Best Spec Script Podcasts (2025)

1
Keeping the Fun in Filmmaking: Molly Ratermann's Creative Mindset | Emerging Screenwriter Interview 33:28

22m ago33:28

33:28

Writer–director–actor Molly Ratermann shares the wild, deeply personal, and inspiring story behind her debut feature film, "Making a Bridesmaid."By scott markus

1
Take 10 with Craig - General Meetings: Stop Trying to Sell. Start Building Relationships. 13:39

9d ago13:39

13:39

A general meeting isn't about pitching your project. It's about building relationships, establishing trust, and showing executives, producers, and collaborators who you are as a person and storyteller.By Craig James

1
"How to be a Screenwriter" with Phil Stark (South Park, That '70s Show, Dude, Where's My Car?) 44:23

12d ago44:23

44:23

Screenwriter and therapist Phil Stark joins the ISA for an honest, funny, and deeply insightful conversation about creativity, impostor syndrome, and breaking into the industry.By scott markus

1
From Dream to Debut: Alex Sarrigeorgiou's First Feature Film Story, making "In Transit" 35:34

2M ago35:34

35:34

Writer, actor, and poet Alex Sarrigeorgiou talks about her creative journey and her debut feature film, "In Transit," a tender, intimate queer drama about connection, identity, and the courage to change direction in life.By Shayna Weber

1
Making Back to Back Viral Short Films w/Luke Barnett (THE CROSSING OVER EXPRESS & OVATION) 1:21:43

2M ago1:21:43

1:21:43

VIDEO PODCAST AVAILABLE at YouTube.com/@AndyCompton! Please watch and subscribe to the channel for more video episodes! Hey there, everybody! Welcome to Episode 50! What an achievement! Very stoked to have screenwriter, director, producer, and actor, Luke Barnett back on the show. In this episode, we talk about his two most recent short films, THE …

1
Overcoming Impostor Syndrome as a Writer | Trusting the Process of Storytelling 6:46

2M ago6:46

6:46

"The idea of impostor syndrome is something I think we all struggle with — and I'm no exception." In this heartfelt reflection, Craig James opens up about creative self-doubt, trusting your work, and learning to let go once you've done your part.By Craig James

1
Just Your Typical Award-winning Screenwriter-slash-Zookeeper | Alli Kiko Masloske's Inspiring Story 37:02

2M ago37:02

37:02

In this inspiring conversation, Alli Kiko Masloske shares her creative journey from working with animals to writing screenplays that connect deeply with audiences. From navigating chronic illness to finding her voice in a competitive industry, Alli opens up about how humor, honesty, and community have shaped her work and outlook on life.…

1
Dani Hanks on Writing with Authentic Voice & Building a TV Career, Emerging Screenwriter Interview 37:49

2M ago37:49

37:49

Writer, director, and creative powerhouse Dani Hanks joins Shaya Weber for an in-depth conversation about her journey from actor to award-winning writer, how chronic illness shaped their perspective, and their process for writing powerful, character-driven stories. Learn how Dani approaches outlining, keeps momentum through rejection, and balances …

1
Finding Your True Writing Voice | Stop Writing for the Audience, Start Writing for YOURSELF 9:35

3M ago9:35

9:35

Every writer needs to find their true voice, that unique perspective that makes their work authentic and unforgettable. We dive into what "voice" really means and how to write from a place of honesty.By Craig James

1
From Making the 2022 and 2023 Annual Blacklist to Having His Script Directed by Peter Landesman w/Kevin Sheridan (ELEVEN DAYS) 1:16:11

3M ago1:16:11

1:16:11

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, we have actor turned screenwriter, Kevin Sheridan. I've known of Kevin for awhile from Twitter but we hadn't interacted much until now. Just friends and fans from afar. It was great getting to talk to him and learn about his history as an actor, working on some huge shows of the 2000s, and then his more rece…

1
Improve Your Writing by Reading, Take 10 with Craig 5:15

3M ago5:15

5:15

Take advantage of ISA's free screenplay library to improve your own craft.By Craig James

1
Devin Jane Febbroriello: To be a Filmmaker You Need to Understand Feedback & Collaboration 44:20

4M ago44:20

44:20

Devin Jane Febbroriello is a North American screenwriter/director + producer that specializes in the creation of thought-provoking stories centered on lovable dysfunctional families, surreal multi-genre plots, women, and dark humor. Evocative characters blaze bold paths through thematically rich circumstances to cultivate her emotive works. Devin's…

1
Conor Dowling on Breaking into Screenwriting & Filmmaking in Ireland (Emerging Screenwriter) 47:53

5M ago47:53

47:53

Conor spent most of his youth in Ireland gigging in rock bands, working in a video store and reading too many Stephen King novels. Eventually, he knew he had to course correct and follow his dreams. Conor is a writer, filmmaker and award winning podcaster from Dublin with a masters in film production from Staffordshire University. Conor writes abou…

1
Author/Showrunner DJ MacHale on Unlocking Stories & Taking Control of Your Writing Career 1:20:55

5M ago1:20:55

1:20:55

Join us for a captivating evening with D.J. MacHale, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Pendragon series and creator of the cult-favorite TV show "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" From bestselling books to iconic screen moments, D.J. has spent his career crafting stories that resonate across generations. In this exclusive event, he'll shar…

1
Yazmin Monet Watkins: Poetry, Roller Skates & Speaking Truth 41:14

5M ago41:14

41:14

Yazmin Monet Watkins is a poet, comedian, screenwriter, actress, organizer, avid roller skater and adventurer. She can be seen on season two of Grand Crew on NBC, Comedy Central and has co-developed and written pilots for Netflix & Comedy Central.By Shayna Weber

1
From Acting in MAJOR PAYNE to Writing, Directing, Composing, AND Acting in BITTERSWEET (Apple TV) w/Steven Martini 1:05:26

5M ago1:05:26

1:05:26

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, we have writer, actor, director, composer, editor, and singer/songwriter Steven Martini. I met Steven on Twitter and quickly realized, "OH MY GOD, THAT'S CADET ALEX STONE FROM MAJOR PAYNE!" I was a big fan in my childhood, so it was a thrill to meet Steven now, 30 years later. And it's been an interesting th…

1
The Truth About Agents 10:54

6M ago10:54

10:54

How Writers Really Get Repped (The 90/10 Rule You Need to Know), Take 10 with ISA Founder Craig JamesBy Craig James

1
Allegra Oxborough, Table Read My Screenplay Grand Prize Winner & Director Paul Lindsay 16:52

6M ago16:52

16:52

The most recent Table Read My Screenplay contest brought the grand prize winner to the South of France during the Cannes Film Festival. Hear from screenwriter Allegra Oxborough & director Paul Lindsay.By Scott Markus

1
Jen Butler, Emerging Screenwriter Interview Series 1:04:02

7M ago1:04:02

1:04:02

Jen Butler is a comedian and storyteller who specializes in writing feature-length, multi-layered dark comedy screenplays focusing on the complex nature of humans as they navigate spiritual and emotional awakenings. When not writing screenplays, Jen tells comedic real-talk stories to her 275,000 online followers (@jenbutlersays IG, TikTok, & Thread…

1
Screenwriter Update! AJ Bermudez, author & co-writer of "My Dead Friend Zoe" 22:59

7M ago22:59

22:59

A. J. BERMUDEZ is an award-winning author and filmmaker based in Los Angeles and New York. Her first book, Stories No One Hopes Are About Them, won the 2022 Iowa Short Fiction Award and was a 2023 Lambda Award Finalist. Her most recent feature film project, My Dead Friend Zoe (co-written with director Kyle-Hausmann Stokes, starring Sonequa Martin-G…

1
Stephanie Bast, Emerging Screenwriter Interview 35:01

7M ago35:01

35:01

Stephanie Bast was abandoned in Korea, adopted by Italians and raised in a town so small and white, someone asked: "How are you gonna understand her when she starts speaking?" Fiercely loved and protected, she was taught to fear "the other" while knowing "the other" was herself. She started to write comedy to heal a wound. Now she writes to heal ot…

1
Short Film Table Read, "Suicide at Noon" by Merrit Chelsey Schmidt 27:31

8M ago27:31

27:31

Suicide at Noon Logline: A newly organized but suicidal woman must withstand the various objections of her friends and family and convince them to support her or be forced to cancel her perfectly scheduled upcoming suicide.By Merrit Chelsey Schmidt

1
Script Consultant Pioneer Linda Seger discusses her latest book, "Unpacking" 59:24

8M ago59:24

59:24

There's a lot to unpack here as Linda Seger is full of interesting stories and lessons learned along the way. As a pioneering female entrepreneur, she was on the cutting edge of a new type of business - being a screenplay consultant. Her passion, drive, and wiliness to dive into every opportunity took her from small town Wisconsin to lecturing arou…

1
Emerging Screenwriter Interview: Adam Karpel 51:12

8M ago51:12

51:12

A native New Yorker, Adam received a BFA from Ithaca College and completed one year of his MFA at UCLA before deciding to quit because those hard wooden classroom chairs were really chafing his ass. Writing began for him when his first play was produced at the West Coast Ensemble Theater in Hollywood. A creative executive who happened to be in the …

1
The First Room: A TV Writer's Experience w/Edith Rodriguez (DEXTER: RESURRECTION on Showtime, MATLOCK on CBS) 1:24:43

9M ago1:24:43

1:24:43

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, we have a returning guest, Edith Rodriguez. Edith and I first spoke on the pod right after we both landed our first managers in late 2021. Now, we're back and Edith has been in two different writer's rooms and shares her experience! Edith Rodriguez grew up between the sunny beaches of Puerto Rico and cold wi…

1
"Offbeat," pilot episode, Table Read My Screenplay Grand Prize Winner 30:58

9M ago30:58

30:58

"Offbeat," pilot episode, 2020 Table Read My Screenplay Grand Prize Winner, written by Marshall "gripp" Gillson.By Marshall "gripp" Gillson

1
"The Icebox," Award-Winning Short Screenplay Table Read 19:44

9M ago19:44

19:44

Please enjoy a performance of the Table Read My Screenplay Award-Winning short script, "The Icebox" by Brian P. Glass. Cast: Elijah Terrell Haney, Hye Bin Lee, Carson Grant, Damon Evans & narrated by Felicity Wren.By Brian P. Glass

1
Extended Interview with Michael Graf Screenwriter of "Green and Gold" 42:46

10M ago42:46

42:46

Green and Gold: A struggling family farmer wagers everything on a high-stakes Championship bet, while his granddaughter's musical ambitions could be their ticket to a new beginning. Starring Brandon Sklenar, Craig T. Nelson, M. Emmet WalshBy Max Timm & Scott Markus

1
ISA Pitch Panel Featuring Executives from Atomic Robot, Morning View Ent & Snarky Elephant Prods 1:16:34

10M ago1:16:34

1:16:34

Solid pitches sell screenplays. Join us to watch pitches delivered to Creative Executives at prominent companies and hear live feedback. Learn the DOs and DON'Ts of great pitching, so you'll be prepared when you're in the room! Caroline Dillingham is the Chief Executive Officer of Morning View Entertainment LLC, where she leads the company in its m…

1
Advice for Screenwriters from a Literary Manager w/Allard Cantor (Epicenter) 1:20:25

1y ago1:20:25

1:20:25

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--literary manager at Epicenter, and one of my managers, Allard Cantor! New York City born, New Jersey bred, and University of Wisconsin educated, Allard Cantor started life as an envelope salesman in Manhattan before choosing to follow his passion for film and moving to Los Angele…

1
STATE OF THE POD UPDATE 6:58

1y ago6:58

6:58

Hey, there everybody! This is just an update episode on why I've been away, what I've been up to, and the future of the podcast. If you're reading this, thanks for sticking around through my absence! Life got busy. But, I'm excited to give an update on the pod.By Andy Compton

1
FSS: Halloween Special, "Famously Haunted: Hollywood" Tubi Documentary Reaction 1:02:06

1y ago1:02:06

1:02:06

One of our co-hosts, Scott, was recently featured on the Tube documentary, Famously Haunted Hollywood. We go over the stories featured in the documentary: The Black Dahlia, The Manson Murders, Comedy Store, Peg Entwhistle, The Cecil Hotel.By Max Timm & Scott Markus

1
Film Inquiry interview with Andrea Berting, an ISA Top 25 Screenwriter to Watch in 2024 16:36

1y ago16:36

16:36

Kristy Strouse of Film Inquiry interviews screenwriter Andrea Berting, who has been an ISA Fast Track Fellow and is now on their Development Slate.By Kristy Strouse

1
Pushing Back Against Ageism in Screenwriting w/Brad M. Johnson (Founder of The Grey List) 1:18:47

1+ y ago1:18:47

1:18:47

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--screenwriter and founder of The Grey List, Brad M. Johnson! Brad M. Johnson is a writer and filmmaker based in the Pacific Northwest near Seattle. He’s a life-long storyteller who has recently returned from a 12-year detour into the world of corporate marketing to focus on his or…

1
Film Inquiry Interviews Sandy King, Producer & Co-Founder of Storm King Comics! 17:53

1+ y ago17:53

17:53

Sandy King is a film producer & businesswoman who is known for In the Mouth of Madness, Village of the Damned, Vampires & Ghosts of Mars, all of which were directed by her husband John Carpenter. She co-created the comic book series Asylum.

1
Film Inquiry, Interview with Zoe Hodge, an ISA Top 25 Screenwriter to Watch in 2024 17:29

1+ y ago17:29

17:29

Zoë Hodge is an award winning writer & director born in the Boogie-Down-Bronx. Her work often explores yearning & the deep solitude that comes from denying yourself. As a writer, Zoë grew up on Everybody Hates Chris and Jane Austen adaptations.By Kristy Strouse

1
FSS 49: Script & Story Consultant Jen Grisanti, on the State of writing for TV Today 1:16:47

1+ y ago1:16:47

1:16:47

This is the replay of a live event Max & Scott did along with the International Screenwriters' Association. They welcomed screenwriting aficionado Jen Grisanti, who has a long history of working with screenwriters as an executive and consultant.By Max Timm & Scott Markus

1
Making a Big Spec Sale w/Jason Gruich (COP CAM) 1:28:32

1+ y ago1:28:32

1:28:32

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--screenwriter, Jason Gruich! Jason is a current member and Captain of the Writers Guild of America, East. He has sold four original feature specs since 2017 to various production companies including a major spec sale to Warner Bros (New Line Cinema) with his first-person, crime-th…

1
Film Inquiry's Interview with Thuc Doan Nguyen, an ISA Top 25 Screenwriter to Watch Interview 25:01

1+ y ago25:01

25:01

Screenwriter Thuc Doan Nguyen went from Vietnamese refugee to writing for The Lost City with Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum & Brad Pitt. Hear her story here.By Kristy Strouse

1
Unfrosted (2024) Review 44:38

1+ y ago44:38

44:38

Unfrosted Summary: “In 1963 Michigan, business rivals Kellogg's and Post compete to create a cake that could change breakfast forever." Original air date: May 3, 2024 Adam and Corey take a break from Curb to review Jerry Seinfeld's directorial debut, Unfrosted! Not since The Merv Griffin Show episode of Seinfeld have the boys been this far apart in…

1
Film Inquiry's Interview with Adam Karlson, an ISA Top 25 Screenwriter to Watch in 2024 21:30

1+ y ago21:30

21:30

Adam Karlson signed a shopping agreement with CS Productions and is now managed by Gravity Squared Entertainment due to introductions made by the ISA.By Kristy Strouse

1
Writing on a FOX Sitcom w/Allison Jackson (CALL ME KAT) 1:16:21

1+ y ago1:16:21

1:16:21

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--screenwriter, Allison Jackson! Allison is a Los Angeles based screenwriter who writes funny shows about Black women in not-so-funny situations. Originally from a town of three thousand in Ohio, Jackson developed her love for screenwriting while working in China, and learned Manda…

1
Producing a Netflix Top 4 Indie Film w/Luke Barnett (YOUR LUCKY DAY) 1:15:58

1+ y ago1:15:58

1:15:58

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--actor, producer, screenwriter, and director, Luke Barnett! Luke is a jack of all trades and most recently, it was his producing work that helped bring success to the feature film, YOUR LUCKY DAY, written and directed by Dan Brown, and starring the late Angus Cloud and Jessica Gar…

1
Film Inquiry's Interview with Kim Hornby, an ISA Top 25 Writer to Watch in 2024 21:33

1+ y ago21:33

21:33

Each year the ISA lists 25 talented writers. Our first interview is with multi-talented screenwriter & novel writer Kim Hornsby. I spoke with Kim about her journey, projects, and recommendations for other screenwriters! Check out more at FilmInquiry.comBy Kristy Strouse

1
Script Clearances and What Writers Need to Know w/Carley Aggromito (ABIGAIL FRANKLIN'S IMPROBABILITY OF STARDOM) 1:08:42

2y ago1:08:42

1:08:42

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--screenwriter and script clearance professional, Carley Aggromito! Carley is an Australia and Vancouver-based writer writing features while working in script clearances by day. In this episode, we discuss her writing, contest success, and the world of script clearances. I hope you…

1
FSS: Paranormal European Travel - Ireland legends & Faery Lore Above Knockma Hill & at Kilkea Castle & the Hellfire Club 55:17

2y ago55:17

55:17

Scott (and his wife Wendy) fill Max in on their adventure across the Emerald Isle, discussing the haunted hot spots and legendary tales they discovered along the way... also the adventures of driving on the other side of the road.By Max Timm & Scott Markus

1
Chaseedaw Giles, Using Dark Topics to Find the Light in Humanity, Emerging Screenwriter Interview 31:44

2y ago31:44

31:44

Chaseedaw Giles moved to LA as everything shut down for the pandemic. However, she used that time to work on her craft. She's taken an approach of being proactive and using darker story topics to find positivity.By Shayna Weber

1
Talking Horror Movies & Haunted Chicago with Jackson Schreiber from Katch Data 49:40

2y ago49:40

49:40

Big thanks to the horror blog WonderfullyWeirdAndHorrifying.com for making this conversation happen. What did you think of "Hereditary?"By Max Timm & Scott Markus

1
Writing in TV Rooms at Netflix & Amazon w/Shruti Saran (SLIP on Roku) 1:06:19

2y ago1:06:19

1:06:19

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--screenwriter and filmmaker, Shruti Saran! Shruti has written in writer's rooms at Netflix and Amazon, and is currently ESE on Season 2 of SLIP on Roku! In this episode, she shares her personal experience with moving from Texas to LA to join her first writer's room and all the les…

1
Emerging Screenwriter AND Director Interview, Diane Lansing 21:31

2y ago21:31

21:31

An ISA Top 25 Writers To Watch in 2019, Diane has taken her work behind the camera, screening her directing work at the DGA and garnering awards and laurels. Creating and collaborating through film are her driving force.By Shayna Weber

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