In Episode 304, Geoffrey D. Calhoun and co-host Kristy Leigh kick off the new year with a wide-ranging conversation about endings, franchises, and the evolving business shaping how stories get made. From reactions to the finale of Stranger Things and Avatar 3, to a deep dive into the Netflix–Warner Bros–Paramount power struggle, this episode explores how data, algorithms, and vertical platforms are redefining opportunities for screenwriters. They also break down bad screenwriting advice, vertical storytelling trends, and what writers should focus on heading into the year ahead.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why darker, more definitive endings often resonate more with audiences
• How James Cameron writing Avatar 2 and 3 as one script impacted the storytelling
• Why the real battle between Netflix, Warner Bros., and Paramount is about data, not just IP
• How algorithms are influencing what gets greenlit and how scripts are shaped
• Why features, thrillers, and horror still offer strong opportunities for writers
• How vertical storytelling is evolving beyond romance into new genres

Key Moments

• 02:49 – Why Avatar 3 works better than Avatar 2
• 06:46 – The Netflix–Warner Bros–Paramount data war explained
• 16:58 – Bad screenwriting advice: “Nothing needs to happen in the first 10 pages”
• 19:30 – How to hook readers in the first page, not the first act
• 22:22 – How algorithms are already shaping vertical storytelling

About the Guest
Kristy Leigh Lussier is a writer, producer, and vertical drama creator known for her sharp industry insights and hands-on experience in emerging storytelling platforms. She co-hosts The Successful Screenwriter Podcast and regularly works at the intersection of traditional film, streaming, and vertical content.

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

• Underwater
• House of Cards
• Vertical drama platforms and TikTok mini-series trends

Connect with Kristy

• Instagram: @kantoka127
• Vertical Drama: The Witch Wolf’s Mate

Connect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun

• Website: thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com
• Instagram: @screenwriterpod
• YouTube: @thesuccessfulscreenwriter

#TheSuccessfulScreenwriter #ScreenwritingPodcast #FilmIndustry #VerticalDrama #IndieFilm #ScreenwritingAdvice #FilmBusiness #Storytelling 

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