The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun: Screenwriting Podcast

Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with acclaimed director David Yarovesky (Brightburn, Nightbooks) to discuss his latest psychological thriller, Locked, starring Bill Skarsgård and Anthony Hopkins. They dive into the challenges of shooting an intense one-shot sequence, the emotional depth of the film, and how Locked balances visceral thrills with layered social commentary. What You’ll Learn in This Ep...

In this episode, Geoffrey welcomes back Script Summit winner and indie filmmaker Neil Chase to discuss his latest film Spin the Wheel, now streaming on Tubi. Neil shares the challenges and triumphs of making a true indie feature on a shoestring budget, navigating distribution, and crafting a compelling story. They also discuss the evolving landscape of indie filmmaking, industry transitions, and w...

In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, host Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with Kim Hornsby, the Script Summit winner for Best Hour Drama with her pilot Moody and the Ghost. Kim shares her journey from writing a novella to adapting it into a TV pilot, the impact of winning Script Summit, and how her script is now making waves in Hollywood. She also discusses her experiences writing for Lif...

Script Summit 2025 is officially open for submissions! If you're looking for industry exposure, this is your chance to get your script read by Hollywood producers and directors. In this episode, we welcome Script Summit winner Lyndal Simpson, whose screenplay Gravedigger won a table read at Script Summit 2022. She shares her journey from winning the table read to signing an option deal and moving...

In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, host Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with filmmaker Fritz Frauendorf to discuss the challenges of breaking into the film industry through short films. Fritz shares his journey from film school to directing Manic Man, a short film that went viral, garnering over a million views. He reveals the marketing strategies that worked, the lessons he’s learned a...

Episode Description: In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is joined by regular guests Katie Presto and Reece Taylor to analyze and review Companion, the sci-fi horror film that blends psychological tension, AI themes, and unexpected humor. Geoffrey goes in blind, without prior knowledge of the film, leading to fresh reactions and in-depth discussions on themes of lov...

In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is joined by guest hosts Katie Presto and Reece Taylor for an in-depth film analysis of The Wolfman (2025). They dissect the film's subversive approach to the werewolf genre, its themes of generational trauma, and how it stacks up against classic horror films. Tune in for a spirited discussion filled with differing opinions and pl...

In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, Geoffrey D. Calhoun welcomes guest hosts Katie Presto and Reece Taylor to dive into the remake of Nosferatu. Together, they analyze the gothic tale's visual brilliance, explore its storytelling challenges, and debate its thematic depth. With personal insights and contrasting perspectives, the discussion unravels the complexities of this modern take o...

In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, Geoffrey sits down with director Mark Freiburger to discuss his latest feature film, Between Borders. Mark shares the powerful true story that inspired the film, the challenges of shooting in multiple countries, and assembling a stellar cast, including stars from Lost, The Chosen, and more. Get an insider look at how this low-budget indie drama came...

In this insightful episode, host Geoffrey D. Calhoun speaks with documentary filmmaker William Hart about his eight-year journey creating Lead and Copper, a film that exposes the ongoing Flint water crisis and the political and social factors behind it. William breaks down what drew him to Flint, how he navigated filming through a pandemic, and the unexpected twists he encountered—from missing doc...

On this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, host Geoffrey D. Calhoun connects with writer and producer William Mikita, the creative force behind Chasing 3000—a heartfelt baseball drama that tapped big-name talent like Ray Liotta. William opens up about his life-altering shift from attorney to filmmaker, sparked by a deeply personal story and a refusal to take “no” for an answer. He also teases...

In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with Adam Tex Davis, the Emmy-nominated writer behind Just Friends starring Ryan Reynolds and the groundbreaking show Brain Games. Tex shares his journey from writing Star Wars fan stories as a kid to scripting beloved films and creating educational content that captivates audiences of all ages. From hilarious behind-the...

In this episode, host Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with David Smallwood, the 2024 Script Summit Best Feature Screenplay winner, to discuss his award-winning script Sad Blue Dan. David reveals the origins of this elevated horror piece—rooted in a vivid, decades-old dream—and shares how he refined it into a contemporary Native American story that seamlessly blends slow-burn psychological tension wi...

In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter podcast, host Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with author Douglas A. Burton to discuss his groundbreaking book, The Heroine’s Labyrinth. Douglas offers a fresh perspective on story structure, presenting an alternative to the traditional hero’s journey tailored for heroine-centric stories. They explore how the heroine’s labyrinth differs from classic sto...

In this inspiring episode of The Successful Screenwriter Podcast, host Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with the incredibly talented writer and director Lina Suh. Known for her work on projects with HBO Max and Sony, as well as her contributions to the acclaimed Korean drama Dr. Brain, Lina shares her creative journey from writing childhood plays to directing award-nominated features. Key topics incl...

Geoffrey D. Calhoun goes live across multiple platforms to break down the divisive Joker: Folie à Deux. In this episode, Geoffrey dives into audience expectations vs. artistic vision, dissecting why the film’s genre-blending of courtroom drama and musical numbers created such polarized reactions. He examines both the missteps and the nuanced layers of character development to explore what really w...

Host: Geoffrey D. Calhoun, Author of The Guide For Every Screenwriter Guests: Alexandra Essoe, Writer and Director of The Carnal Soul Alexis Iacono, Producer of The Carnal Soul Summary: In this lively episode, Geoffrey sits down with Alexandra Essoe and Alexis Iacono, the creative minds behind the short film The Carnal Soul, which is making waves on the festival circuit. They dive into the origin...

Host: Geoffrey D. Calhoun, Author of The Guide For Every Screenwriter Guest: Simon Barrett, Screenwriter of Azrael, Godzilla X Kong, and You're Next Summary: In this episode, Geoffrey sits down with acclaimed screenwriter Simon Barrett, whose latest film Azrael is making waves in the horror genre. Simon shares his journey from small-town Missouri to working on low-budget horror films like Dead Bir...

Host: Geoffrey D. Calhoun, Author of The Guide For Every Screenwriter Guest: Cynthia Mersten, Screenwriter and Script Summit Winner In this episode, Geoffrey Calhoun sits down with Cynthia Mersten, 2022 Script Summit winner with her feature screenplay Bad Vibes. Cynthia shares the inspiration behind her unique horror-comedy script, which she describes as “Mean Girls with a little bit of murder.” T...

Host: Geoffrey D. Calhoun, Author of The Guide For Every Screenwriter Guest: Marq Scheyder, Screenwriter and Filmmaker Summary: In this insightful AMA (Ask Me Anything) the tables are turned as Marq Scheyder returns to interview Geoffrey D. Calhoun and dive deep into the writing process with a surprise script consultation on air with Geoffrey himself. Geoffrey discusses building routines, handling...

Host: Geoffrey D. Calhoun, Author of The Guide For Every Screenwriter Guest: Bertie Speirs & Samantha Speirs, Filmmakers of Midnight Taxi Summary: In this episode, Geoffrey sits down with Bertie and Samantha Speirs, the dynamic filmmakers behind the indie thriller Midnight Taxi, to discuss their journey into independent filmmaking, how the pandemic became an opportunity for creativity, and the...

Host: Geoffrey D. Calhoun, Author of The Guide For Every Screenwriter Guest: Mike Hammond, Retired Homicide Detective and Host of Detective Story Podcast Summary: In this episode, Geoffrey D. Calhoun welcomes retired homicide detective Mike Hammond. They delve into the intricacies of being a homicide detective, the challenges of communication in investigations, and the emotional toll the job takes...

Host: Geoffrey D. Calhoun, Best Selling Author of 'The Guide For Every Screenwriter' Guest: TJ Noel-Sullivan, Writer and Director of "Midas" Summary: In this episode, Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with TJ Noel-Sullivan, the writer and director of the new film "Midas." They discuss TJ's journey into filmmaking, the inspiration behind "Midas," the challenges of indie filmmaking, and the importance o...

Host: Geoffrey D. Calhoun, Best Selling Author of 'The Guide For Every Screenwriter' Guests: Nicole Vernarec, Showrunner; Matthew Darcy Vieira, Producer Summary: In this episode, Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with showrunner Nicole Vernarec and producer Matthew Darcy Vieira to discuss their journey of creating the show "Rumors" and getting it onto Tubi. They delve into the origins of the show, the...

Host: Geoffrey D. Calhoun, Best Selling Author of ' The Guide For Every Screenwriter ' Guest: Ole Bornedal, Writer and Director of Nightwatch and Nightwatch Demons Are Forever Summary: In this episode, Geoffrey D. Calhoun interviews Ole Bornedal, the acclaimed writer and director behind the cult classic "Nightwatch" and its upcoming sequel "Nightwatch Demons Are Forever." They delve into the proce...