JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so We’re thrilled to welcome Oscar-winner Akiva Goldsman for a masterclass on making writing sustainable. For Akiva, the real “tragedy” is living in the anxious space between drafts. His cure? Treat writing like a job: set hours, clock out, and commit to the work.Akiva unpacks his process – why a first draft should feel like seduction, why knowing the ending matters, and the simple litmus test he applies to every scene: What do you want the audience to feel? We also explore his approach to dialogue that truly listens, “smuggling” personal truth into adaptations, and his no-nonsense stance on writer’s block: just lay more bricks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check out our premium TSL WORKSHOPS program here: https://tslworkshops.circle.so STORY ENGINE. Two words we so often dread, but let's be honest: the engine of your story is what POWERS your movie. It's make, or break. And today, we break down eight elements to test whether or not you are on your way to a feature film story engine that will take you from fade in, to fade out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to make a celebrity-free, microbudget feature and premiere at one of the most competitive festivals in the world? Filmmaker and No Film School podcast host GG Hawkins joins Jeff to share how she turned a family house in Panama, a tiny team, and a three-month timeline into I REALLY LOVE MY HUSBAND, a breakout SXSW premiere with no celebrity attachments. They break down every stage of the journey: Writing a script around what you already have Casting for chemistry Financing in waves while production is underway Festival strategy and PR on a shoestring Why specificity and “weirdness” can be your biggest assets Whether you’re a filmmaker planning your first feature, or just curious how indie films actually get made, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to crack SXSW. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so In this episode, Meg sits down with writer, actor, and filmmaker Eva Victor to discuss their debut feature, SORRY, BABY — a darkly funny, deeply personal story about friendship, trauma, and hope. They dig into how to make a personal story feel truly cinematic, both in the writing process and on set. Eva also opens up about their determination to depict trauma without leaning on “misery porn,” instead highlighting the healing, humor, and humanity that can surround pain. Thanks to Eva for an openhearted conversation that reminds us why we tell stories in the first place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join TSL Workshops: tslworkshops.circle.so Every writer dreams of getting their script into the right hands — but what actually makes a producer want to fight for your project? This week, Jeff sits down with powerhouse indie producer Julie Waters (Watermark Media), fresh off producing OH, HI! — one of the few films sold at Sundance this year and now playing in theaters. Julie not only shares what makes a script feel undeniable, but also demystifies the real roles of networks, studios, production companies, and producers. She breaks down who’s really buying, who’s paying, and who you’re actually pitching when you walk into the room. If you’re trying to figure out how to move from “great script” to “must-make project” — and want a clear map of how the business truly works — this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so In this episode, Meg and Lorien sit down with Kaz Firpo (Marvel’s ETERNALS, RUIN) to talk about the timeless craft lessons that make a great screenplay. From writing scenes that still land without sound, to creating emotional clarity on the page, Kaz shares why subtext is the secret engine of great dialogue, and why every character’s want and need should always be at odds. Whether you’re on draft one or draft fifteen, this conversation will help you sharpen your scenes, clarify your characters, and trust your instincts as a writer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so In this episode, Meg and Lorien dive into a messy, magical stage of screenwriting: the barf draft — your first unfiltered pass at a script. They share how to tackle chaos on the page, whether your draft is too long, too short, tonally inconsistent (hello, surprise aliens!), or just plain confusing. You’ll learn how to shift from “fixing” to discovering, reverse-outline what you actually wrote, and surface what excites you most. Along the way, they cover structure, character agency, stakes, and the emotional rollercoaster of writing — including why finishing (even a disaster) is worth celebrating. Whether it’s your first draft or fifteenth, this episode will help you find clarity, confidence, and momentum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Costume designer turned writer/director Courtney Hoffman has worked on some truly iconic films (THE HATEFUL EIGHT, BABY DRIVER) and beloved indies (CAPTAIN FANTASTIC, THE BOY NEXT DOOR). These experiences have profoundly shaped how she approaches storytelling, especially now that she’s writing and directing projects starring the likes of Laura Dern and Kaitlyn Dever. In this episode, Courtney shares what writers should (and shouldn’t) include in their scripts when it comes to wardrobe, how costume can deepen character, and how different departments will interpret your work if it gets greenlit for production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Apple TV+’s THE STUDIO is both a razor-sharp satire and a surprisingly heartfelt love letter to Hollywood — born out of Seth Rogen’s own frustrations and empathy for studio executives. For co-creator Frida Perez, the show explores the spectrum between art and commerce, a balance that serves as a guiding principle for writing its hilariously flawed (but deeply human) characters. In this episode, Frida unpacks how the team crafted one of the year’s most acclaimed shows — and how she found her voice in the process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join TSL Workshops: ⁠https://tslworkshops.circle.so⁠ In part two of this incredible conversation, literary managers Daniela Gonzalez (Good Fear Content) and Garrett Greer (Haven Entertainment) join us to unpack what “breaking in” looks like today. How do writers getting their second staffing job, what are some red flags we should avoid when repped, and what the heck is actually happening in the industry? Buckle up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so In part one of a two-part conversation, literary managers Daniela Gonzalez (Good Fear Content) and Garrett Greer (Haven Entertainment) join us to unpack what “breaking in” looks like today. Even as the industry pulls back and fewer projects are greenlit, getting repped isn’t out of reach. In some ways, the path has fewer gatekeepers than ever — you just need to be strategic. We dig into why generals matter less, why your writing sample matters more, and why even truly emerging writers might be closer to making something they love than they think. Whether you’re unrepresented or looking to level up, this episode is full of grounded advice, hopeful perspective, and practical takeaways for navigating a shifting industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so How do you turn a real-life moment into a movie — without studio backing or a big festival launch? Jeff talks with The Bragg Brothers about making PINBALL: THE MAN WHO SAVED THE GAME, an indie biopic about GQ journalist Roger Sharpe, who helped overturn New York’s ban on pinball in 1976. They share how they spotted the story’s potential, built trust with Roger and their financier MPI, and crafted a fun, visually bold film — complete with narration and performances from major talent like Mike Faist (CHALLENGERS). If you’re developing a true story or curious how two filmmakers turned a niche moment into a breakout debut, this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re spotlighting two incredible TV writers whose journeys were meaningfully shaped by the Austin Film Festival. Sylvia Batey Alcalá (A MAN ON THE INSIDE, PRIMO) and Mac Smullen (SOUVENIR, ALASKA) share how AFF helped get their names out there —building momentum, sparking connections, and opening doors that had long felt closed. But a festival isn’t the finish line — it’s the starting gate. Sylvia and Mac walk us through the real (and rewarding) work it takes after recognition: rewriting, building reps, pitching, and staying ready for the moment when things start to move. It’s a candid, thoughtful, and energizing conversation about what breaking in looks like today — and how festivals like AFF can help writers get in the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Meg gets real about where she’s at in her writing process — the doubts, the stalls, and the honest truth of feeling stuck. We answer listener questions about momentum, mindset, and the tough question of when it’s time to move on from a project that just isn’t working. Whether you're in a rut or wrestling with a story that won’t cooperate, this one’s for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fresh off the massive critical and commercial success of FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES, friend of the show Sheila Hanahan Taylor is back to share the ins and outs of producing a studio movie. What can writers do to develop a good relationship with a producer? How does a producer serve both the studio's voice and the writer's voice? On today's episode, Sheila unpacks it all! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so This week, we’re joined by Kim Rosenstock (DYING FOR SEX) to explore how a complicated protagonist with a simple goal drives interesting, rich, and emotionally resonant storytelling. Through the lens of her deeply personal and genre-blending show, which she co-created with Liz Meriwether, Kim shares how clarity of objective gave DYING FOR SEX its emotional depth, tonal range, and narrative momentum — and why writers shouldn’t be afraid to keep their characters’ goals simple, even when the journey is anything but. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so What’s it like to collaborate creatively with your spouse — and still want to have dinner together after? This week, we’re joined by Joe Forte, screenwriter (Firewall) and longtime writing partner (and husband!) of Meg LeFauve. We talk candidly about the unique dynamics of working with your life partner — the communication hurdles, the unexpected benefits, and how to protect both the relationship and the work. Plus, Joe shares the power of writing retreats, how he thinks about mentorship, and what it really means to support another writer’s voice while honoring your own. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so When you’re pitching — whether it’s on studio IP or your own original idea — what sets you apart is your take. But what does that actually mean? This week, Jac Schaeffer (WandaVision, Agatha All Along) breaks it down. For Jac, a great take starts with the emotional core — “what is the deep down” that connects you to the material. From there, it’s about delivering a pitch only you could give: not necessarily linear or formulaic, but full of energy, essence, and personal vision. We talk about how far is too far from the IP, how to navigate studio mandates, and how to protect your voice in rooms full of competing takes. 🎬 Jac’s first feature, TiMER, is now available to stream for free on Tubi! https://tubitv.com/movies/100029089/timer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special roundtable, we’re joined by three working screenwriters — Nic Curcio, Kristen Tepper, and Julia Yorks — who have each built successful writing careers while also growing authentic, engaged followings online. We talk candidly about the growing pressure for writers to maintain a social media presence. From expanding your network to attracting opportunities, social media can help. But it can also complicate your creative process, affect your mental health, and make the work feel secondary. This conversation is an honest look at that tension — and how, with the right mindset, social media can become less of a burden and more of a creative outlet that reflects your voice, supports your goals, and connects you to a writing community in an often isolating industry. --------------- Check out Nic, Kristen, and Julia's social accounts below... Nic Curcio Instagram: @nicolascurcio | TikTok: @nicolascurciowriter Kristen Tepper Instagram: @kristentepper | TikTok: @teppertoks Julia Yorks Instagram: @juliayorks | TikTok: @juliayorks --------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslwokshops.circle.so Trey Edward Shults is an inspiration to directors everywhere — including Jeff. His debut feature, KRISHA, was a no-name psychological drama shot in his own home on a shoestring budget under $30K. Against all odds, it won SXSW, screened at Cannes, and eventually sold to A24. KRISHA stands as a beacon for anyone looking to make a personal, ambitious feature with limited resources. Now Trey is collaborating with The Weeknd, and even though their new film HURRY UP TOMORROW feels bigger in scale, Trey's storytelling ethos remains unchanged: center the character, prioritize emotion, and use the camera as a tool to highlight the story — not to distract from it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices