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Screenwriting: From the Trenches
By Rob Hagans & Kay TuxfordTV & Film
Screenwriting: From the Trenches episodes
- To Consult or Not to Consult?
This week Kay and Rob talk about screenwriting consultants - the good, the bad, the ugly. And to that end, we have a guest, Danny Manus who is the man behind No Bull Script Consulting– and has weathered many ebbs of flows of the industry and has lived to tell the tale. We also address scandals in script consulting, why Wonder Woman being a Queer Icon is NOT a big deal, why Rob and Danny have a shared love for, "The Forsaken", and spaces for LGBTQ screenwriters to get read by other LGBTQ folks (and allies). Happy Pride, everybody!
Our Weekly Resource: No Bull Script Consulting – You can find Danny’s website (at the link) with testimonials and contact info. Also, Danny runs his own blog on his website offering articles for FREE about screenwriting and the state of the industry. Add this resource to your arsenal, people!
Notes From the Episode:
Cindy Begel's thread on Twitter about the scammer aka Sofi OdelleShout out to @druzif (Drew) for putting together Pride Readers: If you’re an LGBT screenwriter, you can connect with an industry professional on Drew’s website who has volunteered to read and help LGBT writers… FOR FREE. If you want to read, Drew is always looking for skilled volunteer readers as well!The trailer for "The Forsaken"Danny's TwitterRob's YouTube ChannelHow to Make a Movie for $1000Kay's TwitterRob's TwitterEmail us(!)1 hr 12 min - Being a Multi-hyphenate!
We get it, a lot of you folks out there want to just write, BUT, the industry as a whole is changing and a lot of us out there are folks who wear a few hats (and are successful because of it). Joining us this week to talk about that is Canadian-American Sonja O'Hara who as a writer, director, actor and creator is well versed in such. We had a great conversation with her and we can't wait to have her back to talk about her journey as a multi-hyphenate!
Our Weekly Resource: There are a few patron saints of indie film, Robert Rodriguez, Ava Duvernay, Ryan Connolly, Lynn Shelton, Mark Duplass, but Alex Ferarri deserves to also be on that list. His website, Indie Film Hustle, is THE hub for anyone looking to expand themselves and become a multi-hypenate capable of making their dreams and art projects come true. You will find podcasts and interviews with hundreds of guests, including Sonja, sharing their knowledge bombs with what Alex refers to as the tribe and there’s information there on literally anything you might want to know about filmmaking wise. Seriously, when it comes to filmmaking resources, IFH is probably matched only by something like Film Riot. Go there and begin your journey down a massive wellspring of knowledge.
Notes From the Episode:
On the Corner of Ego and Desire TrailerSonja's Emmy Nominated series, "Doomsday" TrailerSonja's Instagram
Rob's YouTube ChannelHow to Make a Movie for $1000Kay's TwitterRob's TwitterEmail us(!)1 hr 2 min - What We Can Learn From Working With Actors!
This week Kay and Rob talk about what lessons we can take about our writing that we can glean from working with actors. And to that end, we have a guest, Meg Cashel, who is the star of Kay and Rob's favorite new short, “It’s Been A While” while also discussing Twitter drama such as massive layoffs in the industry, the White Working Class Writer’s Guild Twitter account, and the She Hulk trailer.
Our Weekly Resource: Meg! Meg is in several shorts and things across the internet, please go and check them out below because Meg is amazing and we love her and we wish for her continued success as an artist.
Notes From the Episode:
Meg's short, "Milo"Meg's short, "The Eulogy"Meg's short, "Together"Meg's InstagramRob's YouTube ChannelHow to Make a Movie for $1000Kay's TwitterRob's TwitterEmail us(!)59 min - Our Favorite Screenplays! (And What We Can Learn From Them)
This week Kay and Rob are talking about their favorite scripts (and what we take away from them), and amid that nerding out, we discuss the various Twitter controversies over Doctor Strange, White Space in scripts and why execs think your writing is probably bad.
Our Weekly Resource:
For years Drew’s Script-o-rama was the go to place for screenplays. Most times if you want to find a script I suggest google or reddit. But the Internet Movie Screenplay Database is pretty good and has a good system of hosted and linked scripts if you’re feeling lazy and/or just wish to browse. As we’ve said, and will continue to say, the best way to learn how to write scripts is to read them. And if you’re writing scripts, you should be reading scripts, and yes, that is prescriptive, don’t at us.Rob's YouTube Channel
How to Make a Movie for $1000Kay's TwitterRob's TwitterEmail us(!)1 hr 13 min - Screenwriting Therapy Session #1
This week Rob & Kay unload in the first (of what they hope will be many) Therapy Sessions on the show. During which they rant (and rave) over Elon Musk, Marvel Movies, the problem with having/getting Representation, how much it costs to go to the movies, indie film, why Rob hates soup, and of course, screenwriting (always screenwriting). We hope you can commiserate with us -- it's rough out there, folks. Sometimes you gotta vent.
Our Weekly Resource:
Youtube.com – seriously guys, we are so lucky to be living in a time where we can share our collective human experience with the world and NOWHERE is this more true than YouTube. Not only can you find guides from screenwriter’s at all levels there, but as a filmmaking resource it has untold value. Anything you need to learn how to do, filmmaking wise, from pre-production to post, is available and at your fingertips with a search. And it’s also a place you can find advice and therapy on practically any subject. Seriously, the value of YouTube is incalculable. So go there, and get your everything on.Notes From the Episode:
Doctor Strange ClipMark Duplass' 2015 SXSW address, "The Calvary is not Coming"Rob's YouTube Channel
How to Make a Movie for $1000Kay's TwitterRob's TwitterEmail us(!)1 hr 7 min - Living with a (Screen)Writer!
Kay is out of town, so Rob asks his beautiful producing partner (and wife), Micha, to fill in this week, discussing -- among other things -- what it's like to live with Rob as a screenwriter, why she's NOT on social media, as well as the ills of the week: Netflix woes (who knew Stranger Things was $30M an episode?), and a (another) thread about "screenwriting rules" that set Twitter on fire.
Our Weekly Resource:
Trello.com -- if you're looking to get organized with your writing (in order to make things easier on both you and the people in your life), whether it's a todo list, an outline, or a beat sheet, Trello is a free resource that you can use to keep yourself on track. Give yourself due dates and keep them in your calendar, and the paid version allows you to add people to keep track of your progress as well as their own (for all you partners out there).Rob's YouTube Channel
How to Make a Movie for $1000Kay's TwitterRob's TwitterEmail us(!)59 min - Thinking in Microbudget-verse!
Kay and Rob once again tackle writing microbudget screenwriting with various tips/tricks/rants. Because these budgets be shrinking outchere, beloved! And y'all need to be INFORMED.
Our Weekly Resource:
The Filmmaker’s Podcast, one of Rob's favorite podcasts/sources of inspiration, this episode features independent filmmaker (and future guest), Sonja O’Hara, who has one of the most inspiring stories out there for those of us who need that coal to keep the fire going, but without the artificial bullshit that sometimes comes with these podcast that gloss over the feckless nature of industry gatekeepers. Can’t recommend this episode with Sonja enough, and we can’t wait to talk with her on this podcast about this artform we love so much.Notes From the Episode:
"Hobby" short filmIT’S BEEN A WHILE –– Short Film"The Climb" short filmRob's YouTube ChannelHow to Make a Movie for $1000Kay's TwitterRob's TwitterEmail us(!)56 min - When to Work For Free!
When is it okay to work for free? Rob & Kay discuss. Along with Cancellable Takes, the latest round of screenwriting contest finalists and scriptsplain' (*sigh*).
Our Weekly Resource:
How to Say No to Free Work, a fun little video from the YouTube channel, Scriptfella which goes very in depth in a very small amount of time about the situations where you will be asked to work for free (and why).Notes From the Episode:
The Bourne Identity ScriptRob's YouTube Channel
How to Make a Movie for $1000Kay's TwitterRob's TwitterEmail us(!)51 min - What You’re Putting on the Page (And Why)
Rob and Kay tackle the page in a craft episode about how to craft a compelling screenplay, line-by-line (and the reasons for doing so), and along the way discuss twitter drama such as loglines, The Slap, and writing for television.
Our Weekly Resource:
MeetUp.com Still one of the best places to find online and local screenwriting groups looking for members.Notes From the Episode:
Tse Chun's thread on writing for televisionDeath Proof ScreenplayMichael Clayton ScreenplayRob's YouTube Channel
How to Make a Movie for $1000Kay's TwitterRob's TwitterEmail us(!)1 hr 3 min - Managing Expectations!
Kay is back! And just in time for she and Rob to discuss Managing Expectations, Squid Games, the lies of indiefim (via meritocracy) and, of course, The Oscars.
Kay also coins the term, "Messy Bitch Draft".Our Weekly Resource:
What I Do On The Page, a 41 page screenwriting manifesto (?) by Twitter dad, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, who is very much about managing expectations and screenwriters of all skill levels can learn something from these pages.Notes From the Episode:
Chris Stuckman article on DeadlineScott Leger's "Neither and Both" pilotRob's YouTube Channel
How to Make a Movie for $1000Kay's TwitterRob's TwitterEmail us(!)47 min
About Screenwriting: From the Trenches
From the publisher's feed
A podcast about the craft and expression of screenwriting -- in all its forms -- from the perspective of writers just like you.