Write Your Screenplay Podcast Steven Bagatourian: The Fire, The Math & The Voice of the Screenwriter
Dec 4, 2025
In this conversation, award-winning screenwriter Steven Bagatourian shares insights on balancing passion and structure in screenwriting. He emphasizes the need for scripts to immediately engage tired Hollywood readers and highlights the importance of character intensity in driving narratives. Bagatourian discusses how a screenplay should evoke emotional experiences and stresses the significance of a unique voice in writing. Additionally, he offers advice on navigating notes and the essential nature of rewriting, showcasing that craft and artistry are both crucial in storytelling.
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Write For A Hostile Reader
- Screenwriters must write for readers who are overloaded, tired, and hostile to reading scripts.
- Give readers an immediate emotional hit in the first 5–10 minutes to earn continued attention.
Frontload The Hook
- Put your biggest emotional or dramatic hook early to avoid a slow burn that loses readers.
- Even veteran writers (like Tony Gilroy) frontload urgency to keep readers engaged.
Make The Script An Artful Sample
- Treat your screenplay as a complete work of art, not a production blueprint.
- Make it emotionally immersive so it can serve as a lasting sample to win work or attract collaborators.
