Ep 303 - Why Empathy is the Real Screenwriting Superpower
Episode 303 is a packed Q&A with Geoffrey D. Calhoun and co-host Kristy Leigh, kicking off with holiday movie talk, a Star Wars tactical jacket upgrade, and why screenwriting can change how you watch films forever. Then they jump into the real stuff writers are asking right now: how to build characters that feel human, why empathy might be the hidden superpower behind great scripts, how to query smarter, what competitions are actually good for, how to adapt a novel into a screenplay, and what page counts make readers actually want to open your script.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- Why empathy is a major advantage in writing believable characters
- How to create stronger characters using simple, practical frameworks
- How to query without spraying your script everywhere
- When competitions help, and when they are just noise
- What page count makes your feature feel “readable” to industry folks
Key Moments
- 03:19 Does screenwriting “ruin” movies or deepen your appreciation?
- 10:07 Geoffrey’s worst script read and why empathy matters on the page
- 17:50 Building great characters
- 26:41 Competitions: what they are good for, what to avoid, and why research matters
- 29:42 Novel to screenplay: streamline Plot A, combine characters, and write efficiently
- 36:24 Feature page count: what feels professional and what gets ignored
About the Cohost:
Kristy Leigh is Geoffrey’s co-host and a performer with a sharp eye for story, structure, and what makes characters pop on screen. She brings a grounded industry perspective, plus the actor’s lens on why certain writing choices work.
About the Host
With films on network television, streaming platforms, and in theaters, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and a passionate mentor in the industry. He hosts The Successful Screenwriter podcast to empower writers and filmmakers at every level. Resources Mentioned in the Episode
- The Guide for Every Screenwriter (Geoffrey’s book)
- WriterDuet (screenwriting software)
- InkTip Script Leads (Geoffrey shares free vetted leads)
- “Sinopedia” (Kristy’s horror script breakdown book recommendation)
- Films and shows discussed: Christmas Vacation, Die Hard 2, Die Hard 3, The Office, Avatar: The Way of Water, upcoming Avatar 3
- Enjoyable writing picks: DogMan (Luc Besson), Sinners
Connect with Kristy
- Instagram: https://www.spreaker.com
- Kristy’s vertical drama: https://www.reelshort.com/episodes/episode-1-the-witch-wolf-s-mate-68ed9142610032f6310d58cf-kauyyta9u7?play_time=1
Connect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun
- Website:https://www.thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com
- Instagram: https://www.spreaker.com
- YouTube: https://www.spreaker.com
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