5AM STORYTALK

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5AM StoryTalk

Cole Haddon
  • 5.0 (32)
  • TV & FILM
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Why does art matter in our chaotic world? Join screenwriter and novelist Cole Haddon for 5AM StoryTalk, a weekly deep dive into 21st century culture and global issues through the lens of storytelling. Main episodes feature screenwriting deep dives, cultural analysis, and intimate conversations with artists and thought leaders like John August (Scriptnotes), Scott Derrickson (Doctor Strange), Dr. Kevin Hand (NASA), and Sen. Fatima Payman (Australian politician). Bonus eps offer craft and arts industry insights and "mini masterclasses'"breaking down seminal pieces of art from guests’ lives.

  1. 'Project Hail Mary' Is the Blueprint to Save Hollywood (and Our Future)

    2D AGO

    'Project Hail Mary' Is the Blueprint to Save Hollywood (and Our Future)

    We’ve all said it: "They don’t make movies like they used to.” It's true, too...but Andy Weir's PROJECT HAIL MARY is the blueprint for how to fix the problem! This is the story of how my 11-year-old son — a kid raised on a steady diet of Marvel and Star Wars — ended up sobbing through a 28-year-old disaster flick and declaring it the best thing he’s ever seen. It’s also about why Hollywood is currently failing its audience, and how a science teacher lightyears from home in PROJECT HAIL MARY holds the key to saving the movie business and maybe even our future. If you’ve ever felt fatigued by superheroes and god-like beings, if you’re a screenwriter trying to work out what’s next, or if you’re wondering how a culture could so dramatically lose its way, this episode of 5AM StoryTalk is for you! ON THE ITINERARY: DECONSTRUCTIVE VS. CONSTRUCTIVE ART: The difference between art as a "mirror" and art as a "hammer."THE 11-YEAR-OLD LITMUS TEST: Lessons from ‘Deep Impact’ on why grounded human drama triggers "awe."THE SCIENCE OF MORAL BEAUTY: Exploring Dr. Dacher Keltner’s research on why acts of courage are emotional triggers.SUPERHERO FATIGUE: Why we must trade powerful beings for ordinary people facing certain death.ANDY WEIR'S ‘PROJECT HAIL MARY’: Why this story is the answer to: "Why don’t they make movies like they used to?"THE MIDDLE ROAD: Using the "grinder" of deconstruction to earn a transcendent ending.JOIN THE COMMUNITY! 5AM StoryTalk is reader-supported. Help me keep the coffee brewing by becoming a free or paid subscriber at Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/ LINKS Listen/Watch/Read "Screenwriters Meg LeFauve & Joe Forte | Breaking Your Story (and Life)": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/the-screenwriting-life-meg-lefauve-joe-forte?utm_source=publication-searchListen/Read "When Did We Stop Dreaming of a Better Future?": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/new-podcast-did-science-fiction-help?utm_source=publication-searchLearn more about Dacher Keltner's study of awe: https://www.dacherkeltner.com/TIP JAR Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing)⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SOCIAL MEDIA Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at… 5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EMAIL ⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com CREDITS 5AM StoryTalk acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.This podcast’s music is by ⁠⁠my dear friend Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    15 min
  2. Immigration Researcher Zoe Gardner | The Migration 'Crisis' Is a Myth

    APR 15

    Immigration Researcher Zoe Gardner | The Migration 'Crisis' Is a Myth

    What happens when our cultural stories fail to tell the truth about where we’ve been and where we’re going? Independent immigration researcher and campaigner ZOE GARDNER joins me to challenge the dehumanizing narratives surrounding immigration, refugees, and borders. We dive deep into the intersection of policy, power, and the arts to uncover the systemic forces reshaping our global social landscape. ON THE ITINERARY: COLONIAL AMNESIA ON SCREENS: An exploration of why British TV and film’s reluctance to depict colonial history has fueled the ascent of Far-Right influence. THE CASTING DILEMMA IN BRITISH TV: A look at “color-blind” casting in period dramas and whether it risks erasing the very history we need to confront. THE FAR-RIGHT THREAT: How Nigel Farage and his Reform Party are weaponizing fear for power and profit. THE LABOR VACUUM: Why Keir Starmer’s Labor Party is failing by trying to appeal to the Right instead of the Left. THE TRUTH ABOUT IMMIGRATION: Understanding the reality of UK immigration today and why it is necessary for the country’s future. THE REVOLUTIONARY ACT: Why the struggle for justice is vital even when victory feels impossible – and the role of the artist in that fight. RADICAL HOPE: How a plumber-turned-MP is shattering the narrative that we have to choose between “sensible” and “hopeful” politics. 🔒 EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE: JOAN BAEZ VS. BOB DYLAN Zoe Gardner returns to discuss a seminal moment in art that helped shape her worldview: the very public disagreement of musicians JOAN BAEZ AND BOB DYLAN over his responsibility (or lack thereof) to help change the world. Does an artist have a moral obligation to take a position when their voice matters so much? 🎸 🔑 UNLOCK AT SUBSTACK: https://colehaddon.substack.com/ 🔑 UNLOCK AT APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zoe-gardner-talks-joan-baez-vs-bob-dylan/id1807437928?i=1000761453682 JOIN THE COMMUNITY! 5AM StoryTalk is reader-supported. Help me keep the coffee brewing by becoming a free or paid subscriber at Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/ LINKS Donate to Praxis, which supports migrants and refugees, particularly those experiencing destitution. Recommended by Zoe. https://www.praxis.org.uk/?form=FUNULBFMMCZRead Zoe's latest immigration report, which I highly recommend if you want to better understand UK immigration: https://zoegardner.net/assets/time-for-change.pdfRead "Independent Thematic Review of portrayal and representation of the UK in BBC content", referenced in this conversation: https://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/documents/thematic-review-of-portrayal-and-representation.pdf Listen to "Sen. Fatima Payman on the Price of Defiance in Australian Politics" from 5AM StoryTalk (Sen. Payman is a former refugee turned politician): https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/podcast-fatima-payman-labor-party-australian-politics?utm_source=publication-searchTIP JAR Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing)⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SOCIAL MEDIA Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at… 5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EMAIL ⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com CREDITS ◼5AM StoryTalk acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present. ◼This podcast’s music is by ⁠⁠my dear friend Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    57 min
  3. Zoe Gardner Talks 'Joan Baez vs. Bob Dylan'

    APR 14 ·  BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Zoe Gardner Talks 'Joan Baez vs. Bob Dylan'

    Independent UK immigration researcher, campaigner, and commentator ZOE GARDNER returns to discuss a seminal moment in art from her life: the very public musical disagreement between JOAN BAEZ and her one-time partner BOB DYLAN over his decision to check out of the protest movement. While Dylan was hailed as the "voice of a generation", Baez believed he was checking out of the protest movement when it mattered most. She musically attacked him for it, trying to get him to step up - the 70s' equivalent of the diss track - in a series of songs he also responded to in his own work. This is a powerful conversation about the responsibility of artists – especially those with the most influence – to use their voices in extraordinary times like the ones we’re living through. This BONUS EPISODE IS EXCLUSIVE TO PAID SUPPORTERS of this podcast at Apple and Substack. Help me keep the lights on here – in addition to getting access to a ton of exclusive content – by becoming one. If you become a paid subscriber of the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter/podcast at Substack instead of going the Apple route, you'll get access to this podcast episode and hundreds of other arts and culture articles, essays, and educational resources. https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠ TIP JAR Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” here: https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠ SOCIAL MEDIA Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at… ⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠ Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠ ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠ ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere⁠ EMAIL ⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com - 5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present. This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. https://www.carybrothers.com/

    30 min
  4. A Screenwriter's Real-Life Ghost Story (Or: How I Wasted 6 Months of My Life)

    APR 7

    A Screenwriter's Real-Life Ghost Story (Or: How I Wasted 6 Months of My Life)

    This is a Hollywood horror story about the dumbest thing to ever happen to me as a screenwriter - including the exact moment a room full of industry pros realized the embarrassing six-figure mistake that had been made. ON THE ITINERARY THE “DRACULA” HANGOVER: Recovering from creating a TV series that turned into a "shit-show" while your career is technically booming. THE GOLDEN GOD TRAP: When “we love this script, you’re brilliant!” turns into a repetitive, unsolvable note. THE UNPAID EXTRA MILE: Navigating the "two-Step" pilot deal and why agents push you to work for free. THE LITMUS TEST: Getting trusted feedback from showrunners to confirm you aren't the crazy one. THE WINDOWLESS ROOM: The exact moment a "bad idea" revealed a six-figure misunderstanding. THE SIX-MONTH COST: The reality of wasting half a year on a project that never had a chance. JOIN THE COMMUNITY! 5AM StoryTalk is reader-supported. Help me keep the coffee brewing by becoming a free or paid subscriber at Substack:https://colehaddon.substack.com/ LINKS Listen to "The Horror of 'Dracula': The Unbelievable True Story of the 2013 TV Series - Part 1" at Substack: "https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/new-podcast-episode-the-horror-ofListen to "The Horror of 'Dracula': The Unbelievable True Story of the 2013 TV Series - Part 1" at your favorite podcast player: https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/NWNkNTk0N2MtNDE5MC00YWZhLWE4NjktZDk3Zjc2MDM3MjVlTIP JAR Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing)⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SOCIAL MEDIA Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at… 5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EMAIL ⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com CREDITS ◼5AM StoryTalk acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present. ◼This podcast’s music is by ⁠⁠my dear friend Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - 00:00 Welcome and Tease 01:14 Spooky Premise Setup 01:57 Post Dracula Career 02:53 New Adaptation Gig 03:34 The One Note Scarier 04:30 Free Drafts Pressure 05:59 Meeting Goes Sideways 06:49 Wait There Is a Ghost 07:44 The Real Mix Up0 8:41 Wrap Up and Subscribe

    9 min
  5. The Brew | Why Screenplay Templates Are Making You a Hack (and What to Do About it)

    MAR 31

    The Brew | Why Screenplay Templates Are Making You a Hack (and What to Do About it)

    If you’re struggling to master screenplay structure and finding that screenwriting guides aren’t making it easier like they promised, this episode of THE BREW (formerly 5AM RealTalk) is for you. The bad news: those mass-marketed screenplay templates you’ve been told to follow are originality killers – and their “hacks” tend to turn you into a hack. The good news: While there is no cheat code to becoming a great screenwriter, there is a way to learn structure on your own terms. The strategy I’m going to discuss today – in response to a listener’s question – can help you internalize it, more quickly identify your original voice, and cut out a lot of the creative angst that comes with the process. The even better news? What I’m proposing is a lot more fun. ON THE ITINERARY:THE TEMPLATE TRAP: Why mass-marketed guides are producing a sea of “hacks” and knock-offs. 📉NARRATIVE AUTONOMY: How to develop your own screenplay template rather than filling in someone else’s blanks. 🧠THE MARKET REALITY: Why “hacks” get work, but original voices are the ones that develop real careers. 💰THE PICASSO PROTOCOL: Why you have to learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist. 🎨RIP REALTALK: Why I’m pivoting to THE BREW and how I’m cleaning up the 5AM StoryTalk architecture. 💀JOIN THE COMMUNITY! 5AM StoryTalk is reader-supported. Help me keep the coffee brewing by becoming a free or paid subscriber at Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/ 🔒 EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE: HOW TO FIX YOUR SH*TTY EXPOSITION I break down why vomitous info dumps kill scripts, how to turn every scene into a power struggle (with detailed examples from one of the greatest filmmakers to ever live), and why you should never, ever put a “pope in a pool.” 🔑 UNLOCK THE BONUS AT SUBSTACK: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/screenwriting-exposition-fail-pope-in-a-pool 🔑 UNLOCK THE BONUS AT APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-how-to-fix-your-sh-tty-dialogue/id1807437928?i=1000756101768 LINKS: Read “What That Last Brownie Really Means in ‘Notting Hill’ from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/what-that-last-brownie-really-meansRead “Don’t Save the Cat...Put It in the Blender!” from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/dont-save-the-catput-it-in-the-blenderRead “50 Essential Scripts to Download and Study If You Want to Be a Screenwriter” from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/50-essential-scripts-to-downloadTIP JAR: Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing)⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at… 5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EMAIL: ⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com CREDITS: 5AM StoryTalk acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present. This podcast’s music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup 00:34 Rebranding The Brew 02:20 Why Templates Fail 04:32 Study Films Beat by Beat 05:50 Movies to Break Down 08:05 Build Your Own Intuition 10:30 Picasso Quote and Rules 11:46 Wrap Up and Next Episode

    13 min
  6. BONUS: How to Fix Your Sh*tty Dialogue

    MAR 30 ·  BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    BONUS: How to Fix Your Sh*tty Dialogue

    Expository dialogue is often the "necessary evil" that kills a script's momentum. We’ve all seen it: characters suddenly becoming walking encyclopedias just to help the audience keep up with world-building taking palce. In this 5AM StoryTalk bonus episode, we’re tearing down the "Wikipedia page summary" style of writing and looking for a better way. We'll dive deep into why common industry "hacks" - including the famous "pope in a pool" technique from 'Save the Cat!' - often fall flat. For guidance, we'll turn to one of the greatest masters of cinematic storytelling to ever live, Steven Spielberg, to find out how he delivers crucial information without audiences ever realizing they’re being taught. This is an exclusive listen for my dedicated supporters. You can unlock the full bonus episode via Apple or Substack (where you can join my paid subscriber community for the audio and additional deep-dive notes. SUBSCRIBE AT SUBSTACK If you become a paid subscriber of the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter/podcast at Substack instead of going the Apple route, you'll get access to this podcast episode and hundreds of other arts and culture articles, essays, and educational resources. https://colehaddon.substack.com/ TIP JAR Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” here: https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠ LINKS *Read my breakdown of 'The Matrix's' opening - "How to World-Build Like a Wachowski" - at Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/on-screenwriting-how-to-world-build?utm_source=publication-search *Read my breakdown of the first 14 minutes of 'Jaws' - "14 Perfect Minutes: Breaking Down the Opening of 'Jaws'" - at Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/14-perfect-minutes-breaking-down?utm_source=publication-search *Looking for scripts heavy in world-building? Find "30 World-Building-Heavy Scripts to Download and Study" at Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/30-world-building-heavy-scripts-to?utm_source=publication-search SOCIAL MEDIA Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at… ⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠ Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠ ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠ ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere⁠ EMAIL ⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com - 5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present. This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. https://www.carybrothers.com/

    16 min
  7. Screenwriters Meg LeFauve & Joe Forte | Breaking Your Story (and Life)

    MAR 25

    Screenwriters Meg LeFauve & Joe Forte | Breaking Your Story (and Life)

    "Every billion-dollar movie has tapped into something personal." Screenwriting isn't just a craft – it’s a psychological excavation. In this episode of 5AM StoryTalk, I sit down with Oscar-nominated screenwriter and co-host of ‘The Screenwriting Life’ MEG LeFAUVE (‘Inside Out’, ‘Captain Marvel’) and filmmaker JOE FORTE (‘The Man Who Saved Ben-Hur’) to pull back the curtain on the "sacred act" of storytelling. We move past the surface-level mechanics of scriptwriting to explore the high-stakes emotional work required to actually break and outline story. From the "clinical" necessity of a structural blueprint to the "molten lava" of personal truth that brings your structure to life, Meg and Joe share how to transform your deepest blind spots into universal narrative. This is a must-listen for screenwriters at all levels, artists who believe we find ourselves through what we create, and anyone dreaming of a future in Hollywood. Is the “screenwriting life” still worth it in 2026? You’re going to want to hear their answer! 🔒 EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE: SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (1952) Meg and Joe return to break down a seminal piece of art from their lives – one of the greatest films ever made, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN. This is an opportunity to hear two master screenwriters – one of them being the co-host of one of your favorite screenwriting podcasts – deconstruct this masterpiece for screenwriters and all filmmakers to learn from. 🔑 UNLOCK THE BONUS AT SUBSTACK: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/the-screenwriting-life-meg-lefauve-joe-forte 🔑 UNLOCK THE BONUS AT APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-meg-lefauve-and-joe-forte-talk-singin-in-the-rain/id1807437928?i=1000756963956 ON THE ITINERARY: SCRIPTS AS LITERATURE OR BLUEPRINT: The "clinical" necessity of structure versus visceral art. 📄 THE STRUCTURE STRUGGLE: Moving past the "vomit draft" into a layered, iterative approach. 🏗️ STEPPING OVER THE THRESHOLD: How a simple story note can trigger a psychological breakthrough. 🔥 BEHAVIOR VS. WORDS: Why actions are the ultimate "breadcrumbs" for a writer. 🥤 A PARADE FOR THE PROCESS: Why starting with a "parade" of appreciation is the secret to keeping the creative spark alive. 🎺LINKS: Listen to ‘The Screenwriting Life’: https://www.thescreenwritinglife.com/Listen to ‘The Screenwriting Life’ with yours truly as a guest: https://podcasts.apple.com/uy/podcast/185-why-tone-and-genre-plot-ft-cole-haddon/id1501641442?i=1000650005185Read a previous interview with Meg LeFauve published at the 5AM StoryTalk Newsletter:Learn about Joe Forte’s art: https://joeforte.com/TIP JAR: Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at… 5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EMAIL: ⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com CREDITS: 5AM StoryTalk acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present. This podcast’s music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    1h 10m
  8. BONUS: Meg LeFauve and Joe Forte Talk 'Singin' in the Rain'

    MAR 24 ·  BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    BONUS: Meg LeFauve and Joe Forte Talk 'Singin' in the Rain'

    Oscar-nominated screenwriter and ‘The Screenwriting Life’ co-host MEG LeFAUVE (‘Inside Out’, ‘Captain Marvel’) and filmmaker JOE FORTE (Firewall) return for some more 5AM StoryTalk. In this bonus episode, they break down a seminal piece of art from their lives – the 1952 film SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN that is often called the greatest movie musical of all time. This is a deep screenwriting craft dive, but it’s also a masterclass in creative resilience. It’s an ep for every storyteller who has ever had to pivot, reinvent themselves, or find the joy in the middle of a technical storm. It’s a conversation about the transition from silent films to "talkies" – and what that era can teach us about surviving the shifting tides of the industry today. This BONUS EPISODE IS EXCLUSIVE TO PAID SUPPORTERS of this podcast at Apple and Substack. Help me keep the lights on here – in addition to getting access to a ton of exclusive content – by becoming one. If you become a paid subscriber of the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter/podcast at Substack instead of going the Apple route, you'll get access to this podcast episode and hundreds of other arts and culture articles, essays, and educational resources. https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠ TIP JAR Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” here: https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠ SOCIAL MEDIA Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at… ⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠ Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠ ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠ ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere⁠ EMAIL ⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com - 5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present. This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. https://www.carybrothers.com/

    30 min
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32 Ratings

About

Why does art matter in our chaotic world? Join screenwriter and novelist Cole Haddon for 5AM StoryTalk, a weekly deep dive into 21st century culture and global issues through the lens of storytelling. Main episodes feature screenwriting deep dives, cultural analysis, and intimate conversations with artists and thought leaders like John August (Scriptnotes), Scott Derrickson (Doctor Strange), Dr. Kevin Hand (NASA), and Sen. Fatima Payman (Australian politician). Bonus eps offer craft and arts industry insights and "mini masterclasses'"breaking down seminal pieces of art from guests’ lives.

Information

  • Creator
    Cole Haddon
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    90
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Cole Haddon
  • Show Website
    5AM StoryTalk
  • Provider
    BROKEN COMPASS PRODUCTIONS PTY LTD

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