Geoffrey D. Calhoun and Kristy Leigh return from a short hiatus with exciting news: they’re officially launching their new vertical series. In this episode, they discuss what it’s like to move from talking about filmmaking to actually producing a project together, including casting, crew building, and preparing for production. They also dive into a major industry shakeup involving the rumored Paramount and Warner Bros. consolidation, what it could mean for creators, and why the rise of vertical storytelling platforms may open new doors for independent filmmakers and screenwriters.<br /><br />Plus, Geoffrey and Kristy answer listener questions about writer’s block, creative doubt, genre preferences, writing habits, and surprising books that deserve film adaptations. If you're a screenwriter navigating the changing entertainment landscape, this conversation is packed with insight and perspective.<br /><br />What You’ll Learn in This Episode<ul><li>Why vertical series may become a major opportunity for indie filmmakers</li><li>The difference between talking about filmmaking and actually producing a project</li><li>How to break through writer’s block and restart creative momentum</li><li>Why self-doubt is normal for writers at every level of their career</li><li>How major media mergers could reshape the future of film and television</li><li>The value of writing habits and routines for maintaining productivity</li></ul>Key Moments<br /><br />00:20 – Geoffrey and Kristy return from hiatus and tease their new vertical series<br />02:05 – The origin of Elsy and why Geoffrey revived the script now<br />03:46 – The rumored vertical storytelling platforms for indie filmmakers<br />12:55 – Breaking through writer’s block and finding creative flow<br />19:20 – Should writers focus on one project or juggle multiple scripts?<br />22:33 – Dealing with doubt as a screenwriter<br />26:29 – Writing nonfiction stories and handling sensitive personal material<br /><br />About the Cohost<br />Kristy Leigh Lussier is a screenwriter, filmmaker, and creative collaborator who works across multiple genres including horror and drama. She has experience in independent film production, writing, and on-set collaboration, and regularly shares insights into the filmmaking process with the screenwriting community.<br /><br />About the Host<br />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.<br /><br />Resources Mentioned in the Episode<ul><li>Vertical storytelling platforms and mobile-first content</li><li>HBO series Primal</li></ul>Connect with Kristy Leigh Lussier<br /><br />Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kantoka127/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@kantoka</a><br />Watch Kristy’s vertical drama: <a href="https://www.reelshort.com/episodes/episode-1-the-witch-wolf-s-mate-68ed9142610032f6310d58cf-kauyyta9u7?play_time=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Witch Wolf's Mate</a><br /><br />Connect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun<br />Website: <a href="https://www.thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com</a><br />Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/screenwriterpod" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.instagram.com/screenwriterpod</a><br />YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thesuccessfulscreenwriter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@thesuccessfulscreenwriter</a><br /><br />#ScreenwritingPodcast<br />#ScreenwritingTips<br />#VerticalSeries<br />#Filmmaking<br />#IndieFilmmaker<br />#Scriptwriting<br />#TheSuccessfulScreenwriter<br />#WritingCommunity<br /><br />🎬 <a href="https://thesuccessfulscreenwriter.aweb.page/p/fc9d2bc4-9176-499e-8f59-5d3335ea791f?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadlPzJbP0uPfCDBAcvM3ayhgLKxvH-olZWPzK5-ZiB2p1qe1BEAB0_xQpwAbA_aem_SXvELLCRzge8AFd2L3YCxg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get Free Script Leads</a> — be the first to know which producers are requesting scripts and accepting submissions.<br /><br />If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe. Share it with a fellow screenwriter who’d find it valuable!