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

BPS 475: The Art of Networking in Hollywood – Real Strategies That Work with Erman Baradi & Brandon Waites

June 11, 2026 • 73 mins
Erman Baradi and Brandon Waites share practical, real-world advice on how to network effectively in Hollywood without coming across as desperate or transactional. Drawing from their own journeys — from military service and film school to building strong online presences — they explain why relationships, not scripts, are the true currency of the film industry. Their discussion highlights the importance of patience, profe...
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BPS 474: The Legal Mistake That Can Destroy Your Film Career with Nellie Akalp

June 4, 2026 • 35 mins
What if the biggest threat to your film isn’t your budget… your script… or even your distribution—but something legal you never even thought about?

In this episode, Nellie Akalp, CEO of CorpNet, breaks down the essential legal foundations every filmmaker must understand before stepping onto set. From LLCs to liability protection, she reveals why treating your film like a real business isn’t op...
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BPS 473: Why Moving to L.A Might Ruin Your Film Career with Will Ball

May 28, 2026 • 82 mins
In this episode, Will Ball—talent agent and founder of a new agency—breaks down the harsh realities of the film and acting industry that most aspiring filmmakers never hear. From the oversaturated market in Los Angeles to the misconception that talent alone leads to success, Will explains why many creatives struggle after chasing the Hollywood dream. He shares firsthand experiences from working in both Philadelphia and ...
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BPS 472: Why Most Indie Films Fail Before Production Even Starts with Jenna Edwards

May 21, 2026 • 72 mins
What really stops independent filmmakers from succeeding?

According to producer and actress Jenna Edwards, it’s not talent, money, or even connections—it’s the complete lack of a real plan. In this powerful conversation, Jenna shares the hard truths she learned moving from acting on shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Malcolm in the Middle into producing independent films. From networking mistakes to eg...
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BPS 471: Why Most Creators Never Finish Their Film (Hard Truth) with James Altucher

May 14, 2026 • 67 mins
James Altucher breaks down the real foundation of creativity and why most writers and filmmakers struggle—not because they lack talent, but because they don’t consistently generate ideas. He explains how developing an “idea muscle” through daily practice can completely transform your ability to create stories, solve problems, and build projects. Instead of waiting for inspiration, he reframes creativity as a...
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BPS 470: Why 99% of Indie Films NEVER Get Distribution with Bill Ostroff

May 7, 2026 • 81 mins
What if the biggest obstacle to your film career… isn’t talent—but misunderstanding how the industry actually works?

In this eye-opening conversation, Bill Ostroff—founder of one of the longest-running indie film festivals—pulls back the curtain on the hidden realities of film festivals, distribution, and why most indie films never reach an audience. From the explosion of fake festivals to the ...
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BPS 469: Why Most Filmmakers NEVER Finish Their Movies with Rob Dimension

April 30, 2026 • 52 mins
What if the only thing standing between you and your film career… is you?

In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Rob Dimension pulls back the curtain on the real struggles of indie filmmaking—from failed crowdfunding campaigns to the harsh truth about why most people never finish what they start. Drawing from years of experience creating films, building audiences, and navigating the chaos of independent produc...
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BPS 468: The Indie Filmmaker’s Survival Guide (No Hollywood Required) with Ethan Marten

April 23, 2026 • 90 mins
Ethan Marten shares his journey from growing up around Hollywood through his father’s connections to forging his own path as an actor, producer, and filmmaker outside the traditional system. From landing early acting roles to learning the realities of auditions, collaboration, and directing, he offers a grounded perspective on what it actually takes to sustain a career in the film industry. His experiences highlight the impor...
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BPS 467: Why Breaking Into TV Is HARDER Than You Think with Sandra Leviton

April 16, 2026 • 50 mins
In this episode, Sandra Leviton pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a career in television and film. From her early days working in reality TV to her time at FX during the rise of hit shows like Sons of Anarchy and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, she shares a firsthand look at how the industry has evolved—and why breaking in today is more competitive than ever. She explains the difference between ...
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BPS 466: The Screenwriting Software Changing How Writers Work with Guy Goldstein

April 9, 2026 • 49 mins
Guy Goldstein discusses how his background as both a programmer and screenwriter led to the creation of WriterDuet, one of the most innovative screenwriting tools available today. Recognizing that screenwriting is often a collaborative process, he built software that allows writers to work together in real time rather than sending drafts back and forth.

The result is a platform designed to streamline the creative workflow wh...
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BPS 465: How to Turn a YouTube Idea Into a Feature Film with Patrick Epino

April 2, 2026 • 50 mins
Patrick Epino shares how a simple YouTube video about Hollywood tropes evolved into the crowdfunded feature film Awesome Asian Bad Guys. After building an audience through the National Film Society, Patrick and his team leveraged their online community to raise over $50,000 on Kickstarter. He explains why crowdfunding requires relentless outreach, consistent content creation, and a pre-existing audience rather than blind optimism.<...
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BPS 464: How to Turn a Short Film Into a Film Career with Jennifer & Kevin Sluder

March 26, 2026 • 55 mins
Jennifer and Kevin Sluder share their journey from North Carolina to Los Angeles and how they built Sunshine Boy Productions into a growing independent film company. Kevin’s early recognition as a screenwriter opened doors, but instead of waiting for projects to materialize, the couple chose to produce their own short films. Their first project ignited a passion for hands-on filmmaking and laid the foundation for their creati...
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BPS 463: The Rodriguez List: How to Make Movies with What You Already Have with Aaron Kaufman & Brian Levin

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 perf...
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BPS 462: Finding Your Way into Film Without Film School with David Powers

March 12, 2026 • 127 mins
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 ...
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BPS 461: What a Real Film Producer Actually Does with Marc Bienstock

March 5, 2026 • 45 mins
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 ...
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BPS 460: Making Independent Films Without Hollywood or a Huge Budget with David Ash

February 26, 2026 • 51 mins
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 ...
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BPS 459: How Filmmakers Can Win in the Digital Marketing Age with David Feinman

February 19, 2026 • 55 mins
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 ...
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BPS 458: Finding a New Creative Path in Indie Film with Charmane Star

February 12, 2026 • 51 mins
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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BPS 457: The Untold Stories of Women in Action Cinema with Melanie Wise

February 5, 2026 • 52 mins
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 festiva...
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BPS 456: The New Rules of Indie Filmmaking No One Is Teaching with the Jalbert Brothers

January 29, 2026 • 62 mins
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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