The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun: Screenwriting Podcast artwork

Film Interviews · Geoffrey D. Calhoun

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun: Screenwriting Podcast

by Geoffrey D. Calhoun

Real talk. No gatekeeping. Welcome to The Successful Screenwriter Podcast, where screenwriters Geoffrey D. Calhoun and Kristy Lee Lussier have honest conversations about writing, filmmaking, and navigating the industry. From developing and rewriting your screenplay to getting your work made, Geoffrey and Kristy break down the craft, business, frustrations, and realities of building a career in film. They also take the conversation live on Instagram, answering screenwriting questions from listeners and diving into questions pulled directly from the comments. Along the way, they share lessons from their own experiences and talk openly about what’s actually happening in the industry. About the Show Screenwriting is about more than formatting a script or following a formula. It’s about learning the craft, finding your voice, surviving the rewrite, understanding the business, and figuring out how to keep moving forward. Each episode tackles the questions and challenges writers actually face, from story, character, dialogue, and rewriting to pitching, representation, production, and breaking into the industry. Your Hosts Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a produced screenwriter, filmmaker, screenwriting instructor, and bestselling author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter. His work spans feature films, television, streaming, and independent production. He brings firsthand experience from both sides of the page: writing scripts and getting them made. Kristy Lee Lussier brings a filmmaker’s perspective to the conversation, challenging ideas, asking the questions writers want answered, and joining Geoffrey for candid discussions about storytelling, filmmaking, and the realities of working in the industry. What You'll Find Screenwriting Q&A: Real questions from writers with practical, straightforward answers.Writing & Rewriting: Story, structure, character, dialogue, theme, rewriting, and making the script on the page actually work.Breaking In & Building a Career: Representation, pitching, networking, getting read, getting produced, and creating opportunities.Filmmaking & Production: What happens when a screenplay leaves the page and becomes a film.State of the Industry: Candid conversations about what’s happening in film and what it means for working screenwriters. Connect with Us: Subscribe to the podcast on Spreaker for regular updates.Join us on Instagram @screenwriterpod for our livestream episodes.Visit our official website, thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com, for additional resources such as: Screenwriting Gigs, Screenplay Library, Seminars, and other exclusive content.Real talk. No gatekeeping. Just screenwriters helping screenwriters.

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

Ep 319 - AI in Film, Unlikable Characters & Writing Emotion Without Dialogue

Stuck on that rewrite? I got you. Grab The Rewrite Workbook and work through your screenplay one draft at a time. Could AI let audiences rewrite a movie’s ending and wha

Oct 12
24 min

Ep 318 - - Rewriting, Pacing & the Rules Writers Get Wrong

The Rewrite Workbook is out now! I wrote it to simplify the rewrite process, so you can stop feeling overwhelmed by your draft and start making clear, focused improvement

Oct 5
32 min

Ep 317 - I infiltrated Screenwriting Reddit. Here's What Happened

Geoffrey D. Calhoun and Kristy Leigh Lussier explore what happened when Geoffrey entered Screenwriting Reddit to offer writers free advice without promoting himself or se

Sep 6
22 min

Ep 316 – Screenwriters, Stop Writing Dialogue Like This

Geoffrey D. Calhoun and Kristy Leigh Lussier break down one of the easiest ways to spot weak screenwriting: dialogue nobody would actually say. They share practical ways

Aug 17
21 min

Ep 315 - The Secrets to Indie Film Success, George Ansara on Building Vault Studio

Discover how an ordinary break room transformed into a post-apocalyptic set for Geoffrey’s new vertical thriller, Elsy. In this episode, Geoffrey and Kristy sit down with

Jul 19
21 min

Ep 314 - Why Supergirl Doesn't Work (It's Not What You Think)

In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, Geoffrey D. Calhoun and Kristy Leigh Lussier break down why some movies fail despite strong marketing, using Supergirl as

Jul 6
19 min

Ep 313 – ELSY: The Post-Apocalyptic Vertical Series That Could Change Everything

What if the voice keeping you alive couldn't be trusted? In this special episode of The Successful Screenwriter, Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with Assistant Director Kr

Jun 7
44 min

Ep 312 - Hollywood Is Changing Faster Than Most Writers Realize

Hollywood is in the middle of a major shift, and many writers may not realize how quickly the rules are changing. In this episode, Geoffrey and Kristy explore the success

Jun 1
23 min

Ep 311 - Why Fan Service Is Killing Movies

In this episode, Geoffrey and Kristy lighten things up after a heavy week and dive into what’s happening in movies right now. From walking out of Super Mario Bros 2 to br

Apr 13
28 min

Ep 310 - I Was Hospitalized for Suicide (No One Talks About This)

Listener discretion is advised. Episode contains discussion of mental health and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. Call or t

Mar 23
15 min

Ep 309 – Vertical Series Are Changing Indie Filmmaking

Geoffrey D. Calhoun and Kristy Leigh return from a short hiatus with exciting news: they’re officially launching their new vertical series. In this episode, they discuss

Mar 9
29 min

Ep 308 - How YouTubers Are Replacing Movie Stars

In Episode 308, Geoffrey D. Calhoun and co-host Kristy Leigh Lussier dig into one of the biggest shifts happening in film right now: the rise of YouTubers as box office d

Feb 9
28 min

Ep 307 - Is Story Dead? What Five Nights at Freddy’s Says About Hollywood

In this episode, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is joined by co-host Kristy Leigh to unpack what Five Nights at Freddy’s 1 & 2 reveal about the current state of Hollywood storytelli

Jan 26
23 min

Ep 306 - Why Rewriting Too Early Kills Your Script

In Episode 306, Geoffrey D. Calhoun and Kristy Leigh Lussier kick things off with a passionate recommendation for the absurd, whimsical thriller-comedy Dust Bunny, then p

Jan 19
25 min

Ep 305 - Should You Take Writing Jobs You Don’t Care About?

In Episode 305 Geoffrey D. Calhoun is joined by Kristy Leigh Lussier for a wide-ranging conversation about storytelling, tone, franchise arcs, and industry realities, and

Jan 12
25 min

Ep 304 - What Algorithms Mean for Screenwriters in 2026

In Episode 304, Geoffrey D. Calhoun and co-host Kristy Leigh kick off the new year with a wide-ranging conversation about endings, franchises, and the evolving business s

Jan 5
23 min

Ep 303 - Why Empathy is the Real Screenwriting Superpower

Episode 303 is a packed Q&A with Geoffrey D. Calhoun and co-host Kristy Leigh, kicking off with holiday movie talk, a Star Wars tactical jacket upgrade, and why screenwri

Dec 29 2025
39 min

Ep 302 - Are Streamers Making Writers Dumb Down Their Scripts?

In Episode 302, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is joined once again by Kristy Leigh Lussier for a wide-ranging, candid conversation that blends film breakdowns, screenwriting craft,

Dec 22 2025
29 min

Ep 301 - Netflix vs. Warner Bros: What This Means for Screenwriters

In this solo episode of The Successful Screenwriter, Geoffrey D. Calhoun breaks down the shocking acquisition bids involving Netflix, Warner Bros., and Paramount and expl

Dec 15 2025
13 min

Ep 300 - How to Fix a Boring Act 2

We are celebrating our big 300th episode with in depth craft talk and our giveaway.  Kristy breaks down seeing Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 in a packed theater, what real fa

Dec 8 2025
29 min

Chart trend

Position in the Film Interviews chart (US), last 90 days.

#33
all-time peak
44
days in the top 50 since Nov 2024

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#149 ▼ 25 Film Interviews US

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