35:🎄Want to Sell Your Holiday Script? Start Here
Christmas Movie Screenwriter
Want to break into the Christmas movie market? Writer-Director-Producer Emily Ting shares how to sell your holiday script, what producers want, and why feel-good, original ideas stand out. The Christmas movie market is hotter than ever. Hallmark, Netflix, and otherer platforms are constantly looking for fresh, heartwarming scripts. But what does it really take to sell one? Award-winning writer, director, and producer Emily Ting shares her path from writing a passion project to landing a deal with Hallmark. In this episode, you'll learn why original ideas matter, how to reach producers...
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34: Are Actors the New Gatekeepers for Writers?
Christmas Movie Screenwriter
Director Jason Bourque explores how actors are becoming the new gatekeepers—and how writers can pitch smarter, write bolder, and unlock new paths into the Christmas movie market. For an action checklist, the show notes and a full transcript - go here:
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33: ⛄ Are Christmas Tropes Ruining Your Script?
Christmas Movie Screenwriter
Director-Producer Colin Theys reveals why leaning too heavily on traditional Christmas tropes can make your script seem stale. He shares practical tips to elevate your storytelling. For an action checklist, the show-notes and the full transcript - go here: Check out the YouTube interview here:
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32: How Do Producers Instantly Spot an Amateur Script?
Christmas Movie Screenwriter
How Do Producers Instantly Spot an Amateur Script? Award-winning producer Robyn Wiener of Synergy Cinema discusses what are the biggest red flags that make producers reject scripts instantly. Learn how to avoid amateur mistakes, refine your storytelling, and turn familiar formulas into fresh, compelling screenplays that stand out in a competitive market. For an action checklist, the show notes and the full transcript - go here: Check out the YouTube version: YouTube:
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31: Why Won't Christmas Producers Buy Your 🎄 Script?
Christmas Movie Screenwriter
Struggling to sell your 🎄 script? Screenwriter Gary Goldstein reveals what producers really want—and the biggest mistakes that keep writers from getting a deal! 🎬✨ In this episode, Gary discusses the evolving landscape of holiday movies, the balance between established tropes and originality, and the writing process from pitch to production. Gary shares networking strategies for aspiring writers and emphasizes the importance of drawing from personal experiences to enrich storytelling. He also reflects on his recent novels and how diverse writing experiences enhance his work,...
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30: 🎥 Distributors Want Your 🎄 Script!
Christmas Movie Screenwriter
Discover why targeting distributors, not just producers, can expand your opportunities to sell your Christmas scripts and reach broader markets year-round. In this episode, producer Brigitte Kingsley shares why targeting distributors can be a game-changer for your holiday screenplays. Learn how distributors connect with broadcasters, offer global reach, and have year-round demand for Christmas content. Plus, find out how to pitch effectively, when to reach out, and why you should include both high and low-budget scripts in your arsenal. Don’t let your holiday screenplay gather dust—get it...
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29: Pitch Perfect - Selling Your Holiday Script
Christmas Movie Screenwriter
Writer-Director-Producer John Stimpson of H9 Films discusses how to craft irresistible pitches, build a standout portfolio, and sell your holiday screenplay in the competitive Christmas movie market. In this episode you’ll learn how to: Build a Diverse Portfolio of Ideas Understand Market Demands. Break the Rules with Fresh Perspectives. Be Pleasantly Persistent Pitch with Confidence and Clarity For an action checklist, the show notes and the full transcript – go here:
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28: Should Christmas Writers Say 'I Do' to Romance Scripts?
Christmas Movie Screenwriter
🎬 Exploring Year-Round Opportunities Beyond the Holiday Season 💘 Should Christmas scribes focus on romance scripts? Producer Kristofer McNeeley reveals why the romance genre might be a smarter move. Is the romance market bigger than Christmas scripts? Producer Kristofer McNeeley shares insider tips on standing out in a packed market, from crafting unique concepts to creating diverse, relatable characters. He explains why modern Christmas and romance movies thrive on internal conflict and heartwarming resolutions rather than traditional antagonists. And in a...
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27: Is Cold Querying Producers Worth It?
Christmas Movie Screenwriter
Discover Candice Cain’s journey from self-starter to successful screenwriter and learn her top strategies for breaking into the Christmas TV movie market. Whether you’re crafting your first Christmas script or looking to grow in the festive film industry, this episode is packed with actionable advice. For a full transcript, an action checklist and the show notes – go here:
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26: Screenwriter Reveals What Hallmark Looks For
Christmas Movie Screenwriter
Screenwriter Zac Hug shares why crafting moments of joy, especially tears of joy, is key to creating compelling Christmas movies that attract producers and networks like Hallmark. Learn how to balance innovation while staying true to the genre’s emotional core. Whether you're writing for a seasoned audience or aiming to sell your first script, Zac’s insights on crafting joy-filled moments, effective writers' groups, and pitching strategies will help you stand out in the Christmas TV-movie market. For the show notes, an action checklist and a full transcript - go here: ...
info_outlineSeasoned professionals in the Christmas movie industry offer crucial advice for screenwriters.
Insights include the necessity of aligning scripts with market demands and the importance of acknowledging and pursuing one's writing ambitions without delay. Contributors also stress the benefits of creating passive income streams and understanding the enduring nature of a screenwriting career.
Additionally, the conversation revolves around advocating for innovative storytelling within the Christmas genre and maintaining realistic expectations while fostering self-compassion on the journey to becoming a successful screenwriter. These diverse perspectives provide an invaluable roadmap for navigating the complexities of the Christmas movie screenwriting industry.
Chapters
0:00:00 Introducing the Christmas Movie Screenwriter Podcast, Episode 9
0:01:20 Best Advice of 2023: Writing for the Market
0:02:09 Breaking into the Film and TV Industry
0:03:36 Independent Films: A Path to Building a Career
0:04:30 Stop Wasting Time, Embrace Your Calling
0:06:01 The Dangers of Saying No Too Often
0:06:13 Learning from past mistakes and being more conscious
0:07:10 The benefit of good work ethic and consistent writing
0:08:28 Being assertive and reading more scripts for success
0:09:26 Setting up passive income and embracing the long haul
0:14:13 Challenging the Christmas genre with innovative storytelling
0:16:40 Give yourself a break
0:18:18 Wrapping up 2023
The Christmas Movie Screenwriter Podcast – Episode 9
Best Advice of 2023
Show Notes
HOST: Caryn McCann
Website: https://christmasmoviescreenwriter.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristmasMovieScreenwriter
X: https://twitter.com/MerryScriptmas
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryn-mccann-5718058/
GUEST: Scott Kirkpatrick Executive VP of Co-Productions & Distribution
Company: Nicely Entertainment
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottkirkpatrick310/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SKDistribution
GUEST: Jennifer Snow - Author, Screenwriter
Website: https://www.jennifersnowauthor.com
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10591316/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
GUEST: Charles Shyer - Director, Writer, Producer
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0796124/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
GUEST: Paula Tiberius - Screenwriter
Website: https://www.paulatiberius.com
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1516732/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
GUEST: Samantha Herman - Screenwriter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s_hermy/
IMDB: https://imdb.to/3QV88CR
GUEST: Eirene Donohue - Screenwriter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eirenetrandonohue/
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5149399/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
GUEST: Peter Sullivan - Film Exec, Writer, Director
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petersullivan_director/
Company: https://hybridpresents.com/
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0838289/?ref_=fn_al_nm_2
GUEST: Ansley Gordon - Screenwriter, Actress
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3624160/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ansleygordon/
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/Ansleygordon
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sweatyhandsans