Beyond The Script : Career Strategy For TV and Film Writers

Most writers think if they explain their show clearly enough, walk through the structure, describe the characters, outline the plot, the pitch will land. But explaining isn't pitching, and that's where most writers get stuck. A pitch requires architecture, language control, and positioning that most writers never learn because they're too focused on just getting the information acro...

Most writers think a pitch is just explaining their show clearly - walk through the characters, describe the plot, hope they like it. But a pitch isn't an explanation. It's performance, meaning, and identity wrapped into one moment. In this episode, Nick and Steve explore what a pitch actually is beneath the surface: the emotional engine that gives it heat, the personal signature that ma...

Ideation gets treated like mythology. Either you’re blessed with second sight and the perfect idea drops into your lap, or you feel broken because nothing “lands.” In this episode, Nick and Steve bring the idea process back down to earth. They discuss the real origins of ideas, how to shape the sparks you already have, and how to build the scaffolding that turns an interesting thought into a story...

To build a memorable world on screen, you have to start with the world within. In this episode, Nick and Steve explore worldbuilding and the way place adds meaning to story. Drawing from their own inner landscapes and the tools they use with clients, they reveal a framework that will fundamentally shift how you think about your writing. Beyond The Script is where screenwriting philosophy meets car...

“Voice” is what separates a good script from a great one, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood ideas in screenwriting.  In this episode, Nick and Steve explore what “voice” really means and ideas that will help you bridge who you are with how you write. Through personal stories and coaching insights, they reveal how voice isn’t just unique and dynamic plot moves, it’s knowing what’s unmist...

For many, finding a champion to help them move forward in their screenwriting career is precarious. The conventional wisdom suggests that you need to put in  time proving yourself to industry contacts before you can ask for a favor. But what if there were ways to be more direct in your asks, or new forms of thinking about this issue so that the whole process didn't feel so one-sided and trans...

Human nature suggests that when the sky seems to be falling we turn to the media to confirm our fears. As writing jobs and our industry as a whole contracts writers find themselves turning to the trades to allay fears or just to "find out more." The good wisdom has always seemed to say that "reading the trades" was a must for any writer worth their salt.  But how much trade new...

Making your own work has been at the core of the strategic playbook for breaking in to film and tv for 25 years. Hollywood loves to embrace and amplify the story of the little gal or guy who made their short film for $500 bucks and landed the major studio deal. But with the ubiquity of film festivals and prohibitive costs to make high quality content, is the DIY career launch still a winning strat...

In a media ecosystem polluted with bad news, online vitriol, and political polarization, what is the writer's responsibility to the audience? If we - as writers - continue to churn out dark heroes and revenge story arcs - aren't we part of an ever growing problem? In this episode, Nick and Steve break down whether you should follow the money towards script ideas that have explosive actio...

Today's episode is all about AI - artificial intelligence - and what it means to TV and screenwriters. When the WGA writers went on strike, AI was among the concerns. Writers became obsessed with what it was and how it works and whether it's useful or not useful for a professional career. Since the strike ended there have been stories in the press about multiple sides of the issue - from...

On today's episode, we're talking about notes. Every TV and Feature writer gets notes - whether in writers' groups or from executives, showrunners, production companies or studios. But what do you do with all that feedback? Notes can make people defensive and emotional. All those comments can shut people down and some are just confusing. Should you stay open and soak up all the note...

Every writer wants the secret to career success. It's not only technique. It's not just connections. Those are important, but it's really about navigating what's INSIDE YOU. How do you manage the INTERNAL joys and challenges of living as a writer in TV and Film?  You've learned how to put words on the page, but no one taught you to live the life of a writer through the ups...

Every writer wants the secret to career success. It's not only technique. It's not just connections. Those are important, but it's really about navigating what's INSIDE YOU. How do you manage the INTERNAL joys and challenges of living as a writer in TV and Film?  You've learned how to put words on the page, but no one taught you to live the life of a writer through the ups...

Every writer wants the secret to career success. It's not technique. It's not connections. Those are important, but it's really about what's INSIDE YOU. How do you navigate the INTERNAL joys and challenges of living as a writer in TV and Film?  On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers, and script consultants/coaches, examine the "secret" inner...

Every writer wants the secret to career success. It's not technique. It's not connections. Those are important, but it's really about what's INSIDE YOU. How do you navigate the INTERNAL joys and challenges of living as a writer in TV and Film?  On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers, and script consultants/coaches, examine the "secret" inner...

Every writer wants the secret to career success. It's not technique. It's not connections. Those are important, but it's really about what's INSIDE YOU. How do you navigate the INTERNAL joys and challenges of living as a writer in TV and Film?  On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers, and script consultants/coaches, examine the "secret" inner...

Every writer wants the secret to career success. It's not technique. It's not connections. Those are important, but it's really about what's INSIDE YOU. How do you navigate the INTERNAL joys and challenges of living as a writer in TV and Film?  On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers, and script consultants/coaches, examine the "secret" inner...

Every writer wants the secret to career success. It's not technique. It's not connections. Those are important, but it's really about what's INSIDE YOU. How do you navigate the INTERNAL joys and challenges of living as a writer in TV and Film?  On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers, and script consultants/coaches, examine the "secret" inner...

On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, examine the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this juicy episode, Nick interviews Steve - to learn about his creative journey as a TV writer, playwright and actor, his thoughts about writing and his writing coaching process. Steve talks about growing up in New...

On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, examine the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this juicy episode, co-host mysteries are revealed! For the first time, Steve interviews Nick - to find out about his creative life as a writer and an actor, his writing philosophy, and what makes writing material...

On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, examine the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this juicy episode, Steve and Nick visit with playwright, screenwriter and showrunner Winnie Holzman ( Wicked, My So-Called Life ). Winnie talks about The two-part Wicked movie, her play, Choice , going back to wri...

In The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, examine the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this episode, Steve and Nick visit with showrunner Matt Arnold ( Emerald City , Siberia on NBC.) Matt breaks down how he organizes his writing schedule for maximum efficiency, why it's best to create a buffer...

In The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, break down the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this episode, they discuss the wisdom of dreams, how to develop an inner loving writing parent, and why asking for help just might change your life.  The Secret Writer Podcast might not be a secret anymore, but...

In The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, break down the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this episode, they discuss awards shows, how to manifest ideas, and the relationship between chaos and creativity.    The Secret Writer Podcast might not be a secret anymore, but still, don't tell anyone......

In The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers and script consultants, break down the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater. In this episode, they discuss the merit of filmmaking fellowships, how to write about your writing, and whether you should reveal the "magic tricks" of your process.     The Secret Writer Podcast might no...