To kick off this new season of THE SHOOT FROM THE HEART podcast, I delve into the question many aspiring screenwriters and filmmakers ask themselves: "Should I quit?" This conversation touches on the nature of pursuing audacious dreams, facing obstacles, and the importance of reigniting the passion for one's craft. You'll be encouraged to reflect on your desires, the importance of protecting your energy, and the potential for success through continuous learning and adaptation. Tune in to connect...
Mar 01, 2024•25 min
As the 40th Sundance Festival kicks off today, I want to share this podcast from the archives on my personal Sundance journey. From dreaming about getting in the screenwriter's lab to having my first film win two awards in the main competition, I share what Sundance has meant to me. So FREAKING grateful to Sundance and all the support they give to indie filmmakers. If your dream is to get to Sundance, KEEP FAITH!!! Listen to this and know: you WILL get there! To join my free Facebook group, THE ...
Jan 18, 2024•42 min
I'm back! In this unexpected episode, I share how a period of silence and introspection has led me to a surprising realization about my true purpose. It was definitely not what I expected...but I'm feeling called to reembrace my passion for screenwriting and filmmaking. If you've been feeling the call to an unexpected plot twist in your own life, this episode will give you the courage to follow it! To watch my FREE masterclass SCRIPT TO SCREEN IN 2024 --> CLICK HERE For current course offerin...
Jan 12, 2024•17 min
Do you need mentorship and group programs in order to achieve success? If you've been debating whether to sign up for a coach or program, I analyze why to do it, what it can help with you - and also why you don't NEED it. For a fresh perspective on what it really takes to succeed, pour a coffee, pull up a chair, and listen in! To sign up for the FREE live masterclass, THE 4 SECRETS TO SELLING YOUR SCRIPT --> click HERE To join the free Facebook group, THE SHOOT FROM THE HEART SOCIETY --> c...
May 15, 2023•25 min
Often things don't go as planned (or how we hope) and it's outside our control. What we make of these obstacles and setbacks matters a lot. In this episode, you're going to learn how to take control of the narrative of your life in a way that serves you and helps you reach your goals. To sign up for the FREE live masterclass, THE 4 SECRETS TO SELLING YOUR SCRIPT --> click HERE To join the free Facebook group, THE SHOOT FROM THE HEART SOCIETY --> click HERE To sign up for THE NETWORK, my me...
Apr 14, 2023•22 min
There are literally thousands of screenwriting competitions out there, and it can feel like they are an essential step in the journey to success as a screenwriter - but don't fool yourself into thinking that you need them! You don't. Here I dissect screenwriting competitions: why you should enter them, why you shouldn't, which ones matter, what to expect if you win and more. For the free masterclass, THE 3 FOUNDATIONS OF SUCCESSFUL SCREENWRITING --> click HERE To join the free Facebook group,...
Apr 04, 2023•22 min
It's inevitable that on the path to our dreams, we're going to have moments of real doubt. Sometimes these can snowball into such extreme doubt that we give up - and that is a tragedy. To make sure doubt doesn't get the better of you, please listen to this episode and learn how to deal with it and let it go. For the free masterclass, THE 3 FOUNDATIONS OF SUCCESSFUL SCREENWRITING --> click HERE To join the free Facebook group, THE SHOOT FROM THE HEART SOCIETY --> click HERE To sign up for T...
Mar 31, 2023•20 min
On everyone's path to a dream creative career as a screenwriter or filmmaker, there comes a moment when we wonder if we should quit our day job. This week a screenwriter wrote to me with that dilemma and in this episode I dive into the realities of building a career in screenwriting. Learn what myths exist around earning money as a screenwriter and how to position yourself to successfully go pro. For the free masterclass, THE 3 FOUNDATIONS OF SUCCESSFUL SCREENWRITING --> click HERE To join th...
Mar 28, 2023•34 min
This week, I answer a listener's question on what to do if lack of funds is holding you back. You're going to learn a way of reframing this question and understanding this problem in a different way - so that it is never a problem for you again! If lack of money has ever felt like an obstacle for you on the path to screenwriting or filmmaking success, don't miss this one. For the free masterclass, THE 3 FOUNDATIONS OF SUCCESSFUL SCREENWRITING --> click HERE To join the free Facebook group, TH...
Mar 21, 2023•26 min
To celebrate the 100th episode of the Shoot From the Heart Podcast, I share about my journey starting and continuing this show and all the changes that have happened in my life. You'll get a gentle reminder of why you should start what you're putting off now as well as a case for why celebrating matters a lot - even if we're still far from our ultimate dreams. Celebrate the big 100 with me! So grateful that you are here!!! For the free masterclass, THE 3 FOUNDATIONS OF SUCCESSFUL SCREENWRITING -...
Mar 17, 2023•21 min
In today's session, I answer the question: "how can I keep believing when nothing is working?" You're going to learn there are practical steps you can take...but also that belief requires decision and your deliberate choice to believe no matter what. If you are finding yourself doubting, grab a coffee, pull up a chair and let's get your belief rock solid again. For the free masterclass, THE 3 FOUNDATIONS OF SUCCESSFUL SCREENWRITING --> click HERE To join the free Facebook group, THE SHOOT FRO...
Mar 15, 2023•20 min
The Upper Limit Problem is an idea that comes from a book called THE BIG LEAP by Gaye Hendricks. Essentially it's the idea that we all have an inner thermostat for how much good things we can have in our lives (ie how much abundance, how much success, how much love) and that when we go beyond that level, we sabotage to bring ourselves back to our original setting. In this episode I share some common signs to look out for that you are hitting your Upper Limit, what to do about it, and why you sho...
Mar 10, 2023•28 min
As we go after big, audacious goals (like writing and selling scripts or making movies), we sometimes find that our loved ones don't support us. In this episode, I address what to do if our nearest and dearest don't share our excitement about our dreams or are actively sabotaging them. If you love this episode, please share it on your social media and tag me on Instagram @shootfromtheheart1 To sign up for the FREE live class, YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE --> click HERE For the free masterclass, THE ...
Mar 07, 2023•26 min
It happens to ALL of us after we go after our goals: we're taking loads of action, we're doing all the things... And suddenly it feels like it's not working - and we get stuck. In this episode I share three practical strategies to get you UN-stuck. You'll want to bookmark this one and listen to it whenever you feel like you're not moving towards your dreams! To sign up for the FREE live class, YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE --> click HERE For the free masterclass, THE 3 FOUNDATIONS OF SUCCESSFUL SCREE...
Mar 03, 2023•20 min
In today's episode, I answer some questions I received about the practical side of writing screenplays. How many pages should you aim for? How much description is too much - and how much is too little? Will the director change a lot? The answers to these questions (and much more) are all revealed in this episode. Don't miss it if you want some fresh perspectives on what makes a screenplay stand out! For the free masterclass, WRITE YOUR SCREENPLAY THIS SUMMER --> CLICK HERE To join the free Fa...
Mar 01, 2023•40 min
There's where you are....and there's where you want to be. The journey between these two points sometimes seems way too long, so the question arises: how can we make it shorter? In this episode, you're going to learn 3 ways to get to your dreams faster, guaranteed! If you are ready to hit the accelerator pedal to your big goals, you won't want to miss it. To join THE SHOOT FROM THE HEART SOCIETY (free group) --> click HERE To join THE NETWORK, the ultimate membership for screenwriters and fil...
Feb 24, 2023•21 min
I often asked "is it possible for me to succeed as a screenwriter and/or filmmaker if I'm shy?" In this episode, I take a deep dive into this question - and the answer probably isn't what you expect! No matter whether you consider yourself shy or not, you're going to learn the #1 belief that blocks our success as well as a new way to look at the journey to our dreams that will empower you no matter what. To join THE SHOOT FROM THE HEART SOCIETY (free group) --> click HERE To join THE NETWORK,...
Feb 17, 2023•25 min
If you want to write a screenplay that actually has a shot at getting made into a movie, you're going to love this episode! You're going to learn the #1 secret to all success - as well as what success looks like at different stages of our journey. Registration is opening soon for my course WRITE YOUR SCREENPLAY IN 8 WEEKS, so stay tuned! In the meantime, if you're looking for support on your journey as a screenwriter or filmmaker, I invite you to join me in THE NETWORK --> click HERE Or join ...
Feb 09, 2023•26 min
We all have "off" days - days where we're fighting a cold, not feeling great, worried about a loved one, and so on. But what to do when we're having an "off" day - but we've got to get things done?! In this episode I share my own strategies for showing up and following through on commitments even when I'm not feeling great. Learning these tools can make all the difference in our lives - because truly: we're always going to experience "off" days, but we don't want them to derail us from achieving...
Feb 02, 2023•27 min
If you are looking for a mentor and community to help you thrive as a screenwriter and/or filmmaker, The Network is for you. In this special episode, I share exactly what The Network is and how it can help you. You'll also hear from current members of The Network on how it has impacted their lives - both as screenwriters/filmmakers and as humans. If you're ready to jump in to THE NETWORK and get my direct mentorship and be part of the most incredible community of screenwriters and filmmakers in ...
Jan 26, 2023•27 min
To get your film into Sundance is the dream of many aspiring screenwriters and filmmakers. In this episode I share my own journey with Sundance, as someone who's film was improbably selected from the slush pile and went on to win two awards there. I also share about my journey to being a participant in the Sundance Screenwriter's Lab. You'll learn exactly what you need to do if you want to get to Sundance with your project - because let's be clear: if it's your calling, Sundance will call you! I...
Jan 25, 2023•42 min
To get to greenlight, your script doesn't need to be perfect - but it does need to be good enough. What that really means is that it's got to engage and move the reader. In this episode you're going to learn some unexpected expert tips on upleveling the style of your script. You'll learn what it means to think like a director (and why it's often the key to great screenwriting), why screenwriting is like poetry, my own "rule of 3", and the main question you should be asking as you revise your scr...
Jan 17, 2023•24 min
The path to your big dreams is a long one and made of many, many steps. This can feel overwhelming and daunting, sometimes even making us want to give up - but in this episode I offer you an actionable system that simplifies your journey to three simple steps that you take over and over. With these 3 steps, your success is inevitable! To sign up for the free masterclass, DESTINATION GREENLIGHT --> click HERE To join the SHOOT FROM THE HEART SOCIETY --> click HERE...
Jan 14, 2023•18 min
As we come to the end of the 2022, it's a good time to look back and see what we can learn from this year. In this episode, I get very personal and candid about some of the lessons I've learned. You'll hear about what I've learned from making my big dream come true - but also what I learned about mentorship and trusting yourself. Tune in, have a listen, then sit down and reflect on your own journey. What do you want to take forward into 2023? What do you want to leave behind? To join THE NETWORK...
Dec 20, 2022•33 min
As we come to the end of this year, you might already be thinking ahead to your big goals for next year. But as you know - many of us set big goals and don't even get close to achieving them. How do we make sure that this time will be different? How do we set ourselves up for a year that changes the story of our lives? Pull up a chair and listen in as I share three things you should be doing now to ensure that next year really is one to remember! If you want to go deeper into this with me, sign ...
Dec 08, 2022•37 min
How do you end a movie so that it has viewers raving? How do you end one so that you set up a sequel that will be a masterpiece? And what does this have in common with how you end your year? As we begin the last month of the year, let's take a look at how to end something meaningfully - and set us up for the best sequel ever. To join the Shoot From the Heart Society: https://www.facebook.com/groups/239946376921960 To sign up for 2023: YEAR OF THE IMPOSSIBLE:https://dianebell.thrivecart.com/2023-...
Dec 02, 2022•26 min
Ever feel in a rush to get where you want to go? Feel like if you don't keep hustling, keep moving, keep pushing that you're never going to get there? While it's great to have big dreams and goals, the truth is life is NOW. If we think we can't have fun, be happy or feel abundant and secure until we have success - it's highly likely that we'll never experience what we really want. Pull up a chair, listen to this episode and plug into what really matters. To join THE NETWORK, my membership for sc...
Oct 27, 2022•22 min
Ever heard the story that you have to write at least 3-5 scripts before you sell one? Who made that rule?! And is it even true?? In this episode, I dive into this myth that you'll hear regurgitated all around the online screenwriting world and share my own personal experience not only selling my first script - but being hired to rewrite a script for an A list director before I'd even written my own script #2! To join THE NETWORK --> CLICK HERE To join THE SHOOT FROM THE HEART SOCIETY (it's fr...
Oct 27, 2022•21 min
No one thinks they have a negative attitude - yet the truth is many of us are walking around with beliefs that are FAR from positive. The problem is as long as you hold negative beliefs, you're going to be blocking the results you want. If you think selling your script is really hard.... it will be! In this bit size episode, I explore what it means to have a negative attitude and offer a quick way to check yours. Shifting to a positive attitude will be life-changing. To join the Shoot From the H...
Oct 21, 2022•12 min
Last week I posted on Instagram that the real reason you won't sell your script is that you don't believe in it enough. To say that annoyed some folks would be an understatement! I received a bunch of messages saying, "the problem isn't that I don't believe, the problem is I don't know the right people." Fair enough - but let's dissect that! In that episode I take a deep dive into why the problem really isn't that you don't know the right people. Jump in and get ready to shift your mindset aroun...
Oct 14, 2022•23 min
