

The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
Meg LeFauve & Lorien McKenna
Welcome to The Screenwriting Life, a podcast where Oscar-nominated writer Meg LeFauve and Emmy-nominated writer Lorien McKenna discuss not only the craft and business of Screenwriting, but also the emotional life: the ups and downs of being a creative, to remind you that you are not alone and to keep writing.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 9, 2025 • 51min
266 | Emmy-Winner Jeff Hiller (Somebody Somewhere) on the Myth of the “Big Break”
Joined by Emmy-winner Jeff Hiller, known for his role in Somebody Somewhere and his heartfelt memoir, Actress of a Certain Age, the conversation dives into the myth of the 'big break.' Jeff shares insights on finding your authentic voice, tackling rejection, and the challenges of midlife creativity. He highlights the importance of honesty in storytelling, both on and off screen, and discusses using improv to enhance performances. With humor and candor, he inspires listeners to pursue their dreams at any age.

Oct 2, 2025 • 51min
265 | KPop Demon Hunters Directors: Maggie Kang & Chris Appelhans on Balancing Heart, Humor & Music
Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, talented directors from Sony Pictures Animation, dive into their latest project, K-pop Demon Hunters. They explore how they balanced heartfelt story elements with humor and music, revealing the emotional center of their narrative. The duo discusses the character sacrifice that shapes the plot, their collaborative songwriting process, and the importance of intimate character moments. With insights on how specificity can unlock universal themes, they share the creative journey behind crafting a vivid, interconnected world.

Sep 25, 2025 • 58min
264 | Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind, I Am Legend, Star Trek): Turning Writing Into a Job (and a Life)
Akiva Goldsman, an Academy Award-winning screenwriter known for A Beautiful Mind and I Am Legend, shares invaluable insights on making writing a sustainable career. He emphasizes treating writing like a job with set hours to reduce anxiety. Akiva discusses the importance of knowing your story's ending, crafting first drafts as a form of seduction, and using dialogue that resonates emotionally. He also tackles the myth of writer's block, encouraging writers to keep producing. Plus, he reveals how to embed personal truth into adaptations.

17 snips
Sep 18, 2025 • 1h 10min
263 | Feature Film Story Engine Checklist: 8 Elements to Turn a Situation Into a Movie (REBROADCAST)
Dive into the essential elements that fuel a feature film's story engine. Discover the vital difference between situation and story, as well as the eight core components that drive your narrative forward. Gain insights into the importance of your main relationship and how it serves as the emotional heart. Learn to differentiate between external wants and internal needs, plus strategies for escalating conflict. Finally, get practical tips to diagnose and refine your story engine through the drafting process.

Sep 12, 2025 • 1h 8min
Indie Film Craft 5 | How a Celebrity-Free Microbudget Feature Premiered at SXSW (ft. GG Hawkins)
What does it take to make a celebrity-free, microbudget feature and premiere at one of the most competitive festivals in the world?
Filmmaker and No Film School podcast host GG Hawkins joins Jeff to share how she turned a family house in Panama, a tiny team, and a three-month timeline into I REALLY LOVE MY HUSBAND, a breakout SXSW premiere with no celebrity attachments.
They break down every stage of the journey:
Writing a script around what you already have
Casting for chemistry
Financing in waves while production is underway
Festival strategy and PR on a shoestring
Why specificity and “weirdness” can be your biggest assets
Whether you’re a filmmaker planning your first feature, or just curious how indie films actually get made, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to crack SXSW. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 4, 2025 • 1h 2min
262 | Writing (and Directing) Intimate, Personal Films That Feel Cinematic (ft. Sorry, Baby's Eva Victor)
Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so
In this episode, Meg sits down with writer, actor, and filmmaker Eva Victor to discuss their debut feature, SORRY, BABY — a darkly funny, deeply personal story about friendship, trauma, and hope.
They dig into how to make a personal story feel truly cinematic, both in the writing process and on set. Eva also opens up about their determination to depict trauma without leaning on “misery porn,” instead highlighting the healing, humor, and humanity that can surround pain.
Thanks to Eva for an openhearted conversation that reminds us why we tell stories in the first place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6 snips
Aug 28, 2025 • 56min
Indie Film Craft 4 | How to Make Your Script Undeniable to an Indie Producer (ft. Julie Waters)
Julie Waters, a powerhouse indie producer at Watermark Media, recently produced the acclaimed film 'OH, HI!' sold at Sundance. She reveals what makes a script irresistible to producers and explains the dynamics of the indie film world. Julie discusses the importance of advocacy for queer women in the industry and the collaborative relationship between writers and producers. She also emphasizes the need for authentic storytelling amidst economic pressures, highlighting the evolving landscape of independent film.

Aug 21, 2025 • 1h 19min
261 | Clarity, Subtext, and Want vs. Need: Kaz Firpo on Crafting Great Screenplays
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so
In this episode, Meg and Lorien sit down with Kaz Firpo (Marvel’s ETERNALS, RUIN) to talk about the timeless craft lessons that make a great screenplay. From writing scenes that still land without sound, to creating emotional clarity on the page, Kaz shares why subtext is the secret engine of great dialogue, and why every character’s want and need should always be at odds.
Whether you’re on draft one or draft fifteen, this conversation will help you sharpen your scenes, clarify your characters, and trust your instincts as a writer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 14, 2025 • 1h 3min
260 | From Barf Draft to Next Draft: 5 Steps to Take Now
Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so
In this episode, Meg and Lorien dive into a messy, magical stage of screenwriting: the barf draft — your first unfiltered pass at a script.
They share how to tackle chaos on the page, whether your draft is too long, too short, tonally inconsistent (hello, surprise aliens!), or just plain confusing. You’ll learn how to shift from “fixing” to discovering, reverse-outline what you actually wrote, and surface what excites you most.
Along the way, they cover structure, character agency, stakes, and the emotional rollercoaster of writing — including why finishing (even a disaster) is worth celebrating. Whether it’s your first draft or fifteenth, this episode will help you find clarity, confidence, and momentum.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 7, 2025 • 1h 7min
259 | Costume As Character: What (& What Not) To Include in Your Screenplay (ft. Courtney Hoffman)
Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so
Costume designer turned writer/director Courtney Hoffman has worked on some truly iconic films (THE HATEFUL EIGHT, BABY DRIVER) and beloved indies (CAPTAIN FANTASTIC, THE BOY NEXT DOOR). These experiences have profoundly shaped how she approaches storytelling, especially now that she’s writing and directing projects starring the likes of Laura Dern and Kaitlyn Dever.
In this episode, Courtney shares what writers should (and shouldn’t) include in their scripts when it comes to wardrobe, how costume can deepen character, and how different departments will interpret your work if it gets greenlit for production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices