The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna

Celine Song shares her journey as writer and director of 'Past Lives' and the power of being the author of your own script. The hosts discuss finding joy in horseback riding, challenges of receiving feedback, closure in relationships, standing in authority as a writer and artist, navigating frustrations of writing, and embracing imperfections in art.

Michael Arndt, Oscar-winner and friend-of-the-show, discusses the shift from rebellion to connection in movies, delves into the flawed nature of Barbie land, and explores the balancing act of plot and emotional storytelling in screenwriting. He also emphasizes the process of uncovering themes and stakes in a story and highlights the importance of having a supportive community of fellow writers in writing an original screenplay.

Cord Jefferson knows what if feels like to watch a project die. Recently, he had a greenlit show that was so close to shooting that the production office for the show had an physical address. And then, it died. In a creative funk, Cord discovered Percival Everett's novel Erasure which immediately reignited a passion in Cord, and eventually became his debut feature film AMERICAN FICITION. Today, Cord discusses the process of adapting the novel.JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ORIGINALLY BROADCAST ON JUL 26, 2023Despite being a multiple Academy Award winner, celebrated producer, and feature/TV director, Jodie Foster is still aiming for a singular goal: to tell truthful stories. On today's show, we discuss how Jodie processes her work, how she collaborates with others, and what Robert De Niro taught her on the set of Taxi Driver.Join Our Patreon: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you ever feel stuck in your work? Like there's an invisible wall blocking you from generating your best material? You're not alone, and today, we're thrilled to be joined by 5-time NYT bestselling author Adam Grant to talk about just this. Adam's new book HIDDEN POTENTIAL illuminates how we can elevate ourselves and others to unexpected heights, which couldn't be more relevant to you as a writer.JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don't worry, we hate talking about it too. And yet, Paco de Leon has a way of discussing money that feels safe, generous, and even hopeful. She specializes in helping creatives and freelancers manage their money by talking about what they believe about their income and even...gulp...themselves. You'll feel better about both your finances, and yourself after we finish this conversation!FOR MORE ON PACO: www.thehellyeahgroup.comTO JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we navigate the holidays, it's easy to look back (and forward) on our career and feel a complicated mix of emotions. But at the end of the day, we HAVE to give ourselves permission to dream if we want to maintain stability in this business. Today, we discuss just that!JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's that time of year when hundreds of Holiday Movies air on screens all over the world. Whether its Hallmark, Lifetime, Disney+, Netflix, or Apple, or even Theaters, it's one of the hottest markets around for emerging and professional writers, and for Holiday screenwriting Queen Eirene Tran Donohue, one of the best ways to break in. Listen to her break down why! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having begun his career as an actor, and then transitioned to an Oscar-winning writer/director, Tom has worn MANY hats in this business. Because of that, he has a particularly unique point of view when it comes to writing. Today, Tom discusses how he embraces his multiple creative identities when approaching the blank page, especially he considers drafts that are going to producers, the studio, or actors.JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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