Colin They photo - Christmas Tropes

Holiday movies thrive on tradition, but relying too much on Christmas tropes can make your script feel stale. Learn how to balance festive charm with strong characters and fresh storytelling.

Chapters
0:09     Introduction to the Podcast
1:07      Meet Colin Theys
3:16      Key Elements in Christmas Screenplays
6:38     Avoiding Formulaic Scripts
10:39   Hiring Writers: WGA or Non-Union?
12:25   Targeting Unique Christmas Scripts
15:12    The Challenge of Spec Scripts
19:08   Advice to Younger Self
22:46   Connecting with Screenwriters
24:11    Social Media and Wrap-Up

Here is your action checklist:

A Biltmore Christmas poster - Christmas tropes✅ 1. Avoid Christmas Tropes: Focus on Strong Characters & Romance
  • A Christmas movie lives or dies by its characters and romantic core—make them memorable, relatable, and engaging.
  • Instead of forcing holiday tropes, build a story that feels authentic and heartfelt.
✅ 2. Christmas Tropes: Use the Formula—But Add Something New
  • Christmas movie formulas exist for a reason, but don’t let them make your script feel stale.
  • Find ways to surprise the audience while keeping the comfort of familiarity.
The Holiday Fix Up poster✅ 3. Beyond Christmas Tropes: Think About Market & Distribution
  • Networks develop most projects in-house—so know what they buy before you pitch.
  • Your script must fit the brand of the network or streamer you’re targeting.
Trivia at St. Nicks poster - Christmas Tropes✅ 4. Character Development Over Christmas Tropes
  • A strong setup and character arcs are more important than stuffing your script with Christmas activities.
  • Build emotional stakes and relationships that resonate beyond the holiday backdrop.
✅ 5 Study the Market Like a Pro
  • Colin watched 65 recent ROM-coms to analyze trends—are you studying the competition?
  • Watch what’s selling, learn what works, and find your unique angle to stand out.

For the transcript – go here.

For the YouTube interview – go here.

The Christmas Movie Screenwriter Podcast – Episode 33
Guest: Colin Theys, Director / Producer / Visual Effects
Show Notes

HOST: Caryn McCann
Website:   https://christmasmoviescreenwriter.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristmasMovieScreenwriter
LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryn-mccann-5718058/
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@ChristmasMovieScreenwriter
Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/christmasmovie
X: https://twitter.com/MerryScriptmas

GUEST: Colin Theys
FB: https://www.facebook.com/syntheticcinema
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@colintheys
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colintheys/
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2572627/?ref_=fn_all_nme_1
Company: http://www.syntheticcinema.com/