The Young Screenwriters Podcast
by Young Screenwriters
What makes a screenplay exceptional? How can you punch through the slush pile as an up-and-coming screenwriter? What does it take to become a successful writer in Hollywood?In the Young Screenwriters Podcast, Alexie Basil, Theo Luoma, and Adam Schaller share hard-won insights from their experience breaking into the film industry and establishing themselves as professional screenwriters and storytellers. Joined by NYU Film Professor John Warren and other special guests, they break down advanced-level storytelling techniques, practical strategies for navigating the film industry, and uplifting anecdotes to get you writing and networking.Whether you're a brand-new screenwriter looking for mentorship or are a seasoned professional eager for a laugh (and the occasional screenwriting nugget!).
Episodes
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046 - What Makes an Ending Insanely Good
A few years ago, Alexie and Adam watched Michael Arndt's lecture "Endings: The Good, the Bad, and the Insanely Great" and it completely changed the way they thought about endings, stakes, and giving stories meaning. Now, they'll discuss they're favorite, most groundbreaking insights from the...
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045 - How to Make a Pitch Deck for Your TV Show
How do you share your amazing TV idea with producers or potential collaborators? An amazing pitch deck is the perfect place to start! Professional screenwriters Alexie and Theo share step-by-step how to build a pitch deck by looking at: Real-world pitch decks that WORKED (like STRANGER THINGS and...
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044 - How to Come Up with Ideas for TV | World, Character, and Plot
Some ideas are MADE for TV. How do you know if your idea is up to par? Professional screenwriters Alexie and Theo talk about how to come up with a strong idea for a TV story by striking a careful balance between: World Characters Plot Grab your coffee and come join us for screenwriting talk!…
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043 - How to Write the First 10 Pages of Your Script
The first ten pages of your screenplay can hook your readers in for the long haul. They're arguably the most important part of your script for capturing an audience. Professional screenwriters Alexie, Adam, and Theo talk about how to make your first ten pages un-put-down-able by focusing on: A...
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042 - The Best (and Worst) Lessons from THE SEVEN BASIC PLOTS by Christopher Booker
People love to talk about how there are only a few basic stories, and all other work is a variation of them. THE SEVEN BASIC PLOTS is one of the most famous books sharing this theory! Haven't read THE SEVEN BASIC PLOTS by Christopher Booker? No problem! Professional screenwriters Alexie Basil and...
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041 - ACTION! EXPLOSIONS! SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER! | Live Story Generation
Summer is coming! Which means that epic summer blockbusters are right around the corner. How do you write something awesome that also goes BOOM?! Join professional screenwriters Alexie Basil and Adam Schaller as they create an outline for an action-packed summer blockbuster film on the spot....
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040 - Writing with VFX in Mind | Interview with Esha Sandhu
VFX Production Coordinator Esha Sandhu joins Alexie and Theo LIVE to talk about how screenwriters can write the most visually compelling screenplays. We'll cover: VFX breakdown in a script The nuances of writing explosions Tips for breaking into the VFX industry And more! Join us for our live…
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039 - Scene Quiz! | Writers Analyze Scene Structure
Breaking down a scene in a project you know is easy mode. What happens when you try to break down a scene without context? Professional screenwriters Alexie and Theo both bring two scenes the other has never seen before: Theo's bringing THE LOBSTER and Alexie's bringing the pilot of GENTLEMAN…
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038 - Creating Your Own Story IP | Interview with Victoria Male
Nicholl Finalist Victoria Male joins Alexie and Theo for a conversation about how to navigate risk-averse Hollywood and sell original ideas by creating your own IP. In addition to chatting about Victoria's success releasing short stories alongside her screenplays, we're going to get into: The...
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037 - Scripts That Get Made | Why Producers Love BILLY ELLIOT
Low-to-medium budget scripts with incredible character development are a golden ticket for producers... which makes them an excellent target for newer screenwriters! Alexie meet with Kinolime Producer John Schramm and Kinolime Creative Executive Danny Murray to break the beloved film BILLY ELLIOT...
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ANNOUCEMENT - New Name! Podcast Rebrand!
This is a special annoucement! We are rebranding the Breaking Story Podcast into THE YOUNG SCREENWRITERS PODCAST! This change comes due to this podcast expanding in scope with interviews, discussion on theory, and talking about things that impact the industry of Screenwriting. Don't worry though,...
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036 - Unreliable Narrator in SALTBURN | Story Analysis
SALTBURN is a masterpiece of deception, manipulation, and class struggle. Professional screenwriters Alexie Basil, Adam Schaller, and Theo Luoma break down the script and take a look at: How to pull off unreliable narrators When objectives are concealed from the audience Manipulating audience...
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035 - Screenwriting Analysis: BEEF Pilot Episode
Join Alexie and Theo live as they break down the pilot episode of one of their favorite shows of 2023, the Emmy-winning BEEF. Read the Pilot Script: BEEF, Episode 1 Watch the Series Join us on Discord Check out our courses They're going to look at how two beautifully flawed protagonists with...
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034 - Finishing Scripts: How to Stay Motivated in 2024
We talked about habits--now let's talk about the psychological side. Join Alexie and Theo LIVE to discuss strategies for getting and STAYING motivated in the new year. We'll get into: How writers groups can create accountability Setting achievable goals When to stick with an idea... and when to...
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033 - Screenwriting Habits That WORK (and which ones don't) for 2024
Last year, we both tried different habits for hitting our screenwriting goals. Join Alexie and Theo LIVE to discuss which ones actually worked and which ones we're leaving behind in 2023. We'll get into: Healthy habits that worked (and didn't work!) for us last year Strategies for making and...
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032 - Write What You Know: Practically and Emotionally
Alexie and Adam talk about the screenwriting adage "Write What You Know," looking at it from both a practical and emotional sense. They discuss how it's one thing to know the details of a story--to understand the world, the actions, the characters--and another to know the heart of a story. Join…
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031 - The 100: World Is A Character
Professional writers Alexie Basil and Theo Luoma break down how the world is established as a character in the pilot of one of their favorite CW shows: THE 100. Join the Discord Browse Our Free Courses The 100 Script
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030 - How to Know if Your Idea is Good
Professional writers Alexie Basil, Adam Schaller, and Theo Luoma share their favorite tips for getting past burnout and writers block. Join the Discord Browse Our Free Courses
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029 - GLASS ONION: Story Analysis
Professional screenwriters Adam Schaller and Alexie Basil break down the script for GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY. Watch the live stream Join Writing the Pilot Join Discord
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028 - Is it Writers Block or Burnout?
Professional writers Alexie Basil and Theo Luoma share their favorite tips for getting past burnout and writers block. Join Writing the Pilot Join Discord
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027 - BLACK MIRROR SEASON 6: Story Analysis
Professional writers Alexie Basil and Theo Luoma break down the newest season of the hit Netflix show, BLACK MIRROR. They also discuss werewolves, The 100, and why they love CW. ~*~ Don't Miss Our Weekly Thursday Workshops at 5:30pm ET ~*~ Join the Discord Community:...
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026 - Taking Notes and Writers' Groups
Professional writers Alexie Basil and Theo Luoma chat about the benefit of writers groups, giving notes, and taking notes (even bad ones). Join us at 5:30pm ET every Friday for coffee and story analysis! Get pinged before we go live: https://youngscreenwriters.com/coffee... Join Writing the Pilot...
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025 - Best and Worst Lessons from THE WRITER'S JOURNEY by Christopher Vogler
Haven't read THE WRITER'S JOURNEY: MYTHIC STRUCTURE FOR WRITERS by Christopher Vogler? No problem! Professional screenwriters Alexie Basil and Adam Schaller share the best and worst takeaways from the famous screenwriting classic.
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024 - Best and Worst Lessons from SAVE THE CAT by Blake Snyder
We read SAVE THE CAT by Blake Snyder so you don't have to! In this week's episode, Alexie and Adam share the most (and least) helpful lessons from this classic screenwriting book. Discover how to implement fantastic screenwriting advice, such as using irony in loglines, creating a world-changing...
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023 - Stuck? Our Tips for FINISHING Your Screenplay
Ever struggle to get your screenplay over the finish line? You aren't alone! In this episode of Breaking Story, Adam and Alexie share some of their favorite tips for finishing the first draft of your script (and importantly, getting over the page 60 hump).
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022 - Top 5 Screenwriting Rules (And When to Break Them)
Professional screenwriters Alexie Basil and Adam Schaller discuss five of the most common "unbreakable" screenwriting rules . . . and when to completely disregard them in your script. They break down why classics such as "only one protagonist," "never change your protagonist's objective," and...
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021 - Strategies for Writing Natural Dialogue
Screenwriters Alexie Basil and Adam Schaller share three techniques for writing powerful natural-sounding dialogue.
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020 - The Screenwriter's Formatting Guide for the Black List
Professional screenwriters Alexie Basil and Adam Schaller take a look at popular formatting trends in the most recent Black List scripts, and how you can format your specs for competitions.
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019 - NYU Film Professor: Why Screenwriting Is Worth It
NYU Film Professor John Warren joins Adam and Alexie to talk about the personal side of screenwriting: staying motivated, getting out of ruts, and why it's worth it.
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018 - Set Ups & Payoffs
Alexie and Adam take a look at set-ups and pay-offs in DECISION TO LEAVE. They discuss their ideas on what great set ups are and explain the nuance of writing payoffs that work. Join us at 4:00pm EST every Friday for coffee and story analysis of our favorite screenplays and films!
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017 - Dan Harmon's Story Circle and the Story Clock
Alexie and Adam take a look at two complementary plotting devices for your screenplay: Dan Harmon's Story Circle and the Story Clock.
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016 - Revisions and Rewriting Your Screenplay
The first draft of a screenplay is only the beginning. In this episode of Breaking Story, Alexie and Adam share their favorite strategies for revising scripts and making them into something ready to show the world, including the benefits of taking time between drafts, completing separate…
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015 - TV vs Movies: What's Best for Your Story?
Join professional screenwriters Adam Schaller and Alexie Basil to discuss the strengths of series and features—and how to decide which is a better fit for the story you want to tell. Meet the Community on Discord Join our Facebook Group Follow on Twitter Browse Our Free Courses
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014 - Putting Words on the Page
In this episode Adam and Alexie dive into the universal problem all writers face - putting words on the page. They go over the psychology of their own processes and share some tricks to try the next time you're putting words on the page. Young Screenwriters Course List Writing the Short Writing…
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013 - Dos and Don'ts of Exposition
You can't write a movie without some exposition—but often writers hear the complaint that their writing is too expositional. How do we strike that balance, and importantly, how do we recognize good and bad exposition in our own work? In this episode, screenwriters Alexie Basil and Adam Schaller...
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012 - #1 Mistake Screenwriters Make
Passive protagonists are one of the most common problems in screenplays—from seasoned screenwriters and newbies alike. Instead of driving the story forward and making active choices, these characters let the story come to them and then react. In this episode, screenwriters Alexie Basil and Adam...
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011 - What is Three Act Structure?
Three act structure is the most common story analysis tools—and a favorite among screenwriters. By breaking a script down into three acts, writers can approach the beginning, middle, and end from a place of intentionality and give their film momentum and purpose. In this episode, screenwriters...
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010 - Developing Ideas and Characters
Even with all the skills in the world, a screenwriter still needs one essential ingredient to write a knock-out script: an incredible idea. So, what makes a story or character idea good? Where do they come from and how to you put them to action? In this episode, NYU Tisch Film Professor John…
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009 - What Makes an Ending Good?
Some film endings stick with us through the ages. Why is that? What makes some screenplays end with a BANG! and what makes others fizzle? In this episode, NYU Tisch Film Professor John Warren and screenwriters Alexie Basil and Adam Schaller discuss writing powerful endings for your screenplay,...
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008 - What's the Deal with Film School?
Is film school worth it? What makes a strong film school application? If you do go to film school, how can you be sure to get the most of it? In this episode, NYU Tisch Film Professor John Warren and alum Alexie Basil answer all of your burning questions about film school—getting in, attending…
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007 - Writing Dialogue
For many screenwriters, dialogue is one of the most exciting parts of screenwriting. It's where our characters come to life on the page and on the screen. But how do you create dialogue that is authentic, interesting, AND moves the plot forward? In this episode, NYU Film Professor John Warren and...
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006 - Language and Scene Description
Scene description offers an opportunity for writers to help shape what a reader sees in their mind's eye. How do you create evocative imagery? How do you capture cinematic action? In this episode, NYU Film Professor John Warren and professional screenwriters Adam Schaller and Alexie Basil break...
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005 - Objective and Stakes in a Screenplay
Over the course of a feature screenplay, all of the protagonist's actions are in pursuit of their tangible objective. But what happens if they don't get it? What are the stakes? In this episode, NYU Film Professor John Warren and professional screenwriters Adam Schaller and Alexie Basil analyze…
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004 - Flaw and Inner Need in a Screenplay
Every incredible screenplay and memorable movie has a strong emotional core: flaw and inner need. Over the course of the protagonist's journey, they will gradually overcome their flaw and learn to embrace their inner-need. In this episode, professional screenwriters Adam Schaller and Alexie Basil...
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003 - Character Development in a Screenplay
Which comes first: story or characters? As screenwriters, we use characters to reveal story just as much as we use story to inform our characters. So, how does that story-driven character development process work? In this episode, NYU Film Professor John Warren, Adam Schaller, and Alexie Basil…
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002 - World Building in a Screenplay
As screenwriters, we spend a lot of time thinking our characters, story, conflict, and dramatic action. But what about the world they inhabit? In this episode, NYU Film Professor John Warren, Adam Schaller, and Alexie Basil talk world building—about designing rich and authentic worlds in...
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001 - Your First 10 Pages
The first 10 pages of your screenplay set the tone for your entire movie—and tell the reader whether they should keep reading or toss your script in the trash. In the first-ever episode of Breaking Story by Young Screenwriters, NYU Film Professor John Warren, Adam Schaller, and Alexie Basil take…
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About this show
What makes a screenplay exceptional? How can you punch through the slush pile as an up-and-coming screenwriter? What does it take to become a successful writer in Hollywood?In the Young Screenwriters Podcast, Alexie Basil, Theo Luoma, and Adam Schaller share hard-won insights from their experience breaking into the film industry and establishing themselves as professional screenwriters and storytellers. Joined by NYU Film Professor John Warren and other special guests, they break down advanced-level storytelling techniques, practical strategies for navigating the film industry, and uplifting anecdotes to get you writing and networking.Whether you're a brand-new screenwriter looking for mentorship or are a seasoned professional eager for a laugh (and the occasional screenwriting nugget!).
Hosted by
Young Screenwriters