Stage 32 Success Stories

I’m honoured that ‘Zeeka and the Zombies’ was recognized among the top 25 % of entries in the horror-com screenplay contest 2025. This story is a tribute to Caribbean resilience, imagination, and the power of speculative fiction to reveal truth through terror.

The Contest Director commended my scree...

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Here’s the lesson I want to share today, especially for anyone pitching on Stage 32:

If they didn’t respond or passed, circle back when you’re more prepared. Yes, there’s a caveat: sometimes a pass really does mean “not for our slate right now.” T...

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Here’s the lesson I want to share today, especially for anyone pitching on Stage 32:

Don’t stop at one pitch—go back to the same executive.

If they didn’t respond or passed, circle back when you’re more prepared. Yes, there’s a caveat: sometimes a pass really does mean “not for our slate right now.” That’s a real thing. But often the scorecard makes the difference clear. If you’re consistently getting low marks across fundamentals, it’s not that the concept isn’t marketable—it’s that you haven’t yet learned how to show it. That’s not weakness. That’s craft still waiting to be forged.

After my worst pitch ever, I almost quit. Instead, it lit a fire. I didn’t just tweak my delivery. I re-envisioned the whole thing. I went through something like twenty revisions, and not the tidy kind—deep ones. I fully rewrote the script at least twice, maybe three times. Then I went back to the same exec.

Second time: best scorecard I’ve ever received, materials requested, and one of the most encouraging responses of my career.

Here’s what changed: confidence built on undeniable work.

When what you’re holding is clear and true, talking about it stops being salesmanship and starts being invitation. People lean in—even those who didn’t get it the first time. They might still pass for reasons of fit, but now they want to hear it.

And let me add this: one of the things that helped me get to that point was finding readers. Not just one or two, but as many as I could. I was lucky enough to find close to twenty, some I knew, some I didn’t. Out of all of them, most gave me small useful notes, but one in particular gave me the most excellent, on-point, honest feedback I’ve ever had. And yes, it was someone I knew. People say not to ask friends or family because they’ll go easy on you, but it depends on the kind of people you know.

There are friends who would never tell you when you’ve got broccoli in your teeth… and there are friends who’ll point it out (and laugh with you while you fix it). The second kind are the ones you want reading your script.

Honesty born of care—for you and for the story—will sharpen your work more than flattery ever will.

A “no” is not a tombstone. It’s data. It’s direction.

Go back when you’re ready. Go back when it’s undeniable.

Huge thanks to the Stage 32 team and community for the sound advice: Don’t just pitch once. If someone doesn’t respond, return when you’re truly ready. That simple wisdom kept me from quitting—and changed everything.

View all All comments

Brenda Mohammed

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan 5
1 day ago

Thank you, Husin Alkhatib

Wendy Kay

Congratulations!

Maurice Vaughan 5

1 day ago

You're welcome, Brenda Mohammed.

Selma Karayalcin

3
3 people like this
1 day ago

Thank you Wendy Kay and Selma Karayalcin.

Leonardo Ramirez 2

2
2 people like this
- Adam Spencer
- Maurice Vaughan 5
3 days ago

Very well said Michael Reeves. I'm glad you included humility in that list. We can't grow without it and since the learning never stops, we'll always have need of it....

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Adam Spencer

3
3 people like this
3 days ago

Leonardo Ramirez 2 & Michael Reeves: Yes indeedy. I’d even go one step further: I think mercy is the precondition for honest change. Humility opens the door to mercy—for our peers in the industry, and...

Sanna Peth

2
2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan 5
- Adam Spencer
3 days ago

Adam Spencer Hi! I submitted the first version to 3 execs. One of them wrote back saying they thought it was a really good idea and a great story, but unfortunately it wasn’t something they were worki...

2
2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan 5
- Sanna Peth
3 days ago

Sanna Peth That really hit home. I don’t think anyone gets more nervous, impatient, hopeful, or downright delirious in the waiting than I do — and then somehow ends up overwhelmed with gratitude just...

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan 5
3 days ago

Adam Spencer So be it! It’s certainly an exciting process. It brings many sleepless nights, yet it has its own kind of beauty. And I truly hope our work will find its way to its destination....

Fabio Acri

2
2 people like this
- Kenneth Ellis 2
- Maurice Vaughan 5
5 days ago

well done! congrats!

Mark Osborn

3
3 people like this
5 days ago

Patmos is beautiful. I was there 20 years ago and toured the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian. Amazing place. hopefully you had time to explore. I love Rom Coms especially on a Greek Island. I will look for your film.

Michael J Goujon Jr

2
2 people like this
- Amy Moffatt
- Maurice Vaughan 5
5 days ago

Congratulations

Hannah Woolmer

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan 5
4 days ago

wow, what a great location to be filming in. I look forward to seeing the final film!

Mark Deuce

LET´S GOOOOO!!

1
1 person likes this
- Michael Dzurak
6 days ago

Congratulations on 100 LIFETIMES advancing to the Semifinals, Kevin J. Howard!

Michael Dzurak

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan 5
6 days ago

Congrats. What is this story about?

Suzanne Bronson

2
2 people like this
- اسماء نصرات
- Maurice Vaughan 5
1 week ago

Hi Rich Terdoslavich this lounge is actually for Stage 32 Success Stories, not industry success stories in general. Do you have a story you can share about how Stage 32 helped you accomplish your goal...

Rich Terdoslavich

3
3 people like this
1 week ago

Hi, Suzanne, thank you for clearing that up. Will post something later. All the best, talk to you soon.

Alan Raynor

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan 5
2 weeks ago

What is Ashley's address?

2 weeks ago

Hi, Alan Raynor. Do you want to write a blog for Stage 32? If so, email Ashley at blog@stage32.com.

I suggest adding a profile picture of yourself. People will feel more comfortable networking and coll...

Kevin Hager

I have Asperger Syndrome, so I am a private person. But I am also a dog lover, so I use the picture of one of my dogs.

Hey, Kevin Hager. I think you told me that before. That comment is for Alan. And since you're a writer and you want to work in film and TV, Kevin Hager, you could use a picture about writing, a pictur...

Well, some people have disabilities so some things might be a different case for them.

Foxxay Howard

2
2 people like this
- Albert D. Mason
- Maurice Vaughan 5
2 weeks ago

that’s what’s up!!

K.a.h. Conway

Congratulations!!

David Kane

Nice!!!

Sylvia Melanson

Great news for you! Congratulations, Albert D. Masson!

Darrell Pennington

What a tremendous achievement - you should be extremely proud!

1
1 person likes this
- Ritchie Johnston
2 weeks ago

That's great, Ritchie Johnston! Congratulations! Is this a Stage 32 Success Story (did you meet Andy Blithe on Stage 32, did you use the coverage service for your script, etc.)?...

Ritchie Johnston

2
2 people like this
- Michael Fitzer
- Maurice Vaughan 5
2 weeks ago

Thanks Michael Fitzer

Thanks Maurice Vaughan 5, I had gotten some feedback from the screenplay on Stage 32, but it was actually me that introduced Andy to Stage 32, we've know each other for a while meeting through the ind...

You're welcome, Ritchie Johnston. That's great that you introduced Andy to Stage 32! Congratulations on all your success with Guardian Anghells! I like mockumentaries! Keep us posted on yours....

Emily Burrage

2
2 people like this
- Maurice Vaughan 5
- Ritchie Johnston
2 weeks ago

Congratulations Ritchie. Andy is a great director. I look forward to seeing the finished mocumentry.

Robin Shushan

2
2 people like this
- Richard "RB" Botto
- Maurice Vaughan 5
1 month ago

Thank you, Nambasi!

Nambasi Lukaiya

My pleasure, Robin

Laide Akano

3
3 people like this
1 month ago

Thumbs up! You're going places Robin

2
2 people like this
- Richard "RB" Botto
- Maurice Vaughan 5
2 weeks ago

Yay! My weird dark comedy, WRITTEN BY HENRIETTA BLOOM is now a FINALIST for Stage32's 5th Annual TV Comedy Screenwriting Contest!! Thanks, Stage32! You guys are awesome!

2
2 people like this
- Richard "RB" Botto
- Robin Shushan
2 weeks ago

Congratulations, Robin Shushan!

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