I would prefer simple stages - by simple I mean no trick stuff (e.g. draw a card, only shoot targets that match the card - or even worse, the color you draw are the hostage targets).
I second the idea of as many "real" props as possible. There are a ton of things a club can obtain if they put there members to work. For example, at my "home" range we have several old mail boxes - great props.
Movers, yes, but deployed in a realistic manner. If possible, targets that charge you. Or targets that move on a track of some kind across the range.
It is hard to design stages that are really defensive in nature. It is much easier to have the standard, "there are 9 bad guys in your back yard, open the back door and proceed to the brick wall and engage all nine." I also question stages that have one dashing from Cover at A, to Cover at B, and then cover at Position C. I don't know about must of you, but I am not leaving cover for anything if I don't have to.
Now, all that being said, I commend those that make the effort to be a match director, and try to put on a match that is fair, diffiuclt without being intimidating, and meets everyone's idea of what is "tactical," or "realistic."
Ed