
The Shaft — now under contract with Price Productions for packaging
Redefining LGBTQ+ storytelling through bold, cinematic narratives where love, power, and fate collide in a neo-noir landscape.
"More Going Down" – Awarded Stage 32 Double Recommend (Top 1%)

I don’t write “gay stories.” I write thrillers where power seduces, love destroys, and fate never blinks. The fact that some of my leads are queer?
That just makes the stakes higher.
I'm not chasing trends. I’m redefining them.
Beautifully unstable narratives that linger long after the credits roll.
“Insanity — of the best kind.” – Joshua Malkin
“Fucking genius.” – Stage 32 Reader
🕶️ NOIR NEVER SLEEPS.
The industry’s waking up to the name DJ Manning.
💼 The Shaft — under contract with Price Productions.
💼 The Substitute Wife — under contract with Voyage Media.
✍️ Deuce’s Wild and One Less Egg to Fry — both written this month, both awarded Greenlight Coverage: RECOMMEND.
🎯 More Going Down — Double Recommend from Stage 32. Top 1% Look Book. Circulating.
#DJManning #FilmNoir #NeoNoir #Screenwriting #TheShaft #DeucesWild #MoreGoingDown #LGBTQFilm #NoirIsBack #ModernNoir #PsychologicalThriller


🌹 DJ MANNING | 4 Scripts in 45 Days | 9-Project Slate
🚨 Artist Check-In
4 screenplays completed in 45 days.
Not a flex. A pulse.
📽️ One Less Egg to Fry
🎬 Deuce’s Wild
🎭 Handprint
🌒 Another Rose On The Vine
Each project is different. All written with the same rhythm:
Truth first. Cuts second.
📍 Another Rose is now public on The Black List — review pending.
📍 All 9 scripts are now listed on ISA.
📍 Greenlight RECOMMENDED | WGA Registered
🖋 I’m not looking for perfection. I’m building a legacy.
If you’re looking for clean voice, queer truth, and layered characters with edge — I’ve got you.
🖼 Want a look at the slate? Happy to share it.
🕯 Want a story that doesn’t play safe? Let’s talk.
#Stage32 #Screenwriting #TheBlackList #ISA #WGA #indiefilm #queerstories #filmmaker #DJManningSlate #AnotherRoseOnTheVine #4scripts45days

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🎬 THE DJ MANNING SLATE —
9 Screenplays. One voice. A legacy of genre-defiant, emotionally-charged stories with a noir edge.
Greenlight Recommended | WGA Registered | The Black List | Under Contract
🎬 The Substitute Wife
📍 1953 • Hollywood
A cunning secretary replaces the boss’s wife—but nothing is quite what it seems.
Status: ✍️ Under Contract with Voyage
🎬 The Shaft
📍 1953 • NYC
Ambition, obsession, and hidden truths spiral in this brutal psychological noir.
Status: ✍️ Under Contract with Price Productions
🎬 One Less Egg To Fry
📍 1970 • Boston
Irish mob loyalty cracks under the pressure of a deadly family secret.
Status: ✅ Greenlight Recommended
🎬 More Going Down
📍 1989 • Miami
A framed lover. A Cuban kingpin. An inferno soaked in betrayal.
Status: ✅ Greenlight Recommended • 📊 Top 8% Coverfly
🎬 Undertow
📍 Present Day • Miami
A queer love story fighting to surface beneath societal denial.
Status: 🎬 WGA Registered • 🏁 Draft Complete
🎬 Deuce’s Wild
📍 Present Day • Chicago
A man returns to reclaim the love of a city that never wanted him.
Status: 🕵️ Under Review with Producer
🎬 The Woman on the Bench
📍 Present Day • Midwest
A quiet town. A bench. A bus that never comes. Memories that do.
Status: ✅ Greenlight Recommended
🎬 Handprint
📍 Present Day • Hollywood
An actor on the edge of fame sheds layers he may never get back.
Status: ✅ Greenlight Recommended • 📝 Black List – Public
🎬 Another Rose On The Vine
📍 Present Day • Cape Cod
Some roses bloom late. Some bleed when they do.
Status: ✅ Greenlight Recommended • 📝 Black List – Public











"The Substitute Wife" entered in an agreement with Voyage Media to produce the film!
✨ Exciting News! ✨
Thrilled to share that FOUR of my screenplays have been officially selected for the Festival de Cine Antigua in Guatemala!
🎬 Official Selections:
✅ More Going Down (Neo-Noir Crime Thriller)
✅ The Woman on the Bench (Dramatic Character Study)
✅ Hometown: The Musical (Musical Drama)
✅ The Substitute Wife (Period Noir Murder Mystery)
Honored to have my work recognized at an international festival, and I’m looking forward to seeing these stories reach the right audience.
📌 If you’re a producer, rep, or industry professional looking for bold, character-driven projects, let’s connect!
🔥 The momentum is real—let’s make something happen.
#Screenwriting #FilmFestival #CrimeThriller #NeoNoir #Drama #LGBTQCinema #MusicalTheatre #Filmmaking



Exciting News: More Going Down Secures Funding for Full-Length Movie Production!
We’re thrilled to announce that the screenplay for More Going Down has been fully funded and will soon be brought to life as a feature film!
More Going Down is a gripping drama that delves into a unique blend of sultry film noir aesthetics, LGBTQ+ representation, and gripping moral tension set against the steamy backdrop of Miami's nightlife After months of hard work, collaboration, and determination, we’re beyond excited to confirm that the project is now fully funded, thanks to the incredible support from our MGD Production Team.
This is a huge milestone for the project and a testament to the hard work of the entire team. We’re now moving forward with pre-production and getting ready for filming. There’s so much more to come, and we can’t wait to share every step of the journey with you.
Stay tuned for updates on casting, filming, and other exciting developments. We couldn’t have reached this point without the support of our fans and community, and we invite you to continue following the project. Contact us to stay in the loop! If you want to be a part of this team, let us know.
Soon we will post the actors and creative team.
The road to the big screen starts here — and we’re just getting started!
Thanks,
Dennis

This just in from SCRIPT MATRIX - Annual Fellowship Awards -
SEMI-FINALIST: "The Substitute Wife" and "More Going Down" (43 SEMI-FINALISTS)
FINALIST: "The Woman On The Bench" (11 FINALISTS)
https://scriptmatix.com/result-of-the-fellowship-contest-nov25/




The Brand
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Authentic Storytelling with Depth: The screenplays (The Woman on the Bench, Undertow, The Substitute Wife) often dive deep into complex human emotions like love, loss, self-identity, and societal expectations. My work is centered around authentic, emotionally driven stories that reflect real human experiences, with a particular focus on navigating change and personal growth.
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LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Representation: The work consistently integrates LGBTQ+ themes in a natural, celebratory way (Undertow), offering empowering and relatable representation. "The Shaft" and "More Going Down" present LGBTQ+ with different perspectives and characters that the audience will long remember. Once you meet Carlos, you will never forget him. I am committed to telling inclusive stories that represent underrepresented communities in uplifting and meaningful ways.
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Blending Fantasy and Reality: In Undertow and The Woman on the Bench, I use magical realism and fantastical elements to enrich the emotional depth of your stories. "Hometown" brings the audience to the core of beliefs, regrets, and hopes. This adds a layer of whimsy and imagination to the work, helping the screenplay stand out as someone who can seamlessly blend fantasy with grounded human drama.
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Multifaceted Characters and Relationships: Across my screenplays, I create characters who grapple with inner conflict and complex relationships, like Tom in Undertow and Margaret in The Woman on the Bench, Bob in The Shaft, and Claire in The Substitute Wife. My brand reflects this focus on character-driven narratives, where emotional honesty and personal journeys are at the forefront.
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Emotional Impact and Depth: My work often evokes strong emotional responses, whether it’s exploring grief, memory, and nostalgia (The Woman on the Bench), or the excitement and uncertainty of discovering true love (Undertow). My brand should highlight the way audiences on an emotional and reflective level.
Why View My Work?
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Authentic and Inclusive Storytelling Resonates with a Growing Audience
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Versatility Across Genres (Drama, Fantasy, Musical)
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Emotional Engagement Leads to Loyal Fans
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Distinctive Creative Voice
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Growing Demand for LGBTQ+ and Inclusive Stories

About Me
Dennis has been a singer, songwriter, and performer for more than 40 years in the country, pop, and folk music industry. I offer authentic, inclusive storytelling, visually rich and emotionally resonant narratives, and versatility across genres. Dennis is a member of the Dramatist Guild. He has written more than 130 songs.
Location
Born and raised in Sunbury, PA. Now resides in Wilton Manors, FL with his partner of 34 years.
Screenplays & Stage Plays
JJ
Undertow
The Woman On The Bench
The Substitute Wife
The Shaft
More Going Down
Hometown
Now & Then
One More Yesterday
A Shonda the Musical
Education
MS in Training
BS in Marketing
BA in English
Recording Engineering Certification
Musicals
JJ
July 2024 - "A Shonda the Musical"
April 2023 - Musical "One More Yesterday" - Silver Palm Award Winner BEST ACTRESS; 6 Carbonell Nominations
January 2023 - Musical "More Going Down" - Best Musical CHICAGO SCRIPT AWARDS for 2023
March 2020 - Musical "Hometown" - GREENLIGHT Coverage "RECOMMENDED"
October 2019 - "Now & Then" London Off West End - #2 Show in 2019
September 6-30, 2018 - Musical “Now & Then” – World Premiere