All writers understand the ups and downs of the journey - the constant struggles with rejection, procrastination, and self-doubt. Today's discussion is pulled from one of our weekly Zoom calls in the ScriptBlast Members Online Community . I'm joined by ScriptBlast Members MK McFadden, Jay Kottaram, and Larry Guzman as we walk through a series of affirmations, exercises and group discussion around rebooting our mindset. We spend the first half of the episode focusing on the positive and the secon...
Jul 12, 2022•56 min•Season 4Ep. 19
There's something unique about the genre of science fiction: it opens doors to telling more truthful stories and tackling difficult topics . In this episode, Hudson talks with brothers Tony and Ryan Smith, a writing-directing duo based in Vancouver, BA. The Smith Brothers talk about their recent film, Volition, and the deeper themes of identity and fate. Authenticity is the key to telling truthful stories and your voice has a power unlike any other. By learning how to tap into it, the road begin...
May 17, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 18
Profound Clarke is a musician, screenwriter, and founder of Storyteller Session -- a weekly live table read event that pairs writers with professional actors so they can hear their work read out loud and get better feedback on their scripts. In this episode, we discuss introverts, how collaboration gets the best out of us, and why table reads are better than paying for feedback. Want to tell a story? Submit your script to: thestorytellersession@gmail.com If you feel stuck in your writing or prod...
Apr 26, 2021•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 17
What if we told you the key to making your movie was in your hands? It all starts with thinking outside of the box. In this episode, Hudson interviews writer, director, and distribution consultant Liz Manashil about the ins and outs of the indie film industry, where all directors struggle, and the pros and cons of self-distribution. Liz is the writer and director of the feature films Bread and Butter and Speed of Life, former manager of Sundance's Creative Distribution Initiative and co-founder ...
Apr 12, 2021•50 min•Season 3Ep. 16
Longevity. Sometimes we’re so excited to jump into our dreams that we don’t ever consider the steps we need to take to sustain our flow. How do we stay relevant? Happy? Excited about what we do? In this episode – taken straight from our ScriptBlast Members Group -- Hudson interviews Bob Tzudiker. All the films you grew up loving in the 90s wouldn’t have come to life without the creative eye of Bob and his writing partner, Noni White. After the success of Newsies – yes, THAT Newsies – Bob’s visio...
Mar 29, 2021•56 min•Season 3Ep. 15
One of the biggest struggles every writer faces is choosing what medium to work in. Well, what if we told you that you could do it all? In this episode, Hudson talks with David Accampo on how his childhood love for superheroes turned into a successful career that branched into five different mediums – comics and graphic novels, films, games, short stories, and an audio drama. David’s writing journey allowed him to connect the dots and knit together all of his passions in a way that allows him to...
Mar 15, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Season 2Ep. 14
“I always thought that artists should struggle, but I don't think that you have to suffer.” In this episode, Hudson talks with Michelle Leibel on her journey from PA to a staff writer on ABC’s “A Million Little Things” and how the most unsuspecting events can sometimes put us right where we’ve always wanted to be. Through her stories, you’ll learn the power of honesty in helping you get your foot in the door, establishing and maintaining professional relationships, and which positions you want t...
Mar 01, 2021•1 hr 29 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Have you been bitten by the filmmaking bug but find yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere thousands of miles from the industry? It is possible to do what you love every day and make a living off of it. In this episode, Hudson talks with Luke Pilgrim and Brad Kennedy of Sozo Bear Films about their filmmaking journey. You'll learn: how to make genre film on a low budget without sacrificing quality how to use film school to your advantage how and why to find a filmmaking partner how to knock self...
Oct 19, 2020•48 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Do you have a personal story that you want to get out into the world? What if you could make EVERY script you write more personal? In this episode, Hudson talks with writer / director / producer / actor Victoria Negri about the process of bringing her brilliant, beautiful, and very personal debut film, GOLD STAR, to life. You'll learn: how to explore your personal struggles through writing and filmmaking. the importance of finding your tribe. tips on networking for introverts. practical advice f...
Oct 05, 2020•57 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Every writer with a dream, repeat after me: "It is possible to make my own feature film." This series of interviews show that it can happen with very few resources as long as you have a tenacious drive, you surround yourself with the right people, and you never give up. In this episode, Hudson talks with Walker Whited, the writer & director behind the feature film By Nights End, about how he got started in film, some of the practical ways he brought By Nights End to life so quickly and effec...
May 20, 2020•43 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Writing is rewriting. One of the key fundamentals of screenwriting is learning how to take and implement notes. On this episode, Hudson talks about these concepts with with Jenny Frankfurt, founder of the Finish Line Script Competition—a contest built on the “development notes” concept. Jenny shares her tips for breaking into the industry and walks us through the top 5 mistakes most writers make in their first drafts and what we can do about it in the rewrite.
May 12, 2020•59 min•Season 2Ep. 9
If you ever feel like you have to constantly do, do, do as a writer / filmmaker or else you’ll lose your place in the race to the “breaking in” finish line, you’re not alone. On this episode, Hudson chats with Will Dennis, the writer, director, and star of the new indie rom-com Vanilla, about how to maintain sanity and balance priorities while living the indie film life.
May 05, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 8
The filmmaking world is not an easy one (to put it extremely lightly) and filmmakers are rarely prepared to cope with the ups and downs of the emotional journey. Hudson chats with actors/writers/directors Megan Peterson & Hannah Black about the insane roller coaster journey they've experienced on their Duplass Brothers produced film, Drought, and what it takes to keep going in the face of smashed expectations.
Apr 28, 2020•59 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Rejection. Distraction. Excuses. Low self-esteem. This is the mental slog, Hudson interviews screenwriter Jessica Coleman all about the emotional ups and downs of the screenwriting journey and how having a writing partner helps her navigate it all.
Mar 18, 2019•30 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Hudson interviews comic book writer, filmmaker, and multi-hyphenate Van Jensen about balancing work and home alongside your dreams, the importance of protecting your mental energy, and maximizing your productivity.
Mar 11, 2019•51 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Hudson interviews professional screenwriter RB Ripley to learn how he first worked his way into the business, how his previous life as a tuba player prepared him for the journey, and how a daily writing habit can make all the difference, even at the beginning of your career.
Mar 04, 2019•59 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Hudson interviews screenwriter and professional script reader Samantha Wilson to discuss how to set the right goals, how to make them a reality, and maybe most importantly, how long it takes to make them a reality.
Feb 25, 2019•34 min•Season 1Ep. 3
The first step to changing your career is changing your mind. In this episode, Hudson interviews best-selling author and mindset coach Jennifer Blanchard to learn about how our way of thinking has a massive influence on our writing—from first motivation to realizing our end goals.
Feb 18, 2019•32 min•Season 1Ep. 2
The first step to any journey is to figure out WHY you're on it. In this episode, Hudson will help you clarify your "why" so that you have a reminder to drive you as you go through the ups and downs of the writer's journey.
Jan 26, 2019•9 min•Season 1Ep. 2
