The BIGGEST TV Drama Screenplay Contest in the World is Back!
Ever dreamt of seeing your TV Drama script come to life and stream on flat-screens in living rooms across the country? This is your chance to turn that dream into reality!
We're proud to announce the 6th Annual Stage 32 TV Drama Screenwriting Contest to help discover the next great TV Drama script!
Open to TV Pilot Scripts!
Our Grand Prize Winner will win a Career Accelerator prize package valued at $4,000 that includes script & career development, writer branding and an education package and will be set up on VIP MENTORSHIP meetings with legendary Producers behind iconic series like GREY'S ANATOMY, LAW & ORDER, CSI, and more!
"This contest embodies our dedication to elevating TV writers," said Stage 32 CEO Richard "RB" Botto. "TV Drama remains one of the most vibrant spaces in television. Audiences consistently seek out new and unique longform narratives with depth, nuance, and emotional complexity. By spotlighting TV drama writers, we're building bridges to opportunity for talent that conventional gatekeepers have historically sidelined.Through Stage 32's worldwide community of 1.3 million creatives, we're guaranteeing that compelling series can reach the decision-makers actively searching for it."
"Our contest is a dedicated launchpad built specifically for TV writers," added Geoffroy Faugérolas, Stage 32's Director of Development Services. "Winners gain immediate industry credibility and the type of recognition that opens doors with executives and producers actively developing new series. Our jury includes working professionals who go beyond script evaluation. They package projects and champion writers whose work resonates with them. This offers unprecedented direct access to the gatekeepers and tastemakers shaping what gets greenlit, particularly for writers who've struggled to break through traditional industry barriers."
Drama is the basis of every story that endures throughout entertainment. From the intensity and action of SHOGUN, to the totally wild and original concept of BABY REINDEER, to the dangerous power plays and high stakes of LANDMAN, audiences can’t get enough exciting dramatic storytelling. This year alone, classic TV series like SUITS and LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE are being rebooted, while popular films HARRY POTTER and DUNE are being adapted for TV, proving a great story can last for decades. The appetite for amazing TV shows is insatiable, and we want your story to be the next smash hit!
What Type of Scripts Are We Looking For?
We’re on the lookout for all types of TV Drama scripts! Classic family melodramas? Atmospheric psychological mind-benders? Bold period pieces? Genre-twisting Legal, War, Musical, Sports, Fantasy or Sci-Fi? The next legendary biopic? We want to see it all!
We’re looking for TV pilots scripts like:
PLURIBUS, THE WHITE LOTUS, INDUSTRY, TRUE DETECTIVE, SHRINKING, RIPLEY, KILLING EVE, LANDMAN, YELLOWJACKETS, YELLOWSTONE, MASTERS OF THE AIR, THE DAY OF THE JACKAL, I MAY DESTROY YOU, BRIDGERTON, THE BEAR, TASK, FALLOUT, THE CROWN, SUCCESSION, THE LAST OF US, BAD MONKEY, SLOW HORSES, COBRA KAI, GOSSIP GIRL, DEATH BY LIGHTNING, DYING FOR SEX, MOBLAND, DEPT Q, and more!
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We’re hungry for fresh, unique, and vibrant original TV ideas that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats!
For the last 15 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 TV Drama 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!
This year's Mentors include:
-- Nathan Varni, Executive Director, Drama Development / Programming, ABC / Hulu Originals (GREY’S ANATOMY, WILL TRENT)
-- Myra Model, Manager & Executive Prodcuer, Myra Model Management (SUNNY NIGHTS)
-- David Brownfield, Executive Producer (LAW & ORDER, CHICAGO MED, FBI)
Additional Judges:
-- Rachel Polan, Producer & SVP, Pacesetter Productions (STATION ELEVEN)
-- LeAnn Scrimmager, Executive Producer / Development Executive, We TV (AMC NETWORKS)
-- Raquelle David, Producer & Literary Manager (THE CLEANING LADY)
The Grand Prize Winning screenwriter will receive:
-- 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 Backing where Stage 32 and the winner will 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!
Our TV Drama 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?
Our 5th Annual TV Drama winner, John Norton gained massive traction on his winning procedural drama script SIGNATURE and took a full slate of meetings in LA with managers and producers from ABC, Graven Images, Osowik Management, Vision Entertainment, NightDrive Management, and more! -- all currently working on and looking for TV drama projects!
Our 4th Annual TV Drama winner Katie McClung won with her script HOMER RANCH and signed with Chloe Morris of 42 Management & Production!
Our 3rd Annual TV Drama winner, Lisa Steadman won with her script LAUREN OF ARABIA and signed with Mark Saffian at Content House.
Stage 32 Contests Launch Careers
Recent Winners Making Waves:
-- Maxwell Gay & Tucker Flodman - Signed with Literary Agent Joe Fronk of IAG (setup by Stage 32) who got them hired as Staff Writers on the 51st season of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE!
-- Travis J. Opgenorth - Script optioned by Broken Time Entertainment and signed with Persistent Entertainment after Stage 32 introduced him to nearly a dozen industry pros.
-- Tanya Klein & Jim Cirile - Script set up for production with $1.5M budget, Lucas Heyne attached to direct.
-- Christina Pamies - Signed by "Billion Dollar" Literary Manager Jake Wagner, then hired by StudioCanal to adapt BAGHEAD (now streaming on Shudder/AMC+).
-- Kevin Bachar - Winning script became THE INHABITANT (2022), produced by Lionsgate and released on Hulu.
-- Jeffrey Wright - Staffed in the Writer's Room of THE GOLDBERGS
Career-Changing Representation:
-- Josh Miller - Signed with literary manager Tamer Ashan of Zero Gravity Management
-- Henry Sawyer-Foner - Signed with literary manager Nicholas Bogner through our 2025 Romantic Comedy contest!
-- Richard Doyle (Australia) - Signed with literary manager Will Rosenfield
-- Diana Wright - Signed with The Cartel and Abrams Artists Agency
-- Glenn Forbes - Secured representation with Infinity Management International
-- Alyssa & Griffin Devine - Signed with HG5 Entertainment, writing 2 scripts with 1 going into production
-- Frank Ponce - Signed with 3 Arts Entertainment, script picked up by Atlas Entertainment, sold Evel Knievel series to USA Network
The Stage 32 Difference: Winners receive meetings with managers, agents, and producers - not just a trophy. Real careers launched, real movies made, real representation secured.
"Stage 32 isn't about a quick win and a pat on the back. They're serious about opening doors." - Travis J. Opgenorth
Still don't believe us?
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.
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 & Villains Entertainment.
Our 1st TV Drama Winner Layla O'Shea took meetings all over Los Angeles (and online) with Literary Managers, Producers, and Execs and is still going strong!
Layla's advice: "There is no one path or age limit when it comes to breaking in!"
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!
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.
TV Drama series 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!
What Are You Waiting For? Submit Now!
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Light The Girl Productions
March 2017
