The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna 275 | How Holiday Movies Get Made (ft. Screenwriter Maggie Lane & Producer Eric Jarboe)
Dec 11, 2025
In this engaging discussion, screenwriter Maggie Lane, known for her work on 'Hotel for the Holidays,' teams up with producer Eric Jarboe, co-CEO of Happy Accidents, to explore the magic of holiday films. They reveal the secrets behind crafting compelling rom-com premises and the need for irresistible titles. Eric shares insights on rapid filming schedules and the importance of producible scripts. Both guests highlight collaboration and quick rewrites as keys to success, offering invaluable tips for aspiring writers and producers.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Birds In The 12 Days Party
- Maggie watched dailies and realized the 12 Days of Christmas party had too many birds for production.
- They substituted a parrot for a partridge and changed the line to fit what was available.
Make The Premise & Title Irresistible
- Craft high-concept, romantic premises and prioritize an irresistible title to catch viewers scrolling.
- Aim for familiar tropes with a fresh twist rather than wildly out-there ideas.
Finished Specs Are Preferred
- Producers now prefer finished scripts because fewer networks commission fresh pitches.
- Expect heavy script slush and prepare to stand out: only a small percent of submissions get traction.