

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 30, 2025 • 1h 16min
269 | Writing Horror with the Carved Creative Team (REBROADCAST)
With Halloween around the corner, we’re revisiting one of our favorite spooky episodes.
Join us for a conversation with the team behind Hulu’s CARVED — director and co-writer Justin Harding, co-writer Cheryl Meyer, and star Peyton Elizabeth Lee — as they share how they brought their campy slasher film to life and what it takes to write really great horror.
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Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops - your first 5 days are free. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 23, 2025 • 53min
268 | Where to Begin as a Screenwriter (REBROADCAST)
So you want to be a screenwriter… now what?
In a rebroadcast of one of our most popular episodes, we dig into the essential questions every writer should ask before jumping into a draft — questions that are just as valuable for seasoned pros as they are for those starting out.
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Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops - your first 5 days are free. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 16, 2025 • 1h 31min
267 | The Elevator Pitch + Austin Film Festival Prep Workshop (REBROADCAST)
Sheila Hanahan Taylor, a seasoned film producer known for the Final Destination franchise, shares insights on crafting the essential 90-second elevator pitch. She emphasizes the pitch's role in capturing character arcs and building genuine connections. Alyssa Alvarado, director of the Austin Film Festival’s Screenplay Department, explains the pitch competition format and its significance for up-and-coming writers. They analyze several compelling pitches, offering invaluable advice on clarity, tone, and character stakes, ensuring each story resonates with judges.

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.

18 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.


