Working Title: From Paper to Screen with Mark Elias https://workingtitle-markelias.podbean.com Working Title: From Paper to Screen follows writer, producer, actor, and director Mark Elias as he documents the real, unglamorous, and occasionally exhilarating journey of making an independent film. Each season tracks a single project from first draft to final release—covering fundraising, casting, production, post, and everything that can derail it.

Season One follows We Could Be Heroes, offering an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to get a movie made today. No hype. No shortcuts. Just the work, the setbacks, and the small wins that bring a script to life.

If you’ve ever wondered how films really get made—this is it, in real time.

From Paper to Screen with Mark Elias is a Merrick Studios podcast.

]]> Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:00:00 -0400 https://podbean.com/?v=5.5 en Copyright 2026 All rights reserved. TV & Film 1440 episodic Merrick Studios Merrick Studios No false https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/22221401/Working-Title-Pod-1400.png Working Title: From Paper to Screen with Mark Elias https://workingtitle-markelias.podbean.com 144 144 Bert V. Royal on Turning an Idea Into a Movie Bert V. Royal on Turning an Idea Into a Movie https://workingtitle-markelias.podbean.com/e/bert-v-royal-on-turning-an-idea-into-a-movie/ https://workingtitle-markelias.podbean.com/e/bert-v-royal-on-turning-an-idea-into-a-movie/#comments Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:00:00 -0400 workingtitle-markelias.podbean.com/3498692b-9fb0-3ae2-8a42-48b2a526a3ea Before a script, before a plan, before anything gets made—there’s just an idea. In Episode 1 of Working Title, Mark Elias sits down with writer Bert V. Royal (Easy A, Cruel Summer) to break down the messy, unpredictable process of ideation—how ideas form, how to pressure test them, and how to know when it’s time to stop thinking and start writing. They dig into:

  • The difference between a real story and “just a vibe”
  • Why writing fast can lead to better scripts
  • The danger of overthinking (and over-outlining)
  • How to spot a bad idea before wasting months on it
  • Why imagining the trailer might be the best test of all

Plus, Bert shares stories from writing Easy A in five days to revisiting ideas that took years to find their moment.

Work Title: From Paper to Screen is hosted by Mark Elias and produced by Merrick Studios. Catch the show on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and at Merrick Studios+

]]> Before a script, before a plan, before anything gets made—there’s just an idea. In Episode 1 of Working Title, Mark Elias sits down with writer Bert V. Royal (Easy A, Cruel Summer) to break down the messy, unpredictable process of ideation—how ideas form, how to pressure test them, and how to know when it’s time to stop thinking and start writing. They dig into:

  • The difference between a real story and “just a vibe”
  • Why writing fast can lead to better scripts
  • The danger of overthinking (and over-outlining)
  • How to spot a bad idea before wasting months on it
  • Why imagining the trailer might be the best test of all

Plus, Bert shares stories from writing Easy A in five days to revisiting ideas that took years to find their moment.

Work Title: From Paper to Screen is hosted by Mark Elias and produced by Merrick Studios. Catch the show on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and at Merrick Studios+

]]> Merrick Studios false No 2316 2 full Introducing Working Title: From Paper to Screen Introducing Working Title: From Paper to Screen https://workingtitle-markelias.podbean.com/e/introducing-working-title-from-paper-to-screen/ https://workingtitle-markelias.podbean.com/e/introducing-working-title-from-paper-to-screen/#comments Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:43:40 -0400 workingtitle-markelias.podbean.com/0d483571-4fbc-3d23-95b6-8cb482df463c This new series from Merrick Studios follows filmmaker Mark Elias as he documents the real, unfiltered journey of making an independent film—from first draft through fundraising, production, and release. Season One tracks We Could Be Heroes, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to get a movie made today—no gloss, just the process.

If you’ve ever wondered how films really come together, this is it—in real time. Episode one of Working Title: From Paper to Screen with Mark Elias drops Monday, April 6th on Apple, Spotify, Youtube and wearemerrickstudios.com.

]]> This new series from Merrick Studios follows filmmaker Mark Elias as he documents the real, unfiltered journey of making an independent film—from first draft through fundraising, production, and release. Season One tracks We Could Be Heroes, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to get a movie made today—no gloss, just the process.

If you’ve ever wondered how films really come together, this is it—in real time. Episode one of Working Title: From Paper to Screen with Mark Elias drops Monday, April 6th on Apple, Spotify, Youtube and wearemerrickstudios.com.

]]> Merrick Studios false No 61 1 trailer