Best Spec Script Podcasts (2025)

1
Stephanie Bast, Emerging Screenwriter Interview 35:01

9d ago35:01

35:01

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” while knowing “the other” was herself. She started to write comedy to heal a wound. Now she writes to heal ot…

1
Short Film Table Read, "Suicide at Noon" by Merrit Chelsey Schmidt 27:31

24d ago27:31

27:31

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.By Merrit Chelsey Schmidt

1
Script Consultant Pioneer Linda Seger discusses her latest book, "Unpacking" 59:24

29d ago59:24

59:24

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 passion, drive, and wiliness to dive into every opportunity took her from small town Wisconsin to lecturing arou…

1
Emerging Screenwriter Interview: Adam Karpel 51:12

1M ago51:12

51:12

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 play was produced at the West Coast Ensemble Theater in Hollywood. A creative executive who happened to be in the …

1
The First Room: A TV Writer's Experience w/Edith Rodriguez (DEXTER: RESURRECTION on Showtime, MATLOCK on CBS) 1:24:43

1M ago1:24:43

1:24:43

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, we have a returning guest, Edith Rodriguez. Edith and I first spoke on the pod right after we both landed our first managers in late 2021. Now, we're back and Edith has been in two different writer's rooms and shares her experience! Edith Rodriguez grew up between the sunny beaches of Puerto Rico and cold wi…

1
"Offbeat," pilot episode, Table Read My Screenplay Grand Prize Winner 30:58

2M ago30:58

30:58

"Offbeat," pilot episode, 2020 Table Read My Screenplay Grand Prize Winner, written by Marshall “gripp” Gillson.By Marshall “gripp” Gillson

1
"The Icebox," Award-Winning Short Screenplay Table Read 19:44

2M ago19:44

19:44

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.By Brian P. Glass

1
Extended Interview with Michael Graf Screenwriter of "Green and Gold" 42:46

3M ago42:46

42:46

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 WalshBy Max Timm & Scott Markus

1
ISA Pitch Panel Featuring Executives from Atomic Robot, Morning View Ent & Snarky Elephant Prods 1:16:34

3M ago1:16:34

1:16:34

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 Dillingham is the Chief Executive Officer of Morning View Entertainment LLC, where she leads the company in its m…

1
Advice for Screenwriters from a Literary Manager w/Allard Cantor (Epicenter) 1:20:25

5M ago1:20:25

1:20:25

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--literary manager at Epicenter, and one of my managers, Allard Cantor! New York City born, New Jersey bred, and University of Wisconsin educated, Allard Cantor started life as an envelope salesman in Manhattan before choosing to follow his passion for film and moving to Los Angele…

1
STATE OF THE POD UPDATE 6:58

6M ago6:58

6:58

Hey, there everybody! This is just an update episode on why I've been away, what I've been up to, and the future of the podcast. If you're reading this, thanks for sticking around through my absence! Life got busy. But, I'm excited to give an update on the pod.By Andy Compton

1
FSS: Halloween Special, "Famously Haunted: Hollywood" Tubi Documentary Reaction 1:02:06

7M ago1:02:06

1:02:06

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.By Max Timm & Scott Markus

1
Film Inquiry interview with Andrea Berting, an ISA Top 25 Screenwriter to Watch in 2024 16:36

8M ago16:36

16:36

Kristy Strouse of Film Inquiry interviews screenwriter Andrea Berting, who has been an ISA Fast Track Fellow and is now on their Development Slate.By Kristy Strouse

1
Pushing Back Against Ageism in Screenwriting w/Brad M. Johnson (Founder of The Grey List) 1:18:47

9M ago1:18:47

1:18:47

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--screenwriter and founder of The Grey List, Brad M. Johnson! Brad M. Johnson is a writer and filmmaker based in the Pacific Northwest near Seattle. He’s a life-long storyteller who has recently returned from a 12-year detour into the world of corporate marketing to focus on his or…

1
Film Inquiry Interviews Sandy King, Producer & Co-Founder of Storm King Comics! 17:53

10M ago17:53

17:53

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.

1
Film Inquiry, Interview with Zoe Hodge, an ISA Top 25 Screenwriter to Watch in 2024 17:29

11M ago17:29

17:29

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 adaptations.By Kristy Strouse

1
FSS 49: Script & Story Consultant Jen Grisanti, on the State of writing for TV Today 1:16:47

11M ago1:16:47

1:16:47

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 consultant.By Max Timm & Scott Markus

1
Making a Big Spec Sale w/Jason Gruich (COP CAM) 1:28:32

11M ago1:28:32

1:28:32

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--screenwriter, Jason Gruich! Jason is a current member and Captain of the Writers Guild of America, East. He has sold four original feature specs since 2017 to various production companies including a major spec sale to Warner Bros (New Line Cinema) with his first-person, crime-th…

1
Film Inquiry's Interview with Thuc Doan Nguyen, an ISA Top 25 Screenwriter to Watch Interview 25:01

12M ago25:01

25:01

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.By Kristy Strouse

1
Unfrosted (2024) Review 44:38

1y ago44:38

44:38

Unfrosted Summary: “In 1963 Michigan, business rivals Kellogg's and Post compete to create a cake that could change breakfast forever." Original air date: May 3, 2024 Adam and Corey take a break from Curb to review Jerry Seinfeld's directorial debut, Unfrosted! Not since The Merv Griffin Show episode of Seinfeld have the boys been this far apart in…

1
Film Inquiry's Interview with Adam Karlson, an ISA Top 25 Screenwriter to Watch in 2024 21:30

1y ago21:30

21:30

Adam Karlson signed a shopping agreement with CS Productions and is now managed by Gravity Squared Entertainment due to introductions made by the ISA.By Kristy Strouse

1
Writing on a Fox Sitcom w/Allison Jackson (CALL ME KAT) 1:16:21

1y ago1:16:21

1:16:21

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--screenwriter, Allison Jackson! Allison is a Los Angeles based screenwriter who writes funny shows about Black women in not-so-funny situations. Originally from a town of three thousand in Ohio, Jackson developed her love for screenwriting while working in China, and learned Manda…

1
Producing a Netflix Top 4 Indie Film w/Luke Barnett (YOUR LUCKY DAY) 1:15:58

1y ago1:15:58

1:15:58

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--actor, producer, screenwriter, and director, Luke Barnett! Luke is a jack of all trades and most recently, it was his producing work that helped bring success to the feature film, YOUR LUCKY DAY, written and directed by Dan Brown, and starring the late Angus Cloud and Jessica Gar…

1
Film Inquiry's Interview with Kim Hornby, an ISA Top 25 Writer to Watch in 2024 21:33

1y ago21:33

21:33

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 FilmInquiry.comBy Kristy Strouse

1
Script Clearances and What Writers Need to Know w/Carley Aggromito (ABIGAIL FRANKLIN'S IMPROBABILITY OF STARDOM) 1:08:42

1y ago1:08:42

1:08:42

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--screenwriter and script clearance professional, Carley Aggromito! Carley is an Australia and Vancouver-based writer writing features while working in script clearances by day. In this episode, we discuss her writing, contest success, and the world of script clearances. I hope you…

1
FSS: Paranormal European Travel - Ireland legends & Faery Lore Above Knockma Hill & at Kilkea Castle & the Hellfire Club 55:17

1y ago55:17

55:17

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.By Max Timm & Scott Markus

1
Chaseedaw Giles, Using Dark Topics to Find the Light in Humanity, Emerging Screenwriter Interview 31:44

1y ago31:44

31:44

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.By Shayna Weber

1
Talking Horror Movies & Haunted Chicago with Jackson Schreiber from Katch Data 49:40

1y ago49:40

49:40

Big thanks to the horror blog WonderfullyWeirdAndHorrifying.com for making this conversation happen. What did you think of "Hereditary?"By Max Timm & Scott Markus

1
Writing in TV Rooms at Netflix & Amazon w/Shruti Saran (SLIP on Roku) 1:06:19

1y ago1:06:19

1:06:19

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--screenwriter and filmmaker, Shruti Saran! Shruti has written in writer's rooms at Netflix and Amazon, and is currently ESE on Season 2 of SLIP on Roku! In this episode, she shares her personal experience with moving from Texas to LA to join her first writer's room and all the les…

1
Emerging Screenwriter AND Director Interview, Diane Lansing 21:31

1+ y ago21:31

21:31

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.By Shayna Weber

1
Introducing Fast Track Fellow & Screenwriter, Kiefer Lloyd 33:03

1+ y ago33:03

33:03

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.By Scott Markus

1
A Cinematographer's Approach to Story w/Brett Pawlak (SHORT TERM 12, JUST MERCY) 1:31:37

1+ y ago1:31:37

1:31:37

Hey there, everybody! Today's guest is cinematographer, Brett Pawlak! Brett was the DP of one of my all-time favorite films, SHORT TERM 12, in addition to a bunch of other incredible television and film credits. In the episode, we talk about how he got started with cameras, meeting frequent collaborator, writer/director, Destin Daniel Cretton, winn…

1
Brittany Kelly's Background in Psychology, the Prison System and ...CraigsList 29:01

1+ y ago29:01

29:01

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.By Shayna Weber

1
Screenwriting From Outside Hollywood with Andy Compton (Special Guest Host - Gabe Braxton) 1:59:26

1+ y ago1:59:26

1:59:26

Hey there, everybody! Doing something a little different on this episode--the screenwriter in the hot seat will be ME! With my good pal, Gabe Braxton, guest hosting. We talk about how I got into screenwriting, contest success, starting a screenwriting career from outside Hollywood, and more! Also, you can watch the full video podcast of this episod…

1
FSS: Paranormal European Travel - Portugal, Sintra's Knights Templar Connection 37:16

1+ y ago37:16

37:16

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.By Max Timm & Scott Markus

1
Amanda & Lita Lopez, Underdogs Excelling as Screenwriting Sisters 35:15

1+ y ago35:15

35:15

Screenwriting SISTERS, Lita and Amanda Lopez, created an amazing drama pilot for a series titled "The Work" that won the Table Read My Screenplay competition in 2022 based on Amanda's social work career.

1
Writing a Feature Film in the Festival Circuit with Leah Simmons (VALENTINE CRUSH) 1:08:40

1+ y ago1:08:40

1:08:40

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, I'm talking to screenwriter, Leah Simmons, or as you may know her on Twitter, Leah From South Dakota! Leah is a screenwriter based in, you guessed it, South Dakota. She writes genre features and pilots and in this episode we discuss her feature film credit, VALENTINE CRUSH, her writing process, film festival…

1
Caitlin Gallo & Brittany Harris: Don't be Afraid to Stand Out, Be Uniquely You 51:31

1+ y ago51:31

51:31

You will quickly see how Caitlin and Brittany are writing partners as they practically finish each other’s sentences. These two are high energy, fiercely hard working and driven writers who are part of our ISA Top 25 Writers to Watch in 2023.By Shayna Weber

1
FSS 44: Rita Mae Moore, Haunted Lake Geneva & the curious ghosts at Baker House 1:06:44

1+ y ago1:06:44

1:06:44

Haunted history tour guide, Rita Mae Moore, grew up with a ghost hunting mom before working in the police force and having some paranormal experiences there. Today, she's a tour guide & two-time author of a fantasy book series.By Max Timm & Scott Markus

1
Tray Epps: Follow the fun & the fear in your writing, Emerging Screenwriter Interview 45:43

1+ y ago45:43

45:43

Tray Epps just has a really great, infectious charm. He's multi-faceted, having worked in many different areas of production. He came on our radar during our Diversity Initiative and then landed on Top 25 Screenwriters to watch in 2023.By Shayna Weber

1
FSS 45: IAmNotAStalker's Lindsay Blake on Filming Locations & Some Strange LA Crims stories 1:12:51

1+ y ago1:12:51

1:12:51

Writer/researcher Lindsay Blake has made a career out of a passion - finding where her favorite shows were filmed (starting with "Scream"). Geek out with us as we talk about unique locations across LA including hidden gems & strange LA crimes.By Max Timm & Scott Markus

1
ISAPresents: The WGA Strike is Over - Now What? With Lee Jessup 58:28

1+ y ago58:28

58:28

Screenwriting career coach Lee Jessup knows that's going on in the entertainment industry better than just about anyone. Chatting with Max Timm, she dives into the details of the strike-ending agreement & what it means to writers and the future.By Max Timm

1
Todd Foley & Dan Healey, Emerging Screenwriters: Set Writing Goals that are within your Control 22:16

1+ y ago22:16

22:16

Todd Foley & Dan Healey met on Twitter during the pandemic, swapping scripts which led to them write a horror feature together while living in different states.By Shayna Weber

1
Writing a Movie for Lifetime with Brandi Sperry (TAKEN IN MONTANA) 1:30:30

1+ y ago1:30:30

1:30:30

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, I'm talking to screenwriter, Brandi Sperry! Brandi is the screenwriter of the TV movie, TAKEN IN MONTANA, which premiered on Lifetime in September 2023. She a multi-genre writer who writes in both the TV and film formats. In the episode, she talks about her projects, her writing process, and a disdain for pr…

1
Former Burlesque Performer, Andrea Berting Beat Cancer & Became an Award-Winning Screenwriter 24:42

1+ y ago24:42

24:42

Andrea Berting made the most of her time during the pandemic to dive into screenwriting for the first time. Andrea comes from a place of body positivity, but how do you reconcile reality when your body is what's trying to kill you?By Scott Markus

1
FSS: Road Trip Through Roswell w/ Max & Scott 50:34

1+ y ago50:34

50:34

The ISA's Max Timm & Scott Markus take a road trip across America to join the picket lines in Hollywood. On the way they stop at some unique locations associated with unique histories and stories.By Max Timm & Scott Markus

1
Seth Michael Donsky: Be Merciless in Editing, Emerging Screenwriters Interview 34:16

1+ y ago34:16

34:16

Seth Michael Donsky has a lot of projects right on the verge. He writes stories about people outside of the mainstream. We are fortunate that he's willing to share so much of his trial and error knowledge of the industry with us.By Shayna Weber

1
Landing a Manager From a Contest with Sam Watson (MAGICAL NEGRO - 1-hour pilot) 1:47:31

1+ y ago1:47:31

1:47:31

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, I'm talking to screenwriter, Sam Watson! Based in, and proudly repping, Philadelphia, Sam is a Black, biracial, Ukrainian-American television writer. His work recently landed him a manager, which we get into more in the episode! Give it a listen, like, follow, subscribe, say something nice on Twitter/Instagr…

1
JCS: Julia Morizawa & the Shore Scripts Short Film Fund 26:55

1+ y ago26:55

26:55

Do you have a short script that's ready to go into production? Whether you're looking for the production budget (including camera rentals) or finishing funds, check out the Short Film Fund from Shore Scripts.By Scott Markus

1
FSS 42: Colin Dickey - Secret Societies & Truth Behind Famous Legends 1:16:03

2y ago1:16:03

1:16:03

Colin Dickey is a wonderful writer and spectacular researcher. His work reveals hidden or lost truths behind famous stories we've all heard. His latest book is Under the Eye of Power: How Fear of Secret Societies Shapes American Democracy.By Max Timm & Scott Markus

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