Geoffrey D. Calhoun and Kristy Leigh Lussier break down one of the easiest ways to spot weak screenwriting: dialogue nobody would actually say. They share practical ways to write more authentic conversations before answering listener questions about first drafts, fixing scenes, formatting flashbacks, and whether a writer should ever give up on the dream.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why generic dialogue can immediately weaken a screenplay
How listening to real conversations can improve your character dialogue
Why every scene needs its own purpose, objective, and forward momentum
How to keep moving when a scene is slowing down your first draft
How to approach flashbacks and scene numbering in a screenplay
Why screenwriting formatting has become less rigid over the years
Why your filmmaking career may not look the way you originally imagined
How writers and directors can start creating with the resources they have right now.
Key Moments:
01:24 – Breaking down character-driven storytelling in recent movies 06:03 – The generic dialogue screenwriters need to stop using 10:30 – Kristy's techniques for developing authentic character voices 12:36 – What every scene needs to accomplish 15:26 – Why Geoffrey stopped using Final Draft 16:53 – When should you give up on your dream of writing and directing? 19:57 – Redefining what it means to be a writer and director today
About the Co-host: 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.
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.
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