In this episode of the Filmmaking Stuff podcast, host Tom Malloy explains the often misunderstood process of screenwriting. Dispelling the myth that a screenplay is ready after the first draft, Malloy tells new screenwriters that industry executives demand polished scripts reflecting professional standards. The first completion of your screenplay is just the ... Show More
Mar 18
How to Avoid Making an Invisible Film
Why do some indie films completely disappear after release? In this episode, we break down the concept of the “invisible film” — movies that get uploaded to platforms but generate little to no revenue. Learn why platform saturation, over-reliance on distributors, and lack of film ... Show More
3m 8s
Mar 11
The Collapse of the Mid-Budget Indie Film
The mid-budget independent film model is collapsing — and most filmmakers don’t see it coming. In this episode, I break down why $750K–$5M films are struggling, how the loss of DVD revenue and platform saturation changed the market, why B-list cast no longer guarantees sales, and ... Show More
5m 17s
Mar 4
Inside Film Markets: The Job of a Sales Agent
What do sales agents really do at film markets like Cannes, AFM, and EFM? In this episode, I explain how sales agents meet buyers, pitch films, and secure distribution deals. You'll also learn why most deals don't happen during the market itself, but in the weeks after buyers rev ... Show More
4m 56s
Dec 2022
Going Right From Film School Shorts to a First Feature
Today we speak to Matthew Gentile and Matt Allen about the process of filming and editing the film, American Murderer. Matthew met Matt in film school, and invited him to collaborate on his first feature film. American Murderer is now available on Amazon Prime.
In this episode, ... Show More
44m 18s
Jun 2024
Choosing Your Next Project & Immediate Next Steps
There's no better feeling than completing a project you’ve been working on for, what feels like, forever. On one hand, you’re relieved but you're also anxious to figure out what to work on next. How do you decide what your new project will be, and what is the most efficient strat ... Show More
43m 14s
Mar 2020
2 | Turning Ideas Into Screenplays
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 n ... Show More
38m 54s
Apr 2020
6 | Mastering Structure In Your Screenplay: Part I
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 ... Show More
39m 8s
Mar 2020
3 | What Actually Is THEME In Your Screenplay?
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, ... Show More
45m 57s
<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">"Personally, I think writing is bleeding. It's blood magic. It's very hard to do," says writer/director Jade Halley Bartlett of the new Southern gothic romance, </span><em><span data-preserver-spaces= "true">Miller's Girl.</span></em></p> <p> ... Show More
