WINNER ANNOUNCED
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The Longest Running Comedy Screenplay Contest in the World is Back!
Ever dreamt of seeing your feature comedy script come to life on the big screen or streaming on flat-screens in living rooms across the country? This is your chance to turn that dream into reality!
The Grand Prize Winning screenwriter will go into a script development and packaging mentorship with Stage 32 & Pathfinder Media, in partnership with Todd Biermann (MYTHIC QUEST, IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY, and more!)
Pathfinder Media will review all Semi-Finalist loglines - eligible for script requests!
PLUS -- All Top 10 Finalists will be eligible for mentorships with execs from
3Pas Studios, Elevate Entertainment and Epigram Entertainment.
But that’s not all! Every finalist’s logline will be featured in a Stage 32 Look Book sent to over 500 top entertainment industry executives, giving your work unparalleled exposure.
Congrats to our Winner!
NAME SCREENPLAY
TED SPERLING TREASURE INC.
Todd Biermann is a storied TV comedy director who recently served as Producing Director for SIDE QUEST on Apple TV+ and is well known for his work as a longtime collaborator of Rob McElhenney’s as a director on MYTHIC QUEST on Apple TV+ as well as ITS ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA for FX. Todd directed the pilot for LIZA ON DEMAND, and is one of ABC’s go to directors across Kenya Barris’s series BLACK-ISH, MIXED-ISH, and GROWN-ISH. Todd recently directed episodes of HIGH POTENTIAL for ABC, GHOSTS for CBS, BIG DOOR PRIZE for Apple and has also directed episodes of DICE for Showtime and BROAD CITY for Comedy Central that featured Hillary Clinton. Todd also recently served as the Producing Director on THE OTHER BLACK GIRL for Hulu. This partnership represents a proactive approach to finding Todd's next marquee project.
And Todd, in partnership with his manager Mark Wheeler's management company Pathfinder Media, are partnering with Stage 32 to find the next undiscovered comedy writing talents to represent and package a project with Todd attached. At Pathfinder Media, Mark manages a diverse range of clients, and he will work directly with the winner to help develop the winning project of the Stage 32 + Pathfinder Film & TV Comedy Screenwriting Contest.
Open to Feature Film and TV Pilot Scripts!
From the slapstick, goofball jokes of CHAD POWERS, to the totally fun and hilarious antics of ONE OF THEM DAYS and FRIENDSHIP, to the comedy of errors of THE STUDIO, audiences can’t get enough funny comedy storytelling. This year alone, classic franchises like THE OFFICE with THE PAPER, THE NAKED GUN and FREAKIER FRIDAY were rebooted, proving a great story can last for decades. The appetite for amazing comedy projects is insatiable, and we want your story to be the next smash hit!
We’re on the lookout for all types of comedy scripts! Rollicking action-comedies? Spooky horror comedies? Sugary sweet romantic comedies? The next legendary road-trip buddy romp? We want to see it all!
We are looking for Feature scripts like:
ONE OF THEM DAYS, FRIENDSHIP, VACATION FRIENDS, THE NAKED GUN, FREAKY FRIDAY, BEVERLY HILLS COP, HAPPY GILMORE, THE MATERIALISTS, OH HI!, SHIVA BABY, HEADS OF STATE, BACK IN ACTION, MY OLD ASS, SATURDAY NIGHT, THE ROSES, SPLITSVILLE, THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND, LET'S START A CULT, JACKPOT!, THELMA, ANYONE BUT YOU, ROLE PLAY, THE FAMILY SWITCH, OLD DADS, QUIZ LADY, DUMB MONEY, and more!
As well as TV pilot scripts like:
MYTHIC QUEST, THE STUDIO, TED LASSO, CHAD POWERS, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, PEN15, RAMY, IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, BLACK-ISH, THE GOLDBERGS, TWO BROKE GIRLS, INSECURE, TWO AND A HALF MEN, FLEABAG, 30 ROCK, THE OFFICE, PARKS N REC, GIRLS, FRASIER, ABBOTT ELEMENTARY, STICK, BROAD CITY, THE MICK, SUPERSTORE, SHIFTING GEARS and more!
But that's not all, we want to see all new, unique and fresh ideas that we haven't seen before!
For the last 13 years, Stage 32 Contests have led to dozens of success stories including writers getting representation, sold, optioned, staffed, given writing assignments and getting produced. No other contest opens more doors and we want to do the same for you.
If you have a comedic story that needs to be told, now is the time to show us what you've got, because our goal is to amplify your voice, give you the access Stage 32 is known for, and take your writing career to the next level!
The Grand Prize Winning screenwriter will receive:
- Pathfinder Media placement for representation, script development and packaging with Director Todd Biermann.
- Career Accelerator Prize Package ($4,000 value) including script development, career consulting, writer branding, and comprehensive education resources.
- Personal Mentorship Track with dedicated 1:1 career development sessions from our success team.
- Industry Marketing Campaign promoting winner to our exclusive roster of 2,500+ managers, agents, producers, and executives.
- Strategic Partnership where Stage 32 and Pathfrinder Media executives collaborate to prepare your project to take directly to market.
Our Finalists will receive:
Our Finalists will receive a Career Momentum prize package valued at $1,500, including Career Development, a Writer Branding Workshop and an Education package, and will have your logline featured in a Stage 32 Look Book sent to over 2,500+ top entertainment industry executives, giving your work unparalleled exposure!
But that’s not all! Everyone who makes the Semi-Finals will receive a Career Breakthrough prize package valued at $1,000, our Quarterfinalists will receive a Career Elevation prize package valued at $500, and all Entrants will get a prize package valued at $100!
Additional Judges:
Additionally, we have four more judges who are very interested in comedy scripts. These comedy execs will also read and judge the Top 10 finalist scripts, and potentially meet with any finalists whose writing they enjoy!
- Brad Kessell, Producer, Gold Circle Films (CHAMPIONS, PITCH PERFECT, MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING)
- Vicky Zamarripa, Creative Executive, Groundswell Productions (LOVE THE COOPERS, ALICE & JACK)
- Brandon Tamburri, Director & Producer, Joke Zero (PLAN B, THE NATIONAL LAMPOON RADIO HOUR)
Our Comedy Feature Screenwriting Contest Winners See Results!
Stage 32 has launched the careers of hundreds of writers over the last 12 years. Stage 32 has quickly emerged as the leading source for industry executives to uncover new talent! Is this your year to move the needle on your career?
Let last year's Comedy Winner Brian Pracht tell you why you should enter!
"I'm stunned! I'm thrilled! I'm happy right now because I'm going to get a chance to meet industry professionals who worked on some of my favorite projects of the last couple years and I'm actually going to be talking to them. And, you know... I don't have access to that, so to have access to that is awesome! To get help with my material and get help with my career, I'm just over the moon right now!"
Previous contest winners, the mother-daughter writing team of Kelly & Megan Anelons gained massive traction on her winning script BEST LAID PLANS, as they took a full slate of meetings in LA with Literary Managers, Development Execs, and Producers from Circle of Confusion, Suite 06, two Emmy-nominated Producers, and more! -- all actively working on and looking for comedy stories.
Our 7th Annual Comedy Feature winners, Bobby & Rachel shares about their winning script JEW-ISH. Rachel and Bobby flew out to LA and met with industry professionals, where they met a producer with whom they're developing their script!
Our 5th Annual Comedy Contest winner, Jenny Rauch met with industry executives from Panay Films, Smart Entertainment, Whitewater Films, Verite Entertainment, and Zero Gravity Management, which boosted her career and helped get her in front of real decision makers.
Our 4th Annual Comedy Contest winner, Greg Mania was signed by Cohn/Torgan Management, and has since published a memoir called Born To Be Public, which was named NPR’s Best Book of 2020.
Our 3rd Annual Feature Drama winner Kelly Nugent signed with a manager at Wonder Street Entertainment after winning with her script THE OTHER MOTHER CRIED!
Our 6th Annual Feature Screenwriting winner, Jeff Galante signed with a manager at Primary Wave, and he is currently working on a slate of feature films with producers. Jeff's gone on to create/produce TV pilots for NBC and A&E and has consulted on projects for Ron Howard, Chris Moore, and Warner Bros animation.
Our 5th Annual Feature Screenwriting winner, Eric Jeske signed with a manager at Heroes & Villans Entertainment.
Still don't believe us? Previous contest winner Diana Wright was signed to The Cartel and Abrams Artists Agency!
Previous contest winner, Christina Pamies, was signed by "Billion Dollar" Literary Manager, Jake Wagner. After that, he got her a paid gig with StudioCanal adapting the recently released film BAGHEAD, which was co-produced by The Picture Company and released via AMC+ Networks!
Previous Contest Winner Jonathan Jordan was signed by major literary agency Verve, and worked on a script currently in production through them. He has also signed with a manager and is currently working on a new film.
At Stage 32, we will set you up on more meetings and put you in front of more Hollywood executives who are actively working in the industry than anyone else!
What Are You Waiting For? Submit Now!
Stage 32 has launched the careers of countless writers, helping them secure representation, land paid gigs, and see their scripts come to life. Could this be the year your career takes off? Our previous winners have gone on to work with major studios, sign with top managers, and see their films produced.
Comedy films are bigger and better than ever, and we’re here to make sure your script rises to the top. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be discovered—enter now and let us champion your story!
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March 2022
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Brian Michaels
August 2019
