The ISA Podcast

The Director, Producer and Showrunner of the upcoming Comedy Central show, South Side (as well as past credits including Late Night with Jimmy Fallon), sits with the ISA's Max Timm to discuss all things creative, career, and developing your position within the industry.

SYS Episode 256:

In this episode of the SYS Podcast producer Mark Stolaroff talks about his latest low budget production, DriverX. He also talks about his background in production and how that prepared him for a career as a low budget producer. He also offers tips to screenwriters looking to write for this market.

SYS Episode 255:

In this episode I talk with British filmmaker Jim Hosking about his career writing and directing short films and how he worked his way up to his new feature film, An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn starring Aubrey Plaza, Jemaine Clement, Emile Hirsch, Craig Robinson.

SYS Episode 254:

This week on the SYS Podcast I talk with South African writer Sean Drummond about his writing journey. He and several partners started out by creating a production company and slowly working their way up from commercials and videos, to short films and now feature films.

“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” showcases the Coen Brothers’ wit and morality.

Movie anthologies can be hit and miss, but “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” from Joel and Ethan Coen shoots bulls-eyes throughout. The six, western-themed stories in their new film run the, ahem, range from farce to pathos, but the Coen’s tell each of the tales with gusto and artistry. We expect any movie from the brothers to contain clever dialogue, vivid characters, and twisting plots, but the production values on display here are as exquisite as any period piece from the last 20 years. The Coen’s also ensure that each of the stories here is a shrewd, morality play mining themes of sin and hubris. In their old west, those who are earnest may not win, but they die far nobler deaths than scoundrels. 

“The Girl in the Spider’s Web” needs to realize its lead character isn’t James Bond.

Lisbeth Salander, AKA “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” is many things: computer hacker, Goth girl, and righteous advocate of abused women. But one thing she isn’t is James Bond. So why does her latest film “The Girl in the Spider’s Web” play like a 007 adventure? Did the filmmakers want to up the ante to compete with Marvel and Bourne? Didn’t they think the incredibly talented Claire Foy would be interesting enough? (She more than is.) Whatever the reason, turning Salander into a super spy who can best legions of villains and defy death is not her character. Nor does it make for a grounded or very satisfying thriller.

As usual, our wine sponsor for this episode was the ever-so-tasty Steele Wines, and the helpful sponsor who gets the word out for and about us, Table Ready My Screenplay. The Table Ready My Screenplay - Park City contest is taking applications now, so hurry over to their website to check it out.

What's the protocol for self-promotion? Is there a protocol? Is self-promotion related to networking? The easy answer is yes, but in this episode, Felicity Wren and Max Timm discuss the ins and outs of promoting yourself through contests and film festivals, and why they're so valuable to you and your writing career.

Remember, Felicity Wren and Max Timm always have open Q&A during every Facebook Live broadcast, so you should tune in when they broadcast their next live chat. Even though most broadcasts focus on a particular subject, every writer is welcome to ask anything they like at any time. Felicity and Max will do their best to give you a straight and honest answer.

This is a podcast recording of the ISA's Facebook Live broadcast of Wine Wednesdays. Please note that some promotions offered during the live broadcast are no longer available. We can, however, assist you if you wish to find out more information regarding ISA events, contests, or consulting offers. Just reach out to [email protected] and we will be happy to help.

You can reach out to Max regarding any type of query: [email protected] If you have particular interest in working with him on a one-on-one coaching and development basis, email him at [email protected]. His Story Farm development and coaching service is quickly becoming the best in the business! Felicity can also be reached at [email protected]. She, too, can work with you one-on-one, so don't hesitate to inquire. We can't wait to support you.

Subjects and themes for the broadcasts change from week to week, so stay tuned on most Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm Los Angeles time. For a specific schedule and set of announcements, "Like" the ISA Facebook page and keep up to date.

This episode was sponsored by our wonderful wine sponsor, Steele Wines, and our amazing friends at Cinequest - www.cinequest.org (which has a submission deadline in March that you should be preparing for!)

What makes for a great true story or biopic about an amazing person? Felicity Wren and Max Timm discuss just that in another fun, wine-induced episode of the ISA's favorite podcast, Wine Wednesday.

Remember, Felicity Wren and Max Timm always have open Q&A during every Facebook Live broadcast, so you should tune in when they broadcast their next live chat. Even though most broadcasts focus on a particular subject, every writer is welcome to ask anything they like at any time. Felicity and Max will do their best to give you a straight and honest answer.

This is a podcast recording of the ISA's Facebook Live broadcast of Wine Wednesdays. Please note that some promotions offered during the live broadcast are no longer available. We can, however, assist you if you wish to find out more information regarding ISA events, contests, or consulting offers. Just reach out to [email protected] and we will be happy to help.

You can reach out to Max regarding any type of query: [email protected] If you have particular interest in working with him on a one-on-one coaching and development basis, email him at [email protected]. His Story Farm development and coaching service is quickly becoming the best in the business! Felicity can also be reached at [email protected]. She, too, can work with you one-on-one, so don't hesitate to inquire. We can't wait to support you.

Subjects and themes for the broadcasts change from week to week, so stay tuned on most Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm Los Angeles time. For a specific schedule and set of announcements, "Like" the ISA Facebook page and keep up to date.

Two weeks in a row with a special guest! This time around, Max brought on producer and consultant, Wendy Kram, to talk about the business of screenwriting and how to navigate this crazy town. This episode was sponsored once again by our fabulous wine sponsor, Steele Wines, as well as Wendy's consulting business, LA4hire.com. Check her out - Wendy is the best! You can always learn more about Max's own one-on-one consulting business as well at www.TheStoryFarm.org or email mx directly - [email protected]

Remember, Felicity Wren and Max Timm always have open Q&A during every Facebook Live broadcast, so you should tune in when they broadcast their next live chat. Even though most broadcasts focus on a particular subject, every writer is welcome to ask anything they like at any time. Felicity and Max will do their best to give you a straight and honest answer.

This is a podcast recording of the ISA's Facebook Live broadcast of Wine Wednesdays. Please note that some promotions offered during the live broadcast are no longer available. We can, however, assist you if you wish to find out more information regarding ISA events, contests, or consulting offers. Just reach out to [email protected] and we will be happy to help.

You can reach out to Max regarding any type of query: [email protected] If you have particular interest in working with him on a one-on-one coaching and development basis, email him at [email protected]. His Story Farm development and coaching service is quickly becoming the best in the business! Felicity can also be reached at [email protected]. She, too, can work with you one-on-one, so don't hesitate to inquire. We can't wait to support you.

Subjects and themes for the broadcasts change from week to week, so stay tuned on most Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm Los Angeles time. For a specific schedule and set of announcements, "Like" the ISA Facebook page and keep up to date.

Sponsored by our lovely wine sponsor, Steele Wines, and the incomparable screenwriting and career coach, Lee Jessup, this episode dives into the importance of delivering character flaw and how it relates to creating emotion - not only within each individual scene and moment, but how the emotion evolves and changes throughout your structured story. Whether you're writing a feature of a TV series, you'll get a lot out of this episode that Max hosts alongside one of his Story Farm coaches, Cameron Graham. Cameron has been in the screenwriting education game for nearly two decades, and loves working one-on-one with writers. If you're curious about The Story Farm, check out www.TheStoryFarm.org or email Max directly at [email protected] or find out more.

Remember, Felicity Wren and Max Timm always have open Q&A during every Facebook Live broadcast, so you should tune in when they broadcast their next live chat. Even though most broadcasts focus on a particular subject, every writer is welcome to ask anything they like at any time. Felicity and Max will do their best to give you a straight and honest answer.

This is a podcast recording of the ISA's Facebook Live broadcast of Wine Wednesdays. Please note that some promotions offered during the live broadcast are no longer available. We can, however, assist you if you wish to find out more information regarding ISA events, contests, or consulting offers. Just reach out to [email protected] and we will be happy to help.

You can reach out to Max regarding any type of query: [email protected] If you have particular interest in working with him on a one-on-one coaching and development basis, email him at [email protected]. His Story Farm development and coaching service is quickly becoming the best in the business! Felicity can also be reached at [email protected]. She, too, can work with you one-on-one, so don't hesitate to inquire. We can't wait to support you.

Subjects and themes for the broadcasts change from week to week, so stay tuned on most Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm Los Angeles time. For a specific schedule and set of announcements, "Like" the ISA Facebook page and keep up to date.