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

On today's episode, we're talking about notes.

Every TV and Feature writer gets notes - whether in writers' groups or from executives, showrunners, production companies or studios. But what do you do with all that feedback? Notes can make people defensive and emotional. All those comments can shut people down and some are just confusing. Should you stay open and soak up all the notes they throw at you? Or get the note-givers to slow their roll and keep the notes to a minimum?

Nick and Steve offer TWO different ways to deal with notes - from differing perspectives. Find out which approach fits your style and your career. Unearth key insights to help you deal with feedback coming from people who may want to pay you and produce your work. Plus: check out a true-life story about the challenging impact of notes on a writer.

Music for Your Creative Life promo by SigmaMusicArt

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

Aiyo/ On My Way/ courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Every writer wants the secret to career success. It's not only technique. It's not just connections. Those are important, but it's really about navigating what's INSIDE YOU. How do you manage the INTERNAL joys and challenges of living as a writer in TV and Film? You've learned how to put words on the page, but no one taught you to live the life of a writer through the ups and downs. On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers, and script consultants/coaches, examine the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater - offering strategies as a way to prepare you for a long and fruitful writing career.

In this episode, we ask the question: what will you leave as your legacy? For some writers, their work gives them immortality - think Shakespeare, William Goldman, Lorraine Hansberry - but what if your writing doesn’t ever find a large audience? In this week’s installment of TSWP, we argue that whether you reach fame or not, being a writer will enrich your life is both seen and unseen ways.

This show is helping writers and creative folks in 21 countries, and you can help spread the word. Rate the show wherever you listen. Tell your friends! Send in your comments and questions about writing, your writing life, this episode, or anything (writing-wise) to: TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com

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

Aiyo/ On My Way/ courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Every writer wants the secret to career success. It's not only technique. It's not just connections. Those are important, but it's really about navigating what's INSIDE YOU. How do you manage the INTERNAL joys and challenges of living as a writer in TV and Film? You've learned how to put words on the page, but no one taught you to live the life of a writer through the ups and downs. On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers, and script consultants/coaches, examine the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater - offering strategies as a way to prepare you for a long and fruitful writing career.

In this episode, we discuss NETWORKING. What is it? Is it just asking for stuff? Is it being fake to manipulate people into hiring you or buying your work? Nick and Steve argue different perspectives on how it works and what it looks like. They also FINALLY answer what they mean when they use the terms "writing consultant" and "writing coach".

This show is helping writers and creative folks in 21 countries, and you can help spread the word. Rate the show wherever you listen. Tell your friends! Send in your comments and questions about writing, your writing life, this episode, or anything (writing-wise) to: TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com

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

Aiyo/ On My Way/ courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Every writer wants the secret to career success. It's not technique. It's not connections. Those are important, but it's really about what's INSIDE YOU. How do you navigate the INTERNAL joys and challenges of living as a writer in TV and Film? On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers, and script consultants/coaches, examine the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater - as a way to prepare you for a long and fruitful writing career.

In this episode, we discuss BREAKING THE RULES. Can you do it? Should you do it? How? We do a deep dive into creating context for your work, going rogue, and positioning yourself in the industry. What's the true nature of the entertainment business: meritocracy or chaos-ocracy?

Rate the show wherever you listen & tell your friends! (It helps spread the word.) Send in your comments and questions about writing, this episode, or anything (writing-wise) to: TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com

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

Aiyo/ On My Way/ courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Every writer wants the secret to career success. It's not technique. It's not connections. Those are important, but it's really about what's INSIDE YOU. How do you navigate the INTERNAL joys and challenges of living as a writer in TV and Film? On The Secret Writer Podcast, Nick Jobe and Steve Harper, writers, and script consultants/coaches, examine the "secret" inner world of the writing process for TV, film, and theater - as a way to prepare you for a long and fruitful writing career.

In this episode, we discuss DISRUPTION, the idea of trying things that are not traditional in the writer marketplace. Looking at your script as a product, we'll tackle the idea of the ODD way in, the notion of PAYING DUES, the PRESCRIBED PATH and what it means to create something that breaks the mold and helps you jumps the line.

Rate the show wherever you listen & tell your friends! (It helps spread the word.) Send in your comments and questions about writing, this episode, or anything (writing-wise) to: TheSecretWriterPodcast@gmail.com

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

Aiyo/ On My Way/ courtesy of Epidemic Sound