Ever wish you had a pro screenwriter whispering the secrets of how to create and sustain a writing career in your ear each week? (And how to enjoy the ride!) This is exactly what you’ll get when you tune into the Script Reader Pro podcast with pro writer, Scott Parisien, and his co-host Desiree.
We’re a small group of story analysts who are also professional screenwriters. We’ve written scripts, been produced, know how the business works and how to break into it. And in this podcast, we’ll show you how. Our speciality? Taking long-winded, often contradictory and confusing screenwriting theories and turning them into actionable, step-by-step processes.
On the podcast, we answer listener questions, read your loglines, scenes, and break down what works and what doesn’t in professional scripts. We also have guests on—from writers, to actors, to managers and producers—to share their experiences and hands-on advice too. Our aim is for you to not just listen passively, but go away knowing how to apply what you’ve heard to your own work right away. Whether you want to know how to start writing a script, or you’ve written 10 but had minimal success, or even if you’ve sold several scripts but are having trouble sustaining your career, we’ve got you covered.
So join Scott and Desiree for a weekly screenwriting deep dive, and let’s help fulfill your creative dreams of becoming a paid and (always) working writer.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ever wish you had a pro screenwriter whispering the secrets of how to create and sustain a writing career in your ear each week? (And how to enjoy the ride!) This is exactly what you’ll get when you tune into the Script Reader Pro podcast with pro writer, Scott Parisien, and his co-host Desiree.
We’re a small group of story analysts who are also professional screenwriters. We’ve written scripts, been produced, know how the business works and how to break into it. And in this podcast, we’ll show you how. Our speciality? Taking long-winded, often contradictory and confusing screenwriting theories and turning them into actionable, step-by-step processes.
On the podcast, we answer listener questions, read your loglines, scenes, and break down what works and what doesn’t in professional scripts. We also have guests on—from writers, to actors, to managers and producers—to share their experiences and hands-on advice too. Our aim is for you to not just listen passively, but go away knowing how to apply what you’ve heard to your own work right away. Whether you want to know how to start writing a script, or you’ve written 10 but had minimal success, or even if you’ve sold several scripts but are having trouble sustaining your career, we’ve got you covered.
So join Scott and Desiree for a weekly screenwriting deep dive, and let’s help fulfill your creative dreams of becoming a paid and (always) working writer.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Desiree and Scott go deep into why using the element of surprise is a great way to make people pay attention and keep them glued to the page.
Read the full show notes here: https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/resources-podcast/podcast-ep-50-catching-attention-and-being-surprising/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Part 4 of the Mapping Your Screenplay series as Desiree and Scott discuss putting your idea into motion through dialogue, scenes and overall structure.
Read the full show notes here: https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/resources-podcast/podcast-ep-49-mapping-your-screenplay-part-4/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Scott and Desiree tackle the depths of character, and tips on how to build them in a way that makes them compelling and unforgettable - using secrets as the ultimate motivator.
Read the full show notes here: https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/resources-podcast/podcast-ep-48-mapping-your-screenplay-part-3/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Scott and Desiree give insight on what to keep in mind when taking your idea forward, and how to stay on the right track when it comes to keeping it in the lane of creating something that has a definite audience, and can sell.
Read the full show notes here: https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/resources-podcast/podcast-ep-47-mapping-your-screenplay-part-2/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This episode is the first in an exciting 4-part series where Scott and Desiree walk you through what to keep in mind when finding that next idea and listening to that spark inside you as you map your next feature-length screenplay.
Click here to read the full show notes: https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/resources-podcast/podcast-ep-46-mapping-your-screenplay/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Scott & Desiree break down what a thriller really is, how to make it work, and the things to keep in mind when you attempt to write a thriller that will make the industry pay attention.
Click here to read the full show notes: https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/resources-podcast/podcast-ep-45-anatomy-of-a-thriller/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Scott and Desiree talk about all the reasons why you should be reading as many screenplays as you can; they also use one scene from The Dark Knight as an example of how to break down and study those screenplays, not just read them. It's all about "doing the work."
Read the full show notes here: https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/resources-podcast/podcast-ep-44-read-the-damn-screenplay/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Scott and Desiree talk about one of the scariest things for anybody: change. They talk about how as a writer trying to break into a very collaborative business, where everybody has an opinion, needs to be malleable and easily adaptive to change.
Read the full show notes here: https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/resources-podcast/podcast-ep-43-change/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What makes a twist land? What makes a moment satisfying? Setups and payoffs. In this episode, Scott and Desiree break down the importance of planting story elements early, and how to cash them in later for big emotional (or explosive) effect.
Read the full show notes here: https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/resources-podcast/podcast-ep-41-set-ups-and-payoffs/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, we’re diving deep into what it really means when dialogue (or plot or character) is “on the nose”, and why it kills the magic in a script. From clunky exposition to cliché characters and spoon-fed plot twists, this episode unpacks how to spot and fix on-the-nose writing.
Read the full show notes here: https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/resources-podcast/podcast-ep-40-on-the-nose/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Scott puts Desiree on the spot and together they build a character from scratch, digging into wants vs. needs, defining moments, secrets, fears, and how reality TV can sharpen your character radar. Plus a rapid-fire Q&A on overwriting, wardrobe on the page, swearing, and page count.
Read the full show notes here: https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/resources-podcast/podcast-ep-39-building-a-character-from-scratch/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Scott and Desiree dive into why building a strong portfolio is essential before reaching out to managers, agents, or producers. From how many scripts you need to what else belongs in your portfolio, they share practical steps to help you stand out and be taken seriously.
Read the full show notes here: https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/resources-podcast/podcast-ep-38-building-a-portfolio/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Scott and Desiree break down the art of writing a killer logline, that one-sentence hook that makes someone have to read your script. They share the 5 C’s of loglines, common mistakes to avoid, and insider tips for making your idea irresistible.
Read the full show notes here: https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/resources-podcast/podcast-ep-37-loglines/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Scott and Desiree break down what makes great TV, using Department Q as a masterclass example. From broken characters to intricate plotting, they explore how to write layered, memorable drama for the screen (and how not to do it).
Read the full show notes here: https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/resources-podcast/podcast-ep-36-great-tv-writing/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Scott and Desiree break down the first pages of six produced screenplays, exploring what grabs the reader, what sets the tone, and what falls flat. Expect sharp insights, script analysis, and plenty of laughs as they dissect one of the most crucial parts of your screenplay: page one.
Read the full show notes here: https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/resources-podcast/podcast-ep-35-opening-pages/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of the Script Reader Pro Podcast, Scott and Desiree explore how to develop your idea into a strong foundation before you start writing. From pressure-testing your premise to using loglines and comps, this episode helps you set your script up for success before page one.
Read the full show notes here: https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/resources-podcast/podcast-ep-34-give-and-take-notes/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feeling stuck in self-doubt? You’re not alone. In this heart-to-heart episode, Scott and Desiree talk about the highs and lows of being a screenwriter, and why believing in yourself might just be the most important tool in your writing kit. They share personal stories, mindset tips, and practical ways to keep going when the rejection hits hard.
Read the full show notes here: https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/resources-podcast/podcast-ep-33-believe-in-yourself/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How do you master pacing in your script? In this episode, Scott and Desiree break down what makes a screenplay feel too slow or too rushed, genre by genre. Plus, they analyze real examples, dish on movies they’ve watched, and banter about coffee mugs, revenge, and chatterbox movie habits.
Read the full show notes here: https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/resources-podcast/podcast-ep-32-how-to-master-pacing-in-your-script/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.