The Writers Hangout

The Poltergeist Curse: Fact, Fiction, or Freaky Coincidence?Rewind Episode: Was Poltergeist really cursed? Or is Hollywood's most infamous horror legend simply a series of tragic coincidences? In this spine-chilling episode of The Writers Hangout, Sandy and Terry revisit Poltergeist, one of America's most beloved horror films, and explore the eerie stories, mysterious deaths, and strange on-set happenings that have haunted the movie's legacy for decades. Released by MGM on June 4, 1982, and w...

What makes a screenplay truly unforgettable? Is it the plot, the dialogue, or the relationships that keep audiences emotionally invested until the very last scene? In Part Two of our conversation with Michael Weiss, author of Beyond the Hero: Relationship-Driven Screenwriting and the Secret to Hollywood's Greatest Scripts, we dive deeper into the art of storytelling and discover how focusing on relationships can transform an ordinary screenplay into something extraordinary. Using examples fro...

What if the secret to writing a great screenplay isn't your hero's journey, but the relationship that drives the story? This week on The Writers Hangout, Sandy welcomes screenwriter, author, and award-winning instructor Michael Weiss for a fascinating conversation that just might change the way you approach your next screenplay. Michael's screenwriting credits include Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Scorpion King 2, Jarhead 2, and The Butterfly Effect 3. He's also taught screenwriting...

Grab a blanket, pour something warm, and settle in! This week, The Writers Hangout revisits a favorite episode, celebrating five wonderfully cozy fall films: Stepmom, The Family Stone, Mystic Pizza, When Harry Met Sally, and Baby Boom. From Nora Ephron dialogue and Julia Roberts in Central Park to Diane Keaton in Vermont, we’re talking great writing, memorable performances, gorgeous fall foliage, oversized sweaters, and plenty of movie nostalgia. Plus, Sandy reveals which films earn the covet...

What does it take to turn a screenplay into a terrifying feature film? On this episode of The Writers Hangout, host Sandy welcomes Daniel Byers, writer and director of Dark Hollow, an independent folk-horror film that blends Appalachian folklore, practical creature effects, and a chilling story rooted in the region’s coal-mining history. Daniel’s screenplay, originally titled Paradise, won the Jury Award at the 2023 Austin Film Festival, helping launch the film’s journey to production and dis...