The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun: Screenwriting Podcast

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun: Screenwriting Podcast

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 format to navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the film industry. Each episode is designed to inspire, educate, and entertain, providing valuable takeaways for writers at every stage of their journey. Host: Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriting instructor and best selling author with a passion for storytelling. With a proven track record in the film industry, Geoffrey has not only honed his craft as a successful screenwriter but also shares his wealth of knowledge as an instructor. His unique journey in the world of screenwriting has equipped him with a unique perspective, making him an essential guide for screenwriters of all levels. Key Features: Expert Interviews: Gain insights from renowned screenwriters, filmmakers, and industry professionals who share their experiences, tips, and behind-the-scenes stories. Screenwriting Tips: Unlock the secrets of successful screenwriting with actionable tips, tricks, and techniques discussed in every episode. Film Analysis: Explore in-depth film analyses, breaking down the storytelling techniques that make movies memorable and impactful. Exclusive Industry Insights: Access exclusive industry secrets and stay updated on the latest trends. Get insider knowledge to navigate the world of screenwriting with confidence.Connect with Us: Subscribe to the podcast on Spreaker for regular updates. Engage with us on Instagram @screenwriterpod for the latest news, discussions, and community interactions. Visit our official website thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com for additional resources such as: Screenwriting Gigs, Screenplay Library, Seminars and other exclusive content. Embark on your screenwriting journey with The Successful Screebwriter Podcast. Let's transform your storytelling aspirations into compelling narratives that resonate with audiences worldwide. Subscribe to our screenwriting podcast now and join our vibrant community of storytellers! Proud Member of the IFH Podcast Network (www.ifhpodcastnetwork.com)

Episodes

Ep 294 - Breaking In to the Industry Without Breaking Down

October 27, 2025 • 22 mins
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 take...
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Ep 293 - Why Most Screenwriters Fail to Stand Out with Paul Chitlik

October 23, 2025 • 18 mins
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...
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Ep 292 - What to Do When Your Screenwriting Career Stalls

October 20, 2025 • 22 mins
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 Seas...
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Ep 291 - Do You Really Need to Live in LA to Be a Screenwriter?

October 13, 2025 • 27 mins
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...
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EP 290: Netflix's Black Rabbit with Director Ben Semanoff

October 9, 2025 • 22 mins
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 ...
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Ep 289 - The Future of A.I. 'Actors' in the Film Industry

October 6, 2025 • 26 mins
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 advic...
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Ep 288 - Subtext, & Protecting Writers from Scammy “Producers”

September 29, 2025 • 30 mins
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 effe...
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Ep 287 - Weapons Was Wild, But 28 Years Later Split the Room

September 22, 2025 • 31 mins
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 pitch

What You’ll Learn in This Episode
  • How shifting POV can change the audience’s ...
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Ep 286 - The Conjuring, Red Sonja & Logline Tips

September 15, 2025 • 22 mins
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 h...
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EP 285 - Horror Binge, The Film Industry, and Bad Writing Advice

September 8, 2025 • 22 mins
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-dr...
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Ep. 284 – Making a Good Script Great with Linda Seger

September 1, 2025 • 45 mins
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 Gre...
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Ep 283 – Dave Trottier’s Screenwriting Secrets from The Screenwriter’s Bible

August 25, 2025 • 28 mins
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,...
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EP 282 - From Script to Streaming: How Twisted Vines Became an InkTip Success

August 18, 2025 • 20 mins
In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, Geoffrey D. Calhoun welcomes back Chris Cookson and Thomas Blakely from InkTip to discuss Twisted Vines, a murder mystery feature optioned directly from their platform by writer Tom Stolgren. Together they break down how the film went from script to production, the surprising tone of the finished project, standout performances, and what’s next for the budding franchise.

What You’ll Lea...
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Ep 281 - Inside Event Horizon: Writing One of the Scariest Sci-Fi Horror Films Ever

August 11, 2025 • 56 mins
In this Lost Episode from our archives, Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with Philip Eisner, the mind behind the cult classic Event Horizon, for a deep dive into the film’s origins, its Lovecraftian and Warhammer 40k influences, and the psychology of horror. From the ship’s unsettling “personality” to the challenge of keeping audiences engaged without overexplaining, Philip reveals his approach to crafting dread, balancing science wit...
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Ep 280 - Why We Needed The Naked Gun

August 4, 2025 • 23 mins
Comedy is back—and it’s hitting hard. In this episode, Geoffrey is joined by returning guest and screenwriter Reece Taylor to break down the wild, absurd brilliance of the new Naked Gun reboot. From slapstick to self-aware parody, they explore why this style of comedy matters now more than ever, and how the film nails both structure and chaos in a way that keeps you laughing well past the credits.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:<...
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    Ep 279 – Fantastic Four: Why This Version Finally Gets It Right

    July 28, 2025 • 32 mins
    Geoffrey D. Calhoun welcomes back friend of the show, screenwriter Katie Presto, for a no-holds-barred breakdown of the new Fantastic Four film. From emotional arcs to cosmic stakes, they cover what worked, what surprised them, and why the movie isn’t the camp-fest some critics claim it to be.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
    • Why the Thing’s character arc hits differently this time
    • The subtle emotional depth behind Reed and Sue’...
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    Ep 278 - Paul Etheredge on Writing 'The Other' and Reinventing Indie Horror

    July 21, 2025 • 20 mins
    Writer-director Paul Etheredge joins Geoffrey to discuss his chilling new horror film The Other. From dream-fueled inspiration to last-minute casting chaos, Paul shares how the film came together—and how it cleverly subverts genre expectations. Plus, a candid look at indie filmmaking challenges, practical effects, and building layered character arcs that flip audience assumptions.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
    • How The Other ...
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    Ep. 277 – "Superman" Film Analysis: Subversion, Subtext, & Stakes

    July 15, 2025 • 57 mins
    In this raw and unfiltered episode, Geoffrey is joined by screenwriter Victoria Male for a bold and heartfelt analysis of James Gunn’s new Superman film. Despite some serious technical difficulties (mic issues) behind the scenes, the conversation soars as the duo dives deep into the film’s subtext, emotional resonance, and what makes this fresh take on the Man of Steel so uniquely effective. From reflections on Gunn’s personal jour...
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    Ep 276 - From 48 Hour Films to Apple TV: William McGregor on Directing The Buccaneers

    July 7, 2025 • 8 mins
    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 backgroun...
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    Ep 275 - Why Hollywood Said “No” to Euphoria – And How Ron Leshem Proved Them Wrong

    June 30, 2025 • 19 mins
    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 — e...
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