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

This week, I answer a listener's question on what to do if lack of funds is holding you back.  You're going to learn a way of reframing this question and understanding this problem in a different way…

To celebrate the 100th episode of the Shoot From the Heart Podcast, I share about my journey starting and continuing this show and all the changes that have happened in my life.

You'll get a gentle re…

In today's session, I answer the question: "how can I keep believing when nothing is working?"

You're going to learn there are practical steps you can take...but also that belief requires decision and…

The Upper Limit Problem is an idea that comes from a book called THE BIG LEAP by Gaye Hendricks.  Essentially it's the idea that we all have an inner thermostat for how much good things we can have i…

As we go after big, audacious goals (like writing and selling scripts or making movies), we sometimes find that our loved ones don't support us.

In this episode, I address what to do if our nearest an…

It happens to ALL of us after we go after our goals: we're taking loads of action, we're doing all the things...

And suddenly it feels like it's not working  - and we get stuck.

In this episode I share…

In today's episode, I answer some questions I received about the practical side of writing screenplays. 

How many pages should you aim for?  How much description is too much - and how much is too lit…

There's where you are....and there's where you want to be.

The journey between these two points sometimes seems way too long, so the question arises: how can we make it shorter?

In this episode, you're…

I often asked "is it possible for me to succeed as a screenwriter and/or filmmaker if I'm shy?"

In this episode, I take a deep dive into this question - and the answer probably isn't what you expect!

N…

If you want to write a screenplay that actually has a shot at getting made into a movie, you're going to love this episode!

You're going to learn the #1 secret to all success - as well as what success…

We all have "off" days - days where we're fighting a cold, not feeling great, worried about a loved one, and so on.

But what to do when we're having an "off" day - but we've got to get things done?!

In…

If you are looking for a mentor and community to help you thrive as a screenwriter and/or filmmaker, The Network is for you.

In this special episode, I share exactly what The Network is and how it can…

To get your film into Sundance is the dream of many aspiring screenwriters and filmmakers.

In this episode I share my own journey with Sundance, as someone who's film was improbably selected from the …

To get to greenlight, your script doesn't need to be perfect - but it does need to be good enough. 

What that really means is that it's got to engage and move the reader.

In this episode you're going …

The path to your big dreams is a long one and made of many, many steps.  This can feel overwhelming and daunting, sometimes even making us want to give up - but in this episode I offer you an actiona…

As we come to the end of the 2022, it's a good time to look back and see what we can learn from this year.

In this episode, I get very personal and candid about some of the lessons I've learned.

You'll…

As we come to the end of this year, you might already be thinking ahead to your big goals for next year.

But as you know - many of us set big goals and don't even get close to achieving them.

How do we…

How do you end a movie so that it has viewers raving?  How do you end one so that you set up a sequel that will be a masterpiece?

And what does this have in common with how you end your year?

As we beg…

Ever feel in a rush to get where you want to go?

Feel like if you don't keep hustling, keep moving, keep pushing that you're never going to get there?

While it's great to have big dreams and goals, th…

Ever heard the story that you have to write at least 3-5 scripts before you sell one?

Who made that rule?!   And is it even true??

In this episode, I dive into this myth that you'll hear regurgitated a…