Ep 554: Nick Shafir

PUBLIC VERSION. Screenwriter Nick Shafir (I.S.S.) joins Adam, Joe, and Arwen in the ArieScope Studio to discuss his journey to becoming a working screenwriter with a film that's currently playing in theaters all across the country. From a dyslexic aspiring writer living in New York City who discovered THE MOVIE CRYPT podcast back in 2014 and drew his own personal inspiration from it… to paying his dues at various jobs including being the writer's assistant to the staff of a major network TV series where he was expected to fix toilets and once reprimanded for "walking too loud"… to selling his sci-fi screenplay I.S.S. during the pandemic and what it was like handing his baby off to a creative team and a production process that he wouldn't be directly involved with from day to day… to why he believes it would be a disservice for an aspiring filmmaker to NOT go through both the wonderful highs and the soul crushing lows that accompany most every artist's journey… to what it's really like surviving for 6 months or more without a paycheck in sight yet not throwing in the towel and giving up on your dream… to how exactly Nick took his brilliant single location concept and crafted a complex character driven sci-fi thriller… to the research that he needed to do to believably write a story about scientists living on the space station… to the nonstop anxiety and constant self-doubt that an artist endures while hoping and praying that somehow someone somewhere will discover and recognize your talent… to the triumphant moment of having I.S.S. world premiere at the prestigious Tribeca film festival only to not even be allowed to step foot on the red carpet or talk about the movie due to the WGA strike… we've been waiting and waiting (and waiting) to share Nick's story with you all and the time has finally come! Also, Dr. Arwen provides "Hollywood Therapy" for a writer in search of tips on how to improve the dialogue in their screenplays which turns into a super in-depth 20 minute discussion on writing character's with unique voices. After a decade of watching his journey and rooting for him every step of the way… on January 5, 2024 Nick Shafir walked into the ArieScope Studio as an accomplished union screenwriter with a film on the eve of opening in theaters nationwide. He is a friend, a colleague, and now… a GUEST on THE MOVIE CRYPT podcast.  We couldn't possibly ask for a more inspiring way to be starting off 2024 than with this amazing 2-hour conversation! Will YOU be the next Nick Shafir? Strap in, get to work, and hopefully we'll see you here in our studio soon!