Ideation gets treated like mythology. Either you’re blessed with second sight and the perfect idea drops into your lap, or you feel broken because nothing “lands.” In this episode, Nick and Steve bring the idea process back down to earth. They discuss the real origins of ideas, how to shape the sparks you already have, and how to build the scaffolding that turns an interesting thought into a story that lasts.

If you’ve ever felt blocked, stuck, or convinced that your ideas aren’t “good enough,” this conversation will rev up your idea engine again and help you connect to those concepts that are most you.

Beyond The Script is where screenwriting philosophy meets career momentum. To get where you want to go as a writer, you need an eye outward and an ear inward. This episode will help you develop both

Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org

Aiyo/ On My Way/ courtesy of Epidemic Sound

To build a memorable world on screen, you have to start with the world within. In this episode, Nick and Steve explore worldbuilding and the way place adds meaning to story. Drawing from their own inner landscapes and the tools they use with clients, they reveal a framework that will fundamentally shift how you think about your writing.

Beyond The Script is where screenwriting philosophy meets career success. To get where you want to go as a writer, you need an eye outward and an ear inward.

Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org

Aiyo/ On My Way/ courtesy of Epidemic Sound

“Voice” is what separates a good script from a great one, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood ideas in screenwriting.

In this episode, Nick and Steve explore what “voice” really means and ideas that will help you bridge who you are with how you write. Through personal stories and coaching insights, they reveal how voice isn’t just unique and dynamic plot moves, it’s knowing what’s unmistakably you and translating that to the page.

Beyond The Script is where screenwriting philosophy meets career success. To get where you want to go as a writer, you need an eye outward and an ear inward.

Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org

Aiyo/ On My Way/ courtesy of Epidemic Sound

For many, finding a champion to help them move forward in their screenwriting career is precarious. The conventional wisdom suggests that you need to put in time proving yourself to industry contacts before you can ask for a favor. But what if there were ways to be more direct in your asks, or new forms of thinking about this issue so that the whole process didn't feel so one-sided and transactional?

In this episode, Nick and Steve ponder the question so many in the world of screenwriting ask - "is now the right time to ask for a favor?" Isn't in better to be forthright with what you want from a more veteran writer who could help your career? Or is it just normal and natural to organically build a bond before making a big ask?

As always, Nick and Steve will offer two different perspectives on the "favor asking quandary" to help you move your projects forward in the screenwriting market.

Whether you're anxious and impatient with the unspoken protocols of the "biz" or keen to wait it out for the right organic moment to "make your ask," the Beyond The Script team will bring fresh ideas to your career and process.

"last transition" music by samc44 on pixabay

Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org

Aiyo/ On My Way/ courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Human nature suggests that when the sky seems to be falling we turn to the media to confirm our fears. As writing jobs and our industry as a whole contracts writers find themselves turning to the trades to allay fears or just to "find out more." The good wisdom has always seemed to say that "reading the trades" was a must for any writer worth their salt.

But how much trade news - on premieres, and overall deals, and mergers, and agents leaving companies - is too much news?

In this episode, Nick and Steve dig into whether a daily reading of the trades can empower you or inhibit you. Isn't it just good business sense to know the landscape of your industry? Or are you harming your inner artist by keeping too much of an informed eye on the proverbial prize?

As always, Nick and Steve will offer two different perspectives on the "glued to the news" question to help you move your projects forward in the screenwriting market.

Whether you aspire to be a daily Deadline.com reader, or don't care to know the difference between the Warners and The MGM's, the Beyond The Script team will bring fresh ideas to your career and process.

last transition by samc44 on pixabay

Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org

Aiyo/ On My Way/ courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Making your own work has been at the core of the strategic playbook for breaking in to film and tv for 25 years. Hollywood loves to embrace and amplify the story of the little gal or guy who made their short film for $500 bucks and landed the major studio deal. But with the ubiquity of film festivals and prohibitive costs to make high quality content, is the DIY career launch still a winning strategy?

In this episode, Nick and Steve examine whether you should cash in your favors and piggy banks to make a short/web series, or write a whole new playbook for gaining viral attention and popularity in today's saturated market.

As always, Nick and Steve will offer two different perspectives on the DIY question that you can use to help you move your projects forward in the screenwriting market.

Whether you're Sundance or bust, or keen on finding brand new avenues to get your work seen, the Beyond The Script team will give you fresh ideas to bring to your process.

Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org

Aiyo/ On My Way/ courtesy of Epidemic Sound

In a media ecosystem polluted with bad news, online vitriol, and political polarization, what is the writer's responsibility to the audience? If we - as writers - continue to churn out dark heroes and revenge story arcs - aren't we part of an ever growing problem?

In this episode, Nick and Steve break down whether you should follow the money towards script ideas that have explosive action, hair raising violence, and back-stabbing betrayals - or lean into your own heart to find more optimistic narratives.

As always, Nick and Steve will offer two different perspectives on The Antihero Dilemma that you can use to help you move your projects forward in the screenwriting market.

Whether you're aiming for a low body count or a total bloodbath, the Beyond The Script team will give you new ideas to bring to your career.

Aiyo/ On My Way/ courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org

Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org

Aiyo/ On My Way/ courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Today's episode is all about AI - artificial intelligence - and what it means to TV and screenwriters.

When the WGA writers went on strike, AI was among the concerns. Writers became obsessed with what it was and how it works and whether it's useful or not useful for a professional career. Since the strike ended there have been stories in the press about multiple sides of the issue - from concerns about AI learning from TV and film scripts to the question of whether (and how) writers should use it in their own work. What's the best way forward as a writer in a world where AI gives you options you've never had? How much should we lean in? Should we set boundaries on how we use it? Or should we assume everyone is diving in and in order to be competitive, we should, too?

Nick and Steve offer two different perspectives on Artificial Intelligence as they carve out ways to make use of this tool. There's a ton of passion on each side. Along the way, they'll talk about screenwriter Paul Schrader's opinions, answer a question from the client mailbag, and each make the case for AI's role in the writer's life. Which approach fits your style and your career? This convo may well help you decide where you stand - even as artificially intelligent creatives are standing right beside you.

Aiyo/ On My Way/ courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Music by Joystock - https://www.joystock.org

Aiyo/ On My Way/ courtesy of Epidemic Sound