The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
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 help you become the best writer you can be. And now Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thescreenwritinglife/support
Kemp 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 coveted IPs (Star Trek), Kemp is the perfect guest to discuss the art of ADAPTATION in screenwriting.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thescreenwritinglife/supportJohn 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!
CHECK OUT SCRIPTNOTES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scriptnotes-podcast/id462495496
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thescreenwritinglife/supportEmily 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 you put yourself out there?
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thescreenwritinglife/supportAnne 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.
TO PRE-ORDER Anne's Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JKK77V2/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
For SHAPES OF TRUTH: https://www.shapesoftruth.com/neal-allen-bio
Ed 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, and daring are the keys to success, especially as a writer. Ed is a disarming orator, passionate teacher, and a great dude. So much to learn.
Maybe 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!
It'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
As 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.
The 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!
Why 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!
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 to know them even better - their time at Pixar, their work collaborating on a pilot together, and, because it's them, a thoughtful and compelling conversation about emotion, bravery, and the work behind the work.
Anyways, we hope you enjoy the conversation and we'll see you all in 2021!
LISTEN TO THE UNPRODUCED TABLE READ: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unproduced-table-read/id1197673735
There 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.
Script Consultations w/ Pat!: https://patverducci.com/
Why 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!
We 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 going to cook up together after they retire from filmmaking … but they are hopeful that day is still many years away. They are most proud of all the “repeat customers” amongst their collaborators, as well as the fact that they were able to successfully take their families on a joint vacation, because they clearly don’t see enough of each other at work.
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!
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/
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!
Last 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 focus of our question of the week!
Remember to join our Facebook group, and thanks in advance for those beautiful Apple Podcast reviews!
Some 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 table read of his own script he plans to direct with producers, his DP, a group of great LA-Based actors, and many many people watching. If you'd like to join, please RSVP: JeffGrahamDigital@gmail.com. By RSVP-ing, you'll be getting a ZOOM link to join the many viewers, and a copy of the pre-pro script in it's current form. As we discussed on the show, notes aren't nessecary, but they are very welcome!
Questions 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.
You 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 and Lorien may surprise you with their answer!
Make sure to SUBSCRIBE and enjoy new episodes of The Screenwriting Life every Sunday @ 6p EST.
RESOURCES:
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/thescreenwritinglife
This can be a heartbreaking industry, but as writers, we have to hold out hope.
@StoryMeg @LorienMcKenna #JeffreyCGraham
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One 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=756s
Michael 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://youtube.com/popcorntalknetwork
HELPFUL LINKS: Website - http://popcorntalk.com Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thepopcorntalk Merch - http://shop.spreadshirt.com/PopcornTalk/
Producer/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.com
Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thepopcorntalk
#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://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 movie discussion, news, interviews and commentary. Popcorn Talk Network is comprised of the leading members and personalities of the film press and community including E!’s Maria Menounos. Current Roster of Shows: -Anatomy of a Movie -Box Office Breakdown -Meet the Movie Press -Guilty Movie Pleasures -Marvel Movie News -DC Movie News -Action Movie Anatomy -Watchalong Series!
Nothing 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 movie discussion, news, interviews and commentary. Popcorn Talk Network is comprised of the leading members and personalities of the film press and community including E!’s Maria Menounos. Current Roster of Shows: -Anatomy of a Movie -Box Office Breakdown -Meet the Movie Press -Guilty Movie Pleasures -Marvel Movie News -DC Movie News -Action Movie Anatomy -Watchalong Series!
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. From dialogue to delivery, Meg and Lorien will guide you through the process, offering inside tips and tricks to help you become the best writer you can be. And now Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna.
@StoryMeg @LorienMcKenna #JeffreyCGraham
- http://youtube.com/popcorntalknetwork
HELPFUL LINKS: Website - http://popcorntalk.com Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thepopcorntalk Merch - http://shop.spreadshirt.com/PopcornTalk/
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. From dialogue to delivery, Meg and Lorien will guide you through the process, offering inside tips and tricks to help you become the best writer you can be. And now Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna.
@StoryMeg @LorienMcKenna @JeffreyCGraham @thePopcornTalk
- http://youtube.com/popcorntalknetwork
HELPFUL LINKS: Website - http://popcorntalk.com Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thepopcorntalk Merch - http://shop.spreadshirt.com/PopcornTalk/
It 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/popcorntalknetwork
HELPFUL LINKS: Website - http://popcorntalk.com Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thepopcorntalk Merch - http://shop.spreadshirt.com/PopcornTalk/
The 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/popcorntalknetwork
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 help you become the best writer you can be. And now Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna.
HELPFUL LINKS: Website - http://popcorntalk.com Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thepopcorntalk Merch - http://shop.spreadshirt.com/PopcornTalk/
If 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/popcorntalknetwork
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 help you become the best writer you can be. And now Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna.
HELPFUL LINKS: Website - http://popcorntalk.com Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thepopcorntalk Merch - http://shop.spreadshirt.com/PopcornTalk/
Writers 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 screen. From dialogue to delivery, Meg and Lorien will guide you through the process, offering inside tips and tricks to help you become the best writer you can be. And now Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna.
Some 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 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 help you become the best writer you can be. And now Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna.
If 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 help you become the best writer you can be. And now Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna.
Theme is the essence of good storytelling, but what does it actually mean, and how does it play into screenwriting? Meg and Lorien deep dive today, and answer your questions, here on The Screenwriting Life!
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 help you become the best writer you can be. And now Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna.
We all hear it: "I've got this great idea for a movie," or, "they should totally make that into a movie," but why do so few people take the next step and actually write the script? Well, today, Pixar alum Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna answer that question, getting into all the nuts and bolts of "idea to page," and answer YOUR fan questions.
Welcome to Ask Me Anything Screenwriter's Edition. 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 help you become the best writer you can be. And now Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna.
Every writer knows that feeling of getting notes - do I need to take them? What if I don't agree? Who should I ask? We go over ALL of that today, on The Screenwriting Life.
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 help you become the best writer you can be. And now Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna.
