The Writers Hangout

What makes a screenplay truly unforgettable? Is it the plot, the dialogue, or the relationships that keep audiences emotionally invested until the very last scene?
In Part Two of our conversation with Michael Weiss, author of Beyond the Hero: Relationship-Driven Screenwriting and the Secret to Hollywood's Greatest Scripts, we dive deeper into the art of storytelling and discover how focusing on relationships can transform an ordinary screenplay into something extraordinary.
Using examples from beloved films such as CODA, The Hangover, The Big Sick, The Devil Wears Prada, La La Land, and The Bad News Bears, Michael reveals how Hollywood's most memorable stories are often driven by the relationships between characters rather than the hero's journey alone.
In this episode, we explore:
·       The midpoint breakthrough: Why the middle of your screenplay is the perfect opportunity to shake things up and force your characters to confront the need for change.
·       Making every scene count: How to use the South Park creators' famous "But/Therefore" storytelling technique to keep your story moving forward.
·       Writing distinctive dialogue: Why a character's attitude, rather than accents or catchphrases, is the secret to creating an authentic voice.
·       Creating tension without shouting: How quiet conversations and conflicting desires can be just as dramatic as explosive arguments.
·       The first-draft dilemma: Why writers shouldn't get stuck searching for the perfect line of dialogue when they could be moving their story forward.
·       The magic of sparkle moments: How to create earned, emotionally satisfying scenes that make audiences cheer for your characters.
·       The Act Two sucker punch: Why one devastating setback can set the stage for an unforgettable third act.
·       Writing satisfying endings: How a character can fail to achieve their goal and still experience a meaningful victory.
·       Rewriting your screenplay: The three essential places Michael recommends examining first: the beginning, the midpoint, and the ending.
Haven't heard Part One? We recommend listening to the first half of our conversation with Michael Weiss before diving into this episode. Together, these two conversations offer a fresh look at how relationships can become the emotional engine of a great screenplay.
Learn more about Michael Weiss and his book:https://michaeldweiss.com
But... Therefore..." Matt Stone and Trey Parker (South Park) Plotting Advice
https://youtube.com/watch?v=j9jEg9uiLOU
Beyond the Hero is available through major booksellers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Keep writing. The world needs your stories!
The Writers Hangout is sponsored by the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. 

📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment please contact us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com

What if the secret to writing a great screenplay isn't your hero's journey, but the relationship that drives the story?
This week on The Writers Hangout, Sandy welcomes screenwriter, author, and award-winning instructor Michael Weiss for a fascinating conversation that just might change the way you approach your next screenplay.
Michael's screenwriting credits include Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Scorpion King 2, Jarhead 2, and The Butterfly Effect 3. He's also taught screenwriting at UCLA Extension, where he received the Distinguished Instructor Award, and at Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.
His book, Beyond the Hero: Relationship-Driven Screenwriting and the Secret to Hollywood's Greatest Scripts, challenges one of Hollywood's most familiar storytelling approaches: the hero's journey.
Michael believes that behind many of Hollywood's greatest films is something even more powerful than a compelling protagonist: a core relationship between two characters whose lives become intertwined.
And he's here to show us how understanding that relationship can help writers create stronger characters, build emotional stakes, and finally get past those dreaded middle pages of a screenplay.
In this episode, Sandy and Michael explore:
Beyond the Hero's Journey: Why the relationship between two characters may be the real secret behind Hollywood's greatest screenplays.
Creating Unforgettable Characters: Does your protagonist need to be likable, or is being interesting enough?
The Power of Messy Characters: Why flaws, bad decisions, and complicated relationships make characters worth watching.
Life-or-Death Stakes: How to make even ordinary, everyday problems feel extraordinary on screen.
Tools, Not Rules: Why Michael believes screenwriting techniques should encourage creativity rather than restrict it.
The Seven Spices of Screenwriting: The essential ingredients every writer should consider before starting a screenplay.
Getting Unstuck: Practical advice for writers who have a great idea but can't seem to get their screenplay finished.
Learning from Great Movies: What films like The Devil Wears Prada, CODA, Oppenheimer, Goodfellas, and Inside Out can teach us about character relationships and storytelling.
Michael also shares valuable advice about outlining, writing compelling dialogue, creating meaningful conflict, and making every scene count.
Whether you're writing your first screenplay, rewriting your tenth, or simply love discovering what makes great movies work, this conversation is packed with practical advice and fresh perspectives on storytelling.
And there's so much great information that we're making this a two-part episode!
So grab your notebook, writers. You're going to want to remember this one.
About Michael Weiss
Michael Weiss is a professional screenwriter, author, and educator whose work includes major studio films and sequels. Drawing on his experience as a screenwriter, development executive, and instructor, Michael developed his relationship-driven approach to storytelling to help writers create more compelling and emotionally engaging screenplays.
His book, Beyond the Hero: Relationship-Driven Screenwriting and the Secret to Hollywood's Greatest Scripts, offers practical tools for screenwriters at every stage of their careers.
Don't miss Part Two of this conversation on The Writers Hangout!
GREAT OPPORTUNITY!!!!!  Michael is giving a lecture on Saturday, Oct 17th, 10 am-12 pm PT via Zoom through UCLA Extension. It is free and open to the public, but it's filling up. https://www.uclaextension.edu/writing/screenwriting/course/beyond-hero-screenwriting-script-72626
The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. 

📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment please contact us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com

Grab a blanket, pour something warm, and settle in! This week, The Writers Hangout revisits a favorite episode, celebrating five wonderfully cozy fall films: Stepmom, The Family Stone, Mystic Pizza, When Harry Met Sally, and Baby Boom.
From Nora Ephron dialogue and Julia Roberts in Central Park to Diane Keaton in Vermont, we’re talking great writing, memorable performances, gorgeous fall foliage, oversized sweaters, and plenty of movie nostalgia.
Plus, Sandy reveals which films earn the coveted five-out-of-five pumpkin rating — and gives a special shout-out to the ultimate fall comfort show, Gilmore Girls.
Happy fall, writers! 🍁🎬
The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. 

📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment please contact us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com

What does it take to turn a screenplay into a terrifying feature film? On this episode of The Writers Hangout, host Sandy welcomes Daniel Byers, writer and director of Dark Hollow, an independent folk-horror film that blends Appalachian folklore, practical creature effects, and a chilling story rooted in the region’s coal-mining history.
Daniel’s screenplay, originally titled Paradise, won the Jury Award at the 2023 Austin Film Festival, helping launch the film’s journey to production and distribution. In this fascinating conversation, Daniel takes us behind the scenes of bringing Dark Hollow to life, from developing its terrifying creature to filming inside a real coal mine and using cutting-edge virtual production technology to create otherworldly environments.
Daniel also shares how his unusual childhood, growing up in Rwanda, Nepal, and Appalachia, influenced his storytelling and fascination with horror. He discusses his early love of monsters, his years as a documentary filmmaker, and how the landscapes and cultures he experienced helped shape the visual world of Dark Hollow.
For writers and aspiring filmmakers, this episode is packed with practical insights, including why a screenplay should be treated as a literary work rather than simply a blueprint, why rewriting continues throughout production and editing, and what Daniel learned from cutting nearly a third of his original film during the editing process.
We also explore the realities of independent filmmaking, the challenges of securing distribution, the importance of marketing, and how changes in the streaming industry are affecting filmmakers. Daniel offers thoughtful advice on film school, finding mentors, building a creative community, and why assembling the right team can be just as important as writing a great script.
Plus, Daniel shares his approach to a productive writing day, how he handles writer’s block, what happens when a real cat refuses to follow directions on set, and his thoughts on the emerging world of vertical filmmaking.
Whether you're a screenwriter, an aspiring director, an independent filmmaker, or a horror fan curious about what happens behind the camera, this episode offers an entertaining and insightful look at the creative and business sides of making movies.
In this episode, we discuss:
Daniel’s extraordinary childhood in Rwanda, Nepal, and Appalachia.
How his early experiences inspired his love of monsters and horror.
The story behind Dark Hollow and its award-winning screenplay.
Creating a terrifying creature with practical effects and CGI.
Filming in a real coal mine and using virtual production technology.
How a screenplay evolves through writing, production, and editing.
Why some of the best storytelling happen in scenes that never make the final cut.
The challenges of independent film financing, distribution, and marketing.
What aspiring screenwriters should know about film school and finding mentors.
Why building a strong creative team is essential to filmmaking.
The pros and cons of vertical storytelling and short-form content.
Daniel’s writing routine, creative rituals, and advice for overcoming writer’s block.
About Daniel Byers
Daniel Byers is a screenwriter, director, and filmmaker with a background in documentary filmmaking. He earned a BA in screenwriting from Brown University and an MFA in screenwriting and directing from Columbia University. His screenplay Dark Hollow won the Jury Award at the 2023 Austin Film Festival, and he went on to write and direct the independent folk-horror feature. His work draws on his experiences across different cultures and landscapes, combining atmospheric storytelling with an interest in the relationship between people, place, and the natural world.
Listen now, and keep writing!

What’s it really like to work for a Hollywood legend?
On this episode of The Writers Hangout, comedian and screenwriter Charlie Nadler takes us behind the scenes of his career in Hollywood, including his time as Rob Reiner’s executive assistant and his work at Castle Rock Entertainment.
Charlie shares stories about working with Rob and getting a firsthand look at the filmmaking process. He also talks about growing up in a family of writers—his parents met while working on Laverne & Shirley—and his father Marty Nadler’s long career working with legendary filmmaker Garry Marshall.
We also talk about Charlie’s journey into stand-up comedy, the lessons he learned about paying his dues and finding his voice as a writer, and the special comedy partnership he shared with his father.
It’s a funny, insightful, and heartfelt conversation about writing, comedy, Hollywood, family, and finding your own path in the entertainment business.