The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna (Meg LeFauve & Lorien McKenna)

Join TSL Workshops: www.tslworkshops.circle.so (Through January 1, use coupon code HOLIDAY24 to get a 5-day free trial + 50% off your first 3 months!) Despite the BAFTA wins, Peabody Awards, and IFTA nominations, Sharon Horgan didn't really begin her writing career until her mid-30s, but her previous professional experiences have given her valuable ammo to write interesting, nuanced characters. Today we discuss how she reveals that nuance as she writes. Season two of Bad Sisters is available on Apple TV+ now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: www.thescreenwritinglife.co/workshops How does a Chicago-based Indie film team break into Sundance, sell their movie at the fest, debut with a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and make a Box Office Splash? They make a really, really great movie. Writer/director Kelly O'Sullivan knows a thing or two about Indie Filmmaking; her debut "Saint Frances" won SXSW in 2019. Today she discusses how she writes, casts, and directs outside of the traditional indie ecosystem, and how you can, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TSL-ers are going to be meeting at Disney tomorrow. That's Wednesday, May 24th at 1:00 PM Pacific. Again, Wednesday, May 24th at 1:00 PM Pacific at the Disney lot in Burbank. We're hoping for a big turnout. And in that interest, there's a couple things you can do to help when you show up. First of all, if you're able to, it would be amazing if you could bring some snacks and water to share with folks. You can bring those to check in at the front gate. Meg, Lorien and I will be in the grassy area nearby with TSL stickers to hand out. But we won't be there long because the Guild wants us to keep moving. Start walking, and you'll find us. We're gonna walk the entire block around the lot going counterclockwise toward the hospital. So if you want to find us, you can walk the other way toward the bus stop. And you'll cross paths with us on the way. Say hi, get a sticker and meet other TSLs. Remember, you should definitely wear sunscreen and a hat or sunglasses because it could be hot. And again, if you wanna bring your own water and snacks, that would be incredibly helpful. As a reminder, you don't need to be in the WGA to picket. We appreciate solidarity in all forms. So whether or not you're in the guild, we'd love to see you there. And in the meantime, keep writing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When asked about his first time working in feature animation, Meg's Inside Out 2 co-writer Dave Holstein described the process as: "writing inside a dishwasher while it's running." This is just one of many charming talking points in this lovely conversation between two brilliant minds: Dave, and our very own Meg LeFauve! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

50 Episodes! How did we get here? Hard work EVERY DAY. Today, we're focusing on the day-to-day, minute-by-minute process of writing. How to we title our documents? How do we comb through our material? How do we edit. All of that gets answered today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You finally get the meeting, make the connection, and a bigshot producer is excited to read your script. But you panic. Is it good enough? Is it READY? Today, award-winning independent film producer Ted Hope walks us through those always complicated questions, and answers TONS more along the way. FOR MORE: https://tedhope.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so You are not alone, and keep writing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so On today's eerie episode, we welcome three creatives behind Hulu's new campy horror slasher film, "Carved" - director and co-writer Justin Harding, co-writer Cheryl Meyer, and star Peyton Elizabeth Lee - to talk about horror, and particularly, how to write it. Happy Halloween! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every writer can point to a movie that made them say: "THIS. This is what I want to do." And today, Meg, Lorien, and Jeff share the movies that turned THEM into writers. Yep, we're movie nerds too. JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/TheScreenwritingLIfe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether it's a gritty wrestling drama like Heels, an animated satire like Rick and Morty, or a blockbuster romp through multi universes like Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Michael Waldron knows that emotionally honest storytelling is always central to a successful story. Today we unpack how to zero in on the emotional truth of your story.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcasts are one of the fastest growing mediums today (see THIS SHOW), and they can take on many forms. Today, writer/director Susan Busa Leshner discusses her podcast series THE AMERICAN IMMORTAL, and how she turned it from an idea into a quickly growing audio drama with multiple episodes, a completed first season, and a second season on the way! TO LISTEN TO THE AMERICAN IMMORTAL FOR FREE: https://theamericanimmortal.com/ TO BECOME A PATRON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.cricle.so As writers, we're aiming to create the most believably human characters we can, and one of the best ways to do this is to understand their psychology. Today, we're honored to welcome world-renowned psychiatrist Dr. Dan Siegel to share how human beings form belief systems based on traumatic experiences in their developmental years, and what it takes for them to transform (a.k.a., the three-act journey of a feature). GET DAN'S NEW BOOK HERE! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hi All! We're BACK with another greatest hits episode featuring some of our industry's best television writers. Today, you'll hear from: TSL TV Writers - best of Javier Grillo-Marxuach (ep 46) Sam Bain (ep 62) Marti Noxon (ep 40) Shantira Jackson and Dewayne Perkins (ep 69) Sean Presant (ep 61) Stacy Rukeyser (ep 60) THANK YOU to Jess Fisher who put this episode together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so On today’s show, we answer your (excellent) questions. Among the topics we discuss are: How to lean into our best writer selves How many drafts we “really” need to be taken seriously How to improve readability in our work Advice for sharing undeveloped ideas with executives Deepening our midpoint and act 2b. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Jenna Lamia's first producer/creator/showrunner credit wasn't just a success — it was a smash hit, becoming one of Netflix's top five most streamed TV seasons EVER. The show, which stars Nicole Kidman, is a sleek and funny murder mystery set around a bougie Nantucket wedding, and today, Jenna talks all about how she adapted Elin Hilderbrand's best-selling novel into one of the year's most successful shows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://twslworkshops.circle.so The Molyneux Sisters (BOB’S BURGERS, THE GREAT NORTH) believe that character is at the center of all great comedy. For Wendy and Lizzie, specificity, character quirks, and close observations about the friends (and strangers) around them will always provide the cocktail for a great character. Hear about how these two found their voice, honed their craft, and became important voices in the world of adult animation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sign up for TSL Workshops!: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Get Chris' Book!: https://www.amazon.com/Writers-Journey-Mythic-Structure-3rd/dp/193290736X Though Chris Vogler is generally credited with introducing the FRAMEWORK of The Hero's Journey into modern Hollywood discourse, it almost didn't happen. When someone else plagiarized his memo and trafficked it to Jeffrey Katzenberg trying to take credit for it, Chris faced a crossroads. Find out HOW he managed that, and became an essential creative pillar behind the development of THE LION KING. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: www.thescreenwritinglife.co/workshops We're back with part TWO of our ten common traps that will kill your script. Take notes, TSL Fam! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last we talked about finding YOUR voice, so naturally, we have to ask, what about all of those OTHER voices? Unproductive voices may be in our own head, or they may be friends, or even family (read: FAMILY). But, the sociocultural voices that permeate our lives can also sabotage our work. How do we know which outside voices are helpful, and how do we know which ones will inevitably sabotage what makes us our writing special? Other voices are the main cause of IMPOSTER SYNDROME, which is something we all deal with, which is the focus of our question of the week! Remember to join our Facebook group, and thanks in advance for those beautiful Apple Podcast reviews!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Another mailbag! We answer your brilliant questions, and talk a bit about Austin. Buckle up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: www.tslworkshops.circle.so Animation is a MEDIUM, not a genre. This, among many other important lessons on today's episode, is one of the first things Lorien tells people who are interested in writing animated TV for children. Today we discuss how to break into children's animated TV, how production considerations weigh into the writing process, and what it means to signal a "red alert" in your work (hint: this is a good thing). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enjoy our final panel coverage from our time at the SLO film festival! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk about lava, character wounds, and emotional storytelling ALL THE TIME on the show, but it's important to remember: there's more to good storytelling than an emotionally juicy character. Today, Oscar-winner (and friend-of-the-show) Michael Arndt discusses this, along with trends he is noticing in the evolving world of 21st century cinema. GREAT RESOURCES FROM MICHAEL: http://www.pandemoniuminc.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@michaelarndt8848 JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join TSL Workshops NOW with our special 2024 coupon code HOLIDAY24: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Thanks to AFF for welcoming us back this year for another Story Workshop, and a special thanks to Brittney, Jessica, and Adam for sharing their projects. If you'd like to reach Adam to discuss his cult-inspired TV show, you can reach him here: https://www.adambranson.com/contact Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Inside Out debuted, it was quickly celebrated as one of Pixar's masterpieces, earning multiple Oscar noms (including one for our HOST Meg LeFauve!) How then, do you approach a sequel to such a beloved classic? This was one of the many questions that weighed on both Kelsey Mann and Meg LeFauve as they reopened Riley's head to jump back in. Jump in with them! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Holidays TSL Fam!!! In this greatest hits episode, we provide insight from some of our sharpest guests to help YOU create the most interesting, compelling, and ACTIVE characters you can. Today's show features insights from: Mike Jones Ed Solomon Sheila Hanahan Taylor Javier Grillo-Marxuach Stacy Rukeyser Nicole Perlman Sam Bain Enjoy! As always, thank you to Jess Fisher who put this episode together! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some of the best movies and the world were written by partners: FARGO, SPLASH, ELECTION, THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS, and PARASITE, for example, were all written by a writing partnerships, and in the best world, choosing a writing partnership may be one of the most creatively inspiring and generative decisions you make as a writer. At the same time, it can be crippling, so today, Meg and Lorien (who do write together!) are going to give you their best practices for writing with a partner! Welcome to The Screenwriting Life. Join us as professional screenwriters, Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna, whose combined credits include writing and production on such films as Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur and Captain Marvel discuss the craft, journey and business of writing for the screen. From dialogue to delivery, Meg and Lorien will guide you through the process, offering inside tips and tricks to help you become the best writer you can be. And now Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so At the end of every episode, we ask our guests the Three Big Questions: What brings you the most joy when it comes to writing? What pisses you off about writing? What advice would you give to your younger self? Today's supercut captures the heartfelt answers from TSL guests over the past year. Part 2, coming soon! 1:04 - Charlotte Stoudt (Ep 164) 7:24 - Tom McCarthy (Ep 169) 12:24 - Paco de Leon (Ep 172) 15:38 - Adam Grant (Ep 173) 26:04 - Jodie Foster (Ep 174) 31:22 - Michael Arndt (Ep 176) 34:16 - Celine Song (Ep 177) 41:12 - David Hemingson (Ep 178) 45:24 - Elizabeth Hargrave (Ep 180) 50:06 - Lloyd Taylor (Ep 181) 53:38 - Dave Mullins, Brad Booker, & Sean Ono Lennon (Ep 182) 1:09:43 - Jennifer Deaton (Ep 184) 1:17:38 - Cole Haddon (Ep 185) 1:22:43 - Jeff Melvoin (Ep 186) 1:26:28 - Debby Wolfe (Ep 187) 1:29:29 - Octavio Solis (Ep 188) 1:37:32 - Carole Kirschner (Ep 189) 1:42:34 - Navid McIlhargey (Ep 190) 1:47:00 - Linda Seger (Ep 191) 1:52:35 - Billy Mernit (Ep 194) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so We talk about ACTIVE protagonists all the time on the show, but we know that creating one is easier said than done. Luckily, Meg and Lorien have a laundry list of practical exercises you can explore today to bring your protagonist to life. But first, we talk with longtime TSL listener and TSL workshops member Laurel Senick about a lovely, lava-filled email she sent us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOR MORE CREATE OUT LOUD: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/create-out-loud-with-jennifer-louden/id1559415253 What would it take for you to turn down an offer from JJ Abrams (you know the guy who created Lost among other block-busters)? Ask Meg LeFavue, the Oscar-nominated writer of Inside Out, who had to do just that after committing to her creative calling to become a screenwriter. Meg LeFauve and her frequent writing partner and podcast co-host Lorien McKenna get extremely candid about the challenges and essential importance of committing to your artistic path and sticking with it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maybe your facing the blank page, maybe you're facing the second act, or maybe your facing your millionth rewrite; EVERY writer has hit that wall where there's nothing left in the tank, even though you need to get that car HOME. Where do you find inpsiration? It's in there, and Meg and Lorien are going to help you get there. Maybe you need some help with plot, or maybe you need to learn how to love your characters again, but WHATEVER it is, we're giving you strategies to get there! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Joey Tucccio, the founder of Roadmap Writers, "you're a human first, and a writer second." Excelling at your craft has as much to do with your understanding of yourself as it does with your writing, and Joey goes DEEP on all of that, today! FOR MORE ON ROADMAP WRITERS: https://www.roadmapwriters.com/ TO SEE JEFF'S MOVIE: Click the link below and look for Block EEEE (The movie is called, ALWAYS, LOLA) https://marinadelreyfilmfestival.ticketspice.com/2022-marina-del-rey-film-festival DATE: Wednesday, June 22, 7:30PM – 9:00PM PDT ADDRESS: Cinemark 18 and XD  6081 Center Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90045 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The details of your writing are a beautiful thing. They provide the nuance, voice, and texture that make your writing special. But the details can be crippling if they prevent you from seeing your work as it REALLY is. Today we talk about how to see your work from a broad perspective, by Zooming out and getting that all-important "30,000 Foot View" of your writing. It's a game changer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some of Hollywood's greatest writers are known for their "voice" - Nora Ephron's witty female leads. Aaron Sorkin's talky, moving monologues. Charlie Kaufman's mind-bending, sardonic humor. But what IS voice? Is voice something that we need to be taught, or is it something that we already have? How do we HONE our voice? Meg and Lorien answer all of these questions and more! PLUS: Producer Jeff is taking a terrifying leap into his own lava and inviting you all to join.  On Sun, Oct 25 @ 3p PT, he will be conducting a live, virtual table read of his own script he plans to direct with producers, his DP, a group of great LA-Based actors, and many many people watching. If you'd like to join, please RSVP: JeffGrahamDigital@gmail.com. By RSVP-ing, you'll be getting a ZOOM link to join the many viewers, and a copy of the pre-pro script in it's current form. As we discussed on the show, notes aren't nessecary, but they are very welcome! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are so many writers perfectionists? Maybe it's that need for approval, or that desire to see exactly what's in your head show up on the page, but READ THIS: perfectionism is the death of creativity. As celebrated psychologist Dr. Anne Wilson Schaef offers: “Perfectionism is self-abuse of the highest order." How do we move PAST perfection? Tune in to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you haven't listened to last week's episode, stop this, hop back, and then return. We're picking up RIGHT where we left off to dig into what theme really means in a screenplay! Welcome to The Screenwriting Life. Join us as professional screenwriters, Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna, whose combined credits include writing and production on such films as Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur and Captain Marvel discuss the craft, journey and business of writing for the screen. From dialogue to delivery, Meg and Lorien will guide you through the process, offering inside tips and tricks to help you become the best writer you can be. And now Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we are ENORMOUSLY lucky to be joined by the insanely accomplished writer, director, fellowship export Lisanne Sartor, who in some ways, is the godmother of our podcast. She breaks down EVERYTHING we need to know about the process - the good, the bad, and the ugly, and how you can use opportunities to best propel YOUR career. Interested in an internship? Email us at: thescreenwritinglife@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writers dread the idea of feeling confined by a structure, but what they don't realize, is that structure is one of the greatest gifts that they can be given as a writer. Structure = story, and the best films ever made know how to "play within the rules." Today, we go over those rules!  Welcome to The Screenwriting Life. Join us as professional screenwriters, Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna, whose combined credits include writing and production on such films as Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur and Captain Marvel discuss the craft, journey and business of writing for the screen. From dialogue to delivery, Meg and Lorien will guide you through the process, offering inside tips and tricks to help you become the best writer you can be. And now Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though Dana Stevens wrote one of 2022's buzziest and most exciting movies, The Woman King, she has decades of experience in both film and television. On today's show, we discuss how Dana got involved in The Woman King, how she approached the film's extraordinary action set pieces on the page, and what she learned while showrunning. JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David F.M. Vaughn, award-winning actor, director, composer, and writer, is obsessed with getting detailed about the behind-the-scenes aspects of this sometimes very mysterious business. Having just come off of his first staffing gig, David has TONS of insight about what a writers room REALLY looks, and how we can prepare for them.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emotionally rich writing has always been a Hallmark for both Meg and Lorien in their writing, and on today's show, we dig into the meat of what makes it work and why. TSL family member Savannah Morgan hooked us up with the London Screenwriter's Festival, and moderated an AMAZING interview w/ Meg and Lorien where they got into all of it. It's an amazing listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This topic comes up ALL the time on our Facebook group, and finally, we have definitive answers, and LOTS of them. How long should my pitch be, what should it look like, what should it actually include. WTF actually is a DECK??? How can avoid nerves for a meeting, what is my responsibility during a general.  A-List producer Sheila Hanahan Taylor has EVERYTHING you need to know! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you have a pen and paper? Might want to grab them now... Andrew Stanton wrote and directed Finding Nemo, Finding Dory, and Wall-E, all of which consistently rank among the best films of this century, and best animated films ever made. In live action storytelling, he's become a critically acclaimed director, working on shows like Stranger Things and Better Call Saul. Andrew is considered one of the finest storytellers working in our industry. Andrew has given lectures for TED and Google, and he's joining us today to help us in our own understanding of story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Octavio Solis is among the most celebrated playwrights discussing the Latin American experience, but he wasn't always a writer. Octavio began his artistic journey as an actor-turned-writing-teacher. But when his students started succeeding, he felt an emerging feeling; a need to take his own advice and get to the page. Since then, Solis has written dozens of celebrated plays, in addition to culturally consulting on Pixar's COCO, which we discuss today. JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Putting a project in the desk drawer to start something new can feel like a betrayal, but sometimes it's the right step. How can we elegantly move on, but still stay loyal to our beautiful calling? We discuss it today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Karyn Kusama is known for film classics like Girlfight, Jennifer's Body, The Invitation, and a NEW TV classic, Yellowjackets, which she executive produces. Karyn's work is celebrated for its thoughtfully subversive approach with feminist themes across multiple genres, and today she discusses HOW she uses her body as a barometer to seek truth in her work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is it so easy for us to love, trust, and nurture our characters, but so hard for us to do that for ourselves? Positive self-talk is an essential part of embarking on The Screenwriting Journey, and today, we get talk ALL about it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even though Debby Wolfe began her career writing "edgy, brooding feminist shorts" (her words), but really found her lane as a writer when she wrote a Modern Family spec that launched her career. Since then, she's written on a number of multi-cams, eventually arriving on Lopez vs. Lopez, which she's currently showrunning. Today, Debby discusses how she manages to produce at the pace Network TV requires, how she staffs, and the importance of character-driven comedy. Watch Season 2 of Lopez vs Lopez starting on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 with back-to-back episodes at 8/7c and 8:30/7:30c on NBC. New episodes air next day on Peacock. It will continue in those time slots going forward — which means, yes, you'll be getting two new episodes of the show per week!  JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a TSL first as we explore a crossover episode with Matt Enlow and Oren Kaplan of the popular JUST SHOOT IT PODCAST to discuss pitching, free work, social media, and what directors are really looking for when it comes to the page. TO SUBSCRIBE TO JUST SHOOT IT: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-shoot-it-a-podcast-about-filmmaking/id995859414 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite this being his first produced feature, David Hemingson's script for THE HOLDOVERS is one of the most celebrated of the year, nominated for over 40 industry prizes (including the Oscar), having won many of them. He's a self-proclaimed "journeyman" writer having bounced between children's animated, network comedy, and hourlong procedurals for over two decades. Even given his decades of experience, his approach to working with Alexander Payne was still one of humility, openness, and discovery. Today, David, Lorien, and Jeff, discuss how Hemingson's "unsellable" pilot about an all boys prep school became a new American classic. JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's that time of year when hundreds of Holiday Movies air on screens all over the world. Whether its Hallmark, Lifetime, Disney+, Netflix, or Apple, or even Theaters, it's one of the hottest markets around for emerging and professional writers, and for Holiday screenwriting Queen Eirene Tran Donohue, one of the best ways to break in. Listen to her break down why! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If anyone knows her way around a writer's room, it's producer Stacy Rukeyser, who has worked at every level from staff writer, to creator/showrunner. Stacy has a fascinating perspective on how the culture of a TV writer's room has both remained steady and changed wildly in her nearly 25 years in the business. Buckle up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we take more questions from our brilliant listeners about: script readability, pilot v. feature format, and how to (as always) mine more emotionality from our characters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Kuritzkes is having a good year. Two of his scripts, Challengers and Queer, were brought to life by world-renowned director Luca Guadagnino. Despite being about wildly different worlds, both scripts center complicated characters swirling in complicated romantic dynamics. Challengers, our focus of today's conversation, was born out of Justin's newfound interest in tennis, and a fascination with what might be happening off the court between players in an intimate sport. His script instantly attracted Zendaya’s attention, so it’s safe to say he did something right! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have all been very busy so our new episodes for the next two weeks will be dropping on Mondays. Thanks for your patience! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Little Miss Sunshine's script, penned by our guest Michael Arndt, won almost every major industry award, and for good reason. Its warmth, humor, and surefooted commitment to its themes makes it one of the finest scripts written this century. And SO many of those themes show up in Act 1. Michael has become a bit "obsessed" with act 1's lately, because it's our chance to maximize the "rooting interest" around our hero so that our audience has no choice but to keep watching. FOR MICHAEL'S (AMAZING) WEBSITE: https://www.pandemoniuminc.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actress, playwright, professor, intern, story manager, showrunner. Despite Lorien's multifaceted career, one theme has unified every role she's taken on: storytelling. What did Lorien do when her MFA professor she didn't have what it takes? She doubled down. More on that in the show... Follow Quincey's Diabetes Journey Here!: https://www.youtube.com/c/Diabetes101 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

RSVP for the TSL/Roadmap AFF Party Here: https://bit.ly/4cQWUHa Years ago, Alex Convery and Tate Hanyok were merely attending the Austin Film Festival as screenplay competition winners, and this year, they're attending as panelists! Find out how they used the festival to meet writers, rep, and most importantly, motivate their career in the right direction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All writers dream of that moment when a producer says, "we want to make your movie," but then comes the nuts and bolts of what that actually means. What if we disagree with the notes? What if we can't deliver on what's being asked? We're going over all of these questions today! Welcome to The Screenwriting Life. Join us as professional screenwriters, Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna, whose combined credits include writing and production on such films as Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur and Captain Marvel discuss the craft, journey and business of writing for the screen. From dialogue to delivery, Meg and Lorien will guide you through the process, offering inside tips and tricks to help you become the best writer you can be. And now Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna. @StoryMeg @LorienMcKenna #JeffreyCGraham - http://youtube.com/popcorntalknetwork HELPFUL LINKS: Website - http://popcorntalk.com Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thepopcorntalk Merch - http://shop.spreadshirt.com/PopcornTalk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so To say that Kelly Younger is a fairy tale expert is an understatement. He's built an entire career around his obsession with fairy tale principles, so much so that he's become a coveted story consultant, and a frequent writer for THE MUPPETS universe, with credits on MUPPETS NOW and MUPPETS HAUNTED MANSION. Younger has developed at Amazon, Apple, Hulu, Disney Studios, Paramount Animation, Warner Animation Group, DreamWorks Animation, Disney Originals, and has also consulted at Skydance Animation, in addition to Illumination on both SHREK 5 and PUSS IN BOOTS 2. So why should we care so much about a centuries-old art form? Today, Kelly breaks it all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WE DID IT. Join Meg and Lorien, and their wonderful audience, as they workshop with three very brave and brilliant writers to get to the core of their story in from the Historic Sanctuary of St. David's Episcopal Church at the 2021 Austin Film Festival for our very first live, in-person show. TO JOIN OUR PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/TheScreenwritingLife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To prepare for his upcoming appearance on our show, TSL is proud to rebroadcast a classic, Michael Ardnt's Act 1 Masterclass. Little Miss Sunshine's script, written by our guest Michael Arndt, won almost every major industry award, and for good reason. Its warmth, humor, and surefooted commitment to its themes makes it one of the finest scripts written this century. And SO many of those themes show up in Act 1. Michael has become a bit "obsessed" with act 1's lately, because it's our chance to maximize the "rooting interest" around our hero so that our audience has no choice but to keep watching. FOR MICHAEL'S (AMAZING) WEBSITE: https://www.pandemoniuminc.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though she got her start in multi-cam sitcoms, it was a bold sci-fi dramedy rom-com that made Pixar interested in hiring Brenda Hsueh to co-write Elemental. On today's show, Brenda discusses how her voice has evolved as a writer over the course of her career, how she brought her own experience into her work as a writer for Elemental, and how she has learned to elegantly argue for what she believes in when collaborating. JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/SCREENWRITERS and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tone is consistently one of the most challenging things that Screenwriters face. What is it and how do we capture it on the page? We're thrilled to be joined by super-producer and friend-of-the-show Sheila Hanahan Taylor to unpack ALL of that today. Buckle up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Linda Seger basically created the job of independent script consultant. After years of exploring, she discovered that her gifts lie in making a good script great, which is the name of her first book: "Making A Good Script Great." Since then, Linda has become one of Hollywood's most sought after and celebrated consultants, because her ability to distill down what is needed on the page. For Linda's Books: https://lindaseger.com/screenwriting-books/ Join our Patreon: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite being a multiple Academy Award winner, celebrated producer, and feature/TV director, Jodie Foster is still aiming for a singular goal: to tell truthful stories. On today's show, we discuss how Jodie processes her work, how she collaborates with others, and what Robert De Niro taught her on the set of Taxi Driver. Join Our Patreon: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thinking is an essential part of the creative process, but at a certain point, we just have to WRITE. Have you been over thinking? How to leave a review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_xz5XbWQTg Come see us in San Luis Obispo: https://slofilmfest.org/ The Goddess of Brokenness: http://www.sutrajournal.com/akhilandeshwari-the-power-of-brokenness-by-laura-amazzone Join Our Patreon: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not only is Oscar-nominated writer Vanessa Taylor's resume impressive, it's beautifully varied. Vanessa has written on serialized network TV shows, high-concept prestige premium cable dramas (GOT anybody??), a YA novel adaptation, and even a creature feature love story w/ celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro (yes, we are talking about The Shape of Water.) But Vanessa sees powerful themes that tie her work together like a commitment to propulsive story engines driven by high-agency characters who tell us WHO they are, through their behavior. Vanessa offers us BEAUTIFUL advice in today's episode, and we can't wait for you to hear it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having begun his career as an actor, and then transitioned to an Oscar-winning writer/director, Tom has worn MANY hats in this business. Because of that, he has a particularly unique point of view when it comes to writing. Today, Tom discusses how he embraces his multiple creative identities when approaching the blank page, especially he considers drafts that are going to producers, the studio, or actors. JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emily Dickenson's poetry, The Girl w/ The Dragon Tattoo, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, these are all works we ALMOST didn't see because the authors ALMOST hid their work from the masses, and imagine the beautiful art we would've missed out on! Writing is all about being vulnerable and putting yourself out there...so why are we so afraid to do it? What's at stake if we do, and more importantly, what's at stake if we DON'T? We ask all of these questions and more on today's episode, plus, a great question about dialogue. Will you put yourself out there? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dustin Lance Black is an Oscar-winning writer/director, known for writing the films like Milk and J. Edgar, in addition to creating the award-winning 2022 crime miniseries Under the Banner of Heaven, starring Andrew Garfield. Black is a fierce LGBTQ rights advocate, serving as a founding board member of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, and writing 8, a courtroom drama reenacting the overturn of Prop 8 in California. On today's show, we discuss the common pitfalls of writing biopics, how Lance uses his own life to inform his work, and the research and work it takes to avoid cliches in our writing.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we navigate the holidays, it's easy to look back (and forward) on our career and feel a complicated mix of emotions. But at the end of the day, we HAVE to give ourselves permission to dream if we want to maintain stability in this business. Today, we discuss just that! JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, producer Jeff walks you through how he got his film Always, Lola from idea to distribution with a VERY low five figure microbudget...and you can too! TO WATCH THE FILM: https://www.alwayslolafilm.com/watchathome TO TAKE THE CLASS: www.jeffgrahamdigital.com/class Territory Info: United States/Canada - Amazon, Apple, Google Play, YouTube Australia/New Zealand - Apple, Google Play, YouTube UK/Ireland - Apple, Google Play, YouTube South Africa - Apple For non-English territories, google the movie, you might find it! If the film is not available in your territory and you want access, email press@alwayslolafilm.com. To sign up for our patreon: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WATCH LOS FRIKIS: https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Los-Frikis/0H49M436MMS223JUKJ26Q95EKJ READ ALONG: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a3QojbCeXG11xowk5u6y-RONQhCSguwG/view?usp=drive_link Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz are the first to admit "they're not the cool kids." Their widely celebrated debut THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON was bootstrapped by grit, hard work, and a ferocious commitment to making something authentic, and that same spirit fills every frame of their follow-up film, LOS FRIKIS. Like the filmmakers themselves, the movie follows a group of lovable outsiders finding their own way to make beautiful art in a system that opposes it. In today's conversation with Jeffrey Crane Graham, they discuss how filmmaking is like building a house: pre-production is a blueprint, production is about "collecting lumber," and post-production is an act of construction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so What sounds harder? Writing a pilot alone at your desk, or running your own TV show with 300 folks trying to execute your vision? For Liz Feldman, it's the former, which affirms what we often say on this show: writing is really, really hard. Despite that, Liz has almost 30 years of TV writing experience under her belt, including two hits for Netflix that she created and showran: Dead To Me and No Good Deed. Join us as she unpacks her creative process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've had some AMAZING guests on this show, but the truth is, one of our greatest secret weapons is Meg herself! Today, she dives into some of the MANY lingering questions that you all have been posing on the Facebook, and we get into it! If your question wasn't answered today, don't worry, Meg WILL be getting into soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This can be a heartbreaking industry, but as writers, we have to hold out hope. @StoryMeg @LorienMcKenna #JeffreyCGraham - http://youtube.com/popcorntalknetwork HELPFUL LINKS: Website - http://popcorntalk.com Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thepopcorntalk Merch - http://shop.spreadshirt.com/PopcornTalk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How did Kelly Fremon Craig manage to convince Judy Blume to let her adapt Are You There God, It's Me Margaret? Tune in to find out! We're thrilled to be joined by award-winning writer/director Kelly Fremon Craig. She's the award-winning writer and director of two feature films: The Edge Of Seventeen starring Hailey Steinfeld, and Are You There God, It's Me Margaret, which will be released in theaters tomorrow. Kelly's work is celebrated for its unflinching depictions of teenage girlhood, which The New York Times calls "smart and achingly bittersweet." Hi Kelly! JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Among many astounding achievements, Nicole Perlman wrote the first Guardians Of The Galaxy film, which many culture critics (and fans) consider to be one of the best franchises in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That film is lauded for it's uniquely irreverent tone and engaging characters, and Nicole offers MANY strategies to get our own writing there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most of us assume that once a writer sells that spec or books that job or secures representation, they've "made it." Now all they need to do is ride into the sunset and remember to thank their agent when their inevitable Oscar shows up. But of course, much like writer, it's much more complicated than that. Today, Meg and Lorien walk us through THEIR biggest "a-ha" moments after their breaks, what we should lean into, and what we should avoid. Once again, we'd like to thank JESS FISHER who produced this episode while Jeff is getting his feet back on the ground! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey TSL Family! Lorien is BACK, and as you can imagine, our team had a lot to catch up on. As our conversation evolved, it seems the writing Gods were all pointing us toward the same thing: how to take care our writer selves when we're feeling overwhelmed. I (and so many in the Facebook group) feel grateful that Lorien has let us into the struggles of a brand new chapter in her life - more on that in the show - but truthfully, all three of us have been dealing with some serious lava lately. But within those discussions, we already realized that we have been discovering ways to work through it. Those methods have been helpful for us, and we hope they're helpful for you too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emmy-nominated writers Shantira Jackson and Dewayne Perkins are some of comedy's most exciting rising voices, but their journey hasn't been a short one. From sketch shows in the middle of Idaho to writing for the WGA awards, Shantira and Dewayne break down their journey and offer incredible advice.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so It's no secret that plays and movies are entirely different mediums, so how do you give the cinematic treatment to a play as celebrated as "The Piano Lesson" by Pulitzer Prize-winning August Wilson? From the start, co-writer and director Malcom Washington came in with a very specific take on the material, and was incredibly grateful when Oscar-nominated "Mudbound" co-writer Virgil Williams came on board to help nurture that take on the page. In today's conversation, you'll hear how the two of them wrote together in the desert, creating a routinized approach to the material, while still leaving space for discovery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether or not we want to admit it, being seen and getting staffed is easier if we can tell others WHO we are as writers. Industry powerhouse Alison Mann believes this so strongly that she has her clients create "brand decks" when she pitches them for jobs. And for Alison, it's just as much for their potential partners as it is for her clients themselves. After a long and impressive career working as a studio executive in animation, Alison Mann now works as the Talent Manager and Co-President of Fourth Wall Animation at Fourth Wall Management Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All great works of art start with ideas, and ideas STILL reign supreme in Hollywood. In today's conversation w/ celebrated writer Matt Lieberman we discuss how to generate high concept ideas, come up with ideas, embrace the importance of a good idea, and even sell feature specs.  Once again, we want to say thanks to our fabulous intern Jess Fisher for helping us put this episode together! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jane Anderson is an award-winning writer of plays, television, and movies, with over three decades of produced material, some of which she herself directed. Jane's work is known for its rich and complicated depictions of female life, with films like THE WIFE, which was Oscar-nominated, and shows like OLIVE KITTERIDGE, which won multiple Emmys, including two for Jane.  ANNE LAMOTT EPISODE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/33-anne-lamott-make-your-writing-fears-work-for-you/id1501641442?i=1000510993110 JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It happens to all of us. That dreaded moment when you sit down to write, and nothing is coming out. Today, Meg and Lorien give you practical tips to overcoming that hurdle, with takeaway. And of course, we answer some of your questions! #TheScreenwritersLife #InsideOut #WritersBlock - http://youtube.com/popcorntalknetwork HELPFUL LINKS: Website - http://popcorntalk.com Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thepopcorntalk Merch - http://shop.spreadshirt.com/PopcornTalk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

https://tslworkshops.circle.so When Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky, and Lucia Aniello were first pitching Hacks, they didn't have a precise tonal comp when the network asked. But the trio ultimately knew that they wanted a show that was allowed to be "hard funny," but still make lots of space for rich emotional moments. Today, Paul and Jen discuss HOW they walk that tightrope while writing, and how centering Ava and Deborah's professional and personal relationship serves as their creative North Star helps the process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so/ When Patton Oswalt considers a part, he has a simple litmus test: "When the movie is finished it's either gotta be, 'I can't believe they pulled this off, or this movie should not have been made.'" Risk has always been an important part of Patton's life as an artist in every medium: writing, acting, performing, and stand-up. Enjoy this incredible conversation with one of our best working stand-ups. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we do one of our favorite things: answer YOUR questions. As is always the case, a theme emerged across your questions and our conversation, which boils down to one of the hardest and most important questions we face as artists. How are we supposed to feel validated in our work, especially when it's hard? Don't forget to join us for our FINAL DRAFT in Austin this year on Saturday evening at Stephen F's Bar & Terrace after our workshop. We are so exciting to be partnering with Final Draft! JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lorien is still living her best life in Italy, so Jeff and Meg hit the mic to take YOUR questions, wherin we discuss main relationships, subtext with your lava, and widow words! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We bring our "beginning" miniseries to a close with this instant TSL classic, wherein Meg gives many pep talks. JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/TheScreenwritingLife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Throughout the 21st century, video games have become one of pop cultures most valuable mediums, and their narrative ambition grows with each passing year. Today we feature two of the industries top writers, Shanon M. Ingles (Batman: A Telltale Series) and Stephan Bugaj (Tales From the Borderlands) to discuss how the industry has evolved from a writing standpoint, and how you can break in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Robert Cole, known for marathon writing sessions, has a simple litmus test to assess his own work: how does this make me feel? He calls it "Method Writing," and it's an essential part of his process. Joe Robert Cole is an award-winning writer/director of both television and features. He has co-written two Oscar-nominated movies with Ryan Coogler for Marvel, BLACK PANTHER and last year's BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER. On the TV Side, Cole worked as a co-producer on Murphy's widely-acclaimed People v. OJ miniseries, earning an Emmy nomination for writing the episode "The Race Card." He has also directed two features, including ALL DAY AND A NIGHT. JOIN OUR PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/TheScreenwritingLife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today is your last day for a lifetime TSL Workshops Discount! Sign up here: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you're a pro or a beginner, there are certain traps as screenwriters that will almost ALWAYS kill our writing. On today's show, we cover the first five...(stay tuned for the rest!) JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so To help support relief efforts related to the fires in LA, consider donating to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation: https://supportlafd.kindful.com/?campaign=1040812 Listen as former writers' assistants Maggie Gottlieb, Lauren Halberg, and Jonathan Hurwitz detail their experiences as writers' assistants. They answer the important questions like: how do you actually get a writers’ assistant job, how can you elegantly parlay that job into bigger opportunities, and... the Big Scary Question: can I pitch in the room? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cord Jefferson knows what if feels like to watch a project die. Recently, he had a greenlit show that was so close to shooting that the production office for the show had an physical address. And then, it died. In a creative funk, Cord discovered Percival Everett's novel Erasure which immediately reignited a passion in Cord, and eventually became his debut feature film AMERICAN FICITION. Today, Cord discusses the process of adapting the novel. JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's your turn! For this week, we've gathered some of our most frequently asked CRAFT related questions for a deep dive on how to fix, tweak, tinker, and elevate your writing. Tricky questions around note-taking, essential questions about beefing up conflict with things feel flat, and other crucial craft questions get their due today, thanks to our brilliant hosts. FOR MORE Info About NOTES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1-getting-notes-on-your-work/id1501641442?i=1000467504323 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ORIGINALLY BROADCAST ON JUL 26, 2023 Despite being a multiple Academy Award winner, celebrated producer, and feature/TV director, Jodie Foster is still aiming for a singular goal: to tell truthful stories. On today's show, we discuss how Jodie processes her work, how she collaborates with others, and what Robert De Niro taught her on the set of Taxi Driver. Join Our Patreon: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices