Make My Damn Movie

Mark and Tom discuss the less than pleasant experience at "The Waffle House" and ponder winning the huge "Mega Millions" billion dollar jackpot slated for July 29th. Listeners weigh-in about the grocery store chain "Wegmans" and their banishing of plastic bags.  Also as always, messages from listeners, Classic TV Trivia, Celebrity Rant, Listener Rant and lots more pondering...

It's time to bid a fond farewell to all the listeners and reflect a bit on this, the final episode of the Make Damn Movie podcast. After almost two and a half years, it's time to say “goodbye”. It's been a long ride, but a fun one (for the most part). Thanks so much for your support and all the texts we've received over the past 124 episodes. Your listenership put the Make My Damn Movie podcast in the top 10 percent of all podcasts globally, and we greatly appreciate you. Please join us on our other podcast, Radioactive Rant, but if you simply can't walk away from MMDM, we'll have a link to the Make My Damn Movie Archives where all 125 MMDM episodes will reside on our website, Radioactiverant.com on the homepage in the navigation bar at the BOTTOM of the page. Just click on MMDM Archives, or listen wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks again for listening and participating. Take care of yourselves…— Mark Reynolds and Tom Swain

Mark and Tom try to figure out why a particular movie was actually produced and distributed. Mark feels as though people he comes in contact with pity him. Mark and Tom also invite everyone to checkout their other podcast, Radioactive Rant. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Classic TV Trivia, Staff Picks and more pity...

Mark brings up a seventies movie called "Macon County Line", a dark drama set in 1950s Texas and surprises Tom on who one of the stars that also produced the film is. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Classic TV Trivia, Staff Picks and more darkness...

Mark and Tom get into ageism in Hollywood and wonder if it's mostly younger writers who get a nod. Maybe, maybe not, but they discuss it. Mark watches a documentary called "Dark Side of the 90s". Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Classic TV Trivia, Staff Picks and possibly more. Can't tell. We're really old...

Mark and Tom wonder where all the great buddy movies are. Mark mentions the new project called "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story" from Roku. Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Classic TV Trivia, Staff Picks and some other things and stuff...

Mark and Tom talk about picking the genre that best suits a writer's style. Mark brings up the Netflix show called "Swap Shop" and wonders why people buy other people's crap. Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Classic TV Trivia, Staff Picks and possibly other stuff...

Mark and Tom discuss the Director-side of Clint Eastwood. Mark brings up how quite a few listeners weighed-in on his wondering of where the actors of not so long ago went from the last podcast. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Classic TV Trivia, Staff Picks and more...

Mark and Tom discuss why peppering in actual things that have happened to you in years past could be a great way to strengthen a script. Mark pines for the actors of not all that long ago and wonders where are those types of actors today. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Classic TV Trivia, Staff Picks and much more pining...

Mark and Tom go over the "less is more" theory when it comes to crafting a screenplay. Mark rails on "celebrity" chef Guy Fieri again and shares the love/HATE relationship that the Make My Damn Movie listeners revealed through their text messages. Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Classic TV Trivia, Staff Picks and more railing...

Mark and Tom bring up whether or not to use italics when writing a spec script. Mark reads a text message from a listener regarding his comments on 1974 Playboy Playmate Carol Vitale. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Classic TV Trivial Pursuit Questions, Staff Picks and plenty more...

Mark and Tom talk about the importance of proper formatting when crafting a screenplay. Mark reveals why his wife called him a "jackass" and also discusses the A&E series, "Secrets of Playboy". Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, classic TV trivia, Staff Picks and plenty more 'jackass-ish' things and stuff... Plenty more...

Mark and Tom explain the importance of an audience being able to connect with characters in a film. Mark dives into the HBO/Max documentary called "Class Action Park" about a now defunct New Jersey amusement park . Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and more action...

Mark and Tom go over why making sure a character's demeanor fits in easily in a screenplay is a no-brainer. Mark reveals he's watched the Showtime series "Yellowjackets" and wonders where those types of girls were when he was a kid. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, The List and more, more or less...

Mark and Tom discuss unorthodox structural devices. Mark and Tom comment on the passing of Rock God Meatloaf and comedian Louie Anderson. Mark shares his updated character description of the High School Principal in his screenplay "The Flip Side". Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game. Staff Picks and other sundry items that may or may not be of note...

Mark and Tom talk about the importance of a visual character descriptions. Mark suggests watching "The Eyes of Tammy Faye", the film about evangelist Tammy Faye Baker. Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and more evangelic items...

Mark and Tom discuss a recent film set in the eighties called "Summer Days, Summer Nights". Mark gets slapped by Make My Damn Movie listeners about a misstatement regarding the movie "Porky's". Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and some other stuff thrown in...

Mark and Tom discuss the importance of making characters unforgettable and how important it is to stay on top of that. Mark shares an embarrassing story over the holidays. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and... well... that's enough...

Mark and Tom talk about what it would take to write a hit Christmas feature. Many Make My Damn Movie listeners chimed-in on what their favorite Christmas movie is. Also, messages from listeners, The Christmas edition of The Movie Quotes Game, round two of Christmas movie Staff Picks and more merriment. 

Mark and Tom lay-out why a screenplay needs to stick to it's genre from beginning to end. The talking toys are back in business. Mark has another incident in public where he's ONCE AGAIN asked if he's in need of assistance. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and most likely additional stuff...

Mark and Tom talk about when to face that you've written a dud script. Mark shares how surprised he was that Many Make My Damn Movie listeners actually know who actress Glynnis O'Connor is. Listeners correct Tom on a movie title he got wrong. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and more...

Mark and Tom discuss wondering if a screenplay will ever be made into a movie. Tom shares his New England Thanksgiving trip. Mark reminisces about a young actress he had a crush on back when he was a kid. Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and lots more...

Mark and Tom discuss the best routes for facing disapproval from reader's feedback. Next week is Thanksgiving, so the MMDM podcast will skip an episode as Tom heads to Maine for the holiday and Mark dreads hosting Thanksgiving. Mark suggests checking-out a Netflix show called "Swap Shop". Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and so much more to be thankful about?

Mark and Tom lay-out why the time-span of scenes in a screenplay are critical to any story. Mark wonders why various young women seem to constantly stop and ask him if he needs assistance whenever he's out and about. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and more?

Mark and Tom talk about the necessity of making a screenplay stand-out from the rest and Mark workshops his logline for his screenplay "Hit Escape". Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and probably more... 

Mark & Tom wonder if certain screenplays have an expiration date, possibly due to a specific time period. Mark has a different twist on a "Gilligan's Island" movie project he'd like to get greenlit (sure). Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and a couple "questionable" comments (yikes!)...

On the 100th Make My Damn Movie episode, Mark & Tom contemplate actually filming a short and weigh the pluses and minuses. Mark shares thoughts on the Netflix short series "Jailbirds". Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and... well, just and...

Mark & Tom welcome television & film star John Lehr, also a talented comedian, producer, writer and pitch guru. Mark tells on his parents and explains one of his horrific Halloween events when he was a young boy. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks Halloween edition and many more ghoulish shits and gigs...

A logline is a foot in the door, but many writers ignore them. Mark & Tom lay-out why a logline should be a top priority. Mark & Tom look forward to having John Lehr as a guest again on the next podcast. Mark shares a "Blair Witch" scenario he and his wife encountered when recently visiting a park where they used to go on dates together when they were kids. It did not go swimmingly. Also, listener messages from the Make My Damn Movie website, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and other stuff as well...

Mark & Tom discuss the mumblecore genre. Mark begrudgingly doles out yet another screenwriting tip. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and more surprises... or whatever...

Mark & Tom slam screenplay contest feedback. Mark shares a few unflattering script notes he received from a screenplay contest long ago. The "talking toys" make an appearance after the guys read some listener texts requesting they do so. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and more...

Dumping characters from a screenplay is a daunting task, but has to be done on occasion. Mark & Tom talk about it.  Mark brings up the Aussie cooking show (he claims to despise) "My Kitchen Rules". Tom finally watches "Cooley High". Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and plenty more...

Mark & Tom lay out why characters need to come off as appropriate for their location, time period and background. Mark apologizes (sort of) for mispronouncing actor Ian Ziering's first name. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and lots more stuff, as well as things...

Too many screenplays contain scenes that simply won't end. Not good. Mark & Tom lay it out. Mark gets inspired by... wait for it... "Sharknado". Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and a funnel cloud chocked full of more material...

Mark & Tom talk about the 70s coming-of-age classic, "Cooley High". Mark gets huge response from Make My Damn Movie listeners regarding his 70s style teen comedy, "The Quarterback's Sack" and hard to believe, some of it's not favorable. Shocker. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and a "sack" full of more stuff...

Some screenplays read like a detailed novel, which is completely wrong. Mark & Tom shine a light on that. Mark gets blasted for blasting GROWN MEN for calling their Fathers "daddy". Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and etcetera (bet you don't see that spelled-out that often). 

Mark & Tom hone-in on words & phrases that paint a picture and make a screenplay "pop" and Mark admits watching an Australian cooking show (what?!). Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and other things and stuff...

Script continuity is obviously imperative, especially when it comes to passage of time. At least that's what Mark & Tom think. Mark gripes about people who complain about him ripping on the movie "Ping Pong Summer". Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and probably some other stuff...

Mark & Tom discuss how so many writers let their first act slide without getting to the meat ASAP. Mark & Tom debate on keeping their other podcast, "Radioactive Rant" afloat and Mark complains about pedestrians. Also, listener messages from the "Make My Damn Movie" website, the Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and gobs more...

Writing is a lonely existence, especially when you have people mocking your every move. Mark & Tom talk about those idiots as well as the actual people that are truly in your corner. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks with summer favs and more things and stuff...

Mark & Tom talk about how differently they watch movies now that they know what goes into writing one. Also, Mark doesn't apologize to a kid, Mark & Tom put to rest the pronunciation of Steve Buscemi's name once and for all, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and other sundry items...

Keeping the fire burning for a fresh new screenplay idea is a difficult task. Mark & Tom lay it out. Mark gets slapped by listeners for mispronouncing Steve Buscemi's name. Also, toilet paper talk, Mark fusses at a young woman who opened the door for him at a restaurant, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and more jam-packed stuff...

What do you do when your script is finished? Mark & Tom discuss. Mark thanks the MMDM listeners for their kind messages about the passing of his dog, KC. Also, Mark & Tom list five actors they believe are genuinely nice folks in the real world, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks (now available on the MMDM website) and plenty more...

Rising above people's opinions about your scripts is a difficult task when sending out your "babies". Mark & Tom chat about just that. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and other sundry items of not (or maybe not of note)...

Graphic, true to life explanations are a key element to making a script work. Mark & Tom dive into this debatable issue. Also, Mark reveals various options for the name of his new and controversial podcast, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and "loads" more...

The frustration level is high when it comes to writing screenplays. When (if ever) do you finally throw in the towel? Mark & Tom discuss. Also, the guys share listener concerns about the MMDM podcast ending, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and lots more stuff and various things...

Mark has coined a new writing style called "comfort writing". He lays it out with Tom. Also, Diana Martwick is on The Writer's Roundup, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and loads more...

It's a must to have strategically placed drama in a comedy screenplay and Mark has done a fantastic job of doing just that in all of his scripts (at least that what he thinks). Mark & Tom will elaborate. Also, The Writer's roundup welcomes filmmaker Lance Lucero in for a chat, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and gobs more... 

Loglines are the proverbial knock at the front door, so they must be spot on. Mark & Tom pontificate on the subject. Also, Camie Mosley drops by on The Writer's Roundup, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game , Staff Picks and other things...

Making the most out of your dialog, making sure characters make sense. Also, Mark & Tom talk with Sonita Kwi in The Writers Roundup, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and more, more, more (unfortunately)...

Mark talks about the first drafts of his first screenplay and how he failed miserably at starting scenes late. Also, Tom's young son Aven has a different take on the Make My Damn Movie theme song, Joshua Maheu makes an appearance on The Writer's Roundup, listener messages, Staff Picks, The Movie Quotes Game and so on and so forth...