The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun: Screenwriting Podcast Ep 307 - Is Story Dead? What Five Nights at Freddy’s Says About Hollywood
Jan 26, 2026
23:21
In this episode, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is joined by co-host Kristy Leigh to unpack what Five Nights at Freddy’s 1 & 2 reveal about the current state of Hollywood storytelling. What happens when IP, fan service, and box office data matter more than narrative coherence? Is this the future of studio filmmaking, and if so, where does that leave screenwriters who still care about story? The conversation expands into the larger industry landscape, including Netflix’s dominance, data-driven decision making, the Stranger Things finale controversy, and what writers should realistically prepare for moving forward.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Kristy Leigh Lussier is a producer, filmmaker, and longtime co-host of The Successful Screenwriter. She brings a grounded, industry-aware perspective to conversations about storytelling, IP adaptations, and the shifting realities of modern filmmaking.
About the Host
With films on network television, streaming platforms, and in theaters, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and a passionate mentor in the industry. He hosts The Successful Screenwriter podcast to empower writers and filmmakers at every level.
Resources Mentioned in the Episode
🎬 Get Free Script Leads — be the first to know which producers are requesting scripts and accepting submissions.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe. Share it with a fellow screenwriter who’d find it valuable!
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- Why Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 abandons traditional storytelling in favor of fan service
- How studios are prioritizing IP and data over narrative cohesion
- The difference between box office success and storytelling success
- Why the Stranger Things finale struggled and what writers can learn from it
- Practical advice for new writers developing loglines and short stories
- Where story-driven filmmakers still fit in today’s industry
- 00:25 – Geoffrey watches Five Nights at Freddy’s and immediately senses something is off
- 03:00 – Kristy explains how fan service overtook story in the sequel
- 07:00 – Geoffrey breaks down why the sequel has no clear plot or rules
- 09:45 – Is Hollywood splitting into data-driven content vs story-driven films?
- 15:00 – Why the Stranger Things finale failed structurally
- 17:40 – Advice for writers handwriting drafts vs typing
- 19:00 – How to turn loglines and short stories into real screenplays
Kristy Leigh Lussier is a producer, filmmaker, and longtime co-host of The Successful Screenwriter. She brings a grounded, industry-aware perspective to conversations about storytelling, IP adaptations, and the shifting realities of modern filmmaking.
About the Host
With films on network television, streaming platforms, and in theaters, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and a passionate mentor in the industry. He hosts The Successful Screenwriter podcast to empower writers and filmmakers at every level.
Resources Mentioned in the Episode
- Five Nights at Freddy’s (Film Franchise)
- Netflix industry data and subscriber growth
- Stranger Things behind-the-scenes documentary
- A24 and Neon as story-first distributors
- Instagram: @kantoka127
- Vertical Drama: The Witch Wolf’s Mate
- Website: thesuccessfulscreenwriter.com
- Instagram: @screenwriterpod
- YouTube: @thesuccessfulscreenwriter
🎬 Get Free Script Leads — be the first to know which producers are requesting scripts and accepting submissions.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe. Share it with a fellow screenwriter who’d find it valuable!