The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun: Screenwriting Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Script Summit 2025 is officially open for submissions! If you're looking for industry exposure, this is your chance to get your script read by Hollywood producers and directors. In this episode, we welcome Script Summit winner Lyndal Simpson, whose screenplay Gravedigger won a table read at Script Summit 2022. She shares her journey from winning the table read to signing an option deal and moving into production. Lyndal discusses the challenges of script rewrites, working within a budget, and embracing feedback from producers. If you're an aspiring screenwriter, this episode is packed with invaluable insights!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How a Script Summit win helped Gravedigger gain industry attention.
• The impact of table reads on script development.
• How Coverfly’s red list boosted Lyndal’s script visibility.
• The process of signing a shopping agreement and landing an option.
• Overcoming script rewrites and working within budget constraints.
• The importance of emotional impact and atmosphere in screenwriting.
• Advice for screenwriters submitting to contests and working in the industry.

Key Moments:

• [00:00] Script Summit 2025 is now open for submissions.
• [01:34] How Gravedigger made Coverfly’s red list and attracted an agent.
• [02:16] Landing a shopping agreement and signing an option.
• [05:26] Handling feedback and adapting to budget constraints.
• [07:56] Managing the overwhelm of rewrites with small victories.
• [14:32] The role of emotion and atmosphere in making a script stand out.

About the Guest:
Lyndal Simpson is a screenwriter whose thriller Gravedigger won a table read at Script Summit 2022. The project has since gained industry traction, landing a shopping agreement, an option deal, and now heading toward production. Based in Australia, Lyndal has multiple projects in development and is passionate about crafting atmospheric, emotionally driven stories.

About the Host:
Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and host of The Successful Screenwriter podcast. With films on network television and streaming platforms, Geoffrey is dedicated to helping screenwriters achieve their dreams.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

• Script Summit Submissions – Enter Now!
• Coverfly’s Red List

Connect with the Guest:

• IMDb: Lyndal Simpson
• On Coverfly

Connect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun:

• The Successful Screenwriter Podcast
• Instagram: @screenwriterpod
• TikTok: @screenwriterpod
• Website: TheSuccessfulScreenwriter.com

Enjoy this episode? Don’t forget to like, share, and review! Subscribe for more screenwriting insights and industry interviews.

#Screenwriting #ScriptSummit #WritingCommunity #Filmmaking #Screenwriter #Screenplay #IndieFilm

In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, host Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with filmmaker Fritz Frauendorf to discuss the challenges of breaking into the film industry through short films. Fritz shares his journey from film school to directing Manic Man, a short film that went viral, garnering over a million views. He reveals the marketing strategies that worked, the lessons he’s learned about storytelling, and how he’s leveraging his success to build a feature film. If you're a filmmaker trying to make your mark, this episode is packed with valuable insights!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Fritz transitioned from film school to directing short films
• The importance of visual storytelling in short-form content
• The marketing strategies that helped Manic Man go viral
• The role of local film premieres in networking and career growth
• How short films can serve as proof of concept for feature-length projects
• The balance between artistic expression and audience engagement

Key Moments:

• [00:38] Geoffrey introduces Fritz Frauendorf and his journey into filmmaking
• [01:11] Fritz shares how he got started in film school and his early projects
• [02:32] The strategy behind making Manic Man a concise, powerful short film
• [06:19] The importance of local screenings and community support
• [07:36] The role of social media and paid advertising in promoting indie films
• [08:13] The impact of viral success—opportunities and industry recognition
• [10:42] Why attending local film events can lead to unexpected opportunities
• [11:44] Lessons learned from making multiple short films
• [12:56] The shift from experimental filmmaking to crafting audience-driven stories
• [14:59] Expanding Manic Man into a feature-length film and the creative challenges ahead

About the Guest:
Fritz Frauendorf is an independent filmmaker and director known for his viral short film Manic Man. A graduate of the New York Film Academy, he has spent years crafting short films that explore themes of mental health and dissociation. With multiple projects under his belt, Fritz is now working towards developing a feature film that expands on the concepts introduced in Manic Man.

About the Host:
With films on network television and streaming platforms, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and passionate about teaching. As the host of The Successful Screenwriter, he shares insights from top industry professionals to help writers and filmmakers succeed.Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

• Manic Man short film [Link]
• Fritz’s film production company: Fritz and Lewis Films Instagram

Connect with Fritz Frauendorf:

• Instagram: @fritzandlewisfilms

Connect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun:

• Website: The Successful Screenwriter
• Instagram: @screenwriterpod
• TikTok: @screenwriterpod

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with fellow filmmakers and screenwriters! Let us know in the comments what marketing strategies have worked for your short films.Hashtags: #Filmmaking #ShortFilms #Screenwriting #IndieFilm #FilmMarketing #ManicMan #MentalHealthInFilm #ViralFilm #FilmmakerLife #Screenwriter

In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter podcast, host Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with author Douglas A. Burton to discuss his groundbreaking book, The Heroine’s Labyrinth. Douglas offers a fresh perspective on story structure, presenting an alternative to the traditional hero’s journey tailored for heroine-centric stories.They explore how the heroine’s labyrinth differs from classic storytelling frameworks, dive into examples from popular media like Westworld and The Truman Show, and discuss its relevance for modern writers. This episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and practical advice for screenwriters and storytellers looking for new approaches to crafting compelling narratives.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The key differences between the heroine’s labyrinth and the hero’s journey.
• How the labyrinth structure offers new storytelling possibilities.
• Examples of the labyrinth model in popular films and TV shows.
• How to apply the heroine’s labyrinth to your own writing projects.
• Why alternative story structures are essential for creative freedom.

Key Moments:

• [00:38] Introduction to Douglas A. Burton and The Heroine’s Labyrinth.
• [02:00] Why the heroine’s labyrinth was created and how it evolved.
• [06:00] Comparing labyrinthine storytelling to traditional structures.
• [11:00] Examples of labyrinth storytelling in Westworld, Pan’s Labyrinth, and more.
• [20:00] Advice for writers seeking alternative story structures.

About the Guest:
Douglas A. Burton is an author and storyteller whose passion for narrative structure led him to develop the heroine’s labyrinth, a unique framework for heroine-centric stories. His book offers practical examples and tools for writers to break free from traditional storytelling molds.

About the Host:
Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author, and the host of The Successful Screenwriter podcast. He has written films that have aired on network television and streaming platforms. His book, The Guide for Every Screenwriter, has been praised by industry icons like Christopher Vogler and Viki King for its practical and inspirational approach to the craft. Geoffrey’s passion for storytelling and teaching has made him a trusted mentor in the screenwriting community.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

• The Heroine’s Labyrinth by Douglas A. Burton: [Link to purchase]
• The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
• The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler

Connect with Douglas A. Burton:

• Website: douglasaburton.com
• Instagram: @dougburtonwriter

Connect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun:

• Website: https://thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com
• Instagram: @screenwriterpod

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and leave a review! Don’t forget to subscribe to The Successful Screenwriter podcast for more insights from industry professionals.

CIA Senior Intelligence Officer (retired) Marc Polymeropoulos author of Clarity in Crisis discusses his career in Clandestine Operations with this sneak peek into our character database.

You can find Clarity in Crisis at https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B08NHZDQLX&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_KPK05ZXW6G86ZQRYKM38&tag=tssp07-20

For the full in-depth and uncut interview about Clandestine Operations join our community as a pro or monthly member and get access to our full character database.

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Character Database: Hacking

Karim Hijazi, Hacker, and host of The Introverted Iconoclast Podcast ( https://the-introverted-iconoclast.captivate.fm/ ) discuss hacking and cyber security. For the full in-depth and uncut interview join our community as a pro or monthly member and get access to our full character database.

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Screenwriter Suzanne Allain discusses with Geoffrey how she was able to take her period drama spec script and get it produced into a theatrical release with Hollywood stars such as Frieda Pinto, Gemma Chan, Theo James, and Sope Dirisu.

Now Available on VOD - Apple TV/Amazon Prime/Redbox

The Guide For Every Screenwriter is available at:
https://www.thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com/books

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Geoffrey chats with Brad Schreiber about What Are You Laughing at? They discuss intricacies and comedy and how it's perceived in different cultures.
Visit his site at www.bradschreiber.com

You can find What Are You Laughing at https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B078WGWGSY&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_VCV8KC4AMVMKRAS86RK8&tag=tssp07-20

The Guide For Every Screenwriter is available at:
https://www.thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com/books

Join our community and become a member for free
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Geoffrey and Kristy discuss the fallout of episodes 7 and 8. They also break down the surprising plot twists as well as how the characters developed over the season.

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Paul E Zeidman discusses his best-selling series of books "Go Ahead and Ask" which are a compendium of interviews with screenwriting gurus and instructors.

Volume 1-3 are now available at https://www.amazon.com/Paul-E-Zeidman/e/B0BG3FGS1Y?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1667137225&sr=8-2

The Guide For Every Screenwriter is available at:
https://www.thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com/books

Join our community and become a member for free
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Geoffrey and Kristy discuss how episodes 5 and 6 bookend each other so well as they build up to the big battle and the resulting fallout.

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