Ep 263 - Building Worlds & Beating the Odds – Neil Chase on 'Spin the Wheel'

In this episode, Geoffrey welcomes back Script Summit winner and indie filmmaker Neil Chase to discuss his latest film Spin the Wheel, now streaming on Tubi. Neil shares the challenges and triumphs of making a true indie feature on a shoestring budget, navigating distribution, and crafting a compelling story. They also discuss the evolving landscape of indie filmmaking, industry transitions, and what’s next for Neil. Plus, Script Summit 2025 is now open for submissions—learn why entering screenplay competitions is a game-changer for screenwriters.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The journey of making Spin the Wheel for less than a used car
• How to craft a compelling story on a budget
• The importance of world-building in indie films
• Challenges in writing a unique and layered Devil character
• Strategies for securing film distribution without getting scammed
• The current state of indie filmmaking and industry transitions
• Why Script Summit 2025 is a must-enter competition for screenwriters

Key Moments:

• [00:00] – Script Summit 2025 is now open for submissions!
• [00:28] – Introducing Neil Chase: Screenwriter, Filmmaker & Script Summit Winner
• [00:46] – The making of Spin the Wheel—budget constraints & indie film ingenuity
• [02:36] – World-building techniques for indie films
• [06:44] – The inspiration behind Spin the Wheel & the Russian roulette twist
• [08:08] – Writing a compelling Devil character—avoiding clichés
• [10:37] – The struggles of indie film distribution & breaking into Tubi
• [16:48] – The changing landscape of indie filmmaking & industry transitions
• [18:19] – Why indie films need to maintain quality despite industry shifts
• [19:45] – How entering Script Summit can transform a screenwriter’s career
• [20:59] – Neil’s next film, Contamination—military sci-fi horror action!

About the Guest:
Neil Chase is a screenwriter, filmmaker, and Script Summit winner whose indie film Spin the Wheel is now streaming on Tubi. Known for his innovative storytelling and ability to create immersive worlds on a tight budget, Neil’s work has earned 18 wins and 22 nominations in film festivals worldwide. His next project, Contamination, is an action-packed military sci-fi horror film currently in post-production.

About the Host:
With films on network television and streaming platforms, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, the author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and the host of The Successful Screenwriter podcast. Passionate about teaching and helping writers succeed, Geoffrey also runs Script Summit, one of the top-rated screenwriting competitions. Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

• Enter Script Summit 2025: ScriptSummit.com
• Watch Spin the Wheel on Tubi

Connect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun:

• Podcast Website: The Successful Screenwriter
• Instagram: @screenwriterpod
• TikTok: @screenwriterpod

Enjoy this episode? Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe! Leave a review to help more screenwriters and indie filmmakers discover these valuable insights.

#Screenwriting #IndieFilm #Filmmaking #TubiMovie #ScreenwriterLife #IndieFilmmaker #FilmDistribution #MovieMaking #ScriptSummit #WriteYourStory #FilmFestivals #ScriptToScreen #FilmmakingTips #ScreenplayContest #IndieHorror #MovieIndustry #BehindTheScenes #Storytelling #LowBudgetFilmmaking #TheSuccessfulScreenwriter

Explore Free Resources & Membership

👉 Visit TheSuccessfulScreenwriter.com for free tools, guides, and podcast extras.

Members unlock Virtual Geoffrey, the AI screenwriting assistant built to transform good drafts into great scripts.

Connect with Geoffrey
📸 Instagram: @screenwriterpod
▶️ YouTube: The Successful Screenwriter

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe. Share it with a fellow screenwriter who’d find it valuable!