In this lost episode from the archives, I sit down with the legendary screenwriting guru Linda Seger, author of Making a Good Script Great and a true pioneer of the script consulting profession. We dive deep into her decades of experience shaping stories, her approach to theme, structure, subplots, and images, and why great screenwriters are seekers of the human condition. Linda also shares insights on her new book How to Write Great Dialogue and what continues to inspire her after consulting on thousands of scripts.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How Linda Seger created the career of script consulting in Hollywood
- The importance of images and visual thinking in screenwriting
- Why subplots give your story dimension and depth
- How to approach rewrites with purpose and focus
- Tips for mastering dialogue and emotional shifts in scenes
Key Moments:
- (00:23) Linda’s groundbreaking journey into script consulting
- (03:16) The power of images in storytelling
- (06:39) Scene sequences vs. random scenes
- (08:44) Why theme and central questions matter
- (15:26) Breaking down the value of subplots
About the Guest:
Linda Seger is one of the world’s foremost script consultants, credited with creating the profession itself. She has consulted on over 2,000 scripts, worked with A-list directors like Ron Howard, and written numerous influential books on screenwriting, including Making a Good Script Great and How to Write Great Dialogue.
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. He hosts The Successful Screenwriter podcast to empower writers and filmmakers at every level. Resources Mentioned in the Episode:
- Making a Good Script Great by Linda Seger
- How to Write Great Dialogue by Linda Seger & John Winston Rainey
- Seger Notes (film breakdown articles)
Connect with Linda Seger:
Connect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun:
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