In this live Q&A, Geoffrey D. Calhoun and co-host Kristy Leigh unpack M3GAN 2.0’s genre swerve from horror comedy to horror action, why Terminator 2 may have been the template, and how fast turnarounds can flatten story. Then they dive into Tilly Norwood and the rise of AI performers, what that could cost the industry in craft and jobs, and why strong scripts matter even more. Geoffrey closes with his “trash screenwriting advice” takedown of the luck in the industry and explains the Three Ts that actually move careers. Listener Q&A covers writing pages without knowing the full story, plotting vs pantsing, and the raw emotions that tell you a scene is working.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How a sequel’s genre shift can alienate core fans
• Why speed-to-market can warp tone and structure
• The real implications of AI performers for actors and writers
• Why stronger scripts become critical in an AI pipeline
• The Three Ts framework for breaking in without “luck”
• Plotter vs pantser: when each approach helps
• Emotional checkpoints that signal your scene is landing

Key Moments

• 01:22 First take on M3GAN 2.0 and the head-punch opener
• 05:31 Home Alone-style hijinks and tonal whiplash
• 08:08 Tilly Norwood and the AI performer debate
• 11:13 Prediction: indie and international adoption first
• 17:55 Bad screenwriting tip: “You need luck”
• 21:09 Q&A: writing pages without the full story
• 25:14 Killing characters and arguing with your draft

About the Guest
Kristy Leigh is a writer and producer who champions story craft, performance, and indie filmmaking communities, most recently at the Boise Film Festival.
About the Host
With films on network television, streaming platforms, and in theaters, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and a passionate mentor in the industry. He hosts The Successful Screenwriter podcast to empower writers and filmmakers at every level.
Resources Mentioned in the Episode

• M3GAN 2.0
• Terminator 2: Judgment Day
• The Conjuring series
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) and John August
• Boise Film Festival
• Tilly Norwood (AI performer)
• Finding Nicole

Connect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun

• Website: TheSuccessfulScreenwriter.com
• Instagram: @screenwriterpod
• YouTube: The Successful Screenwriter

Have a screenwriting question for the next live show? Drop it in the comments, and tune in next week. If today’s chat helped, share the episode with a writer friend.

#Screenwriting #ScreenwriterPodcast #M3GAN2 #AIinFilm #WritingProcess #ThreeTs #IndieFilm #BoiseFilmFestival #PlotterVsPantser #HorrorWriting

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