Jason Scoggins, a former ICM agent and co-founder of companies acquired by Slated, reveals what agents actually look for in writers, how television development really works, and the unglamorous truth about pitching. From his fifteen years navigating both talent representation and independent film finance, Jason offers screenwriters practical insights on collaboration, the business side of storytelling, and what it takes to get your work made.

UK screenwriter Luke Riley discusses Prisoners of Air, a Script-to-Screen finalist about two men searching for the lost Franklin Expedition. He breaks down how a TV series sparked his research, why he rewrote real history to serve his story, and his unconventional writing process: no outline, two hours nightly, typing in Word. Luke challenges screenwriting formulas, shares how he handles feedback without compromising his vision, and reveals the creative habits that shaped his craft.

Think you need a budget or connections to start? Think again. John and Danny break down how Whiplash, Saw, and Napoleon Dynamite all began as scrappy shorts that convinced producers to bet big, plus modern stories of YouTubers, critics, and teenagers turning viral shorts into real features. No excuses left, just make something.

Two microbudget horror films just outdrew the big franchises, and Hollywood is asking why. John hands hosting duties to Danny, joined by Meara, to unpack what Obsession and Back Rooms reveal about original voices, Gen Z audiences, and the return of the 90s aesthetic. Read the full conversation below.

Meara breaks down why DC's Supergirl flopped, tracing the failure to a script where Kara and Ruthye never actually change each other. Comparing it to True Grit and Logan, he explains why mentor/mentee arcs need reciprocal transformation to work, shows where the film abandons its comic source material, and rewrites the story's back half to demonstrate what real character growth looks like.

Mr. Lawrence, writer and voice of Plankton on SpongeBob SquarePants joins the podcast to discuss writing for characters he also performs. He covers the show's cartoonist-first, visual approach to comedy, building character dynamics that have lasted 26+ years, finding new episode structures, and how writing the Plankton movie pushed the character's arc beyond what the series alone could do.

Peter Parker is trying to quit Spider-Man and that's exactly why Far From Home falls flat. Meara breaks down the one screenwriting fix (want vs. need) that could've turned Quentin Beck's betrayal into a gut punch instead of a twist. Plus: why "reactive" heroes like Ripley and Marty McFly still work, and Meara's own rewritten synopsis that fixes the whole third act.

Nolan's Odyssey is a triumph of scale, so why does its hero feel like a stranger? Meara argues Matt Damon's Odysseus isn't chasing glory, he's fleeing an unearned guilt, and the script never lets him win it back. This episode rebuilds the myth from Troy to Ithaca, testing what one ruthless addition could fix. A must-listen for any writer who's felt one small change ripple through an entire story.

She was a full-time mom with no screenwriting experience. Then came a 3 a.m. image so terrifying she had to write it. What started as a personal project became a screenplay that captured thousands and landed her a production deal. Kathryn's debut script Due is proof: write what moves you, finish what you start, and don't try to sell it. Just get the clay on the table.

Back Rooms is a hell of a debut, but is its second half playing it too safe? Danny breaks down what makes Kane Parsons' liminal horror so unsettling, why it stumbles into over-explaining its own metaphors, and how a page from David Lynch's Inland Empire could've made Clark's descent into the back rooms even more devastating. Spoilers ahead.

Veteran producer Mike Gabrawy shares what he saw at the 2025 Cannes Film Market and why the indie film industry finally feels hopeful again. From the breakout success of micro-budget films like Obsession and Iron Lung to the collapse of pre-sales and the rise of self-distribution, Mike breaks down what's working now, and why original storytelling and finding your audience are the keys to survival.

In this episode of the Kinolime Podcast, Meara breaks down why the 1984 Supergirl film crashed and burned. Instead of a fetch quest where Kara stumbles through a boarding school, he argues the film needed a clear emotional journey, a protagonist desperate to prove herself beyond her cousin's shadow. By focusing on her internal conflict, the story could become a powerful exploration of identity and respect.

Screenwriter Zach Morrison proves you don't need a studio greenlight to make television. From interning at Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Tonight Show, and SNL to independently raising $300K for his TV pilot, Morrison reveals the exact strategies for building industry relationships, securing indie financing, and surviving today's broken development system.

In this episode of the Kinolime Screenwriting Podcast, Danny breaks down how Michael could have been a stronger biopic. Instead of a career highlight reel, he argues the film needed clearer conflict, deeper family dynamics, and a more active Michael at its center. By focusing on his wants, wounds, isolation, and need to be loved, the story could become a more powerful portrait of fame.

Danny and Meara dive into Obsession, the low-budget horror breakout that has everyone talking. From its unsettling premise and standout performances to its questions about desire, control, agency, and the future of internet-era horror, this episode unpacks what makes the film so exciting, disturbing, and divisive.

John and Danny dive into one of the year’s most divisive films: Michael. What begins as a debate about the Michael Jackson biopic quickly expands into a larger conversation about nostalgia, modern musical biopics, and whether these films are still true character dramas or have become theatrical fan experiences. From storytelling and performance to controversy and box office success, the two break down what screenwriters can learn from one of the most talked-about movies of the year.

Kole Landon-Lee, creator of Screenwriting in LA, joins John and Danny for an honest conversation about creativity, depression, filmmaking, and building one of the biggest screenwriting communities online. From moving to LA with nothing to rediscovering his passion through cinema and social media, Kole shares the reality of chasing a creative life, the power of authenticity, and why community matters more than connections.

What really happens after you submit your script? In this episode, professional readers break down how scripts are evaluated across competitions, agencies, and production companies. From formatting and first impressions to character, clarity, and emotional impact, they reveal what makes a screenplay stand out and why some scripts move forward while others don’t.

From Nigeria to South Africa, director Adze Ugah shares his journey into filmmaking and the lessons that shaped his voice. In this episode, we explore storytelling, resilience, and why authenticity matters. From VHS tapes to directing Shaka and Something Like Molasses (Kinolime Production), this is a conversation about craft, courage, and putting yourself into the story.