Scriptcake: Recent Episodes
Lovinder Gill
Scriptcake is dedicated to the art and craft of screenwriting. With over 20 years of experience teaching screenwriting, I've seen novice screenwriters struggle with the same issues over and over again. I’ve created this podcast for those of you who struggle with these very same script issues. This podcast will help you overcome the most common mistakes screenwriters make and will help you develop your idea into a multi-dimensional story. If you want help formatting your screenplay, google it. I want to focus on issues that aren’t quite as google-able.
What are the layers of information that an audience receives when they are watching a scene?
It's a lot more data than you think. Listen to learn more!
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For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
As a former script reader, I've seen it all. There are so many things that make a reader, producer, financier or distributor pass on your film. If it's the story, that's one thing but if it's any of these mistakes, you're cutting your legs off before you even begin walking through your screenwriting career.
Make sure you avoid all of these mistakes before you send your screenplay to anyone!
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Sabrina Dhawan's debut feature as screenwriter, Monsoon Wedding, won the ‘Leon D’Oro’ at the Venice Film Festival and a Golden Globe nomination.
Sabrina’s other produced screenplay credits include Kaminey, directed by Vishal Bharadwaj for UTV; Ishqiya, directed by Abhishek Chaubey for Shemaroo Entertainment. 11.9.01, directed by Nair for Canal Plus; Cosmopolitan for PBS; Rangoon, directed by Vishal Bharadwaj.
She served as co-producer on Bollywood Hero, a mini-series for IFC and as story consultant on Bharadwaj’s Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola and wrote a documentary Greatest Love Story Ever Told to celebrate 100 years of Indian cinema for UTV and Shekhar Kapoor.
Sabrina has been commissioned to write for include UTV, 20th Century Fox, HBO, Disney, Fox-Star, Killer Films, ABC Family and Fox Searchlight.
Her student short Saanjh – As Night Falls won ‘Best of the Festival’ at the Palm Springs Film Festival; ‘Most Original Film’ from New Line Cinema, ‘Audience Impact’ Award at Angelus Awards, and was nominated for a Student Academy Award.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Sometimes I get confused. I stick to structure to such an extent it keeps me from maximizing my scenes. Though I still believe you need a solid foundation structure to make your screenplay work, I now also believe that you can sway from it on a scene-by-scene basis to maximize your scenes, to take them to 11.
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For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Ever wonder what it's like to have your film nominated for an Academy Award? Krushan Naik walks us through his experience as a producer/editor of the Oscar-nominated short film Anuja.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Do you ever get bogged down while writing your screenplay wondering what you should focus on? Do I need to work on the protagonist, the antagonist, the concept, the visuals, the action, the dialogue, the sub plots or what? I know that happens to me and I finally figured out a way to look at it that helps me clearly see what I need to focus on - The Primary Objective!
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For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
This fabulous talk with Jacob Krueger is full of amazing insight, valuable lessons and thoughtful commentary on the screenwriting process. I know I learned a lot and I'm pretty sure you will too!
Learn more on Jake's teaching at: www.writeyourscreenplay.com
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
It a question that I get asked all the time. Listen to hear my thoughts on it!
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
This week I've heard a lot of excuses from a lot of screenwriters and I'd like to address them. Enjoy!
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
This is a fantastic, fun interview with Screenwriter Jeff Bushell who has written for The Bernie Mac Show, Drawn Together, MADtv, What I Like About You, and Zoey 101.
He most recently wrote Ricky Stanicky starring Zach Efron and John Cena.
He also created and wrote the film Beverly Hills Chihuahua which was inspired by his dog, Maggie. Bushell won the Peabody Award and the Television Critics Award for his work on The Bernie Mac Show.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Enjoy this great conversation with RB, a screenwriter and filmmaker who created Stage 32 to help artists learn and network with one another. RB discusses his journey into filmmaking as well as sharing his advice on how to advance your career in the industry.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
A great way to make sure your plot works is to find a model movie to work off of. I do it with every project I can. I find a movie that has a similar core and it helps me figure out what needs to happen fairly quickly.
Listen to find out more!
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
What makes you pick a location for a scene? What is your thought process? Is it random, deeply thought out or wherever? Listen to this podcast to learn a great way to pick your locations.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
This is a device that helps inspire me to write and it also helps to keep me in touch with the many layers of a screenplay that I need to be thinking of when writing.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
What is it that connects your conceptual story to your emotional story? Listen and find out!
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
I'm excited to introduce you to one of my mentors, Jessie Keyt. Listen as we talk about her book, Alternative Scriptwriting: Contemporary Storytelling for the Screen.Her research interests include climate-change storytelling, alternative scriptwriting, and artist-built environments.
I was blown away by how much I learned from her in such a short time and I'm sure you will be too. For more information on Jessie, check out her website:
www.jessiekeyt.com
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Most screenwriters don't realize what decisions they need to make first. It may surprise you.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
One question I get asked all the time is: 'How do I stay motivated?'
The first thing I say is you're asking the wrong question. Listen to find out more.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
In this episode I want to share a little about my experience at the Nostos Screenwriting Retreat as well as. one of golden nuggets of information I learned - The Zero Draft.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Kevin J. Anderson is the bestselling author of more than 160 science fiction and fantasy novels. He's written original novels and in the following worlds: Star Wars, StarCraft, Titan AE, and more.
The TV series Dune: Prophecy is based on a novel he co-wrote with Brian Herbert. He is also a creative consultant on Dune Part One and a co-producer on Dune Part Two.
Learn about his creative process and the advice he has for aspiring writers.
He also heads the publishing track of the Graduate Program for Creative Writing at Western Colorado University.
CLICK HERE ==>> FOR FREE SCREENPLAY OUTLINE COURSE
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
I'm feeling reflective because this is our 100th Scriptcake Podcast. I'm looking back on all of the little steps we took to get here. I think you should take a few minutes do the same and see how far you've come. I raise a glass to you - Cheers!
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
I don't know about you, but I often feel like an imposter. I think it's a struggle we all have and the only way to deal with it is to go through it.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Lately, I've been reading a lot of screenplays from up and coming screenwriters and they all seem to have one thing in common - they are one-dimensional. That's not a good thing.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Bryan Dick has been a prolific writer in the cable movie space, having amassed nearly 30 credits of produced projects.
His latest "Prey For the Bride" premiered on Tubi in 2024.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Too many screenwriters think that the concept for your movie is the story. Learn what its job really is in this podcast.
Check out our YouTube page here: Scriptcake
Want to take our screenplay outline video course for FREE?
Then click here: https://www.scriptcake.com/free-access
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
It's a question I get asked all the time. Do you really need to take a screenwriting course?
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
An insightful conversation with Chris Lockhart, Hollywood’s foremost story professional. He is an executive, filmmaker, and educator with over 30 years of industry experience.
As Story Editor at WME, the world's largest diversified talent agency, Chris curates film and TV projects for A-list actors such as Denzel Washington. He has read over 60,000 screenplays in his career.
Chris also founded a Facebook group called The Inside Pitch, where he moderates 15,000+ creatives and offers daily advice and feedback on the Hollywood script maze.
Support the Show.
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
I came across an interesting term called 'Multiple Discovery' while doing some research for a project. Though it is a scientific term it really hit me how well it applies to the arts.
Take a few moments to listen to my comments on Multiple Discovery and how we can use it to motivate ourselves on our projects.
Support the Show.
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
We have a lot of expectations for ourselves. We expect to improve and to grow and live great lives but sometimes we let our expectations out of hand like I did after I wrote my first screenplay. We need to learn from our own expectations.
We also need to make sure we know what our characters expectations are in every scene. Check out this podcast to learn more.
Support the Show.
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Amazingly insightful Talk with Alan Watt who is an L.A. Times best-selling author and screenwriter as well as consultant to some of Hollywood's top writers and producers.
He has won a number of awards for his writing including France's 2004 Prix Printemps (best foreign novel) for Diamond Dogs. He is also the writer/director of the award-winning feature film Interior Night
He founded L.A. Writers' Lab in 2002 as a place for writers to deepen their craft by learning to marry the wildness of their imaginations to the rigor of story structure. He has taught everyone from award-winning authors and A-list screenwriters, to journalists, poets, actors, professional athletes, war veterans, housewives, doctors, lawyers, television showrunners, and anyone else with a story to tell.
Learn more about Alan and his work here ==>> https://lawriterslab.com
Support the Show.
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
The five W's are standard questions that every writer uses but when writing screenplays two of them are more important than the others.
Listen and learn which ones and why!
To learn more about my new screenplay outlining course, click the link below:
www.scriptcake.com
Support the Show.
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
This is an amazing conversation with Tom Schulman encapsulating the following:
- His screenwriting process
- Writing "Dead Poets Society", "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids", "Medicine Man" and more
- Being a part of the 2023 WGA negotiations team
Watch Tom's latest movie "Double Down South" here:
https://geni.us/DoubleDownSouth
Support the Show.
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
There is often a tug-of-war going on between structure and creativity. Which one of them is more important? Which one of them should you focus on?
Support the Show.
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
How do you write a layered story before you even start? You have to have your concept connected to your story. Well, how do you do that? That's what this podcast will tell you how to do. Check it out!
Support the Show.
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
A fascinating conversation from the business end of the film industry with Scott Kirkpatrick.
Learn about:
- The six genres of movies that most distributors look for
- What kinds of movies sell faster
- What types of screenplays are distributors looking for
- How are payments structured for screenwriters/filmmakers
- and so much more...
Check out Scott's books here ==>> Scott Kirkpatrick books
Support the Show.
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Like a great chef, make sure that you prepare all the ingredients to your screenplay before you start writing!
Support the Show.
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
From consulting with Peter Jackson to Roland Emerich and writing 10 books on screenwriting - Linda Seger is a legend. I bought her book 'Making a Good Screenplay Great' when I was in film school and it was such an honor to speak to her on this podcast.
She gives her insights on structure, character and some of the most common issues she has had to deal with as a script consultant.
Get a copy of her books here ==>> Linda Seger
Support the Show.
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
This a great way to externalize the internal issues that a protagonist is dealing with. It helps me write more visually. Maybe it'll help you too!
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
How can you best introduce your protagonist to the audience? That's a question that a lot of screenwriters struggle with. Listen to this podcast to better understand that in order to start your screenplay effectively, you first need to know how it's going to end.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Gary's recent work includes the television series Blue Ridge (2024), and the feature films Far Haven (2023) and Christmas on the Range (2019). He has produced, written or directed 40+ films and series in his career
Listen to this podcast to learn from a filmmaker that makes multiple films and tv series on a yearly basis.
The TV series 'Blue Ridge' premieres on the Cowboy Way Channel on April 7, 2024. Learn more about it here ==>> The Cowboy Way Channel
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
It's so simple yet so many people skip this vital part of the screenwriting process. Listen and find out how you might be able to find some clarity on a screenplay that is frustrating you.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Feedback can be tough to take. Listen to this podcast to learn how I handled feedback on my first screenplay and how it devastated me and how I handle feedback now.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Great talk with Jill Chamberlain, author of the book "The Nutshell Technique" which takes a unique look at screenwriting.
Following an early career as an independent film writer/director, Jill Chamberlain is now a script consultant and script doctor. She has fixed and fine tuned scripts for major Hollywood studios, A-list writers, television showrunners, award-winning independent filmmakers and many spec script writers.
Learn more at ==>> www.jillchamberlain.com
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
This is my story about the first time I realized that I could do this, that I could have a chance in this industry. Hopefully, it'll inspire some of you who are wondering the same thing.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Discover what you should you focus on when writing the first draft vs. what you should focus on when writing the second draft!
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Steve Kaplan has been one of the entertainment industry’s leading experts on comedy. He has taught his Comedy Intensive Workshop to thousands of students around the world. His credits include:
- Co-founder and Artistic Director of Manhattan Punch Line Theatre
- Creator of the HBO Workspace
- Creator of the HBO New Writers Program
- Consultant and script doctor to Dreamworks, Disney, HBO, Paramount, Touchstone and others.
- Highly sought-after instructor at UCLA, NYU, Yale, and other top universities.
- Director in regional theaters and Off-Broadway
Steve has worked with hundreds of writers, producers and performers to hone their comedic talents. And, he’s influenced thousands more with his books, The Hidden Tools of Comedy and The Comic Hero’s Journey.
Learn more at >> www.kaplancomedy.com
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Listen to learn everything you'd want to know about Screenwriter's Safari including:
- What the big 5 animals you will see on Safari
- Who the big 4 Mentors are
- What is included in your trip
- What your daily itinerary will be
- Where you can find more information
- How to sign up
- How many spots are left
Learn more at www.screenwritersafari.com
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
This is one of the top mistakes screenwriters make when they outline their screenplays - make sure you don't do it!
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
A deep and profound discussion with Brian Price, the author of "Classic Storytelling and Contemporary Screenwriting" which takes Aristotles "Poetics" and applies it to screenwriting. What a fascinating look at modern screenwriting through the glass of classical storytelling.
Order the book here ==>> Classic Storytelling and Contemporary Screenwriting by Brian Price.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Too many novice screenwriters let form dictate content. Learn why it is important to let content dictate form!
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Great interview with the screenwriter of "Event Horizon", "Firestarter: Rekindled" and the "Mutant Chronicles".
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Some people love to outline while others despise it. Here's my take on whether you should or shouldn't outline and why.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
This week we tackle that age old debate - should your screenplays focus on character or plot? The answer might surprise you!
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
I think many screenwriters don't spend enough time on designing supporting characters and this podcast should help you realize that you can make them so much more impactful with a little design work.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
**Weiko is a screenwriter, producer and director who has worked in Hollywood and around the world. He’s been a Nicholl’s Fellowship Finalist, he’s won the Samuel Goldwyn Writing Award. He served as the co-chair for the Writer’s Guild Asian American Writer’s Committee.
He is the author of “Crazy Screenwriting Secrets: How to Capture a Global Audience” and the Graduate Director of Screenwriting at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.**
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
I get asked this question all the time and the answer is...
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Katharine McPhee is the co-screenwriter of the Global #1 Netflix movie "Love is in the Air".
It's a fascinating conversation with a young screenwriter as she has her first major success. Listen and learn how she navigated the film world to get her first movie produced.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Paul Guay is a screenwriter and teacher who has written some amazing films like 'Liar Liar', 'The Little Rascals', and 'Heartbreakers!
Learn:
- what other classical movies he's polished
- how he got into screenwriting
- what his writing process is
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Greg Carter is the Writer/Producer/Director of 'Hip-Hop Family Christmas' and 'Hip-hop Family Christmas Wedding' (VH-1) as well as the creator and Show Runner of 'Fifth Ward'.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
If you've never heard of CineStory, you're going to want to listen to this podcast. It is simply one of the most incredible experiences that a screenwriter can have.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Everyone has heard the phrase 'write what you know' and many people think it's the worst screenwriting advice they've ever gotten? Is it?
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
In this episode, learn about a valuable tool that helps you make the audience go on an emotional rollercoaster of a ride.
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
I great and insightful conversation with Scott Myers as he discusses his book "The Protagonist's Journey" and his philosophy of storytelling. I learned a lot and you will too!
Scott Myers has written over thirty movie and TV projects at every major Hollywood studio and broadcast network. His screenwriting credits include K-9 (Universal) which spawned two sequels, Alaska (Sony/Castle Rock), and Trojan War (Warner Bros.). He has been a member of the Writers’ Guild of America, West since 1987.
Scott has taught in the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, receiving its Outstanding Instructor Award in 2005, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and since 2008 has hosted GoIntoTheStory.com, the official screenwriting blog of the Black List which has over 30,000 Screenwriting blog posts!
Support the show
For more information on Lovinder Gill's best-selling book "Scriptcake Secrets" or his public speaking schedule, please check out www.lovinder.com.
Learn an important secret on how to write visually! Every scene doesn't have to be a big fight.
Learn about:
- her journey into screenwriting
- how to develop your own personal thematic
- what you could experience at the CineStory retreat
- what screenplay competitions look for
Shawn discusses:
- Writing a Super Bowl Commercial for Eminem
- Writing "The Campaign" with Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis
- Developing a project with Sandra Bullock
- His own journey in screenwriting
- and much more...
There are so many puzzles that exist in the world of screenwriting. In this short podcast, I discuss a couple of them. Enjoy!
A great conversation with Jack discussing:
- How he started his career
- Making Nightmare on Elm Street 2
- What he looks for in a screenplay
and much more...
Need a few thoughts on how to deal with Screenwriter's Block, then listen to this podcast.
An insightful conversation with Jamie Nash, the author of over 100 screenplays and the book "Save the Cat Writes for TV". Jamie has written numerous produced feature films and teaches screenwriting.
Learn about the Transformation Machine, the Broken Compass and many more wonderful screenwriting tools!
We celebrate our 50th Podcast this week and discuss two important elements in the writing process - Fear and Consistency! Check it out!
Screenwriters David Diamond and David Weissman are best known for writing The Family Man starring Nicolas Cage and Tea Leoni, Old Dogs starring John Travolta and Robin Williams and When in Rome starring Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel.
They are also authors of an amazing book on screenwriting called:
Bulletproof: Writing Scripts that Don't Get Shot Down
This podcast explains why your act breaks have to be emotional. There are two great benefits of writing emotional act breaks. Listen to find out what they are!
A wonderfully candid interview from the point of view of a literary manager.
Jason discusses:
- What he looks for in a script
- What he thinks un-signed writers should focus on
- How he thinks writers should define themselves
- and much more...
Recorded in December 2022.
Check out my take on the do's and don't's of networking in the film industry.
For more information on networking, check out Bob Saenz's book "That's Not The Way It Works!"
A continuation of a conversation with Bill True!
Bill discusses:
- his writing habits
- developing projects in Hollywood
- when he writes
- Time Travel Bill and more...
A wonderful conversation with legendary Screenwriter Shane Black!
Shane discusses:
- Writing Lethal Weapon
- Dealing with writing anxiety and imposter syndrome
- Writing and Directing Iron Man 3
- Writing and Directing Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
- What he's working on next
A wonderfully candid conversation with Bill True, Department Chair of the Scottsdale School of Film + Theater and Winner of the Austin Film Festival.
Learn:
- How Bill dealt with his fear of not being a good writer
- What Bill teaches from his own experiences
- Lessons all screenwriters need to hear
I had the pleasure of being a moderator at the Austin Film Festival and an attendee at the American Film Market over the last few weeks and just wanted to share why you should consider attending both of these amazing events!
Jen and Gilana have over 40 years of Film/TV production experience. They've written this book to help you learn:
- How a production office works
- How physical production on Film/TV sets work
- How to prepare yourself for a career on sets
- How to take a screenplay from script to screen
- and much, much more...
You can buy a copy of "Keys to the Production Office" here
You can learn more about Jen and Gilana here
Learn all about John's new book - The Anatomy of Genres!
Learn why:
GENRES have more to do with how your story works than any other element — any other idea, plot device, character archetype, beat sheet, methodology, or prescribed structure — by far. Whether you're writing for movies, TV, or novels, the game is won or lost in genres.
You can order this amazing book here ==>> The Anatomy of Genres
In this episode, Christopher Vogler (The Writer's Journey) guest hosts and interviews me, Lovinder Gill, about my new book Scriptcake Secrets: The Top 10 Mistakes Novice Screenwriters Make and How to Fix Them.
You can order the book on Barnes & Noble here:
Scriptcake Secrets: The Top 10 Mistakes Novice Screenwriters Make and How to Fix Them
oron Amazon here:
Scriptcake Secrets: The Top 10 Mistakes Novice Screenwriters Make and How to Fix Them
In this episode, learn:
- about the Heroine's Journey
- what western's the Mandalorian is based on
- what a cowboy's true love really is
- how a man on a horse is representative of mythological centaurs
- and much more...
Fantastic interview with Bill Indick, Phd., about the psychology behind great storytelling!
Buy Bill's books here: Bill's Amazon.com page
In this episode you will learn the one place you need to look for your best story ideas.
William M. Akers is a Lifetime Member of the Writers Guild of America and has had three feature films produced from his screenplays. He has written scripts, series television, and documentaries for for MGM, Disney, Paramount, and Universal studios as well as independent producers in Nashville, New York, London, and Los Angeles.
For 19 years, he taught screenwriting at Vanderbilt University, and later served as the Chair of the Motion Pictures Program at Belmont University. He gives writing workshops and seminars around the world.
You can click here to purchase his book: Your Screenplay Sucks! 100 Ways to Make it Great
The Rule of Opposites is an effective way to help design characters, acts and scenes. Listen to learn all about it.
From teaching me screenwriting in grad school to writing for Francis Ford Coppola to being on the cutting edge of VR, Pinckney has done it all. Listen and learn why he was such an important mentor in my screenwriting journey.
Listen to find out what Pieces of the Puzzle you should include in your next screenplay!
The rewriting process hinders many screenwriters because they start rewriting before they finish the first draft and that often results in never finishing it. Don't make that mistake. Listen and learn what the real goal of writing a first draft is.
It took almost a year, but we, finally, have part two of the Bob Saenz interview. In it, we talk about the second half of Bob's book, "That's Not the Way it Works: A No-nonsense Guide to the Craft and Business of Screenwriting." It is chock full of information that every screenwriter should know.
You can order Bob's book here ==>> https://scriptcake.com/shop/
I think it's a good idea for novice screenwriters to develop their screenplay organically. What does that mean, exactly? Listen and find out.
Andy Silverman is a screenwriter who specializes in writing and producing low budget features. His latest film “Cyst”, which he co-wrote and produced, is available on VOD, Amazon Prime, on DVD and has a Special Edition VHS that is available with Cyst Hot Sauce!
Andy’s first feature “Texas Cotton” is currently available on several on-line platforms. His award winning web series “Buckle Up” can be seen on Amazon Prime. His latest film “Seclusion” is, currently, in post-production.
His hobbies include playing ice hockey in an adult rec league, competing in crossword puzzle tournaments, watching the English Premier League, and drinking coffee.
Dale M. Pollock is a film professor, writer and filmmaker with a 22-year career in Los Angeles as an award-winning newspaper reporter and feature film producer, with 13 movies to his credit. Dale is also the author of Skywalking: The Life and Films of George Lucas, the best-selling authoritative biography of George Lucas. For seven years, Dale was the Dean of the School of Filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and co-founded the Producing Program at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. He has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and has won numerous awards. Dale writes and speaks frequently about film at schools, conferences and festivals around the world.
I think this is the biggest mistake novice screenwriters make before they write their screenplays.
Jim Mercurio is a filmmaker, writer and author whose screenwriting instruction has inspired tens of thousands of writers around the world.
Creative Screenwriting ranked him as one of the country’s top story analysts: “The best example of how an analyst can give concrete help without veering off the track of your story... (Jim) is not just telling you how to rewrite a particular script... but how to apply it to future work as well.”
Jim works with Oscar-nominated and A-List writers as well as complete beginners. He adapts to each writer and script.
Jim's book The Craft of Screenwriting is available on Amazon.
One of the first major decisions I make when starting a new project is figuring out the difference between a protagonist's want and their need. Take a listen and let me know what you think.
International speaker Jen Grisanti is an acclaimed Story/Career Consultant at Jen Grisanti Consultancy Inc., 13-year Writing Instructor for Writers on the Verge at NBC, and a former 12-year studio executive. Her last studio job was VP of Current Programming at CBS/Paramount. Jen is the author of three books, Story Line: Finding Gold in Your Life Story, TV Writing Tool Kit: How To Write a Script That Sells, Change Your Story, Change Your Life: A Path To Your Success.
Grisanti started her career in 1992 as an assistant to Aaron Spelling. He served as her mentor for 12 years. She quickly climbed the ranks and eventually ran Current Programs at Spelling Television Inc., covering all Spelling’s shows, including Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place, and Charmed. In 2004, Grisanti received a promotion to Vice President of Current Programs at CBS/Paramount, where she covered numerous shows, including Medium, Numbers, NCIS, 4400, and Girlfriends.
Grisanti’s speaking points include: how to tell and sell your story, how to add fiction to your truth in your writing, how to define your voice, and how to be the author of your life. You can learn more about Jen at www.jengrisanti.com
Grisanti has taught classes for the Screenwriters Safari (South Africa), Rocaberti Writers’ Retreat (Spain, France, and Italy), Alta Yoga/Writing Retreat (Nicaragua), TV Writers Summit (in LA and London), The TV Writers Studio (in Australia), The Big Island Film Festival, Chicago Screenwriters Network, Scriptwriters Network, Screenwriting Expo, the Great American Pitchfest, the Northwestern Screenwriter’s Guild in Seattle, and the Alameda’s Writer’s Group. Also, she has served on panels for the WGA, iTVFest, UFVA, PGA, and The Writer’s Bootcamp, telling her story to inspire others.
Too often I read screenplay with unnecessary supporting characters. Well, how do you know if they are necessary or not? Take a listen.
Roadmap Writers is a screenwriting education and training platform for Career Writers looking for a guided path to success. Their programs are hosted by working industry executives and are designed to empower writers with actionable tools and insights to elevate their craft and cultivate relationships with industry professionals. They have helped more than 250 writers sign to representation and countless others get staffed, optioned, or sell their script.
They believe that it doesn’t matter where you live, what your background is, or how old you are. If you’re ready to work hard, get and digest feedback, step outside your comfort zone, and challenge yourself as you’ve never been challenged before, then Roadmap may right for you.
Joey is also a passionate animal rights activist. Reach out to him if you'd like to offer a forever home to a wonderful dog.
Many screenwriters don't think about how their story will impact an audience on a scene-by-scene basis. Listen to this podcast to understand how to bring your scenes to life.
With more than 70 screenwriting credits, Christine Conradt has been writing for television for almost two decades. Her TV movies have aired on Showtime, Lifetime, Lifetime Movie Network, Hallmark, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Fox, and UPtv. For a complete list of titles, see her IMDB page.
Christine has directed seven feature-length films. The Bride He Bought Online (aka Flirting with Madness), which she also penned, Killer Mom, and Rooming with Danger all premiered on Lifetime Network. She also directed three rom-coms: 12 Days of Giving, the Christmas movie she also wrote, aired on UPtv, The Nature of Love and Love Game Match (aka Putting Love to the Test), both of which she also produced, are available on Pure Flix and Amazon/Hoopla respectively.
Christine has produced more than 30 feature films for television.
Christopher Riley is a professional screenwriter who co-wrote the award-winning German language courtroom thriller "After the Truth" with his wife, Kathy Riley . The Rileys have written scripts for Disney’s Touchstone Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Mandalay Television Pictures, the late Sean Connery’s Fountainbridge Films and Robert Cort Productions. The Riley’s latest book is "The Defining Moment: How Writers and Actors Build Characters."
Buy Chris and Kathy's book here ==>> "The Defining Moment"
Chris is also the author of the classic screenplay format guide The Hollywood Standard.
This is the second part of a great conversation with Aadip Desai where he goes into detail about his experience as a Disney/ABC Writing Fellow as well as his experience being the recipient of the BAFTA Breakthrough Artist Award.
Aadip Desai is a 2020-2021 BAFTA Breakthrough Artist, Advisor/Educator at The Sundance Institute, runs the LA TV Writers Facebook Group, is an Alum of the 2019 Disney/ABC TV Writing Program/Fellowship, and AFI drop-out.
Aadip was a staff writer on S7 of THE GOLDBERGS, wrote on MIRA ROYAL DETECTIVE, and a couple of Netflix animated shows that haven’t come out yet.
Developing your story from an emotional point-of-view instead of an action first ideology can really help you tell layered, nuanced stories. Listen and find out how Emotion Pushes Action instead of the other way around.
Lately, I've seen a lot of screenplay ideas get pitched with weak protagonists. As a result, the odds are that the screenplay is not going to be very good because of that. Don't kill your chances at a great screenplay before you even start writing it. Listen and find out how to avoid writing a weak protagonist.
Emotional Symptoms are the secret to writing layered scenes. It's easy to decide where to shoot a scene and where you want the characters to be within it. Once you understand what emotional symptoms are, you will be able to write those same scenes with purpose, with subtext and with emotion.
Tim Albaugh is a writer/producer and a graduate of the UCLA MFA screenwriting program. Tim has taught screenwriting at UCLA, UC Irvine, Hollins University, Pixar Animation Studios, and Walt Disney Feature Animation.
Tim has been a featured presenter at the Richmond International and Sunscreen Film Festivals; Oklahoma Arts Institute; Emerson College Screenwriting Program; Scottsdale Community College and for numerous private screenwriting groups. He also moderates numerous panels every year at the Austin Film Festival, leads the monthly MetaReads at The Metaphor Club in Los Angeles, and acts as a mentor for the CineStory Foundation.
His students and private consultation clients have sold features to all the major studios and have had multiple features produced including the recent film ALL EYEZ ON ME and the Christian Bale film THE MACHINIST. Their work in TV includes, but is not limited to, BIGGER, BLACKISH, INSECURE, THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT, STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, HAWAII FIVE-O, WYNNONA EARP, IZOMBIE, THE ROOKIE, TWO DOPE QUEENS, 13 REASONS WHY, THE MAGICIANS and many others.
Tim is currently serving as Executive Producer on Royal Viking Entertainment’s (BLACK AND BLUE, WORTH) upcoming feature comedy THE START UP. This is a co-production with eOne (GREEN BOOK) and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment (CRAZY RICH ASIANS).
Aadip Desai is a 2020-2021 BAFTA Breakthrough Artist, Advisor/Educator at The Sundance Institute, runs the LA TV Writers Facebook Group, is an Alum of the 2019 Disney/ABC TV Writing Program/Fellowship, and AFI drop-out.
Aadip was a staff writer on S7 of THE GOLDBERGS, wrote on MIRA ROYAL DETECTIVE, and a couple of Netflix animated shows that haven’t come out yet.
It's a fascinating discussion with so many wonderful details on how he has excelled in his career. There was so much information, we had to break it into 2 episodes. Look for episode 2 soon!
Subtext is an important part of storytelling. Most writers to a great job writing subtext in their dialogue but few writers write Cinematic Subtext. Listen to this podcast to hear about a great example of Cinematic Subtext and learn how to incorporate this important tool into your writing process.
An amazing interview with screenwriter, author and mentor, Bob Saenz. Bob has over 16 feature film credits and is the author of 'That's Not the Way it Works: A No-Nonsense Guide to the Craft and Business of Screenwriting".
Purchase Bob's book here ==>> 'That's not the Way it Works: A No-Nonsense Guide to the Craft and Business of Screenwriting.'
Bob talks about his journey from actor to screenwriter and enlightens us with his stories from his book. Bob is a strong inspirational voice for up and coming screenwriters. This podcast was so good that we are going to have to split it into two podcasts with Part 2 coming soon.
How do you design scenes? What do you think about before you begin writing? Here's a quick look at how I approach writing a scene.
Hal Ackerman is a screenwriter, published author, and playwright. He taught screenwriting at UCLA for 30 years and was the co-chair of the Screenwriting program for the last 10 of those years. Hal is also the author of "Write Screenplays that Sell - the Ackerman Way."
Buy Hal's book here ==>> "Write Screenplays that Sell - the Ackerman Way"
This podcast is a fascinating look at screenwriting through the eyes of someone who has done it, taught it and helped hundreds of successful screenwriters launch their careers. Enjoy!
One of the weakest elements in a novice screenwriters script is a weak antagonist. Learn how to make the antagonist represent so much more than just being the 'bad guy.'
I'm sure you've all heard that screenwriting adage - write what you know. I heard it in my very first screenwriting class but it took me years to truly understand what it meant. Take a listen to this short podcast to understand what 'write what you know' really mean.
In this short podcast, I answer a question that I've been asked 100s of times - Why does my screenplay fizzle out after 20-25 pages?
I identify what is missing in 99.9% of the scripts that I've been asked to analyze that have this issue. Take a listen and see if I can shed a little light on what the problem is.
Christopher Vogler is a Hollywood development executive, screenwriter, author and educator, best known for working with Disney and his screenwriting guide, 'The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure For Writers.'
Buy Chris' book here ==>> "The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers"
He studied filmmaking at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts and was inspired by the writings of mythologist Joseph Campbell, particularly The Hero with a Thousand Faces, which detailed the Hero's Journey archetype in classical mythology.
Vogler used Campbell's work to create a 7-page company memo for Hollywood screenwriters, A Practical Guide to The Hero with a Thousand Faces, which Vogler later developed into 'The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure For Writers.' Vogler has since spun off his techniques into a worldwide Masterclass.
Vogler has worked for Disney Studios, Fox 2000 Pictures, and Warner Bros. in the development department. He contributed story material to the Disney animated feature The Lion King.
For more information on Christopher Vogler, please visit his website at: chrisvogler.wordpress.com.
You can find information on his books at Michael Wiese Productions, www.mwp.com.
David is an accomplished Screenwriter of over 60 screenplays with 15 screenwriting credits on IMDb. David teaches screenwriting at Drexel University and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. David evaluates screenplays for the prestigious Austin Screenwriters Conference and is active in the Philadelphia screenwriting community, frequently reading screenplays for The Set In Philadelphia Screenplay Competition and serving as a panelist/mentor at various workshops aimed at nurturing new talent.
David's book entitled "Screenwriting for Micro-Budget Films" was published by Routledge Press in 2021. The book is an examination of the special characteristics that are needed to make a feature film for under $100,000. The book includes interviews with micro-budget filmmakers Alex Ross Perry ("Her Smell", "Golden Exits", "Listen Up, Phillip"), Lawrence Michael Levine ("Black Bear", "Wild Canaries") and Aaron Katz ("Cold Weather", "Quiet City").
Buy David's Book here ==>> 'Screenwriting for Micro-Budget Films'