The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna

Today we're honored to welcome NINE members from the WGA's inclusion and equity committees in a thoughtful conversation about the state of the industry and representation on and off the page. Today's guests are:Asian American Writers Committee: Kristina WooCareer Longevity Committee: Catherine ClinchCommittee of Black Writers: Hilliard GuessCommittee of Women Writers: Franki ButlerDisabled Writers Committee: Shea MirzaiLatinx Writers Committee: Christina PiñaLGBTQ+ Writers Committee: Spiro SkentzosMiddle Eastern Writers Committee: Cameron Ali FayNative American & Indigenous Writers Committee: Anthony FlorezRESOURCES:TTIE Fact Sheets: https://www.writeinclusion.org/factsheetsStoryline Partners Fact Sheets: https://www.storylinepartners.com/resources/Women Of Color Unite: https://wocunite.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, producer Jeff walks you through how he got his film Always, Lola from idea to distribution with a VERY low five figure microbudget...and you can too!TO WATCH THE FILM: https://www.alwayslolafilm.com/watchathomeTO TAKE THE CLASS: www.jeffgrahamdigital.com/classTerritory Info:United States/Canada - Amazon, Apple, Google Play, YouTubeAustralia/New Zealand - Apple, Google Play, YouTubeUK/Ireland - Apple, Google Play, YouTubeSouth Africa - AppleFor non-English territories, google the movie, you might find it! If the film is not available in your territory and you want access, email press@alwayslolafilm.com.To sign up for our patreon: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Thanksgiving TSLers! Enjoy this throwback to our very first episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Screenwriter Michael Arndt, known for Little Miss Sunshine, discusses the key elements of a compelling act one. They explore crafting a powerful first act, infecting the audience with the same thirst as the hero, and the importance of the first act in storytelling. They also touch on the challenges of being a showrunner, hands-on fun with Kiwi Co, and finding solutions and ideas in screenwriting.

The Morning Show is one of TV's most discussed shows, and season 3 showrunner Charlotte Stoudt recognizes it's cultural foothold. For her, the idea of incorporating real world events is all about character, and a chance for both the characters and their discussion of the world around them to illuminate each other. Charlotte also discusses how she runs the morning show room, works with her powerhouse cast, and looks back on her impressive career.PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our time time-honored tradition of asking the same three questions at the end of every show, we wanted to put together a supercut of some great guest responses to be enjoyed in one fell swoop. New episodesFeatured in today's supercut:- Nora Twomey- Eirene Tran Donohue- Constanza and Domenica Castro- Allison Tolman- Dustin Lance Black- Dana Stevens- Jeremy Doner- Joe Robert Cole- Kelly Edwards- John Lee Hancock- Jane Anderson- Julia Cho and Domee Shi- Rafael Casal- Kelly Fremon Craig- Charlie DayJOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our time time-honored tradition of asking the same three questions at the end of every show, we wanted to put together a supercut of some great guest responses to be enjoyed in one fell swoop. Part two coming Monday!Featured in today's supercut:- Matt Lieberman- Monique N. Matthews- Sean Presant- Stacy Rukeyser- Sam Bain- Nicole Perlman- Stephen Karam- Anna Drezen- Jenny Lumet and Alex Kurtzman- David F.M. Vaughn- Dan O'Shannon- Jen Grisanti- Patrick Osborne JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back for another story workshop, plus some amazing suggestions for writing exercises to help crack act 2.Join our patreon: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monique N. Matthews, an award-winning director focusing on social justice, and Linda Goldstein Knowlton, an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, dive into the art of documentary storytelling. They discuss how documentaries share narrative techniques similar to scripted films. The conversation highlights the urgent Black maternal healthcare crisis, the role of empathy in interviews, and the importance of emotional engagement in storytelling. They also reflect on balancing challenges with themes of joy and resilience in their works.

Featuring experts Shanon M. Ingles and Stephan Bugaj, this podcast explores writing for video games and interactive screenwriting. They discuss persistently pitching projects, longing and yearning in scenes, choice design, utilizing DSM for character creation, challenges of working with adapted material, friendship system in Midnight Sons, different approaches to narrative design, frustrations of being a professional writer, and advice for breaking into the entertainment industry.