Podcasts by The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna

166 | A Happy Thanksgiving Throwback To Our First Episode from 2023-11-23T13:20:23

Happy Thanksgiving TSLers! Enjoy this throwback to our very first episode.

165 | Michael Arndt's Act 1 Masterclass (REBROADCAST) from 2023-11-16T13:13

To prepare for his upcoming appearance on our show, TSL is proud to rebroadcast a classic, Michael Ardnt's Act 1 Masterclass. Little Miss Sunshine's script, written by our guest Michael Arndt, won ...

164 | The Morning Show Showrunner On Incorporating Real World Events Into Our Writing (ft. Charlotte Stoudt) from 2023-11-09T11:59

The Morning Show is one of TV's most discussed shows, and season 3 showrunner Charlotte Stoudt recognizes it's cultural foothold. For her, the idea of incorporating real world events is all about c...

163 | Screenwriting: Joy, Pain, Legacy (2023 Guest Supercut Pt. 2) from 2023-11-06T17:18:39

In our time time-honored tradition of asking the same three questions at the end of every show, we wanted to put together a supercut of some great guest responses to be enjoyed in one fell swoop. N...

162 | Screenwriting: Joy, Pain, Legacy (2023 Guest Supercut Pt. 1) from 2023-11-02T13:36:51

In our time time-honored tradition of asking the same three questions at the end of every show, we wanted to put together a supercut of some great guest responses to be enjoyed in one fell swoop. P...

161 | LIVE Stephen's College Story Workshop + Writing Exercises for Act 2 from 2023-10-26T03:08

We're back for another story workshop, plus some amazing suggestions for writing exercises to help crack act 2. Join our patreon: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife

160 | Documentary Filmmaking (And Writing) w/ Monique N. Matthews and Linda Goldstein Knowlton from 2023-10-19T04:44

Believe it or not, documentary filmmaking has lots in common with traditional narrative feature filmmaking...tune in today to learn why, with two award-winning documentarians! TO SEE MONIQUE'S DOC ...

159 | Writing For Video Games&Interactive Screenwriting w/ Shanon M. Ingles and Stephan Bugaj from 2023-10-12T07:00

Throughout the 21st century, video games have become one of pop cultures most valuable mediums, and their narrative ambition grows with each passing year. Today we feature two of the industries top...

158 | Mail Bag from 2023-10-05T07:05

Today, we do one of our favorite things: answer YOUR questions. As is always the case, a theme emerged across your questions and our conversation, which boils down to one of the hardest and most im...

157 | (REBROADCAST) The Definitive Lava Episode from 2023-09-28T05:11:54

TSL was on set this week! (Exciting - more soon)...but because our bandwidth was stretched a bit thin, we're going to be rebroadcasting a fan favorite: the lava episode! There may be no topic we di...

156 | SPECIAL: The Elevator Pitch + Austin Film Festival Prep Workshop from 2023-09-21T11:44

The Austin Film Festival is many things, but one if its most infamous opportunities is the annual 90-second pitch competition, where writers join to do just that: pitch their story in JUST 90 secon...

155 | 6 Essential Strategies To Tackle a Rewrite from 2023-09-14T14:47

There is nothing worse than writer's block when facing a rewrite, but there's hope! Today we discuss 6 Essential Strategies To Tackle a Rewrite. JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife

154 | How To Prioritize Multiple Projects As A Writer (ft. Ted Hope) from 2023-09-07T07:00

We're back for part two w/ super producer Ted Hope! This week, we talk about some of Ted's top pieces of advices for living a successful creative life, and spend a long time talking about the impor...

153 | Is My Script Ready To Send To Producers? (ft. Ted Hope) from 2023-08-31T04:00

You finally get the meeting, make the connection, and a bigshot producer is excited to read your script. But you panic. Is it good enough? Is it READY? Today, award-winning independent film produce...

152 | The Movies That Made Us Writers from 2023-08-24T08:36:43

Every writer can point to a movie that made them say: "THIS. This is what I want to do." And today, Meg, Lorien, and Jeff share the movies that turned THEM into writers. Yep, we're movie nerds too....

151 | Rethinking Screenplay Structure w/ The Nutshell Technique (ft. Jill Chamberlain) from 2023-08-17T16:42

Though it can sometimes feel like a prison, screenplay structure is actually a very freeing element of the story process. Jill Chamberlain, a veteran script consultant, is obsessive about structure...

150 | How To Say Yes To Yourself as a Writer (ft. Showrunners Kat Likkel and John Hoberg) from 2023-08-10T19:54

As collaborators and showrunners, Kat Likkel and John Hoberg know that shutting down ideas is never helpful. This was only emphasized when they joined Pixar's Elemental team as writers. Today we di...

149 | Moving On and the Wisdom of Stephen Sondheim from 2023-08-03T13:30

**PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EPISODE WAS PRE-RECORDED&PRECEDED THE 2023 WGA STRIKE.** In today's TSL epsiode, Meg gets personal about her lava, and how a recent production of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday i...

148 | Jodie Foster on Building Truthful Characters from 2023-07-27T05:25:27

Despite being a multiple Academy Award winner, celebrated producer, and feature/TV director, Jodie Foster is still aiming for a singular goal: to tell truthful stories. On today's show, we discuss ...

147 | Elemental Co-Writer Brenda Hsueh On Balancing Comedy and Drama In Our Writing from 2023-07-20T17:26

Though she got her start in multi-cam sitcoms, it was a bold sci-fi dramedy rom-com that made Pixar interested in hiring Brenda Hsueh to co-write Elemental. On today's show, Brenda discusses how he...

146 | Screenwriting/Storytelling Archetypes: Using and Subverting Them (ft. Jessica Bendinger) from 2023-07-13T16:52:16

With hits like BRING IT ON and STICK IT, writer/director Jessica Bendinger is known for her subversive and surprising takes on female girlhood, using archetypes in a way that audiences have celebra...

145 | Our Biggest Lessons From Being On Set (Pt. 2) from 2023-07-06T14:56:31

Hi all! Today, Savana and Jeff revisit their conversation from part one of their conversation about SET! Today we discuss some of the most essential vocabulary and set dynamics that you need to und...

144 | Where To Begin As A Screenwriter (Pt. 3) from 2023-06-29T07:26

We bring our "beginning" miniseries to a close with this instant TSL classic, wherein Meg gives many pep talks. JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/TheScreenwritingLife

143 | Where To Begin As A Screenwriter (Pt. 2) from 2023-06-22T15:52:59

In our continued conversation about where and how to begin as a screenwriter, we take your (excellent) questions! We talk about outlining, cards, character development, and how to quiet our inner c...

142 | Where To Begin As A Screenwriter from 2023-06-21T17:58

So you want to be a screenwriter. Now what? Today we discuss some of these important questions to ask before you jump into a draft - questions that are JUST as valuable for emerging writers as they...

141 | Television Writing Foundations w/ Javier Grillo-Marxauch from 2023-06-15T07:31

Emmy-winning TV super-producer Javier Grillo-Marxuach is back. This time, he chats about his wonderful essay "WHAT I DO ON THE PAGE." clarifying that ultimately, the basic mechanics or writing are ...

140 | Writing/Producing Audio Dramas (And Avoiding Gatekeepers) w/ Susan Busa Leshner from 2023-06-08T07:00

Podcasts are one of the fastest growing mediums today (see THIS SHOW), and they can take on many forms. Today, writer/director Susan Busa Leshner discusses her podcast series THE AMERICAN IMMORTAL,...

139 | Body Awareness: A New Way To Think About Our Writing (ft. Karyn Kusama) from 2023-06-01T14:22

Karyn Kusama is known for film classics like Girlfight, Jennifer's Body, The Invitation, and a NEW TV classic, Yellowjackets, which she executive produces. Karyn's work is celebrated for its though...

ANNOUNCEMENT: TOMORROW (New Date) Join TSL On The Picket Line from 2023-05-23T18:18:08

TSL-ers are going to be meeting at Disney tomorrow. That's Wednesday, May 24th at 1:00 PM Pacific. Again, Wednesday, May 24th at 1:00 PM Pacific at the Disney lot in Burbank. We're hoping for a big...

138 | Your WGA Strike Questions Answered By Negotiating Committee Members Michele Mulroney and David A. Goodman from 2023-05-17T05:38

It's a scary and unprecedented time for our industry, but we're immensely proud of our guild's fight for the basic dignities of its members: writers. As negotiating committee members, our guests Mi...

137 | Stranger Things Writer/Producer Curtis Gwinn on Navigating The Writers Room from 2023-05-11T15:15:59

Curits Gwinn has worked on some of the most acclaimed shows of the 2010s including The Walking Dead, The Leftovers, and Stranger Things, but he's the first to admit that each room has been a valuab...

136 | Charlie Day (It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia) On Satire In Our Writing from 2023-05-04T15:42:38

When Charlie got to post-production of his feature writer/director debut, he was crushed to discover that the film simply didn't work. At that point, he was faced with two choices: ditch the movie ...

135 | Feeling Your Way Through Early Drafts w/ Kelly Fremon Craig (Are You There God, It's Me Margaret) from 2023-04-27T04:00

How did Kelly Fremon Craig manage to convince Judy Blume to let her adapt Are You There God, It's Me Margaret? Tune in to find out! We're thrilled to be joined by award-winning writer/director Kell...

134 | Courage And Honesty In Our Writing w/ Rafael Casal from 2023-04-20T07:00

However you feel about Starz' award-winning show BLINDSPOTTING, one thing is for sure, you've never seen anything like it. Today's guest, showrunner Rafael Casal, likes it that way: confronting his...

133 | Turning Red Writers Domee Shi and Julia Cho Discuss Personal Storytelling Techniques from 2023-04-14T07:00

Jump behind the scenes with us to experience the highs and lows of producing one of Pixar's most celebrated and subversive films: Turning Red from the minds of Domee Shi and Julia Cho, who wrote it...

132 | The Thematic DNA of Scenes w/ Jane Anderson (+ Musings On Good Dialogue) from 2023-04-06T16:47

Jane Anderson is an award-winning writer of plays, television, and movies, with over three decades of produced material, some of which she herself directed. Jane's work is known for its rich and co...

131 | John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side, Saving Mr. Banks) On Empathy In Our Writing And Directing from 2023-03-30T16:46

John Lee Hancock is an award-winning writer/director whose extensive career includes writing and directing The Blind Side, directing Saving Mr. Banks, and most recently writing and directing Mr. Ha...

130 | Our Biggest Lessons From Being On Set (Part 1) from 2023-03-23T18:05

Every writer should experience set life at least once in their life, whether they're directing their own work, supervising production on their episode, or even just helping out as a PA. Every set h...

129 | Impressing Industry Executives On The Page andIn The Pitch ft. Kelly Edwards from 2023-03-16T07:01

CALL US WITH YOUR PITCHING HORROR STORIES: 440.305.0690 Kelly Edwards' multi-faceted career has multiple phases: she has worked in development, platforming shows like LIVING SINGLE, GIRLFRIENDS, an...

128 | SPECIAL: Writer/Director Roundtable with Just Shoot It Podcast from 2023-03-09T06:15

It's a TSL first as we explore a crossover episode with Matt Enlow and Oren Kaplan of the popular JUST SHOOT IT PODCAST to discuss pitching, free work, social media, and what directors are really l...

127 | Scaffolding: Building Blocks For Your Career and Your Work from 2023-03-03T06:53

All of us have goals in our career, but how do build the steps to actually get there? Or perhaps more importantly, how do we be intentional about budling the steps to get there? Not only is scaffol...

126 | Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Co-Writer Joe Robert Cole: Letting Emotions Guide Our Writing from 2023-02-23T17:40

Joe Robert Cole, known for marathon writing sessions, has a simple litmus test to assess his own work: how does this make me feel? He calls it "Method Writing," and it's an essential part of his pr...

125 | The Woman King Writer Dana Stevens on How To Write Character-Driven Action Set Pieces from 2023-02-16T17:49

Though Dana Stevens wrote one of 2022's buzziest and most exciting movies, The Woman King, she has decades of experience in both film and television. On today's show, we discuss how Dana got involv...

124 | Elvis Screenwriter Jeremy Doner on Writing Biopics (and Avoiding Common Pitfalls) from 2023-02-09T17:06

Jeremy Doner is a co-writer on one of 2022's most exciting movies: EVLIS, directed by Baz Luhrmann. For his work on the script, Jeremy is nominated for an Australian Academy of Cinema and Televisio...

123 | Dustin Lance Black (Milk, Under the Banner of Heaven) On Nuanced Screenwriting and Avoiding Cliches from 2023-02-02T16:07

Dustin Lance Black is an Oscar-winning writer/director, known for writing the films like Milk and J. Edgar, in addition to creating the award-winning 2022 crime miniseries Under the Banner of Heave...

122 | What Do Professional Actors Look For In Good Scripts? (ft. Allison Tolman) from 2023-01-26T17:02

Allison Tolman's first major television role made waves in the industry, even scoring her a Critics Choice Award for her portrayal of Molly in FX's acclaimed debut season of Fargo. She has worked i...

121 | Sundance Producers/Filmmakers On What Makes Good Writing (ft. Constanza and Doménica Castro) from 2023-01-20T07:49

Constanza and Doménica Castro are the founders of 271 Films, which tells stories that bring meaningful perspectives to an audience, that connect them to their humanity and their emotional intellige...

New episode drops TOMORROW! from 2023-01-19T05:44

271 Films Founders Constanza and Doménica Castro coming to you this FRIDAY! Thanks for your patience - it’s worth the wait!

120 | Professional Writers Share What You're Just "Supposed" To Know from 2023-01-12T15:54

There are some lessons that can only be learned through experience, time, and let's be honest - failure. Today, tons of professional writers anonymously share their ups and downs in the business by...

119 | Setting Realistic Writing Resolutions For The New Year from 2023-01-06T23:21

Why is it that the New Year so often invites trepidation, fear, and panic as we consider our achievements as artists? We consider that question today, while rethinking new years resolutions as a co...

118 | SPECIAL: Live Story Workshop From the 2022 Austin Film Festival (ft. Joe Forte) from 2022-12-30T18:05

We’re closing out 2022 with a LIVE panel from our time at the Austin Film Festival. Thanks to Joe Forte for joining! TO JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife

117 | How To Write A Christmas or Holiday Movie (w/ Eirene Tran Donohue) from 2022-12-23T05:36

It's that time of year when hundreds of Holiday Movies air on screens all over the world. Whether its Hallmark, Lifetime, Disney+, Netflix, or Apple, or even Theaters, it's one of the hottest marke...

116 | How To Stay Focused and Motivated Through Rewrites (Pick A Pony) from 2022-12-19T16:17

Diving back into your work after a round of notes can feel overwhelming, especially when we get thoughtful notes that can feel contradictory. How can we possibly incorporate every suggestion into o...

115 | Can We Write Characters that Don't Reflect Our Experience? (ft. Dr. Yalda T Uhls) from 2022-12-12T15:24

It's becoming and increasingly common (and important) question: are we allowed to tell stories about characters whose lives don't reflect our own? On today's show, UCLA psychologist Dr. Yalda T. Uh...

114 | How Writers Collaborate With Animated Directors ft. Nora Twomey from 2022-12-05T20:14

One of Netflix's most celebrated animated movies of the year comes from our very own Meg LeFauve, whose beautiful script for "My Father's Dragon" was brought to life by Nora Twomey, one of our indu...

New episodes dropping MONDAY! from 2022-12-02T05:40

We have all been very busy so our new episodes for the next two weeks will be dropping on Mondays. Thanks for your patience!

113 | (REBROADCAST) Finding Self-Compassion For Your Writing...And YOURSELF w/ Dr. Kristin Neff from 2022-11-25T16:05

There are few jobs more mentally strenuous than that of a writer. Rejection. Writers block. Notes. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. But today, bestselling author and thought leader Dr. Kristin Neff - renowned ...

112 | Finding Conviction In Your Writing w/ Patrick Osborne from 2022-11-17T07:19

Patrick Osborne may have won an Oscar for his short film feast, but finding the conviction to stick to his creative "North Star" while writing is still a journey. Find out how he does it on today's...

82 | Lorien McKenna On Trusting Her Inner Voice As A Creative & Writer from 2022-04-14T05:25:25

Actress, playwright, professor, intern, story manager, showrunner. Despite Lorien's multifaceted career, one theme has unified every role she's taken on: storytelling. What did Lorien do when he...

81 | Why Character "Wants" Matter More Than Almost Anything Else from 2022-03-24T15:15:31

What is the most common note writers get? It almost ALWAYS relates to character "wants." Today, Meg and Lorien breakdown why character wants matter more than almost anything, how to incorporate ...

80 | How To Take Care Of Your “Writer Self” When You're Overwhelmed from 2022-03-20T22:17:32

Hey TSL Family! Lorien is BACK, and as you can imagine, our team had a lot to catch up on. As our conversation evolved, it seems the writing Gods were all pointing us toward the same thing: how to ...

79 | Meg LeFauve's Nine Lives In Hollywood (Featuring A Special Guest!) from 2022-03-05T06:56:08

In today's very special episode, we interview one of Hollywood's most interesting, dynamic, and all around WONDERFUL industry veterans...Meg LeFauve!! And a VERY special guest joins in the fun.....

78 | Character Poles: A Simple but POWERFUL Way To Shape Your Characters from 2022-02-17T15:15:41

We've mentioned it many times on the show, so it's time we finally dive in; what exactly are character poles? Today is a masterclass from Meg, who dives into what she means when...

77 | Finding, Acquiring, and Keeping A Literary Manager w/ Charlie Gogolak from 2022-02-10T16:47:03

Writers always have tons of questions when it comes to representation - and who better to answer them than...Meg's manager! Charlie Gogolak has thrived in this business for decades, both as a ma...

76 | How To GIVE Great Notes On Writing from 2022-02-03T16:58:11

Being a successful creative is all about give and take, and ANYONE who’s gotten feedback knows that paying it forward is an essential part of finding success in this business. But HOW do we give...

75 | Finding Your Brand as a Writer w/ Manager Alison Mann from 2022-01-31T16:28:47

Whether or not we want to admit it, being seen and getting staffed is easier if we can tell others WHO we are as writers. Industry powerhouse Alison Mann believes this so strongly that she ...

74 | Finding Self-Compassion For Your Writing...And YOURSELF w/ Dr. Kristin Neff from 2022-01-24T08:07:08

There are few jobs more mentally strenuous than that of a writer. Rejection. Writers block. Notes. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. 

But today, bestselling author and thought leader Dr. Kristin ...

73 | 6 Essential Tips for TV Writers from 2022-01-16T22:13:39

Hi All! We're BACK with another greatest hits episode featuring some of our industry's best television writers. Today, you'll hear from:

TSL TV Writers - best of

Javier Grillo-Marx...

72 | Three-Dimensional Character Toolbox: Wants, Desires, and Agency from 2021-12-27T23:20:04

Happy Holidays TSL Fam!!!

In this greatest hits episode, we provide insight from some of our sharpest guests to help YOU create the most interesting, compelling, and ACTIVE characters you...

71 | Agency & Writer’s Assistant Jobs: Everything You Need To Know from 2021-12-21T15:49:23

Today we feature of two of Hollywood’s most exciting up-and-comers, Caitlin Vukorpa and Zoe Cheng, who both have experience in writer’s rooms and agencies to answer all of the questions you’ve e...

70 | Stephen Karam On Crafting Authenticity In Our Writing from 2021-12-12T21:33:48

Stephen Karam is the Tony Award-winning author of The Humans, Sons of the Prophet and Speech & Debate. For his work he’s received two Drama Critics Circle Awards, an OBIE Award and is a two...

Listen

69 | Discovering (And Honing) Your Comedic Voice w/ Shantira Jackson & Dewayne Perkins from 2021-12-05T19:27:19

Emmy-nominated writers Shantira Jackson and Dewayne Perkins are some of comedy's most exciting rising voices, but their journey hasn't been a short one. From sketch shows in the middle of Idaho ...

68 | Building The Emotional Fortitude To Be A Screenwriter from 2021-11-28T18:30:54

Beyond craft, one of the most important aspects of building your career is developing emotional agility to really excel through the rejection and feedback that accompanies the creative journey. ...

67 | Knowing When To Quit A Project (But Stay On The Path) from 2021-11-21T20:00

Putting a project in the desk drawer to start something new can feel like a betrayal, but sometimes it's the right step. How can we elegantly move on, but still stay loyal to our beautiful calli...

66 | Monique N. Matthews On Mentorship and Writing For Hallmark from 2021-11-14T07:45:06

Monique N. Matthews is many things - a producer, a respected screenwriting professor, a social justice advocate, but mostly, she's a brilliant writer. Dive down the rabbit hole with Monique toda...

65 | Discussing The Work/Life Balance Of Screenwriting from 2021-11-07T19:38:42

One of the most frequent discussions in our business is the discussion around achieving a work/life balance. Things get personal as Meg, Lorien, and Jeff share their own complicated relationship...

64 | Balancing Characters, Humor, and Action w/ Nicole Perlman from 2021-11-01T14:03:21

Among many astounding achievements, Nicole Perlman wrote the first Guardians Of The Galaxy film, which many culture critics (and fans) consider to be one of the best franchises in the M...

63 | LIVE From The Austin Film Festival: Story Workshop from 2021-10-24T21:53

WE DID IT.

Join Meg and Lorien, and their wonderful audience, as they workshop with three very brave and brilliant writers to get to the core of their story in from the Historic Sanctuary...

64 | LIVE From The Austin Film Festival: Story Workshop from 2021-10-24T21:53

WE DID IT.

Join Meg and Lorien, and their wonderful audience, as they workshop with three very brave and brilliant writers to get to the core of their story in from the Historic Sanct...

62 | How To Find Truth in Comedy w/ Sam Bain from 2021-10-17T19:21:45

Sam Bain is one of our industry’s premiere comedy writers, having co-created multiple beloved sitcoms including the UK’s cult hit Peep Show. But today Sam reveals that the most important ingredient...

61 | Writing Across Multiple Genres And Finding Your Voice w/ Sean Presant from 2021-10-11T09:37

Longtime TV vet Sean Presant has an eclectic resume includes features, shorts, and TV in ALL genres from multi-cam sitcoms, to reality competition, to prestige crime shows. So how has Sean manag...

60 | How To Break Into A TV Writer's Room w/ Stacy Rukeyser from 2021-10-03T17:32:40

If anyone knows her way around a writer's room, it's producer Stacy Rukeyser, who has worked at every level from staff writer, to creator/showrunner. Stacy has a fascinating perspective on how t...

59 | LIVE From the London Screenwriter's Festival: Why Do We Write? from 2021-09-26T17:14:29

Every writer inevitably faces this painful question somewhere along their journey: "why the hell am I doing this?" Today, we answer that question.

58 | LIVE From the MCX Screenmaker's Conference: Marrying Lava With Craft from 2021-09-19T18:04:23

Enjoy the LIVE conversation from the MCX Screenmaker's Conference! 

For its seventh edition, the national MCX Screenmakers Conference program of panel sessions, case studies, in focu...

57 | Million Dollar Ideas w/ Matt Lieberman from 2021-08-30T05:27:15

All great works of art start with ideas, and ideas STILL reign supreme in Hollywood. In today's conversation w/ celebrated writer Matt Lieberman we discuss how to generate high concept ideas, co...

56 | BONUS: Ask Meg Anything About Writing from 2021-08-26T18:46:33

We've had some AMAZING guests on this show, but the truth is, one of our greatest secret weapons is Meg herself! Today, she dives into some of the MANY lingering questions that you all have been...

55 | You Got Your First Big Writing Win...Now What? from 2021-08-24T17:18:37

Most of us assume that once a writer sells that spec or books that job or secures representation, they've "made it." Now all they need to do is ride into the sunset and remember to thank their a...

54 - Showrunning: Anything & Everything You Need To Know from 2021-08-16T15:44:33

We're back! Meg, Lorien, and Jeff have all been traveling, producing, and on set, and oh, do we have UPDATES. Lorien - who is now entering post on the project she SHOWRAN - answers all of your q...

53 | Honor Your Calling As A Creative & Screenwriter (Create Out Loud w/ Jen Louden) from 2021-07-11T13:50:40

FOR MORE CREATE OUT LOUD: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/create-out-loud-with-jennifer-louden/id1559415253

What would it take for you to turn down an offer from JJ Abrams (you know...

52 | Screenwriting: The Joys, The Rage, The Legacy from 2021-07-04T13:26:01

Writing isn't just about craft and science. It's about translating the highs and lows of being a human being into art, and that journey can be a roller coaster, whether you're an emerging writer...

51 | Vanessa Taylor On Non-Verbal Storytelling Secrets from 2021-06-27T12:42:22

Not only is Oscar-nominated writer Vanessa Taylor's resume impressive, it's beautifully varied. Vanessa has written on serialized network TV shows, high-concept prestige premium cable dramas (GOT a...

50 | The Day To Day Process Of Screenwriting from 2021-06-20T05:17:53

50 Episodes! How did we get here? Hard work EVERY DAY.

Today, we're focusing on the day-to-day, minute-by-minute process of writing. How to we title our documents? How do we comb through ...

49 | Michael Arndt's Act 1 Masterclass from 2021-06-13T09:06:10

Little Miss Sunshine's script, penned by our guest Michael Arndt, won almost every major industry award, and for good reason. Its warmth, humor, and surefooted commitment to its themes makes it one...

48 | Connecting Craft To Money And Career (As Screeenwriters) from 2021-06-06T13:56:13

To enter contests, or NOT to enter contests? Do I need to live in LA? What if I'm not your run-of-the mill white dude writer? What if I'm OLDER than my competition? All of these questions are an...

47 | Nine Writing Secrets From Our A-List Guests from 2021-05-30T13:54:53

It's a GREATEST HITS Episode. We've had such amazing guests, that we wanted to curate some of their best moments. Enjoy!

1:20 - John August on Important Rules For Worldbuildling (Ep 35) Listen

46 | Writing Great TV Characters w/ Javier Grillo-Marxuach from 2021-05-23T07:00

Though best known as one of the Emmy Award-winning writer/producers of Lost, Javier Grillo-Marxuach is a prolific writer of television shows, comic books, movies, and the occasiona...

45 | Overcome Dry Spells In Your Writing w/ Self-Compassion (Jen Louden) from 2021-05-16T13:44:43

Find yourself asking the question 'Why bother” when it comes to your writing? Creative people are asking that question now more than ever, but bestselling author and world-renowned creativity exper...

44 | Drawing Boundaries For Yourself And Your Characters from 2021-05-09T07:00

Even though pop culture often draws artists as free-spirited goofballs that "go-with-the-flow" true artistry lies in the art of self-discipline, self-esteem, and BOUNDARIES. The truth of getting...

43 | Pitching & Meetings: EVERYTHING You Need To Know (Sheila Hanahan Taylor Pt. 2) from 2021-05-05T06:51:29

This topic comes up ALL the time on our Facebook group, and finally, we have definitive answers, and LOTS of them. How long should my pitch be, what should it look like, what should it actually ...

42 | Rookie Mistakes & The Power Of Genre (Sheila Hanahan Taylor Pt. 1) from 2021-05-02T08:00

After decades working with writers in this business, Sheila Hanahan Taylor - A-List producer behind many beloved edge-of-your seat genre films like the Final Destination films - has brilliantly ...

41 | Your Screenwriting Emergency Toolkit from 2021-04-25T15:26:32

Feeling blocked, stuck, uninspired, or just BLAH? We're here to save the day!

We were initially going to run an episode on boundaries (don't worry, we still will!) but a NUMBER of hurdles...

40 | Marti Noxon On TV Writing (EVERYTHING You Need To Know) from 2021-04-18T09:00

Marti Noxon is a force in our business. Known for her sharp voice, social commentary, and darkly funny writing, all of which is tied together by a knack for complicated and richly drawn female c...

39 | Andrew Stanton's Storytelling Master Class from 2021-04-11T13:13:08

Do you have a pen and paper? Might want to grab them now... Andrew Stanton wrote and directed Finding Nemo, Finding Dory, and Wall-E, all of which consistently rank among the best films of this cen...

38.5 | Minisode: Why Character Problems Are Your Solution from 2021-04-07T08:00

We had SUCH a great tangent on last week's episode, that we wanted to feature this conversation as it's own short MINISODE. Do you have a great character want that doesn't feel URGENT enough in ...

38 | Writing Antagonists (And Why They're Really About Your Hero) from 2021-04-04T07:10:29

What do Voldemort, Regina George, and Hans Gruber have in common? They're great antagonists, of course! Whether it's an action movie, a comedy, or even a contemplative drama, story needs conflic...

37 | LIVE From The London Screenwriter's Festival: Writing Emotion from 2021-03-28T14:18:18

Emotionally rich writing has always been a Hallmark for both Meg and Lorien in their writing, and on today's show, we dig into the meat of what makes it work and why. TSL family member Savannah Mor...

Oscar-Nominated Screenwriter Kemp Powers On Adaptation from 2021-03-21T10:00

Kemp Powers is a playwright, screenwriter, and co-director, and this year, he's one of the most talked about writers in our business.

Kemp has not one, but TWO highly talked-about fil...

36 | Oscar-Nominated Screenwriter Kemp Powers On Adaptation from 2021-03-21T09:00

Kemp Powers is a playwright, screenwriter, and co-director, and this year, he's one of the most talked about writers in our business. Kemp has not one, but TWO highly talked-about films in the 2021...

35 | John August On Worldbuilding In Your Writing from 2021-03-14T14:02:34

John August? Yes. THAT John August.

We're thrilled to feature Screenwriting PODfather John August, famous for many things. Among them, award-nominated studio juggernauts like BIG FISH and...

34 | Putting Yourself (And Your Writing) OUT There from 2021-03-07T10:00

Emily Dickenson's poetry, The Girl w/ The Dragon Tattoo, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, these are all works we ALMOST didn't see because the authors ALMOST hid their work from the masses, a...

33 | Anne Lamott: Make Your Writing Fears Work For YOU from 2021-02-28T13:10:10

Anne Lamott is one of culture's most celebrated voices when it comes to creativity and writing. Her book Bird By Bird is a modern classic (Ed Solomon says it's the best book on writing ...

32 | Writer Ed Solomon (Bill & Ted, MIB): Finding Emotional Truth In Every Story from 2021-02-21T17:37:06

Ed Solomon is one of Hollywood's most recognizable writers, who represents a rare intersection of critical and commercial success. His 16 feature films have grossed over 1.6 Billion Dollars at t...

31 | Finding INSPIRATION In Your Writing from 2021-02-14T10:00

Maybe your facing the blank page, maybe you're facing the second act, or maybe your facing your millionth rewrite; EVERY writer has hit that wall where there's nothing left in the tank, even tho...

30 | 5 Crucial Questions On Craft + Writing from 2021-01-31T17:37:45

It's your turn! For this week, we've gathered some of our most frequently asked CRAFT related questions for a deep dive on how to fix, tweak, tinker, and elevate your writing. Tricky questions a...

29 | The Long Road For Writers from 2021-01-24T10:00

As a writer, you're in it for the long haul. And that's NOT a bad thing! It's a beautiful journey, filled with ups, down, highs, and lows, and it's made all the sweeter when you can SET your bea...

28 | Getting Perspective: Taking The 30,000 Foot View Of Your Writing from 2021-01-17T12:00

The details of your writing are a beautiful thing. They provide the nuance, voice, and texture that make your writing special.

But the details can be crippling if they prevent you from se...

27 | Self Talk Your Way Into Loving Your Own Writing from 2021-01-10T15:53:59

Why is it so easy for us to love, trust, and nurture our characters, but so hard for us to do that for ourselves?

Positive self-talk is an essential part of embarking on The Screenwriting...

26 | SPECIAL: Meg & Lorien INTERVIEWED By Jeff (2018 Throwback) from 2020-12-27T10:00

Hope you had and are having an AMAZING Holiday. We're going to be doing something a little different for this week's show. Meg and Lorien are taking some MUCH-deserved time off (we hope you can ...

25 | Q&A w/ Pixar's SOUL Screenwriter Mike Jones from 2020-12-20T10:00

There are many reasons Pixar Animation is culturally hailed as one of the most profound and emotionally resonant studios working in filmmaking today, but the deep, richly drawn writing is one of...

24 | Perfectionism Kills Your Writing from 2020-12-13T18:51:55

Why are so many writers perfectionists? Maybe it's that need for approval, or that desire to see exactly what's in your head show up on the page, but READ THIS: perfectionism is the death of cre...

23 | Q&A w/ Million Dollar Producers Bonnie Curtis and Julie Lynn from 2020-12-06T10:00

We answer your BURNING questions from two of Hollywood's top producers in the game, whose production company Mockingbird Pictures has been nominated for Oscars, among many other accolades.

22 | Finding Your People (Writers Need Writers) from 2020-11-22T10:00

It may feel like it's just you and the page, but as we always say during this show: "you are NOT alone on this journey!"

You need to find your people, but how do you do it? Who are your p...

21 | Overcome EXCUSES & Keep Writing! from 2020-11-15T10:00

Last time, we talked about how to keep your writing fun, but we also KNOW it's not always going to be fun. 

It's easy to make excuses as to why we're not writing, but don't forget, t...

20 | Importance of PLAY In Your Writing (And Life) from 2020-11-01T14:00

Remember when you wanted to be a writer because it was FUN?

It seems like an obvious point, but so many of us have lost our ability to enjoy the FUN of writing, which is why we got into i...

19 | How "Too Many Voices" Can Affect Your Writing from 2020-10-25T16:00

Last we talked about finding YOUR voice, so naturally, we have to ask, what about all of those OTHER voices?

Unproductive voices may be in our own head, or they may be friends, or even fa...

18 | Voice: What It Is And How To Find It from 2020-10-18T16:00

Some of Hollywood's greatest writers are known for their "voice" - Nora Ephron's witty female leads. Aaron Sorkin's talky, moving monologues. Charlie Kaufman's mind-bending, sardonic humor.

17 | Screenwriting As A Career (+ WGA Questions) w/ Jonathan Fernandez from 2020-10-11T22:06:10

Questions about the professional life of a screenwriter? WGA questions?

We've got you covered; we're THRILLED to be joined by writer Jonathan Fernandez, who, in addition to writing Ro...