Christmas Movie Screenwriter

Discover Candice Cain’s journey from self-starter to successful screenwriter and learn her top strategies for breaking into the Christmas TV movie market.

Whether you’re crafting your first Christmas script or looking to grow in the festive film industry, this episode is packed with actionable advice.

For a full transcript, an action checklist and the show notes – go here:

https://christmasmoviescreenwriter.com/27-is-cold-querying-producers/

How Do Producers Instantly Spot an Amateur Script? Award-winning producer Robyn Wiener of Synergy Cinema discusses what are the biggest red flags that make producers reject scripts instantly.

Learn how to avoid amateur mistakes, refine your storytelling, and turn familiar formulas into fresh, compelling screenplays that stand out in a competitive market.

For an action checklist, the show notes and the full transcript - go here: https://christmasmoviescreenwriter.com/32-how-do-producers-instantly-spot-an-amateur-script/

Check out the YouTube version: YouTube: https://youtu.be/uSQRs6_O6lU

Seasoned Christmas movie writer and director Ron Oliver reveals how a strong story concept can attract producers, even if the script has flaws.

For all the show notes, an action checklist and the full transcript – go here: https://christmasmoviescreenwriter.com/24-how-a-great-story-concept-can-save-a-flawed-script/

Now on YouTube too! https://youtu.be/9iNrVrDX4Ug

Fuel more great content by buying me a hot cocoa on https://buymeacoffee.com/christmasmovie

Screenwriter and author Bob Sáenz discusses what producers want in Christmas scripts and advises on how to turn your holiday script into a production-ready masterpiece.

Bob emphasizes the significance of writing to budget, particularly in the Christmas movie genre, as limited resources necessitate creative storytelling within defined parameters. He candidly shares how he navigates the industry, the importance of networking, and establishing authentic relationships to get scripts read, while also dispelling myths about the role of agents and managers in the screenwriting world.

For an action checklist, the show notes and a full transcript go to:

https://christmasmoviescreenwriter.com/25-what-producers-want-in-christmas-scripts/

Seasoned professionals in the Christmas movie industry offer crucial advice for screenwriters.

Insights include the necessity of aligning scripts with market demands and the importance of acknowledging and pursuing one's writing ambitions without delay. Contributors also stress the benefits of creating passive income streams and understanding the enduring nature of a screenwriting career.

Additionally, the conversation revolves around advocating for innovative storytelling within the Christmas genre and maintaining realistic expectations while fostering self-compassion on the journey to becoming a successful screenwriter. These diverse perspectives provide an invaluable roadmap for navigating the complexities of the Christmas movie screenwriting industry.

Chapters

0:00:00 Introducing the Christmas Movie Screenwriter Podcast, Episode 9

0:01:20 Best Advice of 2023: Writing for the Market

0:02:09 Breaking into the Film and TV Industry

0:03:36 Independent Films: A Path to Building a Career

0:04:30 Stop Wasting Time, Embrace Your Calling

0:06:01 The Dangers of Saying No Too Often

0:06:13 Learning from past mistakes and being more conscious

0:07:10 The benefit of good work ethic and consistent writing

0:08:28 Being assertive and reading more scripts for success

0:09:26 Setting up passive income and embracing the long haul

0:14:13 Challenging the Christmas genre with innovative storytelling

0:16:40 Give yourself a break

0:18:18 Wrapping up 2023

The Christmas Movie Screenwriter Podcast – Episode 9 Best Advice of 2023 Show Notes

HOST: Caryn McCann Website: https://christmasmoviescreenwriter.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristmasMovieScreenwriter X: https://twitter.com/MerryScriptmas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryn-mccann-5718058/

GUEST: Scott Kirkpatrick Executive VP of Co-Productions & Distribution Company: Nicely Entertainment LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottkirkpatrick310/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SKDistribution

GUEST: Jennifer Snow - Author, Screenwriter Website: https://www.jennifersnowauthor.com IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10591316/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

GUEST: Charles Shyer - Director, Writer, Producer IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0796124/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

GUEST: Paula Tiberius - Screenwriter Website: https://www.paulatiberius.com IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1516732/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

GUEST: Samantha Herman - Screenwriter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s_hermy/ IMDB: https://imdb.to/3QV88CR

GUEST: Eirene Donohue - Screenwriter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eirenetrandonohue/ IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5149399/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

GUEST: Peter Sullivan - Film Exec, Writer, Director Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petersullivan_director/ Company: https://hybridpresents.com/ IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0838289/?ref_=fn_al_nm_2

GUEST: Ansley Gordon - Screenwriter, Actress IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3624160/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ansley...