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Blacklisted

Blacklisted
Author: Chris Hill
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© Chris Hill
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Blacklisted is a podcast where we delve into the minds of the talented writers who have been featured on the annual Black List - a prestigious list of the best unproduced scripts in Hollywood, as voted on by industry professionals.
Each episode, we talk to a screenwriter about their first screenplay that placed on the coveted list; the journey it took to get there, and the subsequent impact the achievement had on their career.
Each episode, we talk to a screenwriter about their first screenplay that placed on the coveted list; the journey it took to get there, and the subsequent impact the achievement had on their career.
27 Episodes
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Hit the link here for 10% off Story and Plot's pro digital screenwriting courses, MASTERING STRUCTURE and IDEA TO OUTLINE.There you can sign up for Tom's weekly newsletter - it's a free screenwriting lesson in your inbox every Tuesday morning.It's also where you can find his FREE email course, SCREENWRITING FOR BEGINNERS, for those at the beginning of their journey.Discover why 90% of screenplay sales hinge on two crucial elements - and it's not what most writers think. Professional screenwriter Tom Vaughan exposes the industry's best-kept structural secrets, including the game-changing 8-sequence method that outperforms traditional 3-act structure. Learn why the story-vs-plot distinction separates amateur scripts from professional ones, and discover how proper structure actually unleashes creativity instead of constraining it.Tom Vaughan has written screenplays professionally for 28 years and taught the subject for 22.He has written for, among others, Phoenix Pictures, TNT, MTV Films, Castle Rock Entertainment, ABC, NBC, CBS, Warner Brothers, Sony Pictures, Disney, and others. He has also developed screenplays for Matthew McConaughey, Nicolas Cage, Barry Sonnenfeld, Chow-Yun Fat, Ruben Fleischer, David Gordon Green, and many more.WINCHESTER, the film he co-wrote starring Helen Mirren and Sarah Snook, about the infamous Winchester Mystery House, opened nationwide in 2018 and his eighth film, THE HAUNTING OF THE QUEEN MARY was released in 2023.One of his big life goals was to teach screenwriting at my beloved alma mater, The University of Houston.Which he now does.Check out the video of this interview on our new YouTube Channel.Useful links:Michael Arndt's incredible screenwriting videosTrailer to Tom's recent film, WINCHESTERInterview with playwright Edward Albee - Tom's teacher
In our season two finale, we speak to screenwriter Justin Kremer, who made history as the first writer to be signed via The Black List website just six weeks after its launch. Six weeks later, he landed on the annual Black List for his historical political biopic McCarthy, which chronicles the rise and fall of 1950s Senator Joseph R. McCarthy. The script explores McCarthy's tenure as the most visible face of Cold War-era fears about communist subversion in America, culminating in the televised Army-McCarthy hearings of spring 1954, where the senator's claims of communist infiltration in the U.S. Army ultimately led to his downfall.Guest: Justin Kremer on Instagram, Letterboxd and XHost: Chris Hill on Instagram and BlueSkyVisit storyandplot.com/blacklisted for a 10% discount on Tom Vaughan's fantastic screenwriting courses.Useful links:Wall Street Journal ArticleInterview w/The Bitter Script ReaderBlack List Blog - Go Into The Story InterviewDeadline Article on First Website Discovery
This week on Blacklisted, we sit down with screenwriter Shea Mayo to dive into the bloody good journey of their spec script Crush on You - a love letter to '80s slasher films and ‘90s teen horror that caught Hollywood's attention and landed on the prestigious Black List in 2020. Mayo breaks down how she channeled the iconic terror of Nightmare on Elm Street and other genre classics into a fresh, contemporary horror story.Whether you're a screenwriter looking to break through, a horror fan curious about the genre's evolution, or just want to know what it takes to get Sydney Sweeney's attention, this episode delivers the goods. Plus, we'll discuss why the '80s slasher aesthetic continues to captivate modern audiences and how to write horror that bleeds off the page.Guest: Shea Mayo on InstagramHost: Chris Hill on Instagram and BlueSkyVisit storyandplot.com/blacklisted for a 10% discount on Tom Vaughan's fantastic screenwriting courses.
Today we're talking with Colin Bannon, a screenwriter who's made the prestigious Black List a record seven times with his genre-bending thrillers and survival horror scripts. We're diving into his breakthrough screenplay "The Interventionist," which landed on the 2018 Black List and follows a drug-addicted interventionist trying to help his own daughter, only to discover something far more sinister than addiction lurking beneath the surface. Guest: Colin Bannon on InstagramHost: Chris Hill on Instagram and BlueSkyVisit storyandplot.com/blacklisted for a 10% discount on Tom Vaughan's fantastic screenwriting courses.Useful links:'Long Lost' - Short Story Sale'Don't Look' - Short Story SaleTriStar Lands 'Ultra' - Survival Thriller SpecNetflix wins 'First Ascent'
Multi-hyphenate talent Leah McKendrick joins us to dive deep into her romantic comedy screenplay Voicemails for Isabelle, which earned a coveted spot on the 2019 Black List. Now McKendrick is bringing her vision to life as the film's director, with Netflix set to release the project featuring Nick Robinson and Zoey Deutch in the leading roles.Guest: Leah McKendrick on X and InstagramHost: Chris Hill on Instagram and BlueSkyVisit storyandplot.com/blacklisted for a 10% discount on Tom Vaughan's fantastic screenwriting courses.Useful links:Original Director (as discussed) - Deadline Netflix Announcement - Leah now at the helm - DeadlineUniversal Monster Movie - DeadlineVoicemails for Isabelle - Scriptshadow ReviewLeah McKendrick - Scriptshadow InterviewScrambled Interview - Script Magazine
In the sixth episode of season two, we're joined by writer David Lee Williams (or is it Hawk?) to discuss his 2022 Black List script Clementine — a high-octane thriller with the real-time propulsion of Run Lola Run, fueled by the visceral maternal energy of J.Lo's The Mother. Guest: David L Williams on X and InstagramHost: Chris Hill on Instagram and BlueSkyVisit storyandplot.com/blacklisted for a 10% discount on Tom Vaughan's fantastic screenwriting courses.Useful links:'Forever Purge' Director to Helm Thriller 'Clementine'Deadline Article on Director AttachmentScriptshadow - 'Clementine' Review and InterviewGo Into The Story - David L Williams Interview w/Scott Myers
In the fifth episode of season two, we're joined by actor, writer and human rights activist, Alyssa Ross to talk about her Michael Phelps biopic, Resurfaced, which featured on the 2022 Black List.Guest: Alyssa Ross on X and Instagram Host: Chris Hill on Instagram and BlueSkyVisit storyandplot.com/blacklisted for a 10% discount on Tom Vaughan's fantastic screenwriting courses.Useful links:TV Pilot Trailer - The HumanitariansAlyssa's Website Mentioned Article about Resurfaced on SwimSwam
In our fourth episode of season two, we're joined by spec king, Dan Kunka to discuss his 2014 Black List script, Yellowstone Falls - a 52-page script with minimal dialogue and few human characters. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where a catastrophic event has stripped the humanity from most survivors, leaving them as mutated threats. At its core, it's the story of a mother wolf who becomes separated from her mate when their pack flees to safety. Now alone, she must defend her cubs from an oncoming swarm of these dehumanized creatures.Guest: Dan Kunka on X, Instagram and BlueSkyHost: Chris Hill on Instagram and BlueSkyVisit storyandplot.com/blacklisted for a 10% discount on Tom Vaughan's fantastic screenwriting courses.Useful links:Deadline - QED buys 'Yellowstone Falls'Deadline - 'Lift' Spec Sale Final Draft - Spec Spotlight: LiftCreative Screenwriting - Interview
In the third episode of season two, we're joined by former journalist Anna Klassen (Newsweek, The Daily Beast, BuzzFeed) to discuss her 2017 Black List script When Lightning Strikes — a coming-of-age story exploring the early life of J.K. Rowling, the novelist who conjured the magical world of Harry Potter.Guest: Anna Klassen on X, Instagram and BlueSkyHost: Chris Hill on Instagram and BlueSkyVisit storyandplot.com/blacklisted for a 10% discount on Tom Vaughan's fantastic screenwriting courses.Useful links:Final Draft - How Anna Klassen Turned Competition Wins into a Thriving CareerCanvas Rebel - Meet Anna KlassenThe Cosmophage - Anna KlassenThe Script Lab - InterviewInto The Script - Taking The Industry By Storm: An Interview with Screenwriter Anna KlassenShoutout LA - Meet Anna Klassen | Screenwriter
In our second episode of season two, we welcome Travis Braun to the podcast to discuss his 2022 Black List script, Dying For You. Travis made Black List history in December 2024, by becoming the first writer to top the list twice - and if that wasn't enough, he did it in successive years! Well done, TB.Guest: Travis Braun on InstagramHost: Chris Hill on Instagram and BlueSkyVisit storyandplot.com/blacklisted for a 10% discount on Tom Vaughan's fantastic screenwriting courses.Useful links:Deadline - Travis Braun and Black List make historyDeadline - 'One Night Only' sells to UniversalDeadline - 'Bad Boy' package taken to EFM
In our Season 2 premiere, we welcome Elyse Hollander to discuss her 2016 Black List-topping script Blonde Ambition—a Madonna biopic chronicling the pop icon's rise through the sexism-fueled music industry of the early 1980s. After selling to Universal with Michael De Luca producing, the project sparked massive controversy when Madonna herself took to social media to publicly denounce it. For the first time, Elyse opens up about the media firestorm, the personal toll of being targeted by one of the world's biggest stars, and what it's really like when your breakthrough script becomes a lightning rod for public debate.Guest: Elyse Hollander on InstagramHost: Chris Hill on Instagram and BlueSkyVisit storyandplot.com/blacklisted for a 10% discount on Tom Vaughan's fantastic screenwriting courses.Useful links:New York Times article on Madonna criticism BBC fact-check Elyse's screenplayTHR article on Madonna controversyDeadline article on Madonna reactionPeople - 'Madonna to write and direct her own biopic'Madonna's Netflix limited series announcementMaybe kindly buy our host a coffeeFollow us on BlueSky and InstagramEmail us @ theblacklisted.pod@gmail.comSign up for our Newsletter
Happy New Year! Let us be the first to welcome you to 2025!
Today we bring you a special - surprise - episode with screenwriting career coach, Lee Jessup.
May Lee provide you with inspiration to kickstart the new year as you stare at that fresh blank page - full of potential.
Take a Deeper Dive:
The script consultant that both our host and Crosby Selander have employed is Andrew Hilton who goes by the pseudonym:The Screenplay Mechanic.
His services can be accessed here.
Competition details for Script Pipeline can be found here.
Lee Jessup recently hosted the Final Draft Write On podcast, discussing the state of the industry for screenwriters with Bellevue manager, Jeff Portnoy.
Listen to the packed episode here.
Guest: Lee Jessup on Instagram and X
Host: Chris Hill on Instagram, X and BSky
If you can stretch to it, maybe kindly tip your host with a coffee
Follow us on X, Instagram and BSky
Email us @ theblacklisted.pod@gmail.com
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In our final bonus episode with lit managers of season one, we speak with producer Kate Sharp of Bellevue Productions.
Kate is the lit manager of season one guests: Alexandra Tran and Jessica Welsh.
Take a Deeper Dive:
Interesting article about the curious case of copyright as it applies to Frank Capra's It's A Wonderful Life - here.
The script we talk about that sold for $2M to MGM Amazon Studios was a spec by Nyad scribe, Julia Cox. Article link here.
After Kate and I spoke, another spec hit the market (Alignment) about the travails of AI - this time from an unknown, unrepped screenwriter - and sold for $1.25M (against $3.25M) to Fifth Season. Link to that story here.
Guest: Kate Sharp on Instagram
Host: Chris Hill on Instagram, X and BSky
If you can make the stretch, maybe kindly tip your host with a coffee
Follow us on X, Instagram and BSky
Email us @ theblacklisted.pod@gmail.com
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In our third of four bonus episodes with lit managers, we speak with genre aficionado Matthew Dartnell of Writ Large.
Matt is the lit manager of season one guest: Austin Everett.
Guest: Matt Dartnell on Instagram
Host: Chris Hill on Instagram, X and BSky
If you can, maybe kindly tip your host with a coffee
Follow us on X, Instagram and BSky
Email us @ theblacklisted.pod@gmail.com
Sign up for our Newsletter
In our first bonus episode, we speak with John Zaozirny - the founder and head of Bellevue Productions.John is the literary manager of season one guests: Ian Shorr, Kevin Sheridan and Sophia Lopez.Guest: John Zaozirny on XHost: Chris Hill on Instagram and XIf you can, maybe kindly tip your host with a coffeeFollow us on X and InstagramEmail us @ theblacklisted.pod@gmail.comSign up for our Newsletter
In our final episode of season one, we welcome Austin Everett to the pod to discuss his 2019 Black List adaptation of the 'grounded' sci-fi novel, The Traveler.
Guest: Austin Everett on Instagram
Based on the novella written by Joseph Eckert
'Impressive' Scriptshadow Review for The Traveler
Host: Chris Hill on Instagram and X
Season Sponsors:
Scrivener - Download the Outliner here
Final Draft - Upgrade to Version 13 here
Download Full Version here
For Exclusive, Ad-Free Episodes, join us on Patreon
Or, maybe kindly buy our host a coffee
Follow us on X and Instagram
Email us @ theblacklisted.pod@gmail.com
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In the penultimate episode of our first season, we welcome Jessica Welsh to the show to discuss her 2021 Black List Shania Twain music biopic, SHANIA!
Guest: Jessica Welsh on Instagram
Princeton Alumni Piece on Jessica
Host: Chris Hill on Instagram and X
Season Sponsors:
Scrivener - Download the Outliner here
Final Draft - Upgrade to Version 13 here
Download Full Version here
For Exclusive, Ad-Free Episodes, join us on Patreon
Or, maybe kindly buy our host a coffee
Follow us on X and Instagram
Email us @ theblacklisted.pod@gmail.com
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In our eighth episode, we welcome Pete Bridges to the show to discuss his 2015 Black List survivalist spec, Resurface.
Guest: Pete Bridges on X
Pete's Shark Horror Feature 'Deep Water' Wraps
Spielberg's Amblin Lands Alien Invasion Spec
Host: Chris Hill on Instagram and X
Season Sponsors:
Scrivener - Download the Outliner here
Final Draft - Upgrade to Version 13 here
Download Full Version here
For Exclusive, Ad-Free Episodes, join us on Patreon
Or, maybe kindly buy our host a coffee
Follow us on X and Instagram
Email us @ theblacklisted.pod@gmail.com
Sign up for our Newsletter
In our seventh episode, we welcome writer-director Noga Pnueli to the show to discuss her 2018 Black List script, Meet Cute.
Guest: Noga Pnueli on X
Trailer for Noga's sci-fi dark comedy, Barbara (2022) starring Sophia Bush
Trailer for Meet Cute (2022) on Peacock
Noga's short film for The Black List in 2018, The Last Days of TJ Staggs, starring Paul Sheer
Cool article on Noga's writing set-up
Host: Chris Hill on Instagram and X
Season Sponsors:
Scrivener - Download the Outliner here
Final Draft - Upgrade to Version 13 here
Download Full Version here
For Exclusive, Ad-Free Episodes, join us on Patreon
Or, maybe kindly buy our host a coffee
Follow us on X and Instagram
Email us @ theblacklisted.pod@gmail.com
Sign up for our Newsletter
In our sixth episode of this inaugural season, we welcome Ian Shorr to the show to discuss his 2011 Black List script, Cristo - which takes Alexandre Dumas’ classic adventure novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, into a futuristic setting.
Guest: Ian Shorr on Instagram and X
Cristo sold to Warner Bros. in June of that year.
Trailer for Ian's first produced credit, Infinite (2021)
Host: Chris Hill on Instagram and X
Season Sponsors:
Scrivener - Download the Outliner here
Final Draft - Upgrade to Version 13 here
Download Full Version here
For Exclusive, Ad-Free Episodes, join us on Patreon
Or, maybe kindly buy our host a coffee
Follow us on X and Instagram
Email us @ theblacklisted.pod@gmail.com
Sign up for our Newsletter
Excellent and insightful podcast into the world of screenwriting. Great host and fascinating interviews. Highly recommend.