The Broken Projector Movie Podcast
A movie podcast that isn't boring.

This week on the show, we answer your screenwriting questions about Johnny Depp being overpaid [0:00 - 5:00], how much of a lunch meeting is spent on small talk vs the project [5:00 - 10:00], preparing for a pitch meeting [10:00 - 16:00], what a "set piece" is [16:00 - 23:00], and the best movie made from a bad script [23:00 - 33:00].

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode123vd.mp3
Category:Screenwriting -- posted at: 11:23am EDT

This week we welcome IndieWire’s senior film critic David Ehrlich to the show to discuss the best movies of 2016, the state of cinema, and his supercut celebrating both. Plus, we officially close the door on 2016 (2017 now starts on December 10th).

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode123.mp3
Category:Movies -- posted at: 3:26pm EDT

Westworld's season one finale is this Sunday, so we brought on expert fan conspiracy theorist and probably-real-human Joanna Robinson to hash out what we think may happen in the closing moments. We'll unwrap some mysteries and contemplate some character growth in a world where Anthony Hopkins' yogurt puppets are packing.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode122.mp3
Category:Television -- posted at: 5:55pm EDT

This Thanksgiving week, we answer your screenwriting questions about pushing through depression-based writer's block [0:00 - 11:15], reaching the decision to give up on your dream [11:15 - 22:30], the difference between different incarnation's of the hero's refusal [22:30 - 23:55], and the line between world-building and dumping too much detail on the page [23:55 - 31:00]. We close out by sharing some of the TV shows and movies you told us you were thankful for (as well as offering a few of our own) [31:00 - 36:00].

Direct download: brokenprojector-thanksgivingvd.mp3
Category:Movies -- posted at: 10:21pm EDT

This week, we return from a long hiatus to deliver a massive conversation about conversations with Talk Easy Pod host Sam Fragoso, who reveals how he gets people like Don Cheadle and Zoe Kazan to get their guard down for an intimate, real conversation.

We talk about great conversational scenes in movies, something that may need a larger spotlight in an age dominated by plot-heavy, punching-fueled films.

Plus, an epic rant/rave, imploring all of us to stop sharing cultural spoiled milk.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode121.mp3
Category:Movies -- posted at: 11:50pm EDT

What's the 80siest 80s movie? What can 2017 learn from the era of Jaws and Indiana Jones? We answer these questions and more with the hosts of the 80s All Over podcast, film geeks-on-high Drew McWeeny and Scott Weinberg. Grab some leg warmers and join us.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode120.mp3
Category:Movies -- posted at: 3:12pm EDT

This week we answer your screenwriting questions about creative script fixes for budget problems (Hey, Deadpool!) [1:15 - 11:30], showing a character lying with your visuals [11:30 - 16:40], writing an action synopsis that isn't just a laundry list of action scenes [16:40 - 22:15], figuring out why Doctor Strange showed up on General Hospital [22:15 - 27:45], and then Geoff wants to bring up the new Willy Wonka movie for some reason [27:45 - 33:00].

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode120vd.mp3
Category:Screenwriting -- posted at: 5:41pm EDT

This week we answer your screenwriting questions about what to do with your old "practice" scripts [0:00 - 9:55], what to do if you keep spoiling the tone of your serious movie with unfunny jokes [9:55 -  16:30], what it means for a producer to attach themselves to a project [16:30 - 20:30], when you should give up on becoming a professional writer [20:30 - 41:45], and what music we listen to while writing [41:45 - 44:00].

Direct download: brokenprojector-vdquitting.mp3
Category:Screenwriting -- posted at: 1:16pm EDT

This week, the Onion AV Club's Nathan Rabin introduces us to "7 Days in Ohio: Trump, The Gathering of the Juggalos and the Summer Everything Went Insane" while exploring the nexus where the Republican presidential candidate, the world's most hated clown-make-up-wearing hip hop crew and blockbuster cinema collide.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode119.mp3
Category:Movies -- posted at: 5:09pm EDT

This week on the show we hang out with literary manager Michael Botti of Industry Entertainment. We learn how he became a manager [0:00 - 7:45], and answer your screenwriting questions about expectations for meeting with a manager for the first time [7:45 - 17:55], if following up ever leads to a 'yes' [17:55 - 20:45], whether cold queries are worth the time [20:45 - 26:00], how UK-repped writers can get in on the LA action [26:00 - 26:45], how someone with a few script under their belt who doesn't live in LA can catch a manager's attention [26:45 - 34:05], if managers are looking for writing teams [34:05 - 35:15], if managers should be more regulated as an industry [35:15 - 43:00], what the distinction is between managers who produce and producers who manage [43:00 - 60:45], what a manager does to develop a writer [60:45 - 69:35] and whether it's pronounced "By-o-pic" or "Bio-dome" [69:35 - 70:30].

Direct download: brokenprojector-bottivd.mp3
Category:Screenwriting -- posted at: 4:46pm EDT

This week, we get to know writer/director Emily Carmichael (Pacific Rim 2, Stryka, Powerhouse) [0:00 - 4:35] who sticks around to read through some of your board game movie pitches [4:35 - 8:45], and answer your screenwriting questions about structuring your rewrite process [8:45 - 13:25], what ideas to scrap when you see similar concepts sold [13:25 - 16:55], whether you change writing styles for something you know you're not directing [16:55 - 17:45], getting into the industry later in life [17:45 - 23:25], our approach to creating characters [23:25 - 34:05], how much to care about crafting a theme [34:05 - 39:05], annoying genre tropes we're bored with [39:05 - 45:00], and how to pronounce "biopic" correctly [45:00 - 49:00]. Spoiler alert: no one knows that last one.  

Direct download: brokenprojector-vdemilycarmichael.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:25pm EDT

Can movies and TV accurately portray politics and government? Are our politicians more Veep, Scandal or West Wing? What's the virtue of a proportional response?

We explore these questions while talking Mr. Smith, Air Force One, Milk, Ides of March and many more. 

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode118.mp3
Category:Movies -- posted at: 1:51pm EDT

This week on the show we follow-up on a question about selling yourself and your writing [4:30 - 12:30], then answer your screenwriting questions about how to know which manager is right for you [12:30 - 17:00], where to find solid script resources [17:00 - 20:00], if you can write about true crime without permission [20:00 - 22:45], and how to go about inventing a pitch for a board game that doesn't have a story behind it [22:45 - 35:00].

Send questions to podcast@filmschoolrejects.com or @brokenprojector on Twitter. 

Direct download: brokenprojector-boardgamesvd.mp3
Category:Screenwriting -- posted at: 1:18pm EDT

This week on the show, we answer your questions about selling your work and yourself [0:00 - 9:30], which production company we're dying to write for [9:30 - 15:45], and how to keep your script on target for a PG-13 rating [15:45 - 24:00].

Send your questions to @brokenprojector on twitter or email podcast@filmschoolrejects.com.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode118vd.mp3
Category:Screenwriting -- posted at: 10:05am EDT

This week we talk about falling off a horse [0:00 - 3:30], then answer your screenwriting questions about the value of simplicity [3:30 - 11:35], the biggest mistakes of our respective careers [11:35 - 14:00], formatting a character who also goes by a nickname and other slightly wonky irritations [14:00 - 20:00], how much you can get wrong in a first draft [20:00 - 26:45], what lessons screenwriters can pull from great novels [26:45 - 31:45], and whether/why more actors are becoming screenwriters than any other time in Hollywood history [31:45 - 42:00] 

Direct download: brokenprojector-duodecuplethreatvd.mp3
Category:Screenwriting -- posted at: 1:49pm EDT

This week on the show, guest host Eric Heisserer (Lights Out, Hours) offers a revolutionary way of thinking about horror screenwriting, talks about adapting a one-punchline short film into a feature and answers a few listener questions about when to introduce the big baddie.

Direct download: brokenprojector-heissererlightsoutvd.mp3
Category:Screenwriting -- posted at: 2:25pm EDT

Movies that make a ton of money are rewarded with sequels — and it’s hard to find fault with that formula — but it’s not working anymore. Pamela McClintock at The Hollywood Reporter and Derek Thompson at The Atlantic both have evidence that suggests studios will need to discover a new formula, and fast. Namely, a host of summer sequels that have flopped spectacularly this year.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode117.mp3
Category:Movies -- posted at: 12:26pm EDT

This week we answer your screenwriting questions about the pitfalls of outlining too much, the market for delightful pg-rated rom-coms, how long it takes to become a great writer and more.

 

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode117vd.mp3
Category:Screenwriting -- posted at: 11:37am EDT

This week we answer your screenwriting questions about whether plot or characters are driving a script, what happens when a ton of writers work on a project and how to approach a slapstick scene that rests largely on the actor's shoulders.

Direct download: brokenprojector-plotcharactervd.mp3
Category:Screenwriting -- posted at: 1:45pm EDT

On the doorstep of wedding season (and coming off the hangover of Geoff's bachelor party) we examine the few successful bachelor party movies in order to figure out why bachelor party movies typically don't work. Special guest appearance by things we don't remember doing the following morning.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode116.mp3
Category:Movies -- posted at: 4:20pm EDT