We’ve all been there as writers – you finish a script you’re proud of, and then you’re stuck at a crossroads: should you sell it, or should you try to make that movie yourself? In this episode, I get super real about this crucial decision that so many screenwriters gloss over (and let’s be honest, sometimes completely avoid).

I walk you through how choosing a path – selling your script vs. making it yourself – actually determines everything about where your energy and focus goes. I share stories from my own journey (hello, terrifying first features and learning what it really takes to raise a budget!) and from filmmakers I’ve worked with. You’ll hear how people just like you have gone from “I could never raise that kind of money” to actually making their first films, and the reality checks along the way (yes, including the $50K “disasters” that started life as million-dollar scripts).

Together, we unpack what producing your own film truly requires – not just creatively, but financially and emotionally – and how most people can raise more money than they think, if they approach it the right way. I’ll help you get clear on YOUR realistic number, why you have to design your script to fit that budget, and how being overambitious can quickly become a shortcut to heartbreak.

But we also explore the flip side honestly: sometimes, your script really does need the “full machine” – studio, big budget, name actors. And that’s okay! I explain how to get confident in choosing the selling route, what that actually means (hint: it’s not just mailing out query letters and crossing your fingers), and why 100% commitment to your path is what moves the needle.

I share practical tools – like my free workbook and quiz to help you weigh your project and decide – plus insider stories of filmmakers (yes, even Christopher Nolan and Sean Baker!) who started small, built up, and eventually greenlit their dream projects.

By the end of our conversation, you’ll feel empowered to get real about what your script needs and, most importantly, give yourself permission to claim your vision. Whether you realize your script needs to be your DIY calling card or it’s time to go all-in on selling, you’ll leave with clarity, real-world tactics, and the inspiration to actually move forward – not just daydream about it.

So if you’re on the fence, second-guessing which route is right for you, this episode is your friendly nudge to decide, take action, and absolutely be the one who gets your story out of your laptop and onto that big screen.

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Every screenwriter has been there. There's that script of yours that you poured so much time and energy into - and now it's just quietly gathering dust on your hard drive. If you find yourself wondering why your screenplay hasn’t made the leap from hopeful document to cinematic reality, this episode is for you.

In it, I dive deep into the real reason that script is still stuck on your hard drive (and spoiler: it’s not because you’re lazy, or don’t know the right people, or even that your script isn’t good enough). After years of working with screenwriters and filmmakers (and reflecting on my own wild journey), I’ll share the #1 shift you need to make to finally get your work on the screen.

We’re talking about taking your power back and stopping those sneaky “energy leaks” that so many writers fall into. I open up about my own patterns - how there were moments I gave away my power, waiting for outside validation, confusing busyness with real progress, or believing I had to do it all on my own. Sound familiar? Trust me, you’re not alone. I break down the three main ways writers give their power away and, most importantly, how you can gently reclaim it.

I also share stories from my own career of the times I truly decided, “This film is getting made, no matter what,” and how everything changed when I claimed that level of commitment as well as how things just floated along whenever I didn’t. You’ll hear how a simple mindset shift is truly the secret sauce, and why you can (and should) greenlight yourself, right now.

We wrap up with an invitation to take one small, powerful action as soon as you finish listening (no, it’s not another rewrite!). Plus, I share details for my upcoming free three-day workshop, where I’ll walk you through, step-by-step, how to move from script-to-screen without giving your power away.

Whether you’re a seasoned screenwriter or just quietly dreaming, this episode is here to spark you back into action and remind you: your story deserves to be seen. Here’s to shifting your mindset, reclaiming your power, and finally making the movie only you can make.

Ready to get your script off your hard drive and onto the screen? Join me - it all starts with claiming your vision and calling back your power.

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If you’ve ever wondered how to turn an unconventional path into a thriving creative career, you’re going to love this session. In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Valerie Weiss, a true powerhouse of TV and film directing, for a candid and inspiring behind-the-scenes conversation.

We talk about everything from Valerie’s fascinating leap from scientist (yep, Harvard Medical School PhD!) to filmmaker, to her latest shows gracing your favorite streaming platforms. Valerie opens up about her beginnings—foregoing film school, building skills diy-style, and learning to trust her instincts while finding her way through a rapidly evolving industry. We reminisce about our early days, the connections and creative energy that kept us going, and how sometimes, the most unconventional detour ends up being your superpower.

But more than Valerie’s (many) impressive credits, this episode is full of gold on what it really takes to break into Hollywood—and actually keep going when the road gets tough. Valerie shares the realities of rejection, tenacity, and why the creative journey never really gets “easy,” even after 40+ TV credits. If you’ve been feeling daunted by a changing industry or stalled by self-doubt, her advice on loving the process, staying grounded, and building your skills no matter who’s watching—or who isn’t—is worth its weight in gold.

We get practical, too: Valerie breaks down the real differences between film and TV directing and the importance of networking, authenticity, and serving the vision of the work (and the team) you’re part of. She also reveals the magic of pivoting, following your authentic voice, and why new opportunities often arrive from the most unexpected places—like landing Star Trek with no previous fandom, but all the right preparation.

Pull up a chair and dive in.

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