What ‘Superman’ Can Teach Screenwriters or: The Importance of Being Earnest

This is exactly what we’re supposed to be doing as screenwriters—immersing ourselves in the feelings of others, perhaps feeling them too much, and reacting to those feelings.

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Interview with ‘What Marielle Knows’ Filmmaker Frédéric Hambalek

Susan Kouguell interviews Frédéric Hambalek about his new feature film ‘What Marielle Knows’ at Tribeca Festival.

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AI Dialogue Workshop: Writing Dialogue Actors Love to Play!

Doesn’t do subtext and lousy at dialogue. Paul Peditto finds out what his AI, Luna, thought were “can’t miss” dialogue lines.

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A Bright Spot in the Future of Indie Films

Gen Z is all about originality and authenticity.

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Breaking & Entering: Reading for Other Writers – The Art of Feedback

Every writer knows the sting of bad feedback – the kind that leaves you doubting your story and yourself. But what if feedback could inspire, not deflate?

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Nick Castle — Director of The Last Starfighter— Talks Being a Horror Icon and a Writer/Director by Bryan Young

Nick Castle talks about his career from beginning to end, taking a chance with new technology on ‘The Last Starfighter,’ and shares advice for screenwriters.

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UNDERSTANDING SCREENWRITING: Three Men and a Lot of Women by Tom Stempel

The guy movie isThe Comeback Trail, and the movies about women are Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, The Last Showgirl, and The Substance.

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Freaky Tales – The Ultimate Mixtape by Sadie Dean

Writing-directing team Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck talk about the inspiration behind Freaky Tales, how they eventually settled on four interconnected chapters, their writing process, and more!

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A Love Story of Friendship: A Conversation with “Dying for Sex” Co-Creators and Showrunners Elizabeth Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock by Sadie Dean

In this deep dive conversation with Kim Rosenstock and Elizabeth Meriwether, they share their process of honoring the podcast’s essence, the balance between humor and serious themes, and more!

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Script University April 2025 Courses and Live Events

Check out this month’s course offerings led by Script University’s industry experts!

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Outlining Techniques Before You Type FADE IN

Our techniques will help you transform your ideas into a gripping story. Start outlining now!

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“The Hunting Party” – A Left of Center Procedural

Co-showrunners JJ Bailey and Jake Coburn discuss how the initially creatively linked up, the importance of a balanced writers’ room, drawing from real-life fears and cases, and more!

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SCRIPT GODS MUST DIE: $1,000,000 Dollar Deal!

It’s the spec-screenwriter’s dream, right? You write the exact script, put it into the exact power-player hands, at an exact moment in time. And it happens!

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In the Trenches with Screenwriting Career Coach Lee Jessup

Practical advice about breaking in, to keep your day job or quit, how to pursue being a writer/director and so much more.

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It Depends – Artificial Intelligence (AI) versus the Real World

Artificial Intelligence isn’t the new kid on the block. Understanding what AI really is and how it may actually be useful takes some digging.

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Caring for Audrey’s Children: Julia Fisher Farbman and Ami Canaan Mann Shape a Medical Biopic

Screenwriter Julia Fisher Farbman and director Ami Canaan Mann share how they focused on a key part of Audrey Evans’s remarkable life to portray the whole.

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Once Upon a Reboot: Erin Cressida Wilson Reimagines Snow White

Snow White screenwriter Erin Cressida Wilson talks about putting a new spin on an old classic.

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Death of a Unicorn – The Class Satire

Death of a Unicorn writer-director Alex Scharfman discusses the script inspiration and development, the importance of aligning the emotional core with satire, the blend of classic horror elements with a unique twist on unicorn mythology, and more!

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Balls of Steel: Let’s Be Friends

A writer’s ability to network can make all the difference. Jeanne Veillette Bowerman shares advice on making genuine connections to advance your career.

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Paul William Davies on Writing a Season-long Screwball Whodunnit

Paul William Davies gives insight to his writing process and tackling the challenges of mystery writing for his new show “The Residence.”

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What Is the Purpose of Writing?

Writing coach and Called to Write founder Jenna Avery responds to readers about the purpose of writing.

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A Story to Tell through Music: An Interview with O’Dessa Writer-Director Geremy Jasper

Writer-director Geremy Jasper discusses world-building and creating the visual language, the intertwined process of writing and composing music, and more!

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Challenging Perceptions: A Conversation with Bob Trevino Likes It Writer-Director Tracie Laymon

Filmmaker Tracie Laymon discusses being inspired by her personal journey of healing and self-discovery and framing it as a narrative, the transformative power of kindness, and her commitment to telling authentic and uplifting stories.

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Her Career Outlasted the Hays Code: Kathryn Scola

Dr. Rosanne Welch celebrates the female screenwriters who came before us with this month’s spotlight on prolific screenwriter Kathryn Scola.

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Pay Attention to Your Supporting Characters!

Consider the wonderful opportunities your supporting characters provide, and turn your script from average to thoroughly entertaining remarkably quickly!

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SELLING YOUR SCREENPLAY: Ep. 532 – Get To The Truth Of The Story With Jon Gunn

Ashley Scott Meyers talks with filmmaker Jon Gunn about writing the The Unbreakable Boy and how he gets to the truth of the story when he adapts books and true stories.

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Writing the Sci-Fi Screenplay

When writing the Sci-Fi script, audiences are looking for entertaining stories with interesting, developed characters that take them out of this world and into another.

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Make Your Script’s Opening Pages Stand Out

This live webinar will explore why these pages matter so much, and how you can entice a reader to stay with your script.

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What Happens in the Field, Stays in the Field: David Koepp Discusses His New Thriller Black Bag

David Koepp talks about penning this crackling thriller, writing on spec, and utilizing a MacGuffin that’s simple and powerful.

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The Soul and the Spine of What Made “Long Bright River” with Showrunner and Co-Creator Nikki Toscano

Nikki Toscano discusses the adaptation and seamless collaborative process with author and co-creator Liz Moore, why she was drawn to lead character Mickey’s voice and her unreliable narration, the importance of balancing character drama and the murder mystery, ensuring each twist served a larger narrative purpose. And the importance of portraying the Kensington community authentically, involving local advisors and casting.

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Do Your Opening Pages Really Matter That Much?

Your opening pages send all sorts of messages that transcend the actual story you are telling. They are your introduction, your initial handshake, your non-verbal communication that you are a writer to be taken seriously.

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Interview with Director Catherine Gund about Her New Film Meanwhile

In this wide-ranging interview, Susan Kouguell discusses with filmmaker Catherine Gund their respective work and shared artistic sensibilities in terms of employing nontraditional filmmaking structures, the inclusion of poetry in film, tackling challenging subject matter, and how to make it the most honest.

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The Facets of Tribalism: A Conversation with Opus Writer-Director Mark Anthony Green

Mark Anthony Green discusses his approach to filmmaking, focusing on thematic anchors, like tribalism and character development, particularly Ariel’s character. As well as his overall mission to engage with audiences, his dream collaboration with music artists Nile Rodgers and The-Dream and praises his crew for giving it their all to support his vision.

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New Faces on the Forefront: Oscars 2025

The night was a classy mix of old and new, with a wide range of fantastic stories represented.

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Using Sound to Establish Place: Line Langebek Knudsen Talks The Girl with the Needle

Line Langebek Knudsen talks about developing this world that’s based on a true story, and working with imagery and sound.

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Write a Gripping Crime Script

Learn the foundational principles of writing crime, how to authenticate your forensics while keeping it entertaining, how to take true, dramatic stories and make them your own, how to set a crime scene, and more!

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UNDERSTANDING SCREENWRITING: An Oldie and Some Newbies

The Oldie is Hud, and the Newbies are The Room Next Door, and I’m Still Here, and some TV Oldies and Newbies are: “9-1-1 Lone Star,” ‘Elsbeth,” “Matlock,” and “High Potential.”

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Interview with “Shifting Gears” and “Deli Boys” Showrunner Michelle Nader

Michelle Nader discusses her current projects, including the multi-camera show “Shifting Gears” and a new series, “Deli Boys,” which she found compelling due to its novelistic script and universal themes. Additionally, she talks about her background in comedy, highlights the challenges of sitcoms, describes them as akin to poetry in their rhythm and difficulty, and so much more.

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A Hundred Henchmen?

What if you have 40 Thieves robbing passengers on an express train or a teacher with 40 Students or an office with 40 Executives? How to create distinctive minor character roles. From Weapons For Weirdos to “Warriors” Theory to creating “spear carrier” characters who don’t feel like a number.

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INDIE SPOTLIGHT: An Interview with SXSW Short Video Barn Director Bianca Poletti

Bianca Poletti discusses the development and collaboration phase of the short film, which was inspired by the likes of David Lynch and Stephen King, the film’s underlying thematic elements, to the importance of building a strong team, how her team was able to license an iconic horror film clip, and being a versatile filmmaker.

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Discovering the Light and Shadows of Naples: Trudie Styler Discusses Posso entrare? An Ode to Naples

Trudie Styler discusses finding the soul of Naples while filming Posso entrare? An Ode to Naples and exploring the historical and socio-economic wounds of this ancient metropolis and how it heals itself and survives through its people’s resilience, ideals, and creativity.

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The Blockbusters That Shaped Us: Structure & Style in Cinderella

The Disney animated classic turned 75 this month, and we’re dissecting what makes it endure, enthrall, and spin out all those remakes.

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I Didn’t Get Into Sundance…Now What?: A Guide to Festivals That Distributors Attend Beyond the “Big Five”

Didn’t get into Sundance or any other of the ‘Big Five’ festivals? Don’t fret. Rebecca Norris Resnick surveyed several independent film distributors to find out what other festivals they attend to spot new talent.

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Reckless Creatives Podcast – Season 4 | Episode 10 – Horror Writer Seth Sherwood: Breaking In, Staying In, and Everything In Between

Sadie Dean and Jeanne Veillette Bowerman talk with Emmy-nominated horror writer/director Seth Sherwood about the 10 years it took for him to break in, the challenges and joys of writing horror, tips for newbies wanting to break in, and so much more!

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The Era of the Multi-Hyphenate: An Interview With Writer and Filmmaker Mario O. Moreno [SERIES]

Do you want to get to know a storyteller? Have a look at their work. It reflects their inner landscape and reveals how they experience life—sometimes in very concealed ways. Author, screenwriter, filmmaker, and creative coach Mario O. Moreno shares his journey navigating the industry, and getting back to the essence of storytelling.

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Breaking & Entering: Breaking The Rules Part 3: Pro Secrets – The Deft Cheat

Break the rules to create memorable moments, evoke a mood, convey unspoken dynamics between characters. It’s not telling. It’s the magic of engaging the reader!

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Bite Size Oscar History: Documentary Feature Films and the Oscars

Documentaries can point to societal ills or looming political upheaval. Depending on how well they’re made, they can move the socio-political needle on an issue and create change.

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All Media Access 2025 (Part Two)

You have an amazing idea for a screenplay, or maybe a limited series for a streamer, or maybe a novel, or is it a network series? We look at finding the best medium for your specific story idea. Part Two!

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What Captain America: Brave New World Can Teach Screenwriters

Brave New World never quite soars to the heights of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but it does offer some interesting lessons for screenwriters to look out for as they’re honing their craft.

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Intention, Intention, Intention

One of the best ways for a reader to dial in to the project’s end goal is having a thoughtful, honest conversation with the scribe and asking them some questions before the analytical work begins.

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Julie Crawford Ivers: From Rich Widow to Writer-Director

Dr. Rosanne Welch celebrates the female screenwriters who came before us with this month’s spotlight on prolific screenwriter and director Julie Crawford Ivers.

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7 Strategies for Dealing with Procrastination and Self-Criticism

Writing coach and Called to Write founder Jenna Avery responds to a reader about overcoming procrastination and dealing with self-criticism.

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Characters are Paramount in Action: A Conversation with Old Guy Director Simon West

Simon West talks about what initially attracted him to screenwriter Greg Johnson’s script, the importance of character and dialogue in action scripts, and offers great advice and insight into what he thinks makes a great action script.

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Bite Size Oscar History: Foreign Language Films Nominated for Best Picture

Which non-English language film was the first to nab the top prize for Best Picture?

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SELLING YOUR SCREENPLAY: Ep. 531 – Turn Your Screenplay Into A Novel With Joe Cornet

Ashley Scott Meyers talks with returning guest, filmmaker and author Joe Cornet about how he adapted his completed movie A Prayer for the Damned into a published novel, attending book signings to promote a book and tips for screenwriters who want to adapt their scripts.

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Writing a TV Pilot in 2025 Ultimate Collection

If you have an idea for a TV Pilot or you haven’t had success with your current project, this is the collection for you!

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SCRIPT GODS MUST DIE: Interview with the AI Vampire, Part 1

Paul Peditto chats with his AI Luna in an attempt to catch “her” in a slip-up on the question of AI being the vampire of screenwriting jobs, draining writers, leaving them for dead on the unemployment line.

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Oscar-Nominated Screenwriter Moritz Binder Finds the Personal in the Political in September 5

Moritz Binder talks about how his experience with documentaries and sense of duty to these events that unfolded at the Munich Summer Olympics informed his writing.

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Bite Size Oscar History: The History of Horror at the Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences rarely acknowledges horror. Only a handful of horror films have been nominated for Best Picture. The Exorcist (1973) and Jaws (1975) are a couple of films in this exclusive club.

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UNDERSTANDING SCREENWRITING: Good, Bad, Good, Hard to Tell

So here are two goodies, one baddie, and one better than I thought it was: A Real Pain, All We Imagine as Light, Wicked, and Conclave.

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Bite Size Oscar History: The First Oscar for Best Picture

Join us as we celebrate the magic of the movies weekly until the Oscars airs on March 2, 2025.

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Boxing Short by Queen’s Native Really Packs a Comedy Punch

Raging Doll short film screenwriter, star, and producer Jessica Catalano discusses her personal journey to making the short film, collaborating with a dream team, and what’s next after taking home Best Pilot at the Dances With Films Festival.

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Writing Love: Techniques for Writing On-Screen Romance

Love and romance can be found in any genre, but do you know how to make it resonate with the audience, or how it should be written in different genres?

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Script University February 2025 Courses and Live Events

Check out this month’s course offerings led by Script University’s industry experts!

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