Episode 3 – Casting with Confidence Finding the right actors isn’t just about filling roles—it’s about breathing life into your story. In this episode of The Newbie Talk Show, Joan Montreuil shares her best tips for choosing the perfect cast, building on-screen chemistry, and staying open to those unexpected “wow” moments that can change everything.

You’ll also hear a personal behind-the-scenes story from Joan’s own filmmaking journey, plus a weekly Filmmaker’s Challenge to help you put what you’ve learned into practice. And don’t miss the powerful closing encouragement that will leave you inspired to keep moving forward.

Every great film starts with a script. In this episode, Joan teaches how to structure your first screenplay, how to write characters people care about, and how to write on a tight budget. Whether it’s drama, faith, or family — the story is everything.

Welcome to The Newbie Film Academy Podcast, where small budgets birth big dreams and your first film gets its wings—no matter what’s in your wallet. I’m your host, Joan Montreuil—and I’m beyond excited to kick off this journey with you. Today’s episode is the foundation of it all: Start Where You Are—because if we wait for perfect, we’ll never start. And around here, we don’t wait—we work with what we’ve got. Let’s go!"