🎬 Have you ever wondered why your screenplay might not be getting interest from managers or production companies?After reviewing thousands of screenplays and coaching writers for more than 17 years, I've noticed the same mistakes appear over and over again in early drafts and from new screenwriters. In this episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting, I break down the 10 biggest screenwriting mistakes beginners make.Whether you're writing your first screenplay or polishing your latest draft, these screenwriting tips will help you write stronger characters, tighter scenes, sharper dialogue, and a more professional screenplay.In this episode, you'll learn:✅ Why your screenplay should be fun to read✅ Why relying on AI can hurt your writing✅ How to write a professional action description✅ Why present tense matters✅ How to avoid on-the-nose dialogue✅ Better ways to handle exposition and backstory✅ Why "Show, Don't Tell" is one of the most important screenwriting principles✅ Common screenplay formatting mistakes✅ Why your first 10 pages matter so much✅ Why shorter screenplays often have an advantageIf you're serious about improving your writing and creating scripts that stand out to producers, managers, contests, and readers, this episode is packed with practical advice you can apply immediately.Don't just write. Finish.🎓 Get one-on-one screenwriting coaching:https://ScreenwritingCoaching.com👥 Looking for a Writers' Room to Join?Join the Screenwriting Success Club for live meetings, screenplay feedback, accountability, and a supportive community of writers:https://www.skool.com/screenwriting-1697🎧 Subscribe to Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting for weekly screenwriting tips, interviews with professional writers, filmmaking advice, and practical strategies to help you write scripts that stand out.

Want to write funnier screenplays, sitcoms, or comedy films?In this episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting, award-winning screenwriter and producer Jordan Imiola shares his Top 10 Comedy Writing Tips using examples from classic sitcoms, produced films, and his own projects, including AARON AND ABBY'S ADVENTURES and LOVE AT FIRST SPITE.Whether you're writing your first screenplay or polishing your tenth draft, these comedy writing techniques can help you create stronger characters, bigger laughs, and more memorable scenes.In this episode, you'll learn:• Why surprise is one of the most important tools in comedy• How to write jokes that stand the test of time• Why specificity makes scenes funnier• How conflict creates comedy• Common comedy writing mistakes to avoid• And much moreJordan Imiola is an award-winning screenwriter, producer, and screenwriting coach with more than 35 produced writing projects to his credit. His work includes the feature film LOVE AT FIRST SPITE, the sitcom Aaron and Abby's Adventures, Romantically Hopeless, Monster Therapy, and Sports TV.Need help with your screenplay?Join the Screenwriting Success Club:https://www.skool.com/screenwriting-1697/aboutLearn more about Screenwriting Coaching:https://www.screenwritingcoaching.comWatch Aaron and Abby's Adventures:https://www.youtube.com/FunnyBuffaloSubscribe for more interviews, screenwriting tips, filmmaking advice, and behind-the-scenes stories from working writers and filmmakers.

How do you ACTUALLY make a movie from start to finish?In this special Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting episode, award-winning screenwriter Jordan Imiola is joined by LOVE AT FIRST SPITE director David Wingert and co-writer/actress/producer Marisa Dzintars for a full behind-the-scenes conversation about the complete process of making an indie feature film — from the original screenplay and early TV pilot version to production, post-production, editing, collaboration, distribution, and release.Whether you're trying to write your first screenplay, direct a movie, produce an indie film, or simply understand how feature films really get made, this episode breaks down the REAL filmmaking process step-by-step.Topics include:🎬 Writing the screenplay📺 Turning a TV pilot into a feature film🎥 Directing & producing an indie movie✍️ Rewriting during production🎭 Working with actors🤝 Building a filmmaking team🎞️ Editing & post-production📺 Film distribution & streaming🔥 Lessons learned making a feature film🎞️ LOVE AT FIRST SPITE is now streaming commercial-free on Amazon and also available on Tubi, Roku, and more streaming platforms!🚀 Join the Screenwriting Success Club:https://www.skool.com/screenwriting-1697/aboutSubscribe to Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting for more interviews, filmmaking discussions, and screenwriting conversations every week.

Join the Make a Short Film in 21 Days Challenge here 👉 https://www.skool.com/screenwriting-1697/aboutIf you’ve been saying, “I want to make a short film someday,” Make that someday this June. 🎬Inside the Screenwriting Success Club, we’re doing a💪 Make a Short Film in 21 Days Challenge You’ll have 21 days (which is more than enough time) to create a short film from start to finish. You must be a Premium member to participate👉 JOIN THE PREMIUM PLAN HERE:🔥 https://www.skool.com/screenwriting-1697/plans

What does a TV showrunner actually do and what does it really take to run a television show. In this episode, working TV writers and showrunners share the best showrunning advice they have learned while creating and running TV series.You will hear insights on how showrunners protect story and creative instincts, how writers rooms actually function, why story matters more than jokes, how character arcs are planned across seasons, and what it is like working on major franchises like Marvel, network television, and comedy series.This episode features advice from writers and creators behind shows like On Call, King of the Hill, Jane the Virgin, Loki, Cobra Kai, Saturday Night Live, Frasier, and more, along with showrunning lessons learned along the way.🎬 Watch full interviews and showrunning courses inside the Screenwriting Success Clubhttps://www.skool.com/screenwriting-1697/aboutThe Screenwriting Success Club is a community for new and professional writers where you can watch full interviews with TV showrunners, take on demand TV writing and showrunning courses, join live Zoom writing sessions, and finally finish your scripts with accountability and support.Writing is easier and more fun when you are not doing it alone. Join the Screenwriting Success Club today.

In this episode, we break down how to write a logline that actually sells your screenplay — to producers, managers, agents, contests, and pitch rooms.This video is pulled from a live group meeting inside the Screenwriting Success Club, where writers learn how to write, finish, and sell their scripts.🏆 Join the Screenwriting Success Club on Skool👉 https://www.skool.com/screenwriting-1697/aboutWhether you’re writing a feature film, TV pilot, short film, or preparing for contests and fellowships, your logline is often the first — and only — thing people read. This episode will help you make it count.In this video and the SSC, You’ll learn:✅ What a logline really is (and what it’s NOT)✅ Why you should aim for 30 words or less✅ How comedy loglines can sell a script✅ How to brainstorm loglines to find the one that works✅ A simple method to get feedback from other writers✅ Why streaming platforms change your logline (sometimes for better, sometimes worse)If you’re serious about screenwriting and don’t want to sit on unfinished scripts for years, join the Screenwriting Succeess Club on Skool at 👉 https://www.skool.com/screenwriting-1697/aboutWith the Screenwriting Success Club, you can attend group meetings, get courses, interviews with working writers, and a community of screenwriters actually finishing scripts.Want just the Sell a Screeplay Course without the community? Find that @ https://jordanimiola.thinkific.com/courses/sell-a-screenplayTAKE other Screenwriting Courses @ https://jordanimiola.thinkific.com/ Get 1-on-1 Screenwriting Coaching @ https://www.screenwritingcoaching.comSubscribe for more Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting 🎉#screenwriting #loglines #sellingscreenplays #filmmaking #screenwritertips

The Grateful 10 Episode — Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting (2025)In this special gratitude-themed episode, screenwriters and actors reflect on the creative wins, unexpected breakthroughs, and personal growth that shaped their year. The entertainment industry can be unpredictable—long waits, stalled momentum, sudden surprises—but today we’re focusing on the moments that made it all worthwhile.Featuring:Gloria Garayua, Gloria Tsai, Elena Dizon, and Jordan ImiolaWhether you’re a working writer or just beginning your screenwriting journey, these stories of gratitude, resilience, and artistic evolution will inspire you to appreciate your own creative path.In This Episode:Creative breakthroughs and new acting/writing opportunitiesLessons that reshaped careersFinished scripts and projects (big and small!)Collaborations, friendships, and community supportAnd so much more we're grateful for this yearJoin us for a heartwarming and motivational conversation about the joys—and the journey—of being a storyteller.

Want to get Scary Good at screenwriting? 👻In this episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting, Jordan Imiola breaks down 10 steps to writing a horror movie — with examples from A Quiet Place, Alien, Jaws, Scream, Friday the 13th, Child’s Play, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Insidious, Psycho, and more.Learn How To Write a Horror Movie with the Horror Movie Writing Course inside the Screenwriting Success Club⁠https://www.skool.com/screenwriting/aboutIf you’re serious about becoming a better screenwriter, join the Screenwriting Success Club, where writers finish scripts faster, get feedback, and learn how to turn their stories into screenplays producers want to read.🎬 Join the Club: https://www.skool.com/screenwriting/about✍️ Take the How To Write a Horror Movie course: https://jordanimiola.thinkific.com/courses/how-to-write-a-horror-movie🎯 Get 1-on-1 Screenwriting Coaching: https://www.jordanimiola.com/screenwritingcoaching

Michael Waldron shares how he went from being a production assistant on Community and Rick and Morty to becoming the showrunner of Loki and creator of Heels. And eventually creating the new show, Chad Powers.Hosts Jordan Imiola, Kerstin Porter, and Rund Shami talk with Michael about:Breaking into Hollywood from the ground upHow Rick and Morty shaped his writing voiceBalancing character and spectacle in LokiThe challenges (and rewards) of running your own TV showMichael’s journey is a masterclass in perseverance and passion. A must-listen for aspiring screenwriters and TV writers.✨ Join the Screenwriting Success Club for writing accountability, table reads, and live workshops:https://www.skool.com/screenwriting/about

What is script coverage, and how can it help (or hurt) your screenwriting career? In this episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting, Jordan Imiola and David Wingert dive deep into the world of professional script notes — from studio coverage to film festivals to today’s shifting industry.Between the two of them, they've worked on all sides of coverage: reading scripts, receiving notes, and now helping writers find better, more supportive options. David has read for Final Draft, Coverfly, SlamDance, Paramount, Austin Film Festival, and more. Together, we break down:🎬 What coverage really is and why it matters📚 What studio readers and festival judges are actually looking for⚡ The biggest mistakes writers make when submitting scripts📉 Why so many coverage services are shutting down right now🌟 Why ScriptReads.com is a stronger alternative — real screenwriters with produced credits giving feedback that helps your story growIf you’ve ever wondered whether script coverage is worth it, or how to find feedback you can actually trust, this episode gives you the insider truth from two working screenwriters.Join our Screenwriting Success Club 👉 https://www.skool.com/screenwriting-1697/about👉 Subscribe to the Channel for more Screenwriters Talk ScreenwritingMore screenwriting tips at www.jordanimiola.com🙂 TAKE A SCREENWRITING COURSE @ https://jordanimiola.thinkific.com/✍️ Get 1-on-1 Screenwriting Coaching @ https://www.jordanimiola.com/screenwritingcoaching#ScriptCoverage #Screenwriting #FinalDraft #Coverfly #AustinFilmFestival🎧 Subscribe to Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting on Spotify & all major platforms.✨ Join the Screenwriting Success Club for writing accountability, table reads, and live workshops:⁠⁠ https://www.skool.com/screenwriting/about⁠