logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2025
1h 10m

263 | Feature Film Story Engine Checklis...

MEG LEFAUVE & LORIEN MCKENNA
About this episode
Check out our premium TSL WORKSHOPS program here: https://tslworkshops.circle.so STORY ENGINE. Two words we so often dread, but let's be honest: the engine of your story is what POWERS your movie. It's make, or break. And today, we break down eight elements to test whether or not you are on your way to a feature film story engine that will take you from fa ... Show More
Up next
Aug 13
Ep. 308 | WRITING EXERCISE: Go DEEPER With Your Characters
Lorien McKenna is joined by TSL producer Alex Alcheh for a really exciting exercise. Get out your pen and paper, make 4 quadrants and follow along. Lorien asks specific questions about YOUR LIFE to unlock the depth a character should have. They discuss character introductions and ... Show More
48m 19s
Jul 30
Ep. 307 | Inside THE PITT'S Writers Room w/ Simran Baidwan
Meg LeFauve is joined by Simran Baidwan, former power house lawyer turned brilliant writer and executive producer of HBO's hit show, THE PITT. Simran's thorough and eloquent advice for emerging writers mixed with her raw and real honesty about why The Pitt's writers room is so sp ... Show More
57m 28s
Jul 16
Ep. 306 | The Importance Of Being A Writer Advocate w/ Betsy Beers
Betsy Beers is a stallwart producer of film and television having been the creative partner of Shonda Rhimes at Shondaland since its inception, shepherding every project the company has ever produced from Grey's Anatomy to Bridgerton. Lorien, Meg and Betsy dive deep into what it ... Show More
1h 5m
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2023
Big Movies Require Big Risks - 'God is a Bullet’ Producer and Financier Talks Filmmaking
In order to make your movie, you need money. So how do you get over that uncomfortable feeling of asking people to invest in your project? And once you have the financing, how do you get over the fact that your movie is not going to be appreciated by all audiences? In today’s ep ... Show More
1h 24m
Oct 2019
تطور المحتوى القصصي
tail spinning
58m 36s
Mar 2024
Crafting Your Personal Film
Every filmmaker has a unique story to tell. If you're wondering how to bring your vision to the screen, this episode is for you. We'll guide you through the process, from initial concept to final cut, ensuring you have the tools and knowledge to create a film that truly resonates ... Show More
6m 19s
May 2025
How to Build a Film Business Plan That Actually Works
In this episode, we dig into the must-have elements of a professional film business plan. You’ll learn why sitting between the flashy pitch deck and legal overload is key, and exactly what to include—from a polished cover to a hypothetical investor return. Whether you're prepping ... Show More
7m 6s
Jul 2021
Pablo Larraín, Filmmaker
On a movie set, as in life, corralling chaos can be a good — if not fruitless — goal. But what if instead of hedging uncertainty, we embraced it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 
3m 2s
Jul 2022
The New Soft Skills You Need as a Modern Filmmaker
Filmmakers creating trolly news cycles and buying bots to gain online attention… Hollywood myth about keeping your project a secret to prevent it from being stolen... latest cloud storage tools by Blackmagic. In this episode, we talk about… The phenomenon of creating a trolley ... Show More
55m 54s
Oct 2021
Practical Magic with David Lowery & Elijah Wood
<p>Topics covered include: the importance of letting your movie breath, hate-cutting <em>The Green Knight</em>, the fall of Troy, Grail mythology, a mom’s helpful nudge, old-fashioned movie magic, the epic oner from <em>Eternal Sunshine</em>, concentric circles of production and ... Show More
50m 52s
Jun 2024
How to Get Your Short Out In the World & Write to Your Darkest Instincts
In life, we can’t please everyone. There will be people who “get us” and others who simply don’t. It’s the same when you’re a filmmaker. Your work won’t vibe with everyone who sees it, and that’s totally okay! It’s time to face your fears, give it your all, and create those proje ... Show More
1h 32m
Feb 2020
2.28.20: How Long Until The Tech Behind 'The Mandalorian' is Available to More of Us?
We are still drooling over the possibilities when it comes to the new kind of storytelling options StageCraft creates. Also, have you used Patreon? We're super curious how Patreon can help filmmakers, so we dive into the service and break down what it does and how it works. Speak ... Show More
43m 57s