The ISA Podcast

What's the scariest movie you've EVER seen? Max Timm & Scott Markus and are counting down their personal Top 10 scariest horror movies of all time. They dive into the movies that have genuinely frightened them, haunted their imaginations, and stuck with them long after the credits rolled. They also want to hear from you! - What movie terrified you the most? - What makes a horror movie truly scary? - Are jump scares enough, or is psychological terror more effective? - What can screenwriters and filmmakers learn from the horror movies that scare us the most? Whether you're a horror fan, filmmaker, screenwriter, or simply someone who loves a good scare, pull up a chair and join the night of frightening movies, filmmaking discussion, and plenty of disagreement over what really belongs on the list!

Creative Executive Felicity Wren breaks down everything you need to know about the ISA Development Slate: how writers are selected, what happens after you're chosen, and the real truth about building a screenwriting career.

Screenwriter and producer Richard Hatem has built a career turning the unexplained into unforgettable television and film, from The Mothman Prophecies to Supernatural, Grimm, and The Dead Zone. He's also the host of Richard Hatem's Paranormal Bookshelf.

Christina Richardson didn't wait around for a greenlight. She wrote, directed, and independently produced two seasons of a scripted vertical series. Then Fox Creator Studios came to her.

Amber's life is in free-fall. Her Muslim mother is dying, she's broke, her relationships are a mess, and the one thing that might save her is an inheritance... But with knotted strings attached. Are you ready for the Table Read My Screenplay experience? Submit your script at https://tablereadmyscreenplay.com/ Written by Amber Nelson & Mokotsi Rukundo Randall Winston - Director Dan Samiljan - Producer Molly Kasch - Producer & Narrator Layla Mohammadi - AMBER WILSON Pantea Ommi - FIZZEH SHIRAZEE Peter Schiavelli - BRODY, FRANKENSTEIN Siena Goines - NADIA, GIRL 2 , TRACK MATE 2, PSYCHIC, SUSAN Thora Birch - LAURA, WOMEN'S COACH, MIRIAM Jamie Rezanour - NASREEN, CAROL Patrick Finerty - CHARLIE, IMAM, DAD Maria Paris - FATIMA, KEBAB-CASHIER, CASTING DIRECTOR, ATTRACTIVE WOMAN Johnny Alonso - LAWRENCE WILSON, DIRECTOR Peder Lindell - EVAN, DANNY, BOY, KARAOKE M.C. Nick Holmes - CASTING ASSISTANT, FRAT BOY, SECURITY GUARD, BARTENDERMecca Morgan White - SUNSHINE, GIRL 1, TRACK MATE 3 Scott Markus - Videographer, Editor Chris Ekstein - Cinematographer

What if your greatest career opportunity came from simply following what fascinates you? In this interview,  Scott Markus sits down with Evan Lovett, creator of the wildly popular "LA in a Minute" series to explore how a passion project evolved into a career. Evan shares the unexpected origin of 'LA in a Minute," how curiosity became his greatest creative asset, and why authenticity, consistency, and genuine enthusiasm are more important than chasing algorithms or trends. Whether you're a filmmaker, writer, content creator, or entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with practical advice for turning an idea into a career. In this conversation, we discuss: • How "LA in a Minute" began as a project for his son • Why consistency matters more than perfection • Finding your audience in today's creator economy • Handling criticism, comments, and social media pressure • Preserving the history and culture of Los Angeles • Why authentic storytelling always wins Evan also shares his thoughts on filming in Los Angeles, celebrates the neighborhoods that make the city unique, and explains why there's never a shortage of stories waiting to be told. If you've ever dreamed of building something around what you love, this conversation is for you. Check out "LA in a Minute" here: https://www.youtube.com/@lainaminute  "LA in a Minute" videos mentioned in this conversation:  The Day the Trolleys Stopped in Los Angeles: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2moorZXTb1A Boyle Heights Fire: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/luVZ_bkJcsE Murals on Banks: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7RtEwTb2rsU

Every independent filmmaker dreams of making that first feature, but what does it actually take? In this episode of How Movies Get Made, Scott Markus sits down with writer-director Shane Andries to discuss the making of his debut feature, "Mattress Mack," based on the true story of Houston businessman Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale. Shane shares the entire journey, from discovering the emotional heart of the story to years of fundraising, assembling producing partners, shooting a period film on an independent budget, and overcoming the unexpected challenges that nearly shut production down before cameras even rolled. If you're an aspiring filmmaker or screenwriter, this conversation is packed with practical advice about financing, directing, rewriting, collaboration, and simply refusing to quit.

What makes a screenplay truly powerful? In this interview, screenwriter Renn Tan (Slamdance winner for The Gift of Rain) shares how deeply personal experiences, identity, isolation, and "conditional love," shape unforgettable stories. From growing up navigating multiple cultures and identities to finding their voice in Hollywood, Renn breaks down how writers can transform pain into authentic, emotionally resonant scripts that connect with audiences. This conversation goes beyond inspiration, it's packed with practical insight on:  - Turning lived experience into compelling characters  - Handling feedback (even when it hurts)  - Choosing the right screenwriting competitions  - Networking without feeling fake  - What the industry is really looking for right now If you've ever struggled with finding your voice or writing something honest, this is a must-watch. Topics Covered: Personal storytelling, screenwriting craft, writing from trauma, identity in storytelling, film festivals, Slamdance, feedback, networking, breaking into the film industry. Renn Tan (https://www.networkisa.org/profile/renn-tan) speaks six languages, but not their mother tongue. Growing up LGBTQ+ in a Muslim country means, of course, they write about conditional love. Across genres, their stories feature characters whose identities directly conflict with their environment. Renn is a graduate of USC's Screenwriting MFA program. Their work has won Best Feature Screenplay at Slamdance and the Dallas International Film Festival, and was one of the top three scripts selected for the ISA Diversity Initiative. They are excited to be one of ISA's Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2026.

Why This Sci-Fi Film Hits So Hard Emotionally: What happens when sci-fi meets something deeply human? In this episode, Scott Markus sits down with filmmaker Martin Russell Johnson to talk about his powerful short film "Catalina," a grounded sci-fi story about AI, caregiving, and the emotional cost of holding on. Martin shares his journey from growing up in a challenging environment in San Diego to finding purpose through storytelling, and how creativity quite literally changed the trajectory of his life. We dive deep into:  - How Catalina evolved from a sci-fi concept into a deeply personal caregiving story  - Winning a $50,000 grant & why that was just the beginning  - Building a passionate film team through relationships and trust  - Shooting ambitious sci-fi on an indie budget  - Why your biggest challenges on set become your proudest moments This conversation is packed with insight for filmmakers, writers, and anyone trying to bring meaningful stories to life. If you're interested in filmmaking, socially conscious storytelling, or how to turn limitations into strengths, this is one you don't want to miss.

In this episode of Take 10 with Craig, International Screenwriters' Association founder Craig James shares an important message for writers at every stage of their journey: Celebrate your successes — even the small ones. Many writers hesitate to share their progress because of impostor syndrome or the belief that their accomplishments "aren't big enough." But Craig explains why every step forward matters, whether it's a table read with friends, a quarterfinalist placement in a contest, a general meeting with an executive, or even shooting a short film on an iPhone. Those small moments build momentum, confidence, and visibility in the industry. Craig discusses:  - How celebrating small wins creates positive momentum  - How sharing success stories can strengthen your writing career  - Why industry professionals often look up writers before meetings  - How small steps eventually lead to big opportunities  - The importance of actively participating in your own career He also shares personal stories from early in his filmmaking journey, including the experience of screening one of his first films in a theater, a moment that helped shape the path that eventually led to founding the International Screenwriters' Association. If you're feeling hesitant to share your progress or wondering whether your achievements "count," this episode is a reminder that every step forward matters. Keep writing, keep creating, and don't be afraid to celebrate the journey.