This week we’re going to be talking about BlacKkKlansman by Spike Lee, Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott.
When I first went out to see BlacKkKlansman, my hope was that I was going to be able to do a podcast about how to write a movie for a political change— to talk about the confluence of race and politics and storytelling and history.
But, my experience of BlacKkKlansman led me to an even more important topic: the role of the truth in adapting a true life story, and how running towards (or away from) that truth can impact the overall experience of your screenplay.
SYS Episode 250:
In this week's episode I talk with Filmmaker James Morosini about making his new micro-budget feature, Threesomething. We talk through the nuts and bolts of putting this film together, and the emotional ups and downs that went along with it.
Sponsored by the Nickelodeon Writing Program and Max Timm's The Story Farm, this episode is all about how to approach your projects in a unique way and as often as possible. No story is completely original, so how do you arrange your story so that it feels original and fresh? Felicity and Max are here to help...with wine.
Remember, Felicity Wren and Max Timm always have open Q&A during every Facebook Live broadcast, so you should tune in when they broadcast their next live chat. Even though most broadcasts focus on a particular subject, every writer is welcome to ask anything they like at any time. Felicity and Max will do their best to give you a straight and honest answer.
This is a podcast recording of the ISA's Facebook Live broadcast of Wine Wednesdays. Please note that some promotions offered during the live broadcast are no longer available. We can, however, assist you if you wish to find out more information regarding ISA events, contests, or consulting offers. Just reach out to info@networkisa.org and we will be happy to help.
You can reach out to Max regarding any type of query: max@networkisa.org If you have particular interest in working with him on a one-on-one coaching and development basis, email him at max@thestoryfarm.org. His Story Farm development and coaching service is quickly becoming the best in the business! Felicity can also be reached at Felicity@networkisa.org. She, too, can work with you one-on-one, so don't hesitate to inquire. We can't wait to support you.
Subjects and themes for the broadcasts change from week to week, so stay tuned on most Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm Los Angeles time. For a specific schedule and set of announcements, "Like" the ISA Facebook page and keep up to date.
You know what time it is - back to school time! get your notebooks and trapper keepers ready. It's time to get organized and focused on being productive. Felicity and Max can help you do so, but only you can put the work in.
This episode was sponsored by MovieMaker Magazine and Steele Wines.
Remember, Felicity Wren and Max Timm always have open Q&A during every Facebook Live broadcast, so you should tune in when they broadcast their next live chat. Even though most broadcasts focus on a particular subject, every writer is welcome to ask anything they like at any time. Felicity and Max will do their best to give you a straight and honest answer.
This is a podcast recording of the ISA's Facebook Live broadcast of Wine Wednesdays. Please note that some promotions offered during the live broadcast are no longer available. We can, however, assist you if you wish to find out more information regarding ISA events, contests, or consulting offers. Just reach out to info@networkisa.org and we will be happy to help.
You can reach out to Max regarding any type of query: max@networkisa.org If you have particular interest in working with him on a one-on-one coaching and development basis, email him at max@thestoryfarm.org. His Story Farm development and coaching service is quickly becoming the best in the business! Felicity can also be reached at Felicity@networkisa.org. She, too, can work with you one-on-one, so don't hesitate to inquire. We can't wait to support you.
Subjects and themes for the broadcasts change from week to week, so stay tuned on most Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm Los Angeles time. For a specific schedule and set of announcements, "Like" the ISA Facebook page and keep up to date.
Sponsored by Nickelodeon Writing Program and Creative Screenwriting Magazine, in this episode Felicity Wren and Max Timm talk about how rarely writers focus on educating themselves and why it's so important. We know it is, but why don't we focus on it more often where our screenwriting is concerned? We can't just sit back on our laurels and expect our natural talent to take us to where we want to go. Be proactive in your education - every day.
Remember, Felicity Wren and Max Timm always have open Q&A during every Facebook Live broadcast, so you should tune in when they broadcast their next live chat. Even though most broadcasts focus on a particular subject, every writer is welcome to ask anything they like at any time. Felicity and Max will do their best to give you a straight and honest answer.
This is a podcast recording of the ISA's Facebook Live broadcast of Wine Wednesdays. Please note that some promotions offered during the live broadcast are no longer available. We can, however, assist you if you wish to find out more information regarding ISA events, contests, or consulting offers. Just reach out to info@networkisa.org and we will be happy to help.
You can reach out to Max regarding any type of query: max@networkisa.org If you have particular interest in working with him on a one-on-one coaching and development basis, email him at max@thestoryfarm.org. His Story Farm development and coaching service is quickly becoming the best in the business! Felicity can also be reached at Felicity@networkisa.org. She, too, can work with you one-on-one, so don't hesitate to inquire. We can't wait to support you.
Subjects and themes for the broadcasts change from week to week, so stay tuned on most Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm Los Angeles time. For a specific schedule and set of announcements, "Like" the ISA Facebook page and keep up to date.
“Maniac” makes for a complex and challenging miniseries on Netflix.
Netflix is truly redefining entertainment platforms as well as pushing the envelope artistically with its content. Their big-budget miniseries “Maniac” starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill is one that demands avid attention from its audience each minute. The storytelling zigs and zags, challenging norms of character arc and tone. Series creator Patrick Somerville and director Cary Fukunaga have delivered 10 episodes blending drama, black comedy, sci-fi adventure, fantasy, and satire into one trippy show. It may be hard to get a handle on, and difficult to embrace, but it’s never less than fascinating. No wonder it’s become such a watercooler show.
Episode 249:
This week we talk with Actor/Writer/Director/Producer Bradley Stryker about how he shot his latest horror/thriller film, Land of Smiles on location in Thailand on a micro-budget.
The ISA is introducing a new series that involves a full-cast reading of winning short scripts from our various contests. This script was a Grand Prize winner of the shorts category of a recent Table Read My Screenplay Contest - Hollywood presentation.
Thank you for tuning in to listen to the Table Read My Screenplay Hollywood Grand Prize Winning Web Series reading of - Apartment Story (Cheeseburgers for Geoffrey) by Greg Fortier
The roles are voiced by:
Megan Zerga as Gayle
Brandon Modelo as David
Max Timm as Neighbour & Vet
Felicity Wren as Co-worker
And...
Narrated by Ayla Burreau.
Please enjoy…
SYS episode 248:
This week screenwriter Craig Walendziak talks about his recent writing successes and how he was able to launch his career all while living outside of Hollywood.
“Venom” misses the opportunity to dig deeper into its themes of duality.
With the worldwide popularity of superhero movies, it’s inevitable that their nemeses would soon start fronting their own origin stories too. Spider-Man bad guy Venom is one of the first out of the gate, and it’s an uneasy mix of body transformation horror and buddy comedy. An alien parasite takes over the body of Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy), but most of it is played for laughs as he and the symbiote act like a couple of bickering bros. Despite lauded stars like Michelle Williams and Riz Ahmed in the supporting cast, this adaptation ends up being a missed opportunity. With such a cast and ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ themes of duality at its core, the film should have been more than just a so-so action-adventure flick.
Episode 247:
This week I talk with multi-hyphenate Josh Folan about his numerous projects and how he was able to bring them to fruition.
The main character in “The Land of Steady Habits” make a habit of being unlikable.
In most of Nicole Holofcener’s films, the protagonists are flawed but likable females. For her latest, “The Land of Steady Habits”, her central character is a man and he’s very unlikable. Anders Harris (Ben Mendelsohn) is a former finance whiz whose midlife crisis leads him to quit his moneymaking job and divorce his wife. Now, he’s trying to start over, but he leaves damage in his wake wherever he goes. Is Holofcener savaging the American Alpha Male here or simply presenting a story centered around a lead character who’s a jerk? Whichever, this character study makes for a filmgoing experience both fascinating and frustrating.
It's an excellent question, and you can tune in to see what Max and Felicity think is the answer to the title question (hint: the answer is "yes").
This episode was sponsored by Steele Wine and Cinequest.
Remember, Felicity Wren and Max Timm always have open Q&A during every Facebook Live broadcast, so you should tune in when they broadcast their next live chat. Even though most broadcasts focus on a particular subject, every writer is welcome to ask anything they like at any time. Felicity and Max will do their best to give you a straight and honest answer.
This is a podcast recording of the ISA's Facebook Live broadcast of Wine Wednesdays. Please note that some promotions offered during the live broadcast are no longer available. We can, however, assist you if you wish to find out more information regarding ISA events, contests, or consulting offers. Just reach out to info@networkisa.org and we will be happy to help.
You can reach out to Max regarding any type of query: max@networkisa.org If you have particular interest in working with him on a one-on-one coaching and development basis, email him at max@thestoryfarm.org. His Story Farm development and coaching service is quickly becoming the best in the business! Felicity can also be reached at Felicity@networkisa.org. She, too, can work with you one-on-one, so don't hesitate to inquire. We can't wait to support you.
Subjects and themes for the broadcasts change from week to week, so stay tuned on most Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm Los Angeles time. For a specific schedule and set of announcements, "Like" the ISA Facebook page and keep up to date.
Find out what readers see - specifically Felicity and Max (who both reads upward to 10-15 scripts per week) - when a script is read, considered, and/or evaluated. It can help you, the writer, when reading your own script regardless of the draft.
This episode was sponsored by Steele Wines and Movie Maker Magazine.
Remember, Felicity Wren and Max Timm always have open Q&A during every Facebook Live broadcast, so you should tune in when they broadcast their next live chat. Even though most broadcasts focus on a particular subject, every writer is welcome to ask anything they like at any time. Felicity and Max will do their best to give you a straight and honest answer.
This is a podcast recording of the ISA's Facebook Live broadcast of Wine Wednesdays. Please note that some promotions offered during the live broadcast are no longer available. We can, however, assist you if you wish to find out more information regarding ISA events, contests, or consulting offers. Just reach out to info@networkisa.org and we will be happy to help.
You can reach out to Max regarding any type of query: max@networkisa.org If you have particular interest in working with him on a one-on-one coaching and development basis, email him at max@thestoryfarm.org. His Story Farm development and coaching service is quickly becoming the best in the business! Felicity can also be reached at Felicity@networkisa.org. She, too, can work with you one-on-one, so don't hesitate to inquire. We can't wait to support you.
Subjects and themes for the broadcasts change from week to week, so stay tuned on most Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm Los Angeles time. For a specific schedule and set of announcements, "Like" the ISA Facebook page and keep up to date.
Episode 246
Indy Producer Jeffrey Giles gives advice for screenwriters who want to break into the independent film market.
Episode 245
Writer / Producer Erik Bork talks about his new screenwriting books and many of the lessons within them.
“The Nun” is a more silly than serious sequel to “The Conjuring”.
“The Nun” may be the fifth movie in “The Conjuring” series, but it doesn’t subscribe to most of what that franchise has established. For starters, it barely includes paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the titular leads in the franchise. Even more egregious, the film’s tone is way over-to-the-top, almost laughably melodramatic at times, throwing the somberness that characterized the first four films out the window. Star Demian Bichir and Taissa Farmiga try valiantly to play it seriously, but they aren’t helped by the script’s silliness. Why, “The Nun” doesn’t even make the most of its title character villain. Some of it is scary, but mostly, this outing is a missed opportunity to create a worthy extension in the hitherto serious franchise.
Let's face it, some of the blockbuster movies just plain suck. What makes it worse is that we really don't want them to be bad, and for multiple reasons. More often than not movies that run into the 100+ million dollar range have so many other elements that need to be tended to beyond just the script...and the script is usually the first thing to get ruined in the maelstrom of Hollywood blockbusters. As screenwriters, it doesn't matter what the budget is or the genre...just write a great story that is sound, enjoyable, and entertaining. It's all you can do, and Felicity and Max are here to help...as they share a bottle of wine.
Remember, Felicity Wren and Max Timm always have open Q&A during every Facebook Live broadcast, so you should tune in when they broadcast their next live chat. Even though most broadcasts focus on a particular subject, every writer is welcome to ask anything they like at any time. Felicity and Max will do their best to give you a straight and honest answer.
This is a podcast recording of the ISA's Facebook Live broadcast of Wine Wednesdays. Please note that some promotions offered during the live broadcast are no longer available. We can, however, assist you if you wish to find out more information regarding ISA events, contests, or consulting offers. Just reach out to info@networkisa.org and we will be happy to help.
You can reach out to Max regarding any type of query: max@networkisa.org If you have particular interest in working with him on a one-on-one coaching and development basis, email him at max@thestoryfarm.org. His Story Farm development and coaching service is quickly becoming the best in the business! Felicity can also be reached at Felicity@networkisa.org. She, too, can work with you one-on-one, so don't hesitate to inquire. We can't wait to support you.
Subjects and themes for the broadcasts change from week to week, so stay tuned on most Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm Los Angeles time. For a specific schedule and set of announcements, "Like" the ISA Facebook page and keep up to date.
Thank you for tuning into a very special episode of The Write Your Screenplay Podcast. This is our 100th episode. I’m so incredibly excited, proud and grateful to all of the listeners that have made this possible for 100 episodes.
So, I was thinking, “What am I going to do for my 100th episode?” I wanted to do something special? So, I decided to go back to the source.
And for that reason, today I’m going to be interviewing my mom, Audrey Sussman.
This week we’ll be talking about Hereditary written and directed by Ari Aster. I want to start by talking about the first image of this film. So, if you’re worried about spoilers, we will get to some spoilers later, but you can listen to the beginning of this podcast without concern. The first image of Hereditary is the most important.
What does it take to get past that first draft mode? Too many of us spend far more time than necessary working on a first draft. We all know we need to get through it quickly, but Felicity and Max discuss in another round of Wine Wednesdays how the outlining process - if done well and extensively - can get you through your first and even second draft without ever having to write any pages. By the time you do open up your Final Draft software, you should know exactly where you're going and how you're going to get there. Sure, dialogue and character action may change and evolve, but if you don't know the whole story before you get to that screenwriting software, you will lose yourself and your character by page 40...and then have to start all over again and maybe wallow in some fresh vino. Max and Felicity are here to keep you from wallowing and instead, enjoy that glass of wine as well as your initial drafts. Join in on the fun as we raise a glass to your final draft.
Remember, Felicity Wren and Max Timm always have open Q&A during every Facebook Live broadcast, so you should tune in when they broadcast their next live chat. Even though most broadcasts focus on a particular subject, every writer is welcome to ask anything they like at any time. Felicity and Max will do their best to give you a straight and honest answer.
This is a podcast recording of the ISA's Facebook Live broadcast of Wine Wednesdays. Please note that some promotions offered during the live broadcast are no longer available. We can, however, assist you if you wish to find out more information regarding ISA events, contests, or consulting offers. Just reach out to info@networkisa.org and we will be happy to help.
You can reach out to Max regarding any type of query: max@networkisa.org If you have particular interest in working with him on a one-on-one coaching and development basis, email him at max@thestoryfarm.org. His Story Farm development and coaching service is quickly becoming the best in the business! Felicity can also be reached at Felicity@networkisa.org. She, too, can work with you one-on-one, so don't hesitate to inquire. We can't wait to support you.
Subjects and themes for the broadcasts change from week to week, so stay tuned on most Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm Los Angeles time. For a specific schedule and set of announcements, "Like" the ISA Facebook page and keep up to date.
Episode 243
This week I talk with Luke Del Tredici (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, 30 Rock) about how he broke into the biz as a television writer and then how he latest dark comedy feature, Arizona (Seth Rogen, Danny McBride, Luke Wilson), came together.
This week, we are going to be looking at Deadpool 2 by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and a new addition to the writing team, Ryan Reynolds.
If you missed my podcast on the original Deadpool, you might want to check that out as well, because one of the things that is exciting about Deadpool 2 is the way it manages to maintain a consistent tone, even over the course of a very different film.
If you’ve studied TV writing in our TV Drama Classes, TV Comedy Classes or Web Series Classes, you know that every episode of a TV show should feel the same, and also feel different. that it should deliver the same genre experience to the audience, the same tone, the same feeling, the same experience, while taking them through a story that also feels very new, and very fresh, and very different.
But now, we’re seeing the same phenomenon in big action movie franchises, like Deadpool or Guardians of the Galaxy or The Avengers, where each installment needs deliver on those expectations of the audience.
So, setting aside the questions all over the internet about “which is better, Deadpool 1 or Deadpool 2?” — rather than comparing these films in terms of which is a more successful movie, instead, what I want to do is I want to look at this question, which will be valuable for any writer, whether you’re working in features or TV.
How do you maintain that consistent tone?
How do you create one screenplay after another that has the same feeling that feels entirely fresh and also entirely consistent?”