Screenwriting

My inspiration comes from the things I am surrounded by. The support I get was not always given but I’m making the best of it by staying inspired. My creative mind is driven at the moment.

Didn’t get a chance to ask this during the webinar, but putting it out here because I’d love to hear from any working writers or reps who’ve navigated this stage—what worked for you?” Hi everyone!

My name is Ryan Wilford—originally from Chicago, now based in Los Angeles. I’m an upcoming screenwriter focused on creating films and stories that explore themes of mental health and personal growth. I’m really looking forward to learning, connecting, and hearing from all of you today.

I have a two-part question:

1. Once you’ve polished your script as a non-represented writer, what’s the first strategic step you recommend taking—especially knowing that most submissions will be considered unsolicited? And with that in mind, do you think it’s more important for a new writer to prioritize finding a manager or agent, or should the focus be on building a portfolio and relationships first?

2. In today’s industry landscape, how realistic is it for an emerging writer without representation to get their script in front of the right people—like producers, managers, or decision-makers? What approaches actually work? 

I've always been interested in the human phyche, and what makes people instantly compatible, or not. When it comes to writing novels and screenplays, I like to reference the Enneagram personality types to flesh out characters that can seem cliché in the first draft. This study in self development lays out all the anxieties, insecurities, strenghts, perspectives, and parental orientation that establishes the ways different 'types' of people protect themselves, go after goals, and how they interact in relastionships. (great for back stories) The best book I've found so far is; Personality Types by Don Richard Risso.

Hello, I recently updated a website I put together to pass along information about a series of scripts I've written over the years. I think the site came out pretty well, but I've been having issues with the site's

download speed on my computer. The guy who designed the site said he it wasn't a problem on his end, so I was curious to see what other people's experience of it was. I would also welcome any comments on the concept for those who have any thoughts they'd like to share. Thanks in advance for your help,

https://theswordbearer.com/

Hey everyone! I wanted to congratulate our fellow community members who had scripts requested through Stage 32 pitch sessions over the last 2 weeks. We are thrilled for the opportunities for the following writers to have their scripts requested by various producers, LINK Entertainment, Flirt Films, Phoenix Pictures, Zero Gravity Management, and more! Please join us in congratulating your fellow writers for their accomplishments!

Congrats to:

Devin Barnes

Stefan Alexander

Niles Welikson

Nicholas Joseph

Lauren Hackney

John Doble

Dea Divi

Giorge Souladze

Wade Ballanve

Brian Edgar

A.K. Moore

Tom Morgan

Stephanie

Amy Moffatt

Susan Lander

Phil Olson

Paula Quintana

Myna Sky

Nicholas Vodicka

John Fouche

Catherine Bosley

Thomas Newman

Stefan Alexander

Steven Hart

Stefan Alexander

Lori Lee Peters

John Park

David H. Fein (D. Hunter Fein)

Thomas Jamieson

Tiffiney Cornish

Jason Thomas Gordon

Danielle Olson

Kevin Bihan-Poudec

Staton Rabin

Annelise Gaparasi

Terry Coffey

Jeffrey White

Sean Plemmons

Stefan Alexander

D. Elliot Woods

Mark Williams-Abrams

Jeffrey Radlauer

Phil Olson

Helen Castles

Lissa Coffey

Laurie Ashbourne

Michael Fitzer

Claudine Pierre-Louis

Thomas Newman

Catherine Bosley

David Williamson

Odain Watson

Cara Reinard

Joe Thayer

Michael Kearney

Tom Morgan

Christian Everhard

Doug Dilg

Gabriel Stanley

Jeffrey White

Makai Dudley

Margaret Doner

Matt Brolly

Pavan Grover

Steffany Lohn Sommers

Richard Turner

Susan Lander

Benita Cullingford

Stefan Alexander

Cameron Ryan Soedi

Eric A Zimmerman

Peter Fairfield

Michael J. Shapiro

Kaycie Surrell

Zafar Ayub

Myna Sky

A.K. Moore

Tex Gresham

Stefan Alexander

Stan Evans

Brenda Lee Boddy

Marc Nelson

Sunil Dhokia

Plus! We had 34 meeting requests from producers for our writers! Congratulations to the following writers!

Tom Firestone

Robert Wooldridge

Nicholas Joseph

Stacy Bannerman

Terry Coffey

Jeffrey White

Sean Plemmons

Christine Capone

Phil Olson

Laurie Ashbourne

Michael Fitzer

Rebecca Heidt

Claudine Pierre-Louis

Thomas Newman

Michael Kearney

Tom Morgan

Wade Ballance

Courtney lochner

John Fouche

Christian Everhard

Gabriel Stanley

Margaret Doner

Alana Gerdes

Sohrab Homi Fracis

Bill Marmor

Gabrielle Nehring

Niles Welikson

Cameron Ryan Soedi

Eric A Zimmerman

Michael J. Shapiro

Stefan Alexander

Marc Nelson

Sunil Dhokia

I plan to upload my script. But that means that anyone can see my script. And like most people, I hate that bots collect email addresses for spammers. So what do I write instead of my email address?

Should I write : "Contact at Stage32"? Or what should I write?

You guessed it. The reason why I plan to upload my script is that I have lost hope to sell it. On the internet I found lists with production companies. So after going through lists with perhaps 7,000 production companies, I contacted roughly 100 which appeared willing to read scripts from people like me. But I appear to have wasted my time even though I could tell in my query letter that I have three produced TV-movies.

So I am preparing to create yet another no-budget film. This time in English rather than in my native language. By creating a movie, I will afterward have something to show production companies. I hope some company will be willing to pay for the right to do a more expensive version.

(Please note that this is done as it would a script for a comic, I have a background in comics so I use comic terms for the script. I do hope to get this made as a movie of short tv show. I'm looking for feed back on the pages if you can take the time to read and leave a review in the comments.) 

Page 11 - Four Panels

(Ch2 Pg11 Panel-One)

EXT. SMALL FARMHOUSE - DAY. Garerit arrives at his family's modest farmhouse. The structure is old, with cracked walls and a sagging roof. There are signs of struggle- overgrown weeds in the garden, a broken fence. The window shutters hang crookedly. Garerit stands in the doorway, surveying the scene with a somber expression.

CAP: After the turmoil, the tailor finds his family just barely holding on.

SB (Garerit - Inner Thought): This place... it hasn't been easy for them.

(Ch2 Pg11 Panel-Two)

INT. FARMHOUSE - DAY. Garerit enters, his face filled with concern. Inside, his family looks haggard-his mother sits by the hearth, her face worn with worry, while his younger siblings sit nearby, looking hungry but relieved to see him. The room is sparse, with only a small fire burning and some scattered belongings.

SB (Garerit): (Softly) Mother... siblings...

SB (Mother): Gerarit! Thank god... you're safe!

SB (Garerit): (With a sad smile) I've brought food and supplies. It's not much, but it's enough to get us by.

(Ch2 Pg11 Panel-Three)

Garerit kneels down, unloading the sacks of goods and placing them on a small table. His younger sister reaches up eagerly, her eyes wide with relief. His brother watches from the corner, barely hiding his gratitude. Garerit looks at his family, a mixture of sadness and determination in his eyes.

SB (Garerit): This is from the giant's hoard. We'll make sure you have enough to get through this.

SB (Sister): (Smiling, excited) Food... real food!

SB (Brother): (Quietly, with gratitude) You did it, Garerit... you saved us.

(Ch2 Pg11 Panel-Four)

Garerit stands up, looking at his mother. She approaches him, eyes filled with both relief and sorrow. She reaches out to touch his shoulder, her expression a mix of pride and pain.

SB (Mother): Gerarit, we've been so hungry... and scared. I didn't know how much longer we could last.

SB (Gerarit): I know, Mother. It's all right now. I won't let anything happen to you.

SB (Mother): I have something to show you.

CAP: Despite the hardship, Gerarit's family is now safe. But the road ahead is still uncertain.

Page 10 - Four Panels

(Ch2 Pg10 Panel-One)

EXT. VALLEY ROAD - DAY. Garerit and Crawe rides along a dirt road, the sack of gold and other valuables now securely tied to the wagon. In the distance, the valley town can be seen. Garerit's eyes are focused on the horizon, eager to return the stolen goods to his family and ensure they're safe.

CAP: The road ahead seems a little darker for Garerit, with his family's future now looking far more unsertan.

(Ch2 Pg10 Panel-Two)

Behind Gerarit, the giant lays faces down in the dirt in a pool of blood and guts, Garerit hauls a sack of food, a crate of chickens, and leads a pig by a rope.

SB (Gerarit grinning): "Not trouble, just business! You wouldn't happen to have room for a few...'donations' from our oversized friend here?"

SB (Crawe Chuckles): "Long as you don't expect me to bring the giant too."

(Ch2 Pg10 Panel-Three)

EXT. TOWN GATE - DAY. Garerit arrives at the town gate, his wagon piled high with the recovered treasures. The town guard stands by, eyes wide as they recognize the merchandise. Garerit waves them over with a friendly smile.

SB (Garerit): I've brought something for the village, fellas. These belong to some people of the valley, and they're going back where they belong. I've taken them back from the giant.

SB (Guard): (Shocked) By god, is that... the giant's hoard?

SB (Crawe): Aye, it's his. But now it's ours again.

(Ch2 Pg10 Panel-Four)

The Guards and Townfolk help Garerit and Crawe unload the wagon with the stolen goods-chickens squawking in cages, pigs grunting, and barrels thudding as they're set in place, cows being lead away.

SB (Crawe muttering as he reins in the horse): "Never thought I'd be part of retuning stolen goods..."

SB (Gerarit smirking): "I prefer 'strategic restitution of property.!"