The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna

Writing can feel like a never ending grind, but we of course need to find the space to take a vacation. Today we talk about how and WHY it's essential to our process. TO LEAVE AN APPLE PODCAST REVIEW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAG8mgrVQys Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maggie Cohn and her co-showrunner Antonio Campos knew that in adapting one of the most popular documentaries of all time (The Staircase), they had to have their own fresh take. And in finding this, Maggie discovered that she uncovered a unifying “thesis statement” to keep her story and emotional thematic on rails as they wrote. It’s a fascinating conversation, and we hope you enjoy it! Learn more...

For Joey Tucccio, the founder of Roadmap Writers, "you're a human first, and a writer second." Excelling at your craft has as much to do with your understanding of yourself as it does with your writing, and Joey goes DEEP on all of that, today! FOR MORE ON ROADMAP WRITERS: https://www.roadmapwriters.com/ TO SEE JEFF'S MOVIE: Click the link below and look for Block EEEE (The movie is called, ALWAYS...

Both Jenny Lumet and Alex Kurtzman are giants in our industry, and yet, they’re the FIRST to admit that every project is a brand new journey filled with excitement, fear, beauty, panic, and a profound sense of mystery. Find out how and why their new show The Man Who Fell To Earth was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their career in today’s show! Learn more about your ad cho...

Despite having written for multiple scripted series, SNL, and now Showrunning her own animated series, the essence of good writing remains simple for Anna Drezen: "Write about what you're obsessed with." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether it's a gritty wrestling drama like Heels, an animated satire like Rick and Morty, or a blockbuster romp through multi universes like Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Michael Waldron knows that emotionally honest storytelling is always central to a successful story. Today we unpack how to zero in on the emotional truth of your story.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...

Pat Verducci is a celebrated writing coach, story analyst, and produced writer/director, but at her most basic, Pat wants to help every writer planet earth getting closer to the story their heart wants to tell. Today, she walks through how YOU can do the same thing, and become your own writing coach as you unpack your story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thinking is an essential part of the creative process, but at a certain point, we just have to WRITE. Have you been over thinking? How to leave a review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_xz5XbWQTg Come see us in San Luis Obispo: https://slofilmfest.org/ The Goddess of Brokenness: http://www.sutrajournal.com/akhilandeshwari-the-power-of-brokenness-by-laura-amazzone Join Our Patreon: www.patreon.co...

Today we are ENORMOUSLY lucky to be joined by the insanely accomplished writer, director, fellowship export Lisanne Sartor, who in some ways, is the godmother of our podcast. She breaks down EVERYTHING we need to know about the process - the good, the bad, and the ugly, and how you can use opportunities to best propel YOUR career. Interested in an internship? Email us at: thescreenwritinglife@gmai...

Actress, playwright, professor, intern, story manager, showrunner. Despite Lorien's multifaceted career, one theme has unified every role she's taken on: storytelling. What did Lorien do when her MFA professor she didn't have what it takes? She doubled down. More on that in the show... Follow Quincey's Diabetes Journey Here!: https://www.youtube.com/c/Diabetes101 Learn more about your ad choices....

What is the most common note writers get? It almost ALWAYS relates to character "wants." Today, Meg and Lorien breakdown why character wants matter more than almost anything, how to incorporate them into your work, and why they'll help propel your story all to fade out.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey TSL Family! Lorien is BACK, and as you can imagine, our team had a lot to catch up on. As our conversation evolved, it seems the writing Gods were all pointing us toward the same thing: how to take care our writer selves when we're feeling overwhelmed. I (and so many in the Facebook group) feel grateful that Lorien has let us into the struggles of a brand new chapter in her life - more on that...

In today's very special episode, we interview one of Hollywood's most interesting, dynamic, and all around WONDERFUL industry veterans...Meg LeFauve!! And a VERY special guest joins in the fun... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've mentioned it many times on the show, so it's time we finally dive in; what exactly are character poles? Today is a masterclass from Meg, who dives into what she means when she says "character poles," how we can identify the concept using classics examples in staple films, and how we can apply it to our own work. Also, Jeff went on an unhealthy tear about his Olympics obsession. To see the ph...

Writers always have tons of questions when it comes to representation - and who better to answer them than...Meg's manager! Charlie Gogolak has thrived in this business for decades, both as a manager and producer, and today, we ask the questions that both emerging and professional writers are dying to know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Being a successful creative is all about give and take, and ANYONE who’s gotten feedback knows that paying it forward is an essential part of finding success in this business. But HOW do we give great notes? We dive into it today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether or not we want to admit it, being seen and getting staffed is easier if we can tell others WHO we are as writers. Industry powerhouse Alison Mann believes this so strongly that she has her clients create "brand decks" when she pitches them for jobs. And for Alison, it's just as much for their potential partners as it is for her clients themselves. After a long and impressive career working...

There are few jobs more mentally strenuous than that of a writer. Rejection. Writers block. Notes. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.  But today, bestselling author and thought leader Dr. Kristin Neff - renowned for her decades of research - is here to teach us about the beauty and the POWER of self-compassion. It will fundamentally shift the way you see you execute your creative life! PURCHASE KRISTIN'S BOOKS:...

Hi All! We're BACK with another greatest hits episode featuring some of our industry's best television writers. Today, you'll hear from: TSL TV Writers - best of Javier Grillo-Marxuach (ep 46) Sam Bain (ep 62) Marti Noxon (ep 40) Shantira Jackson and Dewayne Perkins (ep 69) Sean Presant (ep 61) Stacy Rukeyser (ep 60) THANK YOU to Jess Fisher who put this episode together. Learn more about your ad...

Happy Holidays TSL Fam!!! In this greatest hits episode, we provide insight from some of our sharpest guests to help YOU create the most interesting, compelling, and ACTIVE characters you can. Today's show features insights from: Mike Jones Ed Solomon Sheila Hanahan Taylor Javier Grillo-Marxuach Stacy Rukeyser Nicole Perlman Sam Bain Enjoy! As always, thank you to Jess Fisher who put this episode...

Today we feature of two of Hollywood’s most exciting up-and-comers, Caitlin Vukorpa and Zoe Cheng, who both have experience in writer’s rooms and agencies to answer all of the questions you’ve ever wondered about that path. Is it possible to do both? Will the experience help you in your career? Stay tuned to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Karam is the Tony Award-winning author of The Humans, Sons of the Prophet and Speech & Debate. For his work he’s received two Drama Critics Circle Awards, an OBIE Award and is a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist. Stephen recently directed his first feature film, a rethought version of The Humans for A24 films, to be released in 2021. He wrote a film adaptation of Chekhov’s The Seagull starr...

Emmy-nominated writers Shantira Jackson and Dewayne Perkins are some of comedy's most exciting rising voices, but their journey hasn't been a short one. From sketch shows in the middle of Idaho to writing for the WGA awards, Shantira and Dewayne break down their journey and offer incredible advice.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beyond craft, one of the most important aspects of building your career is developing emotional agility to really excel through the rejection and feedback that accompanies the creative journey. Today we hear from some of our amazing guests to hear how THEY have navigated through the process. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Putting a project in the desk drawer to start something new can feel like a betrayal, but sometimes it's the right step. How can we elegantly move on, but still stay loyal to our beautiful calling? We discuss it today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices