Screenwriter Survival Guide

Today on Screenwriter Survival Guide, we're doing something pretty special. Way back in Season One, I had my friend and creative partner, Axel Arzola, on the show to talk about the development process. This year, I went on his amazing show, High Level with Axel Arzola, and discussed the process of writing your first screenplay, among other things. I thought his episode of Screenwriter Survival guide was fantastic, and he was a big fan of my episode of High Level. In that spirit, we decided to give our listeners something special. So today, I'm bringing you my full episode of High Level on this feed and he's dropping his episode of Screenwriter Survival Guide. You'll hear Axel and I discuss the writing process, being gay in Hollywood, and a whole bunch of other topics related to screenwriting. His show has a much looser, conversational style that I'm sure you'll love. And when you're done, be sure to go listen to his episode of Screenwriter Survival Guide, now available on his feed.

Connect with Axel on Twitter or Instagram (@axelarzola).

If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters.

Questions? Concerns? Reach out on Twitter or Instagram @sambrookspresents, or email me at [email protected].

LISTEN TO HIGH LEVEL: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/high-level/id1211324432

Today, I sat down with Rebecca Feuer, the Vice-President of Film & TV at Ridley Scott's production company, Scott Free Films, who brought us Black Hawk Down, Gladiator, and Blade Runner 2049, to name a few. Rebecca had so many fascinating insights to share about how production companies work behind the scenes, and the best ways new writers can get their scripts sold. If you're a screenwriter who's looking to be "discovered", you're not going to want to miss this chapter of Screenwriter Survival Guide.

If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters.

Questions? Concerns? Guest ideas? Reach out on Instagram @sambrookspresents or email me at [email protected].

SCREENWRITER SURVIVAL TIP: Have hobbies outside the business.

On this quick bonus episode of Screenwriter Survival Guide, Sam checks in from a Ski Resort in Utah to revise his firmly-held belief that screenwriters must live in Los Angeles. Sam recently made the decision to take a break from LA, something that runs in diametric opposition to Chapter 1 of Screenwriter Survival Guide's first season (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chapter-i-why-and-how-all-screenwriters-should-move-to-la/id1579992191?i=1000531159758), in which he says that all screenwriters should move to LA. Today, he breaks down why he's decided to leave California, how he plans to continue his career from outside the TMZ, and what you should be thinking about if you're considering leaving LA as well.

If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters.

Questions? Concerns? Guest ideas? Reach out on Instagram @sambrookspresents or email me at [email protected].

Today on Screenwriter Survival Guide, I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Dara Resnik, co-creator of the Apple TV+ series 'Home Before Dark' and the upcoming Amazon Prime series 'The Horror of Dolores Roach'. Beyond her work as showrunner, she's written on virtually every series under the sun, from 'Castle' and 'Daredevil', to 'Jane The Virgin' and her first-ever job working for Aaron Sorkin on 'Studio 60 on The Sunset Strip'. We had a fascinating discussion, covering everything from Dara's writing process to how a newbie writer should behave when meeting with a showrunner.

Connect with Dara on Twitter (@BadassMomWriter).

If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters.

Questions? Concerns? Guest ideas? Reach out on Instagram @sambrookspresents or email me at [email protected].

SCREENWRITER SURVIVAL TIP: Live within your means.

WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/BgFjE_yQcc4

Today on Screenwriter Survival Guide, I had an amazing chat with screenwriter Aaron Tracy, who was a writer on Law & Order: SVU and the creator of the Crackle series Sequestered. He's recently made the leap to audiodramas, where he's made projects with the likes of James Patterson, Shonda Rhimes, and Steve Nash that have gone on to premiere #1 on Audible. We talked about everything from pitching and selling scripts, to the importance of finding fulfillment before you've "made it", to why audiodramas are the future of screenwriting. After you finish this episode, go take a listen to Aaron's newest project: 10 Days, which is a high-stakes audiodrama about the wild world of 10-day contracts in the NBA. Scroll down to the bottom of the show notes for the link to watch. 

Connect with Aaron on Twitter (@aarondtracy).

If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters.

Questions? Concerns? Guest ideas? Reach out on Instagram @sambrookspresents or email me at [email protected].

SCREENWRITER SURVIVAL TIP: Write something completely different. 

LISTEN TO '10 DAYS': https://www.audible.com/pd/10-Days-Podcast/B09MJP5TMJ

WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/nqE1EOYdYIw

Today on Screenwriter Survival Guide, I sat down with actor Adrian Martinez who you may recognize from films like 'I Feel Pretty' and 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty', or TV shows like 'Stumptown' and 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'. He recently wrote and directed his first feature film, iGilbert, which is now available in theaters and On Demand. It's a twisted fairytale about connection and voyeurism. I always find it fascinating to talk with indie filmmakers and hear details about how they get their movies made. Adrian was very happy to talk about his process, and go deep on the messages behind his film. He has crafted a fantastic film and everybody should go check it out the moment they finish this episode. Watch links are at the bottom of the show notes.

Connect with Adrian on Instagram (@tasteofadrian), Twitter (@tasteofadrian), or Facebook.

If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters.

Questions? Concerns? Guest ideas? Reach out on Instagram @sambrookspresents or email me at [email protected].

SCREENWRITER SURVIVAL TIP: Get help.

WATCH iGILBERT: Apple TV, Google TV, Prime Video, Vudu, Trailer

WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWtlF2pgxqY

Happy New Year! To celebrate 2022 and all of the amazing things that are sure to be on the horizon this year, I sat down with filmmaker Sabur Tahir, and we both broke down our favorite films AND TV shows of 2021. We both have very different tastes in entertainment, so this was quite an exciting conversation.

To those of you who've listened to Screenwriter Survival Guide throughout 2021, thank you so much. Everybody says this, but we truly could not do it without you.  And if you're new to the family, we've got a massive back catalog of excellent content, so be sure to check out the rest of the feed. We cannot wait to bring you so much more cool stuff in 2022. 

Remember, as we break into the new year: Don't just survive, thrive.

Connect with Sabur on Instagram (@sabur.tahir1).

If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters.

Questions? Concerns? Guest ideas? Reach out on Instagram @sambrookspresents or email me at [email protected].

SABUR'S PICKS:

SAM'S PICKS:

SABUR'S PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/express-and-refresh/id1587353785

WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU AGAIN IN 2022!

WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/rrDd7PXRwqI

This is the second episode in our "Spotlight On" series, where I’ll be chatting with some of the coolest young screenwriters, directors, and other industry professionals in Hollywood using a less-structured format. Our goal is to spotlight excellent up-and-comers with unique experiences and perspectives on the industry. Episodes will premiere throughout the year (basically whenever we have one to air).

On this episode, I sat down with my good friend writer/director Jacob Baldy, whose new film 'Ryn' is an epic sci-fi blockbuster made with a budget of, wait for it, about $5000. We go deep on how to make a big genre film on a microbudget, how Jacob goes about writing his films, and our shared love of crappy cinema.

Connect with Jacob on Twitter (@jmbhhf25) or Instagram (@jacobmb25).

If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters.

Questions? Concerns? Guest ideas? Reach out on Instagram @sambrookspresents or email me at [email protected].

SCREENWRITER SURVIVAL TIP: Screw the rules.

WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/v5nqZaph3fw

Today on Screenwriter Survival Guide, I’m thrilled to welcome a legendary writer, actor, producer, and director whose writing credits include shows like Glee, MADtv, and Crazy-Ex Girlfriend. He’s also one of the credited writers on Will Smith’s first feature film, and has himself appeared in more than 80 films and TV shows like Bridesmaids, Super 8, Waiting for Guffman, Veep, and Black Monday. As if all that weren’t enough, he also tours the world performing improv for US troops abroad in as far-flung locales as Iraq. But to me, he will always be Ira Gilligan from Arrested Development. I’m talking, of course, about the one and only Michael Hitchcock.

Connect with Michael on Instagram (@hitchmichael).

If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters.

Questions? Concerns? Reach out on Twitter or Instagram @sambrookspresents, or email me at [email protected].

PART I: Michael's Story

The Best Marionettist in Chicago

Exploring Second City and The Groundlings

PART II: Writing, Writing, Writing

The many wonders of improv

How to become a multihyphenate

Learn from your industry peers

PART III: Directing

Improv is Vital for Directing

Always educate yourself

SCREENWRITER SURVIVAL TIP: Embrace who you are. Warts and all.