5AM StoryTalk

Genre filmmaking is all about taking simple premises and turning them into high-impact scares.
GREG MCLEAN (writer-director of 'Wolf Creek' and 'Rogue') breaks down how to build relentless tension, develop iconic horror characters, and turn tight premises into unforgettable feature scripts.
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Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE: ALIEN (1979)
Greg returns to break down a seminal piece of art from his own life that still informs every cinematic decision he makes today. A masterclass in horror.
UNLOCK THE BONUS AT SUBSTACK: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/director-greg-mclean-alien-horror-masterclass
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IN THIS EPISODE:
Greg McLean ('The Belko Experiment', 'Territory') breaks down genre filmmaking, building relentless tension, crafting iconic horror characters, discussing the film he wishes he could erase from his filmography, and turning tight premises into unforgettable scripts by manipulating audience psychology.
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SOCIAL MEDIA:
5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
EMAIL:
⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com
CREDITS:
5AM StoryTalk acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.
This podcast’s music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Taking a vacation from the desk can be a recipe for disaster for a workaholic writer like me. Here’s why taking two weeks off triggered a massive 5:30 AM anxiety attack!
Fresh off a family holiday that forced me to confront my need for daily writing to stay sane, I'm breaking down my panic spiral over my career backlog, an update on my new feature spec notes and TV pilot commission, plus my thoughts on finally watching the first season of "Shrinking".
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
ON THE ITINERARY:
MY VACATION PANIC SPIRAL: Why stepping away from the desk for two weeks triggered a 5:30 AM anxiety attack about my career.
WRITING AS MY MEDICINE: Daily pages aren't a choice for me — they're a requirement to keep me sane.
SPEC & COMMISSION UPDATES: Where things stand with my new feature spec and the status of my TV pilot rewrite.
DIVING INTO 'SHRINKING': My reaction to finally catching up on Apple TV's comedy-drama.
BUKOWSKI’S BRUTAL TRUTH: A quote from the great poet to help you on your creative journey.

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Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing)⁠⁠⁠:
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
SOCIAL MEDIA:
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Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
EMAIL:
⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com
CREDITS:
5AM StoryTalk acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.
This podcast’s music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Starting a 2nd draft is one of the ultimate tests for screenwriters. Here’s why diving in too fast is a creative disaster!
Fresh off wrapping the first drafts of two scripts (a TV pilot commission and a feature spec), I'm breaking down how I find perspective on my work, as well as my specific strategies to prepare for my next draft that will hopefully help you elevate your story from a messy 1st draft to the best 2nd draft possible.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
ON THE ITINERARY:
THE ART OF THE PAUSE: Why finding perspective before you start a 2nd draft is the single most important step in the entire screenwriting workflow.
THE REWRITING CIRCLE: How to curate a small, trusted circle of diverse readers – with diverse viewpoints – to stress-test your pages.
FEATURE VS. TV PILOT REWRITES: The differences between rewriting specs and scripts you’ve been commissioned to write.
‘OBSESSION’ AND ‘BACKROOMS’ MELT MY BRAIN: Thoughts on these films, but especially the Rorschach Test that ‘Obsession’ has turned out to be for audiences.
MIRAGE IN THE DESERT: A core memory of 'Lawrence of Arabia' with my son.
THE JODI PICOULT APPROACH: The brutal truth about the first draft that completely reframes how you look at a blank page.
TIP JAR:
Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing)⁠⁠⁠:
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…
5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
EMAIL:
⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com
CREDITS:
5AM StoryTalk acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.
This podcast’s music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Why does Disney’s modern era of ‘Star Wars’ leave so many fans indifferent at best and running away at worst? It isn’t just you – and it isn't a lack of explosions and lightsaber duels. In this episode, I take a close look at the new film ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ to diagnose a massive narrative crisis in not just it, but most ‘Star Wars’ projects post-George Lucas. By breaking this golden rule of commercial storytelling, Disney has ensured that audiences will continue to tune out and films like ‘Mandalorian and Grogu’ will continue to bomb.
Today’s conversation is as much for storytellers looking to improve their craft as ‘Star Wars’ fanatics who are having trouble putting a finger on why so many of these stories aren’t moving them or the broader culture anymore.
ON THE ITINERARY:
THE CONSEQUENCE CRISIS: Breaking down why modern ‘Star Wars’ stories feel like they’re spinning their wheels, and how avoiding real narrative stakes kills audience investment.
THE FORGOTTEN GOLDEN RULE: Unpacking the essential rule of commercial storytelling that Disney keeps breaking – and how violating it directly triggers profound audience fatigue.
THE SCREENWRITER'S DIAGNOSIS: A clinical look at the script-level choices that drain characters of true agency and leave zero room for permanent, impactful change.
LESSONS FOR CREATORS: How screenwriters, novelists, and storytellers of any kind can look at the erosion of a multi-billion-dollar franchise to protect and sharpen their own stakes.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE: "SCREENWRITERS: HOW TO SURVIVE HOLLYWOOD'S NO-WIN SCENARIO"I crashed and burned when I faced my first Kobayashi Maru test during the rewrite of a major spec feature sale... but you can learn from my mistakes.
UNLOCK THE BONUS AT SUBSTACK: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/hollywood-screenwriting-development-hellUNLOCK THE BONUS AT APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-screenwriters-how-to-survive-hollywoods-no-win/id1807437928?i=1000772928000
LINKS:
Listen/Read "How 'Andor' Blows Up Star Wars' Obsession With Moral Absolutism": https://open.substack.com/pub/colehaddon/p/new-podcast-how-andor-blows-up-sta
Read "Luke Skywalker Isn't the Hero You Want Him to Be": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/luke-skywalker-isnt-the-hero-you
Read "Lucasfilm’s Disregard for the O.G. Heir to the 'Star Wars' Empire Is Part of a Larger Entertainment Industry Problem": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/the-og-heir-to-star-wars-empire-say
Read: "What Really Went Wrong With the 'Star Wars' Prequels...Maybe": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/what-really-went-wrong-with-the-star
TIP JAR:
Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing)⁠⁠⁠:
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…
5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
EMAIL:
⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com
CREDITS:
5AM StoryTalk acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.
This podcast’s music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Cover art: 'The Mandalorian and Grogu'

Remember when we wanted to make films, not just generate them? Let’s dive into why AI filmmaking strips away the friction, chaos, and collaboration that also produces the greatest films. It also robs the process of its most important element — fun!
We’re going to explore the corporate push to turn a bespoke, human art form into disposable, mass-produced, flat-pack junk — call it the IKEA-fication of cinema (and art)!
I’ll be using plenty of examples from cinematic history — especially Steven Spielberg’s filmography — to support my case.
Stick around for the last third, in which I dive into ‘The Pitt’, the ‘Scrubs’ sequel series, and a Booker Prize winner that made me scream.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
ON THE ITINERARY:
THE PROCESS IS THE POINT: Why AI threatens to destroy the process that made me want to become a filmmaker in the first place and turn something bespoke and beautiful into disposable, mass-produced junk.
CHAOS, DESPERATION, AND DYSENTERY ARE YOUR FRIEND: A broken shark, Harrison Ford getting, disagreeable dinosaurs - how Steven Spielberg turns obstacles into great art.
ART WITHOUT COMFORT: Why easy art makes stories suck hard.
DOUG LIMAN’S 'BITCOIN': The sobering reality of a 20-day shoot inside a plain gray box.
IT’S A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL: Why cutting out hundreds of people along the way makes our creative worlds — and our adventures — smaller.
WHAT WAS I THINKING WHEN I CALLED 'THE PITT' MEDITATIVE?: The thrilling, heart-racing late-Season 1 turn that completely changed my perspective on “The Pitt”.
'SCRUBS': A CURE FOR MIDLIFE CRISES: Finding something beautiful to cling to in the nostalgia and trauma-laden world of the sequel series.
THE IMPENETRABLE PRIZE WINNER: What happened when I put a paragraph from a Booker Prize-winning into AI three times to try to make sense of what it was trying to say?
THE REITMAN PRINCIPLE: What makes great films — and great directors according to 'Juno' director Jason Reitman.
TIP JAR:
Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing)⁠⁠⁠:
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…
5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
EMAIL:
⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com
CREDITS:
5AM StoryTalk acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.
This podcast’s music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Cover art: Borrowed from the making of 'Jaws', which we'll discuss at length in this episode.