In Episode 302, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is joined once again by Kristy Leigh Lussier for a wide-ranging, candid conversation that blends film breakdowns, screenwriting craft, and real-world industry advice. The duo digs into why Sisu: Road to Revenge works as a sequel, how emotional stakes elevate spectacle, and what filmmakers can learn from restraint. They also explore the surprising power of HBO’s Welcome to Derry, including why sometimes a story should end exactly where it does. From there, the conversation shifts into the realities of modern screenwriting, including the rise of “tell-don’t-show” storytelling for second-screen audiences, what that means for craft, and how writers can adapt without losing their voice. The episode wraps with practical career advice for emerging writers, a hard truth about querying too early, and a holiday debate that refuses to die: is Die Hard actually a Christmas movie?
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- Why Sisu 2 succeeds by keeping its original formula intact
- How emotional stakes matter more than scale in sequels
- The risks of overtelling stories for second-screen audiences
- When “tell-don’t-show” notes appear and how to handle them professionally
- Whether characters must always change to have a strong arc
- Why sending scripts too early can hurt your career
- How to protect yourself from common industry scams
Key Moments
- 00:42 – Why Sisu: Road to Revenge feels like “Norwegian Fury Road”
- 03:00 – Emotional stakes and weaponizing personal loss in sequels
- 05:11 – Why Welcome to Derry delivers rare emotional closure
- 09:39 – Is “tell-don’t-show” becoming the new normal?
- 18:26 – Do characters have to change? The Big Lebowski debate
- 22:27 – Why writers should not send scripts too early
- 27:35 – Die Hard debate officially begins
About the Guest host
Kristy Leigh Lussier is a filmmaker, producer, and longtime co-host of The Successful Screenwriter Podcast. Known for her honest industry insight and sharp storytelling instincts, Kristy brings a grounded, practical perspective to conversations about craft, career, and the realities of working in film and television.
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
- Sisu: Road to Revenge
- Welcome to Derry
- The Big Lebowski
- Young Adult
- Die Hard
Connect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun
- Website: https://www.thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/screenwriterpod
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesuccessfulscreenwriter
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