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The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna

Meg LeFauve & Lorien McKenna
Screenwriting
Grief
Always, Lola
Story Engine
Creative Process
Character Development
Micro Budget Filmmaking
Christmas Movies
Theme
Character Arc
Conflict
Film Production
The Holdovers
Plot Goals
Main Relationships
Tone
Wingspan
Diversity In Film
Past Lives
Nimona

Welcome to The Screenwriting Life, a podcast where Oscar-nominated writer Meg LeFauve and Emmy-nominated writer Lorien McKenna discuss not only the craft and business of Screenwriting, but also the emotional life: the ups and downs of being a creative, to remind you that you are not alone and to keep writing.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes257Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
TV & Film

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Artwork for The Screenwriting Life

Latest Episodes

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: tslworkshops.circle.sol

In this special edition of our mailbag series, we’re flipping the script. Instead of questions from newcomers, today we hear from working, professional screenwriters—people already inside the indus... more

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: tslworkshops.circle.so

BUY ROB'S BOOK: www.amazon.com/FILM-DIRECTORS-FIELD-MANUAL-Filmmaking/dp/1662850549

Whether you're on set or on the page, great storytelling relies on clarity, efficiency, and emotional tru... more

Emily Brundige was tired of waiting around for gatekeepers to say yes. So, she stopped asking.

In this candid conversation with Lorien, Emily shares how her frustration with the traditional hurry-up-and-wait pitch process pushed her to self-produce ... more

Carla Banks-Waddles (BEL-AIR) has lived many lives as a writer. From being a valued member of multi-cam half hour rooms, to pivoting towards single cam serialized family dramas, Carla has had a wonderfully diverse career. How? She wrote her way there... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Rob Spera
Director and author with experience in film and television, including teaching at AFI
AFI (American Film Institute)
Episode: 247 | Directing Fundamentals That Make You a Better Writer (ft. Rob Spera)
Tyler Nilson
Filmmaker and co-director of The Peanut Butter Falcon and Los Frikis
Episode: Indie Film Craft 1 | Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz (The Peanut Butter Falcon, Los Frikis) Discuss Authentic Collaboration
Tyler Nielsen
Director and co-writer known for 'The Peanut Butter Falcon'
Independent Filmmaker
Episode: ANNOUNCEMENT: New Bonus Spinoff Show For Filmmakers Drops In Feed THURSDAY!
Michael Schwartz
Producer and co-writer known for 'The Peanut Butter Falcon'
Independent Filmmaker
Episode: ANNOUNCEMENT: New Bonus Spinoff Show For Filmmakers Drops In Feed THURSDAY!
John Henion
Documentary filmmaker known for his work on 'Welcome To Wrexham' and other notable documentary series.
FX
Episode: 242 | Welcome To Wrexham Showrunner John Henion Discusses Theme As A Central Creative Throughline
Lizzie Molino
Creator and showrunner for 'The Great North' and writer for 'Bob's Burgers'.
The Great North, Bob's Burgers
Episode: 241 | Bob's Burgers Executive Producers & The Great North Creators Discuss Adult Animation
Wendy Molino
Showrunner and writer known for work on 'The Great North' and 'Bob's Burgers'.
The Great North, Bob's Burgers
Episode: 241 | Bob's Burgers Executive Producers & The Great North Creators Discuss Adult Animation
George Saunders
Award-winning author known for his novels, essays, and short stories
Independent author
Episode: 240 | George Saunders' Storytelling Masterclass
Dana Fox
Co-writer of Wicked, has also worked on films such as Cruella and The Lost City.
Episode: 239 | Wicked Co-Writer Dana Fox on Why You're Avoiding Your Writing

Hosts

Meg LeFauve
Co-host and Oscar-nominated screenwriter known for her work in film and her supportive insights into the writing process.
Lorien McKenna
Co-host and Emmy-nominated writer, she brings her experiences in animation and television writing to discussions about creativity and collaboration.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.8k ratings
  • I love this show so much

    Meg and Lorien — thank you so much for making this show. It keeps me company on those long LA drives… 😎

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mia*13
    United States2 months ago
  • The first podcast I recommend to aspiring screenwriters

    Great podcast all around, a must-listen if you're serious about writing a screenplay or learning more about how the tv/film industry works. The hosts each offer a difference perspective and you can bet one of them will resonate with you. My favorite episodes are the ones where Meg, Lorien, Jeff, and the interns talk among themselves about the business and their own experiences, or answer questions from the mailbag. I've learned so much to upgrade my own scripts--thank you Meg, Lorien, and Jef... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MidtownATLGal
    United States3 months ago
  • ALL THE STARS

    A friend recommended a specific episode of TSL after I went to her - weeping writer tears of extreme frustration - and I haven’t stopped listening since.

    My only complaint:

    I can’t consume the episodes quickly enough.

    Since I’m late to the party, I find myself mining the archives for those specific topics that are currently sucking my soul (and making me question my entire existence) and let me tell you - picking ONE at a time is HARD.

    They really do cover it all.

    And they repeat the thin... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NPW917
    United States3 months ago
  • Being coached by the best

    Hi Meg and Lorien from Paris. Just wanted to take the time to thank you for this amazing show. I am a French tech entrepreneur so never attended a script class but I don’t need to anymore, I’m learning from the best thanks to you. My goal is now clear, finish an amazing script thanks to your coaching, sell it, turn it into a movie and be invited on your show in a couple of years ;-)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aleo82
    France3 months ago
  • Love this podcast!

    The best podcast on screenwriting!! Thank you Meg, Lorien and Jeff!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jaz202022
    Canada4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners have criticized the conversational style, noting instances of interruptions affecting the flow of discussion, but overall feedback remains overwhelmingly positive.
Many listeners find the content both educational and inspiring, encouraging them to keep working on their own projects despite challenges.
The hosts are praised for their authenticity and vulnerability, often sharing personal stories that resonate with aspiring writers.
Listeners appreciate the conversational format that balances craft with emotional support, making the podcast relatable and informative.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#234
United States/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#137
United Kingdom/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#131
Italy/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#172
Australia/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#36
Mexico/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#90
United Arab Emirates/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

248 | Working Writers Ask Us Questions: An Industry Mailbag
Q: At what point is it time to move on or to pivot?
You know when it's time to pivot when you determine that you don't love the project anymore or when it's just not working.
248 | Working Writers Ask Us Questions: An Industry Mailbag
Q: How do I effectively pitch projects on Zoom?
Stay upbeat and connected to your story. Pay attention to the energy in the room and match it when you first show up.
248 | Working Writers Ask Us Questions: An Industry Mailbag
Q: How do I know when an idea is baked enough to show my reps?
It depends on your reps and your relationship with them, and what the terms of what you've agreed upon with your rep, about when you show them things.
239 | Wicked Co-Writer Dana Fox on Why You're Avoiding Your Writing
Q: How do you approach character introductions?
Fox advises against finalizing character introductions until after finishing the script, as true understanding of the character evolves during the writing process.
239 | Wicked Co-Writer Dana Fox on Why You're Avoiding Your Writing
Q: How do you create a strong TV engine?
Fox admits she struggles with this, noting a good engine should be character-based, but recognizes that a strong narrative hook keeps viewers engaged.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Screenwriting Life

What is The Screenwriting Life about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on both the craft and the emotional aspects of screenwriting, insightful conversations are featured with seasoned scriptwriters discussing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the industry. The content emphasizes honesty about the writing journey, addressing self-doubt and emotional resilience, while also offering practical advice and insights from successful creatives. Listeners can expect to gain valuable perspectives not just on screenwriting techniques, but also on the importance of maintaining mental health and creativity through shared struggles, making this a unique and relatable resource for aspiring writers.

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How many listeners does The Screenwriting Life get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Screenwriting Life?

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How many subscribers and views does The Screenwriting Life have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Screenwriting Life has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Screenwriting Life?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Screenwriting Life:

1. Scriptnotes Podcast
2. Script Apart with Al Horner
3. The No Film School Podcast
4. IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit
5. The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

How many episodes of The Screenwriting Life are there?

The Screenwriting Life launched 5 years ago and published 257 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Screenwriting Life?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Screenwriting Life?

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Screenwriting Life?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Screenwriting Life. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Screenwriting Life?

Recent guests on The Screenwriting Life include:

1. Rob Spera
2. Tyler Nilson
3. Tyler Nielsen
4. Michael Schwartz
5. John Henion
6. Lizzie Molino
7. Wendy Molino
8. George Saunders

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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