Screenwriting: From the Trenches
By Rob Hagans & Kay Tuxford
Screenwriting: From the TrenchesOct 05, 2021
Your Calling Card Script!
You want to show people who you are as a writer. You need a calling card piece -- something that will give folks a taste of what you're capable of on the page and Rob & Kay are here with the do's & don'ts of what that script should look like, as well as what it should never be.
This Week’s Resource:
The Fellowship and Writing Programs for Screenwriters Masterlist is a wonderful resource from the WGA that allows you to organize your ultimate plan of attack for getting yourself out there during Fellowship Season.
Also we're happy to partner with Fade In while the Dasher experiment is ongoing! Remember that if Rob finishes the first draft of his novel then they will be providing two copies of their screenwriting program to give away to you loverly listeners! And if Rob DOESN'T finish his 1st draft by the deadline -- July 1st -- then he will be purchasing two copies of Fade In for you guys. So find them on Twitter, give them a follow, and let them know how much you appreciate their continued support of you, our listeners, and the podcast!
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Click here for the Nicholls Fellowship Countdown
Denis Villeneuve hates dialogue
On the Rebecca Ferguson set abuse
Gauntlet Script Analysis hopes to combat AI with more expensive gatekeeping
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
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Show Don't Effin Tell!
THIS WEEK Rob & Kay because Hollywood is slacking, we are discussing show, don’t frickin' tell. The only rule of screenwriting everyone can agree on...usually.
This Week’s Resource:
We’ve done this before when dealing with one of the core conceits of screenwriting, and as we always say, we are not the only voices on this subject, SO, we have compiled a new YouTube playlist for you guys to chew on, in further thought on today’s topic.
Also we're happy to partner with Fade In while the Dasher experiment is ongoing! Remember that if Rob finishes the first draft of his novel then they will be providing two copies of their screenwriting program to give away to you loverly listeners! And if Rob DOESN'T finish his 1st draft by the deadline -- July 1st -- then he will be purchasing two copies of Fade In for you guys. So find them on Twitter, give them a follow, and let them know how much you appreciate their continued support of you, our listeners, and the podcast!
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Click here for the Nicholls Fellowship Countdown
Tyler Perry halts $800M expansion
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
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Creativity Has No Expiration Date! (Grey List yr 2)
THIS WEEK Rob & Kay invite Brad Johnson on to discuss the sophomore year of THE GREY LIST, as well as ageism in the industry and how we as screenwriters can combat or adapt to it!
This Week’s Resource:
The Grey List (of course). Checkout the list, download scripts you think sound good, retweet your favs!
And while it isn't free, the Smodscastle 37 Hour Film Challenge sounds like it could be a fun thing to participate in. You pay $37 and make a film that could be watched and interacted with the man himself, Kevin MF Smith.
Also we're happy to partner with Fade In while the Dasher experiment is ongoing! Remember that if Rob finishes the first draft of his novel then they will be providing two copies of their screenwriting program to give away to you loverly listeners! And if Rob DOESN'T finish his 1st draft by the deadline -- July 1st -- then he will be purchasing two copies of Fade In for you guys. So find them on Twitter, give them a follow, and let them know how much you appreciate their continued support of you, our listeners, and the podcast!
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Paramount+ and Peacock considering a merge
Click here for the Nicholls Fellowship Countdown
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Email us(!)
Screenwriting State of the Union!
THIS WEEK, amid reports that the industry is more of a dumpster fire than usual, Rob & Kay thought it was a good time to have a Screenwriting SOTU!
This Week’s Resource:
The International Screenwriters’ Association’s Diversity Initiative strives to elevate writers from underrepresented and marginalized communities. And, as such they are launching a FREE CONTEST, seeking writers with unique perspectives based on race, sexuality, gender, neurodiversity, disability, economic inequality, age and other. Their goal being to break down barriers and celebrate authentic narratives. Final deadline is March 14. I don’t believe you have to be a paying member of ISA, but there is a free profile option if you have to join the site.
Also we're happy to partner with Fade In while the Dasher experiment is ongoing! Remember that if Rob finishes the first draft of his novel then they will be providing two copies of their screenwriting program to give away to you loverly listeners! And if Rob DOESN'T finish his 1st draft by the deadline -- July 1st -- then he will be purchasing two copies of Fade In for you guys. So find them on Twitter, give them a follow, and let them know how much you appreciate their continued support of you, our listeners, and the podcast!
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Tracy Chapman Luke Combs 2024 Grammy full performance
Click here for the Nicholls Fellowship Countdown
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Email us(!)
Spielberg, Sci-fi, and Showcasing Joy! (Interview with Jordan Simon)
Rob & Kay are starting off Black History month with a very special guest, Jordan T Simon who just finished his proof of concept for his pilot “The Boy Who Promised the Moon”
This Week’s Resource:
Monkey Paw Productions, along with Universal Pictures and TIFF have announced their No Drama competition. Up to six filmmakers will be selected to each receive a grant to produce their submitted short scripts. During the one year non-exclusive talent experience selected participants will engage in roundtables and workshops to enrich their creative process in producing a short film/proof of concept. Filmmakers will work closely with Monkeypaw throughout the creative process. NO DRAMA seeks to amplify dynamic filmmakers with a passion for telling genre centered stories. All participants must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a writer-director with a unique and innovative perspective who demonstrates an interest in creating content that resonates with a global audience.
- Must be passionate about sub-genres including horror, fantasy, futurism, sci-fiction, suspense-thrillers, magical surrealism and more.
- Applicants must be the sole writer of any material submitted and own the rights. Material from writing teams will not be accepted.
Also we're happy to partner with Fade In while the Dasher experiment is ongoing! Remember that if Rob finishes the first draft of his novel then they will be providing two copies of their screenwriting program to give away to you loverly listeners! And if Rob DOESN'T finish his 1st draft by the deadline -- July 1st -- then he will be purchasing two copies of Fade In for you guys. So find them on Twitter, give them a follow, and let them know how much you appreciate their continued support of you, our listeners, and the podcast!
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Pixar's 22 Rules of Storytelling
Click here for the Nicholls Fellowship Countdown
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
Jordan on Insta
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
Make People Feel Something!
Rob & Kay invite one of Kay’s screenwriting mentors and overall lovely human being, Andrew Guerdat, to discuss his career and new YouTube series, THE GO DRAFT.
This Week’s Resource:
ANDY’S YOUTUBE SERIES:
THE GO DRAFT! Andy’s series is ongoing, but there are 6 episodes up already. Go watch!
Also we're happy to partner with Fade In while the Dasher experiment is ongoing! Remember that if Rob finishes the first draft of his novel then they will be providing two copies of their screenwriting program to give away to you loverly listeners! And if Rob DOESN'T finish his 1st draft by the deadline -- July 1st -- then he will be purchasing two copies of Fade In for you guys. So find them on Twitter, give them a follow, and let them know how much you appreciate their continued support of you, our listeners, and the podcast!
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
The Mothership Will Not Land at Netflix
Neither Will Doug Liman's Roadhouse at Amazon
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
The Art of the Action Line!
Rob & Kay get all nerdy n' gritty talmbout dem action lines. Y'all not gon' wanna miss this one as they finna leave no screenwriting stone unturned. Get it!
This Week’s Resource:
We’ve said this before, but we are not the only voices on the subject of screenwriting, so we thought maybe you could use this podcast as a jumping off point to investigate the subject further. And as such, Kay and Rob have come up with a medley of YouTube videos on the subject from the likes of Jay Carver, John August and Film Courage, just to start. Happy watching!
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
Turn Your Experiences into Movies That Get Made!
Rob & Kay sit down with Denise Cruz-Castino, whose script for "5 Weddings" was made into a movie that made it's way to the Cannes Film Festival!
This Week’s Resource:
5 Weddings is streaming for free seemingly everywhere: Pluto, Tubi, Freevee, Peacock, and the Roku Channel, so go put it in your eyeholes and get a taste of our friend Denise.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Sag-Aftra and Replica Studios
Open AI says ChatGPT impossible to create without Copywrite protected material
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
Create Sellable IP from the Ground Level!
THIS WEEK Rob & Kay are discussing worldbuilding – again. It’s not just for hobbits! Our hosts take you through how important expanding your the world of your screenplay is going to be in the marketplace going forward in 2024 (and beyond).
This Week’s Resource:
Air is up on Prime, it was one of my favorite films of 2023, but I’ve been following the story of it’s screenwriter, Alex Convery, via podcast for most of 2023, because I feel like his story is kind of like the Cinderella story we all want, but even within the Cinderella story, it’s the story of doing The Work. And The Q & A w/Jeff Goldsmith is not only one of my favorite podcasts, but it breaks Alex’s story down in a way that demystifies the process.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Alligator Man Scene from Atlanta
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
There's No AI in ART!
Rob & Kay are back in 2024 with a an opening public service announcement for the new year: turns out, you gotta do the work.
Sorry.
This Week’s Resource:
This week we are repeating our TRIO of free resources for you, because sometimes y'all don't listen when we be giving out free ish, sooooo -- LAST CALL!
First up is the Circle of Confusion x Anarchists United Writers Discovery Fellowship, which is first because it’s deadline is first at January 5th.
Then we have The Orchard Project Episodic Lab is open till mid January and is free. Get you the free stuff! (Great for all of our East Coasters)
And finally the Fox Entertainment Writer’s Incubator which, while a little intensive, is STILL FREE so Happy New Year!
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
So You've Broken In?
It's Christmas! (2023) So Rob & Kay have decided to do a little reflection, musing on that thing that all of us are trying to do -- all the time it seems like -- breaking in. And, joining them, is one of their favorite Twitter Brethren, Leah Simmons, aka, Leah From South Dakota, who also talks about her debut feature, Valentine Crush and what she got from making her indie roller derby feature.
This Week’s Resource:
This week we have a TRIO of free resources for you, because this is Christmas and we’re still giving out free ish!
First up is the Circle of Confusion x Anarchists United Writers Discovery Fellowship, which is first because it’s deadline is first at January 5th.
Then we have The Orchard Project Episodic Lab is open till mid January and is free. Get you the free stuff! (Great for all of our East Coasters)
And finally the Fox Entertainment Writer’s Incubator which, while a little intensive, is also free so merry christmas ya filthy animals!
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
David Zaslav is buying Paramount?
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
Writing Deep Dive: Die Hard/Hook!
Rob & Kay take on their FINAL holiday deep dive with a Double Feature of their personal holiday favorites Die Hard (for Rob) & Hook (for Kay) directed by John McTiernan & Steven Spielberg, respectively -- with scripts from Jeb Stuart & Steven E. de Souza (of Die Hard) and James V. Hart & Nick Castle (of Hook) while boasting actors Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman & Reginald VelJohnson and Bonnie Bedelia for Die Hard, along with Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts, & Bob Hoskins for Hook.
This Week’s Resource: Die Hard is in THEATERS. Go check it. It’s not free, but I think it’s worth seeing our favorite Christmas Blockbuster on the big screen (for $5-$7 on Tuesday). Hook is on streaming – for free – on YouTube, the CW app and on the Roku Channel.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
The Blacklist
Hollywood Reporter: Post Writer's Strike -- Where are the TV Deals?
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
Screenwriting Deep Dive: Elf!
Rob & Kay decided to do their penultimate holiday deep dive on Elf, the timeless Christmas classic that is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The Jon Favreau directed film stars Will Farrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Zoey Deschanel, and Mary Steenburgen, and Ed Asner (as Santa)
This Week’s Resource: Elf! You can find it streaming on Max & Hulu, but because of the 20th anniversary, you can also find it in theaters for a limited a time! So watch it, see what the heck we're talking about, and tell us if you agree!
Also we have the Coverfly Pitch Week opt-in. It's free, and y'all know that's how we do! Deadline is the 18th!
And lastly, we have last-call for The Screenwriting Lab's Free Screenplay Contest! Again, FREE! What do you have to lose!
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Lists: Stunt List, Georgia List, Next List, Blacklist
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
Screenwriting Deep Dive: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang!
Rob & Kay kick continue their holiday movie breakdown streak with a shared favorite of theirs, Shane Black's "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" starring Robert Downey Jr, Val Kilmer, and Michelle Monaghan.
This Week’s Resource: The Long Kiss Goodnight on Pluto! Shane Black has given us another underrated Christmas Classic that we encourage you to watch if you like movies that are good and scripts that are better.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Script for "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang"
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
Screenwriting Deep Dive: The Holiday!
Rob & Kay kick off the holiday season with one of Rob's favorite romantic comedies, "The Holiday", Nancy Myers' Christmas classic two-hander starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black and Eli Wallach.
This Week’s Resource: The Holiday is available on Hulu!
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
How to Write Your Way onto Streaming!
THIS WEEK! Rob & Kay talk to author, actor and screenwriter, Nate Golon whose indie tv series, Workshop was the first independently produced TV series to be picked up by Hulu!
This is the 3rd episode in our month-long dive into indiefilm tv!
This Week’s Resource:
Workshop Seasons 1 & 2 are available on YouTube.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Cyote vs Acme now to be shopped following backlash
An in-depth look on the actor's strike
Series Pilot for Frasier (2023)
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
How to Write THREE SEASONS of TV! (W/THESPIAN creator Marc Unger)
Rob & Kay invite THESPIAN creator/writer/producer/show-runner/director, Marc Unger, as he speaks on how he's written three seasons of a show with no guarantees. How he writes character arcs and storylines when you don't have access to actors/locations/money to finish them out, but still have to keep the train on the tracks.
This is the 2nd episode in our month-long dive into indiefilm tv!
This Week’s Resource:
Thespian! You can watch the first two seasons on Tubi, for free! The first three episodes from season 3 are up on YouTube, which, we expect, you may want to delve into, after having spent some time with Marc and hearing about the scenes Rob worked on (for later in the season) so now is the time to get caught up!
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Deadline article on Strike Ending
David Zaslav Shelves Cyote Vs Acme for $30M Write-off
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
The SEXPECTATIONS of Indie TV Writing!
This week Rob & Kay interview Jenna St. John and (her husband), Kevin Good about the writer's room and process of their independently produced series, SEXPECTATIONS! This includes finding the engine of the show (and how modern tv has the ability to shift/change it each season, a la The Good Place or Atlanta), how they consider Sexpectations to be a comedy, but not a sitcom, and what narrative challenges future seasons might pose.
This is the first episode in our month-long dive into indiefilm tv!
This Week’s Resource:
Two resources again this week. The first is from CinemaStix on YouTube with a video essay on how the comedic writing is so tight in Shaun of the Dead, that even with someone (Rob) who has watched it at least once a year, every year, since the year it came out (our lord of 2004), there are jokes in there that were somehow missed.
Our Second Resource is Sexpectations! You can watch it on Apple or Amazon. Shout out to Paige Feldman, friend of the show, who is no doubt listening to this, Paige, this is your show. For the rest of you out there, this is the example of what we've talking about so many times on this podcast: a show written and directed by people like you, who are in the trenches, grinding this shitty industry, making shit that not only works, but is AWESOME. It’s not free, but buying the whole season is worth your $9.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
The Midpoint! (Our AFF episode)
Kay Tuxford is at Austin! Rob is not! Is he jealous? Maybe -- but that's not going to get in the way of the two of them tackling one of the most important parts of the screenplay, THE MIDPOINT!
This Week’s Resource:
We have two resources this week. The first is from a friend of the podcast, Paige Feldman, who is documenting her journey as she writes -- and prepares to direct -- her first feature film on her YouTube channel. But this week she put out a really great video on what she calls “Cringe Paralysis” and the name sort of speaks for itself. We’re not gonna spoil the video for you, Paige kind of lays out her fears about her screenplay and we think it’s something that you guys might find helpful because we all have had some form of cringe paralysis at one time or another.
Our second resource, like what we did for acts two & three, is a playlist of videos designed to help you identify and craft your midpoint based on the information acquired. And we gotta say, the internet, specifically YouTube, does love its midpoint videos, as these videos are BANGERS. Chock-a-block full of easy-to-digest definitions and recognizable examples, especially the one from lessons from the screenplay on Collateral. It’s legit amazing.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Variety Article on Fran Drescher's Toy Plushie
Our Podcast on "The Perils of Writing Act Two!"
Meg Lefauve's Screenwriting Life Podcast
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
So... You STILL Want to Write a Screenplay?!
Rob & Kay follow up on their previous episode, which, hopefully got your booty into the chair with your new idea ready to write. This episode focuses on what happens when your butt hits the seat: mentally, physically, and in terms of craft -- all in preparation for the bane of the screenwriter's existence...Page 40 (and how to get past it!).
This Week’s Resource:
While this podcast doesn't really endorse any contest, this year’s free screenwriting contest from TSL is open for submissions and you should, because...why not? Plus, if you want to spend some cash to get notes, it makes this contest a nifty bargain. Up to you, but the main thrust is FREE ENTRY and if it gets your script in front of movers & shakers, even better.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Maureen Ryan's book, "Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood"
Coffee Break Screenwriter book
(Rob's Lawyer) Pam's Episode
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
So… You Want to Write a Screenplay?
Rob & Kay are writing New Things™. You might be writing new things. You want want to write a New Thing™ for the first time. If so, this episode is for you, where Rob & Kay discuss how to put yourself in the Mental Palace from whence you shall write a (the) script.
This Week’s Resource:
Simple. Film Courage’s Compilation Video: 10 Ways to Come Up With Movie Ideas. Simple. Nuff said.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Zack's New Staffing Video, "My Name is Zack"
Maureen Ryan's book, "Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood"
Disney caught using creepy AI extras in new movie "Prom Pact"
Nathan Graham Davis' episode of the podcast
"Curfew" short film
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
Writing Queer and Minority Characters in 2023!
Rob & Kay have BEEF. This extra-large episode covers a potentially sensitive topic. The treatment of minority & queer characters in your screenplays -- avoiding tropes and what to consider when writing outside your experience. They also name some great, current, examples of shows getting diversity, sensitivity and inclusion right, and shed light on they refer to as "jumping cat" clichés.
Our Weekly Resource:
Kay found a list of Diversity tests, from WeScreenplay, which you can apply to your script to make sure you are being inclusive.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Maureen Ryan's book, "Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood"
A Summary of the WGA's new MBA
Video on Plotdot.ai
Totally Killer Trailer (Red Band)
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
How to Land Act Three!
Rob & Kay have talked Acts 1 & 2 and now wish to complete the trilogy by talking about how to land act 3! They discuss the old adage "If you have act three problems, you have act one problems..." (truth!), while taking you through the screenwriting math you need to have followed to have things add up in your final act. They also talk about the dreaded FOURTH ACT (don't you dare do this!), and talk about even as you are paying off everything, you need end memorably.
Our Weekly Resource:
Just like with Act 2, we’re giving you a little homework with a YouTube Video Playlist on the craft and execution of act three. Kay and Rob are not the only game in town when it comes to the craft of screenwriting so here are some of our peers and betters speaking to the subject for free (just as we like it) for you to mainline into your brain like screenwriting dope. Yes, we’re fine with that metaphor. Stop stalling, go watch.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Maureen Ryan's book, "Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood"
A Summary of the WGA's new MBA
The Onion Article mentioned by Kay on the strike
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
Screenwriting is a Moving Target! (w/David Williams)
Rob & Kay sit down with David Williams to discuss how, despite their individual achievements (which, for Dave, includes being included on the 2022 Blacklist), each is looking for ways to improve their hold -- their craft -- on screenwriting. They also get to know Dave a bit, how he came to be in the business, and then in the middle of the podcast, our hosts (and guest) get news about the Writer's Strike.
Our Weekly Resource: Again, with two (free) resources this week, the first being Isabel Dréan's FREE Christmas Seminar, which, will only be viable up to 3pm EST/2pm CST/12pm PT ON Tuesday, September 26th, 2023, BUT -- it's a free webinar on how to write/break-in by writing a Christmas movie, over 200 of which are written every year! Our second resource of the week is a YouTube video called UnF*ck Your Screenplay in Like 5 Minutes, and it doesn't disappoint, offering solid advice on how to write more polished screenplays and avoid the pitfalls that a lot of beginning/intermediate screenwriters might not even know they're making.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Maureen Ryan's book, "Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood"
“Adventures in the Screen Trade” by William Goldman
That Page from "No One Will Save You"
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
How to Write a KILLER First Page!
This week, Rob & Kay are talking about dat first page. How to keep em reading, how to knock 'em dead, and how to set expectations. They explore why the "Opening Image" (of all the beats in Save the Cat beats) is so important, what tropes/clichés must be avoided or subverted, how to prepare your audience for the script they're about to read, and, of course, what that page should LOOK like.
Our Weekly Resource: The Black Magic Camera App! This week, Blackmagic decided to try and casually murder Filmic Pro. But the app is free! (which we love) and basically turns the iPhone into the mobile version of the pocket cinema camera (making it an *actual* pocket cinema camera?), due to the usage of the Blackmagic OS from their cameras. This makes shooting on your iPhone so breezy and makes Filmic Pro’s subscription based app look silly. Fuck the patriarchy, use Blackmagic. Also, this the last week for our giveaway! We have been gifted several Vomit Draft Notebooks from Impossible Kingdom and are giving them away to our listeners! This covers three of our favorite things: we love the promotion of writing scripts by hand, we love Vomit Draft Notebooks and we love to give away free shit! And, AND, to satisfy you Team Kay Tuxford outliners out there, we are also giving away PlotFold Screenwriting Maps! So remember, you enter yourself to win if you rate, review, and subscribe, then email us screenshots – the receipts of doing so – for which you will receive a VD Notebook AND a Screenwriting Map. If you RT us on Twitter when we post this episode, you’ll be entered into a randomized generator drawing for a Screenwriting Map. And if you Quote Tweet any promotional tweet this episode, you’ll be entered into a randomized drawing for a Vomit Draft notebook. We’re so excited to do this, and have been holding it under our hats for awhile trying to make this partnership between us and Impossible Kingdom happen. We love their products and we’re so happy they decided to sponsor this giveaway and trust us with their products.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Maureen Ryan's book, "Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood"
“Adventures in the Screen Trade” by William Goldman
Our Episode with the Producer/Co-Writer of "Searching"
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
How to Make a Movie for $1000
The Giveaway over on Rob's Channel
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
Is Your Script Ready? (OUR CENTENNIAL!)
100 EPISODES! Rob & Kay have defied Vegas odds and have made it to episode 100, in which they wax poetic on the subject of "Is Your Script Ready?" Ready for what? To be sent to producers/managers/agents -- but first it's time to take a long, hard look at your script and see how it holds up against a checklist that Rob & Kay breakdown for you listeners. Thank you so much for sticking with us for 100 episodes, it really means a ton. And nothing would us happier than to make it another 100 (if not longer). Our Weekly Resource: This week we have TWO Resources, the first of which is the Criterion Channel– the only streamer that includes audio commentaries. Nothing like learning from the people who’ve made your favorite movies. Our second is our continuing giveaway from last week. A reminder that we have been gifted several Vomit Draft Notebooks from Impossible Kingdom and we are giving them away to our listeners! This covers three of our favorite things: we love the promotion of writing scripts by hand, we love Vomit Draft Notebooks and we love to give away free shit! And, AND, to satisfy you Team Kay Tuxford outliners out there, we are also giving away PlotFold Screenwriting Maps! So, how do you get them? Well, if you rate, review, and subscribe, and email us screenshots – the receipts of doing so – you will receive a VD Notebook AND a Screenwriting Map. If you RT us on Twitter when we post this episode, you’ll be entered into a randomized generator drawing for a Screenwriting Map. And if you Quote Tweet any promotional tweet this episode, you’ll be entered into a randomized drawing for a Vomit Draft notebook. We’re so excited to do this, and have been holding it under our hats for awhile trying to make this partnership between us and Impossible Kingdom happen. We love their products and we’re so happy they decided to sponsor this giveaway and trust us with their products.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Maureen Ryan's book, "Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood"
“Adventures in the Screen Trade” by William Goldman
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
How to Make a Movie for $1000
The Giveaway over on Rob's Channel
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
FINISH YOUR SCRIPT!
Rob & Kay want to encourage you to FINISH YOUR SCRIPT. In the episode they tell you why a finished script is currency and how ideas, while they may seem important, are essentially worthless. They also talk about how to put your enjoyment into the finishing of a screenplay and how that can keep you moving forward. Basically, if you needed a swift kick in the pants to finish that script, take a listen to this.
Our Weekly Resource: This week’s resource is a giveaway! We have been gifted several Vomit Draft Notebooks from Impossible Kingdom and we are giving them away to our listeners! This covers three of our favorite things: we love the promotion of writing scripts by hand, we love Vomit Draft Notebooks and we love to give away free shit! And, AND, to satisfy you Team Kay Tuxford outliners out there, we are also giving away PlotFold Screenwriting Maps! So, how do you get them? Well, if you rate, review, and subscribe, and email us screenshots – the receipts of doing so – you will receive a VD Notebook AND a Screenwriting Map. If you RT us on Twitter when we post this episode, you’ll be entered into a randomized generator drawing for a Screenwriting Map. And if you Quote Tweet any promotional tweet this episode, you’ll be entered into a randomized drawing for a Vomit Draft notebook. We’re so excited to do this, and have been holding it under our hats for awhile trying to make this partnership between us and Impossible Kingdom happen. We love their products and we’re so happy they decided to sponsor this giveaway and trust us with their products.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Maureen Ryan's book, "Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood"
Our Second Podcast Robinson and Powell
Tony Gilroy's Picket Line Speech
Buy your own Vomit Draft Notebook
Buy your own Plot Fold Screenwriting Map
How to Make a Movie for $1000
The Giveaway over on Rob's Channel
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
Turning a $500 Short into the $6M Feature Film, 'The Shift'! (w/Brock Heasley)
Rob & Kay interview Brock Heasley, whose upcoming sci-fi film, The Shift, based on his microbudget short (of the same name), readies itself for theatrical release in December care of Angel Studios. Our Screenwriting duo pick their guest's brain over a multitude of topics, including: what needed to change from the short over to the movie, how Brock struggled with writing to budget constraints, and how to overcome the shadow of so-called "faith based movie" stigma while still adhering to his principles based upon his own faith.
Our Weekly Resource: This week’s resource is the short version of “The Shift'' which is available on YouTube for free, both under the Angel Studios banner and in its original version. Plus, it’s free, which, y’all know we love, so check it out and see if it can inspire you to write your own short version (or scene) of/from a feature film concept.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Maureen Ryan's book, "Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood"
Brock's Books -- yes, he's an author!
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
How to Make Your Script STAND OUT from The Crowd! (Adapting Script Format)
This week, Rob & Kay are talking about how to (safely) “adapt” your style, in order to make YOUR script stand out from the crowd of stale, sterile, scripts out there adhering to the stodgy, and frankly typical, screenwriting formatted norms.
Our Weekly Resource: We've got a list of scripts that broke screenwriting format, and yet SOLD: Kate, A Quiet Place, The Matrix, Michael Clayton, Nightcrawler (no sluglines), Cobweb (left justified format), Oppenheimer (in 1st person), Little Women (color-coded), The Beaver (opening montage), Wall-e (no dialogue, stacked action), Sound of Metal (paragraphs of desc.)
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Maureen Ryan's book, "Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood"
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
Surviving (and Fighting) Writer's Block!
Kay has Covid and Rob is sassy! But they both have Writer's Block, so the two of them sit down, as always to break down the phenomenon that is tHe bLoCk, as well as how to fight it while prioritizing your own mental health/general well-being.
Our Weekly Resource: We've got an article from Variety, entitled, Script Secrets From Hollywood’s Top Creators: How to Conquer Writer’s Block, which is so self explanatory that there's really no need to go any further than that.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Maureen Ryan's book, "Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood"
Sarah Silverman walks back her comments about SAG-AFTRA
Stephen Amell puts his foot in his mouth, attempts to remove it, then chokes on his socks
Zaslav claims WB Discovery saved $100M last quarter...by not making things.
WGA & AMPTP Can’t Agree To Resume Negotiations
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
How to Turn Your Screenplay into IP!
This week Rob and Kay interview Mario O. Moreno, screenwriter, novelist, and tagger to discuss how to potentially adapt your screenplay into a novel (or why you should consider doing so).
Our Weekly Resource: Check out Mario’s book on Amazon to support a fellow writer.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Maureen Ryan's book, "Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood"
Streaming is benefitting from network shows like SUITS to keep their audiences entertained.
Publicists want SAG to make concessions about actors doing promotional work.
Sara Silverman has come out and called actors who are working in Indie Interm Agreements “Scabs”
Julie Bush has a bad take on female led box office movies, then proceeds through the “I’m not a racist because I wrote a Fergeson TV Pilot.” So wild, even a writer from the Onion wrote a mock first page of her pilot and posted it.
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
How to Get a Script Read!
With a strike going on, it's more important than ever to know how/where to look for a script read, as well as who should be reading. Rob & Kay do a very DEEP DIVE into what it takes to get, what avenues provide what results, and whether or not you're even ready to have your script read.
Our Weekly Resource:
Darious Britt, a former guest of the show, is one of our favorite filmmakers and YouTubers, but what he does with nearly every short film that he releases, including his latest, Behind the Smile, is to make a video detailing a forensic deep dive, behind-the-scenes of the short film, which is chock-a-block full of information on how to make a short film from start-to-finish, so for those of you thinking of making a thing while we’re all on strike, it don’t get much better than Darious to be your guide on making a thing. Besides which, his latest, Behind the Smile is its own narrative deep dive on the subject of depression and anxiety and I related to it hard. I think most of us writers out here would as well.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Maureen Ryan's book, "Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood"
Variety article on how SAG-AFTRA talks broke down
Cartoon Network & Warner Animation move to unionize
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
Writing During a Strike! (Drama, Networking, Do's & Don'ts)
It's a strike episode! The Double Strike of SAG-AFTRA joining the WGA on the picket lines caused Kay & Rob to make an episode that serves as a treatise on the situation -- the pertinent drama, info, and most importantly, how does it affect our writing. So strap in, this is a biggun.
Our Weekly Resource: Fran Drescher's Press Speech for the SAG Strike is Free here on Youtube, it’s a quick watch but you’ll get fired up.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Maureen Ryan's book, "Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood"
Bob Iger saying WGA's demands are "Unrealistic"
Deadline Article claiming WGA should starve
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
Mentoring New Writers! (with Cindy Begel)
Rob & Kay got Cindy Begel to sit down with them and discuss mentoring -- her experiences coming up as the medium of television was revealing itself, as well as her own latter day efforts to pay forward the mentorship given to her during the early years of her career. Cindy was a lovely guest and even talks about how she found a writer's group for Rob!
Our Weekly Resource: Ed Solomon and Blacklist have put together a free zoom session: Word by Word will be live via Zoom on Thursdays at 2 p.m. The next one, July 13 includes Featuring Phil Lord, Chris Miller and Adele Lim.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Maureen Ryan's book, "Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood"
The Original Article that was over at GQ before Zaslav had it taken down
Article on Screenwriting Contest where AI was supposed to read scripts
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
What Do You Want From Us!
Thanks to MidtownATLGal for the lovely FIVE STAR REVIEW. We love to hear from our listeners and get feedback, no matter what it is, which is why we're offering this chance, at the half year mark, to ask us what you'd like from us, going forward. We have fun guests lined up and some epic episodes planned, but in the end this is all about what you guys want/need.
Also PLEASE RATE & REVIEW! Just like in this episode, we are going to be reading our reviews, both good & bad on this podcast from time to time.
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
The TONE of your Screenplay!
This week, Rob & Kay get into the weeds about the tone of a screenplay while dealing with the MASSIVE amounts of drama that surrounded Screenwriting Twitter this week.
Our Weekly Resource:
Beverly Boy’s “How to Describe the Tone of Film”? This includes various suggestive words to help you get some ideas of the tone of your project. Also, Beverly Boy specializes in building sets, so if you have some wild creative notions, maybe give them a call. ;)
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Maureen Ryan's book, "Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood"
The Hollywood Reporter article on Taylor Sheridan
Ryan Murphy leaves Netflix
Marvel talks AI art for "Secret Invasion" Warner Bros. Signs Deal for AI-Driven Film Management System
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
The Legalese of Screenwriting Contracts!
*Disclaimer, we are not lawyers -- even though today's guest, Rob's good friend (and former writer's group member), Pamela Nash, is. She has also acted on his behalf as de facto legal counsel for all of his screenwriting contracts -- and some for this podcast as well -- and breaks down the vague and (what is often) unenforceable language of various legal contracts that Rob & Kay have gotten over the years.
Our Weekly Resource:
Found a great article over on Pipeline Artists written by Ken Aguado (twitter handle, @kaguado) entitled, “Not-Boring Legal Agreements for Film & TV Writers” which gives a (very) basic overview of the most common legal agreements/contracts that screenwriters find themselves privy to. It’s a short, but good read, and there’s links to some Writer’s Guild resources within the article so you can further rabbit hole down over this very complicated subject.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Maureen Ryan's book, "Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood"
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Email us(!)
How to Write Prolifically! (w/Brock Swinson)
Kay was MIA this week, so Rob invited Julia, her writing partner, to sit in her chair this week as they interviewed Brock Swinson, who comes to the table to talk about Ink By the Barrel, a book based on Brock's various interviews with writers from over the years, which extracts his methodology on how to be a prolific writer!
Our Weekly Resource: We’ve got two resources this week, both from our guest. The first is his podcast where Brock has interviewed writers such as Aaron Sorkin, Ethan Hawke, Edgar Wright, Whitney Cummings, Jim Gaffigan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Taylor Sheridan, Judd Apatow and hundreds more for Creative Screenwriting and the Creative Principles Podcast. The second is Brock’s Website where if you sign up you can receive a copy of ink by the barrel for free!
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Maureen Ryan's Article in Vanity Fair
Maureen Ryan's book, "Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood" Vulture Article by Josef Adalian & Lane Brown
Creative Principle Podcast with Peter Gould of Breaking Bad
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Brock's Twitter Handle
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
The Perils in Writing Act Two!
Act Two is essentially the entire movie. Rob and Kay break down how to keep it moving, how to setup while you're paying off and go in deep on the dreaded MIDPOINT (scary!)
Our Weekly Resource: You’ve got homework this week. As Professor Tuxford and her Partner-in-Podcasting have concocted a YouTube Playlist of videos on the subject of a second act. As we’ve stated again (and again) in this podcast, the second act of your movie, *is* the movie, so the more information you have informing your choices as a writer – at least in terms of character/structure – can only help you in the battle vs the dreaded second act.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Maureen Ryan's Article in Vanity Fair
Maureen Ryan's book, "Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood"
Javi's statement on 'Lost' Writers
Stephen King's "On Writing"
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Rob's Episode on the mobile filmmaking app, DoubleTake
(Twitter Dad) Javi's Twitter Handle
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Zack's Twitter
Writing TWISTS Into Your Script!
Get a twist wrong and audiences will reject your movie. Get it right and your story can become iconic. Rob & Kay are here to help you figure out how to engineer the latter in a time when audiences are at their most savvy. How to setup, then subvert the payoff, when to go left and when to read the room and give the audience what they want. And finally, when to jump out of your movie right in the middle -- and the caveat of doing such a thing in your script.
Our Weekly Resource: Usually, our Resources feel like homework, but this week is just pure internet wastetimery. WatchMojo has a list of the 20 Best Movie Plot Twists of the 21st Century (So Far), and it’s a fun way to see all of the things we’ve talked about on this podcast put to good use in movies you have/haven’t seen. Spoiler Alert, obvi. And, you’re welcome.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Fuck You David Zaslav (socials in the video's description)
Scriptnotes Side Cast #12: Location Picketing
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Rob's Episode on an Indie film work/life balance
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Creating in the Horror-Adjacent Space!
This week Rob & Kay interview Lucas McNelly, writer/director of the microbudget thriller film, Up Country, to discuss the perils, pitfalls, and the promise of working in the horror-adjacent space.
Our Weekly Resource: Sundance Collab – yes, Sundance has a website with paid and free membership with videos on writing, directing, financing, and production as well as Writer Cafe’s where you can zoom in and be held accountable for writing pages.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Lucas's First Film, Blanc de blanc
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Rob's Twitter
Does Your Writing Suck?
Sometimes you have to take a long, hard, look at your writing and ask yourself if you've birthed a turkey. It happens, even to the best of us, the question becomes -- what to do next? And that's where Rob & Kay come in, with advice for not only when you should admit to bad writing, but also when maybe folks -- when everyone -- may be wrong about what you've written.
Our Weekly Resource: We love free shit. You love free shit. We love to recommend free shit to you that will help you along in your journey. So if you want to read a screenplay that does not suck, breaks all the rules, and still sets the standard of what a screenplay should be, we bequeath to you: Michael Clayton. Rob bought the actual script book (which is worth your cash), but we're also including a link to the script up on the script lab where you can download for the price of a free membership.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
David Simon Explains Why Writers Must Strike
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Paradigm Shifts in Writing!
From BUFFY to BREAKING BAD, the writing landscape has changed very rapidly to include new mandates, tropes and styles of storytelling. Rob & Kay take a look at what's come before -- inspired by Rob's recently viewing of Severance -- to hopefully give listeners an insight as to how to write to new places in storytelling with their own scripts.
Our Weekly Resource:
We’ve recommended Lessons from the Screenplay before, their channel and podcast are…not unparalleled, but certainly superlative in a crowded field of peers and copycats alike, but this video, featuring John Truby talking about his new book, “the anatomy of genre” will help you in your journey to shift paradigms and tell stories in new ways in your own writing.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Rejection!
This week Rob & Kay talk rejection. How to deal with it, what we can learn from it, and what it can teach us.
Our Weekly Resource: Lee Jessup’s Article: “Rejection is a Bitch”
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Writing Horror That SELLS!
This week we’re talking money, specifically in terms of writing (horror) screenplays that sell, and to help with that, we have a guest! Writer of both TV and Film Seth M. Sherwood. They talk the benefits of writing spec scripts (even if you won't likely sell them), how "original" horror movies get made (and who gets to make them), how A24 didn't invent "Elevated Horror" (or social horror), and the landscape for Horror TV writers (plus how it pertains to the impending 2023 writer's strike).
Our Weekly Resource: This week’s resource is…is a movie, AIR. This is the first time I believe that we’ve recommended a movie as the resource where the guest didn’t write it – no offense to Seth, but this is going to be on a lot of "Best" lists at the end of the year, guaranteed. And the story of how screenwriter, Alex Convery, got his very first screen credit is worthy of tracking down for your own inspirational fuel.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Kay's Twitter
Writing Sex Scenes!
Nuisance or necessary? Everyone has their opinions. Rob & Kay give you theirs on how to write them, why we need them, and which are their favorites.
Our Weekly Resource:
This week’s resource is…subtext, specifically a video from StudioBinder on YouTube as they talk about, not only the different types of subtlety, but when to employ it, how actors play what’s on the page, and also various examples of each in terms of how to execute it in your screenplay.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Organ Trail Trailer
Jeremy's other Podcast with Rob: Dead Poet's Society
Rob's Sexy Movie, "Around the World"
Writing for TikTok!
This week Rob & Kay interview with Sidney Morss whose videos on TikTok have over 13 MILLION LIKES! We talk about her writing (near) daily sketches -- as long as her mental health permits -- and go deep into the process off how to make daily videos, where her videos not only have to be comedic, but frequently satisfy sponsors, too.
Our Weekly Resource:
This week’s resource is our guest. She has a linktree, where you can find her various platforms, so that you may gaze upon the wealth of her talents and humor and be enriched.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Trailers talked about in the Podcast: Extraction 2, Indiana Jones, Barbie, Secret Invasion, Spider-Verse, Ahsoka, Blue Beetle, HypnoticRob's YouTube Channel
Writing for the Non-Union Market!
This week Rob & Kay have decided to discuss writing for the (arguably bigger) Non Union Market, and to help with that, we have an interview with Canadian writer/director, Heather Taylor, whose film, Lethal Love, is currently available on Netflix.
Our Weekly Resource: Scriptnotes. the sort of, de facto screenwriting podcast, has re-released episode 193 that is kind of the definitive guide to how writing credits work in the industry under union rules. So feel free to dive into that. I guarantee you’ll learn something, especially for that day when you to are writing things for studios under union contract. And also things that you may want to include in non-union contracts just so you maintain credit on what you wrote.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Heather's Podcast, "Braaains" - a podcast exploring the inner workings of our brains and how film & television portray them Rob's YouTube Channel
How to Make a Movie for $1000
Email us(!)
Writing the Unscripted!
This week Kay & Rob talk about how the process of writing films that aren't necessarily written, and to help with that, we have an interview with returning guest, Jeremy Lalonde, whose movie, “Ashgrove”, is currently on tour, and in theaters.
Our Weekly Resource: SoCreate’s screenwriting Beta is out and they are looking for folks to try out their program, so feel free to take advantage of a free screenwriting program. Later listeners coming to this – we’re sorry, it may not work for you – but for those of you listening to this hot and fresh, if you’re in the market for a new screenwriting program, click the link and give SoCreate a whirl. They are not paying us to say this, this is just us being the tip of the spear, as per usual.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Variety Article about WGA negotiations on AI (updated with WGA's response)
Welcome to the No Budget Era article on Esquire
James vs His Future Self available on Prime
How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town available on Plex
Little Monsters, available on Hulu Jeremy's other Podcasts with Rob: Witches of Eastwick, Made in Heaven, Dead Poet's Society
How to Make a Movie for $1000
From Script to SXSW!
This week we’ve got an interview with Angela Bourassa who’s movie, “If You Were The Last” just played this years, SXSW. We discuss how she got "discovered" after over a decade of hard work, how she got her reps, and how her script came to be made for a four-quadrant audience for millions of dollars.
Our Weekly Resource: Speaking of the SXSW film festival, here is their official podcast, On Story, which we recommended their episode on Shane Black a few episodes – our episodes – back, but this time we want to recommend the podcast proper, it has interviews with everyone whose career you’ve ever wanted to have in screenwriting or filmmaking and more. And if we’ve recommended this before, too bad, because it’s still good and some of y’all are new, as we discussed earlier.
Notes From the Episode:
Zack's Original Instagram video (for our Twitter Drama Bumper)
Eric Haywood's video on the state of the industry (for writers) Brittani Nichols (@BisHilarious) Thread on the difficulty for TV writers to advance because of minimums Rob's Video on Being an Indie Line Producer
Cinema Challenge Series, Round 1 ("How to Make a Movie for $1000")