The ISA Podcast
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Welcome to the Curious about Screenwriting Podcast where you'll enjoy listening to fascinating film industry guests who share their insights on how you can take your screenwriting career to the next level.
Episodes
- Independent Film Is Coming Back, Your voice is needed NOW
In this episode of Take 10 with Craig, International Screenwriters' Association founder Craig James addresses the question many writers are asking: What is the state of the film industry right now and should I still be writing? After the s…
- How Filmmaker Daniel Meyers Made "Bulls," his first screenplay (from 20 years ago), in his Hometown
What does it really take to write, direct, and finish an independent feature film? A real look at the filmmaking process. In this episode of How Movies Get Made, presented by the International Screenwriters' Association, writer/director Da…
- Clarissa Jacobson on How Making a Short Film Can Transform a Screenwriting Career
What happens when a screenwriter stops waiting for permission and makes the film herself? In this in-depth conversation, writer, filmmaker, and actress Clarissa Jacobson shares her remarkable journey from acting to screenwriting, and how c…
- How Filmmaker Maiara Walsh Made "Bight"
What does it really take to direct your first feature film? A real look at the filmmaking process for "Bight" In this episode of How Movies Get Made, presented by the International Screenwriters' Association, filmmaker Maiara Walsh breaks…
- How to Write Authentic Dialogue Without Forcing It | Take 10 with Craig
In this episode of Take 10 with Craig, International Screenwriters' Association founder Craig James explores how meditation, presence, and letting go of control can unlock deeper, more authentic storytelling. After spending decades pursuin…
- From Page to AFM: How Sari Earl's Screenplay Won Big at Table Read My Screenplay - Hollywood
Award-winning screenwriter Sari Earl joins us to discuss her Grand Prize win at Table Read My Screenplay Hollywood with her deeply personal and heartfelt screenplay The Do Over. In this conversation, Sari shares the 10+ year journey of dev…
- "The Do Over," Award-Winning Screenplay by Sari Earl
Recorded at the American Film Market (AFM) in November 2025 An estranged father and daughter embark on a road trip — each hiding secret motives — but as unexpected detours and the dad's quirky caretaker draw them closer, they rediscover wh…
- Using Your 4 Free Screenwriting Contest Entires, Take 10 with Craig
In this episode of Take 10 with Craig, International Screenwriters' Association founder Craig James breaks down how to use screenwriting contests the smart way, not just as entries, but as tools for growth, feedback, and industry awareness…
- From Contest Quarterfinalist to Industry Meetings: A Screenwriter's Real Path Forward, Jack Cusick
What does it mean to "level up" as a screenwriter? Grounded sci-fi writer Jack Cusick breaks down the realities of building a screenwriting career, from mastering craft, to finding community, to finally stepping into real industry conversa…
- ISA Presents: How to Hook Agents & Producers, a roundtable with ISA Leadership
Join the ISA for an honest conversation about what agents & producers want & what you need to do to become the writer they're searching for. They're not just looking for potential. They're looking for proof. In this roundtable, we'll cover…
- Keeping the Fun in Filmmaking: Molly Ratermann's Creative Mindset | Emerging Screenwriter Interview
Writer–director–actor Molly Ratermann shares the wild, deeply personal, and inspiring story behind her debut feature film, "Making a Bridesmaid."
- Take 10 with Craig - General Meetings: Stop Trying to Sell. Start Building Relationships.
A general meeting isn't about pitching your project. It's about building relationships, establishing trust, and showing executives, producers, and collaborators who you are as a person and storyteller.
- "How to be a Screenwriter" with Phil Stark (South Park, That '70s Show, Dude, Where's My Car?)
Screenwriter and therapist Phil Stark joins the ISA for an honest, funny, and deeply insightful conversation about creativity, impostor syndrome, and breaking into the industry.
- From Dream to Debut: Alex Sarrigeorgiou's First Feature Film Story, making "In Transit"
Writer, actor, and poet Alex Sarrigeorgiou talks about her creative journey and her debut feature film, "In Transit," a tender, intimate queer drama about connection, identity, and the courage to change direction in life.
- Overcoming Impostor Syndrome as a Writer | Trusting the Process of Storytelling
"The idea of impostor syndrome is something I think we all struggle with — and I'm no exception." In this heartfelt reflection, Craig James opens up about creative self-doubt, trusting your work, and learning to let go once you've done you…
- Just Your Typical Award-winning Screenwriter-slash-Zookeeper | Alli Kiko Masloske's Inspiring Story
In this inspiring conversation, Alli Kiko Masloske shares her creative journey from working with animals to writing screenplays that connect deeply with audiences. From navigating chronic illness to finding her voice in a competitive indus…
- Dani Hanks on Writing with Authentic Voice & Building a TV Career, Emerging Screenwriter Interview
Writer, director, and creative powerhouse Dani Hanks joins Shaya Weber for an in-depth conversation about her journey from actor to award-winning writer, how chronic illness shaped their perspective, and their process for writing powerful,…
- Finding Your True Writing Voice | Stop Writing for the Audience, Start Writing for YOURSELF
Every writer needs to find their true voice, that unique perspective that makes their work authentic and unforgettable. We dive into what "voice" really means and how to write from a place of honesty.
- Improve Your Writing by Reading, Take 10 with Craig
Take advantage of ISA's free screenplay library to improve your own craft.
- Devin Jane Febbroriello: To be a Filmmaker You Need to Understand Feedback & Collaboration
Devin Jane Febbroriello is a North American screenwriter/director + producer that specializes in the creation of thought-provoking stories centered on lovable dysfunctional families, surreal multi-genre plots, women, and dark humor. Evocat…
- Conor Dowling on Breaking into Screenwriting & Filmmaking in Ireland (Emerging Screenwriter)
Conor spent most of his youth in Ireland gigging in rock bands, working in a video store and reading too many Stephen King novels. Eventually, he knew he had to course correct and follow his dreams. Conor is a writer, filmmaker and award w…
- Author/Showrunner DJ MacHale on Unlocking Stories & Taking Control of Your Writing Career
Join us for a captivating evening with D.J. MacHale, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Pendragon series and creator of the cult-favorite TV show "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" From bestselling books to iconic screen moments, D…
- Yazmin Monet Watkins: Poetry, Roller Skates & Speaking Truth
Yazmin Monet Watkins is a poet, comedian, screenwriter, actress, organizer, avid roller skater and adventurer. She can be seen on season two of Grand Crew on NBC, Comedy Central and has co-developed and written pilots for Netflix & Comedy…
- The Truth About Agents
How Writers Really Get Repped (The 90/10 Rule You Need to Know), Take 10 with ISA Founder Craig James
- Allegra Oxborough, Table Read My Screenplay Grand Prize Winner & Director Paul Lindsay
The most recent Table Read My Screenplay contest brought the grand prize winner to the South of France during the Cannes Film Festival. Hear from screenwriter Allegra Oxborough & director Paul Lindsay.
- Jen Butler, Emerging Screenwriter Interview Series
Jen Butler is a comedian and storyteller who specializes in writing feature-length, multi-layered dark comedy screenplays focusing on the complex nature of humans as they navigate spiritual and emotional awakenings. When not writing screen…
- Screenwriter Update! AJ Bermudez, author & co-writer of "My Dead Friend Zoe"
A. J. BERMUDEZ is an award-winning author and filmmaker based in Los Angeles and New York. Her first book, Stories No One Hopes Are About Them, won the 2022 Iowa Short Fiction Award and was a 2023 Lambda Award Finalist. Her most recent fea…
- Stephanie Bast, Emerging Screenwriter Interview
Stephanie Bast was abandoned in Korea, adopted by Italians and raised in a town so small and white, someone asked: "How are you gonna understand her when she starts speaking?" Fiercely loved and protected, she was taught to fear "the other…
- Short Film Table Read, "Suicide at Noon" by Merrit Chelsey Schmidt
Suicide at Noon Logline: A newly organized but suicidal woman must withstand the various objections of her friends and family and convince them to support her or be forced to cancel her perfectly scheduled upcoming suicide.
- Script Consultant Pioneer Linda Seger discusses her latest book, "Unpacking"
There's a lot to unpack here as Linda Seger is full of interesting stories and lessons learned along the way. As a pioneering female entrepreneur, she was on the cutting edge of a new type of business - being a screenplay consultant. Her p…
- Emerging Screenwriter Interview: Adam Karpel
A native New Yorker, Adam received a BFA from Ithaca College and completed one year of his MFA at UCLA before deciding to quit because those hard wooden classroom chairs were really chafing his ass. Writing began for him when his first pla…
- "Offbeat," pilot episode, Table Read My Screenplay Grand Prize Winner
"Offbeat," pilot episode, 2020 Table Read My Screenplay Grand Prize Winner, written by Marshall "gripp" Gillson.
- "The Icebox," Award-Winning Short Screenplay Table Read
Please enjoy a performance of the Table Read My Screenplay Award-Winning short script, "The Icebox" by Brian P. Glass. Cast: Elijah Terrell Haney, Hye Bin Lee, Carson Grant, Damon Evans & narrated by Felicity Wren.
- Extended Interview with Michael Graf Screenwriter of "Green and Gold"
Green and Gold: A struggling family farmer wagers everything on a high-stakes Championship bet, while his granddaughter's musical ambitions could be their ticket to a new beginning. Starring Brandon Sklenar, Craig T. Nelson, M. Emmet Walsh
- ISA Pitch Panel Featuring Executives from Atomic Robot, Morning View Ent & Snarky Elephant Prods
Solid pitches sell screenplays. Join us to watch pitches delivered to Creative Executives at prominent companies and hear live feedback. Learn the DOs and DON'Ts of great pitching, so you'll be prepared when you're in the room! Caroline Di…
- FSS: Halloween Special, "Famously Haunted: Hollywood" Tubi Documentary Reaction
One of our co-hosts, Scott, was recently featured on the Tube documentary, Famously Haunted Hollywood. We go over the stories featured in the documentary: The Black Dahlia, The Manson Murders, Comedy Store, Peg Entwhistle, The Cecil Hotel.
- Film Inquiry interview with Andrea Berting, an ISA Top 25 Screenwriter to Watch in 2024
Kristy Strouse of Film Inquiry interviews screenwriter Andrea Berting, who has been an ISA Fast Track Fellow and is now on their Development Slate.
- Film Inquiry Interviews Sandy King, Producer & Co-Founder of Storm King Comics!
Sandy King is a film producer & businesswoman who is known for In the Mouth of Madness, Village of the Damned, Vampires & Ghosts of Mars, all of which were directed by her husband John Carpenter. She co-created the comic book series Asylum.
- Film Inquiry, Interview with Zoe Hodge, an ISA Top 25 Screenwriter to Watch in 2024
Zoë Hodge is an award winning writer & director born in the Boogie-Down-Bronx. Her work often explores yearning & the deep solitude that comes from denying yourself. As a writer, Zoë grew up on Everybody Hates Chris and Jane Austen adaptat…
- FSS 49: Script & Story Consultant Jen Grisanti, on the State of writing for TV Today
This is the replay of a live event Max & Scott did along with the International Screenwriters' Association. They welcomed screenwriting aficionado Jen Grisanti, who has a long history of working with screenwriters as an executive and consu…
- Film Inquiry's Interview with Thuc Doan Nguyen, an ISA Top 25 Screenwriter to Watch Interview
Screenwriter Thuc Doan Nguyen went from Vietnamese refugee to writing for The Lost City with Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum & Brad Pitt. Hear her story here.
- Film Inquiry's Interview with Adam Karlson, an ISA Top 25 Screenwriter to Watch in 2024
Adam Karlson signed a shopping agreement with CS Productions and is now managed by Gravity Squared Entertainment due to introductions made by the ISA.
- Film Inquiry's Interview with Kim Hornby, an ISA Top 25 Writer to Watch in 2024
Each year the ISA lists 25 talented writers. Our first interview is with multi-talented screenwriter & novel writer Kim Hornsby. I spoke with Kim about her journey, projects, and recommendations for other screenwriters! Check out more at F…
- FSS: Paranormal European Travel - Ireland legends & Faery Lore Above Knockma Hill & at Kilkea Castle & the Hellfire Club
Scott (and his wife Wendy) fill Max in on their adventure across the Emerald Isle, discussing the haunted hot spots and legendary tales they discovered along the way... also the adventures of driving on the other side of the road.
- Chaseedaw Giles, Using Dark Topics to Find the Light in Humanity, Emerging Screenwriter Interview
Chaseedaw Giles moved to LA as everything shut down for the pandemic. However, she used that time to work on her craft. She's taken an approach of being proactive and using darker story topics to find positivity.
- Talking Horror Movies & Haunted Chicago with Jackson Schreiber from Katch Data
Big thanks to the horror blog WonderfullyWeirdAndHorrifying.com for making this conversation happen. What did you think of "Hereditary?"
- Emerging Screenwriter AND Director Interview, Diane Lansing
An ISA Top 25 Writers To Watch in 2019, Diane has taken her work behind the camera, screening her directing work at the DGA and garnering awards and laurels. Creating and collaborating through film are her driving force.
- Introducing Fast Track Fellow & Screenwriter, Kiefer Lloyd
Kiefer Lloyd's a writer who uses genre to explore queer narrative and masculinity. He is a Lambda Literary fellow, an alumnus of the Tin House Fiction Workshop & holds an MFA in fiction from Vermont College.
- Brittany Kelly's Background in Psychology, the Prison System and ...CraigsList
Writer-director Brittany Kelly's utterly fascinating life and outlook has certainly influenced her voice as a storyteller. Though she's experienced a recent personal strategy, she's returning to writing and we are so excited for her future.
- FSS: Paranormal European Travel - Portugal, Sintra's Knights Templar Connection
Join us for an international travel episode as co-Host Scott Markus & his wife headed to Portugal and visit the most famously haunted location in Portugal & visit a city that has a long mystical connection to folklore and witchcraft.