Why Hollywood Can't Find Good Scripts
Summary
Ryan Cossin interviews Franklin Leonard, founder of The Blacklist, about his platform that identifies top unproduced screenplays. Leonard explains how the list has helped launch hits like *Juno* and *Spotlight* by solving Hollywood’s talent discovery problem. They discuss the industry’s reliance on sequels, the current production slump, and the exciting rise of global storytelling beyond traditional studios.
Topics discussed
Intro: The Blacklist trivia and show welcome
Ad breaks: Schwab and KeyBank
Origin story: Creating The Blacklist in 2005
Impact: How the list validates scripts and drives success
Business model: Solving Hollywood's talent discovery gap
Ad breaks: Amex and SAP
Industry trends: Why bad movies exist and the sequel boom
Hollywood recession: Employment drops and studio mergers
Future outlook: Globalization of film and new talent
Outro and Mint Mobile ad
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