Ep 292 - What to Do When Your Screenwriting Career Stalls

What happens when you’ve done everything right. Made a film, landed a rep, and still find yourself stuck? In this episode, Geoffrey and Kristy tackle the tough truth about stalled careers and how rebranding or shifting genres can reignite momentum. They also dive into Steven Soderbergh’s Presence, breaking down why its bold POV and long oners captivate audiences, and chat about Jonathan Nolan’s Fallout heading to New Vegas for Season 2. Plus, Kristy shares insights from her new vertical series The Witch Wolf’s Mate and why short-form storytelling is becoming a massive opportunity for indie filmmakers. Spoiler alert: We discuss key plot details from Presence.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy even successful screenwriters and filmmakers hit career stallsHow to rebrand or change genres strategically to stay relevantWhat makes Presence a masterclass in single-location storytellingWhy vertical short-form filmmaking is the next indie waveWhere to get free, verified weekly script leads from producersKey Moments00:23 First reactions to Presence and its surprising twist07:30 The craft behind Soderbergh’s long takes and single-location setup09:06 What to do when your screenwriting career stalls15:08 Fallout Season 2 moves to New Vegas — what that means for writers18:11 Kristy’s new vertical drama The Witch Wolf’s Mate and how RealShort changes the gameAbout the GuestKristy Leigh is a filmmaker and producer specializing in audience-friendly genre storytelling and emerging formats, including vertical dramas.About the HostWith films on network television, streaming platforms, and in theaters, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and a passionate mentor in the industry. He hosts The Successful Screenwriter podcast to empower writers and filmmakers at every level.Resources Mentioned in the EpisodePresence (dir. Steven Soderbergh; written by David Koepp)Fallout (Amazon) – Season 2 moving to New VegasRealShort App – Watch The Witch Wolf’s MateScript Leads by Geoffrey D. Calhoun – Free, verified weekly leadsConnect with Kristy Leigh📸 Instagram: @kantoka127🎬 Watch “The Witch Wolf’s Mate” on ReelShortConnect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun🌐 Website: The Successful Screenwriter📸 Instagram: @screenwriterpod▶️ YouTube: The Successful Screenwriter🎬 Get Free Script Leads — be the first to know which producers are requesting scripts and accepting submissions.Got a screenwriting question or challenge you want featured on the show? Drop it in the comments or message Geoffrey on Instagram.#Screenwriting #Filmmaking #CareerAdvice #Soderbergh #Presence #Fallout #RealShort #ScriptLeads #IndieFilm #WritingCommunity🎬 Get Free Script Leads — be the first to know which producers are requesting scripts and accepting submissions.If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe. Share it with a fellow screenwriter who’d find it valuable!