Bulletproof Screenwriting™ Podcast

The landscape of existence can sometimes feel like a cosmic play—actors shifting between roles, creating stories that ripple through time. On today's episode, we welcome Phil Proctor, an artist whose life weaves a tapestry of creativity, resilience, and humor. Known for his work with the legendary Firesign Theatre and an illustrious voice acting career, Phil has left an indelible mark on the worlds of comedy, film, and beyond.Phil Proctor is not merely a performer; he’s a storyteller who transcends mediums. Reflecting on his career, Phil shared how the Firesign Theatre’s surreal humor was designed not only to ent...

On today’s episode, we welcome the dynamic duo, Lily Yasuda and Michael Wolfe, two inspiring filmmakers who have decided to take the road less traveled by creating their own feature film, Like Love. Their journey is one of collaboration, determination, and creativity—filled with moments of laughter and the occasional unexpected hurdle.From the outset, you’ll sense the chemistry between Lily and Michael. They first crossed paths during their time at Chapman University, bonding over vulnerable and humorous writing assignments in a creative writing class. Their shared passion for storytelling sparked not only a friendship but also a creati...

Len Kabasinski shares his journey from childhood dreams of monsters and martial arts to becoming a prolific force in the world of independent B-movie filmmaking. He recounts the origins of his first feature Swamp Zombies, revealing how a passion for horror and action films, coupled with sheer determination and minimal resources, propelled him into the director’s chair. With stories of on-set challenges, like actors no-showing and rewrites done on the fly, Len highlights the resourcefulness required to survive and thrive in the micro-budget world. His deep respect for martial arts and love for genre films shine through as he ex...

Some moments in life are stitched together like the seams of a well-loved garment, their fabric woven with laughter, reinvention, and a refusal to let the world dictate what is possible. On today's episode, we welcome Rhonda Shear, a woman who embodies this spirit of transformation with a playful wink and an unstoppable drive. Many remember her as the effervescent host of USA Up All Night, where she brought an entire generation into the cult world of late-night B-movies, but her journey extends far beyond the glow of a television screen.Rhonda Shear is an actress, comedian, entrepreneur, and accidental...

On today's episode, we welcome the multi-talented Kim Ray, a writer, producer, and director whose career spans reality TV, documentaries, and scripted projects. Best known for her work on the Netflix documentary Gaga: Five Foot Two, Kim’s journey through the industry is an inspiring tale of creativity, resilience, and innovation.Our conversation begins with Kim’s fascinating experience co-writing West Bank Story, a parody of West Side Story that cleverly blended humor with themes of peace and cultural commonality. As Kim describes, “It was about showing that even in a world full of conflict, there’s so much that connects...

The world is far more peculiar than most of us dare to admit. Somewhere between a demolition derby and a wrestling ring, between the crackle of VHS tapes and the shriek of late-night public access, lies a man who has turned mayhem into meaning. On today’s episode, we welcome the unparalleled and unfiltered Mad Man Pondo, a professional wrestler and author whose life has been a whirlwind of body slams, topless TV hosts, and late-night green room oddities. With a voice still rough from last night's match, he guides us into a tale of chaos, tenacity, and triumph.Mad Ma...

In this episode, Whitney Davis, a seasoned literary manager and script consultant, breaks down the real-deal process of getting noticed in Hollywood—from landing a manager to crafting query letters that don’t suck. Sharing her own unconventional path into the industry, Whitney offers raw, practical advice for screenwriters and indie filmmakers on how to pitch like a pro, avoid rookie mistakes, and build lasting relationships that actually move careers forward. This is a no-fluff, insider’s guide to breaking in and leveling up in the film industry.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcas...

In this colorful and deeply personal episode, Staci Layne Wilson shares her remarkable journey from a childhood surrounded by Hollywood legends and horseback riding to becoming an award-winning filmmaker and bestselling author. Born and raised in Los Angeles to a famed musician father (Don Wilson of The Ventures) and a glamorous pin-up model mother, Staci’s life has always been steeped in creativity. Yet, her entrance into filmmaking wasn’t planned—it evolved naturally through her work as a horror novelist and entertainment journalist. With a passion for storytelling and a love for visual style, she eventually directed short films and fe...

In this episode, veteran actor and director Greg Travis dives into his decades-long filmmaking journey, culminating in the release of his once-abandoned 1984 feature Dark Seduction. Shot on 16mm black-and-white film, the noir-vampire hybrid languished in post-production limbo for over 30 years before digital technology made its completion possible. Greg shares candid stories about the ups and downs of making the film—from lost investors to dusty negatives—and explains how delays actually gave him the chance to polish the project into something stronger than it would have been decades ago. Greg also reflects on lessons learned from working with top-tier directors like...

Evan Kidd is a passionate indie filmmaker who believes great stories don’t need big budgets—just big heart. In this episode, he shares how he created his feature film Son of Clowns using the resources he already had: friends, favors, and faith in the process. With a deep respect for collaboration, Evan emphasizes the importance of building a reliable team, staying grounded, and keeping ego out of the equation. His filmmaking philosophy leans heavily on authenticity, transparency, and making the most of real-world environments, often embracing the beautiful chaos that unfolds on set. Throughout the conversation, Evan offers wisdom for...

Brit Cruise—educator, filmmaker, and producer of Pixar in a Box—takes us on a journey through the fusion of storytelling, science, and education. From his early days editing videos with dual VCRs to his innovative work at Khan Academy, Brit reveals how deep focus, analog creativity, and a love for explanation helped shape his approach to teaching complex subjects through immersive visuals. With storytelling as the core, he shares how each lesson in Pixar in a Box connects school-taught concepts like math and physics to the movie magic of Pixar, showing students that what they learn can have real, crea...

Gary King is a filmmaker who transitioned from a career in psychology and human resources to independent cinema, building a body of work that balances heart, hustle, and deeply human storytelling.In the spirit of Taoist unpredictability, Gary’s story unfolds not as a straight line, but as a rich weave of intuition, risk, and creative alignment. He didn’t attend film school—not out of rebellion, but because he didn’t know it existed as a real path. Yet, what he lacked in formal education, he made up for in lived experience, teaching himself the craft by actually making films. F...

When two Daves walk into a podcast, you don’t expect to stumble upon a meditation on art, failure, persistence, and horror-comedy. But that’s exactly what happened in this electric and delightfully unfiltered conversation with Dave Campfield, a filmmaker, actor, and host of the Troma Now Podcast, best known for his work in the cult Caesar and Otto comedy-horror film series.Dave Campfield is a fiercely independent filmmaker whose journey from a now-defunct film college in New Mexico to directing his own cult horror satires has been a long and winding road paved with hustle, humor, and horror.We star...

In this episode, screenwriter and filmmaker S.S. Wilson shares the behind-the-scenes journey of creating the cult classic Tremors, revealing how creative limitations, meticulous story structure, and a deep respect for character and sound design brought the film to life. From his writing process with partner Brent Maddock to the evolution of the Tremors franchise and his advice for aspiring filmmakers, Wilson offers a masterclass in crafting compelling, low-budget cinema with heart and precision.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bulletproof-screenwriting-podcast--2881148/support.

In this episode, we dive into the wild, wonderful world of Ron Bonk, an indie filmmaker and founder of SRS Cinema known for the cult horror-comedy House Shark. Ron shares his journey from studying accounting and criminal justice to becoming a self-taught director, driven by a passion for storytelling and a deep love for genre cinema. With no Hollywood backing, Ron used camcorders, community college equipment, and his own home as a film set to bring his visions to life. House Shark began as a joke about roof noises and turned into a full-blown production that he wrote, directed, and...

Michael Ryan started his career working in the TV industry for Sir Lew Grade’s UK company, ITC. In 1978 he formed J&M Entertainment with a colleague, a distribution sales agent for independent films. As J&M grew, it developed its business model to also take responsibility for financing new films & providing production finance.In 1980 Ryan and J&M were founder members of the American Film Marketing Association (AFMA) – later to be renamed Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) – which was formed to provide an annual film market based in Los Angeles. Michael served two terms as Chairman of IFTA (2004-2008) and an...

A blank canvas. A single frame. The quiet hum before a film breathes life into a screen. But what happens after the final cut? How does a filmmaker's vision transcend the void and reach the hearts and minds of an audience? Today, we unravel this mystery with Danielle Raiz, a passionate advocate for creatives, whose work at Wix has been dedicated to empowering filmmakers and video creators.In this boundless digital age, content creation has become more than just an art—it is a language, a currency, a revolution.Danielle Raiz reminds us that the modern filmmaker is no...

Cynthia Hill, a filmmaker from North Carolina, discussed her journey from pharmacy school to filmmaking, highlighting her documentaries "Tobacco Money," "Private Violence," and the upcoming eight-part series "Road to Race Day" on NASCAR. She emphasized the importance of storytelling and character development, sharing her experiences with funding through foundations and the challenges of balancing art and business. Cynthia's work often bridges gaps between different communities, such as her documentaries on tobacco farming and farm workers. She also discussed the unique access she had to NASCAR teams, particularly Hendrick Motorsports, and the impact of her films on audience understanding.<...

Sometimes, the fire of creativity is struck not by lightning but by the slow, smoldering ache of dissatisfaction. And in today's soul-stirring conversation, we welcome Shawn Whitney, a filmmaker who found cinema not in the corridors of academia, but in the quiet rebellion of self-taught screenwriting and micro-budget filmmaking. Shawn Whitney is a screenwriter, director, and founder of Micro Budget Film Lab who empowers indie creators to tell powerful stories on shoestring budgets.Our journey with Shawn begins not in childhood fantasies of movie stardom, but in the dense woods of Brechtian theater and the quiet study of...

A film editor’s job is much like the work of a sculptor. You take a massive block of material—raw footage—and with a series of delicate, precise cuts, you shape it into something cohesive, something meaningful. In today’s episode, we welcome Michael Trent, a master of cinematic storytelling who has spent his career assembling some of Hollywood’s most unforgettable films. From the war-torn beaches of Saving Private Ryan to the eerie corridors of The Hatred, his work is the unseen hand that guides an audience’s emotions, turning chaos into art.For Michael Trent, the journey into the edi...