How to Write a Movie: A Step-by-Step Screenwriting Guide

Can you turn a short web series into a television sitcom?In this episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting, screenwriter, producer, and filmmaker Jordan Imiola shares his journey from working in Hollywood to creating and producing original movies and television projects in Buffalo, New York.Originally interviewed on Tee It Up with Phil and Cindy, Jordan discusses his experience at 20th Century Fox, what he learned about the entertainment industry, and why filmmakers don't need to wait for Hollywood's permission to start producing their own work.Jordan also discusses:Creating Aaron & Abby's Adventures, a romantic comedy web seriesFilming professional-looking projects with an iPhoneHow Broad City inspired his approach to developing a web series for televisionWhy table reads are valuable for screenwritersProducing independent projects and his feature film Love at First SpiteHis goal of turning Aaron & Abby's Adventures into a half-hour television sitcomWhether you're an aspiring screenwriter, filmmaker, or television creator, this conversation explores the importance of creating your own opportunities and getting your work produced.Watch Aaron & Abby's Adventures:https://www.youtube.com/@FunnyBuffaloLearn more about Jordan Imiola:https://www.imdb.me/jordanimiolaFollow Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting for more conversations about writing scripts, producing films, and building a career in entertainment.Originally recorded for Tee It Up with Phil and Cindy.

In this episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting, Buffalo filmmakers and team leaders break down their real experiences competing in the 48 Hour Film Project. From pulling random genre prompts and required elements (props, characters, and dialogue lines) to midnight editing sprints, script pivots, and weather challenges, hear what it really takes to survive the ultimate indie filmmaking crunch.From unexpected rainstorms and production setbacks to last-minute script changes, impossible deadlines, and sleepless nights, these filmmakers share what it actually takes to make a movie in just two days.Whether you're preparing for your first 48 Hour Film Project, writing a short film, or looking for inspiration to finally make a movie, this conversation is packed with real filmmaking experiences and practical advice.🎬 WANT TO MAKE YOUR OWN MOVIES?Join Make Your Own Movies for filmmaking courses, challenges, and a community of creators:https://www.skool.com/make-your-own-movies-9050/about✍️ WANT TO BECOME A BETTER SCREENWRITER?Join the Screenwriting Success Club for screenwriting courses, live meetings, writing challenges, professional interviews, and a community of writers:https://www.skool.com/screenwriting-1697/aboutHosted by Jordan Imiola🔔 Subscribe to Screenwriting Success for weekly breakdowns, writing tips, and behind-the-scenes filmmaking advice!#48HourFilmProject #Filmmaking #ShortFilms #MakeYourOwnMovies #BuffaloFilmmakers

Want to write a funny comedy sketch but aren't sure where to start?In this episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting, Jordan Imiola breaks down how to write sketch comedy, from finding one clear premise to creating memorable characters and building jokes that keep escalating.We look at what makes some of the most memorable comedy sketches work, with examples from Saturday Night Live, Key & Peele, Monty Python, Abbott and Costello, and more.You'll learn how to:• Find the comedic game of your sketch• Create one strong premise and stick with it• Get to the jokes quickly• Create memorable characters with strong attitudes• Use comic opposites and comedic conflict• Escalate your jokes instead of repeating the same beat• Use catchphrases without relying on them• Write character sketches, celebrity parodies, and commercial parodies• Brainstorm sketch ideas you can actually write and produceWhether you're writing your first comedy sketch, creating funny videos for YouTube, or looking to improve your comedy writing, this episode will help you turn a funny idea into a finished sketch.✍️ Want to keep writing? Join the Screenwriting Success Club for screenwriting courses, live meetings, writing challenges, a community of writers, and more:https://www.skool.com/screenwriting-1697/about🎬 Want to make your own comedy? Join Make Your Own Movies for filmmaking courses, challenges, and a community of creators:https://www.skool.com/make-your-own-movies-9050/about🎙️ Screenwriters Talk ScreenwritingHosted by Jordan Imiola#SketchComedy #ComedyWriting #Screenwriting #SNL #ScreenwritersTalkScreenwriting

Want to write a movie but aren't sure how to structure your screenplay from beginning to end?In this screenwriting lesson, Jordan Imiola breaks down how to write a movie step by step, from the opening scene and inciting incident through Act 2, the midpoint, lowest point, climax, and final scene.You'll learn how to:🎬 Hook the audience with your opening scene✍️ Write an inciting incident that changes everything🎥 Break into Act 2 and keep your story moving🔥 Use the midpoint to raise the stakes📉 Build an effective lowest point and turning point🏆 Craft an Act 3 and climax that satisfies the audienceWhether you're writing your first screenplay or your tenth, use these story structure techniques to turn your movie idea into a finished script.Want more screenwriting help, live meetings, accountability, and lessons on how to sell your scripts?Join the Screenwriting Success Club:https://www.skool.com/screenwriting-1697/aboutWant to actually make your movie or series? Join Make Your Own Movies for screenwriting, directing, phone filmmaking, producing, and more:https://www.skool.com/make-your-own-movies-9050/aboutWant personalized feedback on your screenplay? Book 1-on-1 screenwriting coaching:https://screenwritingcoaching.com

🎬 Have you ever wondered why your screenplay might not be getting interest from managers or production companies?After reviewing thousands of screenplays and coaching writers for more than 17 years, I've noticed the same mistakes appear over and over again in early drafts and from new screenwriters. In this episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting, I break down the 10 biggest screenwriting mistakes beginners make.Whether you're writing your first screenplay or polishing your latest draft, these screenwriting tips will help you write stronger characters, tighter scenes, sharper dialogue, and a more professional screenplay.In this episode, you'll learn:✅ Why your screenplay should be fun to read✅ Why relying on AI can hurt your writing✅ How to write a professional action description✅ Why present tense matters✅ How to avoid on-the-nose dialogue✅ Better ways to handle exposition and backstory✅ Why "Show, Don't Tell" is one of the most important screenwriting principles✅ Common screenplay formatting mistakes✅ Why your first 10 pages matter so much✅ Why shorter screenplays often have an advantageIf you're serious about improving your writing and creating scripts that stand out to producers, managers, contests, and readers, this episode is packed with practical advice you can apply immediately.Don't just write. Finish.🎓 Get one-on-one screenwriting coaching:https://ScreenwritingCoaching.com👥 Looking for a Writers' Room to Join?Join the Screenwriting Success Club for live meetings, screenplay feedback, accountability, and a supportive community of writers:https://www.skool.com/screenwriting-1697🎧 Subscribe to Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting for weekly screenwriting tips, interviews with professional writers, filmmaking advice, and practical strategies to help you write scripts that stand out.

Want to write funnier screenplays, sitcoms, or comedy films?In this episode of Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting, award-winning screenwriter and producer Jordan Imiola shares his Top 10 Comedy Writing Tips using examples from classic sitcoms, produced films, and his own projects, including AARON AND ABBY'S ADVENTURES and LOVE AT FIRST SPITE.Whether you're writing your first screenplay or polishing your tenth draft, these comedy writing techniques can help you create stronger characters, bigger laughs, and more memorable scenes.In this episode, you'll learn:• Why surprise is one of the most important tools in comedy• How to write jokes that stand the test of time• Why specificity makes scenes funnier• How conflict creates comedy• Common comedy writing mistakes to avoid• And much moreJordan Imiola is an award-winning screenwriter, producer, and screenwriting coach with more than 35 produced writing projects to his credit. His work includes the feature film LOVE AT FIRST SPITE, the sitcom Aaron and Abby's Adventures, Romantically Hopeless, Monster Therapy, and Sports TV.Need help with your screenplay?Join the Screenwriting Success Club:https://www.skool.com/screenwriting-1697/aboutLearn more about Screenwriting Coaching:https://www.screenwritingcoaching.comWatch Aaron and Abby's Adventures:https://www.youtube.com/FunnyBuffaloSubscribe for more interviews, screenwriting tips, filmmaking advice, and behind-the-scenes stories from working writers and filmmakers.

How do you ACTUALLY make a movie from start to finish?In this special Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting episode, award-winning screenwriter Jordan Imiola is joined by LOVE AT FIRST SPITE director David Wingert and co-writer/actress/producer Marisa Dzintars for a full behind-the-scenes conversation about the complete process of making an indie feature film — from the original screenplay and early TV pilot version to production, post-production, editing, collaboration, distribution, and release.Whether you're trying to write your first screenplay, direct a movie, produce an indie film, or simply understand how feature films really get made, this episode breaks down the REAL filmmaking process step-by-step.Topics include:🎬 Writing the screenplay📺 Turning a TV pilot into a feature film🎥 Directing & producing an indie movie✍️ Rewriting during production🎭 Working with actors🤝 Building a filmmaking team🎞️ Editing & post-production📺 Film distribution & streaming🔥 Lessons learned making a feature film🎞️ LOVE AT FIRST SPITE is now streaming commercial-free on Amazon and also available on Tubi, Roku, and more streaming platforms!🚀 Join the Screenwriting Success Club:https://www.skool.com/screenwriting-1697/aboutSubscribe to Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting for more interviews, filmmaking discussions, and screenwriting conversations every week.

What does a TV showrunner actually do and what does it really take to run a television show. In this episode, working TV writers and showrunners share the best showrunning advice they have learned while creating and running TV series.You will hear insights on how showrunners protect story and creative instincts, how writers rooms actually function, why story matters more than jokes, how character arcs are planned across seasons, and what it is like working on major franchises like Marvel, network television, and comedy series.This episode features advice from writers and creators behind shows like On Call, King of the Hill, Jane the Virgin, Loki, Cobra Kai, Saturday Night Live, Frasier, and more, along with showrunning lessons learned along the way.🎬 Watch full interviews and showrunning courses inside the Screenwriting Success Clubhttps://www.skool.com/screenwriting-1697/aboutThe Screenwriting Success Club is a community for new and professional writers where you can watch full interviews with TV showrunners, take on demand TV writing and showrunning courses, join live Zoom writing sessions, and finally finish your scripts with accountability and support.Writing is easier and more fun when you are not doing it alone. Join the Screenwriting Success Club today.

In this episode, we break down how to write a logline that actually sells your screenplay — to producers, managers, agents, contests, and pitch rooms.This video is pulled from a live group meeting inside the Screenwriting Success Club, where writers learn how to write, finish, and sell their scripts.🏆 Join the Screenwriting Success Club on Skool👉 https://www.skool.com/screenwriting-1697/aboutWhether you’re writing a feature film, TV pilot, short film, or preparing for contests and fellowships, your logline is often the first — and only — thing people read. This episode will help you make it count.In this video and the SSC, You’ll learn:✅ What a logline really is (and what it’s NOT)✅ Why you should aim for 30 words or less✅ How comedy loglines can sell a script✅ How to brainstorm loglines to find the one that works✅ A simple method to get feedback from other writers✅ Why streaming platforms change your logline (sometimes for better, sometimes worse)If you’re serious about screenwriting and don’t want to sit on unfinished scripts for years, join the Screenwriting Succeess Club on Skool at 👉 https://www.skool.com/screenwriting-1697/aboutWith the Screenwriting Success Club, you can attend group meetings, get courses, interviews with working writers, and a community of screenwriters actually finishing scripts.Want just the Sell a Screeplay Course without the community? Find that @ https://jordanimiola.thinkific.com/courses/sell-a-screenplayTAKE other Screenwriting Courses @ https://jordanimiola.thinkific.com/ Get 1-on-1 Screenwriting Coaching @ https://www.screenwritingcoaching.comSubscribe for more Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting 🎉#screenwriting #loglines #sellingscreenplays #filmmaking #screenwritertips

The Grateful 10 Episode — Screenwriters Talk Screenwriting (2025)In this special gratitude-themed episode, screenwriters and actors reflect on the creative wins, unexpected breakthroughs, and personal growth that shaped their year. The entertainment industry can be unpredictable—long waits, stalled momentum, sudden surprises—but today we’re focusing on the moments that made it all worthwhile.Featuring:Gloria Garayua, Gloria Tsai, Elena Dizon, and Jordan ImiolaWhether you’re a working writer or just beginning your screenwriting journey, these stories of gratitude, resilience, and artistic evolution will inspire you to appreciate your own creative path.In This Episode:Creative breakthroughs and new acting/writing opportunitiesLessons that reshaped careersFinished scripts and projects (big and small!)Collaborations, friendships, and community supportAnd so much more we're grateful for this yearJoin us for a heartwarming and motivational conversation about the joys—and the journey—of being a storyteller.