Charlotte Stauffer, Author at WeScreenplay

3 TV Comedies That Shifted Their Premise

After their first seasons, The Good Place, You're the Worst, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend all shifted the direction of their shows. These felt like bold moves, leaving major portions of their initial premises behind them. These shows dove headfirst into unexpected scenarios,…

Charlotte StaufferJuly 17, 2018

Contests Screenwriting Scripts TV

4 Ways to Create a Community in Your Pilot

Ensembles are tricky to balance, splitting an audience’s attention. But the results are worth it. Ensembles can capture a wider range of viewpoints and arcs. Sharing attention gives everyone room to make mistakes since the story doesn’t depend on one…

Charlotte StaufferJuly 13, 2018

Screenwriting

How to Make Historical Fiction Visceral

Recently there has been a slew of TV shows that make period pieces feel new and fresh. In general, it’s a divisive genre. Either you’re all in for bonnets and writing letters by candlelight, or you run away screaming. But recent TV shows…

Charlotte StaufferJuly 10, 2018

Screenwriting

4 Ways to Set Up a Twist Like JANE THE VIRGIN’s Shocker

At the end of Jane the Virgin’s Season 3 finale, I gasped. And then I GASPED. I called my best friend and yelled at her about the show. It felt like an occasion, like the world should be different, because…

Charlotte StaufferJune 21, 2018

Industry Events Screenwriting

By the Numbers: Day Four at the ScreenCraft Writers Summit in Atlanta

The last day of the ScreenCraft Writers Summit feels strange and lovely. It was cold this morning and I’m much calmer than the other days. I don’t feel as exhausted now as I did in the middle. I don’t think there’s any tangible…

Charlotte StaufferApril 23, 2018

Industry Events Screenwriting

Fighting Anxiety on Your First Pitch: Day Three at the ScreenCraft Writers Summit in Atlanta

On a whim, I decided to sign up for the pitches at the ScreenCraft Writers Summit. It was something I hadn’t formally tried, and this was an opportunity. I’m pretty comfortable pitching one-on-one, and I’m usually the one to kick off informal…

Charlotte StaufferApril 16, 2018

Industry Events Screenwriting

4 Lessons from Day Two at the ScreenCraft Writers Summit in Atlanta

At the first panel for the ScreenCraft Writer Summit in Atlanta, six experts from across the screenwriting world shared the lessons they learned early in their career that have carried them through. I ducked in and out of the event…

Charlotte StaufferApril 15, 2018

Industry Events Screenwriting

Day One at the ScreenCraft Writers Summit in Atlanta

When I first heard about the ScreenCraft Writers Summit in Atlanta a few months ago, I wanted to shout about it. Anyone is awestruck if I start listing the credits of the panelists. They’ve created a lot of the content I’ve…

Charlotte StaufferApril 14, 2018