192 episodes

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.

The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna Meg LeFauve & Lorien McKenna

    • TV & Film
    • 5.0 • 2 Ratings

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.

    186 | A Crash Course For Showrunners (And Their Staff Writers) ft. Jeff Melvoin

    186 | A Crash Course For Showrunners (And Their Staff Writers) ft. Jeff Melvoin

    Jeff Melvoin is - for lack of a better word - a legend in TV. He's an award-winning television writer, producer, showrunner, and educator who has written dozens and produced hundreds of one-hour episodes on over a dozen television series. He's also the founder and chair of the Writers Guild of America's Showrunner Training Program, now entering its 19th year.
    Jeff's incredible book RUNNING THE SHOW, the focus of our convo today, is part memoir, part playbook, and part cheat sheet all about TV writing, from staff writer all the way to showrunner. It's a must read.
    BUY JEFF'S BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Running-Show-Television-Jeff-Melvoin/dp/1493075292
    JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife

    • 1 hr 20 min
    185 | Why Tone and Genre ≠ Plot (ft. Cole Haddon)

    185 | Why Tone and Genre ≠ Plot (ft. Cole Haddon)

    Cole Haddon is many things: a feature writer, a showrunner, a novelist, but he's grown an incredibly loyal community for his STORY brain, which mostly congregates on his very popular substack.
    Today we discuss tone, genre, and plot through a case study in which we compare two very popular TV shows: The Bear and Ted Lasso. In this discussion, we'll trace how, despite them sharing a lot narratively (plot), they exist in totally unique WORLDS when it comes to tone and genre (and why this matters.)
    For a deep dive into Cole's brilliant story brain, check out his substack: https://substack.com/@colehaddon

    • 1 hr 3 min
    184 | What Does A Hollywood Studio Reader Do? (TSL Listener Spotlight)

    184 | What Does A Hollywood Studio Reader Do? (TSL Listener Spotlight)

    Today is a chance to hear from YOU! We were thrilled to invite longtime listener Jennifer Deaton onto our show to hear about her impressive career in the biz including her life as a reader for Focus Features and screenwriting debut, the award-winning indie feature Jack of the Red Hearts.
    JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife

    • 1 hr 2 min
    183 | How The Animated Film Industry Is Changing (And Why That Matters Creatively): WAR IS OVER Chat, Part 2

    183 | How The Animated Film Industry Is Changing (And Why That Matters Creatively): WAR IS OVER Chat, Part 2

    This year, one of the most talked about Animated Shorts at this year's Oscars is WAR IS OVER. The project, inspired by the Music of John and Yoko, is an 11-minute animated short featuring the 50-year-old classic song Happy Xmas (War Is Over), set against the backdrop of war.
    Today, we welcome three of the shorts' brilliant creators: Pixar alum and Oscar®-nominee Dave Mullins, Golden Globe®-Nominee Brad Booker, and co-writer Sean Ono Lennon who executives produces alongside Yoko Ono.
    This is part ONE of our two part conversation with the brilliant trio, so make sure you tune into part two tomorrow!
    WATCH JEFF'S MOVIE FOR FREE: https://tubitv.com/movies/100007554/always-lola?start=true&tracking=google-feed&utm_source=google-feed
    JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife

    • 44 min
    182 | What Goes Into Creating an Oscar-nominated Animated Short?: WAR IS OVER Chat, Part 1

    182 | What Goes Into Creating an Oscar-nominated Animated Short?: WAR IS OVER Chat, Part 1

    This year, one of the most talked about Animated Shorts at this year's Oscars is WAR IS OVER. The project, inspired by the Music of John and Yoko, is an 11-minute animated short featuring the 50-year-old classic song Happy Xmas (War Is Over), set against the backdrop of WWI.
    Today, we welcome three of the shorts' brilliant creators: Pixar alum and Oscar®-nominee Dave Mullins, Golden Globe®-Nominee Brad Booker, and co-writer Sean Ono Lennon who executives produces alongside his mom, Yoko Ono.
    This is part ONE of our two part conversation with the brilliant trio, so make sure you tune into part two tomorrow!
    JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife

    • 46 min
    181 | Nimona Co-Writer Lloyd Taylor On The World Of Animated Feature Films

    181 | Nimona Co-Writer Lloyd Taylor On The World Of Animated Feature Films

    Nimona isn't just one of 2023's best animated movies, it's one of 2023's best movies, full stop (and yes, it is Oscar-nominated). Today, we welcome one it's co-writers, Lloyd Taylor, to talk about adapting ND Stevenson beloved graphic novel, working through a roller coaster development window, and not being afraid to blow up his own work in service of finding the best version of a movie possible.
    JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife

    • 1 hr 7 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
2 Ratings

2 Ratings

lizletters ,

5 Star Love from Singapore!

Hello from a COVID Mama here in Singapore. All my hours nursing as a new mom opened some kind of magic portal within my imagination, igniting this need and desire to write. Suddenly, my mind is flooded with ideas and stories that I think I may want to tell. This podcast has been such an inspiration and oasis for me in my limited free time. I put you guys in my ears while the kiddo is asleep and I am in the kitchen making meals. It’s the best. So thanks so much! Xo

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