3 MOVIES THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE

3 Movies That Changed Your Life: Philadelphia Story, Shakespeare In Love & Overboard with screenwriter & The Screenwriting Life co-host Lorien Mckenna

In this episode of 3 Movies That Changed Your Life screenwriter Stuart Wright talks with screenwriter Lorien Mckenna about: Philadelphia Story, Shakespeare In Love, and Overboard. Discover how these films shaped her screenwriting journey, personal growth, and understanding of cinema’s power. Plus, Lorien Mckenna discusses how mentoring can make you a better writer.

Movies That Changed Your Life  

Find out about how mentoring can make you a better writer and the lasting impact of cinema on Lorien Mckenna’s life with Stuart Wright on his movie podcast.  

Three common aspects of script feedback Lorien Mckenna gives to writer:

[1:20] Mentoring

3 Films That Have Impacted Everything In Your Adult Life

Philadelphia Story (1940): Fast dialogue

[10:20] Lorien Mckenna loved Philadelphia for the fast dialogue and the fantastic performances across the entire leading cast.

Shakespeare In Love (1998): Sign up for playwrighting MFA

[15:25] Shakespeare In Love made Lorien Mckenna decide to apply to a playwrighting program to get her MFA

Overboard (1987): Holds up in terms of storytelling  

[21:00] Overboard really holds up in terms of structure and storytelling 

Key Take Aways:  

Discover how movies that changed your life shape personal and professional growth. 

How mentoring can make you a better writer;

Why mentoring will make you a better writer

Understand cinema’s transformative power through Philadelphia Story (1992), Shakespeare In Love (1992), Overboard (1997)

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts for more movies that impacted your life! 

Share your favourite movies that impacted your life on X (@leytonrocks) and leave a 5-star review and tell us which 3 films impacted your adult life. Best ones get read out on the podcast

About my Guest:  

Lorien Mckenna is a screenwriter and co-host of THE SCREENWRITING LIFE. 

For more The Screenwriting Life and details about writer workshops see https://www.thescreenwritinglife.com/ 

Credits:  

Written, produced, and hosted by Stuart Wright for [Britflicks.com](https://www.britflicks.com/britflicks-podcast/)  
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of 3 Movies That Changed Your Life screenwriter Stuart Wright talks with script consultant Danny Manus about: A Few Good Men, My Cousin Vinny, and The Ice Storm. Discover how these films shaped his screenwriting journey, personal growth, and understanding of cinema’s power. Plus, Danny Manus discusses what a script consultant does and how they can help you improve a script and become a better writer.

Movies That Changed Your Life  

Find out about what a script consultant does and how they can help you write a script and become a better writer and the lasting impact of cinema on Danny Manus’s life with Stuart Wright on his movie podcast.  

Three common aspects of script feedback Danny Manus gives to writer:

[1:20] 1) Integrating the plot and character;

[6:40] 2) Being able to identify your hook; and 

[18:00] 3) The art of scene writing.

[40:20] What makes a good writer for a script consultant?

3 Films That Have Impacted Everything In Your Adult Life

A Few Good Men (1992): Noticing writing

[15:40] Today, Danny Manus is a huge fan of both Aaron Sorkin and Rob Reiner, but watching A Few Good Men as a 12/13 year old, he saw for the first time, the power in the writing of a movie. It’s a master class in the rhythm and build of a story through dialogue.

My Cousin Vinny (1992): Unable to stop laughing

[21:30] My Cousin Vinny is Danny Manus’s favourite comedy of all time. He’s seen it over and over 100 times, but when he saw it in theatres aged 12/13 it was the first time he couldn’t catch his breath because he was laughing too hard.

The Ice Storm (1997): Teen storylines  

[27:40] Danny believes there is no American Beauty without The Ice Storm. He simply loves a family dysfunction movie. The teen storylines spoke to him and were echoed in his own early screenwriting efforts at college.

Key Take Aways:  

Discover how movies that changed your life shape personal and professional growth. 

How to integrating plot and character;

Can you identify your hook?

Learn the art of scene writing.

What makes a good writer for a script consultant?

Learn what a script consultant does and how they can help you improve a script and become a better writer

Understand cinema’s transformative power through A Few Good Men (1992), My Cousin Vinny (1992), The Ice Storm (1997)

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts for more movies that impacted your life! 

Share your favourite movies that impacted your life on X (@leytonrocks) and leave a 5-star review and tell us which 3 films impacted your adult life. Best ones get read out on the podcast

About my Guest:  

Danny Manus is a script consultant and founder of No BullScript Consulting, which has been helping writers since 2009. 

For more about his script consultancy services see https://www.nobullscript.net/about-daniel/   

Credits:  

Written, produced, and hosted by Stuart Wright for [Britflicks.com](https://www.britflicks.com/britflicks-podcast/)  
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of 3 Movies That Changed Your Life screenwriter Stuart Wright talks with the Mayor Of East Midlands, Claire Ward about: It's A Wonderful Life, On The Town, and Gladiator. Discover how these films shaped her journey through life, personal growth, and understanding of cinema’s power. Claire also talks about why and possibly how East Midlands hopes to attract more film and TV productions to the region. 

Movies That Changed Your Life  

Find out about how East Midlands hopes to attract more film and TV productions to the region and the lasting impact of cinema on Claire Ward’s life with Stuart Wright on his movie podcast.  

[1:20] Why and how the Mayor of East Midlands office hopes to attract more film and TV productions to the region

3 Films That Have Impacted Everything In Your Adult Life

It's A Wonderful Life (1946): Approach life with a sense of optimism 

[10:00] It's A Wonderful Life encapsulates Claire’s approach to life. Always think about the good things you have, value what you have and feel how lucky you are. And approach life with a sense of optimism. 

On The Town (1949): Huge Frank Sinatra fan

[21:30] Claire has always been a massive fan of On The Town. Probably because she has been a fan of Frank Sinatra since she was three years old and got to meet him when she was seven.

Gladiator (2000): Perfect soundtrack to wind down to  

[27:40] When Gladiator Claire was an MP, in the first term of the new Labour government and was a DCMS select committee member. No matter what kind of day she had had, the Gladiator film score would take her to a good place and help her unwind.

Key Take Aways:  

Discover how movies that changed your life shape personal and professional growth. 

Why and how the Mayor of East Midlands office hopes to attract more film and TV productions to the region 

Understand cinema’s transformative power through It's A Wonderful Life (1946), On The Town (1949), Gladiator (2000)

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts for more movies that impacted your life! 

Share your favourite movies that impacted your life on X (@leytonrocks) and leave a 5-star review and tell us which 3 films impacted your adult life. Best ones get read out on the podcast

About my Guest:  

Claire Ward is the Mayor Of East Midlands for the Labour Party.

For more information about what Claire Ward's office does for the region see https://www.eastmidlands-cca.gov.uk/the-mayor/ 

To contact the Claire Ward and her team please use themayor@eastmidlands-cca.gov.uk

Credits:  

Intro/Outro music: *Rocking The Stew* by Tokyo Dragons (https://www.instagram.com/slomaxster/) 

Written, produced, and hosted by Stuart Wright for [Britflicks.com](https://www.britflicks.com/britflicks-podcast/)  
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of 3 Movies That Changed Your Life screenwriter Stuart Wright talks with Portishead co-founder, film composer and now film producer Geoff Barrow about: Assault On Precinct 13, Happiness, and The Good, The Bad And The Ugly. Discover how these films shaped his screenwriting journey, personal growth, and understanding of cinema’s power. Plus, get details about the live digital premiere on 18 June 2026 and digital release/special edition blu-ray released via Anti-Worlds from 29 June 2026. 

Movies That Changed Your Life  

Find out about the digital release/special edition blu-ray of GAME and the lasting impact of cinema on Geoff Barrow’s life with Stuart Wright on his movie podcast.  

[1:20] How does touring a film compare to touring a band? What is a live digital premiere and what can people look forward to on the special edition blu-ray released via Anti-Worlds

3 Films That Have Impacted Everything In Your Adult Life

Assault On Precinct 13 (1976): Discovering Screenwriting as a Career 

[15:40] When Geoff first saw Assault On Precinct 13 he was instantly attracted to the mood of it and that would’ve been because of John Carpenter’s music. 

Happiness (1998): Pursuing Dreams and Feeling Out of Place

[21:30] Geoff saw Happiness when he was living in Australia and at the end he thought what the fuck is that film. He’d never seen anything like it.

The Good, The Bad And The Ugly (1966): Appreciating Screenwriting Craft  

[27:40] For Geoff, The Good, The Bad And The Ugly is such a large sprawling movie that you see something different in it every time you watch it .

Key Take Aways:  

Discover how movies that changed your life shape personal and professional growth. 

GAME’s Live Stream Premiere: on Thursday 18th of June at 7:30pm BST with a special live Q&A featuring members of the cast & crew https://watch.eventive.org/invadafilms/play/69c69adff08307d6b404d921 

GAME digital release and special edition blu-ray from Monday 29 June

GAME - Special Edition Blu-Ray, Ltd Edition Vinyl, T-Shirts & more Pre-Sale https://www.invada.co.uk/collections/game?mc_cid=9c8c810ca5 

Understand cinema’s transformative power through Assault On Precinct 13 (1976), Happiness (1998), The Good, The Bad And The Ugly (1966)

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts for more movies that impacted your life! 

Share your favourite movies that impacted your life on X (@leytonrocks) and leave a 5-star review and tell us which 3 films impacted your adult life. Best ones get read out on the podcast

About my Guest:  

Geoff Barrow is the co-founder of Portishead, film composer (EX_MACHINA, COUPLE IN A HOLE, DEVS) and film producer of GAME

GAME digital release and special edition blu-ray from Monday 29 June

GAME’s Live Stream Premiere: on Thursday 18th of June at 7:30pm BST with a special live Q&A featuring members of the cast & crew https://watch.eventive.org/invadafilms/play/69c69adff08307d6b404d921  

GAME - Special Edition Blu-Ray, Ltd Edition Vinyl, T-Shirts & more Pre-Sale https://www.invada.co.uk/collections/game?mc_cid=9c8c810ca5  

Credits:  

Intro/Outro music: *Rocking The Stew* by Tokyo Dragons (https://www.instagram.com/slomaxster/) 

Written, produced, and hosted by Stuart Wright for [Britflicks.com](https://www.britflicks.com/britflicks-podcast/)  
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of 3 Movies That Changed Your Life screenwriter Stuart Wright talks with Storytelling 360 founder Zack Gutin about: Scream, Almost Famous, and Little Miss Sunshine. Discover how these films shaped his screenwriting journey, personal growth, and understanding of cinema’s power. Plus, get details on the upcoming State of The Story Conference in London. 

Use the code BRIT for 20% off all live tickets, in person or for the online access option. Both are available here: Storytelling360.com

Movies That Changed Your Life  

Find out about the STATE OF THE STORY: LONDON screenwriter conference and the lasting impact of cinema on Zack Gutin’s life with Stuart Wright on his movie podcast.  

[1:20] What is the State Of The Story conference and what writers and industry people will be presenting/talking at the London debut?

3 Films That Have Impacted Everything In Your Adult Life

Scream (1996): Discovering Screenwriting as a Career 

[19:00] Zack vividly recalls him as a 14 year old, lying in bed staring the movie poster for Scream on his bedroom wall and noticing the credit: “WRITTEN BY” Kevin Williamson. It had never dawned on him that it was someone’s job to write a movie. 

Almost Famous (2000): Pursuing Dreams and Feeling Out of Place

[24:30] Almost Famous is Zack’s favorite film, He finds it an incredibly warm story that can impact anyone who has ever pursued something that seemed untouchable, only to find yourself feeling like a fish out of water once you’re in close proximity to it.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006): Appreciating Screenwriting Craft  

[29:30] Little Miss Sunshine is the film that made Zack appreciate the craft of screenwriting more passionately and understand how well it can be done.

Key Take Aways:  

Discover how movies that changed your life shape personal and professional growth. 

Learn about why UK based screenwriters should attend the State Of The Story Conference: London, 12 July 2026 at BFI South Bank, London.

Understand cinema’s transformative power through Scream (1996), Almost Famous (2000), Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts for more movies that impacted your life! 

Share your favourite movies that impacted your life on X (@leytonrocks) and leave a 5-star review and tell us which 3 films impacted your adult life. Best ones get read out on the podcast

About my Guest:  

Zack Gutin is the founder of Storytelling 360 and the creator of The State Of Story Conferences

State Of Story Conference: London is 12 July 2026 at BFI South Bank, London - For more details and tickets for this full-day screenwriting conference built around one idea: that the best way to learn storytelling is to hear it from the storytellers themselves see https://storytelling360.com/state-of-the-story-london-2026/

Michael Arndt’s video essay on endings see https://youtu.be/gWHfsEJ5JJo?si=p95vJBoitQdL-fDx 

Credits:  

Intro/Outro music: *Rocking The Stew* by Tokyo Dragons (https://www.instagram.com/slomaxster/) 

Written, produced, and hosted by Stuart Wright for [Britflicks.com](https://www.britflicks.com/britflicks-podcast/)  
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices