In this video from the last Save the Cat! one-day event, writer Matt Allen shares his experience and advice. Watch Matt, whose credits with partner Caleb Wilson include Four Christmases and Soul Surfer, and learn a key career move.
Matt Ryan Allen
Matt R. Allen is a highly accomplished screenwriter, producer, and emerging prompt engineer renowned for his creative storytelling in cinema. With a career spanning over two decades, Matt has made an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, earning widespread recognition for co-writing hit films such as Four Christmases and Soul Surfer. Collaborating with major studios like Paramount, he penned the heartwarming film Mighty Oak (2019) and co-wrote the hilarious comedy Block Party (2022) with writing partner Krista Suh. A member of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) for over 20 years, Matt's deep expertise in screenwriting has been honed to be razor-sharp. In 2025, Matt served as Executive Producer and Screenwriting Consultant on two feature films released by BET+: Holy Hustle and Son of the Preacher, further solidifying his reputation as a trusted creative voice guiding projects from development through production.
Diving into the future of storytelling, Matt is pioneering new approaches as a prompt engineer, utilizing artificial intelligence to enhance—not replace —the creative writing process. This innovative work reflects his ongoing commitment to merging technology with artistry in a rapidly evolving industry.
Beyond his writing exploits, Matt is also a seasoned producer, bringing stories to life in films like 2021’s Run & Gun and Block Party. His deep understanding of the entertainment business was further enriched during his tenure as a talent agent at ICM (now CAA), giving him rare insights into Hollywood's creative and commercial ecosystems. As Matt continues to break new ground in storytelling, his unwavering passion for his craft, combined with a keen eye for industry trends, keeps him at the forefront of modern screenwriting and production.
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Always be writing spec scripts is very true – think of your scripts as arrows in your quiver – would you go into battle with just one arrow?
Also, write outside your comfort zone – I just finished writing a zombie script even though I do not like zombie movies. Learning to research, study and materialize material helps make you a better writer.
Thinking about writing a script is not the same as actually writing a script.