Shows
The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna251 | Writing with Your Partner (in Life & Work): Joe Forte on Collaboration, Mentorship, and Creative RetreatsJOIN 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 wh...2025-06-0958 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna248 | Working Writers Ask Us Questions: An Industry MailbagJOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.sol
In this special edition of our mailbag series, we’re flipping the script. Instead of questions from newcomers, today we hear from working, professional screenwriters—people already inside the industry, navigating the real-world challenges of a creative career. From handling difficult notes to sustaining momentum between jobs, Meg and Lorien dig into what it means to grow and survive as a writer at the professional level. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2025-05-081h 09The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna246 | Do I Need to Self-Produce to Sell My Writing? (ft. Emily Brundige)Emily Brundige was tired of waiting around for gatekeepers to say yes. So, she stopped asking.In this candid conversation with Lorien, Emily shares how her frustration with the traditional hurry-up-and-wait pitch process pushed her to self-produce an animated short. That project — born from passion, resourcefulness, and a refusal to wait — eventually became GOLDIE, a series now on Apple TV+.They dive into what it actually takes to make your own work, how festivals and buzz helped build momentum, and why animation is such a powerful space for self-starters. If y...2025-04-241h 09The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna235 | Mike Jones (Soul, Dream Productions) Returns: What Makes a Great Act 3?JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.soPixar story genius Mike Jones gets candid with Meg about endings: what makes a great ending, and more important, what makes an emotional ending. Meg and Mike also discuss selfish characters, narrative feature film engines, and how to keep our storytelling fresh when we feel like we're locked in the same old patterns. DREAM PRODUCTIONS, which Mike developed (and even helped direct!), is on Disney+ now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2025-01-301h 17The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna219 | Practical Ways To Treat an Inactive ProtagonistJOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.soWe talk about ACTIVE protagonists all the time on the show, but we know that creating one is easier said than done. Luckily, Meg and Lorien have a laundry list of practical exercises you can explore today to bring your protagonist to life. But first, we talk with longtime TSL listener and TSL workshops member Laurel Senick about a lovely, lava-filled email she sent us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2024-10-241h 01The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna208 | Writing Animated Children's TV: A Crash Course w/ LorienJOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: www.tslworkshops.circle.soAnimation is a MEDIUM, not a genre. This, among many other important lessons on today's episode, is one of the first things Lorien tells people who are interested in writing animated TV for children. Today we discuss how to break into children's animated TV, how production considerations weigh into the writing process, and what it means to signal a "red alert" in your work (hint: this is a good thing). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2024-08-081h 01The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna202 | Turning The Tables: Meg and Lorien Interviewed By Screenwriting Teacher/Author Andrew ZinnesJOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: http://tslworkshops.circle.soOver the lifespan of our show, you've heard Meg and Lorien interview a ton of incredibly talented writers, but today, we turn the tables, and get to hear from them! (And a bit from producer Jeff too...)Andrew Zinnes, a screenwriter and teacher himself, helped compile a book of interviews by top-tier screenwriting pros (including Meg), so today, he wanted to enrich the conversation presented by the book by hearing from all of TSL!TO ORDER ANDREW'S...2024-07-111h 11The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna199 | The New Look Creator/Showrunner on Finding Empathy for our Characters (ft. Todd A Kessler)JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: tslworkshops.circle.soTodd A Kessler's newest Apple TV+ THE NEW LOOK is one of Meg's favorite of the year. The show, which chronicles the rivalry between infamous fashion designers Coco Chanel and Christian Dior tracks their rapid ascent against the tense backdrop of WWII Europe, and for Meg, the way the show explores art, survival, and the risks we take to be great, speak to that time as much as they speak to today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2024-06-201h 09The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna197 | Inside Out 2 Director Kelsey Mann and Writer Meg LeFauve on How To Approach A SequelWhen Inside Out debuted, it was quickly celebrated as one of Pixar's masterpieces, earning multiple Oscar noms (including one for our HOST Meg LeFauve!) How then, do you approach a sequel to such a beloved classic? This was one of the many questions that weighed on both Kelsey Mann and Meg LeFauve as they reopened Riley's head to jump back in. Jump in with them! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2024-06-131h 10The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna196 | Inside Out 2 Writers Meg LeFauve and Dave HolsteinWhen asked about his first time working in feature animation, Meg's Inside Out 2 co-writer Dave Holstein described the process as: "writing inside a dishwasher while it's running." This is just one of many charming talking points in this lovely conversation between two brilliant minds: Dave, and our very own Meg LeFauve! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2024-06-061h 03The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna178 | The Holdovers Writer David Hemingson On Finding Humanity In Our CharactersDespite this being his first produced feature, David Hemingson's script for THE HOLDOVERS is one of the most celebrated of the year, nominated for over 40 industry prizes (including the Oscar), having won many of them. He's a self-proclaimed "journeyman" writer having bounced between children's animated, network comedy, and hourlong procedurals for over two decades. Even given his decades of experience, his approach to working with Alexander Payne was still one of humility, openness, and discovery. Today, David, Lorien, and Jeff, discuss how Hemingson's "unsellable" pilot about an all boys prep school became a new American classic.JOIN...2024-02-081h 15The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna152 | The Movies That Made Us WritersEvery writer can point to a movie that made them say: "THIS. This is what I want to do." And today, Meg, Lorien, and Jeff share the movies that turned THEM into writers. Yep, we're movie nerds too.JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/TheScreenwritingLIfe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2023-08-241h 01The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna149 | Moving On and the Wisodm of Stephen Sondheim**PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EPISODE WAS PRE-RECORDED & PRECEDED THE 2023 WGA STRIKE.**In today's TSL epsiode, Meg gets personal about her lava, and how a recent production of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George is helping her to rethink the beauty of moving on from a creative project.JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2023-08-0331 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna144 | Where To Begin As A Screenwriter (Pt. 3)We bring our "beginning" miniseries to a close with this instant TSL classic, wherein Meg gives many pep talks.JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/TheScreenwritingLife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2023-06-291h 13The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKennaANNOUNCEMENT: TOMORROW (New Date) Join TSL On The Picket LineTSL-ers are going to be meeting at Disney tomorrow. That's Wednesday, May 24th at 1:00 PM Pacific. Again, Wednesday, May 24th at 1:00 PM Pacific at the Disney lot in Burbank. We're hoping for a big turnout. And in that interest, there's a couple things you can do to help when you show up.First of all, if you're able to, it would be amazing if you could bring some snacks and water to share with folks.You can bring those to check in at the front gate. Meg, Lorien and I will be in the grassy...2023-05-2301 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna114 | How Writers Collaborate With Animated Directors ft. Nora TwomeyOne of Netflix's most celebrated animated movies of the year comes from our very own Meg LeFauve, whose beautiful script for "My Father's Dragon" was brought to life by Nora Twomey, one of our industry's most celebrated animated directors. Nora and Meg discuss how the movie came to fruition, what the development process looked like, and why precision and attention to detail in our storytelling is the key to finding success in our work. Thanks Nora! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2022-12-0553 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna109 | Your Ultimate Guide To Writing Labs and RetreatsMeg and Lorien are BACK from their labs (Africa and Italy respectively - casual), and they have LOTS of thoughts. We discuss how to be great mentors, and of course, for our listeners, great mentees. This is your ultimate writing lab guidebook.SEE MEG AND LORIEN IN AUSTINMEG + Joe's WorkshopSaturday October 29, 2022 9:00am - 10:15am CDTSt. David's Episcopal Church, Eden's Center 301 E 8th St, Austin, TX 78701TSL MEETUPSaturday October 29, 2022 8pm CDT @ Stephen's F Bar701 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 787012022-10-271h 06The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna107 | Writing Your Main Relationship And Why It Matters (Mailbag)Lorien is still living her best life in Italy, so Jeff and Meg hit the mic to take YOUR questions, wherin we discuss main relationships, subtext with your lava, and widow words! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2022-10-1357 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna97 | Checking Back In + The Importance Of Meeting Your Own NeedsWe're BACK. After vacations, appointments, film festivals, and, oh yeah, writing, Meg, Lorien and Jeff check back in to discuss what they've been learning about their writing and themsleves in the last 6 weeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2022-08-0852 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna93 | LIVE Story Workshop From the SLO Film Festival (Plus a Q+A)Another WONDERFUL story workshop from Meg + Lorien. To see Jeff's film in CLEVELAND on 7/6 @ 7:30pm, buy tickets here: https://omniwebticketing6.com/cleveland/cedarlee/?schdate=2022-07-06&perfix=131376 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2022-06-301h 31The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna82 | Lorien McKenna On Trusting Her Inner Voice As A Creative & WriterActress, playwright, professor, intern, story manager, showrunner. Despite Lorien's multifaceted career, one theme has unified every role she's taken on: storytelling. What did Lorien do when her MFA professor she didn't have what it takes? She doubled down. More on that in the show...Follow Quincey's Diabetes Journey Here!: https://www.youtube.com/c/Diabetes101 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2022-04-1457 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna81 | Why Character "Wants" Matter More Than Almost Anything ElseWhat is the most common note writers get? It almost ALWAYS relates to character "wants." Today, Meg and Lorien breakdown why character wants matter more than almost anything, how to incorporate them into your work, and why they'll help propel your story all to fade out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2022-03-241h 01The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna80 | How To Take Care Of Your “Writer Self” When You're OverwhelmedHey TSL Family! Lorien is BACK, and as you can imagine, our team had a lot to catch up on. As our conversation evolved, it seems the writing Gods were all pointing us toward the same thing: how to take care our writer selves when we're feeling overwhelmed. I (and so many in the Facebook group) feel grateful that Lorien has let us into the struggles of a brand new chapter in her life - more on that in the show - but truthfully, all three of us have been dealing with some serious lava lately. But within those d...2022-03-2048 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna79 | Meg LeFauve's Nine Lives In Hollywood (Featuring A Special Guest!)In today's very special episode, we interview one of Hollywood's most interesting, dynamic, and all around WONDERFUL industry veterans...Meg LeFauve!! And a VERY special guest joins in the fun... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2022-03-051h 21The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna78 | Character Poles: A Simple but POWERFUL Way To Shape Your CharactersWe've mentioned it many times on the show, so it's time we finally dive in; what exactly are character poles? Today is a masterclass from Meg, who dives into what she means when she says "character poles," how we can identify the concept using classics examples in staple films, and how we can apply it to our own work.Also, Jeff went on an unhealthy tear about his Olympics obsession. To see the photos he referenced:Nick Baumgartner and Omar Visintin:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u4YJjZlRplIObHub1dTysmWqEzWQNQHU/view?usp=sharing...2022-02-1752 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna77 | Finding, Acquiring, and Keeping A Literary Manager w/ Charlie GogolakWriters always have tons of questions when it comes to representation - and who better to answer them than...Meg's manager! Charlie Gogolak has thrived in this business for decades, both as a manager and producer, and today, we ask the questions that both emerging and professional writers are dying to know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2022-02-1057 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna70 | Stephen Karam On Crafting Authenticity In Our WritingStephen Karam is the Tony Award-winning author of The Humans, Sons of the Prophet and Speech & Debate. For his work he’s received two Drama Critics Circle Awards, an OBIE Award and is a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist. Stephen recently directed his first feature film, a rethought version of The Humans for A24 films, to be released in 2021. He wrote a film adaptation of Chekhov’s The Seagull starring Annette Bening, which was released by Sony Picture Classics. His adaptation of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard premiered on Broadway as part of Roundabout’s 2016 season. Recent honors include the inaugural...2021-12-121h 02The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna69 | Discovering (And Honing) Your Comedic Voice w/ Shantira Jackson & Dewayne PerkinsEmmy-nominated writers Shantira Jackson and Dewayne Perkins are some of comedy's most exciting rising voices, but their journey hasn't been a short one. From sketch shows in the middle of Idaho to writing for the WGA awards, Shantira and Dewayne break down their journey and offer incredible advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-12-051h 01The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna68 | Building The Emotional Fortitude To Be A ScreenwriterBeyond craft, one of the most important aspects of building your career is developing emotional agility to really excel through the rejection and feedback that accompanies the creative journey. Today we hear from some of our amazing guests to hear how THEY have navigated through the process. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-11-2846 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna67 | Knowing When To Quit A Project (But Stay On The Path)Putting a project in the desk drawer to start something new can feel like a betrayal, but sometimes it's the right step. How can we elegantly move on, but still stay loyal to our beautiful calling? We discuss it today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-11-2143 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna66 | Monique N. Matthews On Mentorship and Writing For HallmarkMonique N. Matthews is many things - a producer, a respected screenwriting professor, a social justice advocate, but mostly, she's a brilliant writer. Dive down the rabbit hole with Monique today, AND make sure to catch her feature "A Holiday In Harlem" TODAY (Sun, Nov 14) on Hallmark!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-11-141h 09The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna65 | Discussing The Work/Life Balance Of ScreenwritingOne of the most frequent discussions in our business is the discussion around achieving a work/life balance. Things get personal as Meg, Lorien, and Jeff share their own complicated relationships with this conversation, and how can we stay MINDFUL of the big picture as we pursue our work.OUR FIRST PATREON WORKSHOP IS WED, NOV 17! Sign up here!: https://www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-11-071h 02The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna64 | Balancing Characters, Humor, and Action w/ Nicole PerlmanAmong many astounding achievements, Nicole Perlman wrote the first Guardians Of The Galaxy film, which many culture critics (and fans) consider to be one of the best franchises in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That film is lauded for it's uniquely irreverent tone and engaging characters, and Nicole offers MANY strategies to get our own writing there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-11-011h 06The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna63 | LIVE From The Austin Film Festival: Story WorkshopWE DID IT.Join Meg and Lorien, and their wonderful audience, as they workshop with three very brave and brilliant writers to get to the core of their story in from the Historic Sanctuary of St. David's Episcopal Church at the 2021 Austin Film Festival for our very first live, in-person show.TO JOIN OUR PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/TheScreenwritingLife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-10-241h 14The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna62 | How To Find Truth in Comedy w/ Sam BainSam Bain is one of our industry’s premiere comedy writers, having co-created multiple beloved sitcoms including the UK’s cult hit Peep Show. But today Sam reveals that the most important ingredients for comedy are truth and pain. Buckle up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-10-171h 00The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna61 | Writing Across Multiple Genres And Finding Your Voice w/ Sean PresantLongtime TV vet Sean Presant has an eclectic resume includes features, shorts, and TV in ALL genres from multi-cam sitcoms, to reality competition, to prestige crime shows. So how has Sean managed such an impressively wide variety of work? Is it really possible for us to "pull that off?" Sean talks about the signature themes in our work, how they inform our voice, and how we can discover it ourselves! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-10-111h 05The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna60 | How To Break Into A TV Writer's Room w/ Stacy RukeyserIf anyone knows her way around a writer's room, it's producer Stacy Rukeyser, who has worked at every level from staff writer, to creator/showrunner. Stacy has a fascinating perspective on how the culture of a TV writer's room has both remained steady and changed wildly in her nearly 25 years in the business. Buckle up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-10-031h 10The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna59 | LIVE From the London Screenwriter's Festival: Why Do We Write?Every writer inevitably faces this painful question somewhere along their journey: "why the hell am I doing this?" Today, we answer that question. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-09-261h 02The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna58 | LIVE From the MCX Screenmaker's Conference: Marrying Lava With CraftEnjoy the LIVE conversation from the MCX Screenmaker's Conference! For its seventh edition, the national MCX Screenmakers Conference program of panel sessions, case studies, in focus presentations and insightful conversations will be held online over two jam-packed days on 10 and 11 September, making it accessible to delegates from across the country.The impressive line-up of national and international industry speakers and presenters include LA based screenwriters and producers Lorien McKenna and Meg Lefauve from The Screenwriting Life podcast, a trip through storytelling and activism with Benjamin Law and Michelle Law, and we’re especially thrilled to hos...2021-09-1954 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna57 | Million Dollar Ideas w/ Matt LiebermanAll great works of art start with ideas, and ideas STILL reign supreme in Hollywood. In today's conversation w/ celebrated writer Matt Lieberman we discuss how to generate high concept ideas, come up with ideas, embrace the importance of a good idea, and even sell feature specs. Once again, we want to say thanks to our fabulous intern Jess Fisher for helping us put this episode together! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-08-301h 04The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna56 | BONUS: Ask Meg Anything About WritingWe've had some AMAZING guests on this show, but the truth is, one of our greatest secret weapons is Meg herself! Today, she dives into some of the MANY lingering questions that you all have been posing on the Facebook, and we get into it! If your question wasn't answered today, don't worry, Meg WILL be getting into soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-08-2642 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna55 | You Got Your First Big Writing Win...Now What?Most of us assume that once a writer sells that spec or books that job or secures representation, they've "made it." Now all they need to do is ride into the sunset and remember to thank their agent when their inevitable Oscar shows up. But of course, much like writer, it's much more complicated than that. Today, Meg and Lorien walk us through THEIR biggest "a-ha" moments after their breaks, what we should lean into, and what we should avoid. Once again, we'd like to thank JESS FISHER who produced this episode while Jeff is getting his feet back...2021-08-2452 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna54 | Showrunning: Anything & Everything You Need To KnowWe're back! Meg, Lorien, and Jeff have all been traveling, producing, and on set, and oh, do we have UPDATES. Lorien - who is now entering post on the project she SHOWRAN - answers all of your questions from what kinds of writers she's looking for in the room, and what her expectations for them are once they arrive. THANK YOU to our intern Jess Fisher for producing and cutting this episode! You've been a rock for us in some of our busiest times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...2021-08-1650 min
STOPTIME: Live in the Moment.Meg LeFauve & Lorien McKenna: Brave Enough To Be JoyfulLet us know what you enjoy about the show!Join Lisa for this "animated" conversation with Hollywood screenwriting mavens Meg LeFauve & Lorien McKenna.Meg LeFauve was nominated for a Best Screenplay Oscar for the Pixar blockbuster INSIDE OUT, she won an Annie Award for that screenplay. Meg also wrote Pixar’s Golden Globe nominated THE GOOD DINOSAUR. She also wrote on Marvel’s box office hit, CAPTAIN MARVEL. LeFauve is currently has a series in development for a major studio, as well as a film in production at Netflix- the animated film MY...2021-07-1239 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna53 | Honor Your Calling As A Creative & Screenwriter (Create Out Loud w/ Jen Louden)FOR MORE CREATE OUT LOUD: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/create-out-loud-with-jennifer-louden/id1559415253What would it take for you to turn down an offer from JJ Abrams (you know the guy who created Lost among other block-busters)? Ask Meg LeFavue, the Oscar-nominated writer of Inside Out, who had to do just that after committing to her creative calling to become a screenwriter. Meg LeFauve and her frequent writing partner and podcast co-host Lorien McKenna get extremely candid about the challenges and essential importance of committing to your artistic path and sticking with it. ...2021-07-111h 02The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna52 | Screenwriting: The Joys, The Rage, The LegacyWriting isn't just about craft and science. It's about translating the highs and lows of being a human being into art, and that journey can be a roller coaster, whether you're an emerging writer or a seasoned pro.Speaking of seasoned pros, today, we ask them those tricky questions: what brings you the most joy about writing, what pisses you off about writing, and what scene do you want to be remembered by. The guests, in order of appearance:
John August - Episode 35
Andrew Stanton - Episode 39
Marti Noxon - Episode 40
Sheila Hanahan-Taylor - Ep...2021-07-0441 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna51 | Vanessa Taylor On Non-Verbal Storytelling SecretsNot only is Oscar-nominated writer Vanessa Taylor's resume impressive, it's beautifully varied. Vanessa has written on serialized network TV shows, high-concept prestige premium cable dramas (GOT anybody??), a YA novel adaptation, and even a creature feature love story w/ celebrated filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro (yes, we are talking about The Shape of Water.) But Vanessa sees powerful themes that tie her work together like a commitment to propulsive story engines driven by high-agency characters who tell us WHO they are, through their behavior. Vanessa offers us BEAUTIFUL advice in today's episode, and we can't wait for you to hear...2021-06-271h 06The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna50 | The Day To Day Process Of Screenwriting50 Episodes! How did we get here? Hard work EVERY DAY.Today, we're focusing on the day-to-day, minute-by-minute process of writing. How to we title our documents? How do we comb through our material? How do we edit. All of that gets answered today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-06-2051 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna49 | Michael Arndt's Act 1 MasterclassLittle Miss Sunshine's script, penned by our guest Michael Arndt, won almost every major industry award, and for good reason. Its warmth, humor, and surefooted commitment to its themes makes it one of the finest scripts written this century. And SO many of those themes show up in Act 1. Michael has become a bit "obsessed" with act 1's lately, because it's our chance to maximize the "rooting interest" around our hero so that our audience has no choice but to keep watching. FOR MICHAEL'S (AMAZING) WEBSITE: https://www.pandemoniuminc.com/ Learn more about your ad c...2021-06-131h 22The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna48 | Connecting Craft To Money And Career (As Screeenwriters)To enter contests, or NOT to enter contests? Do I need to live in LA? What if I'm not your run-of-the mill white dude writer? What if I'm OLDER than my competition? All of these questions are answers, no-holds-barred, in today's episode where we take YOUR questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-06-061h 12The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna47 | Nine Writing Secrets From Our A-List GuestsIt's a GREATEST HITS Episode. We've had such amazing guests, that we wanted to curate some of their best moments. Enjoy!1:20 - John August on Important Rules For Worldbuildling (Ep 35)6:09 - Marti Noxon on Writing Samples That Will Get You Staffed (Ep 40)9:05 - Sheila Hanahan Taylor On Rookie Mistakes (Ep 42/43)17:33 - Kemp Powers on When To “Break The Rules” in Your Writing (Ep 36)20:15 - Andrew Stanton On The Differences Between Storytelling and Writing (Ep 39)25:31 - Ed Solomon On The Essential Value Of Rewriting (Ep 32)31:12 - Mike...2021-05-3053 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna46 | Writing Great TV Characters w/ Javier Grillo-MarxuachThough best known as one of the Emmy Award-winning writer/producers of Lost, Javier Grillo-Marxuach is a prolific writer of television shows, comic books, movies, and the occasional critical essay. He's a master-storyteller, with a deep understanding of character, no matter how "otherworldly" the project. Today we're going to deep dive on longform character development and Javier's philosophies on "operational theme." And of course, we'll be answering your questions!Check Out Javi's Website: http://okbjgm.weebly.com/Follow Him On Social: @OKBJGM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adc...2021-05-231h 09The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna45 | Overcome Dry Spells In Your Writing w/ Self-Compassion (Jen Louden)Find yourself asking the question 'Why bother” when it comes to your writing? Creative people are asking that question now more than ever, but bestselling author and world-renowned creativity expert Jen Louden wants you to go deeper and really ask the question, really think about it. On today's show, she walks us through why it's important for us to bother about what really matters, and how asking that question and approaching our writing with "self-compassionate grit" can help us get back on the page. For Meg And Lorien’s Episode of “Create Out Loud”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...2021-05-161h 13The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna44 | Drawing Boundaries For Yourself And Your CharactersEven though pop culture often draws artists as free-spirited goofballs that "go-with-the-flow" true artistry lies in the art of self-discipline, self-esteem, and BOUNDARIES. The truth of getting work done means being willing to draw boundaries in your own life, around your work, and around your ART. How will you draw boundaries this week? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-05-091h 12The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna43 | Pitching & Meetings: EVERYTHING You Need To Know (Sheila Hanahan Taylor Pt. 2)This topic comes up ALL the time on our Facebook group, and finally, we have definitive answers, and LOTS of them. How long should my pitch be, what should it look like, what should it actually include. WTF actually is a DECK??? How can avoid nerves for a meeting, what is my responsibility during a general. A-List producer Sheila Hanahan Taylor has EVERYTHING you need to know! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-05-051h 00The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna42 | Rookie Mistakes & The Power Of Genre (Sheila Hanahan Taylor Pt. 1)After decades working with writers in this business, Sheila Hanahan Taylor - A-List producer behind many beloved edge-of-your seat genre films like the Final Destination films - has brilliantly assembled a list of common mistakes she sees "rookies" make.And speaking of genre, Sheila brilliantly counters some of those condescending perspectives with her own experiences as to why genre may be the secret to getting your emerging work of the ground. She will FOREVER re-think the way you think about genre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-05-0244 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna41 | Your Screenwriting Emergency ToolkitFeeling blocked, stuck, uninspired, or just BLAH? We're here to save the day!We were initially going to run an episode on boundaries (don't worry, we still will!) but a NUMBER of hurdles interfered with our ability to make that happen, so our intern Jess pitched a great idea to cut together a greatest hits "emergency" toolkit compilation to get you though this week! If you LOVE a highlight and want to listen to the full episode, here are the past episodes we compiled from:
Episode 9 - How to overcome writer’s block
Episode 14 - Outlining/Ch...2021-04-251h 06The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna40 | Marti Noxon On TV Writing (EVERYTHING You Need To Know)Marti Noxon is a force in our business. Known for her sharp voice, social commentary, and darkly funny writing, all of which is tied together by a knack for complicated and richly drawn female characters, she's on TV's most important voices.She's worked on everything from beloved genre projects like BUFFY to prestige crime dramas like SHARP OBJECTS, and she's here today to help us get a full and detailed look at the current landscape for writing in television.Learn what we REALLY mean when we say story engine, what makes Marti quit reading a...2021-04-181h 05The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna39 | Andrew Stanton's Storytelling Master ClassDo you have a pen and paper? Might want to grab them now... Andrew Stanton wrote and directed Finding Nemo, Finding Dory, and Wall-E, all of which consistently rank among the best films of this century, and best animated films ever made. In live action storytelling, he's become a critically acclaimed director, working on shows like Stranger Things and Better Call Saul. Andrew is considered one of the finest storytellers working in our industry. Andrew has given lectures for TED and Google, and he's joining us today to help us in our own understanding of story. 2021-04-111h 35The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna38.5 | Minisode: Why Character Problems Are Your SolutionWe had SUCH a great tangent on last week's episode, that we wanted to feature this conversation as it's own short MINISODE. Do you have a great character want that doesn't feel URGENT enough in your Act I? We're almost SURE it's because you haven't created a clear enough problem for your character yet. Listen to find out EXACTLY what we need... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-04-0721 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna38 | Writing Antagonists (And Why They're Really About Your Hero)What do Voldemort, Regina George, and Hans Gruber have in common? They're great antagonists, of course! Whether it's an action movie, a comedy, or even a contemplative drama, story needs conflict, and antagonists CREATE conflict, so we're going to discuss what makes a great antagonist today on the show.For NPR's FULL Coverage Of Die Hard: https://www.npr.org/2021/03/18/978734467/die-hard-welcome-to-the-podcast-pal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-04-0457 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna37 | LIVE From The London Screenwriter's Festival: Writing EmotionEmotionally rich writing has always been a Hallmark for both Meg and Lorien in their writing, and on today's show, we dig into the meat of what makes it work and why. TSL family member Savannah Morgan hooked us up with the London Screenwriter's Festival, and moderated an AMAZING interview w/ Meg and Lorien where they got into all of it. It's an amazing listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-03-281h 25The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna36 | Oscar-Nominated Screenwriter Kemp Powers On AdaptationKemp Powers is a playwright, screenwriter, and co-director, and this year, he's one of the most talked about writers in our business. Kemp has not one, but TWO highly talked-about films in the 2021’s awards circuit, Pixar’s Soul (which he co-wrote with Pete Docter and past guest Mike Jones, as well as co-directed) and One Night In Miami, which he adapted from his own play, AND which was just nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. As someone who has adapted a feature from previously existing work, AND written for one of our industry’s most covete...2021-03-211h 08The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna35 | John August On Worldbuilding In Your WritingJohn August? Yes. THAT John August.We're thrilled to feature Screenwriting PODfather John August, famous for many things. Among them, award-nominated studio juggernauts like BIG FISH and CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, to his critically acclaimed Screenwriting podcast Scriptnotes, which I'm sure most of you already listen to. Today John is answering YOUR questions about Worldbuilding in your writing. How do we balance concision, economy, and "necessary details." Why are so we naturally inclined to write in a master shot rather than up close?We answer that question, and more, today on the show!2021-03-141h 00The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna34 | Putting Yourself (And Your Writing) OUT ThereEmily Dickenson's poetry, The Girl w/ The Dragon Tattoo, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, these are all works we ALMOST didn't see because the authors ALMOST hid their work from the masses, and imagine the beautiful art we would've missed out on!Writing is all about being vulnerable and putting yourself out there...so why are we so afraid to do it? What's at stake if we do, and more importantly, what's at stake if we DON'T? We ask all of these questions and more on today's episode, plus, a great question about dialogue.Will...2021-03-071h 25The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna33 | Anne Lamott: Make Your Writing Fears Work For YOUAnne Lamott is one of culture's most celebrated voices when it comes to creativity and writing. Her book Bird By Bird is a modern classic (Ed Solomon says it's the best book on writing ever published), but Anne is uniquely positioned as someone who is beloved for BOTH her fiction and her non-fiction. On today's show, we discuss the importance of finding hope to unlock our best creative selves, how we can quiet that inner critic (yes, even 10 times NYT Bestselling Author Anne Lamott gets paralyzed by creative anxiety), and how we can turn our fear into excitement.2021-02-2857 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna32 | Writer Ed Solomon (Bill & Ted, MIB): Finding Emotional Truth In Every StoryEd Solomon is one of Hollywood's most recognizable writers, who represents a rare intersection of critical and commercial success. His 16 feature films have grossed over 1.6 Billion Dollars at the Box Office, and he's the creator or co-creator on three of Hollywood's biggest franchises: Bill & Ted, Men in Black, and Now You See Me.But he'll be the FIRST person to tell you that he's not a "fancy" writer. He bristles at the idea, and argues that ego is one of the quickest ways to tank a career, especially a creative career. Instead, he feels that humility, curiosity...2021-02-211h 21The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna31 | Finding INSPIRATION In Your WritingMaybe your facing the blank page, maybe you're facing the second act, or maybe your facing your millionth rewrite; EVERY writer has hit that wall where there's nothing left in the tank, even though you need to get that car HOME. Where do you find inpsiration?It's in there, and Meg and Lorien are going to help you get there. Maybe you need some help with plot, or maybe you need to learn how to love your characters again, but WHATEVER it is, we're giving you strategies to get there! Learn more about...2021-02-141h 13The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna30 | 5 Crucial Questions On Craft + WritingIt's your turn! For this week, we've gathered some of our most frequently asked CRAFT related questions for a deep dive on how to fix, tweak, tinker, and elevate your writing. Tricky questions around note-taking, essential questions about beefing up conflict with things feel flat, and other crucial craft questions get their due today, thanks to our brilliant hosts.FOR MORE Info About NOTES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1-getting-notes-on-your-work/id1501641442?i=1000467504323 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-01-3156 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna29 | The Long Road For WritersAs a writer, you're in it for the long haul. And that's NOT a bad thing! It's a beautiful journey, filled with ups, down, highs, and lows, and it's made all the sweeter when you can SET your beacon! Remember, the road may be long, but it's worth it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-01-241h 06The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna28 | Getting Perspective: Taking The 30,000 Foot View Of Your WritingThe details of your writing are a beautiful thing. They provide the nuance, voice, and texture that make your writing special.But the details can be crippling if they prevent you from seeing your work as it REALLY is. Today we talk about how to see your work from a broad perspective, by Zooming out and getting that all-important "30,000 Foot View" of your writing. It's a game changer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-01-171h 08The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna27 | Self Talk Your Way Into Loving Your Own WritingWhy is it so easy for us to love, trust, and nurture our characters, but so hard for us to do that for ourselves?Positive self-talk is an essential part of embarking on The Screenwriting Journey, and today, we get talk ALL about it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-01-101h 04The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna26 | SPECIAL: Meg & Lorien INTERVIEWED By Jeff (2018 Throwback)Hope you had and are having an AMAZING Holiday. We're going to be doing something a little different for this week's show. Meg and Lorien are taking some MUCH-deserved time off (we hope you can too), but we had a little chat about content we could possibly run, or re-run to keep you going through the Holiday's.In 2018, Jeff brought Meg and Lorien on his show "The Unproduced Table Read" for a special interview, and that's the moment they began collaborating professionally. It's a really engaging interview, and it's a fun chance for you all to get...2020-12-2756 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna25 | Q&A w/ Pixar's SOUL Screenwriter Mike JonesThere are many reasons Pixar Animation is culturally hailed as one of the most profound and emotionally resonant studios working in filmmaking today, but the deep, richly drawn writing is one of them.Today we answer YOUR questions with SOUL screenwriter Mike Jones about the overcoming the fear that accompanies any journey into writing, how to generate confidence, what the Pixar Brain Trust is really like, and Mike even bravely shares a life-altering "lava" moment that ended up cinching one of Soul's best and most important scenes.SOUL drops on Disney+ on Christmas. Sc...2020-12-201h 08The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna24 | Perfectionism Kills Your WritingWhy are so many writers perfectionists? Maybe it's that need for approval, or that desire to see exactly what's in your head show up on the page, but READ THIS: perfectionism is the death of creativity. As celebrated psychologist Dr. Anne Wilson Schaef offers: “Perfectionism is self-abuse of the highest order."How do we move PAST perfection? Tune in to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2020-12-1355 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna23 | Q&A w/ Million Dollar Producers Bonnie Curtis and Julie LynnWe answer your BURNING questions from two of Hollywood's top producers in the game, whose production company Mockingbird Pictures has been nominated for Oscars, among many other accolades.More about our guests: Julie Lynn formed Mockingbird Pictures in 1999, with Bonnie Curtis joining in 2012 after more than 15 years working with Steven Spielberg. Together they are producing film and television across a wide variety of genres, with movie budgets that range from under $1 million to over $100 million. They have produced for brand-new filmmakers, as well as experienced, award-winning directors. They are still thinking about what non-profit work they are goi...2020-12-061h 18The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna22 | Finding Your People (Writers Need Writers)It may feel like it's just you and the page, but as we always say during this show: "you are NOT alone on this journey!"You need to find your people, but how do you do it? Who are your people? And more importantly, who AREN'T your people?PLUS, we finally clear up the murky waters around all of the "story" people on film sets (supervisors, managers, producers, etc.) What does it all mean? Tune in to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2020-11-221h 17The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna21 | Overcome EXCUSES & Keep Writing!Last time, we talked about how to keep your writing fun, but we also KNOW it's not always going to be fun. It's easy to make excuses as to why we're not writing, but don't forget, those excuses might be pointing to something deeper like fear, or shame, or those "other voices" that get in our way. The good news? That's your LAVA! Today, we talk about how to overcome those excuses and get INTO your writing!FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/groups/689651718467504/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...2020-11-151h 05The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna20 | Importance of PLAY In Your Writing (And Life)Remember when you wanted to be a writer because it was FUN?It seems like an obvious point, but so many of us have lost our ability to enjoy the FUN of writing, which is why we got into it in the first place! Enter: PLAY. Maybe it's exercises with your characters, maybe it's a no-holds barred workshop with your writer's group, or maybe it's FINALLY signing up for that improv class (or that sculpture class - cough, cough, MEG) that you've been eying for weeks.Let go, and have some FUN today! 2020-11-011h 01The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna19 | How "Too Many Voices" Can Affect Your WritingLast we talked about finding YOUR voice, so naturally, we have to ask, what about all of those OTHER voices?Unproductive voices may be in our own head, or they may be friends, or even family (read: FAMILY). But, the sociocultural voices that permeate our lives can also sabotage our work. How do we know which outside voices are helpful, and how do we know which ones will inevitably sabotage what makes us our writing special?Other voices are the main cause of IMPOSTER SYNDROME, which is something we all deal with, which is the f...2020-10-251h 04The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna18 | Voice: What It Is And How To Find ItSome of Hollywood's greatest writers are known for their "voice" - Nora Ephron's witty female leads. Aaron Sorkin's talky, moving monologues. Charlie Kaufman's mind-bending, sardonic humor.But what IS voice? Is voice something that we need to be taught, or is it something that we already have? How do we HONE our voice? Meg and Lorien answer all of these questions and more!PLUS: Producer Jeff is taking a terrifying leap into his own lava and inviting you all to join. On Sun, Oct 25 @ 3p PT, he will be conducting a live, virtual t...2020-10-1853 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna17 | Screenwriting As A Career (+ WGA Questions) w/ Jonathan FernandezQuestions about the professional life of a screenwriter? WGA questions?We've got you covered; we're THRILLED to be joined by writer Jonathan Fernandez, who, in addition to writing Rob The Mob starring Ray Romano, is a board member for the WGA.But first, of course, we give you our adventures in screenwriting, and very important burrito talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2020-10-1255 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna16 | Diving Into (Or Back Into) Your WritingYou just had a GREAT notes call, and now you're ready and excited to jump back into your script - but, wait a minute - why is this not as easy or exciting as I thought it was going to be? Diving BACK into your material (or even diving into your new idea) can be daunting, but Meg and Lorien are BACK to help you through it. PLUS, we answer our listener question from JOHN WIKSTROM about structure and screenwriting "rules": are they a roadmap, a formula, a way to diagnose problems, or something else entirely? Meg a...2020-10-051h 02
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Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2020-07-1155 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna14 | Outlining/Chunking In Your WritingOne of the secrets to great storytelling is great outlining, and today we discuss just that!Elizabeth Gilbert’s Ted Talk On “Genius”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86x-u-tz0MA&t=756sMichael Arendt’s Views on Structure: http://www.pandemoniuminc.com/ts3-mistakes-made-lessons-learned?fbclid=IwAR3rGuN5m7bVO6QH2ONca7bfaKr9WecD_iSH3yDH33Bhn-LzARNxAF0aJmc#PopcornTalk #ScreenwritingLife #Outlining We've talked a lot about chunking and outlining on this show, and now, we finally get into the dirty details! Get those index cards ready!@StoryMeg @LorienMcKenna #JeffreyCGraham- http...2020-06-2750 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKennaAn Update - The Screenwriting LifeProducer/Co-Host Jeff Graham gives an update on The Screenwriting Life for this week and moving forward.Meg, Lorien, Jeff and all of us here at Popcorn Talk so appreciate you and this community as we continue to write, learn, and grow together.@ThePopcornTalk @StoryMeg @lorienmckenna @JeffreyCGraham Make sure to subscribe to Popcorn Talk! - http://youtube.com/popcorntalknetwork HELPFUL LINKS: Website - http://popcorntalk.comFollow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thepopcorntalk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...2020-06-1201 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna13 | Tips On Navigating Hollywood#PopcornTalk #TheScreenwritingLife #Hollywood #InsideOut Whether or not we want to admit, part of making it as a writer in the entertainment industry is understanding the "politics" of Hollywood. How can we play the game strategically to maximize our chances of having our work seen and produced? How important is "networking" if we want to make it? And finally, is having a time-consuming industry job worth it if we aren't actually writing? @StoryMeg @ThePopcornTalk @JeffreyCGraham Make sure to subscribe to Popcorn Talk! - http://youtube.com/popcorntalknetwork HELPFUL LINKS: Website - http://popcorntalk.com Follow us on Twitter - https://tw...2020-05-3048 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna12 | Imbuing Characters with AgencyNothing hampers storytelling more than an inactive protagonist, and on today's show, Meg and Lorien are going to talk through how to create determined protagonists with real wants, and most importantly, AGENCY. Plus we answer some questions that came straight from you! Only, on The Screenwriting Life! Make sure to subscribe to Popcorn Talk! - http://youtube.com/popcorntalknetwork HELPFUL LINKS: Website - http://popcorntalk.com Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thepopcorntalk Merch - http://shop.spreadshirt.com/PopcornTalk/ ABOUT POPCORN TALK: Popcorn Talk Network is the online broadcast network with programming dedicated exclusively to...2020-05-2649 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna11 | Working With Directors (As A Writer)All writers dream of that moment when a producer says, "we want to make your movie," but then comes the nuts and bolts of what that actually means. What if we disagree with the notes? What if we can't deliver on what's being asked? We're going over all of these questions today!Welcome to The Screenwriting Life. Join us as professional screenwriters, Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna, whose combined credits include writing and production on such films as Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur and Captain Marvel discuss the craft, journey and business of writing for the screen...2020-05-1639 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna10 | Working With Producer (As A Writer)All writers dream of that moment when a producer says, "we want to make your movie," but then comes the nuts and bolts of what that actually means. What if we disagree with the notes? What if we can't deliver on what's being asked? We're going over all of these questions today!Welcome to The Screenwriting Life. Join us as professional screenwriters, Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna, whose combined credits include writing and production on such films as Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur and Captain Marvel discuss the craft, journey and business of writing for the screen...2020-05-0951 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna9 | How To Overcome Writer's BlockIt happens to all of us. That dreaded moment when you sit down to write, and nothing is coming out. Today, Meg and Lorien give you practical tips to overcoming that hurdle, with takeaway. And of course, we answer some of your questions! #TheScreenwritersLife #InsideOut #WritersBlock- http://youtube.com/popcorntalknetworkHELPFUL LINKS: Website - http://popcorntalk.com Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thepopcorntalk Merch - http://shop.spreadshirt.com/PopcornTalk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2020-05-0253 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna8 | Enduring The Roller Coaster of RejectionThe journey of the entertainment industry is a bumpy one, and today, Meg and Lorien talk you through practical strategies to survive it! PLUS, as always, we answer your incredible questions, here, on The Screenwriting Life podcast! Make sure to subscribe to Popcorn Talk! - http://youtube.com/popcorntalknetworkWelcome to The Screenwriting Life. Join us as professional screenwriters, Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna, whose combined credits include writing and production on such films as Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur and Captain Marvel discuss the craft, journey and business of writing for the screen. From dialogue to...2020-04-2552 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna7 | Mastering Structure In Your Screenplay: Part IIIf you haven't listened to last week's episode, jump back and make sure you're caught up, because this week, we're picking up at the midpoint. PLUS, as always, we answer your incredible questions, here, on The Screenwriting Life podcast! Make sure to subscribe to Popcorn Talk! - http://youtube.com/popcorntalknetworkWelcome to The Screenwriting Life. Join us as professional screenwriters, Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna, whose combined credits include writing and production on such films as Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur and Captain Marvel discuss the craft, journey and business of writing for the screen. From...2020-04-1847 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna6 | Mastering Structure In Your Screenplay: Part IWriters dread the idea of feeling confined by a structure, but what they don't realize, is that structure is one of the greatest gifts that they can be given as a writer. Structure = story, and the best films ever made know how to "play within the rules." Today, we go over those rules! Welcome to The Screenwriting Life. Join us as professional screenwriters, Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna, whose combined credits include writing and production on such films as Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur and Captain Marvel discuss the craft, journey and business of writing for the s...2020-04-1139 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna5 | Writing With A PartnerSome of the best movies and the world were written by partners: FARGO, SPLASH, ELECTION, THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS, and PARASITE, for example, were all written by a writing partnerships, and in the best world, choosing a writing partnership may be one of the most creatively inspiring and generative decisions you make as a writer. At the same time, it can be crippling, so today, Meg and Lorien (who do write together!) are going to give you their best practices for writing with a partner!Welcome to The Screenwriting Life. Join us as professional screenwriters, Meg LeFauve and...2020-04-0443 minThe Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna4 | Uncover the Theme of Your ScreenplayIf you haven't listened to last week's episode, stop this, hop back, and then return. We're picking up RIGHT where we left off to dig into what theme really means in a screenplay!Welcome to The Screenwriting Life. Join us as professional screenwriters, Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna, whose combined credits include writing and production on such films as Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur and Captain Marvel discuss the craft, journey and business of writing for the screen. From dialogue to delivery, Meg and Lorien will guide you through the process, offering inside tips and tricks to...2020-03-2842 min