Best Six Black Pens Podcasts (2024)

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IFH 758: The Philosophy of Screenwriting in Hollywood with Pen Densham 1:35:50

4d ago1:35:50

1:35:50

Today on the show we Pen Densham. Pen is a successful award-winning screenwriter, producer, and director, with an extensive track record in film and television. He is responsible for writing and producing some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters, such as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Backdraft, Blown Awayalong with some of its longest-running tele…

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BONUS EPISODE: Confessions of a Hollywood Writer & Actor with John Leguizamo 45:22

10d ago45:22

45:22

Fast-talking and feisty-looking John Leguizamo has continued to impress movie audiences with his versatility: he can play sensitive and naïve young men, such as Johnny in Hangin' with the Homeboys; cold-blooded killers like Benny Blanco in Carlito's Way; a heroic Army Green Beret, stopping aerial terrorists in Executive Decision; and drag queen Chi…

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IFH 757: What are the Essential Elements in ALL Successful Stories with Karl Iglesias 1:18:38

11d ago1:18:38

1:18:38

Today on the show we have returning champion Karl Iglesias. His last episode is one of the most popular shows ever in the history of the podcast. I wanted to bring him back to dig deeper into his thoughts on writing for emotional impact and breakdown the essential elements of every good story.Karl Iglesias has been a writer for over 20 years now wi…

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BONUS EPISODE: Inside the Blumhouse Filmmaking Machine with Marcus Dunstan 1:03:29

15d ago1:03:29

1:03:29

Marcus Dunstan’s screenwriting with his partner, Patrick Melton, include such horror films as FEAST 1-3, SAW IV-V-VI& SAW 3D THE FINAL CHAPTER, PIRANHA , GOD OF WAR, FINAL DESTINATION 6, and SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK. Marcus Dunstan’s directing credits include THE COLLECTOR, THE COLLECTION, THE NEIGHBOUR, BLUMHOUSE’S PILGRIM and this summer…

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IFH 756: Confessions of a Hollywood Script Doctor with Peter Douglas Russell 1:32:56

18d ago1:32:56

1:32:56

Today's guest is screenwriter and Hollywood script doctor Peter Douglas Russell. I wanted to go deep into the back alleys of what Hollywood script doctors actually do in the business. Peter's conversation was eye-opening, to say the least.Peter Russell sold two television pilots in 2017. He enjoys working on projects both as a ghostwriter and as a …

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BONUS EPISODE: The Director's Six Senses with Simone Bartesaghi 54:59

22d ago54:59

54:59

Simone Bartesaghi is an Italian award-winning filmmaker who has been recognized by the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producer) as an artist with "Extraordinary Ability in Directing”. At the age of 24 Simone received his Master’s Degree in Economics at the University of Pisa, Italy. Three years…

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IFH 755: How to Write for CSI Vegas, NCSI & Law & Order SVU with Jennifer Dornbush 1:08:19

25d ago1:08:19

1:08:19

Today on the show we have author Jennifer Dornbushwho has written the book Forensic Speak: How to Write Realistic Crime Dramas. We sit down and discuss all things forensics. We even discuss the impact of the OJ Simpson case on the world of forensics. Here's a bit about her amazing book.Crime stories have always intrigued viewers and storytellers. T…

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IFH 754: Screenwriting Secrets from Hollywood with Corey Mandell 1:32:53

1M ago1:32:53

1:32:53

Corey Mandell is a screenwriter and screenwriting instructor known for his work in the entertainment industry. He has worked as a screenwriter, script consultant, and writing coach. While he may not be as widely recognized as some Hollywood screenwriters, he has gained a reputation for his expertise in helping aspiring screenwriters develop their s…

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IFH 753: Screenwriting for Netflix and Television with Neil Landau 1:22:08

1M ago1:22:08

1:22:08

Neil Landau is a screenwriter, author, and professor known for his work in the field of film and television. He has written screenplays for various film and television projects and has also authored several books related to screenwriting and storytelling.Some of his notable works include: "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead" (1991) - Landau co-wr…

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IFH 752: How to Make People Laugh & Cry with Your Screenwriting with Eduardo Cisneros 1:02:19

2M ago1:02:19

1:02:19

Today on the show we have screenwriter, Eduardo Cisneros. He began his screenwriting career in his home country of Mexico. Working on countless television series including Saturday Night Live: Mexico. His career took an upward trajectory when he began working with one of the biggest comedy actor/writer/producer and director in the Latinx world, Eug…

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IFH 751: How to Turn Your Movie Script into a Money-Maker with Mark Toia 1:40:42

2M ago1:40:42

1:40:42

So insane and talented Australian filmmaker Mark Toia is back to tell us how he made millions of dollars self-distributing his remarkable debut, Monsters of Man. After getting offered bad and predatory distribution deals, he wondered if there was another way. Enter my book Rise of the Filmtrepreneur: How to Turn Your Film into a Money-Making Busine…

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IFH 750: How To Write a Blockbuster Film Career with Chris Sparling 1:37:28

2M ago1:37:28

1:37:28

It’s always way fun to have a guest who is also a fan of the show. This week’s guest is definitely a member of the tribe. We chatted up pre-interview about some of his favorite IFH podcast episodes like Ed Burns and Joe Carnahan and I knew front hen on we were on for a treat. My guest today is award-winning writer, director, and producer, Chris Spa…

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IFH 749: Save the Cat! Writing for Netflix & Television with Jamie Nash 1:15:40

2M ago1:15:40

1:15:40

This week, I invited author, writer, and director, Jamie Nash on the show to discuss his ‘Save The Cats Writes for TV’ formula in his new book, Save the Cat!® Writes for TV: The Last Book on Creating Binge-Worthy Content You'll Ever Need.Jamie is a horror and children’s film screenwriter with fifteen years of experience writing projects for Nickelo…

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IFH 748: Screenwriter's Guide to Plotting Stories & Theme with K.M. Weiland 1:18:42

3M ago1:18:42

1:18:42

Today on the show we have returning champion author K.M. Weiland. I wanted to bring her back on the show to discuss her new book Writing Your Story's Theme: The Writer's Guide to Plotting Stories That Matter. Enjoy my conversation with K.M. Weiland. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-…

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IFH 747: The Art of Creating Memorable Characters with John Winston Rainey 1:07:28

3M ago1:07:28

1:07:28

Today on the show we have screenwriter and script doctor, John Winston Rainey. John is the co-author, along with legendary script consultant Linda Seger, of the book You Talkin’ to Me?: How to Write Great Dialogue. John has written 25 screenplays of which 3 have been produced and 10 have been optioned. He has been a script consultant since 1989 and…

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IFH 746: The Entrepreneurial Screenwriter with Jeff Willis 1:27:27

3M ago1:27:27

1:27:27

Today on the show we have screenwriter, consultant, and studio executive, Jeff Willis. Jeff has been in the film business for over 15 years as a writer and executive working on films like Avengers: End Game, Spider-Man: Far from Home, Captain Marvel, and Black Panther to name a few.Around 30 minutes into the show we begin to discuss the business of…

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IFH 745: Screenwriting & Hollywood in the Times of COVID with Greg Gertmenian 1:23:06

3M ago1:23:06

1:23:06

Today on the show, we have Greg Gertmenian, who is the Head of Script Analytics and Film Development at Slated. He is also the co-inventor of the Script Score, the only screenplay evaluation tool proven to accurately predict good films. Helped arrange to finance of films like SUPER TROOPERS 2, DEEP MURDER, CRUISE, AT FIRST LIGHT, GOD BLESS THE BROK…

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IFH 744: The Screenwriter's Guide to Video Game Writing with Robert Denton Bryant 1:44:18

3M ago1:44:18

1:44:18

I always wondered how someone would get into the video game writing business. Today's guest is screenwriter/game development guru Robert Denton Bryant and he answers that question and so much more.Robert Denton Bryant has worked in Hollywood in marketing and production, and in video games as a publisher and a developer. He has been Executive Produc…

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IFH 743: The Guide for Every Screenwriter with Geoffrey D. Calhoun 22:53

4M ago22:53

22:53

After many requests, I decided to finally tackle the dreaded query letter. I bring back to the show screenwriter, author, and IFH Academy instructor Geoffrey Calhoun. Below Query Letter Checklist and a few areas, we discuss in the episode. No Snail Mail Do Your Research Address the Letter to Individuals, not "To Whom It May Concern" It's about the …

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IFH 742: Writing a Screenplay from the Inside Out with Brian Herskowitz 1:14:30

4M ago1:14:30

1:14:30

Today's guest is screenwriter Brian Herskowitz. He wrote the book called Process to Product: From Concept to Script: A Practical Guide for the Screenwriter. Like millions before him, Brian Herskowitz moved out to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. He soon learned that there was a dearth of roles for shorter leading men and began searching for …

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IFH 741: How to Break into Television Writing with Steven Vitolo 56:00

4M ago56:00

56:00

Have you ever wondered what it takes to break into a network television writer's room? Then this episode is for you. Today's guest is Steven Vitolo and he did just that. His latest written episode is on the hit ABC show Black-ish. Steven has over 10 years of experience working in writer's rooms, most recently as a script coordinator on the TV serie…

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IFH 740: Screenwriting Rules You Need to Learn Then Break with Julian Hoxter 1:19:24

4M ago1:19:24

1:19:24

You should all know this by now. I love bringing on different perspectives on the craft because you never know what might click for someone. At the end of the day, we are all trying to tell a and compelling story. I invited to the show this week Julian Hoxter to talk about his book, The Creative Screenwriter: 12 Rules to Follow and Break to Unlock …

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IFH 739: Horror Screenwriting - The Nature of Fear with Devin Watson 1:13:26

5M ago1:13:26

1:13:26

I was glad to take a deep dive into the deep end of horror screenwriting with writer and producer, Devin Watson, notably known for writing and producing The Cursed (2010) which was the first draft he wrote in only two days. He’s also written several books, the latest of which is Horror Screenwriting: The Nature of Fear. Horror has, among all of the…

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IFH 738: Inside Warner Bros Writing Program with Rebecca Windsor 1:07:00

5M ago1:07:00

1:07:00

Today on the show is Rebecca Windsor, the Vice-President of the Warner Bros. Television Workshop, the premier writing and directing program for professionals looking to start and/or further their careers in television.As an extension of her role developing new talent, Rebecca was recruited to help launch Warner Bros. new digital content brand Stage…

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IFH 737: How to Write for and Land a Movie Star for Your Indie Film with Shaye Ogbonna 55:07

5M ago55:07

55:07

We have on the show today writer Shaye Ogbonna.When not in pursuit of retro sneakers, Shaye Ogbonna can be found worshiping at the Temple of Story. His most recent feature project is the contemporary western feature GOD’S COUNTRY — starring the incomparable Thandiwe Newton. Based on a short story by acclaimed author James Lee Burke, God’s Country i…

1
IFH 736: How I Got My Screenplay on Disney Plus with Arash Amel 1:15:18

5M ago1:15:18

1:15:18

Acclaimed screenwriter and producer Arash Amel is known for writing the critically-lauded motion picture, A PRIVATE WAR (2018), directed by Matthew Heineman and starring Rosamund Pike as celebrated war correspondent, Marie Colvin. He recently served as Executive Producer on the Netflix sci-fi action movie, OUTSIDE THE WIRE (2021), starring Anthony …

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IFH 735: Getting in the Door Screenwriting for Netflix with Alan Trezza 56:02

6M ago56:02

56:02

Alan Trezza wrote WE SUMMON THE DARKNESS, a horror-thriller set during the "Satanic Panic" craze of the 1980s. It was directed by Marc Meyers (MY FRIEND DAHMER) and starred Alexandra Daddario, Keean Johnson and Johnny Knoxville. The film made it’s US premiere at the 2019 Fantastic Fest film festival in Austin and was released on all digital outlets…

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IFH 734: Confessions of a First Time Showrunner with Kaye Singleton 1:10:11

6M ago1:10:11

1:10:11

Kaye Singleton is an award-winning writer, producer, and actress that is well on her way to making her own footprint in this industry, or as the much-respected Tyler Perry would say, created her own seat at the table. As a multi-faceted creative talent, she is committed to telling culturally authentic stories for, about, and that explore, the beaut…

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IFH 733: The Art of World Building - Immersive Screenwriting with Margaret Kerrison 1:04:23

6M ago1:04:23

1:04:23

Born in Indonesia and raised in Singapore, Margaret Kerrison received my Master of Fine Arts degree in Screenwriting from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. Her career spans television, film, digital media, games, brand storytelling, location-based entertainment, and immersive experiences.Margaret worked as a Story Lead…

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IFH 732: How to Avoid Career Pitfalls for Screenwriters with Felicity Wren 1:22:45

6M ago1:22:45

1:22:45

I wanted to take a deep dive into the marketing side of screenwriting today because it is in fact, a necessity in the industry today. Unfortunately, not many writers bother themselves as much about marketing their work. While I have some course resources on the IFH Academy website to help writers pitch stories or to get past the gatekeepers and so …

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IFH 731: The Screenwriter's Workout with Will Hicks 1:47:40

6M ago1:47:40

1:47:40

I had a fun chat with our guest today. We hit it off pre-interviewing, geeking out about James Cameron and his latest masterclass, and so much more. On the show this today is Will Hicks who is head of Screenwriting and production at Colorado Film School and an associate professor at the Community College of Aurora.Will had a start in producing and …

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IFH 730: Writing the Netflix/TV Drama Series with Pamela Douglas 1:04:45

7M ago1:04:45

1:04:45

There’s always been a feel-good, easy-times nostalgia for the 80s and 90s TV shows. More so now that we sometimes feel overwhelmed by the plethora of shows we have to pick from. If you feel me then you will enjoy this conversation. Our guest today is the award-winning screen and television writer, professor, and best-selling author, Pamela Douglas.…

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IFH 729: How to Create Story & Character Conflict with Eileen Cook 1:11:21

7M ago1:11:21

1:11:21

Today on the show we have best-selling author and screenwriter Eileen Cook. She is a multi-published, award-winning author with her novels appearing in nine languages. Her books have been optioned for film and TV.She spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer. She’s an instruct…

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IFH 728: The Science of Storytelling for Screenwriters with Will Storr 1:29:55

7M ago1:29:55

1:29:55

I'm super excited to bring you today's show. Today on the podcast we have best-selling author Will Storr. Will's latest book The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human and How to Tell Them Better is a deep dive into how story affects the brain. Here's a bit about the book:Who would we be without stories?Stories mold who we are, from our…

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IFH 727 Lessons Learned Writing Oliver Stone's The Doors with Randall Jahnson_mixdown 1:42:43

7M ago1:42:43

1:42:43

Randall Jahnson is an American screenwriter and film producer. He was born on March 7, 1951, in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Jahnson is best known for his work in the film industry, particularly as a screenwriter.Jahnson's notable credits include writing the screenplay for the 1989 film "The Mask," starring Jim Carrey. He also co-wrote the scre…

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IFH 726: Story$elling Your Screenplay with Heather Hale 1:17:48

8M ago1:17:48

1:17:48

Today on the show we have returning champion Heather Hale. Heather Hale’s new book Story Selling: How to Develop, Market, and Pitch Your Film & TV Projects helps you get your stories out of your head and onto the worldwide stage. From the inspiration and conception of all kinds of creative writing, through the development and refinement of all the …

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IFH 725: Hidden Tools of Comedy for Screenwriters with Steve Kaplan 1:12:15

8M ago1:12:15

1:12:15

Steve Kaplan is a well-known comedy writer, teacher, and consultant. He is the author of the book "The Hidden Tools of Comedy: The Serious Business of Being Funny," which is a popular resource for aspiring comedy writers. The book delves into the principles and techniques of comedy writing, offering insights and practical advice for creating humoro…

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IFH 724: What is Maximum Screenwriting with Jeff Schimmel 1:05:56

8M ago1:05:56

1:05:56

Jeff Schimmel began his Writing/Producing career in the 1980s while attending law school in Los Angeles. When not studying for the bar exam, Jeff wrote and sold his original Cold War spy thriller, Archangel, to Phoenix Entertainment Group. Soon after, Jeff was chosen by comedy legend Rodney Dangerfield and award-winning Writer/Director Harold Ramis…

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IFH 723: The Essentials of Screenwriting with Pilar Alessandra 58:41

9M ago58:41

58:41

Pilar Alessandra is the director of the screenwriting and TV writing program On the Page®, host of the popular On the Page Podcast and author of the top-selling book “The Coffee Break Screenwriter.”Pilar started her career as Senior Story Analyst at DreamWorks SKG and, in 2001, opened the On the Page Writers’ Studio in Los Angeles. Her students and…

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IFH 722: The Art of Television Showrunning with Steve DeKnight (Marvel's Daredevil, Spartacus) 1:58:30

9M ago1:58:30

1:58:30

Showrunning is a mysterious art form to many so I wanted to bringing he someone who can shine a light on what it takes to be one. Today on the show we have powerhouse show runner, writer, director, producer, and all-around good guy Steven Deknight. Best known for his work across the action, drama, and sci-fi genres on TV shows like Smallville, Spar…

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IFH 721: The Million Dollar Mini-Movie Screenwriting Method with Chris Soth 1:40:09

9M ago1:40:09

1:40:09

Chris Soth developed the “Mini-Movie Method” after years of success as a Hollywood screenwriter. Chris has multiple projects in development at major Hollywood studios. This master storyteller is also an expert in pitching and selling - necessary tools for a screenwriter in Hollywood.Chris holds an MFA in screenwriting and a BA in Dramatic Literatur…

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IFH 720: Psychology for Screenwriters with William Indick 1:15:00

9M ago1:15:00

1:15:00

I’m taking a journey down the rabbit hole of screenwriting psychoanalysis with Professor William Indick, who is a psychology professor at William Paterson University in New Jersey, professor of psychology executive chair of faculty at Dowling College, and author of Psychology for Screenwriters.We take a nerdy dig into the world of psychology and ho…

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IFH 719: Directing ACTION in the World of John Wick for Television with Albert Hughes 1:20:23

10M ago1:20:23

1:20:23

In today's show we have a returning champion Albert Hughes. Albert is a well-known American filmmaker. He is one half of the Hughes Brothers, a filmmaking duo consisting of Albert and his twin brother, Allen Hughes. The Hughes Brothers are known for their work in the film industry and have directed and produced a variety of films, often with a focu…

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IFH 718: Licking My Wounds Writing The Mask of Zorro for Hollywood with Randall Jahnson 2:56:14

10M ago2:56:14

2:56:14

Randall Jahnson is a screenwriter known for his work on various films, including "The Mask of Zorro." He co-wrote the screenplay for "The Mask of Zorro" along with Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. The film was released in 1998 and starred Antonio Banderas as the titular character and Catherine Zeta-Jones as the female lead. After being imprisoned for …

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IFH 717: From $7K Film Red 11 to Making SPY KIDS: ARMAGEDDON for Netflix with Racer Max & Rebel Rodriguez 2:08:26

10M ago2:08:26

2:08:26

In this episode we have Racer Max and Rebel Rodriguez. The sons of the legendary filmmaker Robert Rodriguez and film producer Elizabeth Avellán. Racer, Rebel and I had an amazing conversation about what it was like being raised by two master filmmakers, what it was like to be on set, but also what they've learned along the way, what they are doing …

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IFH 716: How Master Storytellers Keep the Audience Engaged with Richard Walter 2:11:10

10M ago2:11:10

2:11:10

Richard Walter was born on July 11, 1944, in New York City, New York, USA. He is a writer known for Group Marriage (1972), The Cinematographer (1969), and The Production Manager (1969). He has been married to Patricia Sandgrund since 1967. In 1988, he released his first instructional book Screenwriting: The Art, Craft, and Business of Film and Tele…

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IFH 715: How To Become A Professional Screenwriter w/ Brooks Elms 1:19:29

10M ago1:19:29

1:19:29

Brooks Elms has written more than 25 scripts over the term of his career for companies like Gold Circle Films, Base FX, and Broken Road. We connected through a mutual friend and I couldn’t wait to have him on the Bulletproof Screenwriting podcast. Elms is a member of the Writers Guild Of America and a part-time screenwriting instructor at UCLA Exte…

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IFH 714: Zero Draft Thiry - Inside Writing for Hollywood with Scott Myers 58:04

11M ago58:04

58:04

Scott Myers is a screenwriter and educator known for his work in the film industry. He has written numerous screenplays and is the co-writer of the 2006 film "K-9: P.I." starring James Belushi. Myers is also the founder of the website Go Into The Story, which is a popular resource for aspiring screenwriters. Myers has been involved in the film indu…

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IFH 713: Save the Cat! How to Write an Indie Screenplay with Salva Rubio 47:25

11M ago47:25

47:25

The impact that Blake Snyder's Save the Cat® book series has had on Hollywood screenwriting is incalculable. Rarely does a book change the way screenwriters approach story and structure. In his best-selling book, Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies: The Screenwriter's Guide to Every Story Ever Told, Blake Snyder provided 50 “beat sheets” to 50 films, …

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IFH 712: Directing Al Pacino in an Indie Film with Johnny Martin 52:34

11M ago52:34

52:34

Since he was eighteen years old, Johnny Martin has been solely working in the film and television industry. He began his career as a stuntman, and within a relatively short period of time graduated to being a stunt coordinator and second-unit director. In those capacities, Johnny has worked on over 260 films, TV shows, and commercials, and even won…

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