The ISA Podcast

This week we’re going to be talking about BlacKkKlansman by Spike Lee, Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott.

When I first went out to see BlacKkKlansman, my hope was that I was going to be able to do a podcast about how to write a movie for a political change— to talk about the confluence of race and politics and storytelling and history.

But, my experience of BlacKkKlansman led me to an even more important topic: the role of the truth in adapting a true life story, and how running towards (or away from) that truth can impact the overall experience of your screenplay.

SYS Episode 250:

In this week's episode I talk with Filmmaker James Morosini about making his new micro-budget feature, Threesomething. We talk through the nuts and bolts of putting this film together, and the emotional ups and downs that went along with it.

Sponsored by the Nickelodeon Writing Program and Max Timm's The Story Farm, this episode is all about how to approach your projects in a unique way and as often as possible. No story is completely original, so how do you arrange your story so that it feels original and fresh? Felicity and Max are here to help...with wine.

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.

You know what time it is - back to school time! get your notebooks and trapper keepers ready. It's time to get organized and focused on being productive. Felicity and Max can help you do so, but only you can put the work in.

This episode was sponsored by MovieMaker Magazine and Steele Wines.

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 Nickelodeon Writing Program and Creative Screenwriting Magazine, in this episode Felicity Wren and Max Timm talk about how rarely writers focus on educating themselves and why it's so important. We know it is, but why don't we focus on it more often where our screenwriting is concerned? We can't just sit back on our laurels and expect our natural talent to take us to where we want to go. Be proactive in your education - every day.

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.

“Maniac” makes for a complex and challenging miniseries on Netflix.

Netflix is truly redefining entertainment platforms as well as pushing the envelope artistically with its content. Their big-budget miniseries “Maniac” starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill is one that demands avid attention from its audience each minute. The storytelling zigs and zags, challenging norms of character arc and tone. Series creator Patrick Somerville and director Cary Fukunaga have delivered 10 episodes blending drama, black comedy, sci-fi adventure, fantasy, and satire into one trippy show. It may be hard to get a handle on, and difficult to embrace, but it’s never less than fascinating. No wonder it’s become such a watercooler show.

Episode 249:

This week we talk with Actor/Writer/Director/Producer Bradley Stryker about how he shot his latest horror/thriller film, Land of Smiles on location in Thailand on a micro-budget.

The ISA is introducing a new series that involves a full-cast reading of winning short scripts from our various contests. This script was a Grand Prize winner of the shorts category of a recent Table Read My Screenplay Contest - Hollywood presentation.

Thank you for tuning in to listen to the Table Read My Screenplay Hollywood Grand Prize Winning Web Series reading of - Apartment Story (Cheeseburgers for Geoffrey) by Greg Fortier



The roles are voiced by:

Megan Zerga as Gayle

Brandon Modelo as David

Max Timm as Neighbour & Vet

Felicity Wren as Co-worker


And...

Narrated by Ayla Burreau.


Please enjoy…

SYS episode 248:

This week screenwriter Craig Walendziak talks about his recent writing successes and how he was able to launch his career all while living outside of Hollywood.

“Venom” misses the opportunity to dig deeper into its themes of duality.

With the worldwide popularity of superhero movies, it’s inevitable that their nemeses would soon start fronting their own origin stories too. Spider-Man bad guy Venom is one of the first out of the gate, and it’s an uneasy mix of body transformation horror and buddy comedy. An alien parasite takes over the body of Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy), but most of it is played for laughs as he and the symbiote act like a couple of bickering bros. Despite lauded stars like Michelle Williams and Riz Ahmed in the supporting cast, this adaptation ends up being a missed opportunity. With such a cast and ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ themes of duality at its core, the film should have been more than just a so-so action-adventure flick.