Script Lock Podcast
Script Lock is a great podcast I discovered recently, hosted by brothers Max and Nick Folkman, both of whom have extensive experience as writers in the video game industry.
About Script Lock
Image source: Nick Folkman and Max Folkman from Voyage LA
Established in 2015, Script Lock has over 80 episodes with writers and developers discussing storytelling in video games.
The reason they started the podcast goes a long way to explain why it’s so popular as per this interview with Voyage LA:
“We’re super proud of our podcast Script Lock because of how it has given us a way to pay back all of the goodwill that has been shown toward us in our careers. The idea for it came about because we were fans of a bunch of different screenwriting podcasts for years, but as we worked more in games, we realized that there weren’t any similar ones for game writing or even game storytelling, and that didn’t make sense. Why wasn’t someone getting game devs together to talk about narrative, their creative processes, how they broke in, and their thoughts on the industry?”
Why its a great podcast
Industry Insights
The fact that both hosts are experienced writers in the video games industry really helps them shine as interviewers. Their questions are well considered and draw out some interesting insights from their guests. Given why they started the podcast, they are mindful to frame the discussion in a way that is helpful to people who want to work the games industry.
Leveraging their network
Most guests are already known to the hosts and some have appeared on the podcast multiple times. And what a guest list! From triple-A game studios to well known indies, these writers offer absolute nuggets of gold in terms of advice in every episode. It's like being a fly on the wall and hearing your favourite writers dish the dirt on the titles you know and love!
They’re entertaining!
Nick and Max are both warm, generous and funny people. And they obviously love their jobs. This makes the podcast entertaining as well as informative.
Some recent episodes and highlights
#Episode 84: Karrie Shao and Ros Dachtler
Karrie’s experience: Lead Writer and Lead Narrative Designer of Pacific Drive, previously wrote and designed on League of Legends for Riot Games, Totemic for Collage Games, and Not Tonight 2 for Panic Barn. Also worked as a Director of Marketing at Strangely Compelling Multimedia, a Producer at tinyBuild Games, a Lead Narrative Designer at The Exit Game, and was a BAFTA Breakthrough talent for 2024
Ros’ experience: Senior Mission Designer on the upcoming game Last Sentinel, previously Senior Narrative Designer on Clockwork Revolution, Narrative Designer on Deathloop, Narrative Designer and Audio Lead on Battlefield V, and an audio designer on Star Wars Battlefront X-Wing VR, Star Wars Battlefront 2, and Battlefield One
#Episode 83: Brendon Chung and Laura Michet
Brendon’s experience: Founder of Blendo Games and creator of such games as Gravity Bone, Flotilla, Atom Zombie Smasher, Thirty Flights of Loving, Quadrilateral Cowboy, and the recently released Skin Deep
Laura’s experience: Writer and editor who's worked on such games as Where the Water Tastes Like Wine, Frog Fractions 2, Swan Hill, You Got This, Brutadon!, The Brigand’s Story, and more. She was a Principal Writer and Editor at Riot Games, was the Narrative Director on Skin Deep, and is currently a Narrative Director at Heart Machine