Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting

Can you turn a short web series into a television sitcom? In this episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting, screenwriter, producer, and filmmaker Jordan Imiola shares his journey from working in Hollywood to creating and producing original movies and television projects in Buffalo, New York. Originally interviewed on Tee It Up with Phil and Cindy , Jordan discusses his experience at 20th Centur...

In this episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting, Buffalo filmmakers and team leaders break down their real experiences competing in the 48 Hour Film Project. From pulling random genre prompts and required elements (props, characters, and dialogue lines) to midnight editing sprints, script pivots, and weather challenges, hear what it really takes to survive the ultimate indie filmmaking crunch....

Want to write a funny comedy sketch but aren't sure where to start? In this episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting, Jordan Imiola breaks down how to write sketch comedy, from finding one clear premise to creating memorable characters and building jokes that keep escalating. We look at what makes some of the most memorable comedy sketches work, with examples from Saturday Night Live, Key &...

Want to write a movie but aren't sure how to structure your screenplay from beginning to end? In this screenwriting lesson, Jordan Imiola breaks down how to write a movie step by step, from the opening scene and inciting incident through Act 2, the midpoint, lowest point, climax, and final scene. You'll learn how to: 🎬 Hook the audience with your opening scene ✍️ Write an inciting inciden...

🎬 Have you ever wondered why your screenplay might not be getting interest from managers or production companies? After reviewing thousands of screenplays and coaching writers for more than 17 years, I've noticed the same mistakes appear over and over again in early drafts and from new screenwriters. In this episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting, I break down the 10 biggest screenwritin...

Want to write funnier screenplays, sitcoms, or comedy films? In this episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting, award-winning screenwriter and producer Jordan Imiola shares his Top 10 Comedy Writing Tips using examples from classic sitcoms, produced films, and his own projects, including AARON AND ABBY'S ADVENTURES and LOVE AT FIRST SPITE. Whether you're writing your first screenplay or...

How do you ACTUALLY make a movie from start to finish? In this special Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting episode, award-winning screenwriter Jordan Imiola is joined by LOVE AT FIRST SPITE director David Wingert and co-writer/actress/producer Marisa Dzintars for a full behind-the-scenes conversation about the complete process of making an indie feature film — from the original screenplay and early T...

Join the Make a Short Film in 21 Days Challenge here 👉 https://www.skool.com/screenwriting-1697/about If you’ve been saying, “I want to make a short film someday,” Make that someday this June. 🎬Inside the Screenwriting Success Club, we’re doing a 💪 Make a Short Film in 21 Days Challenge You’ll have 21 days (which is more than enough time) to create a short film from start to finish. You must be...

What does a TV showrunner actually do and what does it really take to run a television show. In this episode, working TV writers and showrunners share the best showrunning advice they have learned while creating and running TV series. You will hear insights on how showrunners protect story and creative instincts, how writers rooms actually function, why story matters more than jokes, how character...

In this episode, we break down how to write a logline that actually sells your screenplay — to producers, managers, agents, contests, and pitch rooms. This video is pulled from a live group meeting inside the Screenwriting Success Club, where writers learn how to write, finish, and sell their scripts.🏆 Join the Screenwriting Success Club on Skool👉 https://www.skool.com/screenwriting-1697/about W...

The Grateful 10 Episode — Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting (2025) In this special gratitude-themed episode, screenwriters and actors reflect on the creative wins, unexpected breakthroughs, and personal growth that shaped their year. The entertainment industry can be unpredictable—long waits, stalled momentum, sudden surprises—but today we’re focusing on the moments that made it all worthwhile. Fea...

Want to get Scary Good at screenwriting? 👻In this episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting , Jordan Imiola breaks down 10 steps to writing a horror movie — with examples from A Quiet Place, Alien, Jaws, Scream, Friday the 13th, Child’s Play, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Insidious, Psycho, and more. Learn How To Write a Horror Movie with the Horror Movie Writing Course inside the Screenwriting Su...

Michael Waldron shares how he went from being a production assistant on Community and Rick and Morty to becoming the showrunner of Loki and creator of Heels . And eventually creating the new show, Chad Powers. Hosts Jordan Imiola , Kerstin Porter , and Rund Shami talk with Michael about: Breaking into Hollywood from the ground up How Rick and Morty shaped his writing voice Balancing character and...

What is script coverage, and how can it help (or hurt) your screenwriting career? In this episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting, Jordan Imiola and David Wingert dive deep into the world of professional script notes — from studio coverage to film festivals to today’s shifting industry. Between the two of them, they've worked on all sides of coverage: reading scripts, receiving notes, and...

🎬 Ever wondered what it’s like to make a film in just 48 hours? In this episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting , we dive into the world of the 48 Hour Film Project — the international filmmaking challenge where thousands of teams race the clock to write, shoot, and edit a movie in a single weekend. Join Jordan Imiola, Maria Braun, Jordan Lemu, Lillith Crimi, Justin Zelli, and Ryan Zunner as...

🎬 Want to break into TV or film comedy? Meet Doug Mand & Dan Gregor — the powerhouse writing duo behind Crazy Ex-Girlfriend , How I Met Your Mother , Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers , and more! In this hilarious and insightful episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting , Doug and Dan share: ✅ How they broke into Hollywood and built lasting writing careers ✅ Secrets to writing sharp, chara...

TV comedy writer Joe Cristalli (co-creator of the Frasier revival, Perfect Harmony , Life in Pieces ) joins Jordan Imiola, Kerstin Porter, and Rund Shami to talk about his sitcom career, breaking in, and what it’s really like writing TV comedy in today’s industry. If you're a screenwriter or comedy lover, don’t miss this fun and insightful episode! 👉 Want to write your own script this summer? Joi...

I’m sharing 10 of my favorite Comedy Writing Tips I've learned from watching too much TV ("Friends," "It's Always Sunny," "The Office," etc.) and from comedy books, comedy courses, and comedy experience that helped me become a comedy writer. If you want to learn Comedy Writing & Production, check out my Comedy Course about Comedy. 👉 ⁠https://jordanimiola....

👉 Enroll now: ⁠https://jordanimiola.thinkific.com/courses/write-your-screenplay-this-summer-course 🎥Finish your movie script in 12 weeks with a Screenwriting Course designed to help you go from idea to full screenplay, even if you’ve never written before. 🎬 Ready to finally write that movie that’s been living in your head? Join award-winning screenwriter Jordan Imiola for a fun, focused, and fu...

Take my Comedy Writing & Production Course 👉 https://jordanimiola.thinkific.com/courses/comedy-writing-production ✍️ Create your own comedy content — even if you're broke, busy, or just starting out! In this episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting , host Jordan Imiola breaks down how to brainstorm and create hilarious comedy with no money and no gatekeepers . Whether you’re building a...

Michael Jamin , a veteran TV writer with credits on  King of the Hill, Just Shoot Me, Maron, Wilfred, Tacoma FD, Rules of Engagement, and more, shares his journey and expert advice!  📺✍️ Michael takes us behind the scenes of the TV writing process , breaking down what it takes to create hilarious, character-driven scripts . This interview is packed with insight, laughs, and must-know in...

Jordan talks with his client, friend, and legendary voiceover actress, Cheryl Chase known for Angelica Pickles in RUGRATS, as well as contributing to classics like THE REN & STIMPY HOW and ADAMS FAMILY VALUES. Now, Cheryl embarks on a new adventure with her upcoming web series, SCHMIDTI'S CIRCUIT! Support Schmidti's Circuit on Kickstarter : 👉 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/schmi...

Want to break into TV sitcom writing? In this episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting, we dive into the art of crafting hilarious TV comedy with Malik S., a sitcom writer on the hit CBS show The Neighborhood! Not only does Malik bring the laughs in the writers’ room, but he also plays the character Tre on the show. As a stand-up comedian, he knows how to write and deliver comedy that lands—and...

Bringing a TV show to life is a long road—and for On Call creators Elliot Wolf and Tim Walsh , it was a five-year journey to get their gripping half-hour police drama on the air. Now a  breakout series on Amazon , On Call has captivated audiences with its fast-paced storytelling, real-time format, and nail-biting action. In this episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting , Tim Walsh  an...

Mattea Greene has been kicking ass in the Cobra Kai writers' room since Season 2, rising from writer’s assistant and script coordinator to Executive Story Editor for Season 6. In this conversation, she shares her journey from breaking into TV writing to crafting fan-favorite episodes like Season 3's “The Good, the Bad, and the Badass” . Get exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into the Cobra Kai w...