Interview with Screenwriter Scott Barkan (@Barky)
07/10/20 • 66 min
In this brand new episode, Smish welcomes back Scott Barkan (aka @Barky), a Philadelphia based screenwriter who has written two produced screenplays with writing partner, Greg Zehentner. Together they wrote I’M JUST FUCKING WITH YOU, produced by Blumhouse & Hulu, and BLEED. Scott walks us through his career as a writer, from meeting his writing partner, starting a production company, to developing their newest script, THE SUN ALWAYS SETS IN THE WEST with Lionsgate & Danny’s McBride’s company, Rough House Pictures. They discuss how Scott & Greg found success from pivoting from comedy to horror, finding a mentor, and using the Plus One method of writing.
Scott gives the invaluable advice --- “Make bold choices” and “Don’t take no for an answer” --- with his story about showing up uninvited on the set of their movie. They also discuss the probability of getting discovered through screenwriting contests!
Highlights:
(1:20) How Scott & Greg began their career
(15:17) Finding a mentor
(18:34) On the set of I’M JUST FUCKING WITH YOU
(30:48) Writing with a partner
(36:00) The Plus One method & starting a production company
(57:51) What’s next for them?
(1:01:15) Can a writer be discovered in a contest?
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 6000 screenwriters around the world, including Scott!
http://thescreenwritersnetwork.com/
You can find Scott on the Discord server: @Barky.
Get Exclusive Extras
VIP members get a bonus segment with Scott. We learn about the one that got away and how that lead to his relationship with Will Smith’s production company. Scott also reveals the one thing he hopes to accomplish in his career before he dies!
More about Scott
IMDB page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1701134/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_5
Twitter: https://twitter.com/scottbarkan?lang=en
Finds Scott’s music: https://www.scottbarkanmusic.com
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 Apple Podcasts!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/screenwriters-network-podcast-screenwriting-podcast/id1488865880
Follow us on Twitter @SCRNWritersNTWK !
In this brand new episode, Smish welcomes back Scott Barkan (aka @Barky), a Philadelphia based screenwriter who has written two produced screenplays with writing partner, Greg Zehentner. Together they wrote I’M JUST FUCKING WITH YOU, produced by Blumhouse & Hulu, and BLEED. Scott walks us through his career as a writer, from meeting his writing partner, starting a production company, to developing their newest script, THE SUN ALWAYS SETS IN THE WEST with Lionsgate & Danny’s McBride’s company, Rough House Pictures. They discuss how Scott & Greg found success from pivoting from comedy to horror, finding a mentor, and using the Plus One method of writing.
Scott gives the invaluable advice --- “Make bold choices” and “Don’t take no for an answer” --- with his story about showing up uninvited on the set of their movie. They also discuss the probability of getting discovered through screenwriting contests!
Highlights:
(1:20) How Scott & Greg began their career
(15:17) Finding a mentor
(18:34) On the set of I’M JUST FUCKING WITH YOU
(30:48) Writing with a partner
(36:00) The Plus One method & starting a production company
(57:51) What’s next for them?
(1:01:15) Can a writer be discovered in a contest?
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 6000 screenwriters around the world, including Scott!
http://thescreenwritersnetwork.com/
You can find Scott on the Discord server: @Barky.
Get Exclusive Extras
VIP members get a bonus segment with Scott. We learn about the one that got away and how that lead to his relationship with Will Smith’s production company. Scott also reveals the one thing he hopes to accomplish in his career before he dies!
More about Scott
IMDB page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1701134/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_5
Twitter: https://twitter.com/scottbarkan?lang=en
Finds Scott’s music: https://www.scottbarkanmusic.com
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 Apple Podcasts!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/screenwriters-network-podcast-screenwriting-podcast/id1488865880
Follow us on Twitter @SCRNWritersNTWK !
Previous Episode
Interview with Screenwriting and Producing Partners Nastasha Baron and Corr Pearce (@tellonestory & @TheGuyWhoIsAlwaysAtCrafty)
It’s a double feature! This time our host Smish has two guests, Nastasha Baron and Corr Pearce. But you know them as @TellOneStory and @TheGuyWhoIsAlwaysAtCrafty on the Screenwriters Network discord. This screenwriting duo also doubles as producers for 3branes Entertainment and have partnered in producing films such as Blackburn and the television movie Washed Away.
Nastasha and Corr discuss the pros and cons of working with a co-writer, writing for Hallmark and Lifetime, and how to elevate your projects while checking the right boxes. They give invaluable advice on how working in production affects them as writers, and they even get Smish to tell us the backstory behind the Screenwriters Network!
Highlights:
- Writing with a Partner (6:45)
- Starting a Production Company (16:35)
- Making a Hallmark Script Stand Out (30:41)
- The Origin Story of the Screenwriters Network (41:19)
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 6000 screenwriters around the world, including Nastasha and Corr!
https://thescreenwritersnetwork.com
More About Nastasha
IMDB page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1163241/?ref_=nmawd_awd_nmWebsite: https://www.3branes.com/
More About Corr
IMDB page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5613959/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1Website: https://www.3branes.com/Twitter: @CorrPearce
Get Exclusive Extras
VIP members get a bonus segment with Nastasha and Corr. In this VIP exclusive we get the story behind the name TheGuyWhoIsAlwaysAtCrafty (which involves a lot of food), and the name TellOneStory (which involves some great advice). We find out what brought Nastasha and Corr to Vancouver and their biggest goals as screenwriters and producers.
To become a VIP on Patreon and get ad-free episodes 2 weeks before everyone else plus exclusive bonus audio content: https://www.patreon.com/screenwritersnetwork
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
Follow us on Twitter @SCRNWritersNTWK !
Next Episode
Interview with Television Writer Ezra W. Nachman (@whinefields)
In this episode, Smish interviews Ezra W. Nachman (aka @whinefields), staff writer on NBC’s MANIFEST. They talk about Ezra’s journey to becoming a writer, from his parent’s aspirations for him to be a lawyer, to not being allowed to watch movies or TV as a child. Ezra discusses how his time at USC Film School led to his first job as a writer’s PA and ultimately placing in contests & fellowships. Smish & Ezra discuss the trajectory of his career, becoming a staff writer, and the effects the pandemic has had on a writer’s room.
Ezra breaks down the positions on a show, and best of all, shares his invaluable advice for successful networking!
Highlights:
(1:04) How Ezra began his journey in screenwriting
(6:45) THE SOPRANOS sparked a love for TV & film that he couldn’t ignore
(18:47) How to break into TV and the roles on a show
(31:55) Job of a Writer’s Assistant on LETHAL WEAPON
(48:48) Ezra’s tip to networking
(52:21) Becoming a staff writer on MANIFEST
(1:08:49) How has the writer’s room & production been affected by the pandemic?
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 6000 screenwriters around the world, including Ezra!
http://thescreenwritersnetwork.com/
You can find Ezra on the Discord server: @whinefields.
Get Exclusive Extras
VIP members get a bonus segment with Ezra. We learn the meaning behind @whinefields, his process to outlining a feature, and his career goal before he dies. Most importantly, Ezra shares his go to order at Canter’s Deli!
More about Ezra:
IMDB Page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2837457/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
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 Apple Podcasts!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/screenwriters-network-podcast-screenwriting-podcast/id1488865880
Follow us on Twitter @SCRNWritersNTWK !
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