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PODCAST

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun: Screenwriting Podcast

Geoffrey D. Calhoun

Welcome to The Successful Screenwriter Podcast your go-to source for in-depth discussions, expert insights, and captivating interviews in the world of screenwriting. Hosted by seasoned screenwriter Geoffrey D. Calhoun, this podcast is a valuable resource for both novice and experienced screenwriters, offering a wealth of insights and guidance.About the Podcast:Dive deep into the art and craft of screenwriting with our engaging episodes that cover a spectrum of topics – from mastering the screenplay

tv & film film interviews

All Episodes

8:58

Ep 276 - From 48 Hour Films to Apple TV: William...

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun:... ·

2025/07/07

In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, Geoffrey chats with director William McGregor (His Dark Materials, Lockwood & Co., Gwen) about helming Season 2 of The Buccaneers. They discuss how the show evolved in tone, finding a cinematic voice within period dramas, and William’s journey from 48 Hour Film Festivals to international prestige projects. They also dive into pitch decks, visual storytelling, and how his background in commercials shaped his dynamic approach to directing.✅ What

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19:45

Ep 275 - Why Hollywood Said “No” to Euphoria – And...

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun:... ·

2025/06/30

In this powerful episode of The Successful Screenwriter, Geoffrey sits down with Emmy-winning writer and producer Ron Leshem, the mind behind HBO’s Euphoria and Netflix’s new breakout series Bad Boy. Ron shares the incredible 7-year journey it took to bring Euphoria to the U.S., how Hollywood gatekeepers resist originality, and the creative freedom he found working internationally. This is one of the most inspiring episodes yet — especially for writers navigating today’s cautious industry

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51:50

Ep 274 – Behind Pandorum & Infinity Chamber with...

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun:... ·

2025/06/23

This is one of my lost episodes—an incredible deep-dive with writer-director Travis Malloy, known for the cult sci-fi hits Pandorum and Infinity Chamber. We explore how he went from indie shoots in Minneapolis to selling a film in Hollywood, building sets in his garage, and writing stories that studios actually wanted. Travis shares the gritty truth behind low-budget filmmaking, working without a script, and learning to trust his artistic gut. This one’s packed with hard-earned lessons every

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21:32

EP 273 - From Roommates to Slamdance: The Wild...

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun:... ·

2025/06/16

Geoffrey sits down with the creative team behind the Slamdance hit Race Walkers: a fresh, hilarious sports comedy about the underdog world of race walking. Directors Kevin Claydon and Phil Moniz, writer-producer Evan Landry, and actor-writers Kevin and Phil share how the film came to life, how Robbie Amell joined the cast, and why comedy in indie film is making a comeback. It’s an inspiring deep dive into how tight scripts, tight friendships, and bold concepts can create magic on screen.What You’ll

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22:43

Ep 272 - From Nicholl Semifinalist to Feature Film:...

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun:... ·

2025/06/02

In this powerful episode, writer-director Evan Ari Kelman joins Geoffrey to discuss his feature debut Barron’s Cove, a gripping thriller that dives into the aftermath of a child's death and the generational trauma left behind. Evan breaks down how real-life inspiration, personal loss, and years of screenwriting study culminated in this bold indie film. From battling Catch-22 casting challenges to landing major talent like Garrett Hedlund and Steven Lang, Evan shares what it really takes to make your

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19:21

Ep 271 - The Street Party That Shook a Nation – Jose...

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun:... ·

2025/05/19

In this powerful episode, Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with acclaimed Dominican filmmaker Jose Maria Cabral to explore his groundbreaking hybrid documentary 42nd Street. The film showcases a grassroots art and music movement born out of the Capotillo neighborhood—a community stigmatized by violence but transformed through relentless creativity and self-expression. From razor blade dances to government crackdowns, this episode dives into the story of a 24/7 street party that became a symbol of

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21:26

Ep 270 – Band on the Run: How 3 Friends Made a...

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun:... ·

2025/05/12

Geoffrey sits down with director Jeff Hupp and assistant directors Brian Cusac and Merritt Fritchie, the creative team behind the indie comedy Band on the Run. They share how they turned a pandemic-era script into a completed feature film—shot in just eight days. From grassroots funding to casting Detroit talent and landing distribution, this episode is a masterclass in passion-driven filmmaking.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How to fund your indie film through professional connectionsWhy a tight

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20:01

Ep 269 - Joe Carnahan on Shadow Force, Boss Level,...

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun:... ·

2025/05/05

In this powerhouse episode, Smokin’ Aces, Narc, and The Grey director Joe Carnahan joins Geoffrey to talk shop. From making Boss Level—his personal “Raiders”—to breaking down his new film Shadow Force, Joe shares unfiltered insight into filmmaking, casting across cultures, and why fun on set brings out the best work. This one’s packed with wisdom and stories you won’t hear anywhere else.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How Boss Level became Joe’s most personal filmWhat inspired Shadow Force and how

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19:35

EP 268 - Inside the making of Yellowjackets with...

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun:... ·

2025/04/26

This week, we welcome the talented Ben Semanoff to the show. Ben has directed episodes of Yellowjackets, Ozark, and Tulsa King and even appeared in Stranger Things. We dive into his incredible experience directing the unforgettable "Edible Complex" episode of Yellowjackets, his return for season three, and his approach to adapting across genres. Ben also shares an inspiring look into his journey from camera operator to director and offers invaluable advice for aspiring filmmakers.What You’ll Learn

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27:32

Ep 267 - Breaking the Blacklist: Frank Monteleone’s...

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun:... ·

2025/04/14

Frank Monteleone, winner of Best TV Pilot at Script Summit 2022, joins Geoffrey to share how that win lit a fire under his career. From scoring high on The Black List to attaching IP and navigating the WGA strike, Frank’s story is a masterclass in strategy, persistence, and smart networking.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why winning Script Summit was a turning point for FrankHow Frank “broke” The Black List with high scores and free evalsAttaching IP to elevate your spec scriptThe smart way to

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19:06

Ep 266 - Creating On Call: From Short Form Concept to...

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun:... ·

2025/04/07

Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with Tim Walsh (Chicago P.D.) and Elliot Wolf, the creators behind the new hit police procedural On Call, now streaming on Amazon Prime and Freevee. They dive into the show’s unique origin, its five-year development journey, and how they reimagined the procedural format. If you're writing a TV pilot or dreaming of your own series, this episode is a must-listen.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The origin story of On Call and its evolution from a Quibi conceptHow the

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28:30

Ep 265 - Script Leads & How to Break Into the...

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun:... ·

2025/04/02

In this special livestream episode, Geoffrey D. Calhoun dives into real-time producer script requests you can submit to for free! He also hosts an in-depth Q&A on the challenges of finding reps, breaking into Hollywood, indie filmmaking, crafting undeniable scripts, and more. Honest, unfiltered, and inspiring—this episode is a must-listen for screenwriters at every level.🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Where to find current script requests (for free)The reality of working with agents and

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24:23

Ep 264 - Inside 'Locked' with Director David Yarovesky

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun:... ·

2025/03/25

Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with acclaimed director David Yarovesky (Brightburn, Nightbooks) to discuss his latest psychological thriller, Locked, starring Bill Skarsgård and Anthony Hopkins. They dive into the challenges of shooting an intense one-shot sequence, the emotional depth of the film, and how Locked balances visceral thrills with layered social commentary.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How David Yarovesky created a panic-inducing thriller in just 19 daysBehind-the-scenes secrets of

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22:16

Ep 263 - Building Worlds & Beating the Odds – Neil...

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun:... ·

2025/03/18

In this episode, Geoffrey welcomes back Script Summit winner and indie filmmaker Neil Chase to discuss his latest film Spin the Wheel, now streaming on Tubi. Neil shares the challenges and triumphs of making a true indie feature on a shoestring budget, navigating distribution, and crafting a compelling story. They also discuss the evolving landscape of indie filmmaking, industry transitions, and what’s next for Neil. Plus, Script Summit 2025 is now open for submissions—learn why entering screenplay

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15:42

Ep 262 - Script Summit Winner Kim Hornsby on Breaking...

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun:... ·

2025/03/10

In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, host Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with Kim Hornsby, the Script Summit winner for Best Hour Drama with her pilot Moody and the Ghost. Kim shares her journey from writing a novella to adapting it into a TV pilot, the impact of winning Script Summit, and how her script is now making waves in Hollywood. She also discusses her experiences writing for Lifetime, pitching projects, and the hustle required to build a career in screenwriting. If you want to

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35 results

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