Stream Panther Exclusive with Cara J. Russell — Screenwriter & MPCA Vice President of Development & Production
In this episode, we sit down with Cara J. Russell, the powerhouse behind dozens of beloved holiday films and the author of Make Your Script Sellable.
As Vice President of Development & Production at MPCA, Cara shares her journey from writing her first Christmas movie to creating hits like Twas the Text Before Christmas and The Knight Before Christmas.
She opens up about:
Navigating the SAG-AFTRA writers strike
Selling scripts to streamers like Netflix and Hallmark
Crafting high-stakes rom-coms and holiday movies
Writing routines, deadlines, and the business of emotions
How writers can actually sell their scripts — even without big connections
Whether you're an aspiring screenwriter or a fan of heartwarming holiday films, this episode is filled with valuable lessons, insider knowledge, and festive cheer.
TIME STAMPS
00:00 Coming Up
02:17 Introduction
05:01 What's cooking for Christmas
06:06 SAG AFTRA Writers Strike
08:00 How Cara Started Writing Christmas Movies ?
10:02 Cara's First Movie
12:12 Why Rom-Com & Feel-Good ?
14:16 Movie Writing & deadline
17:04 Screenwriting Routine
23:27 Selling Christmas Scripts to Streaming Platforms
24:16 Christmas on The Windmill Way
27:03 Merritt Patterson
28:00 Twas Text before Christmas
31:50 The Knight Before Christmas
36:21 How To Make Your Scripts Sellable ?
46:33 Work Structure in MPCA
47:38 AI in Hollywood
51:33 Rapid Fire
57:20 Thank You Cara!
Tags
Cara J Russell
MPCA
Christmas movies
holiday rom com
Netflix originals
Hallmark movies
screenwriting tips
make your script sellable
romantic comedy
Hollywood screenwriter
film development
streaming platforms
Netflix screenwriting
how to sell your script
writing Christmas movies
movie producer tips
feel good films
female screenwriters
screenwriter podcast
behind the scenes Hollywood
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