The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun: Screenwriting Podcast

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 what it’s like to move from talking about filmmaking to actually producing a project together, including casting, crew building, and preparing for production. They also dive into a major industry shakeup involving the rumored Paramount and Warner Bros. consolidation, what it could mean for creators, and why the rise of vertical storytelling platforms may open new doors for independent filmmakers and screenwriters.

Plus, Geoffrey and Kristy answer listener questions about writer’s block, creative doubt, genre preferences, writing habits, and surprising books that deserve film adaptations. If you're a screenwriter navigating the changing entertainment landscape, this conversation is packed with insight and perspective.

What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy vertical series may become a major opportunity for indie filmmakers
The difference between talking about filmmaking and actually producing a project
How to break through writer’s block and restart creative momentum
Why self-doubt is normal for writers at every level of their career
How major media mergers could reshape the future of film and television
The value of writing habits and routines for maintaining productivity
Key Moments

00:20 – Geoffrey and Kristy return from hiatus and tease their new vertical series
02:05 – The origin of Elsy and why Geoffrey revived the script now
03:46 – The rumored vertical storytelling platforms for indie filmmakers
12:55 – Breaking through writer’s block and finding creative flow
19:20 – Should writers focus on one project or juggle multiple scripts?
22:33 – Dealing with doubt as a screenwriter
26:29 – Writing nonfiction stories and handling sensitive personal material

About the Cohost
Kristy Leigh Lussier is a screenwriter, filmmaker, and creative collaborator who works across multiple genres including horror and drama. She has experience in independent film production, writing, and on-set collaboration, and regularly shares insights into the filmmaking process with the screenwriting community.

About the Host
With films on network television, streaming platforms, and in theaters, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and a passionate mentor in the industry. He hosts The Successful Screenwriter podcast to empower writers and filmmakers at every level.

Resources Mentioned in the EpisodeVertical storytelling platforms and mobile-first content
HBO series Primal
Connect with Kristy Leigh Lussier

Instagram: @kantoka
Watch Kristy’s vertical drama: The Witch Wolf's Mate

Connect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun
Website: thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/screenwriterpod
YouTube: @thesuccessfulscreenwriter

#ScreenwritingPodcast
#ScreenwritingTips
#VerticalSeries
#Filmmaking
#IndieFilmmaker
#Scriptwriting
#TheSuccessfulScreenwriter
#WritingCommunity

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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 draws. Using Iron Lung as a case study, they unpack how creator-driven films are outperforming studio releases, why Hollywood is resisting transparency around indie success, and what this power shift means for filmmakers. They also tackle persistent screenwriting myths about page numbers and beat timing, break down writer’s block from a neurological perspective, and have a candid conversation about how AI should and should not be used in the writing process.

What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy YouTubers are now the real box office stars
How Iron Lung succeeded as a low-budget, single-location indie
The truth about page numbers, beat sheets, and rigid structure rules
Why writer’s block is often a physical response, not a creative failure
How AI can support writers without replacing them
Key Moments00:20 – Seeing Iron Lung and why it works as contained horror
02:25 – Why studios won’t release indie box office numbers
04:22 – YouTubers as the new movie stars and marketing engines
10:16 – The myth of hitting exact beats on exact page numbers
22:23 – How AI should be used to help writers, not replace them
About the Cohost
Kristy Leigh Lussier is a filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter working in today’s independent film space. She brings a grounded, real-world perspective to writing craft, production realities, and industry shifts, especially where new media and traditional filmmaking collide.

About the Host
With films on network television, streaming platforms, and in theaters, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and a passionate mentor in the industry. He hosts The Successful Screenwriter podcast to empower writers and filmmakers at every level.

Resources Mentioned in the EpisodeIron Lung
Markiplier
Five Nights at Freddy’s
Snowpiercer
The Guide for Every Screenwriter
Screenplay
Story
The Writer’s Journey
Connect with KristyInstagram: @kantoka127
Vertical Drama: The Witch Wolf’s Mate
Connect with Geoffrey D. CalhounWebsite: thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com
Instagram: @screenwriterpod
YouTube: @thesuccessfulscreenwriter
#ScreenwritingPodcast #IndieFilm #IronLung #YouTubersInFilm #FilmIndustry #WriterLife #ScreenwritingAdvice #Filmmaking

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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 storytelling. What happens when IP, fan service, and box office data matter more than narrative coherence? Is this the future of studio filmmaking, and if so, where does that leave screenwriters who still care about story? The conversation expands into the larger industry landscape, including Netflix’s dominance, data-driven decision making, the Stranger Things finale controversy, and what writers should realistically prepare for moving forward.

What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 abandons traditional storytelling in favor of fan service
How studios are prioritizing IP and data over narrative cohesion
The difference between box office success and storytelling success
Why the Stranger Things finale struggled and what writers can learn from it
Practical advice for new writers developing loglines and short stories
Where story-driven filmmakers still fit in today’s industry
Key Moments00:25 – Geoffrey watches Five Nights at Freddy’s and immediately senses something is off
03:00 – Kristy explains how fan service overtook story in the sequel
07:00 – Geoffrey breaks down why the sequel has no clear plot or rules
09:45 – Is Hollywood splitting into data-driven content vs story-driven films?
15:00 – Why the Stranger Things finale failed structurally
17:40 – Advice for writers handwriting drafts vs typing
19:00 – How to turn loglines and short stories into real screenplays
About the Guest
Kristy Leigh Lussier is a producer, filmmaker, and longtime co-host of The Successful Screenwriter. She brings a grounded, industry-aware perspective to conversations about storytelling, IP adaptations, and the shifting realities of modern filmmaking.

About the Host
With films on network television, streaming platforms, and in theaters, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and a passionate mentor in the industry. He hosts The Successful Screenwriter podcast to empower writers and filmmakers at every level.

Resources Mentioned in the EpisodeFive Nights at Freddy’s (Film Franchise)
Netflix industry data and subscriber growth
Stranger Things behind-the-scenes documentary
A24 and Neon as story-first distributors
Connect with KristyInstagram: @kantoka127
Vertical Drama: The Witch Wolf’s Mate
Connect with Geoffrey D. CalhounWebsite: thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com
Instagram: @screenwriterpod
YouTube: @thesuccessfulscreenwriter
#Screenwriting #FilmIndustry #HollywoodTrends #StoryStructure #ScreenwritersLife #PodcastForWriters

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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 pivot into what writers are feeling right now in the marketplace. They talk about how distributors are shifting toward data-driven “checkbox” content, why star power is not the safety net it used to be, and what that means for screenwriters trying to break in consistently. Then they get into some industry tea, including the rumors swirling around Stranger Things Season 5 and AI, and zoom out into a practical craft debate: is a “vomit draft” (or as a listener calls it, “Draft Zero”) actually the best path to finishing scripts and getting to the rewrite where the real work happens. The episode wraps with audience questions about getting a manager and what to do if you can see scenes in your head but struggle to get them onto the page.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Why finishing a rough first draft is often the fastest path to a strong script
What distributors and streamers want right now, and why it is increasingly data-driven
How to think about concept clarity and producibility without losing your voice
Practical ways to network with managers that do not feel transactional
A simple mindset shift that keeps you from rewriting the first 20 pages forever
Key Moments
00:18 Dust Bunny: why Geoffrey calls it a rare “whimsical absurd” gem
02:00 Visual subtext and symbolism in Dust Bunny, plus the “unreliable narrator” question
05:13 AFM market shift: why actor names are not carrying films like they used to
10:01 Stranger Things Season 5 AI rumors and the spectrum of AI use in writing
15:45 “Bad advice” spotlight: why the vomit draft (Draft Zero) still matters
About the Cohost
Kristy Leigh Lussier is Geoffrey’s longtime co-host and a sharp voice on screenwriting craft, industry trends, and the reality of building a writing career one draft at a time.

About the Host
With films on network television, streaming platforms, and in theaters, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and a passionate mentor in the industry. He hosts The Successful Screenwriter podcast to empower writers and filmmakers at every level.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode
Dust Bunny (rented on Amazon Prime)
Brian Fuller (discussion of his work including Pushing Daisies and Hannibal)
Big Eyes (referenced as an example tied to credit and authorship)
Draft Zero (listener Gary Thomas’s preferred term for the “vomit draft”)
Geoffrey’s book: The Guide for Every Screenwriter
Connect with Kristy
Instagram:@kantoka127
Vertical drama: The Witch Wolfs Mate
Connect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun
Website:thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com
Instagram: @screenwriterpod
YouTube: @thesuccessfulscreenwriter
#screenwriting #screenwriter #writingcommunity #screenwritingtips #screenwritinglife #filmmaking #filmindustry #writingprocess #firstdraft #rewrite Tags 

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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 taking a gig you don't love. From horror movies about rabid chimpanzees to why darker sequels often resonate more deeply, this episode blends craft analysis, industry news, and practical screenwriting advice straight from the trenches.

What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy tonal shifts in sequels can strengthen a franchise
What Wicked: Part Two gets right that surprises non-musical fans
The storytelling mistake that doomed the 2011 Conan the Barbarian remake
How long-form character arcs deepen emotional investment
Practical answers to audience screenwriting questions about dialogue, pitching, and career choices
Key Moments00:00–03:30 – Reviewing Wicked: Part Two and the power of darker second acts
05:00–07:30 – Franchise arcs and why Harry Potter matures with its audience
08:20–10:30 – The original vs. remake debate: Conan the Barbarian vs. the 2011 reboot
10:45–12:30 – Industry Snapshot: MTV officially exits the music-video era
14:20–18:20 – Listener Q&A: multilingual dialogue and writing outside your favorite genre
19:30–22:40 – What actually happens after a successful pitch and why lawyers matter
About the Guest
Kristy Leigh Lussier is a producer, writer, and script consultant known for her sharp story instincts and deep understanding of character-driven storytelling. She brings thoughtful insight into franchise structure, tonal control, and navigating the industry with clarity.

About the Host
With films on network television, streaming platforms, and in theaters, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and a passionate mentor in the industry. He hosts The Successful Screenwriter podcast to empower writers and filmmakers at every level.

Resources Mentioned in the EpisodeThe Successful Screenwriter Membership (TV pilot course)
Entertainment lawyers and contract basics for writers
Franchise case studies: Harry Potter, Wicked, Conan the Barbarian
Connect with KristyInstagram: @kantoka127
Vertical Drama: The Witch Wolf’s Mate
Connect with Geoffrey D. CalhounWebsite: thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com
Instagram: screenwriterpod
YouTube: @thesuccessfulscreenwriter
#TheSuccessfulScreenwriter #ScreenwritingPodcast #FilmIndustry #StoryStructure #TVWriting #ScreenwriterLife #FilmAnalysis

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If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe. Share it with a fellow screenwriter who’d find it valuable!