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The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun: Screenwriting Podcast

Geoffrey D. Calhoun
Screenwriting
Film Industry
Hollywood
Joker: Folie À Deux
Love
Netflix
Character Development
Five Nights At Freddy's
The Naked Gun
Script Summit
Arthur Fleck
In Any Lifetime
The Shift
Black Rabbit
Linda Seger
Generational Trauma
Subplots
Filmmaking
Harley Quinn
On Call

Welcome to The Successful Screenwriter Podcast, your go-to source for in-depth discussions, expert insights, and captivating interviews in the world of screenwriting. Hosted by seasoned screenwriter Geoffrey D. Calhoun and Kristy Lee Lussier, this podcast is a valuable resource for both novice and experienced screenwriters, offering a wealth of insights and guidance.About the Podcast:Dive deep int... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes261Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Film InterviewsFilm ReviewsTV & Film

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Artwork for The Successful Screenwriter

Latest Episodes

Geoffrey D. Calhoun and Kristy Leigh Lussier explore what happened when Geoffrey entered Screenwriting Reddit to offer writers free advice without promoting himself or selling anything. His posts quickly reached thousands of writers—but a message enc... more

Geoffrey D. Calhoun and Kristy Leigh Lussier break down one of the easiest ways to spot weak screenwriting: dialogue nobody would actually say. They share practical ways to write more authentic conversations before answering listener questions about ... more

Discover how an ordinary break room transformed into a post-apocalyptic set for Geoffrey’s new vertical thriller, Elsy. In this episode, Geoffrey and Kristy sit down with filmmaker and Vault Studio founder George Ansara to explore his journey from co... more

In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, Geoffrey D. Calhoun and Kristy Leigh Lussier break down why some movies fail despite strong marketing, using Supergirl as a case study to explore how theme, character, and a worthy antagonist determine ... more

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Recent Guests

George Ansara
Owner/Operator of Vault Studio
Vault Studio
Episode: EP 315 - The Secrets to Indie Film Success, George Ansara on Building Vault Studio
Geoffrey D. Calhoun
Writer/Director of Elsy, multiple-time collaborator with Kristy Leigh Lussier
Elsy team
Episode: EP 313 – ELSY: The Post-Apocalyptic Vertical Series That Could Change Everything
Kristy Leigh Lussier
Assistant Director on Elsy, filmmaker
Elsy team
Episode: EP 313 – ELSY: The Post-Apocalyptic Vertical Series That Could Change Everything
Karly Coffee
Lead actor in Elsy
Elsy cast
Episode: EP 313 – ELSY: The Post-Apocalyptic Vertical Series That Could Change Everything
Eric Roman
Voice actor in Elsy
Elsy cast
Episode: EP 313 – ELSY: The Post-Apocalyptic Vertical Series That Could Change Everything
Lee Vanderbilt
Emmy Award–winning editor/cinematographer
Elsy production
Episode: EP 313 – ELSY: The Post-Apocalyptic Vertical Series That Could Change Everything
Katie Preston
Producer and production manager
Elsy production
Episode: EP 313 – ELSY: The Post-Apocalyptic Vertical Series That Could Change Everything
Jesse McAnally
Filmmaker and co-writer of 'The Daughters of the Domino'
Episode: Ep 299 - How to Survive Indie Filmmaking Without Burning Out
Anu Valia
Director known for her work on shows like She-Hulk and her indie film 'We Strangers'.
Episode: EP 295 - Anu Valia on Voice, Casting, and Indie Momentum

Hosts

Geoffrey D. Calhoun
Writer/Director and host, experienced screenwriter and author guiding discussions on craft and industry trends
Kristy Leigh Lussier
Co-host, filmmaker and assistant director with on-set experience; contributes insights on production and vertical storytelling

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 47 ratings
  • Inspiration for writers at any stage

    I love the Successful Screenwriter podcast! Geoffrey interviews a great variety of creatives so there are resources and sources of inspiration for writers at any stage in their career.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hoptchkiss
    United Statesa year ago
  • Rings of Power Review - strong discussion!

    Every episode of this podcast is informative and entertaining. I also enjoy that pace. Excellent review of Rings of Power. It feels like Kristy Leigh Lussier isn’t a fan of the diverse casting choices.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Family Guy 2K13
    United States4 years ago
  • A great interviewer across a wide range of related topics

    I love that this podcast covers both niche and more generally related topics for screenwriters. Beyond a focus on the craft, it also provides solid guidance for writers and creators of all disciplines. Geoffrey is a great interviewer and host!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    itsmaddylol
    United States4 years ago
  • Good stuff

    helpful interviews but the filler words (aha, ok, oh right etc…) from the host is distracting.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    ka$$y3
    Australia4 years ago
  • Excellent!

    Really enjoyed the interview with Jeff Gross. Super interesting look into the world of product placement. Great open questions from the host. Geoffrey is an engaged and kind interviewer, building off of them and asking great open questions. Thanks for sharing!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kai Bobbi
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Episodes are described as informative and entertaining with solid guidance for writers and creators across disciplines.
Listeners praise the host's ability to pull diverse insights from guests and keep interviews engaging.
Feedback highlights the show's concise, on-point format and practical screenwriting tips, though some note host delivery can include filler words.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep 317 - I infiltrated Screenwriting Reddit. Here's What Happened
Q: Ibrar Lussier asked, can using a prologue and short film screenplays be effective? What do you think?
It depends on the genre and the driving purpose; a prologue can set up the world in fantasy or epic stories, but in shorter formats it risks a monologue trap and should be used when it serves a clear storytelling goal rather than stuffing backstory.
EP 316 – Screenwriters, Stop Writing Dialogue Like This
Q: Official Piece Cozy asks, do you number scenes? and about ending flashbacks
They explain scene numbering can be useful in shooting scripts but not always necessary in reading scripts; for flashbacks, end flashback markers or cut to the next scene, and stay consistent with whichever approach you choose.
EP 316 – Screenwriters, Stop Writing Dialogue Like This
Q: Cykren Marla asks, struggling to finish your first draft because of over-expectations on scenes while writing
The hosts acknowledge the struggle and advise treating each scene as its own mini-story, focusing on whether it provides new information, advances the plot, and maintains momentum, then revisiting rough drafts with fresh eyes instead of forcing a perfect first go.
Ep 312 - Hollywood Is Changing Faster Than Most Writers Realize
Q: How important are the first five to 10 pages of your script?
They are the most important pages of the script; they determine whether the reader stays engaged and reads further, acting as the window to hook the audience.
Ep 306 - Why Rewriting Too Early Kills Your Script
Q: What do you think is the best route to secure a manager?
Do research on the kind of script you have and find managers that focus on that genre, while using solid query letters to reach out.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Successful Screenwriter

What is The Successful Screenwriter about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program focuses on the craft and business of screenwriting, blending in-depth interviews with writers, filmmakers, and industry professionals, plus practical analysis of scripts, storytelling techniques, and industry trends. Episodes routinely explore craft topics (structure, empathy, pitch strategies), career guidance (gigs, gigs negotiation, writing for different formats), and behind-the-scenes insights from indie and commercial productions. A distinctive edge lies in frequent discussions of vertical storytelling, genre storytelling challenges, and the evolving landscape of streaming, indie film, and marketing as it intersects with writing. The format tends to pair actionable takeaways with candid anecdotes, making it useful for writ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Successful Screenwriter?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Successful Screenwriter:

1. The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
2. Bulletproof Screenwriting™ Podcast
3. Script Apart with Al Horner
4. Scriptnotes Podcast
5. Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting

How many episodes of The Successful Screenwriter are there?

The Successful Screenwriter launched 6 years ago and published 261 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Successful Screenwriter?

Recent guests on The Successful Screenwriter include:

1. George Ansara
2. Geoffrey D. Calhoun
3. Kristy Leigh Lussier
4. Karly Coffee
5. Eric Roman
6. Lee Vanderbilt
7. Katie Preston
8. Jesse McAnally

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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