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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

29:08

Ep 302 - Are Streamers Making Writers Dumb Down Their...

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

2025/12/22

In Episode 302, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is joined once again by Kristy Leigh Lussier for a wide-ranging, candid conversation that blends film breakdowns, screenwriting craft, and real-world industry advice. The duo digs into why Sisu: Road to Revenge works as a sequel, how emotional stakes elevate spectacle, and what filmmakers can learn from restraint. They also explore the surprising power of HBO’s Welcome to Derry, including why sometimes a story should end exactly where it does. From there, the

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13:38

Ep 301 - Netflix vs. Warner Bros: What This Means for...

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

2025/12/15

In this solo episode of The Successful Screenwriter, Geoffrey D. Calhoun breaks down the shocking acquisition bids involving Netflix, Warner Bros., and Paramount and explains what they actually mean for working screenwriters. With co-host Kristy Leigh Lussier sidelined by COVID, Geoffrey steps in to unpack the real industry impact behind the headlines, from shrinking theatrical windows and mid-budget film erosion to foreign investment, media consolidation, and soft power. Most importantly, Geoffrey

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29:03

Ep 300 - How to Fix a Boring Act 2

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

2025/12/08

We are celebrating our big 300th episode with in depth craft talk and our giveaway. Kristy breaks down seeing Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 in a packed theater, what real fan service looks like, and why understanding the assignment with IP can matter more than chasing four quadrant appeal. Geoffrey shares his hot take on Wicked For Good and why character motivation has to make emotional sense or the whole story starts to wobble. We talk about Netflix buying Warner Bros, what consolidation could mean for

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17:19

Ep 299 - How to Survive Indie Filmmaking Without...

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

2025/12/01

In this episode, filmmaker Jesse McAnally joins Geoffrey to break down the real process of making an indie feature from scratch. Jesse shares how he developed The Daughters of the Domino, ran a successful Kickstarter, storyboarded every shot in Cine Tracer, and navigated the unexpected challenges that hit indie sets. From on-the-fly rewrites to managing clashing personalities, Jesse opens up about the realities most filmmakers never talk about.If you’re building your own film or planning to, this

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26:58

Ep 298 - Are You Letting Bad Advice Shape Your Script?

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

2025/11/24

Geoffrey and Kristy tackle some of the worst “rules” floating around screenwriting circles. They break down why advice like “the audience must always be ahead of your characters” or “every line of dialogue needs action underneath it” can actually limit your voice and make your script feel stiff. They dig into Predator: Badlands, Prey, and the new Deathstalker, talk about empathy for monsters, building lore that feels lived in, and how theme and character relationships elevate genre. Then they answer

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31:12

Ep 297 - Do You Really Need To State Your Theme?

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

2025/11/17

In episode 297, Geoffrey and Kristy go live to talk remakes, theme, and the realities of writing inside a studio system. They compare the new Running Man to the Arnold classic, explore why Predator: Badlands feels like a surprise standout, and break down Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein as a case study in subtlety and adaptation. They also answer live viewer questions about originality in Hollywood, story structure, outlining, and how to keep writing from getting overcomplicated. Geoffrey shares

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24:06

Ep 296 - When You Should (and Shouldn’t) Break...

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

2025/11/10

Geoffrey D. Calhoun and Kristy Leigh Lussier dive into horror films, story rules, and the art of breaking them the right way. From Geoffrey’s emotional reaction to Good Boy to their debate on flashbacks and narrative discipline, this episode is packed with insights for any writer exploring tension, fear, and structure. Plus, they brainstorm ideas for the upcoming 300th episode giveaway and talk about the films every horror fan should see.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow to break story rules the

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19:04

EP 295 - Anu Valia on Voice, Casting, and Indie Momentum

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

2025/11/03

Director Anu Valia joins Geoffrey to unpack the craft behind her feature We Strangers. We dig into keeping your voice while working in TV, building an indie over years, collaborating with actors who elevate subtext, and weaving race, class, and power into story without preaching. If you’re balancing paid gigs with personal work and wondering how to protect your vision, this one’s for you.If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and share it with a writer friend.What You’ll Learn in This

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22:21

Ep 294 - Breaking In to the Industry Without Breaking...

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

2025/10/27

Tommy Cresta from The Popcorn Podcast joins Geoffrey to talk about moving from reviewing movies to writing them. They dig into shopping a home-invasion feature called Trespass, ways to get eyes on your script, and the messy middle of creative burnout. The conversation also gets real about men’s mental health, eating disorders, and building support systems that keep you writing. Stick around for Alien and Predator franchise hot takes plus a peek at Tommy’s found-footage project and gaming content.If

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18:12

Ep 293 - Why Most Screenwriters Fail to Stand Out...

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

2025/10/23

Screenwriting legend Paul Chitlik joins Geoffrey to reveal why so many screenwriters struggle to break through and how to finally rise above the noise. They discuss the biggest mistakes writers make, why rewriting is the key to success, and how to craft stories and characters that truly stand out in today’s industry. Paul also shares insights from his new book, The Screenwriting Sensei, and how embracing structure (and knowing when to break it) can take your writing to the next level.What You’ll

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22:04

Ep 292 - What to Do When Your Screenwriting Career...

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

2025/10/20

What happens when you’ve done everything right. Made a film, landed a rep, and still find yourself stuck? In this episode, Geoffrey and Kristy tackle the tough truth about stalled careers and how rebranding or shifting genres can reignite momentum. They also dive into Steven Soderbergh’s Presence, breaking down why its bold POV and long oners captivate audiences, and chat about Jonathan Nolan’s Fallout heading to New Vegas for Season 2. Plus, Kristy shares insights from her new vertical series The

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27:19

Ep 291 - Do You Really Need to Live in LA to Be a...

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

2025/10/13

We’re closing in on 300 episodes and celebrating with a lively live stream. Geoffrey and Kristy dig into the gloriously bonkers Toxic Avenger remake and share why Tron Ares is better than the early negativity suggests.Then we tackle your questions on query letters, page counts that actually get read, whether you must live in LA to make it, and how specialists like medical doctors can break into writing. We wrap with a frank look at the industry slowdown and practical ways to build momentum locally

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22:21

EP 290: Netflix's Black Rabbit with Director Ben...

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

2025/10/09

Director Ben Semanoff returns to break down Netflix’s Black Rabbit. We talk about joining a show with a strong tone, how each directing block gently “pushes the circle,” and why the aesthetic grows more unhinged as the brothers’ lives unravel. Ben shares set stories, including the infamous burning bowling ball, the attic scene that runs seven to eight minutes, and how the production design turned New York into a character. We also cover collaborating with writer-producers, directing a director, and

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26:59

Ep 289 - The Future of A.I. 'Actors' in the Film...

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

2025/10/06

In this live Q&A, Geoffrey D. Calhoun and co-host Kristy Leigh unpack M3GAN 2.0’s genre swerve from horror comedy to horror action, why Terminator 2 may have been the template, and how fast turnarounds can flatten story. Then they dive into Tilly Norwood and the rise of AI performers, what that could cost the industry in craft and jobs, and why strong scripts matter even more. Geoffrey closes with his “trash screenwriting advice” takedown of the luck in the industry and explains the Three Ts

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30:59

Ep 288 - Subtext, & Protecting Writers from Scammy...

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

2025/09/29

Geoffrey and Kristy kick off with the 80s classic Monster Squad, then break down a great subtext moment from the new F1 film. They unpack “on-the-nose” dialogue vs character voice, when to cut redundancy, and how to spot predatory “producer” offers. Listener Q&A covers why watching movies improves your craft and whether short action lines beat long descriptive blocks.What You’ll Learn in This Episode• How to spot and write effective subtext in quiet scenes• A quick gut-check to avoid on-the-nose

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31:07

Ep 287 - Weapons Was Wild, But 28 Years Later Split...

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

2025/09/22

Geoffrey is joined by Kristy Leigh for a special live taping of Episode 287. They dive into the unique narrative style of Weapons, compare it with Barbarian, break down the shocking twists of 28 Years Later, and share some truly questionable “screenwriting advice” floating around the industry. Plus: a discussion on the new concept of the thumbnail pitchWhat You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow shifting POV can change the audience’s entire experience (Weapons)Why themes of grief, tragedy, and perspective

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22:09

Ep 286 - The Conjuring, Red Sonja & Logline Tips

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

2025/09/15

Horror craft, sequel wins, and loglines that work. Geoffrey and Kristy pull takeaways from The Conjuring, Nobody 2, and the Red Sonja remake. You’ll hear how influence can feel fresh, how a sequel stays fun when tone shifts, and what breaks when character motivation is thin. They wrap with a one-sentence logline formula you can use today. Next week: the Naked Gun reboot and Weapons. Share your worst logline “tips” or a love-it or hate-it watch on Instagram @screenwriterpod and tag us.What You’ll

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22:55

EP 285 - Horror Binge, The Film Industry, and Bad...

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

2025/09/08

Geoffrey welcomes writer and filmmaker Kristy Leigh Lussier back for a brand-new hangoute episode. They dive into a horror binge of The Conjuring films, swap takes on wild fairy-tale reimaginings like The Ugly Stepsister, and share some of the worst (and most damaging) screenwriting advice floating around online. Plus, they break down the state of today’s industry and how Kristy rallied a 30-person crew to shoot a vertical micro-drama in Idaho.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeA simple Conjuring

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45:27

Ep. 284 – Making a Good Script Great with Linda Seger

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

2025/09/01

In this lost episode from the archives, I sit down with the legendary screenwriting guru Linda Seger, author of Making a Good Script Great and a true pioneer of the script consulting profession. We dive deep into her decades of experience shaping stories, her approach to theme, structure, subplots, and images, and why great screenwriters are seekers of the human condition. Linda also shares insights on her new book How to Write Great Dialogue and what continues to inspire her after consulting on

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28:09

Ep 283 – Dave Trottier’s Screenwriting Secrets from...

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

2025/08/25

In this lost episode from the archives, Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with screenwriting legend Dave Trottier, aka Dr. Format and author of The Screenwriter’s Bible. Together they explore the evolving rules of formatting, the balance of art and craft in screenwriting, and why clarity and consistency are vital to getting noticed in Hollywood. Dave also shares his insights on scriptments, bolding slug lines, writing natural dialogue, and building characters that leap off the page.What You’ll Learn in

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