The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna

Discover how Christopher Vogler overcame plagiarism and became an influential creative force, shaping Hollywood storytelling. Explore the hero's journey in personal experiences, unlocking creativity by embracing storytelling techniques. Uncover the power of stories in connecting and guiding individuals, offering healing and diverse perspectives on life. Learn practical tips on unblocking creativity and controlling reader engagement to enhance the writing experience.

Discover exclusive TSL workshops with insights on emotionally transformative characters, limitations as assets in micro-budget filmmaking, differences in stakes for big vs small movies, and the benefits of joining the writing community.

Meg and Lorien are interviewed by screenwriting teacher and author Andrew Zinnes. They discuss setting deadlines, balancing personal and work commitments, character development in screenwriting, insights from the Grilla Filmmakers' Handbook series, reducing predictability in storytelling, pitching stories, villains in animated films, voice actors, humor in storytelling, inspiration, motivation, overcoming laziness, and seeking validation.

Topics discussed include improving readability in scripts, developing the midpoint and act 2b, setting achievable writing goals, the importance of writers groups, showcasing different writing styles, and exploring character movement in TV and film.

Experienced TV showrunner Joey Slamon discusses navigating feedback, embracing strengths, and finding inspiration in humor. She highlights the importance of authenticity in writing, the role of writer's assistants and showrunners in TV production, and the challenges of collaboration and perfectionism in the industry.

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Todd A Kessler, creator of 'The New Look', discusses finding empathy in characters, exploring themes of hope and resilience in WWII settings, and the energizing effects of collaboration in music deconstruction. The podcast also delves into personal growth as a showrunner, resilience in writing, and reflections on advice for a sequel.

Girls5Eva Creator Meredith Scardino shares her journey to showrunning a Tina Fey-produced comedy, discussing time management tips, overcoming creative hurdles, and balancing story with humor in a writer's room. She also reflects on her background in art, animation, and late-night TV, offering practical advice for emerging writers.

Director Kelsey Mann and Writer Meg LeFauve discuss the challenges of creating a sequel to a beloved animated movie like Inside Out. They explore the emotional journey of nurturing long-term projects, finalizing movies, and portraying complex emotions in a relatable manner. The guests also delve into balancing multiple storylines, collaborating with teen girls for authenticity, and overcoming challenges with negativity and emotional absorption in the creative process.

Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein discuss their experience co-writing Inside Out 2, touching on the challenges of writing for animation at Pixar and the personal journey writers undertake. They explore character development, dramedy in TV shows, and the concept of a show's engine in television writing. The episode also announces the launch of TSL workshops to support and inspire writers.