Podcasts about screenwriters

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to Emmy® nominated actor Nick Offerman and showrunner Mike Makowsky about their limited series - Death by Lightning. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. For more great content, read Backstory Magazine!

“We're all salespeople at the end of the day.”Whether you're pitching a movie, an idea, or yourself, persuasion is about more than the story you're telling—it's also about the story your audience sees for themselves. For Deadpool and Zombieland screenwriter Rhett Reese, that means keeping communication concise, compelling, and centered on what your audience needs. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Reese joins Matt Abrahams to share lessons from screenwriting that apply far beyond Hollywood. From cutting unnecessary words to crafting pitches that make your audience the protagonist, he explores how storytelling, collaboration, and clarity can make any message more persuasive.Takeaways:Every pitch tells two stories. You're selling the idea itself, but you're also showing your audience how saying yes can solve their problem, reduce their risk, and lead to their success.Brevity makes your message stronger. Cutting unnecessary words and choosing them carefully helps your ideas land with greater clarity, impact, and memorability.Activity:Tell the second story. Take a pitch you're currently working on and write one sentence describing the idea you're selling. Then write a second sentence from your audience's perspective: “If I say yes, what becomes possible for me?” Use that second story to reshape your pitch around their success, not just your idea.Printable Expanded Takeaways & ActivitiesEpisode Reference Links:Rhett ReeseEp.167 Hollywood Lessons For Successful Communication Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn Chapters:(00:00) - Introduction (01:18) - Make Every Word Count (03:09) - How to Pitch an Idea (07:38) - Creatively Collaborating (10:35) - Creating Space for Feedback (12:49) - AI & the Future of Hollywood (16:44) - The Final Three Questions (23:15) - Conclusion ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smartJoin our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to co-writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers about their hit film - Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

Screenwriter and producer David Kajganich (Suspiria, Bones and All) joins Michael Phillips to test a provocative rule of adaptation from filmmaker Whit Stillman: "You owe everything to the movie and nothing to the original [source]."But what about the opposite approach? As the Coen brothers once joked about adapting Cormac McCarthy's No Country for Old Men: "One of us types into the computer while the other holds the spine of the book flat." Between those two extremes lies the art of adaptation.Drawing on more than two decades of adapting novels, memoirs, plays, and films, Kajganich explores when fidelity serves a movie, when it becomes a trap, and why great adaptations sometimes have to break the bones of the original work. As you'd expect, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey enters the conversation, along with Howards End, The Shining, The Zone of Interest, and Where the Wild Things Are.Is the best adaptation the one that faithfully recreates its source? Or the one that expresses something new? Join the conversation: email themovieracket@filmspotting.netSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julia WackenheimTake a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Julia Wackenheim. Julia is an actress, a producer, a director, a screenwriter, an activist and a mother. In this episode, we chat about all of these different roles. We start off talking about where she grew up and what it was life to work in a casino in Atlantic City. Then I ask her some very personal questions about the type of care she chose for the birth of her baby. Julia is very open on this subject, and I appreciate it greatly. Next, we get into her time at I.O West, which was more than a decade. She discusses the differences between improv & stand-up comedy, which she prefers and why. Then we get into her writing and screenwriting a bit before we talk about how she came to be part of the 2-season series "F'd"; in which she was an actress and producer. She shares her experience working on the show "Live in Front of a Studio Audience: 'The Facts of Life'", and what it was life to watch the great James Burrow do his thing. Julia talks a bit about her work on 'Fear the Walking Dead', and what she likes to do in her down time on set. Finally, we discuss her role as producer on the short film 'Selah', and how she came to be part of it. We do a deeper dive on her series pilot 'Ethel & Ernie'; which she wrote, produced, directed, and stars in. She also tells me how her advocacy for workers' rights inspired the story for this comedy series. Follow Julia in all the usual places, and keep your eyes peeled for this sitcom to hit your TV.

Novelist, veteran screenwriter, and longtime Blue Bloods showrunner Kevin Wade spoke with us about the challenges of transitioning across writing mediums, storytelling principles, and book two of his debut crime series, ONE GOOD EYE. Kevin Wade is the Golden Globe and the Writers Guild of America nominated screenwriter of movies including the seven-time Oscar nominated comedy Working Girl (1988), True Colors (1991) starring John Cusack and James Spader, the Tom Selleck comedy Mr. Baseball (1992), Ivan Reitman's Junior (1994), the epic romance Meet Joe Black (1998),  and the rom-com Maid in Manhattan (2002). In 2010, he joined the rookie CBS drama Blue Bloods as a writer, and in 2011 he became its showrunner and executive producer for the entire 14-year run. His latest release is the follow-up to his debut crime novel Johnny Careless, a book author John Sanford called a “fast-moving classic crime novel,” and that was shortlisted for the Edgar Best First Novel Award. One Good Eye is the second in the Police Chief Jeep Mullane series and Library Journal said of the author, “Wade delivers another compelling literary mystery. His characters feel intimately real...and Jeep remains a deeply engaging protagonist...With sharp prose and a vivid sense of place on Long Island's Gold Coast, Wade's second…book will have readers eager to read more stories about Jeep and his community." [Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm] [If you're a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Kevin Wade, Milena, and I discussed: What his early aspirations as an actor in NYC taught him about playwriting How he had his first screenplay turned into a hit movie by a legendary director Why he wrote his debut novel during the Writers Guild strike The biggest challenges of moving from TV writing to the novel His favorite advice from Elmore Leonard's Ten Rules for Writers How to write relatable characters Classic advice from literary lions And a lot more! Show Notes: ElevenReader is a new, award-winning audio app for iOS, Android, Web One Good Eye: A Jeep Mullane Novel (The Jeep Mullane Series, 2) by Kevin Wade (Amazon) Kevin Wade Amazon Author Page Kevin Wade on IMDb Kevin Wade on Instagram Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram Kelton Reid Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mitch Marcus is a director and screenwriter for movies and television. He started out working on film crews on movies like 'Stand By Me" and "Field of Dreams".  In 1995, his film “A Boy Called Hate", about the youth culture of guns, received a prize at the Berlin International Film Festival.  He's worked as a director for hire on several feature length movies.  He's filmed two feature length documentaries. In television, he produced and directed non-fiction television for A&E, History, Travel, Discovery, Sundance and others - most recently Executive Producing the series, "The Unexplained with William Shatner”. He recently released a micro-budget feature called "I Don't Love You Anymore”. My featured song is “Hollywood”, from the album The PGS Experience by my band Project Grand Slam. Spotify link. —------------------------------------ The Follow Your Dream Podcast:Top 1% of all podcasts with Listeners in 200 countries! Click here for Start Here Click here for All Episodes  Click here for Guest List  Click here for Guest Testimonials Click here for Pillars Click here for Robert's Project Grand Slam Click here to Subscribe  Click here to receive our Email Updates Click here to Rate and Review the podcast —---------------------------------------- CONNECT WITH MITCH:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0546153/ —----------------------------------- ROBERT'S NEWEST RELEASE:“THE BUZZ” - Ft. Darius de Haas (vocals) and Dave Eggar (Celo). Short, Sweet and Totally Different CLICK HERE FOR OFFICIAL VIDEO CLICK HERE FOR ALL LINKS —-------------------------------------- Audio production: Jimmy RavenscroftKymera FilmsConnect with the Follow Your Dream Podcast:Website - www.followyourdreampodcast.comFollow Robert's band, Project Grand Slam, and his music:Website - www.projectgrandslam.com    

This week Jeremy welcomes Screenwriter, Filmmaker and Author: Isa Mazzei (Faces of Death / Cam) On this episode, Jeremy and Isa talk movie release delays, Electric President, movie box art, Legally Blonde, bedtime stories as a gateway to a writing career, tips on reading more books, poetry on the radio, recording an audiobook, her new movie Faces of Death, and so much more!!! SUBSCRIBE TO THE PATREON for a bonus episode where Isa answered questions by subscribers! FOLLOW THE SHOW ON INSTAGRAM / X

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to co-writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers about their new film - Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

Brent HuffTake a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Brent Huff. Brent is an actor, director, screenwriter, model, and author. In this episode, we chat about all of these things. How he became a model and who he modeled for. What made him transition into an actor, and what some of his first roles were. When he decided to step behind the camera and direct and a couple of his most personal projects. When and why he decided to become a screenwriter, and the book he recently penned, and where it is now in the publication process. Naturally we discuss his iconic role as "Smitty" on The Rookie; which is about to start its 9th season on ABC. We discuss the similarities Brent has with Brad Pitt, Eric Winter, Steve Owens, and some of the names he has worked with and why they are still friends. Make sure you follow Brent, watch The Rookie, check out his other acting work, and his documentaries. Keep your eyes peeled for his forthcoming book 'My Playbook for Life'. I even pitch Brent a back story for his character on The Rookie. It's hilarious and the show's creator HAS to do it!!Enjoy!

Middle Ground with JLE L.L.C. "Where We Treat You Like Family" on MIDDLE GROUND WITH JLE NETWORK YOUTUBE CHANNEL welcomes Best Selling 5x Published Author, Musician, Journalist, Speaker, Screenwriter, CEO & Host 4 JLE BRAND SHOWS Jeffrey L. Edwards(JLE) as he discusses his latest Book projects.

Samy Burch's new film, LATE FAME, stars Willem Dafoe and Greta Lee and opens this coming weekend; her big debut, MAY DECEMBER, earned her an Oscar nomination. This singular screenwriter has maybe always been a sicko at heart: she's relating to the one and only Thora Birch in GHOST WORLD, an artsy outsider teen who's trying to make sense of a the world she's constantly scrutinizing -- and being scrutinized by.  Then, Jordan has one quick thing about Statham Month at The Action Desk. Celebrating Statham: 3 Essential FightsCelebrating Statham: 5 Essential Weapons   Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinfeelingseen Feeling Seen is hosted by Jordan Crucchiola and is a production of Maximum Fun. You can watch video editions of our new episodes on our YouTube Channel!Need more Feeling Seen? Keep up with the show on Instagram and Bluesky.

Send us Fan MailMikey Ragusa's journey from Ohio to Los Angeles is a testament to the power of pursuing one's passions despite the challenges that may arise. His commitment to authenticity in his performances resonates with aspiring artists everywhere. As Mikey continues to create and perform, he serves as an inspiration for those seeking to carve their own paths in the entertainment industry.  **Key Takeaways:**  - Embrace your identity and authenticity in your craft.  - The film and theater industries offer unique opportunities and challenges.  - Representation matters; creating content that reflects diverse experiences can resonate with audiences.  Frequently Asked Questions: 1. What inspired Mikey to pursue acting?Mikey was inspired to pursue acting after participating in high school theater, particularly during his involvement in productions like "Thoroughly Modern Millie."  2. How does Mikey feel about LGBTQ+ representation in media?Mikey believes that representation is crucial and that audiences resonate more with content that reflects diverse experiences.  3. What is Mikey's latest film about?Mikey's latest film, "Parallel Circuit," explores the dynamics between two friends who reconnect during winter break, bringing unspoken feelings to light.BIOMikey Ragusa is a Los Angeles–based actor, writer, and filmmaker originally from Ohio. After moving to LA to pursue acting, he trained in the Meisner technique at Playhouse West, where he continues to develop both as a performer and storyteller. He recently appeared in The Inheritance, Part Two, a production that explores the legacy of the AIDS crisis and queer identity, and is passionate about telling nuanced LGBTQ+ stories both on stage and on screen. Mikey is also the writer and star of the short film Parallel Circuit, which has screened at film festivals and reached 142,000 viewers and counting online. He is currently developing the story into his debut feature film while also producing his latest short, Train Tracks. Whether he's acting or writing, Mikey is drawn to intimate, character-driven stories that explore connection, memory, and the complexities of growing up queer.Short film "Parallel Circuit": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TPxVgfNVPYMikey's Insta:  https://www.instagram.com/mikey_ragusa?utm_source=qrMikey's tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikey.ragusa?_r=1&_t=ZP-987OXhJp6VC

"One Night Only" is a 2026 American romantic comedy film starring Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner, directed and produced by Will Gluck, based on a script by Travis Braun. It tells the fictional story of two New Yorkers who search for love on the one night of the year when sex is legal. Screenwriter Travis Braun was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the film, which you can watch or listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which will be released in theaters on August 7th from Universal Pictures. Thank you, and enjoy! https://youtu.be/ba-0rVLwU1g Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's guest wrote "The Climb." She also wrote "I Drive Your Truck," "Mine Would Be You," "Don't Think Jesus," and "Ain't No Love in Oklahoma." But her real story isn't the hits. It's the ten years before the first one, the five years after it when the phone stopped ringing, and what she figured out in between about how to actually last in this business.From a dropped record deal and years as what she calls a washed-up artist nobody would write with, to Song of the Year, a Grammy nomination, and a run of hits she wrote while raising three kids under three. She carries three things at once that almost no writer figures out how to hold together: a working method she can actually teach, a conviction that this is a calling and not a job, and a refusal to write the safe version of anything.And The Writer Is... Jessi Alexander!Hit subscribe and turn on notifications. Every week, we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music.Follow us on socials: @andthewriterisA special thank you to our sponsors for making these conversations possible.Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishers' Association. Your support means the world to us.0:00 Intro0:48 Her favorite non-songwriting songwriter trick1:54 "How do you make unavailable country men emotional?"5:33 The five songs on her Hall of Fame plaque11:07 Pool halls and stick shifts: "that color is what I draw from"12:42 The artist deal that fizzled — "I wasn't the artist type"13:31 No man's land: "no one took me seriously, I was a washed-up artist"14:01 The insane story behind writing The Climb: "just another damn day"20:11 Bud Light, a guitar pull, and a British director22:07 Being told The Climb would change her life "Sir, that doesnt happen to people like me"28:08 Nashville still said No30:38 Getting men to sing: long notes and the falsetto flip31:44 "What part of their tool belt have they not used?"34:32 The professor who told her to quit school36:18 Her album, the mergers, and Redneck Woman40:27 New mom: "they'll just put someone else in my spot"45:30 Good mom or good at work — never both46:16 2015 to 2020: "the water just turned off"48:23 Advice for the writer whose phone stopped ringing50:24 The song that rang every bell57:21 Concept-first or melody-first: "I'm the director"61:16 Songwriters own it. Screenwriters sell it.64:16 Imposter syndrome and the Billy Strings answer65:24 What makes Morgan Wallen great69:46 "I don't like to not know where all the bodies are buried"71:43 I Drive Your Truck (Crazy story)74:37 Her granddad's truck in the driveway75:44 "Call in the third. Call in the fourth. Call in the 10th."76:46 No #1 party until they found him80:36 The truck-song traffic jam they were worried sick about85:38 "Keep your head down." Still the only answer.Credits:Hosted by Ross GolanProduced by Joe London & Jad Saad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Screenwriter, producer, journalist and novelist Amy Ephron is here to talk about the inspiration for her latest novel Unseasonably Cold, growing up the youngest of four famous sisters (Nora, Delia, Hallie) in a family of famous writers, period writing, her time as a Hollywood exec, secrets, whether she considers herself prolific, "Charisma White," and so much more. Plus we did a round of JMOE, HGFY and our new favorite words segment. Get yourself some new ARIYNBF merch here: https://alison-rosen-shop.fourthwall.com/ Subscribe to my Substack: http://alisonrosen.substack.com Podcast Palz Product Picks: https://www.amazon.com/shop/alisonrosen/list/2CS1QRYTRP6ER?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_aipsfalisonrosen_0K0AJFYP84PF1Z61QW2H Products I Use/Recommend/Love: http://amazon.com/shop/alisonrosen Check us out on Patreon: http://patreon.com/alisonrosen   Buy Alison's Fifth Anniversary Edition Book (with new material): Tropical Attire Encouraged (and Other Phrases That Scare Me) https://amzn.to/2JuOqcd You probably need to buy the HGFY ringtone! https://www.alisonrosen.com/store/ Try Amazon Prime Free 30 Day Trial

Screenwriter, sex writer and TV host Karly Sciortino joins me on the podcast to discuss her new film, I WANT YOUR SEX, co-written with Gregg Araki.We talk about making the film with Araki, creating her TV series SLUTEVER, the golden era of Vice, London's indie scene in the 2000s, blogging before social media, sex writing, the changing landscape of independent media, and growing up during a generation-defining moment for independent cinema.

Send us Fan MailHello, passionate cruisers! This is Paul. I am delighted to welcome this week on The Joy of Cruising Podcast, Comedian Kevin Jordan. Listeners know I am passionate about music and stand-up comedy. So, when I get an opportunity to host a top stand-up who performs on cruise ships, I jump at it and am so pleased to have a conversation with Kevin.  Kevin Jordan is an award-winning screenwriter, comedian, producer, and former LAPD police officer. For more than 35 years, he has headlined comedy clubs, casinos, cruise ships, and military bases around the world, with television appearances on The Today Show, Comedy Central, Showtime at the Apollo, MTV, and VH1. His comedy special, Cause I Said So!, is available on Amazon Prime. As a screenwriter, Kevin has earned multiple screenplay awards for projects including Sled Race and Old Patrol, blending humor, heart, and authentic storytelling. Through DemjerdenBoyz Productions, he continues to develop family-friendly and character-driven films that celebrate nostalgia, resilience, and the power of laughter.Do you have a dream car? Support the showSupport thejoyofcruisingpodcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2113608/supporters/newSupport Me https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drpaulthContact Me https://www.thejoyofcruising.net/contact-me.htmlBook Cruises http://www.thejoyofvacation.com/US Orders (coupon code joyofcruisingpodcast)The Joy of Cruising https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingCruising Interrupted https://bit.ly/CruisingInterruptedThe Joy of Cruising Again https://bit.ly/TheJoyOfCruisingAgainIntl Orders via Amazon

Renowned classics scholar Emily Wilson caused a stir when her critical review of Christopher Nolan's ‘The Odyssey' went viral. Wilson explains her reaction to the film and why she's translating the poem again. She spoke with Dave Davies about trolls, tattoos, and why she balks at her work being categorized as “feminist.” Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to our YouTube channel Check out the Fresh Air ArchivesSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Renowned classics scholar Emily Wilson caused a stir when her critical review of Christopher Nolan's ‘The Odyssey' went viral. Wilson explains her reaction to the film and why she's translating the poem again. She spoke with Dave Davies about trolls, tattoos, and why she balks at her work being categorized as “feminist.” Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to our YouTube channel Check out the Fresh Air ArchivesSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

In this episode of 3 Movies That Changed Your Life screenwriter Stuart Wright talks with Stay Safe screenwriter Rolando Viñas about: Misery, Shawshank Redemption, and Pulp Fiction. Discover how these films shaped his screenwriting journey, personal growth, and understanding of cinema's power. Plus Rolando Viñas discusses how, as a writer for hire, he wrote the sci-fi horror STAY SAFE.  Movies That Changed Your Life   Find out about how Rolando Viñas wrote the sci-fi horror STAY SAFE; and the lasting impact of cinema on his life with Stuart Wright on this movie podcast.   [1:20] Writing STAY SAFE 3 Movies That Changed Your Life [13:40] Misery (1991): Fortunate to be a teenager in the 1990s [19:35] Shawshank Redemption (1994): It is a perfect film [27:30] Pulp Fiction (1994): A breath of fresh air to see this movie Key Take Aways:   Discover how movies that changed your life shape personal and professional growth.  How Rolando Viñas wrote the sci-fi horror STAY SAFE How to be a writer for hire Understand cinema's transformative power through Misery (1991), Shawshank Redemption (1994), Pulp Fiction (1994) Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts for more movies that impacted your life!  Share your favourite movies that impacted your life on X (@leytonrocks) and leave a 5-star review and tell us which 3 films impacted your adult life. Best ones get read out on the podcast About my Guest:   Rolando Viñas is known for Investigation 13 (2019), Stay Safe (2025) and Arcana STAY SAFE is out now on TUBI. https://tubitv.com/en-gb/movies/100053997/stay-safe  Credits:   3 Movies That Changed Your Life Podcast is written, produced, and hosted by Stuart Wright see https://linktr.ee/stuartwright  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 44 - Dreams, Camera, Action - Filmmaker Barnet Bain (What Dreams May Come) joins the D-Team to explore the creative power of dreams with screenwriter JJ Flowers, X Factor musician Matreya and manifesting expert Janine Lowe.Disclaimer: Please note that all information and content on the UK Health Radio Network, all its radio broadcasts and podcasts are provided by the authors, producers, presenters and companies themselves and is only intended as additional information to your general knowledge. As a service to our listeners/readers our programs/content are for general information and entertainment only.  The UK Health Radio Network does not recommend, endorse, or object to the views, products or topics expressed or discussed by show hosts or their guests, authors and interviewees.  We suggest you always consult with your own professional – personal, medical, financial or legal advisor. So please do not delay or disregard any professional – personal, medical, financial or legal advice received due to something you have heard or read on the UK Health Radio Network.

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Joaquin Hernandez about his screenplay "Sadie and the Summer Serve," a romantic drama set in the world of tennis that explores personal growth and integrity against nepotism in a local tennis club setting. Joaquin revealed he has written approximately 12 screenplays with five completed ones, including projects like "Green Juniper" (a Harvard student becoming a plant-controlling superhero), "Rigged" (a Fast and Furious-style Seattle-based film involving the Japanese Yakuza), and "Ab Oceano" (featuring a mermaid Navy SEAL leading a rescue mission). Joaquin explained his writing process began in 2019 and he writes daily in the mornings, taking about a year to complete "Sadie and the Summer Serve" including revisions. —— Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod —— Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP. • Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime. • Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime. Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial. Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Rashida Jones and Will McCormack are the screenwriting duo behind ‘The Invite.' It takes on the realities of marriage in middle age, told over the course of one dinner party that spirals out of control. They've been mining stories like this together for decades, finding the funny inside the painful. “We are never above a laugh. There's nothing that's grave enough for us not to laugh about, because that's how we release. That's how we process our pain,” Jones tells Tonya Mosley. Also, Lenny Kaye, Patti Smith's longtime guitarist, has his first solo album at age 79. It's called ‘Goin' Local.' He spoke with Terry Gross about his decades-long collaboration with Smith and evolving with age and experience. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to our YouTube channel Check out the Fresh Air ArchivesSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Rashida Jones and Will McCormack are the screenwriting duo behind ‘The Invite.' It takes on the realities of marriage in middle age, told over the course of one dinner party that spirals out of control. They've been mining stories like this together for decades, finding the funny inside the painful. “We are never above a laugh. There's nothing that's grave enough for us not to laugh about, because that's how we release. That's how we process our pain,” Jones tells Tonya Mosley. Also, Lenny Kaye, Patti Smith's longtime guitarist, has his first solo album at age 79. It's called ‘Goin' Local.' He spoke with Terry Gross about his decades-long collaboration with Smith and evolving with age and experience. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to our YouTube channel Check out the Fresh Air ArchivesSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!TV writer, screenwriter, and author Eric Garcia has published six books (so far). He sold three of them to Hollywood and somehow still managed to write his latest novel entirely by accident. He set out to write a short story. Then it got longer. Then it was a novella. Then it was 80,000 words and he had to admit he'd written a whole book, mostly at night, while still juggling film and TV work. We also talk about what's  changed in publishing since his Random House days (Hint: mid-list used to mean stable; now everyone's terrified of it), why chasing trends is a losing game when a book takes years to reach shelves, and why there are no rules for how long a chapter should be, except the one that matters: Don't make me want to stop reading.We also bond hard over the Oxford comma as well as the correct use of "less" and "fewer." I nearly combust with joy over our shared grammar rage. 

The new film, ‘The Invite,' directed by Olivia Wilde, offers a portrait of a marriage in middle age, told over the course of one dinner party that spirals out of control. Screenwriters Rashida Jones and Will McCormack have been mining this territory together for decades, while finding the funny inside the painful. “We are never above a laugh,” Jones says. “There's nothing that's grave enough for us not to laugh about, because that's how we release. That's how we process our pain.” They spoke with Tonya Mosley about their creative process and their other films, ‘Celeste & Jesse Forever,' ‘Quincy,' and ‘If Anything Happens I Love You.' Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to our YouTube channel Check out the Fresh Air ArchivesSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman sit down with Portal A producer, Jacob Motz, to talk about the business of quality filmmaker-driven short form content, and how it's an exciting outlet for all Screenwriters and aspiring Writer-Directors, regardless of level or representation.    Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com  Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

What can screenwriters learn from one of the greatest filmmakers of our time?In this episode, we explore five inspiring quotes from Academy Award-winning writer and director Christopher Nolan and break down the storytelling principles behind his remarkable career. From Memento and The Dark Knight trilogy to Inception, Interstellar, and Oppenheimer, Nolan has built a reputation for creating emotionally powerful, intellectually challenging films that captivate audiences worldwide.Before diving into his writing philosophy, we also discuss Nolan's upcoming epic The Odyssey, the first major studio feature filmed entirely with IMAX cameras, and what makes the project so ambitious.In this episode, you'll learn:Why embracing your limitations can make you a more creative storyteller.How creating your own storytelling rules is more powerful than simply breaking existing ones.Why point of view is one of the most important decisions a writer can make.Christopher Nolan's "inside-out" approach to writing believable characters.Why stepping away from a script can often be the key to solving story problems.How high-concept ideas only work when they're grounded in universal human emotions.We also discuss:Christopher Nolan's remarkable filmmaking career.His long collaboration with his brother Jonathan Nolan and producer Emma Thomas.The groundbreaking production of The Odyssey and its all-IMAX format.The film's star-studded cast, including Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong'o, John Leguizamo, Elliot Page, and Mia Goth.How Nolan spent years developing Inception before discovering its emotional core.Whether you're writing your first screenplay, revising a novel, or simply looking for creative inspiration, these five lessons from Christopher Nolan offer timeless advice on crafting stories that are both intellectually engaging and emotionally resonant.

This interview discusses the winning screenplay "Love Your Lawyer" written by Sterling Elliott and Katrina Redd, a romantic comedy about a couple forced to work together during a divorce. The screenplay was inspired by a joke made during their prenup process, where Sterling humorously asked Katrina to represent him if they ever got divorced, leading to the development of their feature film project. The couple worked on the screenplay for three years while balancing Katrina's legal career and Sterling's filmmaking background, with their first child born during the writing process. They discussed the current state of romantic comedies in Hollywood, noting the genre's shift to streaming platforms and lower budgets, while expressing hope for selling their screenplay. The interview also covered their future creative plans, including writing a children's book about encouraging kindness and developing a TV pilot with similar themes about finding comedy through loss. Watch the screenplay reading: https://youtu.be/iPR1kprj4Ts Get to know the writer: What is your screenplay about? A successful attorney on the verge of making partner is forced by her prenup to represent her own husband in their divorce, sparking a scandal that threatens her career. What genres does your screenplay fall under? Romantic Comedy-Drama Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? Divorce is a very relatable topic for many people. This movie asks, "How do you know if a marriage is beyond repair? When does reconciliation deserve a chance?" How would you describe this script in two words? Relevant. Heartfelt. What movie have you seen the most times in your life? The Princess Bride (Sterling), Pride and Prejudice (Katrina) —— Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod —— Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP. • Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime. • Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime. Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial. Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Screenwriter and co-creator of the Goolagong mini-series Megan Simpson Huberman joins Libbi Gorr. 

My guest is an acclaimed screenwriter and playwright whose screenwriting credits include A Walk on the Moon, which she has now adapted into a new Off-Broadway musical. We discuss the autobiographical inspiration behind the story, the journey from screenplay to stage, overcoming early rejection, and much more.

Share your thoughts and comments by sending me a text messageS.14 E.2 Randy DeSoto is an award-winning screenwriter, a journalist, and a U.S Army veteran. In this episode, Randy and I talked about socialism, the current political environment, the 2026 midterm election, the balance of power in the House of Representatives, and more.ABOUT: Tawsif Anam is a nationally published writer, award-winning public policy professional, and speaker. He has experience serving in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors in United States and overseas. Anam earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Public Affairs degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tawsif Anam's opinions have been published by national, state, and local publications in the United States, such as USA Today, Washington Examiner, The Washington Times, The Western Journal, The Boston Globe, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin State Journal, The Capital Times, and The Dodgeville Chronicle. His writings have also appeared in major publications in Bangladesh including, but not limited to, The Daily Star and The Financial Express.Visit my website www.tawsifanam.net Visit my blog: https://tawsifanam.net/blog/ Read my published opinions: https://tawsifanam.net/published-articles/ Check out my books: https://tawsifanam.net/books/ 

RECALL: Act Three By the time RECALL reaches Act Three, Miami Military Academy is no longer pretending it can survive. The school is still marching, still saluting, still shining brass and barking orders into the Florida heat, but the center is gone. Colonel Barnes is dying. Commander Patterson knows it. Sally knows it. And the boys, even when they are laughing too hard to say it out loud, can feel the whole place slipping into history. Written by Academy Award nominee Bruce Davison, and once optioned and held by the great Carroll O’Connor with eyes on a Pacino lead,, RECALL is a funny, savage, deeply human coming-of-age drama about abandoned boys, broken fathers, old soldiers, Cuban exiles, secret weapons, and the terrible bargain countries make when they ask the young to carry the sins of the old. Act Three begins with the last quiet hours before everything breaks. Lishinsky and Sally steal a small piece of freedom on the water, drifting toward Captain Kidd’s Island, talking about California, escape, fathers, graves, and the strange fantasy that two damaged kids might simply sail away from all of it. But nobody really gets away from Miami Military Academy. Not yet. Inside Barnes’ house, Patterson sits beside a dying friend and is handed the thing no soldier wants: responsibility without rescue. Barnes tells him the Army is calling in its chips. The school, the land, the boys, the munitions, the whole dream is coming apart. Patterson rages because he knows what the place is, and what it has been. A broken institution, yes. A madhouse, absolutely. But also the only home some of these boys have ever had. Then the machinery starts moving. The Army arrives. The Cuban officials arrive. The inspection becomes theater. A live round falls where it should not. The old bunkers by the bay are suddenly more important than the boys standing in formation. The parade takes them through Miami and into the Dade County Fair, where the whole strange, glorious organism of “A” Company explodes into one last carnival of cigars, sheep, majorettes, busted noses, bad decisions, and Patterson turning, for one mad instant, into the hero the boys still need him to be. But the comedy cannot hold the line forever. Colonel Barnes is gone. The flag drops to half-mast. The Razor Fiend is finally revealed. Lindquist, the feral boy from the mango trees, becomes a cadet, a savior, and maybe the strangest proof that the academy was never only a school. It was a place that took in the lost and gave them a uniform because it had no better language for love. Slouch and Bebop reach the end of pretending. Bebop is called home by a country that no longer exists the way he remembers it. Slouch follows because friendship, for him, is the only oath that ever meant anything. The Cuban exiles come in the night. Patterson tries to stop them. History steps over him. Sally leaves for California. Lishinsky stays behind with the ache of first love and the knowledge that some people are not meant to be held. Patterson sits with his ghosts. The boys graduate into a world already waiting to use them. And somewhere beyond the academy walls, the Bay of Pigs turns courage, loyalty, and bad American promises into blood in the surf. RECALL is about boyhood at the edge of the American century, when duty still sounded clean from a podium and war still knew how to dress itself up as honor. It is about boys who wanted fathers, fathers who failed them, soldiers who could not save themselves, and a country that keeps asking the young to pay for the old men’s maps. Starring Alan Rosenberg, Carson Bolde, Stone Garcia, Wesley Kimmel, Dan Lauria, Kensington Tallman, Roxton Garcia, Bruce Davison, Luca Diaz, Amari O’Neil, Amir O’Neil, David Errigo Jr., Zeke Alton, Gian Franco Rodriguez, Miki Yamashita, Nemil Mudvari, Sofia D’Marco, and Ashley Ciarra. A portion of proceeds from RECALL will benefit the National Veterans Foundation and the Lifeline for Vets. To support NVF or speak with a Veteran who understands, visit https://nvf.org or call 888-777-4443. Produced by Table Read Podcast and Manifest Media Productions, LLC. Executive Produced by Jack Levy, Shaan Sharma, and Mark Knell.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest is a prolific writer, having written a number of bestsellers, including A Cup of Tea, and her latest, "Unseasonably Cold". We discuss her method of writing, her love for historical fiction and what she calls a hybrid, messages she hopes readers take from her book, and much more.

This week we have a look at the 1981 Slasher film JUST BEFORE DAWN. This is Episode 488! JUST BEFORE DAWN is a 1981 American slasher film directed by Jeff Lieberman and starring Chris Lemmon, Gregg Henry, Deborah Benson, Ralph Seymour, Jamie Rose, and George Kennedy. The film follows a group of hikers who travel into a mountainous region of Oregon to visit property inherited by one of them, only to be hunted by a ruthless backwoods killer. PLUS, once more we are joined by very special guest JOHN LOGAN-- John has been nominated for the Oscar three times and has received Golden Globe, BAFTA, WGA and Edgar awards. His film work includes Skyfall, Gladiator, The Aviator, Hugo, Rango, Sweeney Todd, They/Them, The Last Samurai, and Any Given Sunday. His most recent release is the movie Michael, about Michael Jackson. Michael has been a monumental commercial success, the highest-grossing biopic of all time, the highest-grossing musical biopic and the biggest film in Lions Gate's history. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/castle-of-horror-podcast--4268760/support.

Screenwriter and content creator Callia Chuang makes the case for WAYMOS, the Gen-Z party bus.Episode links: Callia's TikTok Callia's IG Joe's Patreon

3 Movies That Changed Your Life: Philadelphia Story, Shakespeare In Love & Overboard with screenwriter & The Screenwriting Life co-host Lorien Mckenna In this episode of 3 Movies That Changed Your Life screenwriter Stuart Wright talks with screenwriter Lorien Mckenna about: Philadelphia Story, Shakespeare In Love, and Overboard. Discover how these films shaped her screenwriting journey, personal growth, and understanding of cinema's power. Plus, Lorien Mckenna discusses how mentoring can make you a better writer. Movies That Changed Your Life   Find out about how mentoring can make you a better writer and the lasting impact of cinema on Lorien Mckenna's life with Stuart Wright on his movie podcast.   Three common aspects of script feedback Lorien Mckenna gives to writer: [1:20] Mentoring 3 Films That Have Impacted Everything In Your Adult Life Philadelphia Story (1940): Fast dialogue [10:20] Lorien Mckenna loved Philadelphia for the fast dialogue and the fantastic performances across the entire leading cast. Shakespeare In Love (1998): Sign up for playwrighting MFA [15:25] Shakespeare In Love made Lorien Mckenna decide to apply to a playwrighting program to get her MFA Overboard (1987): Holds up in terms of storytelling   [21:00] Overboard really holds up in terms of structure and storytelling  Key Take Aways:   Discover how movies that changed your life shape personal and professional growth.  How mentoring can make you a better writer; Why mentoring will make you a better writer Understand cinema's transformative power through Philadelphia Story (1992), Shakespeare In Love (1992), Overboard (1997) Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts for more movies that impacted your life!  Share your favourite movies that impacted your life on X (@leytonrocks) and leave a 5-star review and tell us which 3 films impacted your adult life. Best ones get read out on the podcast About my Guest:   Lorien Mckenna is a screenwriter and co-host of THE SCREENWRITING LIFE.  For more The Screenwriting Life and details about writer workshops see https://www.thescreenwritinglife.com/  Credits:   Written, produced, and hosted by Stuart Wright for [Britflicks.com](https://www.britflicks.com/britflicks-podcast/)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

REWIND This episode explores the remarkable life and tragic death of Doug Kenney, the comedic genius behind Animal House and Caddyshack, and a co-founder of National Lampoon. Friends and collaborators described Kenney as a brilliant creative force whose influence helped redefine American comedy. At just 33 years old, his life came to a sudden and mysterious end after falling from a cliff in Hawaii, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape comedy and filmmaking today.The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.Executive Producer Kristin OvernExecutive Producer/CreatorSandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan Stoller

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to writer-director Derrick Borte about his new film - The Get Out. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

In this episode, Jenny sits down with veteran screenwriter and producer Betty Sullivan, whose career has spanned nearly two decades in film and entertainment. Betty shares the joys and challenges of raising a beautifully blended, adopted, and diverse family while pursuing her creative passions in film, technology, design, and fashion. But Betty's story goes far beyond professional success. She opens up about living with an incurable neurological disease and how that unexpected journey has deepened her faith, changed her perspective, and taught her to trust God in new ways. She has a new romantic-comedy film titled,  "Love in StoryTown" that has just been released and we are going to hear the inspiration behind bringing uplifting stories to the screen. The lead actress is one of our favorites - Beverley Mitchell (from the tv series 7th Heaven)! Whether you're facing your own challenges, balancing family and career, or simply looking for a story filled with hope, faith, perseverance, and joy, this conversation will encourage your heart.

RECALL: Act Two In February 1961, the boys of Miami Military Academy are still marching, joking, fighting, shaving, bleeding, stealing, and pretending the world outside the gates is someone else’s problem. But the world is already inside the school. It is in the news from Cuba. It is in the old munitions bunkers by the bay. It is in the secrets the adults keep, the wounds they drink through, and the wars they keep handing down to children. Written by Academy Award nominee Bruce Davison, and once optioned and held by the great Al Pacino, RECALL is a funny, savage, deeply human coming-of-age drama about abandoned boys, broken fathers, old soldiers, Cuban exiles, secret weapons, and the machinery that turns fear into patriotism. Act Two begins as Stephen Lishinsky tries to survive the strange education of “A” Company. His head has been butchered. His pride has been beaten. His idea of honor has already taken a few direct hits. When he tries to run, Commander Patterson finds him at the bus stop and gives him the kind of broken advice only a broken soldier can give: if you are in a storm, sometimes the only move is to sit tight and let the morning come. But morning at Miami Military Academy is never clean. Coombs is missing. The Razor Fiend is back. Bear is bleeding into the sink. Lindquist, the feral boy from the mango trees, is pulled into uniform and passed off as a cadet because, at this school, identity is just another piece of equipment someone misplaced. Sally Barnes drifts through the place like a lit match, furious at her father, suspicious of Patterson, and impossible for Lishinsky to ignore. Patterson tries to protect her, but the past between him, Colonel Barnes, and Sally’s mother is its own battlefield. Meanwhile, Slouch and Bebop stop pretending their war is imaginary. The key to Bunker 3 becomes guns, ammunition, and contraband dragged through the machinery of a school that is already falling apart. Patterson lectures boys on amphibious landings while the real invasion waits in the shadows. Bebop is pulled closer to the Cuban exile cause. Slouch, half romantic and half criminal, follows him into the Everglades, into blindfolds, pistols, secret rooms, and men who do not look like teachers. There is comedy everywhere because boys make comedy out of terror. There is coconut rum, marching songs, bad haircuts, chocolate cokes, contraband, dirty jokes, and the Dade County Fair waiting like a reward for good behavior nobody intends to have. But underneath the noise, the rifles are getting heavier. The lies are getting harder to carry. And the adults are running out of time. RECALL is about boyhood at the exact moment history stops being a lesson and starts becoming a weapon. It is about fathers who failed, sons who improvise, countries that ask for sacrifice before they explain the cost, and boys who are still laughing because they do not yet understand what the world is loading. Starring Alan Rosenberg, Carson Bolde, Stone Garcia, Wesley Kimmel, Dan Lauria, Kensington Tallman, Roxton Garcia, Bruce Davison, Luca Diaz, Amari O’Neil, Amir O’Neil, David Errigo Jr., Zeke Alton, Gian Franco Rodriguez, Miki Yamashita, Nemil Mudvari, Sofia D’Marco, and Ashley Ciarra. A portion of proceeds from RECALL will benefit the National Veterans Foundation and the Lifeline for Vets. To support NVF or speak with a Veteran who understands, visit https://nvf.org or call 888-777-4443. Produced by Table Read Podcast and Manifest Media Productions, LLC. Executive Produced by Jack Levy, Shaan Sharma, and Mark Knell.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

JLB is joined by his friend and American Psycho screenwriter GUINEVERE TURNER! Guinevere shares some behind the scenes stories and talks about unapologetically telling queer stories throughout the years. Follow That Was Pretty Scary on Instagram and TikTokFollow Jon Lee Brody on Instagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Screenwriter and improviser Will Saunders opens up about his personal weight loss journey with the help of GLP-1 drugs. Episode Links: Joe's Patreon Mr. Owl's Website

Watch the Best Scene Reading: https://youtube.com/shorts/IwwMYlr7Im4 Sasha, a rising star athlete with Olympic dreams, sees her future derailed after a brutal assault in college leaves invisible wounds that never fully heal #femalefestival #screenplay —— Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod —— Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP. • Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime. • Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime. Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial. Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to writer and showrunner, Eric Kripke, about The Boys Season 5. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to host and correspondent, Michael Kosta, about writing for The Daily Show. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to creator-screenwriter Mike Makowsky about his limited TV series, Death by Lightning. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

Screenwriter and author Jim Agnew (GIALLO, OFF THE GRID) joins Adam and Joe to discuss his new book TO LIVE AND WRITE IN LA: A STREET LEVEL GUIDE TO SURVIVING AS A SCREENWRITER. Jim's book is a must read! Get it here: https://a.co/d/0i5s1lef Tired of commercials? Support THE MOVIE CRYPT for just $1 a month and start getting every episode commercial-free! Visit www.Patreon.com/TheMovieCrypt to sign-up today!