Bulletproof Screenwriting™ Podcast

Bulletproof Screenwriting™ Podcast

The Bulletproof Screenwriting Podcast shows you how to make your screenplays bulletproof. Weekly interviews with Oscar® and Emmy® award winning screenwriters, story specialists, best-selling authors, Hollywood agents and managers, and industry insiders. We cover every aspect of the screenwriting process. This is the screenwriting podcast for the rest of us. No fluff. No BS. Just straight talk that will help you on your screenwriting journey. Some of the past guests include 3X Oscar® Winning Writer/Director Oliver Stone, Eric Roth (Dune, Forest Gump), Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead), Richard Linklater (Boyhood, Slacker) James V. Hart (Dracula, Hook), John August (Big Fish, Aladdin), Jim Uhls ( Fight Club), Peter Rader (Waterworld), Diane Drake (What Women Want), Daniel Knauf (Carnival, Blacklist), Derek Kolstad (John Wick) and Pen Densham (Robin Hood, Backdraft) to name a few. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bulletproof-screenwriting-podcast--2881148/support.

Episodes

March 19, 2026 53 mins
Aaron Kaufman and Brian Levin share an unfiltered look at how independent filmmakers can build real momentum by creating instead of waiting. Drawing from experiences ranging from YouTube comedy to studio features, they explain the power of the “Rodriguez List”—writing scripts based on the assets you already have. Their approach emphasizes volume, consistency, and learning through execution rather than chasing perfect conditions or ...
Mark as Played
David Powers shares his unconventional path into filmmaking, one driven by curiosity rather than credentials. From discovering cinema through genre films and festivals to learning production hands-on through wrestling shoots and indie sets, David explains how real-world experience shaped his understanding of storytelling, collaboration, and problem-solving. His journey highlights how festivals like the New York Asian Film Festival ...
Mark as Played
Marc Bienstock shares an honest look at what producing really means, drawing from decades of experience on both independent and studio films. From his early days at NYU and directing features to becoming a trusted producer on projects like The Visit and Split, Marc explains how preparation, communication, and team building form the foundation of every successful production. His philosophy centers on supporting the director’s vision...
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On today’s episode, we meet David Ash, a filmmaker who perfectly embodies the spirit of the weekend warrior — balancing a demanding corporate career, a family of four, and a thriving passion for filmmaking. Living in the Twin Cities, Ash proves that a creative life doesn’t have to mean abandoning stability. With a degree in business administration and a full-time job as a treasury director, he still finds time to write, shoot, and ...
Mark as Played
David Feinman shares how cinematic storytelling can be used to build successful businesses and viral experiences. From creating Zombie Run—a nationwide immersive event inspired by zombie films—to founding Viral Idea Marketing, David explains how understanding narrative, pacing, and emotion allows content to cut through digital noise. His approach treats marketing like filmmaking, where suspense, structure, and audience engagement m...
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Charmane Star shares her unexpected journey from a small role in Black Dynamite to discovering a deep passion for independent filmmaking. What began as a routine booking evolved into a Sundance Film Festival premiere and a Sony Pictures acquisition, introducing her to the collaborative and global nature of indie cinema. Through international screenings, she gained firsthand insight into how cultural context shapes audience reaction...
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Melanie Wise, a former model and actress, discusses her transition to producing due to height-related challenges in acting. She produced the horror action film "Hannah's Gift," which she also starred in, and faced issues with lost masters and ineffective editors.

Wise co-founded the Artemis Film Festival to showcase women in action roles, highlighting historical female contributions and contemporary achievements. The festival, fan-b...
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The Jalbert Brothers share how they built their filmmaking careers by embracing low budgets, consistent output, and hands-on learning. Rather than waiting for funding or studio approval, they focused on making films with minimal resources, sometimes for as little as $1,000. Each project became a practical lesson in storytelling, directing, editing, and problem-solving, allowing them to sharpen their skills faster than traditional d...
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Chris Jay, once a touring musician with the rock band Army of Freshmen, found a new creative path when the music industry shifted and opportunities dried up. Instead of giving up, he and his bandmate Aaron Goldberg turned to filmmaking, writing and producing their first feature, The Bet. Without studio backing or formal film education, the duo learned everything from scratch — from writing the screenplay to formatting scripts manua...
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Michael K. Snyder shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build a sustainable screenwriting career. From film school and early networking with Lloyd Kaufman to moving to Los Angeles with a plan, Michael’s journey highlights the importance of preparation, persistence, and relationship-building. Rather than chasing quick wins, he focused on writing constantly, producing short films, and using scripts as calling car...
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Bob Saenz shares a rare, honest look at what it means to build a long-term career as both an actor and screenwriter. From his early days in theater and television to writing studio films and Hallmark movies, Bob’s journey emphasizes craft over shortcuts. He explains how his time acting on Nash Bridges became a hands-on education in filmmaking, shaping his approach to writing realistic dialogue, authentic scenes, and story-driven sc...
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On this episode, we sit down with Danny Mac, a Canadian filmmaker, actor, and producer whose story is a masterclass in indie filmmaking grit. Best known for his mockumentary Heel Kick!, Danny proves that passion and persistence can turn any dream—no matter how outlandish—into cinematic reality. Without the luxury of film school or industry connections, Danny started his filmmaking journey in Edmonton, Alberta, a city without much o...
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Every once in a while, a filmmaker comes along whose story redefines what’s possible. On today’s episode, we meet Gough, the world’s first legally blind filmmaker to write, produce, edit, direct, and star in a feature film. Based in Australia, Gough’s journey isn’t just about overcoming obstacles—it’s about rewriting the rules of what it means to create. Through his production company, Beer Nuts Productions, he’s built a thriving c...
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Nicole Jones-Dion, a screenwriter, director, and producer, shared her unconventional path into filmmaking, beginning in the world of video games and comics before moving into film. Known for her work on projects like Tekken 2, Dracula: The Dark Prince, and the SyFy thriller They Found Hell, she has built a career in genre storytelling that blends sci-fi, horror, and action. Her persistence paid off after writing more than fifteen s...
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Dawn Fields is a Los Angeles-based producer, writer, and director whose journey through the film industry is marked by both struggle and triumph. Beginning her career as a production assistant in Atlanta, she quickly discovered her true passion was behind the camera. After relocating to Los Angeles with nothing but determination, she worked in distribution and acquisitions before founding Palm Street Films. From early crowdfunding ...
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Award-winning screenwriter Mike Bierman has carved an unconventional path into the world of storytelling, moving from reading his daughter’s audition scripts to building a reputation as both a prolific writer and founder of the Facebook group Screenwriters Who Can Actually Write. In this conversation, he shares his journey into screenwriting, his tough-love philosophy for aspiring writers, and the methods he uses to keep scripts sh...
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Jamie Buckner’s filmmaking journey is one built on passion, persistence, and pure creative drive. After exploring careers in music, architecture, and art, he realized filmmaking combined everything he loved into one pursuit. Starting as a production assistant, Jamie worked his way through Hollywood’s ranks on major films like Seabiscuit, The Departed, and John Wick: Chapter Two. But while learning from industry giants, he continued...
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Dan Benamor began his film career as an intern, quickly working his way up to head of development at a small production company. That experience gave him a deep understanding of story and the industry, shaping his perspective on what makes a screenplay stand out: confidence, strong character work, and purposeful storytelling. While he has tried directing, Dan discovered that his true passion lies in writing. He believes the hardest...
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A spark of madness is often the first step toward creation. On today’s episode, we welcome Bojan Dulabic, a passionate Vancouver-based filmmaker who pulled off a small miracle—he made a full-length zombie movie for just $5,000. But this isn't just a story of budgeting brilliance; it's a tale of relentless passion, artistic vision, and the kind of self-taught wisdom you can't get in film school.Born in Bosnia, raised in Germany and ...
Mark as Played
The landscape of existence can sometimes feel like a cosmic play—actors shifting between roles, creating stories that ripple through time. On today's episode, we welcome Phil Proctor, an artist whose life weaves a tapestry of creativity, resilience, and humor. Known for his work with the legendary Firesign Theatre and an illustrious voice acting career, Phil has left an indelible mark on the worlds of comedy, film, and beyond.Phil ...
Mark as Played

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