ScriptBlast Screenwriting Podcast

All writers understand the ups and downs of the journey - the constant struggles with rejection, procrastination, and self-doubt. Today's discussion is pulled from one of our weekly Zoom calls in the ScriptBlast Members Online Community. I'm joined by ScriptBlast Members MK McFadden, Jay Kottaram, and Larry Guzman as we walk through a series of affirmations, exercises and group discussion around rebooting our mindset. We spend the first half of the episode focusing on the positive and the second half learning how to reframe the negative in a positive light. The more we focus on the positive, the more we attract positive things, so come ready to take some notes and play along at home!  If you're interested in joining us for a future zoom call, check out ScriptBlast Members.  You'll find a ton of amazing resources, online courses, and an inspiring community to help you write more consistently.  Try it free for a week at Members.ScriptBlast.com. I have a brand new book out! Writing Unforgettable Characters: How to Write a Character-Driven Screenplay that Connects Emotionally with your Audience is now available on Amazon. For all of you writers who struggle with writing compelling, driven characters, this book will help you diagnose where you've gone wrong and help you write stories that are more personal and emotional. And the best part is Writing Unforgettable Characters is only $7.99 on Amazon right now.

There's something unique about the genre of science fiction: it opens doors to telling more truthful stories and tackling difficult topics. In this episode, Hudson talks with brothers Tony and Ryan Smith, a writing-directing duo based in Vancouver, BA. The Smith Brothers talk about their recent film, Volition, and the deeper themes of identity and fate. Authenticity is the key to telling truthful stories and your voice has a power unlike any other. By learning how to tap into it, the road begins to pave itself. For more about the Smith Brothers and Volition: http://volitionthemovie.com/  Join our private online community at Members.ScriptBlast.com

Profound Clarke is a musician, screenwriter, and founder of Storyteller Session -- a weekly live table read event that pairs writers with professional actors so they can hear their work read out loud and get better feedback on their scripts. In this episode, we discuss introverts, how collaboration gets the best out of us, and why table reads are better than paying for feedback. Want to tell a story? Submit your script to: thestorytellersession@gmail.com If you feel stuck in your writing or productivity but are fed up with the ads, algorithms, and a-holes of online screenwriting communities, we've launched a brand new private community for writers of all experience-levels called ScriptBlast Members. Try it free for a week at Members.ScriptBlast.com. This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

What if we told you the key to making your movie was in your hands? It all starts with thinking outside of the box. In this episode, Hudson interviews writer, director, and distribution consultant Liz Manashil about the ins and outs of the indie film industry, where all directors struggle, and the pros and cons of self-distribution. Liz is the writer and director of the feature films Bread and Butter and Speed of Life, former manager of Sundance's Creative Distribution Initiative and co-founder of the brand new indie film program, Constellation Incubator. She is also the co-host of hit podcast Making Movies Is Hard!!!  Today we'll learn: - the secret to a successful shoot - the "wholesale" method of filmmaking - how to tailor production to your needs The deadline to submit your work to the Constellation Incubator is April 15th. For more info, go to www.filmfreeway.com/ConstellationIncubator.  Ready to take your screenwriting career to the next level? Check out ScriptBlast Members, our online productivity and accountability community to help you finish more scripts faster, upgrade your network, and turn your hobby into a career. Join today at Members.ScriptBlast.com to get your first week free!

Longevity. Sometimes we’re so excited to jump into our dreams that we don’t ever consider the steps we need to take to sustain our flow. How do we stay relevant? Happy? Excited about what we do? In this episode – taken straight from our ScriptBlast Members Group -- Hudson interviews Bob Tzudiker. All the films you grew up loving in the 90s wouldn’t have come to life without the creative eye of Bob and his writing partner, Noni White. After the success of Newsies – yes, THAT Newsies – Bob’s vision garnered him work with Disney as a writer for films like The Lion King, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Tarzan. Hop on in and follow Bob on his journey from acting to writing to teaching and how he’s found happiness and satisfaction through the rollercoaster of the industry. Today, we’ll learn:  - how to tolerate the ups and downs of a writing career  - balancing relationships  - the main secret to a long and exciting career --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you want an opportunity to join us for more calls like this, we’ve launched ScriptBlast Members, a private writing community for all writers, no matter what your level of experience is. Ask your questions, share with others, and get feedback in a supportive environment, free of toxicity. Try it free for a week at Members.ScriptBlast.com  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

One of the biggest struggles every writer faces is choosing what medium to work in. Well, what if we told you that you could do it all?  In this episode, Hudson talks with David Accampo on how his childhood love for superheroes turned into a successful career that branched into five different mediums – comics and graphic novels, films, games, short stories, and an audio drama. David’s writing journey allowed him to connect the dots and knit together all of his passions in a way that allows him to tell his truth, no matter the outlet. Today, he’ll answer your questions: -        What medium is best for writing my story? -        What if I can’t afford a collaborator? -        How do I tell relatable stories through fiction? -        And so much more! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you feel stuck in your writing or productivity but are fed up with the ads, algorithms, and a-holes of online screenwriting communities, we've launched a brand new private community for writers of all experience-levels called ScriptBlast Members. Try it free for a week at Members.ScriptBlast.com This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

“I always thought that artists should struggle, but I don't think that you have to suffer.”  In this episode, Hudson talks with Michelle Leibel on her journey from PA to a staff writer on ABC’s “A Million Little Things” and how the most unsuspecting events can sometimes put us right where we’ve always wanted to be. Through her stories, you’ll learn the power of honesty in helping you get your foot in the door, establishing and maintaining professional relationships, and which positions you want to shoot for in order to work your way up to a writers’ room. -- If you feel stuck in your writing or productivity but are fed up with the ads, algorithms, and a-holes of online screenwriting communities, we've launched a brand new private community for writers of all experience-levels called ScriptBlast Members. Try it free for a week at Members.ScriptBlast.com This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Have you been bitten by the filmmaking bug but find yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere thousands of miles from the industry? It is possible to do what you love every day and make a living off of it.  In this episode, Hudson talks with Luke Pilgrim and Brad Kennedy of Sozo Bear Films about their filmmaking journey. You'll learn: how to make genre film on a low budget without sacrificing quality how to use film school to your advantage how and why to find a filmmaking partner how to knock self-promotion out of the park -- Ready to take your screenwriting career to the next level? Check out ScriptBlast Members: an online productivity and accountability community to help you finish more scripts faster, upgrade your network, and turn your hobby into a career.

Do you have a personal story that you want to get out into the world? What if you could make EVERY script you write more personal?  In this episode, Hudson talks with writer / director / producer / actor Victoria Negri about the process of bringing her brilliant, beautiful, and very personal debut film, GOLD STAR, to life. You'll learn: how to explore your personal struggles through writing and filmmaking. the importance of finding your tribe. tips on networking for introverts. practical advice for making your own movie. -- Ready to take your screenwriting career to the next level? Check out ScriptBlast Members: an online productivity and accountability community to help you finish more scripts faster, upgrade your network, and turn your hobby into a career. 

Every writer with a dream, repeat after me: "It is possible to make my own feature film." This series of interviews show that it can happen with very few resources as long as you have a tenacious drive, you surround yourself with the right people, and you never give up. In this episode, Hudson talks with Walker Whited, the writer & director behind the feature film By Nights End, about how he got started in film, some of the practical ways he brought By Nights End to life so quickly and effectively, and how he turned his envy into something beautiful.

Writing is rewriting. One of the key fundamentals of screenwriting is learning how to take and implement notes. On this episode, Hudson talks about these concepts with with Jenny Frankfurt, founder of the Finish Line Script Competition—a contest built on the “development notes” concept. Jenny shares her tips for breaking into the industry and walks us through the top 5 mistakes most writers make in their first drafts and what we can do about it in the rewrite.

If you ever feel like you have to constantly do, do, do as a writer / filmmaker or else you’ll lose your place in the race to the “breaking in” finish line, you’re not alone. On this episode, Hudson chats with Will Dennis, the writer, director, and star of the new indie rom-com Vanilla, about how to maintain sanity and balance priorities while living the indie film life.

The filmmaking world is not an easy one (to put it extremely lightly) and filmmakers are rarely prepared to cope with the ups and downs of the emotional journey. Hudson chats with actors/writers/directors Megan Peterson & Hannah Black about the insane roller coaster journey they've experienced on their Duplass Brothers produced film, Drought, and what it takes to keep going in the face of smashed expectations.

Rejection. Distraction. Excuses. Low self-esteem. This is the mental slog, Hudson interviews screenwriter Jessica Coleman all about the emotional ups and downs of the screenwriting journey and how having a writing partner helps her navigate it all. 

Hudson interviews comic book writer, filmmaker, and multi-hyphenate Van Jensen about balancing work and home alongside your dreams, the importance of protecting your mental energy, and maximizing your productivity. 

Hudson interviews professional screenwriter RB Ripley to learn how he first worked his way into the business, how his previous life as a tuba player prepared him for the journey, and how a daily writing habit can make all the difference, even at the beginning of your career.

Hudson interviews screenwriter and professional script reader Samantha Wilson to discuss how to set the right goals, how to make them a reality, and maybe most importantly, how long it takes to make them a reality.

The first step to changing your career is changing your mind. In this episode, Hudson interviews best-selling author and mindset coach Jennifer Blanchard to learn about how our way of thinking has a massive influence on our writing—from first motivation to realizing our end goals.

The first step to any journey is to figure out WHY you're on it. In this episode, Hudson will help you clarify your "why" so that you have a reminder to drive you as you go through the ups and downs of the writer's journey.