Screenwriter Survival Guide

Sam Brooks
  • 4.8 (6)
  • TV & FILM
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Up-and-comer Sam Brooks presents the ultimate guide to surviving and thriving as a young screenwriter in Hollywood. Each episode, Sam and his guests dive into a different aspect of the entertainment industry that you won’t hear on most screenwriting podcasts, from where to live and how to make screenwriter friends, to how to land one of those fabled assistant gigs, and understanding your first writing contract.

  1. On Writing Your First Screenplay and Being Gay in Hollywood - Me on High Level with Axel Arzola

    06/09/2022

    On Writing Your First Screenplay and Being Gay in Hollywood - Me on High Level with Axel Arzola

    Today on Screenwriter Survival Guide, we're doing something pretty special. Way back in Season One, I had my friend and creative partner, Axel Arzola, on the show to talk about the development process. This year, I went on his amazing show, High Level with Axel Arzola, and discussed the process of writing your first screenplay, among other things. I thought his episode of Screenwriter Survival guide was fantastic, and he was a big fan of my episode of High Level. In that spirit, we decided to give our listeners something special. So today, I'm bringing you my full episode of High Level on this feed and he's dropping his episode of Screenwriter Survival Guide. You'll hear Axel and I discuss the writing process, being gay in Hollywood, and a whole bunch of other topics related to screenwriting. His show has a much looser, conversational style that I'm sure you'll love. And when you're done, be sure to go listen to his episode of Screenwriter Survival Guide, now available on his feed. Connect with Axel on Twitter or Instagram (@axelarzola). If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters. Questions? Concerns? Reach out on Twitter or Instagram @sambrookspresents, or email me at sam@screenwritersurvivalguide.com. LISTEN TO HIGH LEVEL: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/high-level/id1211324432

    1h 30m

  2. 05/26/2022

    Ridley Scott’s Producer, Rebecca Feuer, on Making It in Hollywood and What to Write if You Want Your Script to Sell

    Today, I sat down with Rebecca Feuer, the Vice-President of Film & TV at Ridley Scott's production company, Scott Free Films, who brought us Black Hawk Down, Gladiator, and Blade Runner 2049, to name a few. Rebecca had so many fascinating insights to share about how production companies work behind the scenes, and the best ways new writers can get their scripts sold. If you're a screenwriter who's looking to be "discovered", you're not going to want to miss this chapter of Screenwriter Survival Guide. If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters. Questions? Concerns? Guest ideas? Reach out on Instagram @sambrookspresents or email me at sam@screenwritersurvivalguide.com. SCREENWRITER SURVIVAL TIP: Have hobbies outside the business.

    1h 3m

  3. 04/07/2022 · BONUS

    I F**cked Up - Leaving Los Angeles

    On this quick bonus episode of Screenwriter Survival Guide, Sam checks in from a Ski Resort in Utah to revise his firmly-held belief that screenwriters must live in Los Angeles. Sam recently made the decision to take a break from LA, something that runs in diametric opposition to Chapter 1 of Screenwriter Survival Guide's first season (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chapter-i-why-and-how-all-screenwriters-should-move-to-la/id1579992191?i=1000531159758), in which he says that all screenwriters should move to LA. Today, he breaks down why he's decided to leave California, how he plans to continue his career from outside the TMZ, and what you should be thinking about if you're considering leaving LA as well. If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters. Questions? Concerns? Guest ideas? Reach out on Instagram @sambrookspresents or email me at sam@screenwritersurvivalguide.com.

    13 min
  4. 'Home Before Dark' Creator Dara Resnik on Screenwriting, TV Production, and Working with Aaron Sorkin

    03/17/2022

    'Home Before Dark' Creator Dara Resnik on Screenwriting, TV Production, and Working with Aaron Sorkin

    Today on Screenwriter Survival Guide, I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Dara Resnik, co-creator of the Apple TV+ series 'Home Before Dark' and the upcoming Amazon Prime series 'The Horror of Dolores Roach'. Beyond her work as showrunner, she's written on virtually every series under the sun, from 'Castle' and 'Daredevil', to 'Jane The Virgin' and her first-ever job working for Aaron Sorkin on 'Studio 60 on The Sunset Strip'. We had a fascinating discussion, covering everything from Dara's writing process to how a newbie writer should behave when meeting with a showrunner. Connect with Dara on Twitter (@BadassMomWriter). If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters. Questions? Concerns? Guest ideas? Reach out on Instagram @sambrookspresents or email me at sam@screenwritersurvivalguide.com. SCREENWRITER SURVIVAL TIP: Live within your means.

    56 min

  5. 02/24/2022

    'Law & Order: SVU' Screenwriter Aaron Tracy on The Future of Screenwriting

    WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/BgFjE_yQcc4 Today on Screenwriter Survival Guide, I had an amazing chat with screenwriter Aaron Tracy, who was a writer on Law & Order: SVU and the creator of the Crackle series Sequestered. He's recently made the leap to audiodramas, where he's made projects with the likes of James Patterson, Shonda Rhimes, and Steve Nash that have gone on to premiere #1 on Audible. We talked about everything from pitching and selling scripts, to the importance of finding fulfillment before you've "made it", to why audiodramas are the future of screenwriting. After you finish this episode, go take a listen to Aaron's newest project: 10 Days, which is a high-stakes audiodrama about the wild world of 10-day contracts in the NBA. Scroll down to the bottom of the show notes for the link to watch.  Connect with Aaron on Twitter (@aarondtracy). If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters. Questions? Concerns? Guest ideas? Reach out on Instagram @sambrookspresents or email me at sam@screenwritersurvivalguide.com. SCREENWRITER SURVIVAL TIP: Write something completely different.  LISTEN TO '10 DAYS': https://www.audible.com/pd/10-Days-Podcast/B09MJP5TMJ

    48 min

  6. 02/10/2022

    'The Guilty' Star Adrian Martinez on Directing His First Feature Film

    WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/nqE1EOYdYIw Today on Screenwriter Survival Guide, I sat down with actor Adrian Martinez who you may recognize from films like 'I Feel Pretty' and 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty', or TV shows like 'Stumptown' and 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'. He recently wrote and directed his first feature film, iGilbert, which is now available in theaters and On Demand. It's a twisted fairytale about connection and voyeurism. I always find it fascinating to talk with indie filmmakers and hear details about how they get their movies made. Adrian was very happy to talk about his process, and go deep on the messages behind his film. He has crafted a fantastic film and everybody should go check it out the moment they finish this episode. Watch links are at the bottom of the show notes. Connect with Adrian on Instagram (@tasteofadrian), Twitter (@tasteofadrian), or Facebook. If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters. Questions? Concerns? Guest ideas? Reach out on Instagram @sambrookspresents or email me at sam@screenwritersurvivalguide.com. SCREENWRITER SURVIVAL TIP: Get help. WATCH iGILBERT: Apple TV, Google TV, Prime Video, Vudu, Trailer

    44 min

  7. 01/01/2022 · BONUS

    Top 5 Movies and TV Shows of 2021 w/ Filmmaker Sabur Tahir -- NEW YEARS SPECIAL

    WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWtlF2pgxqY Happy New Year! To celebrate 2022 and all of the amazing things that are sure to be on the horizon this year, I sat down with filmmaker Sabur Tahir, and we both broke down our favorite films AND TV shows of 2021. We both have very different tastes in entertainment, so this was quite an exciting conversation. To those of you who've listened to Screenwriter Survival Guide throughout 2021, thank you so much. Everybody says this, but we truly could not do it without you.  And if you're new to the family, we've got a massive back catalog of excellent content, so be sure to check out the rest of the feed. We cannot wait to bring you so much more cool stuff in 2022.  Remember, as we break into the new year: Don't just survive, thrive. Connect with Sabur on Instagram (@sabur.tahir1). If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters. Questions? Concerns? Guest ideas? Reach out on Instagram @sambrookspresents or email me at sam@screenwritersurvivalguide.com. SABUR'S PICKS: A Quiet Place - Part II No Time To Die King Richard The Last Duel Spiderman: No Way Home SAM'S PICKS: Hacks - Season I Mare of Easttown - Season I Dune Succession - Season III Titane SABUR'S PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/express-and-refresh/id1587353785 WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU AGAIN IN 2022!

    1h 8m

  8. 12/16/2021 · BONUS

    How To Write a Sprawling Sci-Fi Epic on a Budget w/ Jacob Baldy (SPOTLIGHT ON)

    WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/rrDd7PXRwqI This is the second episode in our "Spotlight On" series, where I’ll be chatting with some of the coolest young screenwriters, directors, and other industry professionals in Hollywood using a less-structured format. Our goal is to spotlight excellent up-and-comers with unique experiences and perspectives on the industry. Episodes will premiere throughout the year (basically whenever we have one to air). On this episode, I sat down with my good friend writer/director Jacob Baldy, whose new film 'Ryn' is an epic sci-fi blockbuster made with a budget of, wait for it, about $5000. We go deep on how to make a big genre film on a microbudget, how Jacob goes about writing his films, and our shared love of crappy cinema. Connect with Jacob on Twitter (@jmbhhf25) or Instagram (@jacobmb25). If Screenwriter Survival Guide is providing value for you, we would really appreciate a quick rate and review! That really helps us build this community and keep delivering excellent advice for screenwriters. Questions? Concerns? Guest ideas? Reach out on Instagram @sambrookspresents or email me at sam@screenwritersurvivalguide.com. SCREENWRITER SURVIVAL TIP: Screw the rules.

    50 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Up-and-comer Sam Brooks presents the ultimate guide to surviving and thriving as a young screenwriter in Hollywood. Each episode, Sam and his guests dive into a different aspect of the entertainment industry that you won’t hear on most screenwriting podcasts, from where to live and how to make screenwriter friends, to how to land one of those fabled assistant gigs, and understanding your first writing contract.

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