The ISA Podcast

Episode 247:

This week I talk with multi-hyphenate Josh Folan about his numerous projects and how he was able to bring them to fruition. 

The main character in “The Land of Steady Habits” make a habit of being unlikable.

In most of Nicole Holofcener’s films, the protagonists are flawed but likable females. For her latest, “The Land of Steady Habits”, her central character is a man and he’s very unlikable. Anders Harris (Ben Mendelsohn) is a former finance whiz whose midlife crisis leads him to quit his moneymaking job and divorce his wife. Now, he’s trying to start over, but he leaves damage in his wake wherever he goes. Is Holofcener savaging the American Alpha Male here or simply presenting a story centered around a lead character who’s a jerk? Whichever, this character study makes for a filmgoing experience both fascinating and frustrating. 

It's an excellent question, and you can tune in to see what Max and Felicity think is the answer to the title question (hint: the answer is "yes").

This episode was sponsored by Steele Wine and Cinequest.

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.

Find out what readers see - specifically Felicity and Max (who both reads upward to 10-15 scripts per week) - when a script is read, considered, and/or evaluated. It can help you, the writer, when reading your own script regardless of the draft.

This episode was sponsored by Steele Wines and Movie Maker Magazine.

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.

Episode 246

Indy Producer Jeffrey Giles gives advice for screenwriters who want to break into the independent film market.

Episode 245

Writer / Producer Erik Bork talks about his new screenwriting books and many of the lessons within them.

“The Nun” is a more silly than serious sequel to “The Conjuring”.

“The Nun” may be the fifth movie in “The Conjuring” series, but it doesn’t subscribe to most of what that franchise has established. For starters, it barely includes paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the titular leads in the franchise. Even more egregious, the film’s tone is way over-to-the-top, almost laughably melodramatic at times, throwing the somberness that characterized the first four films out the window. Star Demian Bichir and Taissa Farmiga try valiantly to play it seriously, but they aren’t helped by the script’s silliness. Why, “The Nun” doesn’t even make the most of its title character villain. Some of it is scary, but mostly, this outing is a missed opportunity to create a worthy extension in the hitherto serious franchise.  

Let's face it, some of the blockbuster movies just plain suck. What makes it worse is that we really don't want them to be bad, and for multiple reasons. More often than not movies that run into the 100+ million dollar range have so many other elements that need to be tended to beyond just the script...and the script is usually the first thing to get ruined in the maelstrom of Hollywood blockbusters. As screenwriters, it doesn't matter what the budget is or the genre...just write a great story that is sound, enjoyable, and entertaining. It's all you can do, and Felicity and Max are here to help...as they share a bottle of 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.

Thank you for tuning into a very special episode of The Write Your Screenplay Podcast. This is our 100th episode. I’m so incredibly excited, proud and grateful to all of the listeners that have made this possible for 100 episodes.

So, I was thinking, “What am I going to do for my 100th episode?” I wanted to do something special? So, I decided to go back to the source.

And for that reason, today I’m going to be interviewing my mom, Audrey Sussman.