The Screenwriting Life Podcast

🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

From Pixar story artists to writer/directors of Netflix's new animated feature IN YOUR DREAMS -

Alex Woo & Erik Benson talk collaboration, animation craft, and building stories in fantastical worlds. ✨

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/DRPBL

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

WICKED: FOR GOOD writer Dana Fox returns to talk about high-concept movie ideas - what they are, why they matter more than ever, and how to know if an idea is worth the pain of writing.

LISTEN HERE ➡️ shorturl.at/BLAzD

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🎉 ANOTHER NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Noah Baumbach & Emily Mortimer join Lorien to talk co-writing JAY KELLY, creative partnership, and giving yourself permission to be “whimsical, wrong, and brave."

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/jFSQA

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

How do you write high-concept stories with real emotional stakes?

Writer/director Rian Johnson (KNIVES OUT, STAR WARS) joins Meg to break down how to balance high-concept ideas with intimate emotional storytelling.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/yvNYA

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

As we close out 2025, we’re sharing a special supercut of our guests answering the Big Questions about joy, frustration, advice, and pride.

A reflection on why we write - and why we keep going.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/PPd3r

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Spend Christmas with Meg, Lorien, and this week's guests - hosts of the legendary Scriptnotes podcast, JOHN AUGUST & CRAIG MAZIN.

Perfect listening for travel days or hiding from relatives. ✨

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/CVFd3

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

How do you make fearless comedy at a studio scale?

THE NAKED GUN writers Doug Mand & Dan Gregor talk structure, emotional arcs, big swings, and why committing fully to the dumbest idea might be the smartest move.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡️ rb.gy/7ukq4p

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Holiday movie fans: this one’s for you. 🎄

Writer Maggie Lane (HOTEL FOR THE HOLIDAYS) and producer Eric Jarboe (FALLING FOR CHRISTMAS) break down how Christmas films are pitched, sold, budgeted, and shot - plus what networks REALLY want.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ tiny.cc/40bw001

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

How do you write action that actually means something?

JOHN WICK creator Derek Kolstad joins us to talk character, tone, world-building, and the emotional engine behind great action writing.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/GBeMs

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Last week, we explored the roots of imposter syndrome with counselor/healer Madaline Blau.

This week, a guided visualization from Madaline to help you reconnect to your creative center.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/AH144

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

This week, we begin a 2-part deep dive into the roots of imposter syndrome with counselor and healer Madaline Blau - where it starts, how it grows, and why our confidence can flip into collapse so fast.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/gTPii

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

JESSICA JONES creator/showrunner Melissa Rosenberg joins Lorien to talk about rediscovering your voice, finding your people, and staying grounded through decades of storytelling.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/VqwbY

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🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah?

THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY creator Jenny Han joins us to talk about crafting emotion that lasts, balancing fandom expectations, and why writing about first love never gets old.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡️ shorturl.at/P50kx

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Halloween's around the corner, so this week we’re revisiting our episode with the CARVED creative team to unpack how they balanced humor, heart, and horror in Hulu’s campy slasher hit. 🎃🔪

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/nkkHc

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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

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🎬 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

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🎉 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

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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

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🎉 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

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🎉 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

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🎉 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

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