PODCAST · tv
VPF Talks
by Virtual Pitch Fest
Where Hollywood VIPs chat about the TV & Film business.
Episodes
-
How Alan Horsnail Pitched and Sold a Bruce Willis Movie to producer Tim Sullivan on VPF
Discover how a screenplay submitted through VPF transitioned from a simple online submission into a major feature film starring Bruce Willis. This episode breaks down screenwriter Alan Horsnail’s exact strategy for navigating the platform, capturing the attention of top-tier producer Timothy C....
-
Packaging and Pitching a Hollywood Thriller with Vaughn Stein
Learn what it takes to attract A-list celebrity talent to an independent thriller screenplay. Director Vaughn Stein breaks down the creative and business journey behind his film Inheritance, starring Lily Collins and Simon Pegg. This session details how to format high-concept scripts for maximum...
-
What Screenwriters Can Learn from Hollywood Character Actors
Writing memorable characters is the fastest way to get your script requested by a producer. Veteran actor Chris Browning shares key industry insights into what makes a story stand out to performers and directors. Discover how to write dialogue and action blocks that jump off the page and use VPF…
more -
Directing Comedy and Navigating Hollywood Sets with Alethea Jones
Succeeding in the highly competitive comedy space requires a distinct creative voice and a sharp commercial execution. Director Alethea Jones shares her professional insights on managing tone, pacing humor, and collaborating with studio executives. Discover how to infuse strong comedic beats into...
-
Navigating Independent Feature Film Development with Piotr Szkopiak
Writer and director Piotr Szkopiak details the journey behind his feature film The Last Witness and what it takes to get independent historical scripts produced. This case study highlights the practical steps to refining a script for production and navigating today's competitive distribution...
-
Award-Winning Rom-Com Filmmaking with Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer
Discover how a creative concept transitioned from script to a critically acclaimed, award-winning feature film. Filmmakers Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer share their exact strategies for navigating the independent market and building momentum around their romantic comedy Plus One. Learn how to...
-
Tracking Screenplay Sales and Hollywood Trends with Will Plyler
Gain a competitive edge by understanding how scripts move through the Hollywood system. This session features an inside look at script tracking, market trends, and industry sales data. Discover how screenwriters can utilize these insights to tailor their submissions, leverage the guaranteed...
-
Breaking into Kids TV and Animation with Tom Hyndman
Industry veteran Tom Hyndman details the creative journey behind writing for major kids' entertainment and animated series. This blueprint highlights the practical steps to building a television writing portfolio and getting episodic scripts read in today's competitive landscape. Learn how to...
-
Finding Production Success in the Horror Genre with Zack Andrews and Bobby Roe
Succeeding in the indie horror landscape requires a sharp understanding of genre expectations and commercial appeal. Filmmakers Zack Andrews and Bobby Roe share their experiences developing and producing their horror series The Houses October Built. Discover how to package a script for maximum...
-
Elevating Script Narrative with Kelly Campbell
Discover how utilizing theater and foundational acting techniques can sharpen your structural screenwriting process. This case study highlights the practical steps to building high-concept character profiles that stand out to industry decision-makers. Learn how to optimize your project…
more -
Episode 37 - ISA Founder Craig James
Steve chats with Craig James, the founder of the International Screenwriters Association.
-
Screenwriting Success: Navigating the Comedy Marketplace via VPF
Getting an independent comedy script read by top-tier executives is one of the toughest hurdles for creative writers. Explore how understanding the foundational mechanics of humor can make your project highly appealing to studio decision-makers. This session details how writers can utilize VPF as...
-
Mastering Narrative Architecture with Laura Brennan
Getting an active production company to request your script requires a flawless presentation and a bulletproof concept. Explore what Hollywood script readers and consultants look for when evaluating project submissions. This session details how independent writers can utilize VPF as an essential...
-
Balancing Multi-Genre Entertainment Projects with Ken Pisani
Discover how to structure and adapt your writing style to meet current marketplace demands across film, print, and television. This case study highlights the practical steps to building a diverse and attractive creative portfolio that captures executive interest. Learn how to optimize your...
-
Applying Classical Mythic Architecture to Modern Scripts with Christopher Vogler
Discover how legendary story executive Christopher Vogler analyzes cinematic narratives to maximize their commercial potential. This case study highlights the practical steps to building deeply resonant character arcs that stand out to Hollywood decision-makers. Learn how to optimize your query...
-
Mastering Indie Film Script Development with Chris Soth
Discover how to engineer high-concept screenplays that look expensive on the page but remain cost-effective to produce. This case study highlights the practical steps to building commercial independent screenplays that stand out to Hollywood decision-makers. Learn how to optimize your project...
-
Navigating the Television Industry Marketplace with Aaron Fullerton
Discover what it takes to get your pilot script noticed by network decision-makers and entertainment managers. This case study highlights the practical steps to building a sustainable television career and understanding how executives source new material. Learn how to optimize your project...
-
Screenwriting Success: Sourcing Talent-Friendly Script Requests with Will Vought
Securing a direct script request from an active producer requires writing material that top-tier comedic and dramatic talent actively want to perform. Explore how a performer's script analysis and delivery background can shape your writing structure to maximize market appeal. This session details...
-
Sourcing Independent Feature Requests with Will Dove
Getting your independent feature screenplay read by top-tier executives requires a highly targeted approach to your submission strategy. Explore how adapting to major entertainment hubs like Los Angeles can completely shift your creative trajectory and industry network. This session details how...
-
Decoding Studio Marketing Strategy and Executive Pitches with Perry Katz
Understanding how a major studio positions a movie for the public is critical to writing a highly requestable screenplay. Producer Perry Katz, the former Head of Marketing for Universal Pictures, shares essential industry insights on studio acquisitions, campaign positioning, and executive…
more -
Navigating Character Development and Indie Production with Harry Hamlin and VPF CEO David Kohner Zuckerman
Writing standout cinematic characters is the fastest way to get your independent script requested by industry buyers. Acclaimed actor Harry Hamlin sits down with David Kohner Zuckerman—the producer of Hamlin's indie feature film The Fourth Noble Truth—to share professional insights into what…
more -
Navigating Independent Film Distribution and Script ROI with Jason Brubaker
Writing a highly requestable script requires an understanding of how independent films actually make money and reach audiences. Film distribution expert Jason Brubaker shares professional industry insights into monetization strategies, video-on-demand marketplaces, and self-distribution models....
-
Mastering the Creative Mindset for Professional Screenwriters with Ira Israel
Discover what psychological strategies independent writers can build into their creative routine to maximize resilience and long-term industry interest. This case study highlights the practical steps to overcoming imposter syndrome and script-writing fatigue before you approach the marketplace....
-
Crafting a Market-Ready Script and Powerful Screenplay Pitch with Richard Botto
Discover what practical, business-driven habits independent writers must develop to command attention from active Hollywood producers when they pitch a new project. This blueprint highlights the practical steps to building an influential script profile that captures executive interest during a...
-
Episode 22 - Blacklist founder Franklin Leonard
David & Steve chat with Blacklist founder Franklin Leonard about the history of his company, its mission & Blacklist success stories.
-
Navigating Independent Production Pipelines and Financing with Gary McDonald
Succeeding as an independent creator requires an expert understanding of how projects are financed and package-built for the market. Producer Gary McDonald shares his professional industry insights on balancing production logistics and managing executive creative timelines. Discover how to format...
-
Navigating Independent Film Directing and Production Pipelines with Rosser Goodman
Succeeding as an independent director requires a balance of creative vision and structural production execution. Indie filmmaker Rosser Goodman shares professional insights on managing dynamic film sets, developing screenplays, and keeping indie productions moving forward. Discover how to package...
-
Inside Big-Budget Studio Productions and A-List Development with Steve Longi
Taking a feature film project from a script concept to an Academy Award-winning theatrical release requires an elite level of commercial execution. A-list film producer Steve Longi shares the inside story of bringing massive projects like Hacksaw Ridge and Youth in Revolt to the silver screen....
-
Landing High-Level Script Requests with Manager/Producer Frederick Levy
Getting your television pilot or feature film read by top-tier executives requires a bulletproof narrative hook. Explore how the structural demands of network and streaming platforms should shape your upfront writing and submission strategy. This session details how independent creators can…
more -
Collaborative Screenwriting Mechanics and Studio Success with John Weidner and Ken Lamplugh
Succeeding as a professional screenwriting duo requires a bulletproof collaborative process and a shared understanding of industry expectations. Prolific writing and producing team John Weidner and Ken Lamplugh discuss their creative partnership and how they consistently progress projects through...
-
Strategic Hollywood Positioning for Speculative Writers with Lee Jessup
Discover what specific narrative parameters and commercial hooks make a submission appealing to industry gatekeepers who are actively sourcing new scripts. This layout highlights the practical steps to transitioning from an amateur to a working writer before you approach the competitive...
-
Episode 15 - ScreenCraft Co-Founder John Rhodes
David & Steve talk with John Rhodes, the popular co-founder of ScreenCraft.org
-
Securing Lionsgate Distribution and Studio Slate Placement with Stan Wertlieb
Getting your feature film concept requested by high-profile distribution executives requires a flawless understanding of target demographics and star packaging. Explore how an acquisitions powerhouse evaluates independent material to build highly profitable multi-picture deals. This session…
more -
Hollywood Tastemaking and the Evolution of Modern Cinema with Matt Holzman
Understanding what drives contemporary film trends is essential for creators looking to capture executive interest. Legendary public radio producer and film curator Matt Holzman shares his extensive experience analyzing the inner workings of the entertainment industry. Discover how to infuse…
more -
Securing Management Attention and Hollywood Script Requests with John Tomko
Getting your feature screenplay or television pilot requested by an influential literary manager requires a precise understanding of the modern entertainment marketplace. Explore the specific benchmarks that active management firms look for when evaluating speculative material and new client...
-
High-Concept Hollywood Comedy and Studio Writing Tactics with Stevie Long
Transitioning a comedic idea from a raw draft into a massive studio comedy requires a distinct narrative voice and sharp commercial instincts. Filmmaker and screenwriter Stevie Long shares his professional journey writing major studio projects like Starsky & Hutch. Discover how to infuse strong...
-
Episodic Television Architecture and Pilot Construction Strategy with Bill Taub
Succeeding in the highly competitive television landscape requires a deep mastery of structural storytelling and multi-character worldbuilding. Prolific television series writer, author, and professor Bill Taub shares his extensive career insights from working on legendary network hits like Hill...
-
Independent Filmmaking with Actress/Filmmaker Amber Benson
Succeeding on both sides of the camera requires a profound understanding of performance, narrative tone, and structural execution. Prolific actress, director, and filmmaker Amber Benson shares her industry insights from starring in the legendary hit series Buffy the Vampire Slayer to writing and...
-
A-List Studio Packaging and Producing Iconic Cinema with Howard Rosenman
Bringing legendary features from a concept to global theatrical and critical acclaim requires an elite mastery of the Hollywood system. Powerhouse producer and actor Howard Rosenman shares behind-the-scenes insights from a prolific career producing major award-winning and blockbuster films like...
-
Script Doctoring Tactics and the Mini-Movie Method Framework with Chris Soth
Mastering structural narrative blocks is the fastest way to turn a rough draft into a highly requested screenplay. Screenwriter and famous script doctor Chris Soth shares his professional expertise on breaking features down into high-impact sequence segments. Discover how to diagnose pacing…
more -
Hollywood Executive Panel: Universal Screenplay Structure and Representation Standards
Succeeding in the competitive studio landscape requires alignment with both elite narrative craft and exact industry corporate expectations. Screenwriting professor Eric Edson joins a powerhouse industry panel featuring film finance expert Nikki Stier, literary manager Myke Friscia, and top-tier...
-
Script Development Tactics and Story Structure with Jen Grisanti and Hollywood Executives at Los Angeles Story Expo
Aligning your creative voice with executive expectations is essential for breaking into the studio landscape. Acclaimed script consultant Jen Grisanti joins an elite panel of active development executives live at the Los Angeles Story Expo to share professional strategies for refining narrative...
-
Episode 4 - Lee Jessup & execs from Gilbert Films and more...
David Kohner Zuckerman interviews screenwriting career coach Lee Jessup and various.
-
Advanced Script Analysis and Network Development with Linda Seger and Industry Executives
This podcast episode focuses on elevating screenplays to meet rigorous network standards, emphasizing structural subtext and thematic depth. Legendary author and pioneering script consultant Linda Seger breaks down key narrative pitfalls alongside a prominent executive panel from Branded...
-
Independent Film Packaging and Writer Collaborations with Julia Verdin and David Kohner Zuckerman
This podcast episode focuses on the strategic packaging and creative execution required to find success in the independent film market. Prolific producer Julia Verdin sits down with interviewer David Kohner Zuckerman to share insights on her extensive production credits, her work with Raindance…
more -
Academy Award-Winning Producing with Ed Saxon and David Kohner Zuckerman
This podcast episode focuses on the high-level creative development and commercial strategy required to produce iconic, culturally defining cinema. Academy Award-winning producer Ed Saxon sits down with interviewer David Kohner Zuckerman to share behind-the-scenes insights from his legendary…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does VPF Talks have?
VPF Talks currently has 46 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is VPF Talks about?
Where Hollywood VIPs chat about the TV & Film business.
How often does VPF Talks release new episodes?
VPF Talks has 46 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to VPF Talks?
You can listen to VPF Talks on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts VPF Talks?
VPF Talks is created and hosted by Virtual Pitch Fest.
URL copied to clipboard!