Shoot From the Heart with Diane Bell: Filmmaking, Screenwriting, & Inspiration

Do you ever feel like you just need to meet the "right people" in order to have success as a screenwriter or filmmaker? Do you imagine that you're going to get an agent and they'll do the work of selling your script? Or you'll land a producer who'll do the work of raising the money?The truth is: to get to the point that people want to do these things f

If you're ready for some real talk about what it REALLY takes to succeed as a screenwriter or filmmaker, you are in the right place!This week I take a deep dive into the truth about succeeding (clue: you can't train once a week and expect to win Olympic gold).I also share my 4D formula for the long game to win: Devotion, Determination, Discipline and Dedication.Grab yours

This week I dive into 4 of the most common mistakes that I see in screenplays. From repeat beats that drag the story down to scripts that make it too easy for characters, join me in exploring the nuances of escalating plotlines and the crucial element of style. In this episode, you'll learn how to elevate your storytelling game and avoid these common pitfalls that may be killi

To kick off this new season of THE SHOOT FROM THE HEART podcast, I delve into the question many aspiring screenwriters and filmmakers ask themselves: "Should I quit?" This conversation touches on the nature of pursuing audacious dreams, facing obstacles, and the importance of reigniting the passion for one's craft. You'll be encouraged to reflect on your desires

As the 40th Sundance Festival kicks off today, I want to share this podcast from the archives on my personal Sundance journey.From dreaming about getting in the screenwriter's lab to having my first film win two awards in the main competition, I share what Sundance has meant to me.So FREAKING grateful to Sundance and all the support they give to indie filmmakers.If your dream

I'm back! In this unexpected episode, I share how a period of silence and introspection has led me to a surprising realization about my true purpose. It was definitely not what I expected...but I'm feeling called to reembrace my passion for screenwriting and filmmaking. If you've been feeling the call to an unexpected plot twist in your own life, this episode will gi

Do you need mentorship and group programs in order to achieve success?If you've been debating whether to sign up for a coach or program, I analyze why to do it, what it can help with you - and also why you don't NEED it.For a fresh perspective on what it really takes to succeed, pour a coffee, pull up a chair, and listen in!To sign up for the FREE live masterclass, THE 4

Often things don't go as planned (or how we hope) and it's outside our control. What we make of these obstacles and setbacks matters a lot.In this episode, you're going to learn how to take control of the narrative of your life in a way that serves you and helps you reach your goals.To sign up for the FREE live masterclass, THE 4 SECRETS TO SELLING YOUR SCRIPT -->

There are literally thousands of screenwriting competitions out there, and it can feel like they are an essential step in the journey to success as a screenwriter - but don't fool yourself into thinking that you need them!You don't.Here I dissect screenwriting competitions: why you should enter them, why you shouldn't, which ones matter, what to expect if you win and

It's inevitable that on the path to our dreams, we're going to have moments of real doubt. Sometimes these can snowball into such extreme doubt that we give up - and that is a tragedy.To make sure doubt doesn't get the better of you, please listen to this episode and learn how to deal with it and let it go.For the free masterclass, THE 3 FOUNDATIONS OF SUCCESSFUL SCR