Shows / The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
256 | Getting Repped in a Post-Strike Industry - Part 1 (ft. Daniela Gonzalez & Garrett Greer)
Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so In part one of a two-part conversation, literary managers Daniela Gonzalez (Good Fear Content) and Garrett…
The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKennaIndie Film Craft 3 | How to Get Life Rights As an Indie Filmmaker (and Make the Biopic Indie Audiences Actually Want) ft. The Bragg Brothers
Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so How do you turn a real-life moment into a movie — without studio backing or a big festival launch? Jeff…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
255 | From Finalist to Staffed: How Austin Film Festival Helped Us Break In (ft. Sylvia Batey Alcalá & Mac Smullen)
This week, we’re spotlighting two incredible TV writers whose journeys were meaningfully shaped by the Austin Film Festival. Sylvia Batey Alcalá (A MAN ON THE…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
254 | "I'm Stuck": What to Do When the Writing Just Isn't Working
In this episode, Meg gets real about where she’s at in her writing process — the doubts, the stalls, and the honest truth of feeling stuck. We answer listener…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
253 | Producing a Hit Studio Movie: What Writers Should Know ft. Sheila Hanahan Taylor (Final Destination: Bloodlines)
Fresh off the massive critical and commercial success of FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES, friend of the show Sheila Hanahan Taylor is back to share the ins and…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
252 | Creating a Complex Protagonist with a Simple Goal ft. Kim Rosenstock (Dying for Sex)
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so This week, we’re joined by Kim Rosenstock (DYING FOR SEX) to explore how a complicated protagonist with a…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
251 | Writing with Your Partner (in Life & Work): Joe Forte on Collaboration, Mentorship, and Creative Retreats
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so What’s it like to collaborate creatively with your spouse — and still want to have dinner together after?…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
250 | Jac Schaeffer (WandaVision, Agatha All Along): Having a “Take” When Pitching on IP — or Anything
Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so When you’re pitching — whether it’s on studio IP or your own original idea — what sets you apart is your…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
249 | Screenwriting & Social Media: How Being Online Can Help Your Career
In this special roundtable, we’re joined by three working screenwriters — Nic Curcio, Kristen Tepper, and Julia Yorks — who have each built successful writing…
The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKennaIndie Film Craft 2 | Trey Edward Shults on Working With The Weeknd, The Role Of The Camera & Vulnerable Storytelling
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslwokshops.circle.so Trey Edward Shults is an inspiration to directors everywhere — including Jeff. His debut feature, KRISHA, was…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
248 | Working Writers Ask Us Questions: An Industry Mailbag
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.sol In this special edition of our mailbag series, we’re flipping the script. Instead of questions from…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
247 | Directing Fundamentals That Make You a Better Writer (ft. Rob Spera)
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so BUY ROB'S BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/FILM-DIRECTORS-FIELD-MANUAL-Filmmaking/dp/1662850549 Whether you're…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
246 | Do I Need to Self-Produce to Sell My Writing? (ft. Emily Brundige)
Emily Brundige was tired of waiting around for gatekeepers to say yes. So, she stopped asking. In this candid conversation with Lorien, Emily shares how her…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
245 | How To Pivot Genres and "Re-Brand" Yourself As A Writer (ft. Carla Banks-Waddles)
Carla Banks-Waddles (BEL-AIR) has lived many lives as a writer. From being a valued member of multi-cam half hour rooms, to pivoting towards single cam…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
244 | Brent Forrester's (The Office, The Simpsons) Comedy Writing Masterclass
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so TAKE BRENT'S CLASS: https://www.brentforrester.com/webinar Brent Forrester wasn't naturally funny, and he's…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
243 | If You've Ever Wanted To Quit Writing, Listen To This.
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so You are not alone, and keep writing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKennaIndie Film Craft 1 | Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz (The Peanut Butter Falcon, Los Frikis) Discuss Authentic Collaboration
WATCH LOS FRIKIS: https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Los-Frikis/0H49M436MMS223JUKJ26Q95EKJ READ ALONG…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
ANNOUNCEMENT: New Bonus Spinoff Show For Filmmakers Drops In Feed THURSDAY!
We are launching a brand new monthly BONUS show this Thursday in feed, hosted by our producer Jeffrey Crane Graham. Don't miss it! Hosted on Acast. See…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
242 | Welcome To Wrexham Showrunner John Henion Discusses Theme As A Central Creative Throughline
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Whether you're on your billionth draft, or stuck in post on a docuseries, finding a connective THEME to tell…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
241 | Bob's Burgers Executive Producers & The Great North Creators Discuss Adult Animation
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://twslworkshops.circle.so The Molyneux Sisters (BOB’S BURGERS, THE GREAT NORTH) believe that character is at the center of all great…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
240 | George Saunders' Storytelling Masterclass
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so George Saunders is a writer of novels, short stories, and non-fiction, whose work has amassed a collection…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
239 | Wicked Co-Writer Dana Fox on Why You're Avoiding Your Writing
Dana Fox offers an incredibly generous admission in today's conversation: "I find writing REALLY torturous." And yet, she's one of Hollywood's most successful…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
238 | How To Create and Maintain a Screenwriting Career Outside of LA or NY (ft. Will Fetters and Chris Sparling)
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.cricle.so For decades, if you wanted to make it as a Hollywood writer, the first step was simple: move to Hollywood…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
237 | Malcolm Washington & Virgil Williams (The Piano Lesson) On Adapting August Wilson's Pulitzer-Winning Masterpiece
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so It's no secret that plays and movies are entirely different mediums, so how do you give the cinematic…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
236 | Liz Feldman (Dead To Me, No Good Deed): Writing is Self-Destruction, Self-Reflection, and Self-Correction
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so What sounds harder? Writing a pilot alone at your desk, or running your own TV show with 300 folks trying to…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
235 | Mike Jones (Soul, Dream Productions) Returns: What Makes a Great Act 3?
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Pixar story genius Mike Jones gets candid with Meg about endings: what makes a great ending, and more…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
234 | Why Fairy Tales Are The Foundation For Modern Storytelling (ft. Kelly Younger)
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so To say that Kelly Younger is a fairy tale expert is an understatement. He's built an entire career around…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
233 | TV Development: Everything You Need To Know (ft. Glen Mazzara)
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Glen Mazzara has produced, created and/or showran a litany of amazing projects. His impressive resume…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
232 | A Writers' Assistant Deep Dive (Part 2)
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so As promised, here is part two of our writers' assistant dive. We chat with Anthony Musella, writer's…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
231 | A Writers' Assistant Deep Dive (Part 1)
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so To help support relief efforts related to the fires in LA, consider donating to the Los Angeles Fire…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
230 | Sing Sing Writer Clint Bentley: Creating Character Arcs Based On Real Lives
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Clint Bentley, our guest on today's show, and his filmmaking partner Greg Kwedar, co-write and co-produce…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
229 | The Screenwriting Life: Joy, Pain, & Legacy (TSL 2024 Supercut, Pt. 2)
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Part 2 of our 2024 TSL guests answering the Three Big Questions: What brings you the most joy when it comes…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
228 | The Screenwriting Life: Joy, Pain, & Legacy (TSL 2024 Supercut, Pt. 1)
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so At the end of every episode, we ask our guests the Three Big Questions: What brings you the most joy when it…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
227 | Oscar-Nominated Writer Susannah Grant (Erin Brockovich, Unbelievable): "Know The Difference Between Truth and Facts"
Many of Susannah Grant's movies are based on true stories, which, for a writer, often invites thorny questions about adaptation — What should I include? Is it…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
226 | Challengers/Queer Writer Justin Kuritzkes: Asking The Right Questions While Writing
Justin Kuritzkes is having a good year. Two of his scripts, Challengers and Queer, were brought to life by world-renowned director Luca Guadagnino. Despite…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
225 | Actor/Showrunner Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters/Catastrophe) On Revealing Character
Join TSL Workshops: www.tslworkshops.circle.so (Through January 1, use coupon code HOLIDAY24 to get a 5-day free trial + 50% off your first 3 months!) Despite…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
224 | LIVE From Austin Film Festival 2024: Story Workshop
Join TSL Workshops NOW with our special 2024 coupon code HOLIDAY24: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Thanks to AFF for welcoming us back this year for another…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
223 | Character Psychology Masterclass w/ Dr. Dan Siegel
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.cricle.so As writers, we're aiming to create the most believably human characters we can, and one of the best ways to…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
222 | The Perfect Couple Showrunner on How To Craft a Murder Mystery (ft. Jenna Lamia)
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Jenna Lamia's first producer/creator/showrunner credit wasn't just a success — it was a smash hit, becoming…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
221 | Strategies To Focus Better While Writing (And Other Mailbag Questions)
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Another mailbag! We answer your brilliant questions, and talk a bit about Austin. Buckle up! Hosted on…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
220 | Writing Horror with the Carved Creative Team
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so On today's eerie episode, we welcome three creatives behind Hulu's new campy horror slasher film, "Carved" -…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
219 | Practical Ways To Treat an Inactive Protagonist
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so We talk about ACTIVE protagonists all the time on the show, but we know that creating one is easier said…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
218 | Lessons In Chemistry, The Office, and Jury Duty: Lee Eisenberg's Multi-Genre Screenwriting Career
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so How does a TV writer go from working on a classic sitcom (The Office), to a deeply-felt immigrant dramedy…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
217 | How To Get A Manager (ft. Roadmap Writers' Joey Tuccio)
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Joey Tuccio may know more writers in Hollywood than just about anyone. In fact, he loves writers so much…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
216 | Only Murders In The Building Showrunner John Hoffman: "Write What Delights You"
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so John Hoffman is the first to admit his surprise at just how comfortable he felt directing Meryl Streep on…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
215 | Patton Oswalt: Embracing Risk as a Writer, Stand Up Comic, and Actor
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so/ When Patton Oswalt considers a part, he has a simple litmus test: "When the movie is finished it's either…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
214 | How TV Writers, Directors, and Actors Work Together (ft. Jon Huertas)
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: http://tslworkshops.circle.so Though he's perhaps best known as Miguel on This Is Us, Jon Huertas has been a TV staple for decades, having…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
213 | Using Festivals and Contests to Advance Your Career ft. Alex Convery (AIR) and Tate Hanyok (Sex APPeal)
RSVP for the TSL/Roadmap AFF Party Here: https://bit.ly/4cQWUHa Years ago, Alex Convery and Tate Hanyok were merely attending the Austin Film Festival as…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
212 | Outlander Writer/Producer Barbara Stepansky: How Winning The Nicholl Fellowship Changed Her Career
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS FOR FREE: https://tslworkshops.circle.so/ Barbara Stepansky’s career is the culmination of years of incredibly hard work. In addition to…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
211 | Sundance Favorite GHOSTLIGHT's Kelly O'Sullivan: Indie Filmmaking Beyond LA/NY
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: www.thescreenwritinglife.co/workshops How does a Chicago-based Indie film team break into Sundance, sell their movie at the fest, debut…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
210 | "Monk" Creator Andy Breckman: How To Find Luck In Hollywood
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Whether it was writing for SNL in the '80s, writing RAT RACE in the 90s, or creating MONK in the 2000s, it's…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
209 | Hacks Creators Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky: Writing and Selling A Mixed-Tone Comedy
https://tslworkshops.circle.so When Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky, and Lucia Aniello were first pitching Hacks, they didn't have a precise tonal comp when the…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
208 | Writing Animated Children's TV: A Crash Course w/ Lorien
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: www.tslworkshops.circle.so Animation is a MEDIUM, not a genre. This, among many other important lessons on today's episode, is one of the…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
207 | Being (And Writing) Women Over Forty: A Candid Conversation (ft. Nitza Wilon & Elizabeth Kaiden)
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: www.tslworkshops.circle.so Let's be frank: sexism and ageism are no joke in Hollywood. That being said, women over forty posses superpowers…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
206 | Everything You Need To Know About The Writer's Guild Foundation Library (a FREE Treasure Trove)
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS!: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Today, we’re joined by Jaiver Barrios, Lauren, O’Connor, and Hilary Swett to discuss the INVALUABLE…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
205 | ANNOUNCEMENT: Last Day For A LIFETIME Discount on TSL Workshops
Today is your last day for a lifetime TSL Workshops Discount! Sign up here: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
204 | The Hero's Journey ft. Christopher Vogler
Sign up for TSL Workshops!: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Get Chris' Book!: https://www.amazon.com/Writers-Journey-Mythic-Structure-3rd/dp/193290736X Though…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
203 | BONUS: TSL Workshops Exclusive Preview
Sign up today - https://tslworkshops.circle.so Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
202 | Turning The Tables: Meg and Lorien Interviewed By Screenwriting Teacher/Author Andrew Zinnes
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: http://tslworkshops.circle.so Over the lifespan of our show, you've heard Meg and Lorien interview a ton of incredibly talented writers…
- The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
201 | Mail Bag + Thoughts About the Dreaded Act 2b
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so On today’s show, we answer your (excellent) questions. Among the topics we discuss are: How to lean into our…