

On The Page
Pilar Alessandra
ON THE PAGE: Join professional script consultant Pilar Alessandra as she demystifies screenwriting and answers your questions about script craft and story.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 18, 2025 • 50min
932. Film Techniques That Tell the Story
Lenses, lighting, looks, and "oners.” What are the filming techniques that help tell the story beyond the page? Writer/director Jeremy Walton breaks it down for us.

Apr 11, 2025 • 42min
931. Philip Barantini (repeated episode)
This episode was originally recorded in 2021 with director Philip Barantini, currently best known as the director of “Adolescence” a four-part series on Netflix. This episode focuses on his independent feature film Boiling Point, also shot in one take. Hear how he kept the camera moving while also telling a rich story of an intense night in a restaurant.

Apr 4, 2025 • 38min
930. Smart Popcorn
Up and comer Billy Zeinert talks about writing "smart popcorn," familiar stories with novel twists.

Mar 28, 2025 • 52min
929. The Making of Dead Deer High
Married creative partners Joshua Dean and Jo Rochelle describe the shared teaching experiences that inspired the writing of the independent feature Dead Deer High and the adventures they encountered while making it.

Mar 21, 2025 • 54min
928. Saraswathi Buyyala and the Dancing Atoms
Writer/director Saraswathi (Vani) Buyyala talks about her journey from being a teenager in India to becoming the head of Rhythm and Hues Asia and eventually following her creative passions with her production company Dancing Atoms.

7 snips
Mar 14, 2025 • 23min
927. Writing Act Three
Discover the secrets to crafting a compelling third act in screenplays. Explore character triggers that lead to transformative 'aha' moments and learn genre-specific strategies. Delve into the importance of thematic payoffs for a satisfying resolution. Plus, stay tuned for an exciting surprise announcement at the end!

Mar 7, 2025 • 44min
926. The Art of Being Yourself
Writer Craig T. Williams talks about his approach to making industry relationships, nailing interviews and about the fact that all of his opportunities, including his first writers room job, happened after the age of 50.

Feb 28, 2025 • 1h 51min
925. Oscar Talk 2025
Pilar and her friends Brian Pope, Mike Musa and Alex Troxler get together for their annual discussion about the best screenplay and best adapted screenplay Oscar nominees.

Feb 21, 2025 • 34min
924. The Scaffolding Method
Television writer Taylor Vaughn Lasley talks about her latest Peabody-award nominated project and the unique method of building story she teaches her students at Syracuse University's Newhouse School.

Feb 14, 2025 • 39min
923. "That’s Another Story!”
On the Page “rising star" Tamar Feinkind has found stories from her dad, herself, her motherhood and her Jewish identity. Here, she talks about her projects, pitches and a pivotal name reclamation that helped change everything.