Stream Panther Exclusive with Cara J. Russell — Screenwriter & MPCA Vice President of Development & ProductionIn this episode, we sit down with Cara J. Russell, the powerhouse behind dozens of beloved holiday films and the author of Make Your Script Sellable. As Vice President of Development & Production at MPCA, Cara shares her journey from writing her first Christmas movie to creating hits like Twas the Text Before Christmas and The Knight Before Christmas.She opens up about:Navigating the SAG-AFTRA writers strikeSelling scripts to streamers like Netflix and HallmarkCrafting high-stakes rom-coms and holiday moviesWriting routines, deadlines, and the business of emotionsHow writers can actually sell their scripts — even without big connectionsWhether you're an aspiring screenwriter or a fan of heartwarming holiday films, this episode is filled with valuable lessons, insider knowledge, and festive cheer.TIME STAMPS00:00 Coming Up02:17 Introduction05:01 What's cooking for Christmas06:06 SAG AFTRA Writers Strike08:00 How Cara Started Writing Christmas Movies ?10:02 Cara's First Movie12:12 Why Rom-Com & Feel-Good ?14:16 Movie Writing & deadline 17:04 Screenwriting Routine23:27 Selling Christmas Scripts to Streaming Platforms24:16 Christmas on The Windmill Way27:03 Merritt Patterson28:00 Twas Text before Christmas 31:50 The Knight Before Christmas36:21 How To Make Your Scripts Sellable ?46:33 Work Structure in MPCA 47:38 AI in Hollywood51:33 Rapid Fire57:20 Thank You Cara!Tags Cara J RussellMPCAChristmas moviesholiday rom comNetflix originalsHallmark moviesscreenwriting tipsmake your script sellableromantic comedyHollywood screenwriterfilm developmentstreaming platformsNetflix screenwritinghow to sell your scriptwriting Christmas moviesmovie producer tipsfeel good filmsfemale screenwritersscreenwriter podcastbehind the scenes Hollywood