Podcast · Film & TV

The Social Screenwriters Podcast

Welcome to The Social Screenwriters Podcast! Hosted by me, Andy Compton (Screenwriter, Director, idiot). In this podcast, I‘ll be interviewing fellow screenwriters that I‘ve met on Twitter to discuss their path into screenwriting, thoughts on craft, and navigating the business-side of the industry.

New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 1 hr 16 min
Latest: 12 May 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

12 May 2026 · 1 hr 13 min

Writing Animation For Nick, Dreamworks, Netflix, & More with Screenwriter Ellie Guzman

Welcome to Episode 54! Very stoked to have screenwriter, Ellie Guzman on the pod! In this episode, we talk about Ellie's humble beginnings writing a comedy blog by day, and working in emergency rooms by night. The success of her blog later spawned into a full-blown TV writing career. We dive into her story of landing a rep, her writing process, and her now crossing into live-action (while still working in animation), and more! Hope you enjoy the episode! You can follow Ellie Guzman on IG and Threads at @ elliemariaguzman, on X at @ ellie_guzman Born and raised in Los Angeles, Ellie got her…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E54 · 20 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
Winning the Academy Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting w/ Filmmaker R.J. Daniel Hanna (SUCCUBUS, HARD MILES)
Welcome to Episode 53! Very stoked to have screenwriter, director, editor, and 2021 Academy Nicholl Fellow, R.J. Daniel Hanna on the pod! In this episode, we talk about Daniel winning the Nicholl, his films SUCCUBUS (Starring Ron Perlman and Rosanna Arquette), and HARD MILES (Starring Matthew Modine and Sean Astin), his thoughts on screenwriting contests, and more! Hope you enjoy the episode! You can follow R.J. Daniel Hanna on IG at @ rjdanielhanna. Maybe it was growing up in Arkansas as a Canadian, or the summers in rural Ireland with his grandparents, but Daniel has always been drawn to…
E53 · 24 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 24 min
Writing, Directing, & Making Short Films w/ Filmmaker Jackie Mahoney (HALF A CENTURY)
Welcome to Episode 52! Very stoked to have screenwriter, director, producer, and editor, Jackie Mahoney on the pod! In this episode, we talk about her new short film, ALL THE BEST, starring Aubrey Anderson-Emmons (MODERN FAMILY), her screenwriting process, her beloved, LOST, and more! Hope you enjoy the episode! You can follow Jackie on IG at @jackiemahoney, and subscribe to her YouTube at ‪@digitalblueproductions‬ ! Jackie is a writer-director from Phoenix, Arizona currently based in the Greater New York City Area. A graduate of the London Film School's Master's in Screenwriting program,…
E52 · 11 Mar 2026 · 58 min
Writing & Producing on ABBOTT ELEMENTARY w/ Screenwriter Joya McCrory
Hey there, everybody! LIKE THE VIDEO AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL FOR MORE PODCAST CLIPS, FULL EPISODES, AND ANDY'S SHORT FILM STUFF! Welcome to Episode 51! Very stoked to have screenwriter and producer on the hit ABC series, ABBOTT ELEMENTARY, back on the show. In this episode, we talk about writing on Season 5 of Abbott, the ways in which her view of writing for television has evolved over these 5 seasons, and much more! Lots of great nuggets of wisdom in here for aspiring television writers. Hope you enjoy the episode! Joya McCrory is a comedy writer from Detroit who likes to tell…
E51 · 27 Oct 2025 · 1 hr 22 min
Making Back to Back Viral Short Films w/Luke Barnett (THE CROSSING OVER EXPRESS & OVATION)
VIDEO PODCAST AVAILABLE at YouTube.com/@AndyCompton! Please watch and subscribe to the channel for more video episodes! Hey there, everybody! Welcome to Episode 50! What an achievement! Very stoked to have screenwriter, director, producer, and actor, Luke Barnett back on the show. In this episode, we talk about his two most recent short films, THE CROSSING OVER EXPRESS, and OVATION. Both have been viral success stories covered in Variety, and released on Twitter. We talk all about his shorts, from conception to reception, and his strategy for releasing shorts on unconventional platforms.…
E50 · 24 Sep 2025 · 1 hr 16 min
From Making the 2022 and 2023 Annual Blacklist to Having His Script Directed by Peter Landesman w/Kevin Sheridan (ELEVEN DAYS)
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, we have actor turned screenwriter, Kevin Sheridan. I've known of Kevin for awhile from Twitter but we hadn't interacted much until now. Just friends and fans from afar. It was great getting to talk to him and learn about his history as an actor, working on some huge shows of the 2000s, and then his more recent success as a screenwriter. Sheridan is a successful screenwriter whose scripts Colors of Authority and Backcountry appeared on the prestigious Black List in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Sheridan is known for his dedication to research and…
E49 · 11 Jul 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
From Acting in MAJOR PAYNE to Writing, Directing, Composing, AND Acting in BITTERSWEET (Apple TV) w/Steven Martini
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, we have writer, actor, director, composer, editor, and singer/songwriter Steven Martini. I met Steven on Twitter and quickly realized, "OH MY GOD, THAT'S CADET ALEX STONE FROM MAJOR PAYNE!" I was a big fan in my childhood, so it was a thrill to meet Steven now, 30 years later. And it's been an interesting three decades for him as he's built himself a nice career as an indie filmmaker, even getting Martin Scorcese on his side. No, really--Scorcese EP'd his first two features. Steven has lived a life in the biz and we get into all of it. Steven Martini…
E48 · 7 Apr 2025 · 1 hr 25 min
The First Room: A TV Writer's Experience w/Edith Rodriguez (DEXTER: RESURRECTION on Showtime, MATLOCK on CBS)
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, we have a returning guest, Edith Rodriguez. Edith and I first spoke on the pod right after we both landed our first managers in late 2021. Now, we're back and Edith has been in two different writer's rooms and shares her experience! Edith Rodriguez grew up between the sunny beaches of Puerto Rico and cold winters of Wisconsin. She learned early on that if you’re going to speak up in a big Caribbean family, you better be able to tell a good story. After years of leading corporate strategy, she left the business world and made the move to Los Angeles to…
E47 · 9 Dec 2024 · 1 hr 20 min
Advice for Screenwriters from a Literary Manager w/Allard Cantor (Epicenter)
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--literary manager at Epicenter, and one of my managers, Allard Cantor! New York City born, New Jersey bred, and University of Wisconsin educated, Allard Cantor started life as an envelope salesman in Manhattan before choosing to follow his passion for film and moving to Los Angeles. He attended the American Film Institute, where he received his MFA from their prestigious producing program. There, he discovered an aptitude for helping writers develop their material—a skill which, combined with his years of sales experience,…
E46 · 25 Nov 2024 · 7 min
STATE OF THE POD UPDATE
Hey, there everybody! This is just an update episode on why I've been away, what I've been up to, and the future of the podcast. If you're reading this, thanks for sticking around through my absence! Life got busy. But, I'm excited to give an update on the pod.
E45 · 12 Aug 2024 · 1 hr 19 min
Pushing Back Against Ageism in Screenwriting w/Brad M. Johnson (Founder of The Grey List)
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--screenwriter and founder of The Grey List, Brad M. Johnson! Brad M. Johnson is a writer and filmmaker based in the Pacific Northwest near Seattle. He’s a life-long storyteller who has recently returned from a 12-year detour into the world of corporate marketing to focus on his original loves — movies. As a storyteller, Brad specializes in genre stories about broken people, redemption, and the power of family, and his scripts have been recognized by Final Draft, The Black List, the Walt Disney Company, and MGM among others.…
E44 · 17 Jun 2024 · 1 hr 29 min
Making a Big Spec Sale w/Jason Gruich (COP CAM)
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--screenwriter, Jason Gruich! Jason is a current member and Captain of the Writers Guild of America, East. He has sold four original feature specs since 2017 to various production companies including a major spec sale to Warner Bros (New Line Cinema) with his first-person, crime-thriller COP CAM with Chris Bender attached to produce. Jason is a former, 21-year police veteran and has worked in all facets of law enforcement including K9, narcotics, investigations, and crime scene supervision. Jason writes original crime and…
E43 · 14 May 2024 · 1 hr 16 min
Writing on a FOX Sitcom w/Allison Jackson (CALL ME KAT)
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--screenwriter, Allison Jackson! Allison is a Los Angeles based screenwriter who writes funny shows about Black women in not-so-funny situations. Originally from a town of three thousand in Ohio, Jackson developed her love for screenwriting while working in China, and learned Mandarin by watching Chinese period dramas. She then attended the American Film Institute, where she studied screenwriting and developed her voice for writing nerdy, funny, Black characters. She has worked as a Writers’ Assistant for Amazon and as a…
E42 · 16 Apr 2024 · 1 hr 16 min
Producing a Netflix Top 4 Indie Film w/Luke Barnett (YOUR LUCKY DAY)
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--actor, producer, screenwriter, and director, Luke Barnett! Luke is a jack of all trades and most recently, it was his producing work that helped bring success to the feature film, YOUR LUCKY DAY, written and directed by Dan Brown, and starring the late Angus Cloud and Jessica Garza. The film reached the Top 4 on Netflix recently and is getting a ton of attention. In this episode, we discuss Luke's earliest screenwriting work writing sketches for comedy website Funny or Die, writing his feature film debut, his journey as an…
E41 · 19 Mar 2024 · 1 hr 9 min
Script Clearances and What Writers Need to Know w/Carley Aggromito (ABIGAIL FRANKLIN'S IMPROBABILITY OF STARDOM)
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--screenwriter and script clearance professional, Carley Aggromito! Carley is an Australia and Vancouver-based writer writing features while working in script clearances by day. In this episode, we discuss her writing, contest success, and the world of script clearances. I hope you enjoy this episode!
E40 · 20 Feb 2024 · 1 hr 6 min
Writing in TV Rooms at Netflix & Amazon w/Shruti Saran (SLIP on Roku)
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--screenwriter and filmmaker, Shruti Saran! Shruti has written in writer's rooms at Netflix and Amazon, and is currently ESE on Season 2 of SLIP on Roku! In this episode, she shares her personal experience with moving from Texas to LA to join her first writer's room and all the lessons she's learned since. I hope you enjoy this episode! Watch this episode over on YouTube if you'd like! Subscribe to my channel!
E39 · 30 Jan 2024 · 1 hr 32 min
A Cinematographer's Approach to Story w/Brett Pawlak (SHORT TERM 12, JUST MERCY)
Hey there, everybody! Today's guest is cinematographer, Brett Pawlak! Brett was the DP of one of my all-time favorite films, SHORT TERM 12, in addition to a bunch of other incredible television and film credits. In the episode, we talk about how he got started with cameras, meeting frequent collaborator, writer/director, Destin Daniel Cretton, winning the Jury Prize for Short Filmmaking at Sundance with the SHORT TERM 12 short film, and more! Also, you can watch the full video podcast of this episode over on YouTube. Just search "The Social Screenwriters Podcast and you'll see my channel…
E38 · 8 Jan 2024 · 1 hr 59 min
Screenwriting From Outside Hollywood with Andy Compton (Special Guest Host - Gabe Braxton)
Hey there, everybody! Doing something a little different on this episode--the screenwriter in the hot seat will be ME! With my good pal, Gabe Braxton, guest hosting. We talk about how I got into screenwriting, contest success, starting a screenwriting career from outside Hollywood, and more! Also, you can watch the full video podcast of this episode over on YouTube. Just search "The Social Screenwriters Podcast and you'll see my channel (Andy Compton). Please subscribe if you haven't! More video content to come this year. Say something nice on Twitter/Instagram and remember to tag us,…
E37 · 22 Nov 2023 · 1 hr 9 min
Writing a Feature Film in the Festival Circuit with Leah Simmons (VALENTINE CRUSH)
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, I'm talking to screenwriter, Leah Simmons, or as you may know her on Twitter, Leah From South Dakota! Leah is a screenwriter based in, you guessed it, South Dakota. She writes genre features and pilots and in this episode we discuss her feature film credit, VALENTINE CRUSH, her writing process, film festivals, and more! Give it a listen, like, follow, subscribe, say something nice on Twitter/Instagram and remember to tag us, @SocialWriterPod! If you'd like to support us with a donation, you can now do so by going to our Linktree in the bio of our…
E36 · 11 Oct 2023 · 1 hr 31 min
Writing a Movie for Lifetime with Brandi Sperry (TAKEN IN MONTANA)
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, I'm talking to screenwriter, Brandi Sperry! Brandi is the screenwriter of the TV movie, TAKEN IN MONTANA, which premiered on Lifetime in September 2023. She a multi-genre writer who writes in both the TV and film formats. In the episode, she talks about her projects, her writing process, and a disdain for praise! Give it a listen, like, follow, subscribe, say something nice on Twitter/Instagram and remember to tag us, @SocialWriterPod! If you'd like to support us with a donation, you can now do so by going to our Linktree in the bio of our Twitter or…
E35 · 29 Aug 2023 · 1 hr 48 min
Landing a Manager From a Contest with Sam Watson (MAGICAL NEGRO - 1-hour pilot)
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, I'm talking to screenwriter, Sam Watson! Based in, and proudly repping, Philadelphia, Sam is a Black, biracial, Ukrainian-American television writer. His work recently landed him a manager, which we get into more in the episode! Give it a listen, like, follow, subscribe, say something nice on Twitter/Instagram and remember to tag us, @SocialWriterPod! If you'd like to support us with a donation, you can now do so by going to our Linktree in the bio of our Twitter or Instagram and click the Donate button. Anything helps! Thanks so much for the support,…
E34 · 19 Jul 2023 · 1 hr 5 min
Screenwriting From a Lived Experience with Andrea Berting (BREAST IN SHOW, ISA Fast Track Fellow 2023)
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, I'm talking to screenwriter, Andrea Berting! Hailing from Chicago, Andrea works in the world of wardrobe for live theater along with hustling her screenplays. In the last year, she landed a manager from Tobias Management, and it seems her career is on the up and up! We get into all that and more! Give this episode a listen, like, follow, subscribe, say something nice on Twitter/Instagram and remember to tag us, @SocialWriterPod! If you'd like to support us with a donation, you can now do so by going to our Linktree in the bio of our Twitter or…
E33 · 29 Jun 2023 · 1 hr 18 min
Producing Emmy-nominated Television with Nicholas Weinstock (SEVERANCE/ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA)
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, I'm talking to Emmy-nominated Producer and President of Invention Studios, Nicholas Weinstock! Nicky has worked on a bunch of amazing projects from Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek, to Bridesmaids and the Emmy-nominated hit SEVERANCE. In addition to that, he's started his own FREE mentorship group for screenwriters around the world called, Craft Services, that takes place over Zoom and Discord. You can learn more about this group at CraftServicesNetwork.com. We get into all that and more! Give this episode a listen, like, follow,…
E32 · 8 Jun 2023 · 1 hr 49 min
Getting 1.4 Million Views on a Short Film with Avishai Weinberger (THIRD DATE, PRECIPICE)
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, I'm talking to screenwriter and director, Avishai Weinberger! His short film, THIRD DATE, currently has more than 1.4 million views on the popular YouTube Horror channel, Alter. In addition, his feature script, PRECIPICE, reached the Top 50 in the Nicholl and is currently in development. We get into all that and more! Give this episode a listen, like, follow, subscribe, say something nice on Twitter/Instagram and remember to tag us, @SocialWriterPod! If you'd like to support us with a donation, you can now do so by going to our Linktree in the bio of…
E31 · 15 May 2023 · 1 hr 8 min
From Black List Recommended to a Signed Shopping Agreement with Joe Favalaro - Screenwriter (THE BLACK DOG)
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, I'm talking to screenwriter, Joe Favalaro! He's a Black List recommended screenwriter who recently signed his first shopping agreement. We get into all that and more! Give this episode a listen, like, follow, subscribe, say something nice on Twitter/Instagram and remember to tag us, @SocialWriterPod! If you'd like to support us with a donation, you can now do so by going to our Linktree in the bio of our Twitter or Instagram and click the Donate button. Anything helps! Thanks so much for the support, y'all. -Andy
E30 · 20 Apr 2023 · 1 hr 8 min
Landing Your First Manager with Suzanne Griffin - Screenwriter
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, I'm talking to screenwriter, Suzanne Griffin! This episode comes just a short time after Suzanne landed her first manager, so we dive into all the good feelings that come along with reaching such a milestone. Give this episode a listen, like, follow, subscribe, say something nice on Twitter/Instagram and remember to tag us, @SocialWriterPod! If you'd like to support us with a donation, you can now do so by going to our Linktree in the bio of our Twitter or Instagram and click the Donate button. Anything helps! Thanks so much for the support, y'all.…
E29 · 28 Mar 2023 · 1 hr 20 min
Understanding the Screenwriting Market with Zack Zucker - Literary Manager (Bellevue)
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, I'm talking to Zack Zucker, a literary manager at Bellevue. In this chat, we discuss understanding the market vs chasing the market, a topic hotly discussed on Twitter not long ago. Give this episode a listen, like, follow, subscribe, say something nice on Twitter/Instagram and remember to tag us, @SocialWriterPod! If you'd like to support us with a donation, you can now do so by going to our Linktree in the bio of our Twitter or Instagram and click the Donate button. Anything helps! Thanks so much for the support, y'all. -Andy
E28 · 17 Mar 2023 · 52 min
Writing for ABBOTT ELEMENTARY with Joya McCrory - Screenwriter (ABBOTT ELEMENTARY - Story Editor)
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, I'm talking to ABBOTT ELEMENTARY's Story Editor, Joya McCrory! Truly a pleasure to have her on the show as Abbott is one of my favorite shows on television right now. Give this episode a listen, like, follow, subscribe, say something nice on Twitter/Instagram and remember to tag us, @SocialWriterPod! If you'd like to support us with a donation, you can now do so by going to our Linktree in the bio of our Twitter or Instagram and click the Donate button. Anything helps! Thanks so much for the support, y'all. -Andy
E27 · 7 Mar 2023 · 1 hr 42 min
A Wild Screenwriting Origin Story with Gina & Lisa Gomez - Twin Screenwriting Duo (Nicholl Top 50, Big Break Top 5 Finalists)
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, I'm talking to twin screenwriting duo, Gina and Lisa Gomez! With one of the craziest screenwriting origin stories I've ever heard, this is an episode you won't want to miss! Give this episode a listen, like, follow, subscribe, say something nice on Twitter/Instagram and remember to tag us, @SocialWriterPod! If you'd like to support us with a donation, you can now do so by going to our Linktree in the bio of our Twitter or Instagram and click the Donate button. Anything helps! Thanks so much for the support, y'all. -Andy
E26 · 13 Feb 2023 · 1 hr 13 min
Selling an Action Thriller Feature with Nathan Graham Davis - Screenwriter (AFTERMATH starring Dylan Sprouse, Mason Gooding)
Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, I'm talking to Nathan Graham Davis, the screenwriter behind the action thriller film, AFTERMATH, starring Dylan Sprouse and Mason Gooding, coming soon from Voltage Pictures. In the episode, we get into AFTERMATH, appearing in Deadline, the long, winding road that was Nathan's journey into the business, and much more! Give this episode a listen, like, follow, subscribe, say something nice on Twitter/Instagram and remember to tag us, @SocialWriterPod! If you'd like to support us with a donation, you can now do so by going to our Linktree in the bio of…

About The Social Screenwriters Podcast

The Social Screenwriters Podcast is a English film & tv podcast from Andy Compton. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Andy Compton
Language: English
Category: Film & TV
New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 1 hr 16 min
Latest episode: 12 May 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1595635550

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