The Screenplay Writers

Hi there. This is Agent Nick. You might also remember me as Intern Nick. I have taken the extraordinary measure of recording this episode on my own, because I need to find Nathan and Ryan immediately. Listen to this episode and you'll understand why. Ryan and Nathan, if you see this episode, please contact me. After you listen to it. Right after.

Nathan and Ryan reveal that they’ve been asked by several deep-pocketed backers to open and manage their own cafe—and they’re doing it. They’ve decided to call it Café Screenplay. They are giving up the screenplay scene for the time being—likely forever. The plan? They're headed away for the next 11 weeks, during which time they’ll be totally unreachable as they tour the finest coffee plantations and farms in Central and South America, sourcing the highest quality beans for Cafe Screenplay. Ryan and Nathan wanted to add that it’s been an absolute pleasure bringing their knowledge of and passion for screenplays each and every week for the past two years. Stop by Cafe Screenplay if you’re in Vancouver and enjoy 20 percent off a coffee with the purchase of a baked good or raw vegan item (minimum $3.50). While supplies last.

Nathan and Ryan reveal a few devastating obstacles they've been confronting and explain why their podcast episodes illogically jump from 91 to 99. The screenplay writing app they’ve been developing has been shelved, after they received multiple cease and desist orders from gigantic companies. Their junior producer Jack un-greenlit the two screenplays they thought were being produced. Clearly it’s a really low time for them—”all is lost” you might say. They dissect "The Avengers: Endgame" in script surgery, and Ryan sadly presents “The Genius Teacher” in Logline Cage Match.

When someone has feedback on your screenplay, you best listen. It's called criticism, and often it contains something useful or insightful. At the very least, it's fuel for your fire, inspiring you write more and achieve great things that the criticizer could never dream of. The guys do script surgery on "Fighting with my Family," and Nathan pitches "The Red Pen From Beyond the Grave" in Logline Cage Match.

Financing is very important when it comes to taking screenplays to the big screen. Nathan and Ryan talk about their recent adventures in financing, having a noted and notable junior-producer-slash-financier named Jack greenlight two of their screenplays with sudden financing from independent means. The guys do script surgery on “Us,” the new Jordan Peele picture, which was fantastic and engaging, despite the short title. Ryan pitches “Means of Independence“ in Logline Cage Match.

In the midst of recording a much-requested episode about sound, Ryan and Nathan get a call from their friend Jack, a junior producer, who needs screenplays to park some money in, stat. They get a few ideas greenlit, which Jack is going to start junior-producing. The guys note that the incident was an example of a Hare’s Rule: when a completed screenplay meets a phone call, that’s good luck. Featuring Jack Hauen as the junior producer.

Nathan and Ryan talk about the many features and benefits of the screenplay-writing app they're building from scratch. It comes with 20 of the guys’ screenplays pre-loaded on the app for users to edit and use, a value of around $1,000,000. They do script survey on Lego 2 and Ryan pitches his idea “Meccano“ in Logline Cage Match.

Nathan and Ryan talk about monologues and why you should avoid them at all costs as a screenplay writer. Hint: It’s so that actors’ egos don’t get out of hand with all they attention monologues give them. They do script surgery on “Glass” and Ryan pitches his idea “The Unlicensed Dentist” in Logline Cage Match.

Nathan and Ryan talk to Nathan’s friend, (unlicensed) Dr. Graeme, who makes a stunning announcement you'll have to hear to believe. They all talk about the importance of the CTP principle, which stands for ‘combining the passions.’ Ryan and Nathan give the unlicensed doctor helpful life advice. Featuring Graeme Achurch as (unlicensed) Dr. Graeme.

Whether your screenplay needs CGI (computer-generated imagery) when it hits the big screen really depends on your imagination. If you have a huge imagination, you might need CGI. Nathan and Ryan talk about the screenwriting app that they’re starting to create from scratch. They do script surgery on “Alita: Battle Angel,” and Ryan pitches his idea “The Startup Chronicles” in Logline Cage Match.

Nathan and Ryan analyze in great detail the 2019 Oscars, which will go down in history as one of the Oscars most engaging ceremonies. 

Who will win at the Oscars next Sunday. Nathan and Ryan run down nearly every category. You may be surprised by what they have to say, but you'll have to download this episode and listen to it to find out.

Nathan and Ryan talk about the surprising lack of challenges they experience crossing the border despite being prolific screenplay writers. They never get asked for their business Visas, which they have dutifully acquired. The guys do script surgery on "Poppins Returns” and Ryan pitches “Solo 2: Falcon Rises: Mechanic’s Dream” in Logline Cage Match.

Distribution is critical when it comes to screenplays. Otherwise, how will anyone see your pages? The guys do script surgery on “Roma” and Nathan pitches “The Lightning Soldier” in Logline Cage Match.

At some point, every screenplay writer asks her or himself, or her or him friends, “What about festivals?” In episode, we answer that question. The guys do script surgery on “Shoplifters” and Ryan reads his idea for a skiing comedy mystery, “The Skiing Bandit,” in Logline Cagematch.

Writing effective phone calls in a screenplay is the calling card of a successful screenplay writer. With the popularity of phones these days, you simply can’t avoid developing this skill. The guys do script surgery on “Bumblebee” and Ryan pitches his idea “The Neverending Conversation” in Logline Cage Match.

Why are table reads so important to the screenwriting process? Because they present a rare opportunity to bring the cast together around one huge table—and around the screenplay. (Note: The best table reads are done around oval tables.) The guys do script surgery on “Welcome to Marwen” and Ryan pitches his idea “Frosty the Hitman” in Logline Cage Match.