Ep 300 - How to Fix a Boring Act 2
The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun: Screenwriting Podcast
00:00
Secret Weapon: Cut to the Antagonist
Geoffrey's tip: when pacing lags, cut to the antagonist to build intrigue and revive momentum.
Play episode from 28:22
Transcript
Transcript
Episode notes
We are celebrating our big 300th episode with in depth craft talk and our giveaway.
Kristy breaks down seeing Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 in a packed theater, what real fan service looks like, and why understanding the assignment with IP can matter more than chasing four quadrant appeal. Geoffrey shares his hot take on Wicked For Good and why character motivation has to make emotional sense or the whole story starts to wobble.
We talk about Netflix buying Warner Bros, what consolidation could mean for theaters and for working writers, and why packed screenings still matter. From there we dig into real listener questions, including what to do when your second act is boring in a contained script, how subplots keep a story alive, why cutting to the antagonist is a secret weapon, and why you should master features before jumping into pilots and series. If you are stuck in act two, worried your work is not ready, or wondering how to get your script seen when you feel like you live in the middle of nowhere, this milestone episode is for you.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Kristy Leigh is a writer, director, and co host of the show. She works in film and television, writes and directs vertical drama such as The Witch Wolf’s Mate for ReelShort, and helps writers level up their scripts through feedback and development.
About the Host
With films on network television, streaming platforms, and in theaters, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and a passionate mentor in the industry. His mission is to inspire and empower writers and filmmakers at every level.
Resources Mentioned in the Episode
🎬 Get Free Script Leads — be the first to know which producers are requesting scripts and accepting submissions.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe. Share it with a fellow screenwriter who’d find it valuable!
Kristy breaks down seeing Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 in a packed theater, what real fan service looks like, and why understanding the assignment with IP can matter more than chasing four quadrant appeal. Geoffrey shares his hot take on Wicked For Good and why character motivation has to make emotional sense or the whole story starts to wobble.
We talk about Netflix buying Warner Bros, what consolidation could mean for theaters and for working writers, and why packed screenings still matter. From there we dig into real listener questions, including what to do when your second act is boring in a contained script, how subplots keep a story alive, why cutting to the antagonist is a secret weapon, and why you should master features before jumping into pilots and series. If you are stuck in act two, worried your work is not ready, or wondering how to get your script seen when you feel like you live in the middle of nowhere, this milestone episode is for you.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- How to tell if your script is truly ready to be “out there”
- Practical ways to fix a boring second act in a contained story
- Why subplots and antagonists keep your pages from going flat
- The real difference between features and pilots, and why that matters
- What fandom driven hits like Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 can teach you about IP and audience
- 00:20 – Celebrating episode 300 and announcing the big giveaway prizes
- 01:12 – Kristy’s breakdown of Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 and writing for fandoms
- 06:45 – Geoffrey’s Wicked 2 hot take, grief, and the missed John Wick moment
- 12:17 – Netflix buying Warner Bros, what this means for theaters and writers
- 23:42 – Listener question, how to fix a boring second act in a limited setting
Kristy Leigh is a writer, director, and co host of the show. She works in film and television, writes and directs vertical drama such as The Witch Wolf’s Mate for ReelShort, and helps writers level up their scripts through feedback and development.
About the Host
With films on network television, streaming platforms, and in theaters, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and a passionate mentor in the industry. His mission is to inspire and empower writers and filmmakers at every level.
Resources Mentioned in the Episode
- The Guide For Every Screenwriter
- Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
- Wicked For Good
- InkTip
- ScreenX and 4D style theatrical screenings
- Kristy on Instagram:@kantoka127
- Kristy’s vertical drama The Witch Wolf’s Mate
- Website: thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com
- Instagram: @screenwriterpod
- YouTube: @thesuccessfulscreenwriter
🎬 Get Free Script Leads — be the first to know which producers are requesting scripts and accepting submissions.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe. Share it with a fellow screenwriter who’d find it valuable!
The AI-powered Podcast Player
Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
