The Screenwriters Network Podcast: A Screenwriting Podcast for Emerging Writers! - Interview with Screencraft Sci-Fi Winning Screenwriter Nabil Chowdhary (Nabil AC)

Interview with Screencraft Sci-Fi Winning Screenwriter Nabil Chowdhary (Nabil AC)

04/10/20 • 55 min

The Screenwriters Network Podcast: A Screenwriting Podcast for Emerging Writers!

In this episode, Smish interviews screenwriter and director Nabil Chowdhary, who walks us through the process of what it’s like to get on the Black List and have the #1 script on the Hit List. Nabil’s feature Pod was not only included on these coveted lists, but it also was the overall winner of the Screencraft Sci-fi contest, and that is what really set things in motion.

Nabil tells all, from coming up with the initial concept for Pod to gaining representation because of it! He talks about how he used IMDb to research managers, the three key people he shares scripts with for feedback, plus gives us the EXCLUSIVE scoop on the Oscar-nominated screenwriter/producer who optioned Pod!

Smish and Nabil discuss:

Nabil’s Writing Process (15:35)
Finding a Manager (22:34)
General Meetings in Los Angeles (30:20)
EXCLUSIVE Who Optioned Pod!? (34:11)
Dealing with Criticism (41:15)
Expectations from Management (45:46)

Sponsored by ScriptUp
ScriptUp provides in depth coverage to help screenwriters improve their work!
Head to https://scriptupstudio.com and enter discount code TSN10 for 10% off today!

Join the Discord Server
Interact with over 5000 screenwriters around the world, including Nabil!
http://thescreenwritersnetwork.com

Get Exclusive Extras

To become a VIP on Patreon and get ad-free episodes 2 weeks before everyone else plus exclusive bonus audio content: http://www.patreon.com/screenwritersnetwork

More about Nabil:

Nabil is an active member of our server. You know him as @Nabil AC !

Twitter: @nabilchowdhary Website: https://www.nabilchowdhary.com/

Did you enjoy the podcast? Let us know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/screenwriters-network-podcast-screenwriting-podcast/id1488865880

Smish and Nabil discuss:

Nabil’s Writing Process (15:35)
Finding a Manager (22:34)
General Meetings in Los Angeles (30:20)
EXCLUSIVE Who Optioned Pod!? (34:11)
Dealing with Criticism (41:15)
Expectations from Management (45:46)

Sponsored by ScriptUp
ScriptUp provides in depth coverage to help screenwriters improve their work!
Head to https://scriptupstudio.com and enter discount code TSN10 for 10% off today!

Join the Discord Server
Interact with over 5000 screenwriters around the world, including Nabil!
http://thescreenwritersnetwork.com

Get Exclusive Extras

To become a VIP on Patreon and get ad-free episodes 2 weeks before everyone else plus exclusive bonus audio content: http://www.patreon.com/screenwritersnetwork

More about Nabil:

Nabil is an active member of our server. You know him as @Nabil AC !

Twitter: @nabilchowdhary Website: https://www.nabilchowdhary.com/

Did you enjoy the podcast? Let us know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/screenwriters-network-podcast-screenwriting-podcast/id1488865880

Previous Episode

Interview with Comedian, Actress and Screenwriter Andy Erikson (@Gigawatt)

In this episode, smish meets with Andy Erikson -- @Gigawatt -- a real jack of all trades. Andy is known for her recurring role as Marguerite Honeywell on Scream Queens, as well as placing third on NBC’s Last Comic Standing. Andy is also a prolific screenwriter who recently placed as finalist in the Walt Disney television writing program. Her screenplays have made it to the second round at the Austin Film Festival and the Sundance episodic lab.

Get Hype! Andy gives the inside scoop about how she got started writing and how she approaches starting a new idea. Andy reveals all about the Walt Disney writing program and how she made it as a finalist. Then she talks about getting heckled as a screenwriter (it’s possible after all) and her own writing projects!

We also get a very special treat, an original song about screenwriting: Cold Openings (26:15).

Smish and Andy discuss:

Stand Up Comedy versus Screenwriting (1:47)
Character Introductions and Descriptions (9:49)
Walt Disney Writing Program (12:26)
Writer’s Rooms (23:11)
#OneMinuteGo (32:03)
Sundance Episodic Lab (34:56)
Networking (39:56)

Sponsored by ScriptUp
ScriptUp provides in depth coverage to help screenwriters improve their work!
Head to https://scriptupstudio.com and enter discount code TSN10 for 10% off today!

Join the Discord Server
Interact with over 5000 screenwriters around the world, including Andy!
http://thescreenwritersnetwork.com

Get Exclusive Extras

Gold Level VIP Members get a bonus 20 minutes of Andy and the origin story of her username, Gigawatt. We find out who would win in a fight between screenwriters and comedians, and then we get Andy’s take on the fight that really matters: unicorns versus squirrels!

And finally, Andy answers questions from our members! And of course unicorns get brought up again! Check out her site where she literally rates pictures of unicorns:

https://unicornratings.tumblr.com/

More about Andy:

Andy is a moderator on our Discord Server. You know her as @Gigawatt !

Twitter: @andyerikson Websites: http://www.andyeriksonwriter.com and http://www.andyerikson.com/

WATCH Andy's comedy special UNICORN STYLE: https://www.vidangel.com/movie/andy-erikson-unicorn-style

Also check out The Stand Up Comedy Journal here: https://thestandupcomedyjournal.com/product/the-stand-up-comedy-journal/

Did you enjoy the podcast? Let us know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/screenwriters-network-podcast-screenwriting-podcast/id1488865880

Next Episode

Screenwriters Network Professionals Roundtable - Concept Selection & Exploration

It’s a super special Bonus Episode! The Screenwriters Network hosts its first ever Professional Roundtable and we are bringing you the entire thing for an exclusive podcast episode. The roundtable focuses on concept selection & exploration! Our very own Moderator and Hit List Screenwriter Mark Mazur (@nqm) hosts a powerhouse of professional writers who share priceless information with our server members and now you our podcast listeners!

The Lineup (Real name followed by Discord username):

Alex D. Reid (@Alex (Drenched Goat)) - A screenwriter from Northern Ireland, he won the 2019 Austin Film Festival horror category for his screenplay Delirium and was a previous guest on the Screenwriters Network Podcast.

Susan E. Connolly (@Dr. Dr. Subeco MVB PhD) - A screenwriter from Ireland, she has five pilots under option. She is currently working on two adaptations of young adult novels. At one point she was the highest ranked competitive debater in Ireland.

Greg Björkman (@stupidlittlekids) - A screenwriter and director in Los Angeles. He co-wrote “Press Play” with writing partner James Bachelor, which was produced by CJ Entertainment (Parasite’s Producer).

Scott Barkan (@Barky) - A screenwriter based in Philadelphia, who has written two produced features with his writing partner, Gregg Zehentner. The pair has sold and optioned a number of original screenplays, including “I’m Just F*cking With You”, which was produced by Blumhouse and Hulu.

This amazing group of writers discusses concept generation and exploration from initial idea to hashing out the characters and world that best fit around a concept. They go in depth to their own ideas, popular movies, and answer questions from our members with the emerging writers tag!

Sponsored by ScriptUp

ScriptUp provides in depth coverage to help screenwriters improve their work!
Head to scriptupstudio.com and enter discount code TSN10 for 10% off today!

Join the Discord Server
Interact with over 5000 screenwriters around the world, including our featured guests from our professionals roundtable!
thescreenwritersnetwork.com

Get Exclusive Extras

To become a VIP on Patreon and get ad-free episodes 2 weeks before everyone else plus exclusive bonus audio content: http://www.patreon.com/screenwritersnetwork

Did you enjoy the podcast?
Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/screenwriters-network-podcast-screenwriting-podcast/id1488865880