Podcasts about Screenplay

The BTS team discusses the function of nonlinear structure, how the dialogue expertly establishes stakes, and what makes the opening act is so compelling.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NcXpRUWVCqcBig Swing Summer Schedule: https://www.patreon.com/posts/131204547

Nick and John take a Lake and Shed long look at the second screenplay for the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film series. On the Lake side of things, Nick explores the Johnny Depp casting scandal and the lead-up in 2018 to the 2019 Tweet Heard Round the World. John explains that the cut scenes from this dog's mess of a movie point that the shooting script, i.e., what Rowling wrote and approved before David Yates butchered the film in the editing room, was all about Leta Lestrange. More important, John makes the Shed point that every Rowling book features a text of some kind that the characters struggle to understand — and that Crimes of Grindelwald has ten of these, a veritable library of interior texts to interpret.New to the Lake and Shed Kanreki Birthday series? Here's what we're doing:On 31 July 2025, Joanne Murray, aka J. K. Rowling and Robert Galbraith, will be celebrating her 60th birthday. This celebration is considered a ‘second birth' in Japan or Kanreki because it is the completion of the oriental astrological cycle. To mark JKR's Kanreki, Dr John Granger and Nick Jeffery, both Nipponophiles, are reading through Rowling's twenty-one published works and reviewing them in light of the author's writing process, her ‘Lake and Shed' metaphor. The ‘Lake' is the biographical source of her inspiration; the ‘Shed' is the alocal place of her intentional artistry, in which garage she transforms the biographical stuff provided by her subconscious mind into the archetypal stories that have made her the most important author of her age. You can hear Nick and John discuss this process and their birthday project at the first entry in this series of posts: Happy Birthday, JKR! A Lake and Shed Celebration of her Life and Work.Tomorrow? We enter 2020, Rowling's annus horribilis, with the simultaneous nightmares of the COVID hysteria and lockdowns coupled with the Trans Wars, in which all thinking people (to include Rowling) were dismissed — or, in the prevalent jargon of those years, “cancelled” — as hateful, hurtful, even murderous “transphobes.” Nick explains the fascinating received history of The Ickabog manuscript and John builds on Nick's caveats and misgivings with why he thinks the textus receptus narrative is so much hogwash. John shares his favorite scene in the book, one from ‘Week Six,' in which Daisy talks with the Monster about her heart. Stay tuned!Links to posts mentioned in today's Lake and Shed conversation for further reading:The Crimes of Grindelwald ‘Pillar Post' at HogwartsProfessor.com (more than 50 links to posts!) Get full access to Hogwarts Professor at hogwartsprofessor.substack.com/subscribe

In this week's episode, Chazz takes the mic solo to answer your questions. Everything from the making of Call of Duty to working with iconic directors like De Niro and Woody Allen. He talks about why humility matters in Hollywood, what separates good writing from great writing, and how Bronx Tale almost didn't happen. You'll hear stories about acting, screenwriting, and the life-changing advice that shaped Chazz's career. Whether you're in the industry or just a fan of his work, this episode is full of heartfelt, honest wisdom and stories you won't hear anywhere else. To send in your question, visit ChazzPalminteri.net or reach out on Instagram.

Today's Lake and Shed framed conversation is about J. K. Rowling's first “original screenplay,” Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Nick does his signature deep dive into the history of the Fantastic Beasts film franchise's origins in Warner Brothers' determination to keep the Wizarding World profit-pillar in their portfolio alive after the last Harry Potter adaptation — and Rowling's equal determination that they not use their copyright privilege to muck up her legacy with an Indiana Jones meets Crocodile Dundee knock-off. John takes the Shed pole in the conversation and shares his months long pursuit of the shooting text screenplay, the actual last screenplay over which Rowling had control. He lays out the (1) twelve scenes that were cut from that shooting script by Steven Kloves, David Heyman, and David Yates as they “fit the woman to the dress” of Hollywood blockbuster formula, and (2) how it made a mess of the movie's chiastic integrity. Hat tip to Kelly Loomis!New to the Lake and Shed Kanreki Birthday series? Here's what we're doing:On 31 July 2025, Joanne Murray, aka J. K. Rowling and Robert Galbraith, will be celebrating her 60th birthday. This celebration is considered a ‘second birth' in Japan or Kanreki because it is the completion of the oriental astrological cycle. To mark JKR's Kanreki, Dr John Granger and Nick Jeffery, both Nipponophiles, are reading through Rowling's twenty-one published works and reviewing them in light of the author's writing process, her ‘Lake and Shed' metaphor. The ‘Lake' is the biographical source of her inspiration; the ‘Shed' is the alocal place of her intentional artistry, in which garage she transforms the biographical stuff provided by her subconscious mind into the archetypal stories that have made her the most important author of her age. You can hear Nick and John discuss this process and their birthday project at the first entry in this series of posts: Happy Birthday, JKR! A Lake and Shed Celebration of her Life and Work.Tomorrow? It's back to a book we know was written by Joanne Murray, aka Robert Galbraith, Lethal White, the fourth Cormoran Strike novel. Nick promises to lay out the tensions between classes and castes in this book and how the story told reflects those tensions in Rowling's own life. John is set to discuss how Ibsen's Rosmersholm, the source of this book's epigraphs, is also a story template for this turning point of the first seven books. Stay tuned! Links to posts mentioned in today's Lake and Shed conversation for further reading:Unlocking Fantastic Beasts: Finding the Text* Preface: ‘The Original Screenplay' – Not the Shooting Script or Even a Faithful Movie Transcript (What the Movie Makers Changed or Left Out)* Preface 2: Comparing the Original Screenplay with the Actual Film: What the Film Makers Left Out, Changed, or Deleted (with Kelly Loomis)* Part 1: J. K. Rowling, Screenwriter — Who is Working for Whom?* Part 2: The Film Makers and Decision Makers?* Part 3: The Six Scenes You Missed in Fantastic Beasts and the Seventh: GrindelGraves' Vision* Part 4: Fantastic Beasts Revelations from the Far Side Sources (Can You Say ‘Lego Movie'?) * Part 5: So What? The Found Text and Its Meaning* 5.1 The Story of the Text We're Looking For* 5.2 Theseus the Hero and Newt Scamander* 5.3 Jacob Kowalski: Is He Bigger than Newt?* 5.4 The Grindelwald-Credence Relationship* 5.5 Lumos and the Barebone OrphanageInterpretation and Speculation: Ring Structure, Christian Content, Elder Wand, Etc.* On the Story Structure of Fantastic Beasts: Is It a Ring?* On the Deep Back Story Revealed in Fantastic Beasts* On the Christian Content in Fantastic Beasts — and the New Controversy* Rune Magic in ‘Fantastic Beasts'? I wish* Why the Film Franchise Cannot Win a Major League ‘Oscar'* Nicolas Flamel to Appear in the Sequel? Don't You Believe It!* Who is the Death Stick's Master? The Elder Wand and Fantastic BeastsPodcasts:* Fantastic Beasts Ring Composition: A ‘Reading, Writing, Rowling' Podcast (with Katy McDaniel and Brett Kendall)* On Rowling's Missteps and Misappropriatrions in ‘History of Magic in North America‘ (with Dr. Amy H. Sturgis and Allison Mills, MuggleNet Academia podcast)* The HogwartsProfessors Talk ‘Fantastic Beasts' (with Louise Freeman, Emily Strand, and Elizabeth Baird-Hardy; MuggleNet Academia podcast)* Eugenics in American History and Fantastic Beasts (with Professor Chris Gavaler of Washington and Lee University; MuggleNet Academia podcast)Elizabeth Baird-Hardy's Fantastic Beasts Posts* Throwback Thursday with Narnia, Newt Scamander, and Fantastic Beasts: Part I* Throwback Thursday with Narnia, Newt Scamander, and Fantastic Beasts: Part II* Pack Your Bags! Newt Scamander's Fantastic Beast-y Suitcase, Hermione's Handbag, and their Literary Relatives* Five Spoiler-Free Reasons Potterphiles will Love Fantastic Beasts* Thanksgiving Thoughts on Terrific Treats from Fantastic Beasts!* Fantastic Beast Flashbacks: The Five Things We Want to Know about What Happened BEFORE Newt's NY Adventure* Fairies and Wizards? A Midsummer Night's Dream and What We Might Expect from Crimes of GrindelwaldGuest Posts:* Wayne Stauffer: Names in Fantastic Beasts* Beatrice Groves: On ‘Nagini Maledictus' – Literary Allusion in Fantastic BeastsThe twelve HogwartsProfessor birthday videos posted thus far in this series can be read at the links below:* A Lake and Shed Reading of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone* A Lake and Shed Reading of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets* A Lake and Shed Reading of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban* A Lake and Shed Reading of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire* A Lake and Shed Reading of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix* A Lake and Shed Reading of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince* A Lake and Shed Reading of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows* A Lake and Shed Reading of Casual Vacancy* A Lake and Shed Reading of Cuckoo's Calling* A Lake and Shed Reading of The Silkworm* A Lake and Shed Reading of Career of Evil* A Lake and Shed Reading of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Get full access to Hogwarts Professor at hogwartsprofessor.substack.com/subscribe

The BTS team discusses Baz Luhrmann's style and whether it adds or detracts from the narrative, the choice to use Shakespeare's original dialogue, and why we want a Mercutio and Tybalt spin-off.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iJBb62bI-SkBig Swing Summer Schedule: https://www.patreon.com/posts/131204547

From of our patron-exclusive episode on Cloud Atlas. Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon:⁠https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-cloud-133251641

Hello Quizheads, welcome to Takeaway Trivia your pub quiz in a podcast.Four rounds of bar trivia in the comfort of your own home. No queuing for a your beer, no sticky tables and no one heckling the answers. Play the quiz however you like. Get your gang together and play like a true quiz night or entertain yourself while you're recovering from exposure to green Kryptonite.This week's rounds:>2:20: General Knowledge>05:30: Screen Play>11:00: Clued Up>17:55: The End of the Quiz QuizCONTACT TAT> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ko-fi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We make every effort to check that the trivia presented in each episode is correct and up to date at the time of publishing however, the contents of this podcast are presented for entertainment purposes only. Takeaway Trivia cannot be held responsible for any errors. Please get in touch if you think we've got it wrong to win the ultimate pedant's prize - a shout out in the Correction Section!Takeaway Trivia is available wherever you download podcasts including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and Audible. It's also available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠New episode every Monday!#pubquiz #podcast #trivia #quiz #generalknowledge #questions #bartrivia #answers #GlastonburyMusic:"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠There It Is⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Carpe Diem" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0License:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ "Easy Lemon" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Life of Riley" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to co-writer Erik Jendresen and writer-director Christopher McQuarrie about Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

Welcome listeners to Your World of Creativity, where we talk with creative professionals around the globe about how they bring ideas to life.Our guest today is Jordan Morris—an award-winning producer, director, and screenwriter known for Nintendo Quest and Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe, which won TIFF's People's Choice Award for Best Documentary. He's also the creator of the Life & Death Story Model™ and founder of the Six Months to Screenplay program. Jordan is known as The Writer Igniter—and we're excited to explore how he helps writers bring emotionally powerful stories to life.Jordan 's Website Here's an overview of our conversation:1. The Story Starts HereJordan, your Life & Death Story Model™ is a fascinating framework. What inspired you to rethink traditional narrative structures, and how does it shift the way writers approach their scripts from the start? Can you give us a quick example of this model in action?2. From Plot to PulseYou say, ‘Plot grabs attention. Emotion keeps it.' What does it take for writers to master The Emotional Arc™—and why do so many scripts fall flat in this area? How do you help writers dig deeper emotionally without losing structure?3. Story Forge & Undercooked ConceptsYou've coined the term ‘undercooked concepts'—which feels painfully accurate for many writers. What's your process for Story Forging™, and how can it help pressure-proof a story idea before diving into draft one?4. The Writer's Voice & MindsetOriginality isn't always about ideas—it's about voice. How do you coach writers to uncover a voice so distinct it can't be ignored? And what mindset shift must occur for a writer to go from aspiring to producing? How do you balance preserving voice with the demands of marketability or genre?5. Creativity in a Changing LandscapeYou've worked across theatre, film, and now community-building with Storytowne. How do you see the creative process evolving today—especially with new tools like AI? Are we witnessing the revolution or the ruin of storytelling? What role does Six Months to Screenplay play in future-proofing storytellers?Sponsor:This episode is sponsored by White Cloud Coffee Roasters. Use the code CREATIVITY at checkout for 10% off your first order at WhiteCloudCoffee.comBe sure to subscribe to Your World of Creativity, rate us, and leave a review on your favorite podcast app. Join us again for more insights into how creative professionals around the world bring their ideas to life.

Only the universe could host a podcast this big! We watched a space adventure primarily set on Earth. Get ready to hear Analog Jones discuss the heroic, muscle-bound warrior known as He-Man in Masters of the Universe. Quick Facts Directed by Gary Goddard (First full-length Film) Written by David Odell (Wrote the Screenplay for Dark Crystal and Supergirl) Music by Bill Conti (Rocky and Karate Kid Motion Pictures) Distributed by The Cannon Group Inc. Running Time: 106 minutes Released August 7, 1987 Budget: $22 million Box Office: $17.3 million Rotten Tomatoes: 21% Tomatometer / 41% Popcornmeter Starring Dolph Lundgren as He-Man Frank Langella as Skeletor Courteney Cox as Julie Winston Robert Duncan McNeill as Kevin Corrigan Meg Foster as Evil-Lyn Chelsea Field as Teela Jon Cypher as Man-At-Arms Billy Barty as Gwildor James Tolkan as Detective High Lubic Christina Pickles as Sorceress Tony Carroll as Beast Man How to listen and reach Analog Jones and the Temple of FilmDiscuss these movies and more on our Facebook page. You can also listen to us on iTunes, iHeartRADIO, Podbean, Spotify, and Youtube! Please email us at analogjonestof@gmail.com with any comments or questions! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As June turns to July, we once again set our eyes on reviewing various films that have entered the Criterion Collection over the course of what we like to refer to as Criterion Month. Call it our own little corner of the Criterion Closet filled with films we've never seen, some potentially aligning with our […]

The BTS team discusses the film's decades-long development, its rich story world, and ultimately how inconsistencies in pacing, character motivation, and tone keep it from feeling like a cohesive narrative.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/x7zpbrdCM4sBig Swing Summer Schedule: https://www.patreon.com/posts/131204547

Have any questions about screenwriting? Comment below and I'll address them in future podcasts.My novel Deadpan is out in hardcover! Order it here. Get full access to Get Reel with Richard Walter at richardwalter.substack.com/subscribe

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to actor Jason Isaacs about Season 3 of White Lotus. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

The BTS team discusses the construction of a modern musical with a small cast, the central's character's choices and motivations, and how the opening musical number sets the stage for the rest of the film.Big Swing Summer Schedule: https://www.patreon.com/posts/131204547

There are so many Roger Corman films we could've discussed but we throw a few curves and talk about some of the ones people miss on their Corman lists. From 1954's Highway Dragnet, which was Corman's first produced Screenplay to Frankenstien Unbound his last directed film from 1992

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to actor Dichen Lachman about Season 2 of Severance. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

The BTS team discusses the film's grounded central relationship, ambitious plot mechanics, and masterful blending of the two at the story's midpoint.Big Swing Summer Schedule: https://www.patreon.com/posts/131204547

Want to watch the video version of this podcast? Check it out on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkLXkS6rfns Our two new books... STORY QUESTIONS: How To Unlock Your Story One Question At A Time - https://payhip.com/b/ZTvq9 and 17 Steps To Writing A Great Main Character - https://payhip.com/b/kCZGd 0:00 - True Story Behind One Of The Biggest Screenplay Sales In History 15:37 - This Is The Story I Tell New Screenwriters 26:32 - What I Finally Understand About The Screenwriting Business 20 Years Later 36:44 - Why The Logline Is The Most Important Part Of The Screenwriting Process 47:37 - Difference Between A Hollywood Movie Idea And One That Isn't Good Enough 58:42 - If You Don't Cry While Writing A Screenplay... Throw It Away 1:10:06 - Truth About The First 10 Pages Of A Screenplay 1:19:57 - How A Screenplay Sale Actually Works Mike Thompson is a veteran Hollywood writer/producer, perhaps best known for his feature films, Dragonfly, starring Academy Award-winner, Kevin Costner, and Love Happens, featuring Emmy-winner Jennifer Aniston. He also co-created and was a showrunner of the FOX television series, John Doe, starring Dominic Purcell, and co-wrote and produced the indie horror film, Choose, starring Academy Award-nominee, Bruce Dern. In the documentary realm, he executive produced the multi-award-winning feature, A Lawyer Walks Into a Bar, and appears as himself in the cult classic award-winner, The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters. In addition to his produced credits, he is uniquely distinguished for having written and sold dozens of high-profile spec scripts, pitches and teleplays to nearly every major Hollywood studio, including multiple seven-figure deals and at one point, the “highest-paying scripter deal ever" ~ Variety. He has collaborated on projects involving the likes of Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington, Johnny Depp, George Clooney, Will Smith, Edie Falco, Chris Pine, Michael Keaton, Richard Gere, Academy Award-winning director Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump), and presently, blockbuster producer Jerry Bruckheimer (Top Gun: Maverick). Upon graduation from film school at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Mike began his career at Paramount Pictures, where he worked as an assistant to Academy Award-winning producer, Scott Rudin (No Country for Old Men), and subsequently for legendary producer, Larry Gordon (Field of Dreams), who set up Mike's very first spec script sale at Walt Disney Studios. Mike lives and works in the mountains outside of his hometown of Seattle. MORE VIDEOS WITH MIKE THOMPSON https://tinyurl.com/5bk7st83 CONNECT WITH MIKE THOMPSON https://themissilesite.com https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0860513

Happy Pride Month! The Wedding Banquet Year: 2025 Screenplay by: Andrew Ahn and James Shamus Based on the screenplay by: Ang Lee, Neil Peng and James Shamus Directed by: Andrew Ahn Stars: Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Han Gi-Chan, Joan Chen, Youn Yuh-jung, Bobo Le Show notes: A remake of the 1993 Ang Lee film, this 2025 update is queer struggle and queer joy and green cards and IVF and family and chosen family. It's not a rom com but it's a beautiful film and we loved it. If you would like to skip the plot summary for this month's film you can spool forward about 12 minutes into the episode. In this episode we mention the films: The Wedding Banquet (1993) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107156/) Minari (2020) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10633456/) Watermelon Woman (1996) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118125/) Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5537002/) A Nice Indian Boy (2024) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16431330/) If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway. We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.  Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley. Thank you for listening! 

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to creator-writer Charlie Brooker about Season 7 of Black Mirror. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

We're launching our summer season, "Big Swing Summer" with a new episode releasing every Friday! We'll be taking a look at ambitious movies where the filmmakers reached for the stars and discussing what can be both lost and gained by taking such big swings.June 13th: InterstellarJune 20th: La La LandJune 27th: A.I. Artificial IntelligenceJuly 4th: Patreon-Exclusive — Cloud AtlasJuly 11th: Romeo + JulietJuly 18th: Pulp FictionJuly 25th: The Fountain

In this episode, we welcome Toby Oliver, ACS. Toby is an award-winning cinematographer of projects including Get Out, Insidious: The Last Key, M3GAN 2.0, “Apple Cider Vinegar” and “Dead to Me.” In our chat, he shares about his early days, education, and his collaboration with Jordan Peele on Get Out. He also dives deep into his latest TV series — and offers many insights for up-and-coming filmmakers today. “The Making Of” is presented by AJA:Commercial shoots require speed and precision, which is why Dubai-based freelance editor Nikolay Ivanov depends on AJA's Io 4K Plus for fast, reliable I/O for on set editorial. Find out how he uses the technology alongside other creative tools to collaborate with stakeholders and deliver cuts while the camera is still rolling. Read the Story HereThunderbolt 5 Speed. Ultra Portable Storage.The OWC Envoy Pro Ultra the first portable SSD to harness the power of Thunderbolt 5, delivering real-world speeds over 6000MB/s in a rugged, pocket-sized design. With up to 4TB of capacity and next-gen bandwidth, it's built for high-res video, VFX, and demanding post-production workflows—anytime, anywhere. Lightweight, bus-powered, and blazing fast, it redefines what portable storage can do.Explore it hereScreamfest Horror Film Festival: The 25th annual Screamfest Horror Film Festival call for entries deadlines are approaching! Screenplay submission deadline is June 15th. Winning screenplay receives $1,000 cash prize, software and more. Deadlines for new genre feature films and shorts are regular 7/15, final 8/1 and extended final 8/15. For more information visit screamfestla.com New Solutions from Videoguys:Now through June 30, 2025, get more value when you buy an Atomos monitor-recorder from Videoguys.com! Purchase a Ninja or Ninja Ultra and receive a FREE qualified 240GB SSD. Upgrade to a Shogun Classic, Shogun Ultra, or Sumo 19SE and get a FREE qualified 480GB SSD. To claim your free drive, simply buy from Videoguys.com and complete the mail-in rebate directly through Atomos.With five big reasons to go Atomos—record direct from the sensor, enable a direct-to-edit workflow, capture longer sessions, access pro monitoring tools, and share your shoot—this is the perfect time to upgrade. Act fast, this offer ends June 30, 2025! Call Videoguys at 800-323-2325 to find the right Atomos monitor-recorder for your workflow. Browse hereFeatured Book Release:The Director's Guide to Everything is the ultimate road map for mastering the craft. More than just a guide — it's a masterclass in how to turn your vision into reality. The Director's Guide delivers a comprehensive, no-nonsense education in the art and science of directing — with practical knowledge drawn from decades of experience in the trenches of motion picture production. www.adakinpress.comPre-orders only for now. Shipping July 1st.One-Lens 360 Plates. Seamless by Design.IgelkottPlates.com offers the only plug-and-play driving and environment plates made specifically for virtual production. No stitching, no setup fuss—just clean, calibrated material designed to drop into any pipeline with zero surprises. Built for real-time workflows and in-camera results.Learn more hereCheck out the ZEISS Otus ML:Now on sale, the Otus ML 1.4/50mm photography lens from ZEISS is the new generation of high-quality optics for your photographic art. Find it at your favorite photo retailer! Explore it herePodcast Rewind:June 2025 - Ep. 84…“The Making Of” is created by Michael Valinsky.Promote your products or services to 190K filmmakers, broadcast production pros, and content creators reading this newsletter… email us at mvalinsky@me.com Get full access to The Making Of at themakingof.substack.com/subscribe

In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on The Last of Us (Season 2), the BTS team discusses a crucial scene in the game and how it compares to the series.Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon:⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/beyondthescreenplay

The most recent Table Read My Screenplay contest brought the grand prize winner to the South of France during the Cannes Film Festival. Hear from screenwriter Allegra Oxborough & director Paul Lindsay.

Our Hitchcock countdown takes us one last time into his British era. This week we discuss the 1938 classic, The Lady Vanishes. ***SPOILER ALERT*** We do talk about this movie in its entirety, so if you plan on watching it, we suggest you watch it before listening to our takes.A Gainsborough Picture. Released October 7, 1938. Produced by Edward Black. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Screenplay by Sidney Gilliat and Frank Launder, based on the 1936 novel The Wheel Spins by Ethel Line White. Starring Margaret Lockwood, Michael Redgrave, Paul Lukas, May Whitty, Cecil Parker, Linden Travers, Naunton Wayne, and Basil Radford. Cinematography by Jack E. Cox. Edited by R. E. Dearing. Music by Louis Levy and Charles Williams.Ranking: 10 out of 52. Ranking movies is a reductive parlor game. It's also fun. And it's a good way to frame a discussion. We aggregated over 70 ranked lists from critics, fans, and magazines The Lady Vanishes got 2,519 ranking points.

In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, the BTS team shares their initial reactions to the film.Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-130269997

It's wedding season at Mildly Pleased, so we took a look at one of the most wedding-fetishizing romantic comedies ever made. You won't believe how many dresses Katherine Heigl wears! Or perhaps you will, because it's right there in the title. Either way, the boys have fun discussing the rise and fall of Miss Heigl, […]

Cat Fight is the new novel from author Kit Conway which centres around big cat encounters in Kent, published in the UK in May and the US in June 2025. We speak to Kit about how Big Cat Conversations helped shape her ideas for the big cat aspects of the plot. The book has already been optioned as a future TV screenplay, and Kit discusses how she weaved big cat sightings into a novel about the developing frictions across a close community in south-east England. It is a rollercoaster of a story which explores people's switch to wild behaviour on different levels.Our second guest Gary describes some big cat incidents in Surrey, just 50 miles west of where Cat Fight is set. He himself has twice observed a black panther in a neighbouring agricultural field, viewed from the same spot in his parents' house. Believed by Gary to be a black leopard on each occasion, the sightings were 20 years apart in 2003 and 2023.   Word of the week:   rosetteCat Fight book availability in UK:https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/463613/cat-fight-by-conway-kit/9780857506597 Cat Fight book availability in North America:  https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Cat-Fight/Kit-Conway/9781668066348Copies of Cat Fight are available for UK and for North America listeners to win by emailing ‘word of the week' suggestions – details in the podcast.Kit Conway, Cat Fight author's website: https://www.kitconway.com/ 1st June 2025

Film scholar and returning guest James Kenney has a knack for uncovering lost and forgotten cinematic treasures. You can listen to episodes 18 and 32 of the Movies In Focus podcast to learn about his headline-making work on Peter Bogdanovich's Squirrels To The Nuts and the rediscovery of the original version of the Keanu Reeves and Ana de Armas film, God's Daughter. James now returns to discuss his latest find: Brian De Palma's ‘lost' film script, Ambrose Chapel. The now-published screenplay features an introductory essay from James, which examines De Palma's fascinating and stylish career as a master of suspense. Written by De Palma in the 1990s between Carlito's Way and Mission: Impossible, audiences can finally catch sight of De Palma's 'screwball noir'. Virtual reality, mind control, and De Palma's famed voyeurism are the order of the day for this Hitchcock-inspired, Mexico City-set thriller. James digs into the origins of Ambrose Chapel, exploring how it fits within many of De Palma's signature themes. The conversation takes a broader look at De Palma's legendary career, tracing his evolution as a filmmaker and examining how Ambrose Chapel fits into the director's cinematic legacy - ultimately offering a look at one of Hollywood's most misunderstood auteurs. AMBROSE CHAPEL - A screenplay by Brian De Palma is out now from Sticking Place Books www.stickingplacebooks.com

Complaining about the Trail Blazers is a right of passage on this show. Will is an expert… Luke is an optimist. But what will this team do with a new owner in years to come? Luke and Will do a thought experiment; How would you spend your first 100 days as owner? We discuss!

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to Producers Craig Perry and Sheila Hanahan Taylor + co-writers Guy Busick and Lori Evans Taylor about Final Destination: Bloodlines. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

All great institutions bestow awards… and now so does Multiplex Overthruster! It's our first ever Multi Awards episode, in which Paul, Javi, and - mercifully - Producer Brad run down the nominees and winners from all of the films they watched during this most august of summer movie summers. In addition to naming their Best Picture, Director, Screenplay - and so on and so on - Producer Brad has also compiled a list of superlatives (“best character introduction of all time!”) and revisits them with the benefit of hindsight to see which stood the test of time! Will Javi stand by that thing he said about Captain Morgan in “The Sword and the Sorcerer”? We won't spoil it here. Trust us, you don't want to miss the first ever Multi Awards! Listen and share so that it won't be the last!Follow us!Instagram Bluesky email: Multiplexoverthruster@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode delves into Ode to Billy Joe, a PG-rated film with adult themes.  Trigger warning: The film Ode to Billy Joe, and the song on which it is based, both discuss the suicide of one of the characters. Listener discretion is advised.  BONUS EPISODE: The celebration of the upcoming 150th episode of THE STORY SONG PODCAST continues with this special bonus episode. Join your hosts as they head up to Choctaw Ridge to discuss Ode to Billy Joe, the 1976 film adaptation of Bobbie Gentry's classic story song.    Ode to Billy Joe. Starring Robbie Benson and Glynnis O'Connor. Screenplay by Herman Raucher, based upon the song by Bobbie Gentry. Directed and produced by Max Baer, Jr. “Ode to Billie Joe” by Bobbie Gentry (from the album Ode to Billie Joe) is available on Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, Pandora, Spotify, or wherever you listen to music. Ode to Billy Joe is available to stream on YouTube. Learn more at IMDb. Continue the conversation; follow THE STORY SONG PODCAST on social media. Follow us on Instagram (storysongpodcast), and Facebook (thestorysongpodcast), Threads (storysongpodcast), GoodPods, and Podchaser. THE STORY SONG PODCAST is a member of the Pantheon Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sunnyside (1979) AIP Production # 7908Jeff and Cheryl explore the dark side of urban living by watching Sunnyside.Screenplay by Timothy and Jeff King Story by Jeff King and Robert L. SchaffelProduced by Robert L. Schaffel Directed by Timothy Galfas Starring:Joey Travolta as Nick Martin John Lansing as Denny Martin Stacey Pickren as Donna Rosario Andrew Rubin as Eddie Reaper Michael Tucci as Harry Cimoli Talia Balsam as Ann Rosario Joan Darling as Mrs. Martin Chris Mulkey as Reggie Flynn Richard Beauchamp as HectorHeshimu Cumbuka as Ice Jonathan Gries as Wild Child E. Lamont Johnson as Rage Billy Jacoby as BillyAn American International Pictures Release View the Sunnyside trailer here. You can stream Sunnyside on Prime Video, Fubo or MGM+. Visit our website - https://aippod.com/ and follow the American International Podcast on Letterboxd, Instagram and Threads @aip_pod and on Facebook at facebook.com/AmericanInternationalPodcast  Get your American International Podcast merchandise at our store. Our open and close includes clips from the following films/trailers: How to Make a Monster (1958), The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962), I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957), High School Hellcats (1958), Beach Blanket Bingo (1965), The Wild Angels (1966), It Conquered the World (1956), The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971), and Female Jungle (1955)

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to creator-writer-showrunner Tony Gilroy about all of Andor Season 2. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to screenwriter Tom Bissell about Andor S2, episodes 10-12. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

This week we take a look into Hitchcock's popular chamber room mystery, Dial M for Murder. Set in a luxurious London flat, a marital drama unfolds that leads into blackmail and murder. ***SPOILER ALERT*** We do talk about this movie in its entirety, so if you plan on watching it, we suggest you watch it before listening to our takes.A Warner Bros. Picture. Released May 29, 1954. Produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Screenplay by Frederick know, based on his 1952 play. Starring Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings, John Williams, Anthony Dawson. Cinematography by Robert Burks. Edited by Rudi Fehr. Music by Dimitri Tiomkin.Ranking: 11 out of 52. Ranking movies is a reductive parlor game. It's also fun. And it's a good way to frame a discussion. We aggregated over 70 ranked lists from critics, fans, and magazines Dial M for Murder got 2,510 ranking points.

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to screenwriter Dan Gilroy about Andor S2, episodes 7-9. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

This week we discuss Hitchcock's 1963 thriller about birds attacking humans.***SPOILER ALERT*** We do talk about this movie in its entirety, so if you plan on watching it, we suggest you watch it before listening to our takes.A Universal Picture. Released March 28, 1963. Produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Screenplay by Evan Hunter based on the short story by Daphne du Maurier. Starring Tippi Hedren, Rod Taylor, Jessica Tandy, Veronica Cartwright, and Suzanne Pleshette. Cinematography by Robert Burks. Edited by George Tomasini.Ranking: 12 out of 52. Ranking movies is a reductive parlor game. It's also fun. And it's a good way to frame a discussion. We aggregated over 70 ranked lists from critics, fans, and magazines The Birds got 2,479 ranking points.

The Villas is a dark comedy about a young man who gets a job at a senior living community in Florida. This is an audio screenplay from Zero Point Fiction. 

At a national-level high school Model UN, something strange is afoot. High-profile members are dropping like flies, suddenly sick or socially destroyed, videos of their humiliation posted by a mysterious online account called The Seagull. As the weekend event unravels, a serious student known as “Luxembourg” (all the students go by their country names, it's more fun) sets out with the rest of the members of the Model UN security council to solve the mystery of who The Seagull is and what they want. How deep does this conspiracy go? Scripts start at 57:49StarringCassie MiddlemistMike MazzellaLaura PetroHobert ThompsonDaryn Robinson

In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on The Last of Us (Season 1), the BTS team shares their initial reactions to the film.Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon:⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/beyondthescreenplay

Host Jeff Goldsmith screenwriter Beau Willimon about Andor S2, episodes 4-6. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

Host Jeff Goldsmith creator-showrunner-writer Tony Gilroy about Andor S2 eps 1-3. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

By Harryette Mullen

In this episode, the team discusses the premiere of The Last of Us Season 2, exploring themes of character development, the adaptation process from video game to television, and the balance between narrative and action. They delve into the significance of time jumps, the introduction of new characters, and the emotional stakes involved in the storytelling.

Host Jeff Goldsmith interviews co-writers Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach about Drop. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

In this episode, the Beyond the Screenplay team discusses the season finale of White Lotus Season 3, Episode 8, titled 'Amor Fati.' They explore the themes of fate, character arcs, and the narrative structure of the season. The participants delve into the complexities of the third season of 'The White Lotus,' discussing its balance of satire and seriousness, the buildup of tension, character arcs, thematic clarity, and the underlying themes of religion and belief systems.

In this episode of Beyond the Screenplay, the team discusses the penultimate episode of The White Lotus, focusing on the themes of violence, character dynamics, and narrative structure. They explore how the show subverts expectations, the complexity of relationships, and the characters' journeys towards self-revelation and identity. The conversation highlights the show's unique storytelling style and the tension between characters, culminating in a rich analysis of the episode's thematic elements. The hosts explore the sinister undertones of character actions, and the intertwining themes of money and violence. They discuss character motivations, the anticipation of chaos in the finale, and the building tension that suggests a significant climax. The episode concludes with reflections on fate and the meaning behind the unfolding events, setting the stage for the season finale.