title: 67 - Adapting True Stories for Movies with Austin Kolodney (Dead Man's Wire)
author: Rebecca Doyle
contenttype: article
publication: No Set Path: Entertainment Break-In Stories
published: 2026-01-08T11:01:41+00:00
sourceurl: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rebecca-doyle3/episodes/67---Adapting-True-Stories-for-Movies-with-Austin-Kolodney-Dead-Mans-Wire-e3dbmai
word_count: 175
Austin Kolodney is the screenwriter of “Dead Man’s Wire,” based on a true story and directed by Gus Van Sant, in theaters January 2026. He was named one of Variety’s 2025 Screenwriters to Watch . A director as well as writer, Austin’s work has been featured across major platforms including Funny Or Die, Syfy, Audible, Almost Friday TV, and Comedy Central . His narrative shorts, Two Chairs, Not One and Kiwi , earned prestigious Vimeo Staff Pick honors. Today we get into why Austin walked twenty miles round trip across LA to meet with Werner Herzog; working at the LA Zoo after the industry was ravaged by strikes and the pandemic; how he put himself through USC film school after two years at a community college; and the things he had in place to make reps pursue him for professional relationships that have lasted. SEE “DEAD MAN’S WIRE:” Limited Release 1/07/26 | Out Nationwide 1/16/26 KEEP UP WITH AUSTIN: IG: @awwwwstin KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW: All Platforms: @NoSetPathShow www.bio.site/NoSetPath ANDREA’S GAMBIT PREMIERE TICKETS: https://mpi.swoogo.com/andreasgambit-la-premiere/10598619