Indie Film Craft 4 | How to Make Your Script Undeniable to an Indie Producer (ft. Julie Waters)
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Every writer dreams of getting their script into the right hands — but what actually makes a producer want to fight for your project?
This week, Jeff sits down with powerhouse indie producer Julie Waters (Watermark Media), fresh off producing OH, HI! — one of the few films sold at Sundance this year and now playing in theaters. Julie not only shares what makes a script feel undeniable, but also demystifies the real roles of networks, studios, production companies, and producers. She breaks down who’s really buying, who’s paying, and who you’re actually pitching when you walk into the room.
If you’re trying to figure out how to move from “great script” to “must-make project” — and want a clear map of how the business truly works — this episode is for you.
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261 | Clarity, Subtext, and Want vs. Need: Kaz Firpo on Crafting Great Screenplays
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In this episode, Meg and Lorien sit down with Kaz Firpo (Marvel’s ETERNALS, RUIN) to talk about the timeless craft lessons that make a great screenplay. From writing scenes that still land without sound, to creating emotional clarity on the page, Kaz shares why subtext is the secret engine of great dialogue, and why every character’s want and need should always be at odds.
Whether you’re on draft one or draft fifteen, this conversation will help you sharpen your scenes, clarify your characters, and trust your instincts as a writer.
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260 | From Barf Draft to Next Draft: 5 Steps to Take Now
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In this episode, Meg and Lorien dive into a messy, magical stage of screenwriting: the barf draft — your first unfiltered pass at a script.
They share how to tackle chaos on the page, whether your draft is too long, too short, tonally inconsistent (hello, surprise aliens!), or just plain confusing. You’ll learn how to shift from “fixing” to discovering, reverse-outline what you actually wrote, and surface what excites you most.
Along the way, they cover structure, character agency, stakes, and the emotional rollercoaster of writing — including why finishing (even a disaster) is worth celebrating. Whether it’s your first draft or fifteenth, this episode will help you find clarity, confidence, and momentum.
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259 | Costume As Character: What (& What Not) To Include in Your Screenplay (ft. Courtney Hoffman)
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Costume designer turned writer/director Courtney Hoffman has worked on some truly iconic films (THE HATEFUL EIGHT, BABY DRIVER) and beloved indies (CAPTAIN FANTASTIC, THE BOY NEXT DOOR). These experiences have profoundly shaped how she approaches storytelling, especially now that she’s writing and directing projects starring the likes of Laura Dern and Kaitlyn Dever.
In this episode, Courtney shares what writers should (and shouldn’t) include in their scripts when it comes to wardrobe, how costume can deepen character, and how different departments will interpret your work if it gets greenlit for production.
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258 | From Assistant to Executive Producer: Frida Perez on Co-Creating The Studio
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Apple TV+’s THE STUDIO is both a razor-sharp satire and a surprisingly heartfelt love letter to Hollywood — born out of Seth Rogen’s own frustrations and empathy for studio executives. For co-creator Frida Perez, the show explores the spectrum between art and commerce, a balance that serves as a guiding principle for writing its hilariously flawed (but deeply human) characters. In this episode, Frida unpacks how the team crafted one of the year’s most acclaimed shows — and how she found her voice in the process.
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About The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
Welcome to The Screenwriting Life, a podcast where Oscar-nominated writer Meg LeFauve and Emmy-nominated writer Lorien McKenna discuss not only the craft and business of Screenwriting, but also the emotional life: the ups and downs of being a creative, to remind you that you are not alone and to keep writing.
Listen to The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna, The Rest Is Entertainment and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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