Creative Principles

It’s almost Halloween! To celebrate, we've curated a spine-chilling compilation of the best moments from our interviews with the masters of horror.

First, we have Mike Flanagan talking about THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE and the freedom and challenges of working in the horror genre, then we have Dennis Lehane talking about the process of writing novels vs. TV and the balance of darkness and hope, followed by James Vanderbilt talking about the importance of character development in horror films and the differences between SCREAM and other slasher films, and lastly, we have Robert Eggers & Sjón talking about the role of curses in storytelling and the belief in the supernatural.

This episode is brought to you by AutoCrit. This episode is brought to you by AutoCrit. One of the most value-packed memberships for any author, AutoCrit brings you an incredible suite of tools that make it a breeze to plan, write AND edit your books all in one place. There's also a wonderful member community stuffed with live events, story workshops, feedback sessions, and even guest appearances that put you right in the room with bestselling authors from around the world.

Head to www.autocrit.com/brock to get yourself a LIFETIME membership.

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Rob Letterman is the creator, showrunner, executive producer, and director of GOOSEBUMPS for Sony/Disney+. The series is a critical and commercial success for the streamer, debuting to more than 4 million households within its first three days of availability.

Nick Stoller, is the director of the $379M-global grossing comedy franchise NEIGHBORS, FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL, and the animated feature STORKS. He also co-created the GOOSEBUMPS TV series, an adaptation of the second best-selling book series of all time, for Disney+.

The 2023 GOOSEBUMPS TV series tells the story of a group of five high school students who unleash supernatural forces upon their town. Now, they must work together in order to save it.

In this interview, we talk about their writing styles and their collaborative process, their experiences adapting the GOOSEBUMPS series into a television show, including their approach to aging up the characters and maintaining a balance between horror and humor, plus some industry Insights.

This episode is brought to you by AutoCrit. This episode is brought to you by AutoCrit. One of the most value-packed memberships for any author, AutoCrit brings you an incredible suite of tools that make it a breeze to plan, write AND edit your books all in one place. There's also a wonderful member community stuffed with live events, story workshops, feedback sessions, and even guest appearances that put you right in the room with bestselling authors from around the world.

Head to www.autocrit.com/brock to get yourself a LIFETIME membership.

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Multiple Emmy and IDA award-winning filmmaker Erik Nelson has produced and directed a wide

range of feature documentaries for his company ‘Creative Differences’. Some of his producing credits include GRIZZLY MAN, CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS, INTO THE ABYSS, and the Oscar-nominated ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD.

In his latest film, DAYTIME REVOLUTION, Erik takes us back in time to the week that John Lennon and Yoko Ono descended upon a Philadelphia broadcasting studio to co-host the iconic Mike Douglas Show, at the time the most popular show on daytime television with an audience of 40 million viewers a week.

In this interview, we talk about his approach to storytelling, the documentary production process, his views on collaboration, his film DAYTIME REVOLUTION, and more.

Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy!

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Daniel Church is a horror fiction writer and the author of THE HOLLOWS, which was shortlisted for the British Fantasy Award. His second book, THE RAVENING, is out now and his third novel, THE SOUND OF THE DARK, will be published in 2025.

In THE RAVENING, two women fight to free themselves of a terrifying thousand-year-old curse. Jenna lost her mum when she was a girl—a terrifying incident on a lonely road in the woods that no one, least of all Jenna, has ever been able to explain. She’s been angry, defensive, and self-reliant ever since—until she meets Holly and begins to open up just a little.

But just as life is beginning to offer some promise Jenna is ripped away from Holly; kidnapped by a bizarre cult in thrall, so they say, to an ancient demon who offers the promise of eternal life in return for a particular sacrifice. A sacrifice that links Jenna, her mum, and a bloodline reaching back centuries.

With its antlered demon and a shadowy otherworld behind the veil of our world, THE RAVENING combines cinematic horrors with a compelling story of one woman’s refusal to give up and another woman’s fight for survival against terrible odds – both of them determined to overturn very different expectations.

In this interview, we talk about, his childhood fascination with dark and creepy stories, his pen name, the writer's responsibility to serve the story and characters, the importance of avoiding self-indulgence and ego, and more.

This episode is brought to you by AutoCrit. Head to www.autocrit.com/brock to get yourself a LIFETIME membership.

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Rebekah Powell is a Creative Director & Video Director better known as RebekahBCreative on social media. With more than 24 thousand followers on Instagram and another 75 thousand on TikTok, Rebekah inspires and guides aspiring creatives through her engaging content on TikTok, boasting over 1.5 million likes.

Known for her candid advice, Rebekah shares insights into the creative industry, from career paths and portfolio building to navigating the challenges of freelancing. Her work extends beyond social media, as she has collaborated with renowned brands and individuals on various creative projects.

Some of her credits include LUSH, ALDO, Peacocks, Joel Corry, Elton John, Britney Spears, SAMSUNG, TikTok, MNEK, Becky Hilli, Wiley, and Future.

In this interview, we talk about the importance of both creative and entrepreneurial skills for self-employed creatives, the evolution of music promotion, the challenges and opportunities presented by the changing landscape of the creative industries, and the democratization of creativity and the opportunities presented by social media.

Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy!

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Hayley Frazier and Emalee Burditt are LGBTQ+ comedy writers based in Los Angeles. The two met as assistants on LAST MAN STANDING and have written together since. Hayley and Emalee just wrapped as Executive Story Editors on THE Z-SUITE for Tubi. They were also previously staffed on Mike Schur's A CLASSIC SPY for Netflix and seasons one and two of Disney's THE SANTA CLAUSES.

In THE SANTA CLAUSES, Scott Calvin is about to turn 65. Realizing that he can't be Santa forever, he sets out to find a suitable replacement Santa while preparing his family for a new life adventure south of the North Pole.

In this interview, we talk about the importance of building connections and networking within the industry, the benefits and challenges of working as a writing team, breaking into comedy writing, their show THE SANTA CLAUSES, plus some advice for aspiring screenwriters.

Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy!

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

“As a kid, I had the Super 8, we were making backyard epics, and somebody had to write the scripts,” jokes Howard Klausner about his screenwriting career. “I struck out as a guitar player and actor, but I knew how to write.”

Klausner is best known for SPACE COWBOYS, DIRTY HARRY: THE ORIGINAL, THE LAST RIDE, GOD’S NOT DEAD: A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS and most recently, REAGAN.

The latest film stars Dennis Quaid, Penelope Ann Miller, and Jon Voight. The story is “a drama based on the life of Ronald Reagan, from his childhood to his time in the oval office” that took 14 years to get made.

In this interview, Howard talks about advice from Clint Eastwood, “what do I care about versus what am I trying to sell?,” his love for the Hero’s Journey, shifting from being hired help to being the Band of Brothers, advice for indie filmmakers, and the intangibles that drive writers to craft specs.

Want more? Steal my first book, Ink by the Barrel - Secrets From Prolific Writers right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on hundreds of interviews here at Creative Principles.

Lauren LeFranc is the showrunner of Max’s highly-anticipated limited series THE PENGUIN. With LeFranc’s assured creative voice as its throughline, the show is a radical departure from what we’ve come to expect from comic book stories, embracing a daytime noir tone and aesthetic akin to crime dramas like THE SOPRANOS.

Prior to THE PENGUIN, LeFranc most notably ran YouTube Premium’s IMPULSE. As a television veteran, her body of work also includes credits on AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., HEMLOCK GROVE, and CHUCK.

In her latest work, THE PENGUIN, the series follows Oswald “Oz” Cobb’s quest for control in Gotham City. With the city in peril following the seawall’s collapse, Oz seeks to fill the power vacuum left by the death of Carmine Falcone and finally give his mother Francis the life he’s always promised. But first, Oz must confront his enemies, including Carmine’s children, Sofia Falcone and Alberto Falcone; the Maroni family, led by their imprisoned patriarch, Salvatore Maroni; and Oz’s own demoralizing reputation as “The Penguin.”

In this interview, we talk about how she got attached to THE PENGUIN, working with Colin Farrell and Matt Reeves, the portrayal of Oz as a complex and empathetic villain, the research and development involved in the show, and much more.

Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy!

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Rhona Mitra first gained recognition as the live-action model for the video game character Lara Croft before breaking into acting with notable roles in projects like UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS and DOOMSDAY.

Isaac Florentine is a highly respected director and martial artist known for his expertise in action filmmaking. With a career spanning over three decades, Isaac has garnered acclaim for his dynamic choreography and visceral storytelling in numerous action films and television series.

In their latest film, HOUNDS OF WAR (available on Digital now), the best military mercenaries known as ‘The Hounds,’ are sent on a final mission by their creator: a carefully planned trap set up to destroy them.

In these back-to-back interviews, we talk about Rhona’s decision to take on the role, her journey into the action genre, the challenges and rewards of action films, Isaac’s approach to directing action movies, the importance of tailoring scripts to specific locations and schedules, how he approaches action scenes with different actors, and more.

Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy!

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit trace their love for writing back to childhood. Hernandez recalls writing a Star Wars short story in fourth grade, inspired by Timothy Zahn's novels, such as the Thrawn trilogy. "I remember that moment as the first time that I really thought, oh, I really enjoy doing this. I like doing this. I think I can do this," he shares. "And that bug never really quit. It never really left me."

Similarly, Samit grew up in a family of writers. "My mom's a writer. My dad has written some things. So there's always been like writing in my world," he explains. "And I always saw it as a thing that people do to express themselves. And yeah, when I was a kid, I loved writing stories, making up stories with my friends."

Their partnership began at Brown University, where they discovered a shared taste in pop culture. "We started as best friends,  just hanging out in college talking about movies and TV and just pop culture that we love," Samit recalls. "We just had this bond where we had basically the same taste, everything he liked I liked, everything I liked he liked. We didn't really ever disagree on anything."

This synchronicity laid the foundation for their future collaboration. Hernandez adds, "We were making each other's writing better. We were making each other's creative choices better. There are things that he's really, really good at that I'm not good at, at all."

Want more? Steal my first book, Ink by the Barrel - Secrets From Prolific Writers right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on hundreds of interviews here at Creative Principles.