The Franklin Leonard Interview: The Black List – A Look Behind the Curtain
This insightful conversation includes actionable screenwriting career advice, how to navigate The Black List, dialing in career goals, what and what not to submit, and more!
This video was originally posted on YouTube on April 10, 2026 by Lee Jessup
Finally! A (rare) conversation with Franklin Leonard, founder of The Black List, and screenwriting career coach Lee Jessup, is now live (and public) for all to enjoy.
As this duo dig into the hard truths of the industry, their insightful conversation covers the annual prestige Black List, as well as the consumer facing The Black List website (dialing in your goals), and discuss everything from gaming the annual list (don't submit a mediocore script), the Nicholl Fellowship, and The Black List website's mission and mandates for discovering industry-worthy screenplays, pilots and books.
Watch, listen, take notes. Repeat.
The Black List Website
The Black List on Substack
Lee Jessup Website
Top screenwriting and film publication, founded in 1989, published by Active Interest Media. Twitter: @scriptmag
