The Screenwriting Life Podcast

So you want to be a screenwriter… now what? ✍️

This week we’re revisiting one of our most popular episodes, breaking down the core questions every writer should ask before diving into a draft - no matter where you are in your journey.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/5WxCW

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast

🎬 Headed to the Austin Film Festival next week? Time to sharpen your elevator pitch!

This week we’re revisiting our classic episode on the 90-SECOND PITCH.

Perfect prep for anyone getting ready to sell their story. 💪✨

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/yoOhM

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast

🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Fresh off his Emmy win for SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE, Jeff Hiller joins us to talk about his hilarious and deeply moving memoir Actress of a Certain Age — and why it’s never too late to chase your dreams.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/Z1kif%E2%81%A0

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🎶 NEW EPISODE! 🎶

How do you fit K-pop, demon hunting, comedy, AND heart into one movie? 👹

Maggie Kang & Chris Appelhans, the writer-directors of KPOP DEMON HUNTERS, tell us how they pulled it off.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/B6kDI

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

“Your first draft should feel like a seduction."

Oscar-winner Akiva Goldsman (A BEAUTIFUL MIND, I AM LEGEND) shares his no-BS approach to writing — from scene litmus tests to why you need to treat writing like a job.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/pWZR9

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast

Your story engine = your movie’s survival 🚗💨

In this rebroadcast of one of our most popular episodes, we break down 8 elements every feature needs to go from fade in to fade out.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/6ibIz

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast

🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

No stars. No big budget. Just resourcefulness + a bold idea.

Filmmaker and @nofilmschool.bsky.social host GG Hawkins tells Jeff how she pulled off her breakout feature I REALLY LOVE MY HUSBAND.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/pnW08

#KeepWriting #IndieFilmCraft

🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Meg talks with writer, actor, and filmmaker Eva Victor about their debut feature SORRY, BABY — a darkly funny, deeply personal story of friendship, trauma, and hope.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/gcI60

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Every writer dreams of getting their script into the right hands — but what actually makes a producer want to fight for your project?

Julie Waters, producer of Sundance darling OH, HI!, has some answers.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/xUcyk

#KeepWriting #IndieFilmCraft

🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Kaz Firpo (Marvel’s ETERNALS, RUIN) shares the timeless craft lessons that make a great screenplay — from writing scenes that land without sound, to creating emotional clarity on the page.

LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/FJSSy

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Meg and Lorien dive into a messy, magical stage of screenwriting: THE BARF DRAFT — your first unfiltered pass at a script.

LISTEN HERE ➡️ shorturl.at/Gf5gO

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🎉 NEW EP! 🎉

From THE HATEFUL EIGHT to CAPTAIN FANTASTIC, costume designer turned director/writer Courtney Hoffman knows how clothes tell a story.

What should you not write in your script about wardrobe?

FIND OUT HERE ➡ shorturl.at/f19Ri

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

THE STUDIO on Apple TV+ is sharp, funny, and heartfelt — just like its co-creator Frida Perez.

Today, Frida shares how the team turned Hollywood chaos into one of this year’s best shows.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/Y9PMp

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Literary managers Daniela Gonzalez (Good Fear Content) and Garrett Greer (Haven Entertainment) continue to discuss how writers get their second staffing job, and what the heck is actually happening in the industry.

LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/x41n0

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

In Part 1 of a 2-part conversation, literary managers Daniela Gonzalez (Good Fear Content) and Garrett Greer (Haven Entertainment) join us to unpack what “breaking in” looks like today.

LISTEN HERE ➡️ shorturl.at/XpUxT

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

How do you turn a real-life moment into a movie — without studio backing or a big festival launch?

Jeff talks with The Bragg Brothers about making PINBALL: THE MAN WHO SAVED THE GAME.

LISTEN HERE ➡️ shorturl.at/StgI3

#KeepWriting #IndieFilmCraft

🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

This week, TV writers Sylvia Batey Alcalá (A MAN ON THE INSIDE, PRIMO) and Mac Smullen (SOUVENIR, ALASKA) share how the Austin Film Festival helped open doors that had long felt closed.

LISTEN HERE ➡️ shorturl.at/GnfOG

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

"I'm stuck."

We've all been there.

In this episode, Meg gets real about where she’s at in her writing process — the doubts, the stalls, and the honest truth of feeling stuck.

LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/41Isa

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🎉 NEW (KILLER!) EPISODE 🎉

Fresh off success of FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES, friend of the show Sheila Hanahan Taylor is back to share the ins and outs of producing a studio movie.

CLICK HERE to listen to Sheila unpack it all ➡ rb.gy/cqsv8u

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

This week, DYING FOR SEX co-creator/showrunner Kim Rosenstock unpacks how a complicated protagonist with a simple goal drives interesting, rich, and emotionally resonant storytelling.

CLICK HERE to listen ➡ shorturl.at/xRLMX

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast

🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

What’s it like to collaborate creatively with your
spouse... and still want to have dinner together after?

This week, we’re joined by Joe Forte, screenwriter
(FIREWALL) and longtime writing partner (and
husband!) of Meg LeFauve.

shorturl.at/NvlOM

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast

🎉 OUR 250TH EPISODE! 🎉

When you’re pitching, what sets you apart is your "take." But what does that actually mean?

This week, showrunner/producer/director Jac Schaeffer (WANDAVISION, AGATHA ALL ALONG) breaks it down.

LISTEN HERE ➡️ shorturl.at/CzUCQ

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Today's guests are 3 working screenwriters — Nic Curcio, Kristen Tepper, and Julia Yorks — who have each built successful writing careers while also growing authentic, engaged followings online.

LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/xqPPk

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🎉 Episode 2 of INDIE FILM CRAFT is here! 🎉

Producer Jeff chats with writer/director/producer Trey Edward Shults (WAVES, KRISHA) about HURRY UP TOMORROW — his ambitious new feature collaboration with The Weeknd.

LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/0QvKh

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast #IndieFilmCraft

🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

In this special edition of our mailbag series, we’re flipping the script!

Instead of questions from newcomers, we hear from working, professional screenwriters.

LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/IbIhZ

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

This week, veteran director Rob Spera joins us to discuss his new handbook on the fundamentals of directing — and how those same principles can elevate your screenwriting.

CLICK HERE to listen ➡ shorturl.at/Tdjuc

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Emily Brundige was tired of waiting around for gatekeepers to say yes. So, she stopped asking.

In this candid conversation, Emily shares how her self-produced animated short became GOLDIE, a series now on Apple TV+.

LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/3iH9q

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Carla Banks-Waddles (BEL-AIR) has lived many lives as a writer. From multi-cam half hour rooms, to pivoting towards single cam serialized family dramas, Carla has had a wonderfully diverse career.

How?

LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/78IIc

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast

🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Brent Forrester (THE OFFICE, THE SIMPSONS) wasn't naturally funny, and he's the first person to admit it.

Listen to Brent's insider tips about how to crack the comedy code ➡️ shorturl.at/mIV22

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast

🎉 (A VERY THERAPEUTIC) NEW EPISODE! 🎉

If you've ever wanted to quit writing, then this TSL episode is for you.

Lorien & Meg dive headfirst into the lava and have a candid conversation about what it feels like to be a creative human in the world right now.

LISTEN HERE ➡️ shorturl.at/09I3m