The ISA Podcast

Latest Episodes:

From Dream to Debut: Alex Sarrigeorgiou's First Feature Film Story, making "In Transit" Oct 27, 2025

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Writer, actor, and poet Alex Sarrigeorgiou talks about her creative journey and her debut feature film, "In Transit," a tender, intimate queer drama about connection, identity, and the courage to change direction in life.

Overcoming Impostor Syndrome as a Writer | Trusting the Process of Storytelling Oct 14, 2025

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"The idea of impostor syndrome is something I think we all struggle with — and I'm no exception." In this heartfelt reflection, Craig James opens up about creative self-doubt, trusting your work, and learning to let go once you've done your part.

Just Your Typical Award-winning Screenwriter-slash-Zookeeper | Alli Kiko Masloske's Inspiring Story Oct 13, 2025

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In this inspiring conversation, Alli Kiko Masloske shares her creative journey from working with animals to writing screenplays that connect deeply with audiences. From navigating chronic illness to finding her voice in a competitive industry, Alli opens up about how humor, honesty, and community have shaped her work and outlook on life.

Dani Hanks on Writing with Authentic Voice & Building a TV Career, Emerging Screenwriter Interview Sep 30, 2025

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Writer, director, and creative powerhouse Dani Hanks joins Shaya Weber for an in-depth conversation about her journey from actor to award-winning writer, how chronic illness shaped their perspective, and their process for writing powerful, character-driven stories. Learn how Dani approaches outlining, keeps momentum through rejection, and balances a thriving creative life with a demanding day job. Perfect for emerging screenwriters, showrunners-in-training, and anyone seeking inspiration and practical tips for breaking into TV writing.

BiographyDani Hanks (they/she) is a disabled writer/director who subverts the status quo with a bit of comedic flair.

After receiving their BFA in drama at NYU Tisch, they directed the Banff-nominated political comedy web series "Fake News Writer," which was optioned after winning the Webby Award for Video Entertainment in 2019.

They are a 2024 Austin Film Festival Winner for the Josephson Entertainment Fellowship, as well as a fellow of the WGA East Support Staff Basic Training program (Script Coordinating Track), Stowe Story Labs, and Disability Belongs (formerly RespectAbility) Entertainment Lab. Dani has worked on projects in development at FilmRise, RKO, and TikTok.

They are a full-time meme connoisseur, sometime AD, former member of Mensa, anxious bisexual, and have 10 years of experience cutting animal tissue (much to the dismay of their pet rats).

Finding Your True Writing Voice | Stop Writing for the Audience, Start Writing for YOURSELF Sep 24, 2025

Show notes

Every writer needs to find their true voice, that unique perspective that makes their work authentic and unforgettable. We dive into what "voice" really means and how to write from a place of honesty.

Improve Your Writing by Reading, Take 10 with Craig Sep 16, 2025

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Take advantage of ISA's free screenplay library to improve your own craft.

Devin Jane Febbroriello: To be a Filmmaker You Need to Understand Feedback & Collaboration Aug 21, 2025

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Devin Jane Febbroriello is a North American screenwriter/director + producer that specializes in the creation of thought-provoking stories centered on lovable dysfunctional families, surreal multi-genre plots, women, and dark humor. Evocative characters blaze bold paths through thematically rich circumstances to cultivate her emotive works. Devin's practice is informed by a fierce love of cinematic storytelling mixed with her deep-seated interest in films unique capacity to poetically investigate the human condition and connect us in both the beauty and the challenges of life.

Devin was named one of the Top 25 screenwriters to watch in 2025 by the International Screenwriters Association and invited onto their 2025 Development Slate. She has written/directed + produced award-winning music videos and short films that have screened at SXSW, Dances With Films, Pitchfork, Cinequest, Filmfort, BUFF Malmo, Nashville Film Festival, Venice VR Expanded, Portland Film Festival, Bend Film Festival, Stereogum, Rolling Stone, and more. Her pilot script for the episodic series "Blood is Thicker" was a finalist in the Screencraft TV Pilot Script Competition, and her feature script "Kathleen's Sound Bath" was an Austin Film Festival 2024 Second Rounder, a Script Lab Semi-Finalist, and is ranked in the top 5% of scripts on Coverfly in the drama category.

She received her Bachelor of Art in film from Emerson College, attended specialized cinema studies at FAMU (Czech Republic), and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Screenwriting through the David Lynch School of Cinematic Arts at Maharishi University.

Devin is currently a co-owner and Head of Production at Desert Island Studios where she leads commercial client productions.

Conor Dowling on Breaking into Screenwriting & Filmmaking in Ireland (Emerging Screenwriter) Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Conor spent most of his youth in Ireland gigging in rock bands, working in a video store and reading too many Stephen King novels. Eventually, he knew he had to course correct and follow his dreams.

Conor is a writer, filmmaker and award winning podcaster from Dublin with a masters in film production from Staffordshire University. Conor writes about misfits, monsters and broken hearts, and his writing is infused with folklore, horror and comedy.

After writing episodes of the popular animation series STORIES FROM BACKWOODS, Conor was hired to develop an adult animated series with Irish animation production company Ink and Light and recently optioned an original live action feature screenplay.

Conor's screenplay DARA MCCOOL received screenplay development funding from Screen Ireland in 2022 and received a bursary for Stowe Story Labs in Vermont. This animated script went on to be awarded second round development funding in 2024. Conor was a screenwriting mentee of BAFTA winning writer Will Collins (Wolfwalkers) for a yearlong mentorship in 2022.

Conor's numerous independent short films and spec scripts have placed in competitions and festivals worldwide (Save The Cat, Big Break, Stage 32 Animation, Straight 8).

Author of two Irish Arts Council funded novel manuscripts MONUMENTAL and THE OUTER CIRCLE, the second of which was shortlisted in the Irish Writer's Centre Novel Fair 2020.

Conor has directed factual entertainment and documentary and kids TV for RTE & RTE Jnr and is a skilled camera operator, stills photographer and editor for film and TV and online video productions. His directorial feature film debut mockumentary THE LIGHT OF DAY screened at the Galway Film Fleadh and the IFI Horrorthon.

Creator and host of horror podcast The Hidden Station, and Fad Camp on the Headstuff Podcast Network which was nominated for Irish Podcast awards in 2022 & won best entertainment in 2023.

In his spare time you can find Conor traveling Europe & America, learning a new musical instrument, taking selfies with other people's dogs and cats, or tinkering with dusty old analogue cameras.

Author/Showrunner DJ MacHale on Unlocking Stories & Taking Control of Your Writing Career Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

Join us for a captivating evening with D.J. MacHale, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Pendragon series and creator of the cult-favorite TV show "Are You Afraid of the Dark?"

From bestselling books to iconic screen moments, D.J. has spent his career crafting stories that resonate across generations. In this exclusive event, he'll share how he bridges the worlds of publishing and television — revealing the creative decisions, challenges, and unexpected turns that come with telling stories across different mediums. Whether you're a writer hoping to sharpen your skills or a fan eager for a behind-the-scenes look at your favorite stories, you'll leave inspired and informed.

D.J. will be joined in conversation by the ISA's Director of Education, Max Timm, and Scott Markus, who collaborated with DJ for three years on the hit series "Flight 29 Down."

They'll dive into:

The evolution of D.J.'s career and lessons from both the book and TV worlds
Writing for the screen vs. the page and how to adapt stories across formats
Crafting compelling plots, building rich worlds, and creating characters that stick
Why D.J. recently chose the self-publishing route — and what it means for today's storytellers

Yazmin Monet Watkins: Poetry, Roller Skates & Speaking Truth Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

Yazmin Monet Watkins is a poet, comedian, screenwriter, actress, organizer, avid roller skater and adventurer. She can be seen on season two of Grand Crew on NBC, Comedy Central and has co-developed and written pilots for Netflix & Comedy Central.

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