The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun: Screenwriting Podcast Ep 286 - The Conjuring, Red Sonja & Logline Tips
Sep 15, 2025
22:09
Horror craft, sequel wins, and loglines that work. Geoffrey and Kristy pull takeaways from The Conjuring, Nobody 2, and the Red Sonja remake. You’ll hear how influence can feel fresh, how a sequel stays fun when tone shifts, and what breaks when character motivation is thin. They wrap with a one-sentence logline formula you can use today. Next week: the Naked Gun reboot and Weapons. Share your worst logline “tips” or a love-it or hate-it watch on Instagram @screenwriterpod and tag us.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Kristy Leigh Lussier is a writer and filmmaker who brings sharp story sense and a love for genre cinema.
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
Website: TheSuccessfulScreenwriter.com
Instagram: @screenwriterpod
YouTube: The Successful Screenwriter
Drop your worst logline advice finds or a recent love-it or hate-it watch in the comments on @screenwriterpod.
Hashtags #Screenwriting #Filmmaking #TheConjuring #Nobody2 #RedSonja #Loglines #WritingTips #Podcast
🎬 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!
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- How The Conjuring mixes classic influences without feeling dated
- Why Nobody 2 works even with a tonal shift
- Where Red Sonja stumbles on motivation and consistency
- A simple, reliable logline formula and the Die Hard test
- Easy ways to invite audience feedback
- 00:00 Welcome and why The Conjuring still hits
- 00:23 Spotting influences: Amityville open, Exorcist close, Hitchcock nod
- 04:00 Nobody 2: expectations, character carryover, fun factor
- 06:43 to 15:45 Red Sonja remake: motivation, tone, and CGI choices
- 16:14 to 19:58 Bad logline advice debunked and the Die Hard test
- 21:17 Next week’s watch list: Naked Gun reboot and Weapons
- 20:46 to 22:28 Call for listener stories
Kristy Leigh Lussier is a writer and filmmaker who brings sharp story sense and a love for genre cinema.
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
- The Conjuring
- The Conjuring 2
- Nobody and Nobody 2
- Red Sonja (remake)
- John Wick
- Logline examples: Die Hard, Jaws
Website: TheSuccessfulScreenwriter.com
Instagram: @screenwriterpod
YouTube: The Successful Screenwriter
Drop your worst logline advice finds or a recent love-it or hate-it watch in the comments on @screenwriterpod.
Hashtags #Screenwriting #Filmmaking #TheConjuring #Nobody2 #RedSonja #Loglines #WritingTips #Podcast
🎬 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!