Make My Damn Movie
216 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 10 ratingsMark Reynolds and Tom Swain talk about the movie, media and entertainment industries, focusing on several original screenplays and the challenges of getting a film produced in Hollywood with a few fart jokes peppered in... Okay, fine... It's pretty much all fart jokes.
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Episodes
Fade Out | Ep. 125
April 27, 2022 06:00 - 7 minutes - 4.95 MBIt’s time to bid a fond farewell to all the listeners and reflect a bit on this, the final episode of the Make Damn Movie podcast. After almost two and a half years, it’s time to say “goodbye”. It’s been a long ride, but a fun one (for the most part). Thanks so much for your support and all the texts we’ve received over the past 124 episodes. Your listenership put the Make My Damn Movie podcast in the top 10 percent of all podcasts globally, and we greatly appreciate you. Please join us on o...
Why Was This Movie Made? | Ep. 124
April 20, 2022 06:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBMark and Tom try to figure out why a particular movie was actually produced and distributed. Mark feels as though people he comes in contact with pity him. Mark and Tom also invite everyone to checkout their other podcast, Radioactive Rant. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Classic TV Trivia, Staff Picks and more pity...
Clear Goals | Ep. 123
April 13, 2022 06:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBMark brings up a seventies movie called "Macon County Line", a dark drama set in 1950s Texas and surprises Tom on who one of the stars that also produced the film is. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Classic TV Trivia, Staff Picks and more darkness...
Screenwriting Ageism | Ep. 122
April 06, 2022 06:00 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MBMark and Tom get into ageism in Hollywood and wonder if it's mostly younger writers who get a nod. Maybe, maybe not, but they discuss it. Mark watches a documentary called "Dark Side of the 90s". Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Classic TV Trivia, Staff Picks and possibly more. Can't tell. We're really old...
Writing A Buddy Screenplay | Ep. 121
March 30, 2022 06:00 - 24 minutes - 17.2 MBMark and Tom wonder where all the great buddy movies are. Mark mentions the new project called "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story" from Roku. Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Classic TV Trivia, Staff Picks and some other things and stuff...
Choosing The Perfect Genre | Ep. 120
March 23, 2022 06:00 - 18 minutes - 13.1 MBMark and Tom talk about picking the genre that best suits a writer's style. Mark brings up the Netflix show called "Swap Shop" and wonders why people buy other people's crap. Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Classic TV Trivia, Staff Picks and possibly other stuff...
Clint Eastwood The Director | Ep. 119
March 16, 2022 06:00 - 25 minutes - 17.3 MBMark and Tom discuss the Director-side of Clint Eastwood. Mark brings up how quite a few listeners weighed-in on his wondering of where the actors of not so long ago went from the last podcast. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Classic TV Trivia, Staff Picks and more...
Add Personality To Your Screenplay | Ep. 118
March 09, 2022 07:00 - 25 minutes - 17.3 MBMark and Tom discuss why peppering in actual things that have happened to you in years past could be a great way to strengthen a script. Mark pines for the actors of not all that long ago and wonders where are those types of actors today. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Classic TV Trivia, Staff Picks and much more pining...
Why Less Is More | Ep. 117
March 02, 2022 07:00 - 20 minutes - 14 MBMark and Tom go over the "less is more" theory when it comes to crafting a screenplay. Mark rails on "celebrity" chef Guy Fieri again and shares the love/HATE relationship that the Make My Damn Movie listeners revealed through their text messages. Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Classic TV Trivia, Staff Picks and more railing...
Using Italics In A Script | Ep. 116
February 23, 2022 07:00 - 26 minutes - 18.5 MBMark and Tom bring up whether or not to use italics when writing a spec script. Mark reads a text message from a listener regarding his comments on 1974 Playboy Playmate Carol Vitale. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Classic TV Trivial Pursuit Questions, Staff Picks and plenty more...
Correct Script Formatting | Ep. 115
February 16, 2022 19:00 - 24 minutes - 16.7 MBMark and Tom talk about the importance of proper formatting when crafting a screenplay. Mark reveals why his wife called him a "jackass" and also discusses the A&E series, "Secrets of Playboy". Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, classic TV trivia, Staff Picks and plenty more 'jackass-ish' things and stuff... Plenty more...
Creating A Connection With Characters | Ep. 114
February 09, 2022 19:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBMark and Tom explain the importance of an audience being able to connect with characters in a film. Mark dives into the HBO/Max documentary called "Class Action Park" about a now defunct New Jersey amusement park . Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and more action...
Character Demeanor | Ep. 113
February 02, 2022 19:00 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MBMark and Tom go over why making sure a character's demeanor fits in easily in a screenplay is a no-brainer. Mark reveals he's watched the Showtime series "Yellowjackets" and wonders where those types of girls were when he was a kid. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, The List and more, more or less...
Using Flashbacks | Ep. 112
January 26, 2022 19:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MBMark and Tom discuss unorthodox structural devices. Mark and Tom comment on the passing of Rock God Meatloaf and comedian Louie Anderson. Mark shares his updated character description of the High School Principal in his screenplay "The Flip Side". Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game. Staff Picks and other sundry items that may or may not be of note...
Nailing Character Descriptions | Ep. 111
January 19, 2022 19:00 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBMark and Tom talk about the importance of a visual character descriptions. Mark suggests watching "The Eyes of Tammy Faye", the film about evangelist Tammy Faye Baker. Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and more evangelic items...
Authentic Period Pieces | Ep. 110
January 12, 2022 19:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MBMark and Tom discuss a recent film set in the eighties called "Summer Days, Summer Nights". Mark gets slapped by Make My Damn Movie listeners about a misstatement regarding the movie "Porky's". Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and some other stuff thrown in...
Writing Memorable Characters | Ep. 109
January 05, 2022 19:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBMark and Tom discuss the importance of making characters unforgettable and how important it is to stay on top of that. Mark shares an embarrassing story over the holidays. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and... well... that's enough...
Writing A Christmas Screenplay | Ep. 108
December 22, 2021 19:00 - 23 minutes - 15.9 MBMark and Tom talk about what it would take to write a hit Christmas feature. Many Make My Damn Movie listeners chimed-in on what their favorite Christmas movie is. Also, messages from listeners, The Christmas edition of The Movie Quotes Game, round two of Christmas movie Staff Picks and more merriment.
Consistent Script Tone | Ep. 107
December 15, 2021 19:00 - 27 minutes - 19.2 MBMark and Tom lay-out why a screenplay needs to stick to it's genre from beginning to end. The talking toys are back in business. Mark has another incident in public where he's ONCE AGAIN asked if he's in need of assistance. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and most likely additional stuff...
Admitting Failure | Ep. 106
December 08, 2021 19:00 - 24 minutes - 17.2 MBMark and Tom talk about when to face that you've written a dud script. Mark shares how surprised he was that Many Make My Damn Movie listeners actually know who actress Glynnis O'Connor is. Listeners correct Tom on a movie title he got wrong. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and more...
The Waiting Game Sucks | Ep. 105
December 01, 2021 19:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MBMark and Tom discuss wondering if a screenplay will ever be made into a movie. Tom shares his New England Thanksgiving trip. Mark reminisces about a young actress he had a crush on back when he was a kid. Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and lots more...
Handling Criticism | Ep. 104
November 17, 2021 19:00 - 25 minutes - 17.6 MBMark and Tom discuss the best routes for facing disapproval from reader's feedback. Next week is Thanksgiving, so the MMDM podcast will skip an episode as Tom heads to Maine for the holiday and Mark dreads hosting Thanksgiving. Mark suggests checking-out a Netflix show called "Swap Shop". Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and so much more to be thankful about?
Scene Length | Ep. 103
November 10, 2021 19:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBMark and Tom lay-out why the time-span of scenes in a screenplay are critical to any story. Mark wonders why various young women seem to constantly stop and ask him if he needs assistance whenever he's out and about. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and more?
Making A Script Original | Ep. 102
October 27, 2021 18:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBMark and Tom talk about the necessity of making a screenplay stand-out from the rest and Mark workshops his logline for his screenplay "Hit Escape". Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and probably more...
Script Shelf Life | Ep. 101
October 20, 2021 18:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MBMark & Tom wonder if certain screenplays have an expiration date, possibly due to a specific time period. Mark has a different twist on a "Gilligan's Island" movie project he'd like to get greenlit (sure). Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and a couple "questionable" comments (yikes!)...
Script Shelf Life | Ep.101
October 20, 2021 18:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MBMark & Tom wonder if certain screenplays have an expiration date, possibly due to a specific time period. Mark has a different twist on a "Gilligan's Island" movie project he'd like to get greenlit (sure). Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and a couple "questionable" comments (yikes!)...
Making A Short | Ep. 100
October 13, 2021 16:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBOn the 100th Make My Damn Movie episode, Mark & Tom contemplate actually filming a short and weigh the pluses and minuses. Mark shares thoughts on the Netflix short series "Jailbirds". Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and... well, just and...
Conversation With John Lehr | Ep. 99
October 06, 2021 17:00 - 39 minutes - 26.9 MBMark & Tom welcome television & film star John Lehr, also a talented comedian, producer, writer and pitch guru. Mark tells on his parents and explains one of his horrific Halloween events when he was a young boy. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks Halloween edition and many more ghoulish shits and gigs...
Writing Stellar Loglines | Ep. 98
September 29, 2021 06:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MBA logline is a foot in the door, but many writers ignore them. Mark & Tom lay-out why a logline should be a top priority. Mark & Tom look forward to having John Lehr as a guest again on the next podcast. Mark shares a "Blair Witch" scenario he and his wife encountered when recently visiting a park where they used to go on dates together when they were kids. It did not go swimmingly. Also, listener messages from the Make My Damn Movie website, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and other stuf...
Mumblecore Films | Ep. 97
September 22, 2021 06:00 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MBMark & Tom discuss the mumblecore genre. Mark begrudgingly doles out yet another screenwriting tip. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and more surprises... or whatever...
Screenplay Contest Feedback | Ep. 96
September 15, 2021 17:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MBMark & Tom slam screenplay contest feedback. Mark shares a few unflattering script notes he received from a screenplay contest long ago. The "talking toys" make an appearance after the guys read some listener texts requesting they do so. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and more...
Deleting Characters | Ep. 95
September 08, 2021 18:00 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MBDumping characters from a screenplay is a daunting task, but has to be done on occasion. Mark & Tom talk about it. Mark brings up the Aussie cooking show (he claims to despise) "My Kitchen Rules". Tom finally watches "Cooley High". Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and plenty more...
Making Characters Sound Authentic | Ep. 94
September 01, 2021 18:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MBMark & Tom lay out why characters need to come off as appropriate for their location, time period and background. Mark apologizes (sort of) for mispronouncing actor Ian Ziering's first name. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and lots more stuff, as well as things...
Appropriate Scene Lengths | Ep. 93
August 25, 2021 18:00 - 32 minutes - 22.4 MBToo many screenplays contain scenes that simply won't end. Not good. Mark & Tom lay it out. Mark gets inspired by... wait for it... "Sharknado". Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and a funnel cloud chocked full of more material...
Re-visiting "Cooley High" | Ep. 92
August 18, 2021 18:00 - 27 minutes - 19.2 MBMark & Tom talk about the 70s coming-of-age classic, "Cooley High". Mark gets huge response from Make My Damn Movie listeners regarding his 70s style teen comedy, "The Quarterback's Sack" and hard to believe, some of it's not favorable. Shocker. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and a "sack" full of more stuff...
Don't Let Your Script Drag | Ep. 91
August 11, 2021 18:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MBSome screenplays read like a detailed novel, which is completely wrong. Mark & Tom shine a light on that. Mark gets blasted for blasting GROWN MEN for calling their Fathers "daddy". Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and etcetera (bet you don't see that spelled-out that often).
Finding The Perfect Words | Ep. 90
August 04, 2021 18:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBMark & Tom hone-in on words & phrases that paint a picture and make a screenplay "pop" and Mark admits watching an Australian cooking show (what?!). Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and other things and stuff...
Screenplay Continuity
July 28, 2021 18:00 - 23 minutes - 16.2 MBScript continuity is obviously imperative, especially when it comes to passage of time. At least that's what Mark & Tom think. Mark gripes about people who complain about him ripping on the movie "Ping Pong Summer". Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and probably some other stuff...
Screenplay Continuity | Ep. 89
July 28, 2021 18:00 - 23 minutes - 16.2 MBScript continuity is obviously imperative, especially when it comes to passage of time. At least that's what Mark & Tom think. Mark gripes about people who complain about him ripping on the movie "Ping Pong Summer". Also, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and probably some other stuff...
Don't Save The Best For Last | Ep. 88
July 21, 2021 18:00 - 32 minutes - 22.1 MBMark & Tom discuss how so many writers let their first act slide without getting to the meat ASAP. Mark & Tom debate on keeping their other podcast, "Radioactive Rant" afloat and Mark complains about pedestrians. Also, listener messages from the "Make My Damn Movie" website, the Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and gobs more...
Dealing With Doubters | Ep. 87
July 14, 2021 18:00 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MBWriting is a lonely existence, especially when you have people mocking your every move. Mark & Tom talk about those idiots as well as the actual people that are truly in your corner. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks with summer favs and more things and stuff...
How I View Movies Now That I Write Them | Ep. 86
July 07, 2021 18:00 - 35 minutes - 24.3 MBMark & Tom talk about how differently they watch movies now that they know what goes into writing one. Also, Mark doesn't apologize to a kid, Mark & Tom put to rest the pronunciation of Steve Buscemi's name once and for all, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and other sundry items...
Keeping A New Story Idea Alive | Ep. 85
June 30, 2021 18:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MBKeeping the fire burning for a fresh new screenplay idea is a difficult task. Mark & Tom lay it out. Mark gets slapped by listeners for mispronouncing Steve Buscemi's name. Also, toilet paper talk, Mark fusses at a young woman who opened the door for him at a restaurant, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and more jam-packed stuff...
When Your Screenplay's Done | Ep. 84
June 23, 2021 18:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBWhat do you do when your script is finished? Mark & Tom discuss. Mark thanks the MMDM listeners for their kind messages about the passing of his dog, KC. Also, Mark & Tom list five actors they believe are genuinely nice folks in the real world, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks (now available on the MMDM website) and plenty more...
Overcoming Questionable Critiques | Ep. 83
June 16, 2021 19:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBRising above people's opinions about your scripts is a difficult task when sending out your "babies". Mark & Tom chat about just that. Also, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and other sundry items of not (or maybe not of note)...
Writing Vivid Descriptions | Ep. 82
June 09, 2021 19:00 - 29 minutes - 20 MBGraphic, true to life explanations are a key element to making a script work. Mark & Tom dive into this debatable issue. Also, Mark reveals various options for the name of his new and controversial podcast, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and "loads" more...
Is It Time To Pull The Plug? | Ep. 81
June 02, 2021 19:00 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MBThe frustration level is high when it comes to writing screenplays. When (if ever) do you finally throw in the towel? Mark & Tom discuss. Also, the guys share listener concerns about the MMDM podcast ending, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and lots more stuff and various things...
Comfort Writing | Ep. 80
May 26, 2021 18:00 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MBMark has coined a new writing style called "comfort writing". He lays it out with Tom. Also, Diana Martwick is on The Writer's Roundup, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and loads more...
Mixing Comedy & Drama | Ep. 79
May 19, 2021 19:00 - 32 minutes - 22.6 MBIt's a must to have strategically placed drama in a comedy screenplay and Mark has done a fantastic job of doing just that in all of his scripts (at least that what he thinks). Mark & Tom will elaborate. Also, The Writer's Roundup welcomes filmmaker Lance Lucero in for a chat, messages from listeners, The Movie Quotes Game, Staff Picks and gobs more...
Killer Loglines | Ep. 78
May 12, 2021 17:00 - 33 minutes - 22.7 MBLoglines are the proverbial knock at the front door, so they must be spot on. Mark & Tom pontificate on the subject. Also, Camie Mosley drops by on The Writer's Roundup, listener messages, The Movie Quotes Game , Staff Picks and other things...