The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun: Screenwriting Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

Ep 299 - How to Survive Indie Filmmaking Without Burning Out

In this episode, filmmaker Jesse McAnally joins Geoffrey to break down the real process of making an indie feature from scratch. Jesse shares how he developed The Daughte

Ep 298 - Are You Letting Bad Advice Shape Your Script?

Geoffrey and Kristy tackle some of the worst “rules” floating around screenwriting circles. They break down why advice like “the audience must always be ahead of your cha

Ep 297 - Do You Really Need To State Your Theme?

In episode 297, Geoffrey and Kristy go live to talk remakes, theme, and the realities of writing inside a studio system. They compare the new Running Man to the Arnold cl