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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

17:04

Ep 261 - Lyndal Simpson on Winning Script Summit &...

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

2025/02/26

Script Summit 2025 is officially open for submissions! If you're looking for industry exposure, this is your chance to get your script read by Hollywood producers and directors. In this episode, we welcome Script Summit winner Lyndal Simpson, whose screenplay Gravedigger won a table read at Script Summit 2022. She shares her journey from winning the table read to signing an option deal and moving into production. Lyndal discusses the challenges of script rewrites, working within a budget, and

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16:25

Ep 260 - How a Short Film Went Viral with Fritz...

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

2025/02/18

In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, host Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with filmmaker Fritz Frauendorf to discuss the challenges of breaking into the film industry through short films. Fritz shares his journey from film school to directing Manic Man, a short film that went viral, garnering over a million views. He reveals the marketing strategies that worked, the lessons he’s learned about storytelling, and how he’s leveraging his success to build a feature film. If you're a filmmaker

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21:29

EP 259 - Companion – AI Horror, Love, and the Fight...

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

2025/02/10

Episode Description: In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is joined by regular guests Katie Presto and Reece Taylor to analyze and review Companion, the sci-fi horror film that blends psychological tension, AI themes, and unexpected humor. Geoffrey goes in blind, without prior knowledge of the film, leading to fresh reactions and in-depth discussions on themes of love, control, and vulnerability. We also explore standout performances, directorial choices, and how

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35:22

EP 258 - Subverting the Werewolf Genre with The Wolfman

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

2025/02/03

In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is joined by guest hosts Katie Presto and Reece Taylor for an in-depth film analysis of The Wolfman (2025). They dissect the film's subversive approach to the werewolf genre, its themes of generational trauma, and how it stacks up against classic horror films. Tune in for a spirited discussion filled with differing opinions and plenty of laughs!What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The film's unique take on werewolf mythology and

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35:30

EP 257 - Nosferatu: A Gothic Masterpiece or Missed...

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

2025/01/27

In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, Geoffrey D. Calhoun welcomes guest hosts Katie Presto and Reece Taylor to dive into the remake of Nosferatu. Together, they analyze the gothic tale's visual brilliance, explore its storytelling challenges, and debate its thematic depth. With personal insights and contrasting perspectives, the discussion unravels the complexities of this modern take on a classic horror story.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How the Nosferatu remake balances visual

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20:22

Ep 256 - Telling Stories That Matter: Mark Freiburger...

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

2025/01/13

In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, Geoffrey sits down with director Mark Freiburger to discuss his latest feature film, Between Borders. Mark shares the powerful true story that inspired the film, the challenges of shooting in multiple countries, and assembling a stellar cast, including stars from Lost, The Chosen, and more. Get an insider look at how this low-budget indie drama came to life and hear Mark's advice for aspiring filmmakers.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The true story

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22:00

Ep 255 - Lead and Copper: Exposing the Flint Water...

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

2025/01/06

In this insightful episode, host Geoffrey D. Calhoun speaks with documentary filmmaker William Hart about his eight-year journey creating Lead and Copper, a film that exposes the ongoing Flint water crisis and the political and social factors behind it. William breaks down what drew him to Flint, how he navigated filming through a pandemic, and the unexpected twists he encountered—from missing documents to changing regulations. Whether you’re a filmmaker, screenwriter, or simply curious about how

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17:50

Ep 254 - Pursuing Your Vision: Writing, Producing,...

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

2024/12/30

On this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, host Geoffrey D. Calhoun connects with writer and producer William Mikita, the creative force behind Chasing 3000—a heartfelt baseball drama that tapped big-name talent like Ray Liotta. William opens up about his life-altering shift from attorney to filmmaker, sparked by a deeply personal story and a refusal to take “no” for an answer.He also teases Brewer’s Boys, the captivating true tale of a 1965 Los Angeles high school baseball team in the midst of

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26:05

Ep 253 - From “Just Friends” to Emmy Nods: Adam Tex...

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

2024/12/16

In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with Adam Tex Davis, the Emmy-nominated writer behind Just Friends starring Ryan Reynolds and the groundbreaking show Brain Games. Tex shares his journey from writing Star Wars fan stories as a kid to scripting beloved films and creating educational content that captivates audiences of all ages. From hilarious behind-the-scenes anecdotes to career advice on versatility, this conversation offers insights into navigating

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16:12

Ep 252 - Elevated Horror with David Smallwood on 'Sad...

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

2024/12/09

In this episode, host Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with David Smallwood, the 2024 Script Summit Best Feature Screenplay winner, to discuss his award-winning script Sad Blue Dan. David reveals the origins of this elevated horror piece—rooted in a vivid, decades-old dream—and shares how he refined it into a contemporary Native American story that seamlessly blends slow-burn psychological tension with genuine cultural authenticity. Together, they delve into the intricacies of creating elevated horror,

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21:19

Ep 251 - Exploring The Heroine’s Labyrinth with...

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

2024/12/02

In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter podcast, host Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with author Douglas A. Burton to discuss his groundbreaking book, The Heroine’s Labyrinth. Douglas offers a fresh perspective on story structure, presenting an alternative to the traditional hero’s journey tailored for heroine-centric stories.They explore how the heroine’s labyrinth differs from classic storytelling frameworks, dive into examples from popular media like Westworld and The Truman Show, and

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20:02

Ep 250 - Breaking Boundaries: Lina Suh on HBO Max,...

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

2024/11/25

In this inspiring episode of The Successful Screenwriter Podcast, host Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with the incredibly talented writer and director Lina Suh. Known for her work on projects with HBO Max and Sony, as well as her contributions to the acclaimed Korean drama Dr. Brain, Lina shares her creative journey from writing childhood plays to directing award-nominated features.Key topics include:🎥 The origin story of Lina's creative career and her transition into directing.✍️ Insights into her

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18:23

Ep 249 - Musical Madness or Misfire? Analyzing...

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

2024/11/13

Geoffrey D. Calhoun goes live across multiple platforms to break down the divisive Joker: Folie à Deux. In this episode, Geoffrey dives into audience expectations vs. artistic vision, dissecting why the film’s genre-blending of courtroom drama and musical numbers created such polarized reactions. He examines both the missteps and the nuanced layers of character development to explore what really worked—and what left fans frustrated.Key Takeaways:Understanding "Folie à Deux": The film’s title

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18:36

Ep 248 - Making an Impact with Short Films: Alexandra...

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

2024/10/30

Host:Geoffrey D. Calhoun, Author of The Guide For Every ScreenwriterGuests:Alexandra Essoe, Writer and Director of The Carnal SoulAlexis Iacono, Producer of The Carnal SoulSummary:In this lively episode, Geoffrey sits down with Alexandra Essoe and Alexis Iacono, the creative minds behind the short film The Carnal Soul, which is making waves on the festival circuit. They dive into the origin of the film, discuss the challenges and triumphs of producing indie projects, and explore the film’s unique

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25:41

Ep 247 - Simon Barrett on Azrael and Crafting...

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

2024/10/23

Host: Geoffrey D. Calhoun, Author of The Guide For Every ScreenwriterGuest: Simon Barrett, Screenwriter of Azrael, Godzilla X Kong, and You're NextSummary:In this episode, Geoffrey sits down with acclaimed screenwriter Simon Barrett, whose latest film Azrael is making waves in the horror genre. Simon shares his journey from small-town Missouri to working on low-budget horror films like Dead Birds and You're Next. The conversation dives deep into Simon’s unique approach to crafting Azrael, a

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25:41

Ep 246 - Crafting Authentic Characters in...

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

2024/10/09

Host: Geoffrey D. Calhoun, Author of The Guide For Every ScreenwriterGuest: Cynthia Mersten, Screenwriter and Script Summit WinnerIn this episode, Geoffrey Calhoun sits down with Cynthia Mersten, 2022 Script Summit winner with her feature screenplay Bad Vibes. Cynthia shares the inspiration behind her unique horror-comedy script, which she describes as “Mean Girls with a little bit of murder.” They discuss her journey from script contests to signing with a manager and landing a feature writing

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44:01

Ep 245 - Contests, Feedback, and Writing Hacks Every...

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

2024/09/18

Host: Geoffrey D. Calhoun, Author of The Guide For Every ScreenwriterGuest: Marq Scheyder, Screenwriter and FilmmakerSummary:In this insightful AMA (Ask Me Anything) the tables are turned as Marq Scheyder returns to interview Geoffrey D. Calhoun and dive deep into the writing process with a surprise script consultation on air with Geoffrey himself. Geoffrey discusses building routines, handling stress in storytelling, and managing feedback in the writing process. They also delve into the

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17:20

Ep 244 - Midnight Taxi: Indie Filmmaking in the...

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

2024/09/04

Host: Geoffrey D. Calhoun, Author of The Guide For Every ScreenwriterGuest: Bertie Speirs & Samantha Speirs, Filmmakers of Midnight TaxiSummary:In this episode, Geoffrey sits down with Bertie and Samantha Speirs, the dynamic filmmakers behind the indie thriller Midnight Taxi, to discuss their journey into independent filmmaking, how the pandemic became an opportunity for creativity, and their experiences shooting a feature film on a tight budget. The duo shares insightful stories about the

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20:56

Ep 243 - The Life of a Homicide Detective with Mike...

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

2024/07/31

Host: Geoffrey D. Calhoun, Author of The Guide For Every ScreenwriterGuest: Mike Hammond, Retired Homicide Detective and Host of Detective Story PodcastSummary:In this episode, Geoffrey D. Calhoun welcomes retired homicide detective Mike Hammond. They delve into the intricacies of being a homicide detective, the challenges of communication in investigations, and the emotional toll the job takes. Mike shares his journey from being inspired by Truman Capote's In Cold Blood to becoming a detective in

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24:35

Ep 242 - From Community Backing to Theatrical...

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

2024/07/17

Host: Geoffrey D. Calhoun, Best Selling Author of 'The Guide For Every Screenwriter'Guest: TJ Noel-Sullivan, Writer and Director of "Midas"Summary:In this episode, Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with TJ Noel-Sullivan, the writer and director of the new film "Midas." They discuss TJ's journey into filmmaking, the inspiration behind "Midas," the challenges of indie filmmaking, and the importance of local support in film production. TJ also shares valuable lessons learned from his previous projects and

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261 results

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