Story – Robert McKee's Creative Storytelling Magazine Issue 005 – Drew Carey | Page 10

STAGE 32
HAPPY WRITER
SPOTLIGHT
As a screenwriter, trying to break
into Hollywood from outside of
Los Angeles can be a daunting
task. Unless you know someone
who knows someone, you are left
staring at your finished screenplay
wondering, "What next?" Trying
to get a manager, agent, studio,
or production company to read
your material can be nearly impossible.
While listening to a podcast, I
found out about Stage 32, and
realized there might be hope yet.
Founder & CEO, Richard Botto,
talked about the community and
the various offerings for all creatives. It seemed like the perfect
place for people like me to gather online and make the ever-elusive “Hollywood” seem just a little bit closer.
When I signed up to Stage 32 I was
immediately drawn to the Stage
32 Happy Writers, which offered
unparalleled opportunities for
writing, including exclusive pitch
sessions with Hollywood executives. I could pitch my screenplays to managers, agents, directors of development and other
big decision makers. It allowed a
no-name writer 2000 miles away
get in front of some of the biggest movers and shakers in Hollywood. I took full advantage.
Joey Tuccio, President of the
Stage 32 Happy Writers, guided me through the pitching pro-

cess. He helped me hone my
craft, and even pointed me in the
right direction for producers and
managers that were looking for
my genre. He was a tireless advocate. During this process I also
had support from creatives all
over the world inside the Stage
32 Lounge.
On Joey ’s recommendation, I
submitted a written pitch for The
Devil's Hammer to Producer David Harris. A short time later I received an email from Joey that
simply stated, "Call me!" I did.
David Harris had read the script
and "loved it". Joey set up a meeting between David and I, and we
immediately hit it off. He agreed
to shop my script.
As if this wasn’t enough, David and his p