The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
Meg LeFauve & Lorien McKenna
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Oscar-nominated writer Meg LeFauve and Emmy-nominated writer Lorien McKenna discuss the craft and business of screenwriting, as well as the emotional ups and downs of being a creative. They aim to remind listeners that they are not alone in their struggles and to keep writing.
Afleveringen
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Ep. 301 | The Shakespearean Level Stakes of NEMESIS w/ Courtney A. Kemp 04.06.2026 50minLorien McKenna is joined by Co-Creator and showrunner of the hit Netflix Series Nemesis. Courtney talks about seeing her protagonists in ACTION, how she created worthy adversaries, and how the pilot really is the show. Courtney adores Shakespeare and highlights how season 6 of her first smash hit, Power is as she says "Richard The Third". A fabulous episode filled with incredible inspiration for new and emerging writers. Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops. Episode Links: Check out the TSL merch shop TSL on Instagram | TikTok The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Ep. 300 | SHOP TALK: Can You And SHOULD You Work On Multiple Projects? 28.05.2026 35minLorien McKenna and Joe Forte hop into the shop to get specific and about their work. Answering the question of multiple projects. How many projects are too many? How do they keep track of ideas and projects? Does multiple projects mean writing only or can another art form feed your writing? A beautifully insightful episode. Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops. Episode Links: Check out the TSL merch shop TSL on Instagram | TikTok The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Ep. 299 | Lessons From Judd Apatow & Being In The Cut! w/ Andrew Jay Cohen 21.05.2026 59minJoe sits down with Writer/Director/Producer Andrew Jay Cohen who is in the thick of post production on his latest directorial offering, Soapbox written by Max Barbakow and David Duchovny. Before diving into the weeds with his directorial and post production process, Andrew gives insight on what he took from his time working alongside Judd Apatow for a number of years on films like Anchorman, 40 Year Old Virgin and more. Andrew is incredibly honest about his perfectionist streak and the freedom that Apatow's approach to the script and production gave him. He also talks about what having a critical & box office bomb taught him and how his first major success, Neighbors was a dream come true. He dives into a bit of the post production process for Soapbox with Joe. Gems Gems Gems! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Ep. 298 | The Layers That Build The Muppets Special w/ Albertina Rizzo & Kelly Younger 14.05.2026 1u 1minThe Muppets are beyond iconic and have over 50 years of canon to draw from. Meg chats with showrunner of The Muppets Special, Albertina Rizzo & writer on the special, and returning guest, Kelly Younger, on their approach, execution, how they ran the writers room, and so much more. They also dive into building sketch comedy, variety shows and Meg asks a few questions about the latest season of Jury Duty for Albertina and, Kelly is a fairy tale expert! So, a top 3 fairy tales for writers was needed. Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops. Episode Links: For more information on Flipping The Screen and to sign up for the workshops, email flippingthescreen@gmail.com Check out the TSL merch shop TSL on Instagram | TikTok The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Ep. 297 | The Craft Of Creating An IP Based Action Film w/ Jeremy Slater 07.05.2026 57minMortal Kombat II is out in theaters this weekend! Joe Forte chats with writer Jeremy Slater about taking on the second installment of an iconic video game turned film franchise. With so many characters and plot points to navigate, fight sequences to think about and beyond, how does one put that on the page and keep it fresh and exciting for all involved and all who hope to enjoy it? Jeremy provides a plethora of gems on the business and the craft in this thought provoking, action packed episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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296 | The ULTIMATE Adventures In Screenwriting 30.04.2026 1u 5minThis week we have an old school Meg and Lorien dive deep into the life and world of screenwriting. The day to day life stuff. The bucket of S*it stuff. The things that swirl in your head stuff. And the, "I still have to write" stuff. If you want to feel seen, heard, understood and connected to others and have a good laugh... this is the episode for you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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295 | What Are The Elements Of A Good Scene? SUPERCUT 23.04.2026 28minLorien and Meg have asked numerous guests the same important questions, What are the elements of a good scene? You will hear different ideas from the industries best including: Melissa Rosenberg (Dexter) Derek Kolstad (John Wick) Maggie Lane & Eric Jarboe (Hotel For The Holidays/Christmas Switch) Dana Fox (Wicked) Alex Woo & Erik Benson (In Your Dreams) Chandler Baker (Oh.What.Fun.) Jesse Andrews (Hoppers) Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops. Episode Links: For more information on Flipping The Screen and to sign up for the workshops, email flippingthescreen@gmail.com Check out the TSL merch shop TSL on Instagram | TikTok The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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294 | TSL Workshops Check In w/ Danicah Waldo & Emily Roberson 16.04.2026 53minTSL Workshops are one of the two tent poles of The Screenwriting life. Folks a part of the TSL Workshops community participate in two live zooms with Meg and Lorien per month. One, a Q & A about anything and everything writing and the business and the other, a select few get picked each month to "pitch" their stories/scripts to Meg and Lorien. The two then dive deep with the writer, asking questions, pushing to get answers and give constructive feedback to bring the writers to the next level of their stories. Danicah and Emily both pitched their stories in one of the zooms and now are back to share the unlock moment for them, what they shifted and where they are now in their process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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293 | The Wild World Of Verticals Feat. Shelby Farrell 09.04.2026 1u 1minWith the industry in a contraction, writers are trying to figure out how to find steady work. ENTER - VERTICALS! Lorien is joined by writer and creator Shelby Farrell who has developed numerous features and verticals. She offers a premium program, Flipping The Screen, teaching writers to write for the new medium. Shelby walks through the pros and cons of the space as well as the keys to writing a successful version of one. Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops. Episode Links: For more information on Flipping The Screen and to sign up for the workshops, email flippingthescreen@gmail.com Check out the TSL merch shop TSL on Instagram | TikTok The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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292 | What "Finding Your People" Really Means In This Business w/ Maggie Gottlieb, David F.M. Vaughn & Sean Presant 02.04.2026 54minLorien is joined by Maggie Gottlieb, Sean Presant & David F.M. Vaughn, colleagues and friends from the writers room of the Tabitha Brown led Youtube show, Tab Time. They get real about the realities of networking in this business and what we should be focusing on: real, genuine connection. Making friends. Supporting each other. Lifting each other up. ____________ Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops. Episode Links: https://www.youtube.com/@ItsTabTime Check out the TSL merch shop TSL on Instagram | TikTok The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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291 | MAILBAG! Meg And Lorien Answer YOUR Questions 26.03.2026 1u 1minOn this edition of TSL, Meg and Lorien giving a wonderful mix of answers to some phenomenal listener questions, from detailed craft questions, to the business piece and everything in between. What do you do with your script after you've written it? How do you approach producers? Animated vs. Live Action - How to decide? How to get into the business if you don't live in a major market? Mindset of a writer. And so much more! ____________ Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops. Episode Links: Check out the TSL merch shop TSL on Instagram | TikTok The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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290 | Aaron Tracy On Building An Audio Drama 19.03.2026 1u 6minLorien is joined by founder of Parallax Audio, writer of audio fiction and television, Aaron Tracy. Aaron is incredibly well spoken and clear on his process with both television and audio. They talk a bit about the differences and the similarities when it comes to putting both on the page. Aaron debunks a lot of do's and don'ts when it comes to writing for the medium and he gives sage advice throughout. Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops. Episode Links: For all of Aaron's Projects go to https://www.listentoparallax.com/ Check out the TSL merch shop TSL on Instagram | TikTok The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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289 | Crafting A High Concept Pixar Film w/ Hoppers Writer Jesse Andrews 12.03.2026 58minPixar's Hoppers writer, Jesse Andrews, joins Meg to dive into all things Pixar process. They start with Jesse's intriguing journey into writing, from Art History in college to novels to adapting his novel (Me And Earl And The Dying Girl), to animation with his first film, Luca. Then, they talk shop and craft through the lens of the recent fantastically hilarious, high concept, Hoppers. Jesse's collaborative spirit is on full display throughout and really instills the reasoning behind why leaving ego at the door is the key to creating. --- Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops. Episode Links: Check out the TSL merch shop TSL on Instagram | TikTok The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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288 | Bridgerton Showrunner & Head Writer Jess Brownell On The Dazzling Season 4 05.03.2026 47min*BRIDGERTON SEASON 4 SPOILER WARNING* Lorien is joined by the fabulous and uber talented showrunner/writer Jess Brownell. Jess has been showrunning Bridgerton for Shondaland/Netflix since season 3, but it took her quite a while to get a shot in a writers room. Jess walks us through her journey to one of the most popular shows in television history. She then dives into the mechanics and nuances of how she and her team crafts a season, specifically for season 4 and Benedict falling in love with Sophie, the upstairs/downstairs piece, the homages to iconic love stories on screen and oh so much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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287 | Oscar Nominees Joachim Trier And Eskil Vogt On Doing It Your Way 26.02.2026 1u 4minJoe Forte dives DEEP this week with the singular and brilliant Oscar nominated duo behind Sentimental Value, Joachim Trier and Eskil Vogt. The two discuss their unique partnership which started with a tremendous appreciation and equal love of film in their late teens. Joachim and Eskil are so eager and gracious to give such insight into their process and what they believe to be the importance of craft and how they shape a script that leads to Joachim's direction; starting with character and themes instead of plot. Not painting by numbers. And utilizing their individuality to craft a film. --- Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops. Episode Links: Check out the TSL merch shop TSL on Instagram | TikTok The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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EP. 286 | The Magic And Challenges Of Creative Partnership w/ Meg LeFauve & Joe Forte 19.02.2026 52minAn incredibly fun episode today! Lorien is in the host driver seat, chatting with Meg and her husband and writing partner Joe Forte about the art of collaboration and the process of writing with a partner. They both share with great vulnerability their challenges with it, and their absolute love of working together. What did they learn from another couple who does the same? What tools have they picked up along the way during their 30 years of marriage? Could they have done this when they were younger? And so much more. A delightful exploration of their journey together and the power of connection through story. --- Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops. Episode Links: Check out the TSL merch shop TSL on Instagram, TikTok, and Bluesky The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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285 | Train Dreams Writer/Directors Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley On Daring To Slow Down 12.02.2026 54minThe fabulous duo behind Sing Sing and this years Oscar nominee, Train Dreams, Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley join TSL to talk about their inspiring partnership and the process of Train Dreams. Greg and Clint give us a sense of their unique partnership; Who is the glass half full, how they decide who writes and directs and the intricacies of their writing process. Joe Forte joins Meg on this episode to talk with Greg and Clint about the special film, Train Dreams, and all that went into the challenges of crafting a feature from a 118 page novella. --- Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops. Episode Links: Train Dreams is available on https://www.netflix.com/title/82020378 Check out the TSL merch shop TSL on Instagram, TikTok, and Bluesky The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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284 | "Oh. What. Fun." Writer Chandler Baker On Going From Novel To Screenwriting 07.02.2026 52minChandler Baker joins us to talk about her hilarious and heartfelt Christmas adventure, "Oh. What. Fun." Chandler has worn many hats in her life. She walks us through her journey of being a lawyer turned New York Times Bestselling novelist, and now an acclaimed screenwriter. To finish off the episode, Chandler reveals to Lorien her devout listenership to TSL! --- Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops. Episode Links: Check out the TSL merch shop TSL on Instagram, TikTok, and Bluesky The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by Alex Alcheh and audio engineered and mixed by Urban Olsson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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283 | The Art of the Character Introduction 29.01.2026 40minIn this special craft supercut, we gather wisdom from recent guests on one essential question: how do you introduce a character? From subtle entrances to defining first actions, writers including Sharon Horgan, George Saunders, Dana Fox, and Akiva Goldsman share how they think about character, voice, and point of view from the very first moment. Featured writers: Sharon Horgan (Episode 225) Clint Bentley (Episode 230) Malcolm Washington & Virgil Williams (Episode 237) Dana Fox (Episode 239) George Saunders (Episode 240) John Henion (Episode 242) Carla Banks-Waddles (Episode 245) Rob Spera (Episode 247) Sheila Hanahan Taylor (Episode 253) Sylvia Batey Alcalá & Mac Smullen (Episode 255) Kaz Firpo (Episode 261) Akiva Goldsman (Episode 264) --- Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops - use code HOLIDAY25 for 50% off your first month. Episode Links: Check out the TSL merch shop TSL on Instagram, TikTok, and Bluesky The Screenwriting Life is produced by Jonathan Hurwitz, edited by Kate Mishkin, and audio engineered and mixed by Urban Olsson. Email us at thescreenwritinglife@gmail.com. --- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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282 | In Your Dreams Writer/Directors Alex Woo & Erik Benson on Writing Animated Features 27.01.2026 1u 5minIN YOUR DREAMS writer/directors Alex Woo and Erik Benson join us to talk about writing animated features - from storyboarding as a form of rewriting to building emotional stakes in fantastical worlds. Alex and Erik break down collaboration in animation, adapting personal experiences for family storytelling, and why animated characters must be treated as real, complex people. --- Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside TSL Workshops - use code HOLIDAY25 for 50% off your first month. Episode Links: "In Your Dreams" on Netflix Kuku Studios Check out the TSL merch shop TSL on Instagram, TikTok, and Bluesky The Screenwriting Life is produced by Jonathan Hurwitz, edited by Kate Mishkin, and audio engineered and mixed by Urban Olsson. Email us at thescreenwritinglife@gmail.com. --- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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