Ep 232 - Viki King on "How to Write A Movie in 21 Days"

The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun: Screenwriting Podcast

• Hosted by: Geoffrey D. Calhoun, known for his dedication to educating and uplifting writers through The Successful Screenwriter Podcast. Geoffrey, has been deeply influenced by foundational texts in screenwriting and aims to honor the legacy of screenwriting legends through his work.
• Guest: Viki King, author of "How to Write a Movie in 21 Days," which is heralded as a cornerstone in screenwriting literature. Viki, the "mother of content" in screenwriting circles, brings an intuitive and heart-centered approach to storytelling, shaping the narratives of countless writers over her illustrious career.

Episode Overview:
In this episode, Geoffrey and Viki engage in a deep dive into the core of screenwriting, discussing the spiritual journey of storytelling, the impact of seminal screenwriting texts, and the process of turning a spark of an idea into a compelling screenplay. This conversation offers invaluable insights into creating stories that resonate on a personal and universal level.
Key Moments:

• Geoffrey Calhoun expresses his admiration for Viki King's work and its foundational impact on his screenwriting career.
• Viki King reflects on the early days of screenwriting education and her collaboration with Syd Field, emphasizing the complementary nature of their contributions to the craft.
• Viki praises Geoffrey's book for demystifying screenwriting, highlighting its practicality and the importance of format in storytelling.
• Geoffrey shares his personal journey with screenwriting, marked by dyslexia and the profound influence of Viki's book.
• Viki discusses the genesis of her book "How to Write a Movie in 21 Days" and the importance of staying true to one's heart in the creative process.
• The conversation turns to the evolving nature of screenwriting and the need for originality in an industry saturated with sequels and remakes.
• Geoffrey and Viki explore the concept of the "inner movie method," a personal journey of discovery through screenwriting.

Notable Quotes:

• "The deal is we all come in and we all have a piece of the puzzle. And it's our business to put the piece of the puzzle in the big picture. Otherwise, there's a hole in the picture. But we don't have to know who's looking at the picture. That's not part of the business. It takes everything you've got just to put your piece in." - Viki King

• "I view what I do as part of my own personal growth. And to see someone like yourself who was a trailblazer kind of evolve through this industry is absolutely, inspirational." - Geoffrey Calhoun

Closing Thoughts:
This episode not only sheds light on the mechanics of screenwriting but also delves into the soulful aspects of the craft, encouraging writers to explore and express their deepest truths through storytelling. Viki King's perspective on writing as a journey of personal discovery and Geoffrey Calhoun's dedication to empowering screenwriters make for a compelling and profoundly inspirational discussion.Connect with Us:

• Listen to more episodes: The Successful Screenwriter Podcast
• Follow Geoffrey D. Calhoun on Instagramr: @Screenwriterpod
• Discover Viki King's work: How to Write a Movie in 21 Days