Creative Principles

Latest Episodes:

Ep603 - James Mangold, Filmmaker ‘A Complete Unknown’ & ‘Logan’ Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

James Mangold is an Oscar-nominated writer-director known for film like GIRL INTERRUPTED, WALK THE LINE, LOGAN, COP LAND, and FORD V FERRARI — the latter earning a Best Picture Oscar nomination. Most recently, Mangold directed A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, where at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, a young Bob Dylan shook up his act on the folk music scene by going electric and siring rock as the voice of a generation, defining one of the most transformative moments in 20th-century music. In this interview, we talk about the fundamental role of writing in filmmaking, the challenges and realities of the film industry, the challenges of adapting a real-life figure like Bob Dylan, and much more. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep602 - Jon Spaihts, Screenwriter ‘Dune: Part One’ & ‘Dune: Part Two’ Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

Jon Spaihts is a screenwriter known for his work in the sci-fi and fantasy genres. He gained visibility with his script for PROMETHEUS, a prequel to the Alien series directed by Ridley Scott. Spaihts also co-wrote DOCTOR STRANGE, introducing Marvel audiences to the mystical side of the MCU, and contributed to the screenplay for DUNE, Denis Villeneuve’s epic adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel. DUNE: PART TWO follows Paul Atreides who unites with the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the universe, he endures to prevent a terrible future. In this interview, we talk about working with Ridley Scott and PROMETHEUS, the importance of perseverance and assertiveness, working with Denis Villeneuve to adapt DUNE, future plans, and much more. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep601 - Jack Huston, Writer and Director ‘Day of the Fight’ Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

Jack Huston has established himself as a versatile talent in film, television, and theater, excelling both in front of and behind the camera. He’s been in shows and films like BEN-HUR, BOARDWALK EMPIRE, and AMERICAN HUSTLE. His directorial debut, DAY OF THE FIGHT, which he also wrote and co-produced, stars Michael Pitt, Ron Perlman, Steve Buscemi, and Joe Pesci. The film explores a boxer’s journey through his past and present on the day of his comeback fight. It debuted at the 2023 Venice Film Festival, earning Huston the “Breakthrough Director Award” from Variety and the Golden Globes. In this interview, we talk about the inspiration and creation of the film, the challenges of making the film, the importance of creating a space for actors to explore and elevate their performances, and the significance of side characters. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep600 - Duncan Wardle, Author ‘The Imagination Emporium’ Dec 14, 2024

Show notes

As Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney, Duncan and his team helped Imagineering, Lucasfilm, Marvel, Pixar, and Disney Parks to innovate, creating magical new storylines and experiences. He now brings his extensive Disney expertise to audiences around the world using a unique approach to Design Thinking, helping people capture unlikely connections, leading to fresh thinking and disruptive ideas. In this interview, we talk about the nature of creativity and innovation, common barriers to creativity and strategies to overcome them, the importance of playfulness and humor in stimulating creative thinking, practical tips for boosting creativity, and more. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep599 - Laura Eason, Writer ‘Three Women’ & ‘House of Cards’ Dec 13, 2024

Show notes

Laura Eason is a producer, screenwriter, and playwright. She most recently served as showrunner and executive producer of the new STARZ drama series THREE WOMEN. Her writing and producing credits for TV include the Showtime drama THE LOUDEST VOICE and four seasons of Netflix's five-time Emmy-nominated best drama series HOUSE OF CARDS. Her latest work, THREE WOMEN, follows an intimate, moving, uplifting portrait of real women reclaiming their lives for themselves. In this interview, we talk about her journey from theater to television, how she adapted to screenwriting, her experiences as a showrunner, and advice to young writers, emphasizing the importance of life experience, persistence, and embracing a diverse range of creative opportunities. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep598 - Colin Jeffery, Chief Creative Officer at Doner and Wolfgang Dec 06, 2024

Show notes

Colin Jeffrey is the Chief Creative Officer of Doner and Co-Founder of Wolfgang. Under his leadership, Doner was named an Ad Age A-List Standout Agency in 2023. At Wolfgang, Colin has created acclaimed campaigns for brands like Adidas, Panda Express, and NBCUniversal. Recognized as one of the most creative minds in advertising, Colin has appeared on AdWeek’s Creative Top 100 list and Business Insider’s Most Creative People in Advertising rankings. In this interview, we talk about the impact of AI on the creative process, the need for versatile content that works across different platforms, the rise of branded content and product placement, the increasing importance of nostalgia and IP in advertising, and much more. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep597 - Michael Costigan, Producer 'Based on a True Story' & 'Brokeback Mountain' Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

Michael Costigan is a film and television producer based in Los Angeles. He is a partner at Aggregate Films, a production company he founded with Jason Bateman which creates film, television, documentary, and unscripted programming across all platforms. In this interview, we talk about the development process of BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, challenges and opportunities in the current landscape, the importance of originality and character-driven storytelling, advice for aspiring writers and producers, and much more. As a special note, this was part of our new LIVE interview series in partnership with Buzztown, a community for serious screenwriters, where students also participated in this interview. You can learn more or join the waitlist here: forms.gle/RNaoVrdU9afWpykWA Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep596 - Sean McBride, Chief Creative Officer Arnold Worldwide Nov 29, 2024

Show notes

Sean McBride is the Chief Creative Officer of Arnold Worldwide, a globally recognized creative agency. He is the creative guru behind our favorite progressive commercials starring Flo and Dr. Rick. Sean’s work has been repeatedly recognized by every major advertising award show there is, including Cannes, D&AD, One Show, Communication Arts, Clio, New York Festivals, London International, and many others. In this interview, we talk about the transition to advertising as a natural fit for his writing skills, his journey to working at Arnold, the evolution of his writing style, from more serious copy to comedic work, the process of determining what is funny, including personal judgment and audience feedback, the ongoing evolution of the advertising industry and much more. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep595 - Mark Sanderson, Screenwriter & Author ‘A Screenwriter's Journey to Success’ Nov 28, 2024

Show notes

Mark Sanderson is a screenwriter, author, script consultant, and lecturer. His career spans sketch comedy, writing for MTV, and over two dozen screenwriting assignments, including 17 produced films with worldwide distribution. Mark’s films have premiered on networks like Lifetime, SyFy, Fox, and HBO Canada, and stream on platforms like Tubi, Amazon, and Apple+. With a long history of working with award-winning filmmakers, producers, and actors, Mark has built a distinguished career. Named one of Screencraft's "25 People Screenwriters Should Follow on Twitter," he shares insights through Film Courage, YouTube, and his book, A SCREENWRITER'S JOURNEY TO SUCCESS, which has earned 56 five-star reviews on Amazon. In this interview, we talk about initial expectations vs. reality post-film school, writing partnerships and solo ventures, his book A SCREENWRITER'S JOURNEY TO SUCCESS, and much more. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep594 - Joshua Zetumer, Writer ‘RoboCop,’ ‘Patriots Day’ & ‘Say Nothing’ Nov 27, 2024

Show notes

Joshua Zetumer serves as the showrunner, executive producer, and head writer of FX’s SAY NOTHING, an adaptation of the New York Times best-selling and National Book Critics Circle Award for Non-Fiction winning book SAY NOTHING: A TRUE STORY OF MURDER AND MEMORY IN NORTHERN IRELAND by Patrick Radden Keefe. Zetumer has also written on a number of global box office hits, including ROBOCOP from director Jose Padilha and the action thriller PATRIOTS DAY about the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013 and the subsequent terrorist manhunt. The FX’s limited series SAY NOTHING is a gripping story of murder and memory in Northern Ireland during The Troubles. Spanning four decades, the series opens with the shocking disappearance of Jean McConville, a single mother of ten who was abducted from her home in 1972 and never seen alive again. Telling the story of various Irish Republican Army (IRA) members, SAY NOTHING explores the extremes some people will go to in the name of their beliefs, the way a deeply divided society can suddenly tip over into armed conflict, the long shadow of radical violence for all affected, and the emotional and psychological costs of a code of silence. In this interview, we talk about his personal background and influences, the decision to take on projects like ROBOCOP and PATRIOT'S DAY, the opportunity to return to personal filmmaking with SAY NOTHING, The balance between creative control and collaboration with directors and actors, and much more. As a special note, this was part of our new LIVE interview series in partnership with Buzztown, a community for serious screenwriters, where students also participated in this interview. You can learn more or join the waitlist here: forms.gle/RNaoVrdU9afWpykWA Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

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