Scriptcake
Scriptcake is dedicated to the art and craft of screenwriting. With over 20 years of experience teaching screenwriting, I've seen novice screenwriters struggle with the same issues over and over again. I’ve created this podcast for those of you who struggle with these very same script issues. This podcast will help you overcome the most common mistakes screenwriters make and will help you develop your idea into a multi-dimensional story. If you want help formatting your screenplay, google it. I want to focus on issues that aren’t quite as google-able.
Episodes
131 episodes
131. Excessive Exposition
Don't do it. Overexplaining is an epidemic in screenwriting. Find out why and how to avoid it in this episode.
130. The Focus Point
Sometimes we get lost during the screenwriting process. It's hard to stay clear on what we're writing about. External factors influence us. We research things that impact our original ideas. How do we keep it all clear? Well, we go back to the ...
129. Alvaro Rodriguez - Screenwriter | Producer | Composer
Alvaro Rodriguez is a writer, producer, and composer. He began his career by working as a composer on El Mariachi in 1992. He has since expanded into film and television writing and producing. He has written on F...
128. The Story Behind The Story
Have you completed a feature film and people love the idea of it but when they read it, it doesn't resonate with them? That's probably because there's no story behind your story. Listen to find out what the issue is.
127. Paul Chitlik - Screenwriter | Producer | Director | Author
Paul Chitlik is an award-winning screenwriter, producer, director, and internationally respected educator who has written for major studios and networks in both English and Spanish. He served as story editor for MGM/UA’s The New Twil...
126. The Personal Story Problem
Are you having a hard time adapting a real life experience to a screenplay. It's probably because of the personal story problem. Listen and see if fixing this can help you write a better screenplay.
125. Screenwriting Resolutions
As a new year is upon us, it's time to think about what we want to accomplish this year as screenwriters. What are your screenwriting resolutions?
124. What is a Rewrite
A lot of screenwriters get confused when rewriting their screenplays. What constitutes an actual rewrite? Listen and find out.
123. The Where
It's probably the most overlooked element in a scene. Understand the power of choosing the right location for your scene to take place.
122/ Diane Drake - Screenwriter/Author 'What Women Want' 'Only You'
Diane Drake is a screenwriter who is best known for writing
121. The Question & The Answer
Oftentimes, screenwriters miss writing half of their movie because they never ask the question and, as a result, they never answer it. Listen to find out if you're asking the right question.
120. Scene Data
What are the layers of information that an audience receives when they are watching a scene? It's a lot more data than you think. Listen to learn more!
119. Mistakes to Avoid Before You Send Out Your Script
As a former script reader, I've seen it all. There are so many things that make a reader, producer, financier or distributor pass on your film. If it's the story, that's one thing but if it's any of these mistakes, you're cutting your legs off ...
118. Sabrina Dhawan - Screenwriter Monsoon Wedding, Rangoon, Ishqia
Sabrina Dhawan's debut feature as screenwriter, Monsoon Wedding, won the ‘Leon D’Oro’ at the Venice Film Festival and a Golden Globe nomination. Sabrina’s other produced screenplay credits include Kaminey, directed...
117. Taking Scenes to 11
Sometimes I get confused. I stick to structure to such an extent it keeps me from maximizing my scenes. Though I still believe you need a solid foundation structure to make your screenplay work, I now also believe that you can sway from it on a...
116. Krushan Naik, Producer/Editor of Academy-Award Nominated film, Anuja
Ever wonder what it's like to have your film nominated for an Academy Award? Krushan Naik walks us through his experience as a producer/editor of the Oscar-nominated short film Anuja.
115. The Primary Objective
Do you ever get bogged down while writing your screenplay wondering what you should focus on? Do I need to work on the protagonist, the antagonist, the concept, the visuals, the action, the dialogue, the sub plots or what? I know that happens t...
114. Jacob Krueger - Screenwriter | Mentor | Teacher
This fabulous talk with Jacob Krueger is full of amazing insight, valuable lessons and thoughtful commentary on the screenwriting process. I know I learned a lot and I'm pretty sure you will too!Learn more on Jake's teaching at:
113. Do Film Festival and Screenwriting Competitions Work?
It a question that I get asked all the time. Listen to hear my thoughts on it!
112: The Top 6 Excuses Screenwriters Make
This week I've heard a lot of excuses from a lot of screenwriters and I'd like to address them. Enjoy!
111. Jeff Bushell - Screenwriter - Ricky Stanicky, Beverly Hills Chihuahua
This is a fantastic, fun interview with Screenwriter Jeff Bushell who has written for The Bernie Mac Show, Drawn Together, MADtv, What I Like About You, and Zoey 101. He most recently wrote Ricky Stanicky starring Zach Efron and Joh...
110. Richard RB Botto - Screenwriter | Producer | Founder of Stage 32
Enjoy this great conversation with RB, a screenwriter and filmmaker who created Stage 32 to help artists learn and network with one another. RB discusses his journey into filmmaking as well as sharing his advice on how to advance your career in...
109. Model Movies
A great way to make sure your plot works is to find a model movie to work off of. I do it with every project I can. I find a movie that has a similar core and it helps me figure out what needs to happen fairly quickly. Listen to fin...