#19 - Leah and Angel Interview Geoffrey Calhoun - Pt 2

What It Covers

Screenwriter Jeffrey Calhoun discusses the craft of screenwriting, from handling criticism and building industry relationships to developing TV pilots and creating visual timelines. He shares his martial arts background and approach to script consultation.

Key Questions Answered

• •Receiving Notes: Approach criticism with humility and recognize that qualified readers care about your story. Target specific feedback requests rather than general notes, and identify when notes come from unqualified sources who lack screenwriting experience despite confidence from the Dunning-Kruger effect.
• •TV Pilot Development: Write features before attempting TV pilots, which represent advanced screenwriting. Develop the world first through extensive research, plant seeds for future seasons, and work backwards from the character's end state rather than starting with episode one to build proper character arcs.
• •Visual Timeline Method: Use six-foot dry erase boards to map character timelines horizontally, then superimpose multiple character arcs together. This visual approach mirrors how audiences consume stories over time and provides necessary perspective for breaking complex narratives with multiple storylines or time periods.
• •Career Readiness: Wait five years of consistent writing practice before actively seeking representation or pitching scripts. Focus on providing value to industry contacts through collaboration rather than transactional networking. Create opportunities through film festival attendance, teaching, and building public presence beyond just writing.