Geoffrey D. Calhoun and Kristy Leigh Lussier dive into horror films, story rules, and the art of breaking them the right way. From Geoffrey’s emotional reaction to Good Boy to their debate on flashbacks and narrative discipline, this episode is packed with insights for any writer exploring tension, fear, and structure. Plus, they brainstorm ideas for the upcoming 300th episode giveaway and talk about the films every horror fan should see.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- How to break story rules the right way
- The importance of structure and consistency in screenwriting
- How to use flashbacks effectively (and when they hurt your story)
- Writing fear through tension, atmosphere, and primal emotion
- What today’s horror films can teach about character and storytelling
Key Moments
- 00:22 Brainstorming ideas for the 300th episode celebration
- 01:03 Geoffrey’s emotional reaction to Good Boy and dog-POV storytelling
- 08:37 The Woman in the Yard and the danger of breaking story rules
- 11:24 Trash Screenwriting Advice: “Just break the rules”
- 19:28 Flashbacks and how to use them effectively
About the Guest
Kristy Leigh Lussier is a filmmaker, writer, and producer with a passion for genre storytelling. She brings a sharp industry perspective and a love of horror to the conversation.
About the Host
With films on network television, streaming platforms, and in theaters, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and a passionate mentor in the industry. He hosts The Successful Screenwriter podcast to empower writers and filmmakers at every level.
Resources Mentioned in the Episode
- The Guide For Every Screenwriter
- Good Boy
- We Are Zombies
- Turbo Kid
- Terrifier series
- The Woman in the Yard
- Halloween (1978)
- The Conjuring
- The Exorcist
- Session 9
Connect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun
We’re only four episodes away from 300! Have an idea for our big celebration or giveaway? Send it in and don’t forget to share your screenwriting questions for next week’s show.
#Screenwriting #WritingTips #Filmmaking #HorrorWriting #Podcast
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