The Successful Screenwriter with Geoffrey D Calhoun: Screenwriting Podcast

Ep 304 - What Algorithms Mean for Screenwriters in 2026

Jan 5, 2026

Kristy Leigh Lussier, a writer-producer who builds stories across film, streaming, and vertical formats, dives into endings, franchises, and the industry’s power shifts. She discusses how data and algorithms are reshaping what gets made. Short takes cover Avatar’s structure, the Netflix–Warner–Paramount data tug, vertical drama expanding beyond romance, and why features like thrillers and horror still matter.

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INSIGHT

Keeping Doors Open Limits Endings

Franchises often stay open-ended to preserve future business options and distribution opportunities.
Geoffrey argues this studio-driven openness can limit powerful, definitive storytelling choices.

ANECDOTE

Why Avatar 2 Feels Like A Part B

Geoffrey recounts how Avatar 2 and 3 feel like one film because James Cameron originally wrote them as a single script.
He says splitting the script explains why the films often feel like Part B and why Avatar 3 improved by adding new tribal conflict.

INSIGHT

The Data War Trumps Raw IP

The real industry battle between Netflix, Warner Bros., and Paramount is about owning viewer data, not just IP.
Kristy says platforms use data to dictate what gets made and to shape scripts and deals around viewing habits.

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In Episode 304, Geoffrey D. Calhoun and co-host Kristy Leigh kick off the new year with a wide-ranging conversation about endings, franchises, and the evolving business shaping how stories get made. From reactions to the finale of Stranger Things and Avatar 3, to a deep dive into the Netflix–Warner Bros–Paramount power struggle, this episode explores how data, algorithms, and vertical platforms are redefining opportunities for screenwriters. They also break down bad screenwriting advice, vertical storytelling trends, and what writers should focus on heading into the year ahead.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why darker, more definitive endings often resonate more with audiences
How James Cameron writing Avatar 2 and 3 as one script impacted the storytelling
Why the real battle between Netflix, Warner Bros., and Paramount is about data, not just IP
How algorithms are influencing what gets greenlit and how scripts are shaped
Why features, thrillers, and horror still offer strong opportunities for writers
How vertical storytelling is evolving beyond romance into new genres

Key Moments

02:49 – Why Avatar 3 works better than Avatar 2
06:46 – The Netflix–Warner Bros–Paramount data war explained
16:58 – Bad screenwriting advice: “Nothing needs to happen in the first 10 pages”
19:30 – How to hook readers in the first page, not the first act
22:22 – How algorithms are already shaping vertical storytelling

About the Guest
Kristy Leigh Lussier is a writer, producer, and vertical drama creator known for her sharp industry insights and hands-on experience in emerging storytelling platforms. She co-hosts The Successful Screenwriter Podcast and regularly works at the intersection of traditional film, streaming, and vertical content.

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

Underwater
House of Cards
Vertical drama platforms and TikTok mini-series trends

Connect with Kristy

Instagram: @kantoka127
Vertical Drama: The Witch Wolf’s Mate

Connect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun

#TheSuccessfulScreenwriter #ScreenwritingPodcast #FilmIndustry #VerticalDrama #IndieFilm #ScreenwritingAdvice #FilmBusiness #Storytelling

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