Stage 32 Success Stories

Ashley Renée Smith

Head of Community at Stage 32 ♦ Creative Executive, Writer, Author, Director of Development

September 2026 Open House Webcast

Bring Your Questions: Join Us for the FREE Stage 32 Community Open House

Wednesday, September 23rd at 12:00pm PT

You have questions. You're curious about how to actually make the most of your time on Stage 32, how to use the resources here successfully, how to build genuine relationships that lead somewhere meaningful, and how to move forward with real intention. How to find the right collaborators, producers, financiers, reps, distributors, etc.

That's exactly what this FREE event is designed for.

Our Community Open House is a live, fully interactive conversation hosted by me, Ashley Smith, Head of Community here at Stage 32. It's a genuine gathering where you get to show up, share what you're working on, ask the questions that have been on your mind, and get direct guidance tailored to where you actually are in your journey.

Whether you've attended one before or this is your first, the conversation is different every single time. It's shaped by the members who take the time to join, be present, and bring their real questions to the table. Your voice, your goals, and your curiosity make each Open House uniquely valuable.

Free Registration: https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32s-september-2026-community-open-house-webcast

We'll cover the tools and features on Stage 32 that most consistently create momentum for members, and we'll talk about what's happening on the platform that you don't want to miss out on. September lands us in a genuinely exciting stretch of the year. We're coming off Venice and Toronto International, in the middle of New York Film Festival, heading into Austin Film Festival, and gearing up for our annual November Write Club campaign. There's real opportunity to position yourself for what's ahead, and we'll talk about how to do exactly that.

We'll close with a live Q&A focused entirely on you, your questions, your projects, and your next steps. And if you can't join us live, don't worry! Registering guarantees you the full recording so you can watch it anytime, from anywhere.

Come as you are. Bring your questions. Let's have a real conversation.

Click HERE to Register for FREE!

Liked by Harri-Pekka Virkki

Leonardo Ramirez

Producer, Screenwriter, Author, Voice Actor

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1 hour ago

Master Certification in Line Producing!

Hey Creative Fam!

Just got my Master Certification in Line Producing. A HUGE thanks to Sam Sokolow for guiding me through the process and for all he does for the community through Stage 32 Certification.

Thanks Sam!

Liked by Kenneth Ellis 2 and 8 others

DeadQuency

Writer, Screenwriter, Playwright

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23 hours ago

Nominated for the PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize

Excited to share that my short story has been nominated by Oyster River Pages for the PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers. Grateful to the editors for believing in the work, and looking forward to seeing where this journey leads.

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DeadQuency

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
17 hours ago

Zoltan Zoltan Thank you so much.Really appreciate your kind words.

DeadQuency

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
17 hours ago

Maurice Vaughan Thank you, Maurice! It still doesn’t feel real, but I’m truly grateful.

Maurice Vaughan

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2 people like this
- Zoltan Zoltan
- DeadQuency
16 hours ago

You're welcome, DeadQuency. What genre(s) is your story?

DeadQuency

2
2 people like this
- Zoltan Zoltan
- Maurice Vaughan
16 hours ago

Maurice Vaughan It’s contemporary literary fiction and a psychological drama—exploring unresolved grief and connection through silence.

Maurice Vaughan

14 hours ago

Your story sounds interesting, @DeadQuency. What's your next step for it after the PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize?

Liked by Ana Marie Castillo

Stage 32 Job Alert

Works at Stage 32 ♦ Marketing/PR

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18 hours ago

Researcher hired through Stage 32 Jobs

Tellie Elise Burke, a Researcher was just hired for the project titled "Crew Member (Volunteer)". Congratulations!

Liked by Federico Alerta and 6 others

Mike O'Neill

Comedian, Screenwriter

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2 days ago

3rd Place WINNER in the Scriptapalooza TV Writing Competition!!

I'm beyond blown away and in legit shock by this achievement for my half-hour comedy pilot BAD IDEA. I've literally been shaking my head in disbelief for the past half-hour:

LOGLINE: Desperate to save his wrestling charity from the brink of collapse, a washed up t...

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Shamila Habibi

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
2 days ago

Amazing! Congratulation Mike O'Neill

Maurice Vaughan

2 days ago

You're welcome, Mike O'Neill. Catchy title and interesting concept. How did you come up with the idea?

Mike O'Neill

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
2 days ago

Shamila Habibi Thanks so much!

Mike O'Neill

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
2 days ago

Maurice Vaughan People love to root for the anti-hero. It's like we want to see a real life Stone Cold Steve Austin win. I was a huge pro wrestling fan growing up, and thought it was the perfect story...

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Maurice Vaughan

18 hours ago

I was a huge pro wrestling fan growing up too, @Mike. Stone Cold Steve Austin was one of my favorite wrestlers. Cool. What's your next move for BAD IDEA?

Liked by Arthur Charpentier and one other

Lena Stevens-Ng

Filmmaker

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22 hours ago

I Never Could Have Imagined How One Stage 32 Certification Course Would Change My Life

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Aloha! My name is Lena, and I’m an aspiring filmmaker from Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. When I graduated from Vassar College in 2021, I knew the pandemic had taken my chances of working in the film industry from slim to none, especially in New York. Between the lockdowns, financial instability, and caring for my family, a career in filmmaking seemed impossible. So, I pushed that dream aside and focused all my energy on marketing. While I loved film more than anything, it slowly became something I viewed from a distance rather than something I actively pursued.

After four years working full-time as a Marketing Coordinator, I felt like I was finally ready to get back into filmmaking. Unfortunately, I had zero experience working on set and very little money to pay for classes. When I found Stage 32’s Production Assistant Master Certification course through Good Jobs Hawaiʻi, it seemed like an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I applied to the program and hoped for the best. Once I got the acceptance email, it felt like everything was starting to fall into place. The asynchronous, online classes let me complete my modules without falling behind at work, and Good Jobs Hawaiʻi helped cover my tuition and fees. I never could have imagined how that one class would change my life.

Taking the Production Assistant Master Certification course was an incredible learning experience. The instructors didn’t stop at teaching us the basics. They offered personal career advice from decades of working in the industry, explained the roles and responsibilities of everyone on set, and stressed the importance of professionalism and set etiquette. With every lesson, I gained practical advice on how to distinguish myself as a PA and get invited back for future projects. I took their guidance to heart, and it paid off.

After receiving my certification, I joined the Hawaiʻi Filmmakers Collective and answered a callout for production assistants for an independent short film. Despite my nerves, I applied all the lessons I learned from class, and everyone I met on set assumed I’d been working as a PA for years. A few months later, I was invited back to help with another short film.

The most valuable lesson I learned from the production assisting course was that the best opportunities come from the people you build relationships with along the way.

Through HOCCI, I attended the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF), met accomplished film critics, interviewed award-winning directors and producers, and wrote reviews that were published on the HIFF blog. I learned so much about the thriving independent film industry here in Hawaiʻi, and I met people who I still consider to be very good friends.

Determined to do Aunty Meala justice, I applied to the inaugural HIFILM Producers Lab with myself listed as producer and her as director. To my surprise, our project was selected as one of six films chosen from over 50 applications. Through the Producers Lab, we got to workshop our storyline and pitch deck alongside some of the most talented filmmakers I have ever met. We even received one-on-one mentorship from producers whose projects had recently been to Sundance and SXSW.

Looking back, it's amazing to see how much has happened since my first Stage 32 course. What began as a simple decision to learn more about production assisting became the catalyst for a series of opportunities that I could never have imagined. In a little over a year, I gained on-set experience, interviewed award-winning filmmakers, published reviews, and started pre-production for a documentary short. The confidence I gained from Stage 32 even helped me expand my marketing career. I’m currently serving as the Director of DEI for Ad2 Hawaiʻi and recently organized a DEI panel bringing together local marketing and filmmaking professionals.

Last month, I completed my second Stage 32 course, the Production Accounting Master Certification. In just five modules, I gained invaluable knowledge about employment law, state tax incentives, cost reporting, and everything in between. If you think production accounting sounds boring, you couldn’t be more wrong. The course instructors were incredibly insightful, and they all had fascinating examples of how these complex accounting concepts are applied in real productions. The information I learned in both Stage 32 certification courses will help me for the rest of my career, and I wish it was a resource I’d found sooner.

I’m closer to achieving my dream of becoming a filmmaker than I ever thought possible. I may be a little biased, but I genuinely believe that anyone hoping to pursue a career in film or television should check out Stage 32. You never know where one class might take you, but if my experience is any indication, it can open doors you didn’t even know existed. As cliché as it may sound, one Stage 32 course changed my life, and I hope it changes yours too.

Maurice Vaughan

18 hours ago

Aloha, @Lena! It's great to meet you. Congratulations on graduating, finishing Stage 32’s Certification courses, and all your accomplishments! I'm looking forward to seeing your films!

Curt Samlaska

Owner at Academic Dermatology of Nevada ♦ Other, Author, Screenwriter, Actor, Director, Producer

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2 days ago

The Waiting Room Series: The Bird...

Stupid, stupid, stupid. Two men compete for the most embarrassing reason for their hand injuries. Stupid, stupid, stupid...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7jnuG2DiEw

Zoltan Zoltan

1 day ago

Great concept, Curt! Sometimes the simplest setups make for the funniest situations. :)

Curt Samlaska

1 day ago

Zoltan Zoltan, I so much appreciate you! You are my only shoutout... We are shooting 3 films this Sunday, The Robbery, The Wall and Water Warts. I will be editing for a few weeks...stay tuned...

David Mills

Screenwriter

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3 days ago

Beyond the Arc = Results

Super excited to learn my screenplay Beyond the Arc was included as Scriptapalooza Fellowship announced TOP 20 writers. The six winners will be announced August 31st.

Beyond the Arc follows a closeted small-town Kentucky basketball star with Division I dreams must survive being outed in a deeply con...

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Michael Dzurak

2 days ago

Congrats on the Selection! For a second, I thought you were Brad Pitt's character from Seven, he was also "David Mills."

Zoltan Zoltan

2 days ago

Congratulations, David! Top 20 is a great result. The feedback on Brady shows how much those small character details are landing with readers. Fingers crossed for August 31!

M.R. Hilow

Filmmaker, Screenwriter, Stunt Coordinator

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1 month ago

One step closer...

Thrilled to share; Eternal Blessings, my cult thriller spec, now has SEVEN contest placements (and two wins). Thank you Portland Under The Stars Film Festival and IFF Melbourne! Also, and incredibly, a very well know director (and a producer) have requested the script--so next post I hope to have so...

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David Mills

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1 person likes this
- M.R. Hilow
3 days ago

congrats!!!

Zoltan Zoltan

1
1 person likes this
- M.R. Hilow
2 days ago

Congratulations on the seven placements and especially the two wins! Getting the script requested by a director and producer sounds like an exciting next step. We’d also love to welcome you to FilmPlatforms and follow the journey of Eternal Blessings there.

Glenn Powell

Screenwriter

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6 days ago

Omg! - owa

I just received the best surprise this morning in my inbox. My screenplay Slicks has progressed forward with OWA and is being submitted to Jos Villegas for consideration. Mightily humbled to be considered along with the others. I expect it will be tough competition hereon but to be considered is super exciting.

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Harish Chidambaram Alias Harish Arjunaa

3
3 people like this
5 days ago

Firstly hearty congratulations. Since you mentioned in Iowa If you are open to ai film or film techniques, or any kind of ai film venturing, I encourage you to visit ATC whenever you feel comfortable....

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Thomas Howell

2
2 people like this
- Michael Dzurak
- Zoltan Zoltan
5 days ago

Talented screenwriters cannot get a break. I was trained by Emmy Award winner Lee Levinson in the year 2000. 26 years of experience. I have worked as a pro ghostwriter for all this time. 99 screenplay...

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Zoltan Zoltan

2
2 people like this
- Michael Dzurak
- Glenn Powell
5 days ago

Congratulations, Glenn! Getting that email must have been a great way to start the day. Whatever happens in the next round, having Slicks move forward and land in front of the right people is already a win. Fingers crossed for the next step!

Adam J. Spencer

1
1 person likes this
- Michael Dzurak
3 days ago

Hooray, Glenn Powell! It's a humbling and exciting experience. All the best to you!

David Mills

1
1 person likes this
- Michael Dzurak
3 days ago

Way to go!!!!!

Kyle Morin

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3 days ago

A quarter finalist in a festival!

I am beyond excited to announce that my project, THE KIDNAPPER'S CURSE, has officially advanced as a Quarter-Finalist in a competitive film festival! Crafting this high-stakes, dark narrative was an incredible journey, and seeing it recognized on an international platform is truly rewarding.

On a rel...

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Zoltan Zoltan

1
1 person likes this
- Kyle Morin
3 days ago

Congratulations, Kyle! Getting THE KIDNAPPER'S CURSE to the quarter-finals is a great milestone. Out of curiosity, what stage is the project at now are you mainly focused on developing the script furt...

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Kyle Morin

3 days ago

@Zoltan Zoltan

Hi mr Zoltan,

Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement — it truly means a lot.

To answer your question: the script is fully completed and has gone through multiple rounds of...

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David Mills

1
1 person likes this
- Kyle Morin
3 days ago

congrats!!!

M.R. Hilow

Filmmaker, Screenwriter, Stunt Coordinator

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4 days ago

Momentum

Happy to announce, prolific TV director Omar Madha has agreed to direct my spec Eternal Blessings. There is also talk to adapt the script, written as a feature, into a streaming series. Still no option and still unrepped but the magic rolls on... Thank you Omar!

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Maurice Vaughan

2
2 people like this
- M.R. Hilow
- Michael Dzurak
3 days ago

That's great, @M.R.! Congratulations!

David Hall

2
2 people like this
- M.R. Hilow
- Maurice Vaughan
3 days ago

Great news M.R. Hilow - congratulations!

Darrell A Pennington

2
2 people like this
- M.R. Hilow
- Maurice Vaughan
3 days ago

How awesome - be sure and keep us apprised of developments.

Wendy Kay

2
2 people like this
- M.R. Hilow
- Maurice Vaughan
3 days ago

That is wonderful news! Congratulations!

Adam J. Spencer

2
2 people like this
- M.R. Hilow
- Maurice Vaughan
3 days ago

That's great! Looking forward to seeing you succeed, M.R. Cheers!

Eddie Lawhorn

Author, Screenwriter

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1 week ago

Positive Feedback

It's a small step, but I'll take it! I paid for a "Feature Script Premium Development Notes From an Executive (2 Pages)" - and the feedback arrived - and while it's a pass, my script apparently doesn't stink! (I'm in Huntsville, Alabama so I speak fluent nerd, but I'm new to this screenwriting stuff...

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Mike Hardware, Private Eye

Logline:

A face-blind private eye and his sharp new assistant investigate a Nazi-era murder tied to their nightmare client's bitter divorce, only to discover a killer determined to frame her for it.

Nutshell:

Based on the tone and structure, comps for this film are: KNIVES OUT with the quirks of MONK or PSYCH

Comment Summary:

I really enjoyed this read! The writer's comedic voice felt distinctive and well-sustained throughout the script. I never felt like the comedy or jokes were forced or unnecessary. The dog was also a great comedic touch, especially with his own commentary in Mike's imagination. A lot of the comedy was able to further the characters' development (like the M&Ms or toilet paper quirks) vs there just as a gag. The mystery was well put together with clues sprinkled in early so the audience is kept on their toes without even knowing it! The conclusion felt earned, especially after suspecting each character along the way. Thank you so much for letting me review the material.

Formatting:

This is a really well-formatted script that was easily read and enjoyed!

Concept & Originality:

I think this is a strong and well-executed concept with real commercial appeal. The core hook is a good combination because each piece earns its place rather than just being quirky for a comedy sake. The face blindness isn't just a gimmick slapped on for fun, but a solid justification for Kaye's role as well as creating real stakes for Mike. The dog isn't just comic relief, but an underlying commentary moving the plot forward.

My instinct here is that the concept feels like a TV pilot vs a full length feature. The episodic (and almost procedural) structure and the ensemble of recurring characters feels more like a recurring cast more than a standalong movie. While this isn't a flaw, it does beg the question on if this makes more sense as a TV show than a feature. I will also mention that the tone is doing a tricky balance between the high stakes of a murder mystery with the low stakes of a slow burn romance. It's hard to strike this balance just right without the comedy undercutting the stakes of something as serious as a murder. I actually believe the writer has done a great job of achieving this, but just something to note.

Character & Dialogue:

The character work in this script is great! Mike is a really well built lead. He has a distinct inner voice without making him a stock character. He's calm under pressure and morally grounded. The dog is such a fun character and giving him a real personality as the "senior partner" was such a smart inclusion. Kaye has a great arc packed into a short amount of time and gives us the ultimate clue that cracks the case.

Some actor ideas for making a visual deck:

Mike - Jake Lacy, Charlie Day, Ben Schwartz Kaye - Kiersey Clemons, Betty Gilpin

Ms. Perriman - Jane Lynch

Plot & Structure:

Your plot plays really fair. The mystery is built carefully with real planning and believable red herrings before landing on the real killer. The script will reward attentive audiences and hold up with critical scrutiny which is the hardest thing to pull off for mystery-comedies.

Budget & Commercial Prospect:

Budget-wise, this script is a very achievable indie feature likely in the -3 Million range. A reasonably recognizable cast can be achieved here even on a small budget with many of the locations/settings being practical vs built. There weren't any major stunts or visual effects necessities which will also keep costs low. The only pricey elements I noticed were the animated dream sequences which will require extra work and clear boundaries for how lavish they are.

DEVELOPMENT

Writer: Pass Project: Pass

Next Steps:

It's always a good idea to look into reputable (keywork reputable!) writing contests like Austin Film Festival, Nicholl Fellowship, or genre-specific comedy competitions that could build credibility and get it in front of industry readers. Please be wary of competitions that are just trying to take your money. These are a waste of time and materials. I also suggest filming a sizzle reel or short film version of this and uploading to YouTube/TikTok to convey a proof of concept in tone, character, and comedy.

Next, you should do a deep dive with a Character Voice Pass. Read the script aloud, or stage a table read with friends, so you can hear the dialogue in real-time and how each character expresses themselves. Because this ensemble is large, it’s important to make sure the dialogue belongs fully to each individual character without being interchangeable. You don’t want voices to bleed together in these larger and more chaotic group scenes.

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Aimee Conner

4
4 people like this
1 week ago

This advice is something people who are serious about their craft need to embrace: you should never , I repeat never, pay someone to read your writing. If you are paying for any type of submission, it...

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Eddie Lawhorn

2
2 people like this
- Michael Dzurak
- Maurice Vaughan
7 days ago

Thanks for the encouragement everyone! Now that I have a novel, screenplay, and gameshow out of this project so far, I might as well go ahead and figure out how to do the TV version next. I can’t affo...

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Maurice Vaughan

1
1 person likes this
- Michael Dzurak
7 days ago

You're welcome, Eddie Lawhorn. Keep us posted on your project. I don't have anything to script swap with you right now, but maybe in the future. Roll Tide!...

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David Taylor

2
2 people like this
- Michael Dzurak
- Zoltan Zoltan
7 days ago

What Aimee said.

Robert Zwerneman

2
2 people like this
- Michael Dzurak
- Zoltan Zoltan
7 days ago

David Taylor, that's my line. What Aimee Conner said....

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Stage 32 Success Stories

Bring Your Questions: Join Us for the FREE Stage 32 Community Open House

Wednesday, September 23rd at 12:00pm PT

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