Geoffrey is joined by Kristy Leigh for a special live taping of Episode 287. They dive into the unique narrative style of Weapons, compare it with Barbarian, break down the shocking twists of 28 Years Later, and share some truly questionable “screenwriting advice” floating around the industry. Plus: a discussion on the new concept of the thumbnail pitch
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- How shifting POV can change the audience’s entire experience (Weapons)
- Why themes of grief, tragedy, and perspective make stories resonate
- The shocking ending of 28 Years Later and what it sets up next
- Why “don’t write kids or animals” is terrible advice for screenwriters
- How many drafts (or passes) pros go through before submitting scripts
- What a “thumbnail pitch” is and why it matters for writers today
Key Moments
- 00:00 – Live intro with Geoffrey & Kristy
- 00:40 – Breaking down Weapons and its Rashomon-style POV shifts
- 06:58 – The creepy aunt character and her layered origins
- 11:59 – Reviewing 28 Years Later and its shocking final minutes
- 16:15 – Thematic takeaways: humanity, death, and survival
- 17:58 – Trash screenwriting tip: “Don’t write kids or animals”
- 22:03 – Writing with (or without) passion vs. writing to sell
- 23:29 – Industry chat: the rise of the “thumbnail pitch”
- 26:43 – How many drafts is enough? Geoffrey & Kristy share numbers
- 29:12 – Geoffrey’s red carpet story and calling out a one-draft film
- 30:26 – Live Q&A wrap-up
About the Guest:
Kristy Leigh is a filmmaker and recurring guest of The Successful Screenwriter. She brings a producer’s eye to storytelling, offering practical insight on how scripts translate into production and what writers should consider when developing their stories.
About the Host:
With films on network television, streaming platforms, and in theaters, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and a passionate mentor in the industry. He hosts The Successful Screenwriter podcast to empower writers and filmmakers at every level.
Resources Mentioned in the Episode
- Weapons (dir. Zach Cregger)
- Barbarian
- 28 Years Later
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