Holiday scripts with heart holds more power than one with an original plot in creating memorable Christmas movies.
In this episode, we explore the magic in holiday scripts and why emotion takes precedence over originality. Join us as we dive into the secrets of successful holiday movies, discussing how strong emotional connections and heartfelt stories resonate more deeply with audiences than unique plots. Whether you’re a seasoned screenwriter or just starting, understanding the importance of emotional storytelling is key to creating a timeless holiday classic.
Chapters
0:00 Introduction to the Christmas Movie Screenwriter Podcast
1:00 Isabel Dréan’s Journey to Christmas Movie Success
16:15 Building Valuable Relationships in the Industry
22:31 Balancing Work and Life as a Christmas Screenwriter
TRANSCRIPT
[0:00] This is the Christmas Movie Screenwriter Podcast, episode number 18.
Introduction:
[0:11] Hello and welcome to the Christmas Movie Screenwriter Podcast. I’m your host, Caryn McCann. The Christmas Movie Screenwriter is a podcast about writing, producing, and selling Christmas movies. You can check out this episode’s transcript on the website. Just go to www.christmasmoviescreenwriter.com and look for this episode, which is 18.
My Progress
A quick few words about what I’m working on. I’m getting feedback from a few readers on my faith-based script, and the notes are really helpful. My original idea was to send it out to production companies next week, but I’ve changed that idea, and I will now attach an actor first. So I’m working on the pitch book and I’ll start contacting the managers of the talent next week. And now here is the main segment.
Today’s Guest
[1:00] Isabel Dréan is a screenwriter, director and producer based in Los Angeles. She started her career in horror and psychological thrillers before pivoting to Christmas movies. The shift to writing holiday movies changed everything, leading to five of her scripts being produced over an 18 month period. Her produced credits include Secret Santa, Christmas Beneath the Stars, Christmas on the Rocks, The Holiday Swap, and An Eclectic Christmas.
Christmas Screenwriting Class
She currently teaches a masterclass titled How to Write a Christmas Movie in 21 Days, sharing her process for quickly writing holiday films. Isabelle’s passion project, Love Letters to Laos, tells the story of how she ended up opening the first bookstore in Laos after the communist era. She is set to direct the biopic based on her life.
She continues to develop features and TV projects across genres, from rom-coms to psychological thrillers, showcasing her diverse talents and dedication to compelling storytelling. Well, Isabel, welcome to the show.
[2:03] Thank you for having me.
[2:05] Now, I’ve told the audience a little bit about you, but why don’t you take a minute and tell us about yourself and your work?
Discovering a Passion for Holiday Scripts
[2:53] And then after 10 years, the bug of cinema, the hit itch came back. And I was like, okay, if I ever have a regret, you have those big birthdays that make you think, okay, what would I regret if I don’t do? And I decided I have to make movies. So I left Laos for business and 50 employees with two kids in stow and came back to the West. I went first to Montreal for three years.
Early Success with Agatha Christie-Style Mystery Script
I launched a streaming platform specializing in web series, developed over 30 series with very talented upcoming filmmakers, and got to produce and direct my own series called, at the time, Manigance, which was a murder mystery at the Agatha Christie style. But in 2011, 2012, they weren’t quite popular yet. I think we were just before the wave now. A premise that sounds very similar to Glass Onion, actually. Ten years earlier, you know, it was a famous horror novelist who invites five of his friends.
Web Series Success Leading to Hollywood Pitch
[4:10] And, you know, he staged his own murder. So very similar to Glass Onion. And then we did quite well, went all around the world. It was one of the most popular web series at the time. We ended up optioning the show to Warner Brothers. It didn’t end up being made, but my first pitch in Hollywood, I sold in the room.
[4:38] And then decided to move back to LA with my two kids as a single mom this time. And directing ended up being a little bit more difficult than I had planned with two to young kids and pivoted to writing.
[4:55] Okay.
[4:55] And made the Nickel Fellowship quarterfinals within three months with my first screenplay.
[5:02] Wow.
Realizing Potential and Holiday Scripts
[5:23] As we say. You sort of answered my first question about your journey of breaking into the industry. But let me just expand on that. Breaking in as a Christmas screenwriter, I should say. How did that producer know you as a Christmas writer? Or was that just he thought you could write, you could write anything?
Learning to Write Holiday Scripts
[5:41] She, well, you know, I’m a good collaborator. And we had worked on a pilot for like a year. And um you know she liked working with me and she said oh this thing is coming up she develops multiple projects said do you want to try so it was really uh try you know I wasn’t getting paid I was you know pitching stories and see if I you know if I had an affinity to this and so I had to learn because it’s very different uh very formulaic and you have to and I’m not someone one that used to watch those. So I really had to study and figure it out. And then in the process, I developed a new system for me to write.
Rapidly Delivering Holiday Scripts and Gaining Momentum
And instead of taking me a year, it took me two and a half weeks. And I basically delivered the script and they loved it and asked me to write another. Other and then so and then we got stopped by the pandemic right there was a little delay by a year and then in 2021 they greenlit two and then in 2022 they re-greenlit three and they’re producing the two producing partners basically asked me to write all three and wow that’s uh that’s an accomplishment.
[7:07] Now how do you balance uh meeting audience expectations while staying fresh and not predictable or cliché.
[7:14] Well, I always say, actually, for me, I think the importance in those movies is not to be original. I mean, you can be original if you can be original, but the most important thing is to have heart.
If when you write, people can feel those moments and they feel, you know, laughing, laughter and crying. Your heart gets squeezed a little bit. I think that is more important than to be original. And that is a talent in itself, you know, like to be able to lean in those moments where the heart is.
[7:52] That’s interesting. I’m glad you said that. Now, after you finish the script and it’s ready to go out, what’s the next step? How do you move it towards getting into production?
Producer Collaboration on Holiday Scripts
[8:04] Well, I mean, if you have, if you’re doing them with the producer, then the next step is the producer reads it, sends you note. And if you do like me, usually the notes are quite light. So maybe an afternoon or, you know, a couple hours, you do another polish, you send it back. Then you have to know as a screenwriter that then the director takes over and it’s possible that things will change and they will rewrite you uh I’ve been lucky my you know I haven’t been rewritten.
Elevating Novellas into Your Holiday Scripts
Adding Heart and Romance to Scripts
[9:11] Novellas don’t you know it’s a very different medium you tell a lot and not show so you have to and there’s you know because I lean in the heart and the romance sometimes I heighten those so I change things in the story to bring those for you know to the front.
Fast Writing Process for Holiday Scripts
To have I really like a lot of romance and a lot of heart in my films. Then I pitch the story and we go from there. Usually she likes what I pitch. Then I write it so the first one I wrote in two and a half weeks. Most of them were written within six, seven days. The last one four two and a half days plus notes. About four days but yes I write them very fast that.
[10:01] That is fast. Are they giving you the ideas or are you coming up with your own ideas?
Original Christmas Script and Novella Adaptations
[10:07] So the first one was original and the four of them were based on novellas by a woman called Melissa Hill. She’s got a really strong following in the Christmas genre novella. And so I guess the producers had optioned her novellas because she’s got a massive, following of readers, which is always good when you make a movie to have a big following. And so, but I actually prefer that they bring the story.
[10:43] Yes. That’s the key is coming up with an original, well, something we haven’t seen before, which leads me to say, how do you balance the heartwarming Christmas elements with other genres like a heist? Or I think on one of your Christmas movies, it’s sort of like a horror movie.
[11:04] No, I don’t mix horror. I do not mix.
[11:07] Oh, you don’t?
Writing New Holiday Scripts
[11:08] No, and I will tell you, I will never. I will never. But I’m actually writing one right now. I’m writing a spec right now. I mean, I just needed a change of pace, and I had an idea for a new Christmas movie. And it’s funny you say heist because it’s called Jingle Bell Heist.
Combining Mystery and Christmas Script
And it’s not a murder mystery. It’s a mystery. It’s not a murder mystery. It’s a mystery with a Christmas and romance. So I wanted to mix two genres that I love, the mysteries, because it’s really usually like a puzzle, which I love puzzle movies, and incorporate that into a Christmas romance. So that’s what I’m writing right at the moment. I should be done by the end of the month, but yeah.
[11:59] Like a Agatha Christie kind of mystery?
[12:02] Well, but with the romance, you know, it’s funny. The woman is a mystery writer about this cat detective, and she ends up in this village, and the Christmas bell is missing.
[12:17] Oh, perfect.
[12:18] So she has to help find the, and falls in love with the mayor.
[12:22] Oh, that sounds lovely. That sounds great. Now, how would you suggest screenwriters expand their network of producers? And this could include networking or film markets, if so, which ones? Competitions or utilizing online platforms?
Holiday Scripts and Early Success
Beyond Competitions for Holiday Scripts
And they don’t do much. I mean, that’s the thing. Only a very few are getting results from even winning, which is, you know, kind of, it’s like buying a ticket of the lottery. I don’t believe in that. So, yes, film markets, of course, AFM is a big into these movies. But also, building your brand, getting general meetings, going to networking events, building relationships.
Networking Strategies for Writers of Holiday Scripts
[13:40] Social media is a goldmine to be seen, to build your network, getting familiar with who’s making what, have a list, maintain your contacts, keep up with the people that you’re, you know, keep growing your network. Network, use live events to keep in touch.
Building Long-Term Relationships
How like, so it’s a good way to open conversations. And then people suddenly feel like they know you. I mean, we are in an era where you feel like you know people even when you’ve never met. So it’s a long game. It’s a long game.
[14:40] Right.
[14:41] You know, eventually people do feel like they know you. So when you meet them in person, you know, you can sit and have a conversation. And I always say, if your goal is to sell a screenplay, then you’ve got the wrong goal.
[14:55] What should be the goal?
[14:58] Yeah, the goal is to build long life relationships with collaborators.
[15:03] Right. Now, you mentioned that you have this collaboration with these producers, and you did mention the AFM. Do you attend film markets to pitch your projects, or do you have a representative or a combination of both, or do you just have that solid relationship with the producer that you normally work with?
Building Relations And Holiday Scripts
[15:25] Well, I know a lot of producers, not just one, but yeah, I, so I’m not rapped, not at the moment. And all of these films I got, I wasn’t repped. All the operatives, and I, you know, and I am a working screenwriter. I’m a professional screenwriter. I make a living writing. Not everything that I write on is produced.
Versatility Beyond Holiday Scripts
And I don’t write only into the Christmas genre. I write multiple things, but I know many, many producers that I’m friends with. And so when people have assignments, they know I can deliver. They know I’m a professional. Take notes. Don’t take things personal. Deliver in time. Quick turnaround notes.
Being an Asset for Holiday Scripts
You know, it’s not like that. You know, for me, it’s really when I talk to someone, if I am talking to executives, it’s always like, I’m telling you, I know that your desk is like this, you know, like a mountain. I know that you’ve got all of this. But I can be an asset for you. Plus, I will make your life easy.
Producer-Centric Approach for Holiday Scripts
I’m going to deliver. Understand what you want. Think like a producer. Know the cost of movies. Additionally, I’m not going to write 50 scenes with 100 people. Thus, I understand that I need to do six main characters, maybe one or two big scenes. And a few locations and that I will get into your budget.
Delivering Valuable Holiday Scripts
You tell me to write a million dollar movie, I’m writing a million dollar movie. And so it’s all about what you can do for them because the more valuable you are to them, they will always come back. That’s how I turned one screenplay into five movies made because I made the life of these producers so easy.
[17:39] Exactly. Now, it sounds like that is a great formula for writing assignments. But what about, let’s say, you want to pitch various ideas or are you more interested in assignments?
[17:58] No, but I mean, the reality is today, if you don’t take assignments, you cannot be a working screenwriter. Right, right, right. You can’t live on specs. Specs is a way to get in. Once you’re in, then you work.
Balancing Holiday Scripts and Filmmaking
[18:13] And I have things that I’m doing as a filmmaker, director, writer, director, and that is a whole different story. But if you’re only a screenwriter, just you have to know that your life is going to be writing on assignments. That’s how you’re going to make a living. Right. Most, you know, you take Eric Roth is like one of the biggest studio writers in Hollywood. Do you think he writes specs? No, they hire him.
Writing Assignments for Holiday Scripts
Meeting Studio Needs with Holiday Scripts
But the reality is, when you’re a writer, you write what the studio wants, what you’re producing. I mean, if you get to that level, but you get, you write what the producers want and that’s how you go from one check to the next check or one success to the next success, you know?
Focusing on Assignments for Holiday Scripts
I talked to screenwriters, they’re like, no, I just want to write my own stuff. And, oh, I’m looking for a rep. I’m like, you’re never going to get a rep if you’re not writing assignments because that’s where the money is.
[19:34] And that’s a good point because it’s, as on spec, you don’t know what the market wants. You can guess, but there is, it’s, and it changes every, every month, you know, what the producers want. So if you can be in the position where the producer tells you, we want, you know, a story by the lake. Well, they will hire you.
Using Holiday Scripts To Open The Door
[19:58] They will hire you. The thing is the specs is to show, specs are to enter into the business. The specs are to tell the stories you want. It’s like a personal project and to show your skills. This is what I want to do. Its is my brand. I’m good at dialogue. Good at comedy. Can make you laugh. I can put a lot of heart.
Specs Showcase Skills in Holiday Scripts
Your specs are to show your skills. Once you get into the real world, people will hire you. And then if you’re lucky enough, you can sell your specs. If you build those relationships, maybe somebody is going to go, hey, I want to make your movie. But those are like the lottery tickets.
Holiday Scripts Success
Every script is like a lottery ticket that you’re putting. It’s like a bet on the table. But the reality for screenwriters today, if you look at the numbers of specs that are sold every year, it’s not crazy. It’s the jobs that pay.
[20:55] Exactly.
[20:55] So you have to be able to write things that are not yours, that you don’t care as much about, the same way that you would write your passion project.
[21:07] Exactly. So what is your favorite script you’ve written and why?
Passion Project vs. Holiday Scripts
[21:12] Well, my passion project is Love Letter to Laos. It’s about my life in Laos. I befriended this young boy who loved books, this Laotian teenager. Teenager and I became his mentor and through the love of books we discovered each other’s culture and I became his guardian we became a family and discovered that home is. It sounds cliché but it home is where the heart is.
It transcends race and background and sometimes you have more in common with the you know with the young Laotian than you can have with people, you know, in the country you were born in.
[21:56] Exactly. Well, that’s great. And I look forward to seeing that movie someday.
Market Presence for Holiday Scripts
[22:19] Right, right.
[22:20] You know, and try to be everywhere, to meet a lot of people a year.
[22:24] Now, getting a movie made can be stressful. How do you maintain a work-life balance? And do you have any hobbies?
Reading and Movies Inform Holiday Scripts
[22:31] I do not have hobbies. I do not. I’ve never been somebody who, I mean, you know, my hobbies is, is, uh, reading books, uh, watching movies, watching series, you know, they’re connected. It’s like, but, and then I don’t have to feel guilty because they’re connected to my work.
Travel and Work for Holiday Scripts
I love traveling and, but now usually travel is also connected to work. Because I go to Cannes. I also mentor at the Good Word Writers Retreat in Greece in May, June. So I’m going to Greece to teach and to mentor writers, you know, emerging writers. And so I usually try to combine work and travel as well.
Balancing Life and Holiday Scripts
But yeah, maintaining life balance, I don’t know if I maintain it, I’m a single mom, I’ve got two teenagers. So it’s a challenge. And trying to make a movie and maintaining the screenwriter for hire or, you know, writing the Christmas to me is almost like two different jobs.
[23:40] Right.
[23:41] Two different brands, two different ways of approach is very different. But, you know, it’s you do what you do, you work, you know, it’s now I’m trying. To take one day off a week when I can but it’s not so easy only.
[23:56] One day if.
Teaching Boot Camps for Holiday Scripts
[23:58] I get one day because I’m also teaching I teach how to write Christmas movies and I do boot camps so some when I do a boot camp like right now I’m doing a boot camp so there’s no day off. Because I need to be there if my writers get stuck. I need to be there to help them get unstuck.
Writing and Teaching Christmas Scripts
[24:42] That’s true. You know, sometimes your work is played. As long as you do have a little bit of recharge time.
Teaching Recharges for Holiday Scripts
[24:50] Yes, but writing to me is the recharge and also teaching. You know, if I start a session of teaching, usually like because I usually do it at 7 a.m. I, you know, I’m half awake. I’m not a morning person. And by the end of the two hours, I’m like pumped up, you know, like I get the adrenaline so high because, you know, like it’s so like it energizes me. So that’s great.
[25:14] That’s good to hear. So what advice would you give to your younger self?
Reflecting on Christmas Script Journey
[25:20] My younger self. Wow. I don’t know, actually. I mean, you know, you know, you always think, oh, I would have done this differently. And so funny story. In 99, my first screenplay I wrote in 99, I was trying to write a part for, for me as an actress. I had interest by Miramax. The main character we wanted to play was Kevin Spacey. And then things happened in my life and I just dropped and left everything and I didn’t pursue it.
Lessons from Early Christmas Script Efforts
And I always wondered for many years, like, I’m so stupid. Like, why did I do that? Why did I left this opportunity behind? And then 15 years later, you know, you realize, you know, with Harvey and Kevin Spacey, I think I dodged a bullet. So maybe that the advice would be you sometimes when you feel that you’ve made a mistake or, you know, or that a loss or, you know, a failure might have been a favor that the life was giving you. Right. Everything is the way it should be, you know.
[26:37] That’s a good attitude. Good. Now to wrap up, would you like to share any social media details or website links so our audience can keep track of your work and know when your book is coming out?
Connect on Social Media for Holiday Scripts
[26:48] Yes, very soon, actually. So it’s Isabelle Dréan, I-S-A-B-E-L-D-R-E-A-N on all socials. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Blue Sky. Not Twitter. Uh, yeah. Hustle up. I’m an ambassador for the app hustle up who’s going public now.
Networking for Writers of Holiday Scripts
So it’s a great app for connecting to really good people. They do good mixers and stuff. So I’m a, I’m an, one of their eight ambassadors. You can find me there. And if you also want to join and you need a code, you can hit me up on Facebook on one of those. But yeah, on all social media at Isabel Dréan.
[27:33] Great.
[27:36] Oh, and my website. I forgot my website.
[27:37] Oh, we need to know. And we need your website.
[27:38] My website, isabelDrean.com. And for the Christmas masterclass and everything, it’s the 21dayscreenplay.com.
[27:48] Wow. That is cool. Yes. I will definitely check that out. And I’m so much looking forward to when your book comes out, that would be really cool, the Christmas book. So make sure you put that on all the socials and I’ll add that to the show notes when it comes out.
[28:06] Yeah, absolutely. I’m so excited. I wrote the, I mean, I’m writing the book. It’s based on 120 sessions. Wow. So it’s packed. It’s going to be good. I’m very excited.
[28:20] Well, I’m looking forward to that. Well, Isabel, thank you for sharing your knowledge and your experience. Thank you for coming on the podcast today.
[28:27] Thank you so much.
[28:28] And now here is your checklist of actions to take. Today I have three.
Emphasize Emotion in Holiday Scripts
Focus on evoking strong emotions in your scripts. Whether adapting novels or crafting original stories. According to Isabel, your story doesn’t have to be original. And some would argue Christmas movies are formulaic. What’s important isn’t the originality of the plot but that the story has heart and you move your audience.
Build and Maintain Industry Relationships
[29:01] Prioritize long-term relationships over immediate sales. Use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter or TikTok to connect with potential collaborators. And attend industry events like film markets to engage with and expand your network of producers.
Utilize Competitions For Holiday Scripts Strategically
While competitions can be a good starting point for gaining recognition, focus on building direct relationships with industry players as your career progresses to achieve more substantial outcomes. So if you don’t have a big track record – competitions could be one way to get your script out there.
Holiday Scripts Category in Competitions
[29:40] Now, the Christmas genre isn’t really a separate category for most screenplay competitions. However, the Page Awards contest has a family film category that includes heartwarming, quote, feel-good stories for all ages.
Other contests that have specific holiday categories include Emerging Screenwriters and Stage 32. Check out the show notes for those website addresses.
Support and Rate Our Podcast
Well, that’s the show. Thank you for listening. To show your support, please give us a five-star rating on Apple or wherever you get your podcasts. You can check out other great podcasts and blogs on our website at christmasmoviescreenwriter.com. I’m your host, Caryn McCann. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you on the next Christmas Movie Screenwriter Podcast. Bye!
The Christmas Movie Screenwriter Podcast – Episode 18
Isabel Dréan, Writer, Producer, Director, Author, Mentor and Coach
Show Notes
HOST: Caryn McCann
Website: https://christmasmoviescreenwriter.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristmasMovieScreenwriter
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MerryScriptmas
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryn-mccann-5718058/
GUEST: Isabel Dréan
Website: https://isabeldrean.com
Website: https://21dayscreenplay.com/free-guide
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2605838/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Facebook: http://Facebook.com/idrean
Instagram: @isabeldrean
TikTok: @isabeldrean
Husslup: @isabeldrean
Contests mentioned:
Page Awards
https://pageawards.com/the-contest/the-categories/
Emerging Screenwriters: Family and Holiday script competition
https://www.emergingscreenwriters.com/emerging-screenwriters-family-holiday/
Stage 32
https://www.stage32.com/happy-writers/contests/1st-Annual-Holiday-Screenwriting-Contest
Other podcasts and blogs on Screenwriting
10: Success Tactics – Christmas Screenwriters’ Essential Guide
14: Lifetime’s Christmas Movie Success Formula
16: The Secret to Christmas Movie Magic Is Hiding in Plain Sight