Bulletproof Screenwriting™ Podcast
by Bulletproof Screenwriting
The Bulletproof Screenwriting Podcast shows you how to make your screenplays bulletproof. Weekly interviews with Oscar® and Emmy® award winning screenwriters, story specialists, best-selling authors, Hollywood agents and managers, and industry insiders. We cover every aspect of the screenwriting process. This is the screenwriting podcast for the rest of us. No fluff. No BS. Just straight talk that will help you on your screenwriting journey. Some of the past guests include 3X Oscar® Winning Writer/Director Oliver Stone, Eric Roth (Dune, Forest Gump), Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead), Richard Linklater (Boyhood, Slacker) James V. Hart (Dracula, Hook), John August (Big Fish, Aladdin), Jim Uhls ( Fight Club), Peter Rader (Waterworld), Diane Drake (What Women Want), Daniel Knauf (Carnival, Blacklist), Derek Kolstad (John Wick) and Pen Densham (Robin Hood, Backdraft) to name a few. Become a supporter of this podcast: <a href="https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bulletproo
Episodes
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BPS 495: The Screenwriting Advice Hollywood Writers Actually Use with Ron Peters
Screenwriter, story analyst, and editor Ron Peters takes us inside the craft of professional screenwriting through his experiences working on projects including Defiance, The Wolf of Wall Street, Fury, and Twin Peaks. Ron breaks down how he approaches a screenplay—first experiencing it as an...
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BPS 494: Do You Really Need Film School to Become a Filmmaker with Miranda Sajdak
Writer, producer, and director Miranda Sajdak takes us inside the realities of building a filmmaking career from the ground up. After studying film at Columbia, Miranda worked on graduate student productions before landing PA opportunities on major movies including The Bourne Ultimatum and...
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BPS 493: Film School Won’t Teach You This About Making Movies with Jason Kartalian
Filmmaker Jason Kartalian grew up around movie sets through his father, character actor Buck Kartalian, whose credits included Planet of the Apes, Cool Hand Luke, and The Outlaw Josey Wales. That early exposure eventually led Jason behind the camera, where he developed his own approach to…
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BPS 492: How One of the WORST Movies Ever Made Became a Cult Classic with Jackey Neyman
Actress, artist, and producer Jackey Neyman takes us behind the scenes of one of the strangest cult movies in filmmaking history: Manos: The Hands of Fate. Jackey was only six years old when her father joined the production and brought far more than his performance to the movie—he also provided...
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BPS 491: The Screenwriting Advice Hollywood Writers Actually Use with Andrew Bloomenthal
Entertainment writer, screenwriter, and independent filmmaker Andrew Bloomenthal joins the show to discuss what years of interviewing working screenwriters and directors taught him about storytelling, preparation, and the filmmaking business. Andrew explains how his background in financial...
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BPS 490: He Waited 11 YEARS to Make His Movie—Then Jimmy Kimmel Changed Everything with Don Barris
What happens when Hollywood never comes knocking? Comedian, filmmaker, podcaster, and longtime Jimmy Kimmel collaborator Don Barris shares the unconventional journey that eventually led to the cult comedy Windy City Heat. After leaving Michigan for California, Don struggled through stand-up…
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BPS 489: He Made 1,500 Short Films Before Hollywood Took Notice with Michael Rousselet
What happens when Hollywood keeps saying no, but you refuse to stop making movies? Filmmaker and screenwriter Michael Rousselet shares the unconventional path that took him from USC film school to creating more than 1,500 Five Second Films and eventually co-writing and directing the cult comedy...
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BPS 488: How The Asylum Makes Movies That Actually Make Money with David M. Latt
How do you build an independent film studio that produces movies constantly without betting the entire company on every release? In this episode, David M. Latt, co-founder of The Asylum, breaks down the unconventional business model behind one of the most prolific independent production companies...
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BPS 487: The Brutal Truth About Making Horror Movies with Harrison Smith
Success in filmmaking rarely comes from waiting for permission. In this episode, horror filmmaker Harrison Smith shares the lessons he learned from building a career through writing, producing, and directing independent films like The Fields, Six Degrees of Hell, Camp Dread, and Zombie Killers:...
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BPS 486: Wes Craven's Secret to Writing Great Movies with Glenn Benest
What does it really take to become a professional screenwriter? In this fascinating conversation, Glenn Benest—screenwriter of two Wes Craven films, producer, novelist, and longtime Hollywood mentor—shares the lessons that transformed his career. From adapting A Stranger in Our House to...
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BPS 485: The Screenwriting Blueprint Every First-Time Writer Needs with David Hohl
Writing a screenplay is easy. Writing one that Hollywood actually wants to read is something entirely different. In this episode, veteran screenplay consultant David Hohl shares decades of experience helping writers transform rough ideas into professional screenplays. From outlining and story...
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BPS 484: How One Tweet Can Change Your Screenwriting Career with Jeanne Veillette Bowerman
Breaking into Hollywood has never followed a single formula, and Jeanne Veillette Bowerman proves that some of the most successful careers begin far outside Los Angeles. After owning a motel and restaurant for fifteen years, Jeanne reinvented herself as a screenwriter, eventually becoming the...
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BPS 483: The Filmmaker Who Turned Failure Into a Feature Film with Mark Phillips
What starts as a spontaneous idea during a cold morning outside a locked office eventually becomes a life-changing adventure stretching across an entire continent. In this episode, filmmaker Mark Phillips shares the incredible story behind The Walking Fool, a documentary chronicling his attempt…
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BPS 482: How a Hollywood Creature Creator Made His First Feature Film with Hiroshi Katagiri
What does it take to spend more than two decades creating creatures, monsters, and makeup effects for Hollywood before finally stepping behind the camera to direct your own feature film? In this episode, legendary special effects artist Hiroshi Katagiri shares his remarkable journey from moving…
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BPS 481: The Brutal Truth About Getting Your First Film Made with Greg Francis
On today's episode, filmmaker Greg Francis shares the incredible journey behind making his first feature film, Poker Night, after spending more than a decade fighting to bring it to the screen. From growing up in Taiwan as the son of missionaries to discovering filmmaking through public access...
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BPS 480: Hollywood’s Book Whisperer Reveals Why Most Scripts Never Sell with Lane Shefter Bishop
What if the reason your screenplay isn't getting attention has nothing to do with your writing ability? In this eye-opening conversation, Lane Shefter Bishop—known throughout Hollywood as "The Book Whisperer"—breaks down the single most important tool every writer needs: the logline. Having built…
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BPS 479: How to Make an Indie Film When You Have NO Money with Bob Woolsey and Darren Borrowman
What does it really take to make an independent film with almost no money, no studio backing, and no guarantees? In this episode, filmmakers Bob Woolsey and Darren Borrowman break down the entire chaotic journey of making their indie feature film Do Something with Your Life—from crowdfunding...
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BPS 478: The Untold Story of ECW’s Rise & Fall with John Philapavage
What happens when a lifelong wrestling fan decides to document one of the most chaotic and misunderstood subcultures in entertainment history? In this episode, filmmaker John Philapavage breaks down the 13-year journey of creating Barbed Wire City, the unauthorized documentary about ECW and the...
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BPS 477: What James Gunn Taught Me About Success with Will Keenan
What does a career look like when it spans cult films, Bollywood productions, Hollywood boardrooms, and ultimately a complete reinvention of purpose? In this episode, Will Keenan shares one of the most unconventional journeys in entertainment. From landing the lead role in Tromeo and Juliet...
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BPS 476: The Cinematographer’s Secret to Making Actors Trust You with Jared Hess
What separates a good cinematographer from one that directors, producers, and talent repeatedly trust with high-pressure productions? In this episode, cinematographer Jared Hess shares hard-earned lessons from over a decade shooting for ESPN, WWE, Bellator, and major fight promotions. From…
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BPS 475: The Art of Networking in Hollywood – Real Strategies That Work with Erman Baradi & Brandon Waites
Erman Baradi and Brandon Waites share practical, real-world advice on how to network effectively in Hollywood without coming across as desperate or transactional. Drawing from their own journeys — from military service and film school to building strong online presences — they explain why...
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BPS 474: The Legal Mistake That Can Destroy Your Film Career with Nellie Akalp
What if the biggest threat to your film isn’t your budget… your script… or even your distribution—but something legal you never even thought about? In this episode, Nellie Akalp, CEO of CorpNet, breaks down the essential legal foundations every filmmaker must understand before stepping onto set....
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BPS 473: Why Moving to L.A Might Ruin Your Film Career with Will Ball
In this episode, Will Ball—talent agent and founder of a new agency—breaks down the harsh realities of the film and acting industry that most aspiring filmmakers never hear. From the oversaturated market in Los Angeles to the misconception that talent alone leads to success, Will explains why…
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BPS 472: Why Most Indie Films Fail Before Production Even Starts with Jenna Edwards
What really stops independent filmmakers from succeeding? According to producer and actress Jenna Edwards, it’s not talent, money, or even connections—it’s the complete lack of a real plan. In this powerful conversation, Jenna shares the hard truths she learned moving from acting on shows like...
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BPS 471: Why Most Creators Never Finish Their Film (Hard Truth) with James Altucher
James Altucher breaks down the real foundation of creativity and why most writers and filmmakers struggle—not because they lack talent, but because they don’t consistently generate ideas. He explains how developing an “idea muscle” through daily practice can completely transform your ability to...
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BPS 470: Why 99% of Indie Films NEVER Get Distribution with Bill Ostroff
What if the biggest obstacle to your film career… isn’t talent—but misunderstanding how the industry actually works? In this eye-opening conversation, Bill Ostroff—founder of one of the longest-running indie film festivals—pulls back the curtain on the hidden realities of film festivals,...
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BPS 469: Why Most Filmmakers NEVER Finish Their Movies with Rob Dimension
What if the only thing standing between you and your film career… is you? In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Rob Dimension pulls back the curtain on the real struggles of indie filmmaking—from failed crowdfunding campaigns to the harsh truth about why most people never finish what they…
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BPS 468: The Indie Filmmaker’s Survival Guide (No Hollywood Required) with Ethan Marten
Ethan Marten shares his journey from growing up around Hollywood through his father’s connections to forging his own path as an actor, producer, and filmmaker outside the traditional system. From landing early acting roles to learning the realities of auditions, collaboration, and directing, he...
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BPS 467: Why Breaking Into TV Is HARDER Than You Think with Sandra Leviton
In this episode, Sandra Leviton pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a career in television and film. From her early days working in reality TV to her time at FX during the rise of hit shows like Sons of Anarchy and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, she shares a firsthand look...
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BPS 466: The Screenwriting Software Changing How Writers Work with Guy Goldstein
Guy Goldstein discusses how his background as both a programmer and screenwriter led to the creation of WriterDuet, one of the most innovative screenwriting tools available today. Recognizing that screenwriting is often a collaborative process, he built software that allows writers to work…
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BPS 465: How to Turn a YouTube Idea Into a Feature Film with Patrick Epino
Patrick Epino shares how a simple YouTube video about Hollywood tropes evolved into the crowdfunded feature film Awesome Asian Bad Guys. After building an audience through the National Film Society, Patrick and his team leveraged their online community to raise over $50,000 on Kickstarter. He...
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BPS 464: How to Turn a Short Film Into a Film Career with Jennifer & Kevin Sluder
Jennifer and Kevin Sluder share their journey from North Carolina to Los Angeles and how they built Sunshine Boy Productions into a growing independent film company. Kevin’s early recognition as a screenwriter opened doors, but instead of waiting for projects to materialize, the couple chose to...
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BPS 463: The Rodriguez List: How to Make Movies with What You Already Have with Aaron Kaufman & Brian Levin
Aaron Kaufman and Brian Levin share an unfiltered look at how independent filmmakers can build real momentum by creating instead of waiting. Drawing from experiences ranging from YouTube comedy to studio features, they explain the power of the “Rodriguez List”—writing scripts based on the assets...
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BPS 462: Finding Your Way into Film Without Film School with David Powers
David Powers shares his unconventional path into filmmaking, one driven by curiosity rather than credentials. From discovering cinema through genre films and festivals to learning production hands-on through wrestling shoots and indie sets, David explains how real-world experience shaped his...
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BPS 461: What a Real Film Producer Actually Does with Marc Bienstock
Marc Bienstock shares an honest look at what producing really means, drawing from decades of experience on both independent and studio films. From his early days at NYU and directing features to becoming a trusted producer on projects like The Visit and Split, Marc explains how preparation,...
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BPS 460: Making Independent Films Without Hollywood or a Huge Budget with David Ash
On today’s episode, we meet David Ash, a filmmaker who perfectly embodies the spirit of the weekend warrior — balancing a demanding corporate career, a family of four, and a thriving passion for filmmaking. Living in the Twin Cities, Ash proves that a creative life doesn’t have to mean abandoning...
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BPS 459: How Filmmakers Can Win in the Digital Marketing Age with David Feinman
David Feinman shares how cinematic storytelling can be used to build successful businesses and viral experiences. From creating Zombie Run—a nationwide immersive event inspired by zombie films—to founding Viral Idea Marketing, David explains how understanding narrative, pacing, and emotion allows...
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BPS 458: Finding a New Creative Path in Indie Film with Charmane Star
Charmane Star shares her unexpected journey from a small role in Black Dynamite to discovering a deep passion for independent filmmaking. What began as a routine booking evolved into a Sundance Film Festival premiere and a Sony Pictures acquisition, introducing her to the collaborative and global...
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BPS 457: The Untold Stories of Women in Action Cinema with Melanie Wise
Melanie Wise, a former model and actress, discusses her transition to producing due to height-related challenges in acting. She produced the horror action film "Hannah's Gift," which she also starred in, and faced issues with lost masters and ineffective editors. Wise co-founded the Artemis Film...
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BPS 456: The New Rules of Indie Filmmaking No One Is Teaching with the Jalbert Brothers
The Jalbert Brothers share how they built their filmmaking careers by embracing low budgets, consistent output, and hands-on learning. Rather than waiting for funding or studio approval, they focused on making films with minimal resources, sometimes for as little as $1,000. Each project became a...
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BPS 455: How to Turn a Script Into a Movie Without Hollywood’s Help with Chris Jay
Chris Jay, once a touring musician with the rock band Army of Freshmen, found a new creative path when the music industry shifted and opportunities dried up. Instead of giving up, he and his bandmate Aaron Goldberg turned to filmmaking, writing and producing their first feature, The Bet. Without...
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BPS 454: What Really Happens After You Write the Script with Michael K. Snyder
Michael K. Snyder shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build a sustainable screenwriting career. From film school and early networking with Lloyd Kaufman to moving to Los Angeles with a plan, Michael’s journey highlights the importance of preparation, persistence, and...
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BPS 453: How to Build a Screenwriting Career That Actually Lasts with Bob Saenz
Bob Saenz shares a rare, honest look at what it means to build a long-term career as both an actor and screenwriter. From his early days in theater and television to writing studio films and Hallmark movies, Bob’s journey emphasizes craft over shortcuts. He explains how his time acting on Nash...
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BPS 452: The Filmmaker Who Refused to Tap Out: The Making of Heel Kick! with Danny Mac
On this episode, we sit down with Danny Mac, a Canadian filmmaker, actor, and producer whose story is a masterclass in indie filmmaking grit. Best known for his mockumentary Heel Kick!, Danny proves that passion and persistence can turn any dream—no matter how outlandish—into cinematic reality....
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BPS 451: Making Movies Without Sight: Inside the Creative Mind of Gough
Every once in a while, a filmmaker comes along whose story redefines what’s possible. On today’s episode, we meet Gough, the world’s first legally blind filmmaker to write, produce, edit, direct, and star in a feature film. Based in Australia, Gough’s journey isn’t just about overcoming...
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BPS 450: From Video Games to the Big Screen: The Filmmaking Journey of Nicole Jones-Dion
Nicole Jones-Dion, a screenwriter, director, and producer, shared her unconventional path into filmmaking, beginning in the world of video games and comics before moving into film. Known for her work on projects like Tekken 2, Dracula: The Dark Prince, and the SyFy thriller They Found Hell, she…
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BPS 449: From Setbacks to Festival Wins: The Filmmaking Path of Dawn Fields
Dawn Fields is a Los Angeles-based producer, writer, and director whose journey through the film industry is marked by both struggle and triumph. Beginning her career as a production assistant in Atlanta, she quickly discovered her true passion was behind the camera. After relocating to Los…
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BPS 448: Screenwriting, The BAM Method, And How To Write A Screenplay That Stands Out with Mike Bierman
Award-winning screenwriter Mike Bierman has carved an unconventional path into the world of storytelling, moving from reading his daughter’s audition scripts to building a reputation as both a prolific writer and founder of the Facebook group Screenwriters Who Can Actually Write. In this...
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BPS 447: Turning a Script into a Movie: The Indie Filmmaking Story of Jamie Buckner
Jamie Buckner’s filmmaking journey is one built on passion, persistence, and pure creative drive. After exploring careers in music, architecture, and art, he realized filmmaking combined everything he loved into one pursuit. Starting as a production assistant, Jamie worked his way through...
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BPS 446: The Screenwriting Secrets Every Indie Writer Needs to Know with Dan Benamor
Dan Benamor began his film career as an intern, quickly working his way up to head of development at a small production company. That experience gave him a deep understanding of story and the industry, shaping his perspective on what makes a screenplay stand out: confidence, strong character…
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About this show
The Bulletproof Screenwriting Podcast shows you how to make your screenplays bulletproof. Weekly interviews with Oscar® and Emmy® award winning screenwriters, story specialists, best-selling authors, Hollywood agents and managers, and industry insiders. We cover every aspect of the screenwriting process. This is the screenwriting podcast for the rest of us. No fluff. No BS. Just straight talk that will help you on your screenwriting journey.
Some of the past guests include 3X Oscar® Winning Writer/Director Oliver Stone, Eric Roth (Dune, Forest Gump), Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead), Richard Linklater (Boyhood, Slacker) James V. Hart (Dracula, Hook), John August (Big Fish, Aladdin), Jim Uhls ( Fight Club), Peter Rader (Waterworld), Diane Drake (What Women Want), Daniel Knauf (Carnival, Blacklist), Derek Kolstad (John Wick) and Pen Densham (Robin Hood, Backdraft) to name a few.
Become a supporter of this podcast: <a href="https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bulletproo
Hosted by
Bulletproof Screenwriting