a living, if you want to do anything else than what everyone else does. Yeah languages are important, I actually speak a few more, only probably not as fluently as I did.

One is a Slovenian-Italian actor called Alen Kermac and the other is Francesco Tribuzio, both amazing actors. It was great working with them and I'm actually considering doing another feature soon with them, even though the one we did hasn't finished post yet.

Grace Balistreri That’s a really good approach. Doing that level of research definitely gives the world and the characters more credibility. At the same time, I’ve found that the real challenge is making sure all that depth actually comes across clearly on the page, without feeling too heavy.

Do you find that balance easy, or is that something you’re still refining?

Wow that's awesome. I don't know the 2 actors very well, but I must have saw something on TV.

@Daniel Vossen, I really enjoy researching real events and historical details, especially because my story is set in Palermo and connected to a deeper past. It gives authenticity to the world. At the same time, I’m still refining the balance—making sure that the research comes through naturally without overwhelming the story. I try to keep the focus on the characters and their emotions.

Grace Balistreri That’s exactly the right focus. If the characters and their emotions carry the story, the research usually supports it naturally instead of taking over. I’ve seen a lot of scripts where the research is strong, but it ends up sitting on top of the story instead of being part of it.

The interesting part is usually where the audience feels the depth without being directly told.

It sounds like you’re already heading in a good direction with that.

@Daniel Vossen

Thank you so much! I’m really glad to hear that the approach comes through. I’ve tried to let the story live through the characters’ emotions and choices, letting the research and worldbuilding support them without taking over. Knowing that this comes across is truly encouraging and motivates me to keep going in this direction.

Grace Balistreri Glad to hear that, you’re definitely on a good track with it.

When that balance works, it usually makes a big difference in how the audience connects to the story.

Curious to see how it plays out across the full script.

@Daniel Vossen

Thank you, I really appreciate that.

That balance is something I’m putting a lot of focus on, because I want the audience to connect emotionally while still feeling the depth of the world.

I’m still developing the full script, but I’m excited to see how everything comes together.

Never stop writing.

Grace Balistreri That’s a great place to be in the process.

When that balance starts coming together during development, it usually makes a big difference later on. Sounds like you’re building a strong foundation for it.

If you ever want another perspective on how it comes across on the page, especially from a directing point of view, feel free to reach out.

@Daniel Vossen

Hi Daniel, thank you so much—I really appreciate your kind words. It truly means a lot.

I’d love to get another perspective, especially from a directing point of view. I think that could really help me see how the story comes across on screen.

I’ll share something with you as soon as I have material ready. Thanks again for your availability!

Grace Balistreri

I appreciate that, happy to take a look when you have something ready.

Feel free to send a few pages or a section you’re working on.

If you prefer, I can send you my email in a DM.

@Daniel Vossen

Thank you, I really appreciate your openness to take a look at my work.

I’ll prepare a short section and send it to you very as soon as I have it ready.

Yes, send me your email.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Grace Balistreri Thanks Grace, just sent you a DM with my email — looking forward to it.

Grace Balistreri Welcome, Grace really enjoyed reading this. Your journey and passion for storytelling come through clearly, and it’s great to see how you’ve grown into your voice.

The focus on supernatural elements sounds exciting, especially with the mix of angels, witches, and hunters—there’s a lot of creative potential there.

Wishing you the best as you continue developing your projects and sharing your stories.

@Daniel Vossen Ok, I will send you something as soon as I have something ready

@AbhijeetAade Thank you so much for your kind words, I really appreciate it.

I’m glad the concept resonated with you.

I’m currently developing the project, while I'm studying for film production management. I Just finished my pitch document and I'm starting to write the teaser on my pilot episode. So I hope to find by the summer.

Grace Balistreri You’re welcome, glad it resonated.

Sounds like you’re making solid progress getting the pitch document done is a big step. The teaser will really help define the tone and pull people in.

Wishing you the best with it, hope it all comes together by summer.

Grace Balistreri very cool - and read in your other replies how these things were happening around the same time as the Salem trials across the ocean. SO maybe there's your story extension for the second season :)

Also - congrats on your awesome progress on the certification!

Grace Balistreri That’s great to hear sounds like you’re in a really strong phase of development right now.

Putting together the pitch document and moving into the teaser is a big step, especially while studying alongside it.

Wishing you the best as you move toward summer hope it all comes together the way you’re envisioning it. Would love to see how it develops.

@SebastianTudores

Thank you so much! Yes, before developing my story I did some historical research and found that witch hunts were happening in many places: in England, during the Salem witch trials, and also in Sicily.

Since I used to live in the US, in Gloucester near Salem, this connection felt very natural to me, and I decided to include it in the story. It’s not revealed at the beginning, because I want to explore it through flashbacks, linking past events to what happens in the present.

The idea is that this coven escaped from the Salem hunters and arrived in Sicily to live a peaceful life in Mondello (which had a different name at the time). However, their past follows them there, as they are eventually found and condemned by other hunters, who were also spread across different parts of the world.

Thank you again! I really hope to fully develop this idea and successfully complete the course.

Abhijeet Aade

Thank you so much, it really means a lot to me! It’s definitely an intense phase, but also a crucial one to give a clear direction to everything I’ve been working on so far.

I’m trying to build something solid, step by step, balancing both study and creative development. Moving into the presentation document and teaser phase is challenging, but it’s also when the project truly starts to come to life.

I really hope to move everything forward this summer, and I’d love to share the next developments.

Grace Balistreri That’s great to hear sounds like you’re building it the right way, step by step.

And yeah, that phase where it starts to come to life is always intense but exciting at the same time.

Would definitely love to see how it develops feel free to share updates as you move forward.

Grace Balistreri the more you share the more I love it :) getting some Outlander vibes, but likely more intense and dynamic pace for your narrative predicament I'd assume. I have no doubt you will get this project done and flying! and def keep us in the loop

@Sebastian Tudores

Thank you so much for your feedback, I really appreciate it! The comparison to Outlander is a big compliment, and I’m indeed working to give the narrative a more intense, dynamic rhythm. I’ll definitely keep you updated on the next steps, as I want to build something really solid from start to finish. Thanks again!