The Writers Hangout (Sandy Adomaitis)
Explorez tous les épisodes de The Writers Hangout
| Date | Titre | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06 Feb 2022 | The Mysterious Death of the Hollywood Screenwriter | 00:19:04 | |
In this episode, Sandy and producer Terry Sampson discuss the little-known mystery of the 1997 disappearance of screenwriter Gary Devore. Gary was returning home after working out the ending of his latest script, which he claimed would blow the lid off government secrets when he disappeared without a trace. Did Gary step out to “buy a pack of cigarettes,” or was he met with foul play? We’ll delve into what happened that fateful night and revisit the rumors and conspiracy theories that continue to baffle and disturb people. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 13 Feb 2022 | Behind the Scenes with Screenwriter Zack Stentz | 00:28:54 | |
Today on THE WRITERS' HANGOUT, we have the talented screenwriter Zack Stentz who co-wrote the blockbusters movies "Thor" and "X-Men: First Class. Zack's tv credits include "Fringe," "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," and "The Flash." Zack's latest endeavor is "Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous," which he developed for Netflix. PAGE International Screenwriting Awards | |||
| 20 Feb 2022 | How to Spend $600 Million Dollars: The Story of Screenwriter Steve Bing | 00:20:11 | |
In episode five, we take you into the complicated and lux world of Stephen Leo Bing, an American businessman, philanthropist, film producer, and screenwriter. PAGE International Screenwriting Awards Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 27 Feb 2022 | Tales from the Trenches with Screenwriter Vivian Lee | 00:27:16 | |
Sandy and screenwriter Vivian Lee discuss the difference between early success as a writer and coming up through production, writing dark and complicated characters, their long-time friendship, and how Vivian manages to write on a deadline with a toddler. Vivian's credits include "From," a brand new sci-fi, horror show on Epix, and for Netflix's "Lost in Space," "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance," and "Cowboy Bebop." The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 06 Mar 2022 | Screenwriter Paul Bern the Man Who Changed How You Write and Married Jean Harlow | 00:29:52 | |
In today's episode, we share the fascinating story of screenwriter-director Paul Bern. Paul Bern, known throughout the movie business as "Hollywood's Father Confessor," earned a reputation for being a loyal and supportive friend and becoming one of MGM's most respected and creative screenwriter-directors. Paul married Jean Harlow, an American actress. Known for her portrayal of "bad girl" characters and as a leading sex symbol of the early 1930s, Jean earned the nicknamed "The Blonde Bombshell." The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 13 Mar 2022 | Hollywood Hyphenate Michael Hitchcock Talks Writing and Acting In Hollywood | 00:21:16 | |
Host Sandy Adomaitis and screenwriter Michael Hitchcock discuss the first film he wrote, WHERE THE DAY TAKES YOU, what it is like to direct an episode of GLEE and how he balances being a true Hollywood hyphenate. Michael has not only written on some of your favorite television shows, he can also be seen on the big screen in BARB AND STAR GO TO VISTA DEL MAR, Christopher Guest’s BEST IN SHOW, and the iconic WAITING FOR GUFFMAN. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 20 Mar 2022 | Buffy the Vampire Slayer's 25th Anniversary Special with Steve La Rue | 00:25:26 | |
What's the sitch? We're celebrating the 25th anniversary of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER with Steve La Rue. So, Scoobie Gang, no Scully here, Steve gives us the straight origin story behind BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 27 Mar 2022 | Oh My God! They Killed Kenney! The Too Short and Fascinating Life of Screenwriter Doug Kenney | 00:27:08 | |
Today we tell the story of the screenwriter and mastermind behind ANIMAL HOUSE, CADDYSHACK, and co-founder of NATIONAL LAMPOON, Doug Kenney. Friends and co-workers remember him as a “genius,” Kenney, who died at 33 when he fell off a cliff in Hawaii. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 03 Apr 2022 | Producer Victoria Lucas Tells the Story of Her Grandmother, Bess Meredyth, Silent Film Screenwriting Legend | 00:39:06 | |
On The Writers' Hangout, we talk with Victoria Lucas, an independent producer who has developed scripts for projects starring Antonio Banderas, Scarlett Johansson, Wesley Snipes, and Hilary Swank. Among her favorite projects is the highly acclaimed coming-of-age film, The Island on Bird Street, awarded the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. Victoria is also a Judge for the PAGE Awards contest, and her family has worked in Hollywood since the very earliest days of the film industry. We're going to talk with her about her legendary grandmother Bess Meredyth, a screenwriter, actress, and founding member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 10 Apr 2022 | Gary's Wonky Finger Is The Key | 00:20:52 | |
We have a very special guest today, Judy TrueCrime, a friend of the Pod here to discuss Episode 3 of The Writers’ Hangout, The Mysterious Death of the Hollywood Screenwriter. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 17 Apr 2022 | Amy Pocha What You Wanna Do | 00:42:46 | |
Today's guest is television writer Amy Pocha. Amy and her partner, Seth Cohen, are known for the NBC sitcom Undateable, Netflix's animated Paradise PD, and The Head of the Class reboot for HBO Max. Amy is currently a consulting producer on FARZAR, an upcoming Netflix animated series. Amy talks about writing for television and how she walked away from one of her first jobs in the entertainment industry as a big winner. | |||
| 24 Apr 2022 | The Story of Susan Berman, Screenwriter, and Mafia Princess | 00:25:33 | |
On Christmas Eve 2000, Susan Berman, a journalist, screenwriter, and author was murdered in her home at 1527 Benedict Canyon Drive in Beverly Hills. Susan, the only daughter of a mobster and former dancer, grew up as mob royalty, where Elvis and Liberace entertained on her birthdays. Her tragic death shocked her friends but did Susan know her killer? Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 01 May 2022 | History vs. Hollywood: 1979’s The Amityville Horror | 00:31:37 | |
Sandy and Terry explore the difference between the movie and the true story. First up is 1979’s Amityville Horror, starring Josh Brolin, Margot Kidder, and Rod Steiger. Amityville Horror is about a family terrorized by supernatural forces after moving into a murder house in Amityville, Long Island, New York. 👍 If you enjoy the show, please follow us and leave a review so we can keep hanging out. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 08 May 2022 | Mother's Day With or Without You and the Fearless Claudette Wells | 00:24:05 | |
Join us as we celebrate Mother's Day with actor, writer, and voice-over artist Claudette Wells as we discuss how moms influence our creativity. Plus, Claudette shares a story about Bill Murray, hanging out with Anne Beatts, and being a founding member of Dead Mother's Day. I promise you it isn't as terrible as it sounds! Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 15 May 2022 | The Unbelievable Story of Elisabeth Finch: Part 1 | 00:17:18 | |
In part one, rising star and television writer, Elizabeth Finch wrote many of the emotional scripts for GREY'S ANATOMY exploring cancer, abortion, and sexual abuse using her own life experience. But when an email arrived at Shonda Rhimes’ production company, Shondaland, as well as ABC’s parent company, Disney, that Elizabeth wasn't telling the truth. Elizabeth has been put on a leave of absence. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 21 May 2022 | The Unbelievable Story of Elisabeth Finch: Part 2 | 00:16:57 | |
In part two, we continue the story based on the Vanity Fair article on television writer, Elisabeth Finch who wrote many of the emotional scripts for GREY'S ANATOMY exploring cancer, abortion, and sexual abuse using her own life experience. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 29 May 2022 | Having Fun with Screenwriter Seth Cohen | 00:35:42 | |
Our guest is writer extraordinaire Seth Cohen. Seth and his partner, Amu Pocha are known for the NBC sitcom Undateable, Netflix's animated Paradise PD, and The Head of the Class reboot for HBO Max. Seth is currently a consulting producer on FARZAR, an upcoming Netflix animated series. 👍 If you enjoy the show please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 05 Jun 2022 | The Strange Disappearance of Screenwriter Ian Mackintosh | 00:22:42 | |
British screenwriter, Ian Mackintosh’s plane went missing on July 7, 1979, nineteen days before his thirty-ninth birthday, over the Gulf of Alaska. What happened still remains a mystery. Join us as we tell the story of Lieutenant Commander Hamish Ian Mackintosh, a British Royal Navy officer, a writer of thriller novels, and a screenwriter for British television. 👍 If you enjoy the show please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 12 Jun 2022 | PAGE Awards Judges Reveal How They Evaluate Your Script | 00:40:50 | |
Two PAGE Awards Judges, Victoria Lucas and Laurie Ashbourne, talk about how they evaluate your screenplays, whether you're just starting or have a script in the competition. You do not want to miss this inside talk. 👍 If you enjoy the show please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 19 Jun 2022 | PAGE Awards Judges Reveal How They Evaluate Your Script: Part Two | 00:45:16 | |
Two more PAGE Awards Judges, Dwayne Smith, and Mike Kuciak continue the conversation on how they evaluate your screenplay. Mike Kuciak has two movies coming out in 2022; he’s the writer-director and writer-producer of the other. He’s a producer on a third film scheduled to begin production in late 2022. He has served as a producer and executive producer on several independent films. He was the senior vice president of development for a literary management-production company and, after that, the founder/CEO of his own company before hanging that up to focus on writing/directing/producing. Dwayne Smith has been working as a professional screenwriter since 1999 and has written scripts for Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Intermedia, and Gold Circle. His urban thriller PAY THE LADY is currently in post-production, and his sci-fi feature IMPLANT is now in pre-production. Representing the management firm Circle of Confusion at numerous screenwriting conferences and festivals, Dwayne has listened to hundreds of pitches and read countless screenplays in search of new writing talent. As a judge for the PAGE Awards, he reads Comedies, Thriller/Horror, Science Fiction, and Action/Adventure scripts. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 26 Jun 2022 | PAGE Awards Judges Reveal How They Evaluate Your Script: Part Three | 00:32:23 | |
Two more PAGE Awards Judges, David Portlock, and John Evans continue our conversation on how they evaluate your screenplay. These two Judges drop a lot of helpful info in this interview. ✰ David Portlock has worked as a script reader for United Talent Agency and currently works for Bassett Vance Productions. Over the past 15 years, David has consulted and assisted dozens of writers in the development of their films. Also a screenwriter himself, David wrote and directed a feature film that was picked up by HBO, Cinemax, and Starz, a short film that premiered at Sundance, and a horror script that topped the Bloodlist. As a PAGE judge, David evaluates screenplays in the Science Fiction, Thriller/Horror, Comedy, and Drama categories. ✰ John Evans received his MFA in Screenwriting from Boston University, and since moving to LA he has worked in the development departments at ABC Studios, The Donners Company, Kopelson Entertainment, and AEI. John has also taught writing at the college level, authored six educational books, and worked as a copywriter and editor for several film distribution companies. John is the editor of our PAGE Awards ezine, and as a contest judge, he primarily reads Thriller/Horror scripts and TV Drama Pilots. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 03 Jul 2022 | PAGE Awards Judges Reveal How They Evaluate Your Script: Part Four | 00:32:20 | |
We continue our conversation on how PAGE Awards Judges evaluate your screenplay with Karen Craig and Scott Barkan. Next week to wrap up this four-part series we’ll be talking to Kristin Overn, the Founder and Executive Director of the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards. Karen Craig is a professional screenwriter and script doctor whose credits include such films as AMERICAN PSYCHO II, starring Mila Kunis and William Shatner, and FORBIDDEN SECRETS, starring Kristy Swanson. Karen has served as a judge for the PAGE Awards for the past 12 years, reviewing both Thriller/Horror scripts and Family Films. Scott Barkan is a professional screenwriter with several produced films and sold scripts to his name. He has worked with Blumhouse and Lionsgate and is repped by Mainstay Entertainment and CAA. Scott is also a university professor, teaching music and communications. As a PAGE judge, he primarily reads Action/Adventure, Thriller/Horror and Science Fiction scripts. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 11 Jul 2022 | Behind the Scenes with Kristin Overn the Founder and Executive Director of the PAGE Awards | 00:38:14 | |
In this episode, we have Kristin Overn the Founder and Executive Director of the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards competition. She began her film career as a producer's assistant and script reader at companies like Davis Entertainment, Bonneville Worldwide, and 20th Century Fox, and since that time, she has consulted, collaborated, and developed screenplays with dozens of writers, producers, and production companies. Kristin also has extensive experience in production, and she has served as a Producer, Line Producer, and UPM on various independent features, original sitcom pilots, several award-winning short films, TV commercials, and videos. She is a member of the Producers Guild of America and the Directors Guild of America. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 17 Jul 2022 | Rejection While Writing | 00:13:44 | |
As a writer, you will have to deal with rejection. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 25 Jul 2022 | Finding The Perfect Writers' Room During The Age of Covid | 00:14:53 | |
I was going to tell you the remarkable story of the unjustly overlooked screenwriter, but I had a strange week and needed to share it with you. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 31 Jul 2022 | Mamet Memo Everyone Is Still Talking About | 00:12:52 | |
Hang out with us as we dive into the Mamet Memo. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 07 Aug 2022 | Backstory Story: Bruce Joel Rubin | 00:10:39 | |
I was thinking about how screenwriters spend a lot of time coming up with a backstory for their characters, so I thought it would be fun to turn the tables and delve into the backstory of a screenwriter. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 14 Aug 2022 | Send Help with Writer, Producer and Creator Mike Gauyo | 00:27:21 | |
Tèlman kontan ou isit la! | |||
| 21 Aug 2022 | Writing REAR WINDOW with Hitchcock and Hayes | 00:36:59 | |
Hello Writers, come hang out with Sandy and Terry as they discuss how a short story from a dime store magazine turned into one of the most discussed films produced in Hollywood and the fifth-grossing film of 1954. The film REAR WINDOW, starring Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelly, Raymond Burr, and Thelma Ritter, was written by John Michael Hayes and directed by Alfred Hitchock. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 28 Aug 2022 | Welcome to my Ted Bergman Rogue Comedy Writer Talk | 00:25:33 | |
Hello Writers, come hang out with Sandy and Terry as they talk about Ted Bergman, a 40-year veteran comedy writer with a long list of credits, including THE MUSTERS, HOLLYWOOD SQUARES, ALL IN THE FAMILY, SANFORD AND SON, WHAT'S HAPPENING, GIMME A BREAK, and THE GARY SHANDLING SHOW. Find out how Ted's Auntie Lee started his long writing career with a favor. Plus, we take you behind the scenes for a week at comedy legend Redd Fox's hit show SANFORD AND SON. 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 04 Sep 2022 | Tips To Get Your Script Started | 00:21:02 | |
The hardest thing for new writers, and many seasoned pros, is to sit down and start writing your screenplay. Sure, you’ve been contemplating and telling everyone who will listen what a great idea you have for a script for months but haven’t written anything down. Then, you see a movie trailer that looks exactly like the movie you have in your head, and you want to curl up in a ball and punch yourself in the face. Writers, in this episode, Sandy and Terry focus on “how to begin” with tips by Dean Orion. He wrote the book Live To Write Another Day, A Survival Guide for Screenwriters and Creative Storytellers. You can find Dean's book on Amazon. We pick a card from the Woracle Deck, created by writers for writers; the Woracle Cards are an essential tool to help writers generate ideas for new or existing stories. The purpose of the cards is to inspire and rejuvenate the creative juices to get the words flowing back on the page. PAGE International Screenwriting AwardsHollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 11 Sep 2022 | A "Dirty" Book Makes It To The Big Screen | 00:26:51 | |
Gotta get off, gonna get When did I get, where did I Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 18 Sep 2022 | CHINATOWN: Why A Famous Last Line Almost Never Happen | 00:18:25 | |
Hang out with Sandy and Terry as they talk about of the most famous last lines in film, "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown" from the 1974 film CHINATOWN written by Robert Towne, directed by Roman Polanski and starring Jack Nicolson and Faye Dunaway. But in this episode, we learn that famous last line almost didn’t happen and why! 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. 📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast 💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment, please contact us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 24 Sep 2022 | Screenwriter Robert Riskin Out Of Capra's Shadow | 00:28:21 | |
Sandy and Terry discuss screenwriter Robert Riskin who spent most of his career working with legendary director Frank Capra. Over the years, Capra's name has overshadowed Riskin's enormous contribution to their collaborative work. And in the end, one of these men didn't show up at the other's funeral. Robert Riskin was like a character from one of his films, a self-made man who didn't graduate from a prestigious college. He didn't go to college at all. Join us as we put Robert Riskin into the spotlight where he belongs. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 02 Oct 2022 | Was The Poltergeist Movie Set Cursed Ft. Michael McManus | 00:27:02 | |
Sandy and Terry discuss Poltergeist, one of America's most beloved horror films. We'll also be talking to writer and actor Michael McManus who played Ben Tuthill in POLTERGEIST, the neighbor next door, and get the real story of what happened. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 09 Oct 2022 | PAGE Judge Nate Adams On Why He Options A Script And More! | 00:40:38 | |
PAGE Awards’ Judge Nate Adams hangs out with us!!! Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 16 Oct 2022 | The Life & Ghastly Death of Director/Writer Al Adamson | 00:28:39 | |
Spooky Season continues with Sandy and Terry as they discuss the life and gruesome death of Al Adamson, a horror film director and writer. Al worked on the fringes of Hollywood during the golden age of drive-ins and grindhouse films. Al died in 1995 in a manner so dreadful it could have been a scene from one of his movies. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 23 Oct 2022 | Hanging Out With Emmy-Winning Comedy Writer Ken Levine | 00:43:30 | |
Writers, we are so happy to have Emmy-winning writer/director/ playwright and major league baseball announcer KEN LEVINE hangs out with us. Ken’s credits include M*A*S*H, WINGS, CHEERS, FRASIER, and ALMOST PERFECT, which he created with his writing partner, DAVID ISAACS. He voiced Dan Hoard in THE SIMPSONS as well as co-wrote the episode. Ken has directed over 60 TV episodes, co-wrote the Tom Hanks movie VOLUNTEERS, and has a popular podcast called Hollywood and Levine. Ken shares excellent tips on how to get your spec to the top of the pile, a gem of an idea on the way to make sure your writing sample stands out, and the best crew gift he ever got. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 30 Oct 2022 | The Writers' Room Survival Guide by Niceole Levy | 00:39:11 | |
On the eve of Halloween, we have only treats for you because our guest Niceole Levy is here to discuss her new book entitled: The Writers’ Room Survival Guide Don’t Screw Up the Lunch Order and Other Keys to a Happy Writers’ Room. Niceole has written on Ironside, Shades of Blue, Cloak & Dagger, and S.W.A.T. She is currently a co-executive producer on Graymail, which will air on Netflix. Grab your favorite Halloween candy, and let’s start the show. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 06 Nov 2022 | The Bitter Sweet Symphony of Adrienne Shelly | 00:21:01 | |
Adrienne Shelly was waiting to hear if the movie she wrote, directed, and starred in, WAITRESS, would get selected for the Sundance film Festival. On Halloween night in 2006, Shelly and her husband, Andy Ostroy, threw a party for their family and friends. The next day, Andy found Adriene hanging from a sheet in her office's bathroom in the West Village. Police said suicide, but anyone who knew Adrienne didn't believe this for a second. Join us as we tell you the story of this remarkable woman who the world must never forget. PAGE International Screenwriting Awards Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 13 Nov 2022 | Walt Disney FIGHT For Your Right To Party | 00:29:27 | |
COME HANG OUT with us as we talk about one of the most famous parties in Hollywood. To thank his employees for the success of SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, Walt Disney threw a party at the Norconian Resort in the California Desert. The party turned wild, and Walt himself never referred to the party again. And, if you wanted to keep your job, you didn’t mention it either. | |||
| 20 Nov 2022 | Do I Have To Live In L.A. To Be A Screenwriter? | 00:24:32 | |
We discuss the age-old question, do you have to move to Los Angeles to be a successful screenwriter with answers from William Goldman, Diablo Cody, and Aaron Sorkin? Plus, a fun quiz that pits a native-born Los Angeleno, Kathy Rager, and The Writers' Hangout's very own Terry Sampson. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 27 Nov 2022 | Insider Kelly Edwards Explains What A Creative Executive Wants | 00:35:32 | |
Today we have the talented and charming Kelly Edwards, who has worked for every major studio in Hollywood and developed shows like LIVING SINGLE, GIRLFRIEND, THE PARKERS, CLUELESS, AND TWO GUYS A GIRL AND A PIZZA. Kelly wrote the best seller, The Executive Chair: A Writer’s Guide To TV Series Development, and if you want to write for television, get this book. The Executive Chair is like getting the playbook of the other team but ethical! Kelly is currently a producer and television writer. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 04 Dec 2022 | Thelma Todd's Inexplicable Death In Hollywood's Golden Age - Pt. 1 | 00:26:36 | |
Actress Thelma Todd was the “Queen of the Lot” and had made it in Hollywood when she died at just 29 years old. Who killed her? Could it be her business partner Roland West a one-time screenwriter? Maybe it was the ex-husband, son of the Broccoli King, and agent Pat DiCicco? Police investigate, and all roads lead to The Trocadero, a famous nightclub that opened on the Sunset Strip in 1934. | |||
| 04 Dec 2022 | Listen To The Sound Of Christmas by The Sno-Globes | 00:03:14 | |
Listen to The Sound Of Christmas by The Sno-Globes featured in Episode 46 Thelma Todd's Inexplicable Death In Hollywood's Golden Age - Pt. 1 Here's a link to listen to more of their holiday music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McFx8spF0Cc&t=5s Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 11 Dec 2022 | Thelma Todd's Inexplicable Death In Hollywood's Golden Age - Pt. 2 | 00:39:57 | |
The conclusion of Thelma Todd's Inexplicable Death In Hollywood's Golden Age. | |||
| 11 Dec 2022 | How I Love That Santy Claus by The Sno-Globes | 00:01:53 | |
Listen to HOW I LOVE THATY SANTY CLAUS by The Sno-Globes featured in Episode 47 Thelma Todd's Inexplicable Death In Hollywood's Golden Age - Pt. 2 Here's a link to listen to more of their holiday music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McFx8spF0Cc&t=5s | |||
| 18 Dec 2022 | Update - Elisabeth Finch The GREY'S ANATOMY Writer Accused Of Faking Cancer | 00:27:20 | |
Update on one-time rising star Elisabeth Finch the GREY'S ANATOMY writer accused of faking cancer. What made her do it and can she make a comeback? Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 18 Dec 2022 | Listen to When You Wish A Christmas Wish by The Sno-Globes | 00:02:59 | |
Listen to When You Wish A Christmas Wish by The Sno-Globes featured in Episode 48 Update - Elizabeth Finch The GREY'S ANATOMY Writer Accused Of Faking Cancer. | |||
| 25 Dec 2022 | That Time The 'Titanic' Cast and Crew Ate PCP-Spiked Chowder | 00:19:15 | |
Ho, Ho, Ho!! Happy Holidays. | |||
| 25 Dec 2022 | Very Merry Christmas by The Snow-Globes ft. in Episode 49 | 00:03:12 | |
Listen to VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS by The Sno-Globes featured in Episode 49 --That Time The 'Titanic' Cast and Crew Ate PCP-Spiked Chowder Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 01 Jan 2023 | The Year 2023 Coming In Hot... | 00:18:33 | |
Happy New Year!! We have a fun, happy episode this week. Sandy puts all the Christmas movies away for the year and discusses her favorite New Year's Eve movie scenes. Terry checks in with a report for the San Fernando Valley. And last but not least, Sandy reads your New Year Writing Resolutions, and one lucky winner wins a free entry into the PAGE Awards Competition. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 08 Jan 2023 | Hanging with PAGE Awards Winner and Screenwriter R. Scott Shields | 00:34:23 | |
We have a terrific show for you today. As promised, for January 2023, we are doing a series of interviews with PAGE Awards winners. First up is R. Scott Shields who won the PAGE Bronze Prize in 2009 for his beautiful family drama STRAWBERRY MANSION and then won our Grand Prize in 2010 for his animated feature SUPERCAT! Since then, sometimes with representation and sometimes without, Scott went on to write a sci-fi fantasy for Hydraulx Entertainment called JASON AND THE ASTRONAUTS and was hired to write two sports biopics. Scott discusses getting a writing assignment without representation, what makes a good bio-pic, and why you never say no when your next-door neighbor asks you to write a short film that will get shot. | |||
| 15 Jan 2023 | Hanging Out with PAGE Award winner Nardeep Khurmi | 00:34:21 | |
In honor of our sponsors, PAGE International Screenwriting Awards , celebrating their 20th anniversary, I'm interviewing some of the competition's winners. Today's guest is Nardeep Khurmi, who won the PAGE 2021' Silver Prize in drama for his screenplay, LAND OF GOLD. PAGE International Screenwriting Awards
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| 22 Jan 2023 | Become A Better Person Become A Better Writer with Screenwriter Larry Postel | 00:37:35 | |
We continue to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our sponsors, The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards, by interviewing past winners. Today we have Larry Postel, who took home the PAGE Awards Grand Prize in 2005. Since then, Larry has written four original spec screenplays that have made. Including The Main Event, a Netflix Original; High Holiday, a Peacock Original; Flip Turn, an indie drama available on Amazon; and Sony's 5000 Blankets. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 29 Jan 2023 | Screenwriter Alexandra Qin Takes On ThirstyGirl | 00:43:48 | |
We continue to celebrate our sponsor, The PAGE INTERNATIONAL Screenwriting awards 20 Anniversary Celebration, I spoke with our Grand Prize winner Alexandra Qin an independent filmmaker based in New York City with a background in technology, social justice, and visual/ performance art. Her first screenplay, ThirstyGirl, won the 2022 PAGE Grand Prize. A raw, intimate story about addiction, sisterhood, and Asian-American identity, it was heavily inspired by Alexandra's own journey of addiction and recovery. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 05 Feb 2023 | Hanging Out With Television Writer Davah Avena | 00:46:21 | |
We continue celebrating the 20th anniversary of the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards with Davah Avena. Davah took home the 2006 Silver Prize for Best TV Drama Pilot and has risen in television from staff writer to Co-Executive Producer on shows like FIREFLY LANE and ZOEY'S EXTRAORDINARY PLAYLIST. PAGE International Screenwriting Awards | |||
| 12 Feb 2023 | Television Writer Jason Gavin Talks Flag Football and Friday Night Lights | 00:28:39 | |
It is Super Bowl LVII weekend, and we have a treat for you. Our guest is television writer Jason Gavin, who got his big break when he got staffed on a show called Friday Night Lights. Kristin Iversen of Nylon wrote, "Friday Night Lights had achieved a rare trifecta in the world of prestige television: critical acclaim, cultishly adoring fans, and a genuinely wide audience (which, sadly, it didn't have when it aired on network television, but what are you going to do).' Jason's other credits include ROYAL PAINS, HAWAII FIVE-O, and ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO. Jason is a co-executive producer on the much-anticipated return of DARK WINDS, the number-one show on AMC+, and one of the executive producers on MARVEL's ECHO, out this summer. | |||
| 19 Feb 2023 | Did A Potato Cause Thelma Todd's Death Ft. Forensic Death Investigator Kyle Finney and Judy TrueCrime | 00:57:03 | |
We're going to pause on interviewing the PAGE Award-winning screenwriter series to bring you the latest on the Thelma Todd murder mystery we talked about last December. If you haven't listened to the two-part episode called Thelma Todd's Inexplicable Death In Hollywood's Golden Age, I highly recommend you go back and listen. The episodes aired on December 4th and 11th of 2022. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 26 Feb 2023 | Screenwriter Angela Bourassa Explains It All | 00:27:06 | |
We continue to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our sponsor, The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards, with our guest Angela Bourassa. Angela won the Gold Prize in the Science Fiction category for her script EVERYTHING IS RIGHT UNTIL IT'S WRONG, and under its new title, TURN ME ON; the movie was filmed last year, produced by Truant Pictures and Blue Creek Pictures, directed by Michael Tyburski, and starring Bel Powley and Nick Robinson. It's now in post-production. In addition, Angela's movies IF YOU WERE THE LAST and BLACK BAGS have also recently been produced, and IF YOU WERE THE LAST is premiering at SXSW next month. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 05 Mar 2023 | Living Outside Of LA And Having A Screenwriting Career with Matias Caruso | 00:26:37 | |
Our guest is screenwriter Matias Caruso who lives in Argentina. Matias taught himself English and how to write screenplays — and after writing and working hard to develop his craft, he wrote an absolutely stunning script called CARNIVAL that won our Grand Prize in 2014. After his win, Carnival was optioned by a PAGE judge and signed by an agent. Matias continues to live in Argentina, and he never moved to the States; he has since had a couple of movies (MAYHEM and WITCH) produced. PAGE International Screenwriting Awards | |||
| 12 Mar 2023 | Rewind With How Page Judges Evaluate Your Script | 00:40:50 | |
One of our most listened to episodes. Two PAGE Awards Judges, Victoria Lucas and Laurie Ashbourne, talk about how they evaluate your screenplays, whether you're just starting or have a script in the competition. You do not want to miss this inside talk. 👍 If you enjoy the show please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. PAGE International Screenwriting Awards | |||
| 20 Mar 2023 | Can A.I. Write A Screenplay With Filmmakers Jon and Matt Firman | 00:39:02 | |
We have a terrific show for you with today’s guests Jon and Matt Firman who are Baltimore, MD-based indie filmmakers. After spending more than eight years immersed in the local film community, brothers Jon and Matt saw a need for writers to have an easier way of turning their ideas into stories. So, the brothers decided to explore the benefits of using AI to help writers manage their process from idea to script, which led them to develop Story Prism a suite of AI-powered writing tools to help creators flesh out their stories. | |||
| 26 Mar 2023 | Breaking Into Hollywood With A Little Help From Harold Ramis | 00:25:17 | |
You never know when your big break will happen. In this episode co-host Terry Sampson share how he landed his big break compliments of Harold Ramis. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 02 Apr 2023 | How Aaron Sorkin The WGA And You Feel About AI Writing | 00:15:06 | |
For today’s episode, we have a follow-up on Season One, Episode 61 entitled Can A.I. Write A Screenplay With Filmmakers Jon and Matt Firman, it came out last month. You don’t have to go back and listen to episode 61, but things will make more sense if you do. In the A.I. episode, we explored the benefits of using AI to help writers manage their process from idea to script and spoke to the creators of Story Prism a suite of AI-powered writing tools to help creators flesh out their stories. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 09 Apr 2023 | The Wild Story Behind 1993's The Super Mario Bros. Movie | 00:35:48 | |
Did you know there was another SUPER MARIO BROS MOVIE besides the animated blockbuster with Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, and Fred Armisen? The first SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE hit theaters in 1993 and was the first feature-length live-action film based on a video game. It follows brothers Mario Mario (Bob Hoskins) and Luigi Mario (John Leguizamo) in their quest to rescue Princess Daisy (Samantha Mathis) from a dystopic parallel universe ruled by the ruthless King Koopa (Dennis Hopper), directed by the husband-and-wife team Rocky Morton and Annabel Jankel. Unfortunately, it was a box office failure, and critics hated it. The credits list three writers Parker Bennett, Terry Runté, and Ed Solomon. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 16 Apr 2023 | Brooke Shields And One Regret | 00:32:19 | |
Hulu's documentary PRETTY BABY: Brooke Shields reminds Sandy she spent time on the set of SUDDENLY SUSAN, the NBC half-hour sitcom, and walked away disappointed in something Brooke did to Kathy Griffin. You don't have to have watched PRETTY BABY: Brooke Shields to listen to this episode. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 23 Apr 2023 | Hanging Out With The Comic's Daughter Carrie Freeman | 00:24:40 | |
We have a terrific show with guest Carrie Freeman. PAGE International Screenwriting Awards | |||
| 30 Apr 2023 | Hanging Out With The Comic's Daughter Carrie Freeman Pt. 2 | 00:24:37 | |
Part two and the conclusion of last week's episode with author Carrie Freeman. PAGE International Screenwriting Awards | |||
| 07 May 2023 | Hang Out And Play: Name The Movie | 00:27:18 | |
Time for some housekeeping plus an announcement from our sponsors, The PAGE Awards, on their upcoming deadline. Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 14 May 2023 | Swimming With Screenwriter Kevin Bachar | 00:37:44 | |
We have a fantastic show for you as we continue celebrating our sponsor, The PAGE AWARDS' 20TH Anniversary, with 2018 Page Awards Grand Prize winner Kevin Bachar. Kevin's screenplay - THE INHABITANT- starring Dermot Mulroney & Leslie Bibb came out last year in theaters and can be found on high-end streamers like Amazon Prime and Hulu. Kevin was a Senior Producer at National Geographic Television for ten years before forming his production company, Pangolin Pictures. Since then, he's developed and produced films and series in all genres but specializes in Natural History films. Kevin's films have won three EMMY awards and garnered another six nominations, including two 2011 Prime-Time Emmy nominations for Jaws: The Inside Story and John Belushi: Dancing on the Edge. Kevin's screenplays won numerous competitions, including the 2018 Page Awards Grand Prize! Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. | |||
| 21 May 2023 | Rewind The Unbelievable Story of TV Writer Elisabeth Finch and Grey's Anatomy | 01:00:25 | |
We are rewinding episodes 17, 18, and 48 -- The Unbelievable True Story of Elisabeth Finch and Grey's Anatomy. Rising star and television writer Elizabeth Finch wrote many emotional scripts for GREY'S ANATOMY, exploring cancer, abortion, and sexual abuse using her life experience. In March of 2022, Grey's Anatomy writer Elisabeth Finch was investigated by Disney and placed on administrative leave by the production company Shondaland over concerns about her medical history. Elisabeth told friends and co-works at Grey's Anatomy she'd been diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer called Chondrosarcoma in 2012. She wore a bandage that covered her port, was pale, nibbled on saltines, and took breaks to vomit during work. Elisabeth's cancer inspired a storyline on Grey's Anatomy, where the character Catherine Avery, played by Debbie Allen, was diagnosed with cancer like Elisabeth in Season 15 of Grey's in 2018. Elisabeth also lost a kidney; then, part of her tibia was removed due to chemotherapy. If that wasn't bad enough, she was forced to abort a fetus because chemotherapy made the pregnancy impossible. | |||
| 04 Jun 2023 | The Fascinating Death Of Screenwriter Gary DeVore | 00:19:04 | |
Rewind of Episode 3 -- Sandy and Terry Sampson discuss the little-known mystery of the 1997 disappearance of screenwriter Gary Devore. Gary was returning home after working out the ending of his latest script, which he claimed would blow the lid off government secrets when he disappeared without a trace. Did Gary step out to "buy a pack of cigarettes," or was he met with foul play? We'll delve into what happened that fateful night and revisit the rumors and conspiracy theories that continue to baffle and disturb people. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Executive Producer Kristin Overn Producer Sandy Adomaitis Producer Terry Sampson Music by Ethan Stoller | |||
| 11 Jun 2023 | Rewind - Page Judges Reveal How They Evaluate Your Script: Part Two | 00:45:16 | |
REWIND of two more PAGE Awards Judges, Dwayne Smith and Mike Kuciak continue the conversation on how they evaluate your screenplay. Mike Kuciak has two movies coming out in 2022; he's the writer-director and writer-producer of the other. He's a producer on a third film scheduled to begin production in late 2022. He has served as a producer and executive producer on several independent films. He was the senior vice president of development for a literary management-production company and, after that, the founder/CEO of his own company before hanging that up to focus on writing/directing/producing. Dwayne Smith has been a professional screenwriter since 1999 and has written scripts for Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Intermedia, and Gold Circle. His urban thriller PAY THE LADY is in post-production, and his sci-fi feature IMPLANT is in pre-production. Representing the management firm Circle of Confusion at numerous screenwriting conferences and festivals, Dwayne has listened to hundreds of pitches and read countless screenplays in search of new writing talent. As a judge for the PAGE Awards, he reads Comedies, Thriller/Horror, Science Fiction, and Action/Adventure scripts. 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. 📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast 💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment, please contact us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com PAGE International Screenwriting Awards Hollywood's favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. | |||
| 18 Jun 2023 | TWH Podcast Update Plus Writing Rear Window With Hitchcock and Hayes | 00:37:36 | |
We wanted to “jump on the mic,” as the kids say, and give you a Writers’ Hangout update. Terry and I have been working on some projects that took our time away from recording, but we’ve been working behind the scenes on future episodes and are excited about hanging out with you soon. I miss you guys a lot. In the meantime, here’s a favorite episode of mine and Terry's entitled; WRITING REAR WINDOW WITH HITCHCOCK AND HAYES. Learn how a short story from a dime store magazine turned into one of the most discussed films produced in Hollywood and the fifth-grossing film of 1954. The film REAR WINDOW, starring Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelly, Raymond Burr, and Thelma Ritter, was written by John Michael Hayes and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. 📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast 💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment, please contact us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com PAGE International Screenwriting Awards Hollywood's favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. | |||
| 25 Jun 2023 | Rewind - The Strange Disappearance of Screenwriter Ian Mackintosh | 00:22:42 | |
Rewind -- British screenwriter Ian Mackintosh's plane went missing on July 7, 1979, nineteen days before his thirty-ninth birthday, over the Gulf of Alaska. What happened remains a mystery. Join us as we tell the story of Lieutenant Commander Hamish Ian Mackintosh, a British Royal Navy officer, a writer of thriller novels, and a screenwriter for British television. Ian's series, THE SANDBAGGERS, was groundbreaking. The New York Times said "the best spy series in television history." Ian MacKintosh was among the first writers to present espionage realistically and as a sordid series of political struggles, double-crosses, and personality clashes. | |||
| 02 Jul 2023 | We're Back With The Writers' Strike and A.I. Theatre | 00:16:02 | |
We are back! The Writer’s Hangout is back with a brand-new episode. We break down the current WGA Writers’ Strike and whether A.I. can write a screenplay better than a human. We introduce A.I. Theater, where Terry reads from three scripts written by bots. Writers, we challenge you not to laugh at these delightful screenplays. The scripts are all written by bots and can be found on the Instagram Account: @bot_scripts 📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast 💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment, please contact us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com PAGE International Screenwriting Awards Hollywood's favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. | |||
| 09 Jul 2023 | The Best Alien Miniseries Ever And Hooligan Fireworks | 00:38:19 | |
We dive deep into the 1980s class miniseries V. Hollywood backstabbing, conspiracy theories, and the devastating murder of a star behind the TV alien-invasion sensation. By Anthony Breznican 📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast 💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment, please contact us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com PAGE International Screenwriting Awards Hollywood's favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. | |||
| 16 Jul 2023 | Hang Out With The Hollywood Sign | 00:11:21 | |
On this episode, we invite you to hang out with Sandy as she takes a look at Hollywood's most iconic landmark, the Hollywood Sign. Originally built as “Hollywoodland” as an advertisement to lure in real estate investors, it has seen tragedy, facelifts, and even a couple of good pranks over the decades. The Hollywood Sign is celebrating its 100 Anniversary throughout 2023. | |||
| 23 Jul 2023 | #hotwritersummer | 00:25:06 | |
Friend of the pod and production coordinator extraordinaire Kathy joins us to look at the WGA and SAG strike through the lens of the people behind the scene. What happened to everyone else working as a production assistant, gaffer, or script coordinator just a few months ago? When will the strike end? What are the writers and actors looking for? Tune in, and all will be explained. 💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment, please contact us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com PAGE International Screenwriting Awards Hollywood's favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent.
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| 30 Jul 2023 | Best-selling Author and Screenwriter Claire McGown Let’s Us In | 00:24:37 | |
Today, we have a great guest on the show, best-sell author and screenwriter Claire McGown. Claire was born in Northern Ireland and grew up in a village where she said, “The most exciting thing that ever happened was a herd of cows getting loose in the road.” Clair now lives in London, and her latest mystery thriller book, LET ME IN, was just released. The Irish Times said, “A knotty, twisty tale…unfolds at a cracking pace.” I had so much fun getting to know Claire that I didn’t want to stop recording! 💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment, please contact us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com PAGE International Screenwriting Awards Hollywood's favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. | |||
| 06 Aug 2023 | Play Guess The Movie With Sandy and Terry | 00:26:23 | |
Time to play – The Writers’ Game Show!!!! Sandy will give a brief synopsis of a movie that involves music, one sentence at a time, and we’ll see how many sentences Terry and you take to come up with the movie's name. We are going for a low score here. If you get it on the first sentence, you give yourself a one, the second sentence a two, etc. All synopsizes are courtesy of Google. 💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment, please contact us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com PAGE International Screenwriting Awards Hollywood's favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. | |||
| 13 Aug 2023 | Screenwriter Stephen Gaghan of 'Traffic' Fame Took Some Rough Turns On The Road To Success | 00:25:07 | |
Rewind: How do they do it? How do successful writers become successful? They must all lead charmed lives. One imagines a successful writer who works hard, gets up at 4 a.m., goes to the gym, then slides behind the laptop for four hours. Afternoons, they take their doodle around the block of their tony neighborhood, then put in another two solid hours of editing. Have a healthy dinner with friends, then go to bed for a brilliant night's sleep. Well, dear writers, as we know on The Writer's Hangout, it doesn't always go well when we tell you a story about a screenwriter. Hang out with Sandy and Terry, who tell you the fascinating story of screenwriter and director Stephen Gaghan, known for writing the screenplay for Soderbergh's film TRAFFIC, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, and Syriana, which he wrote and directed. Research for this episode included: The Newsweek article Sheik, Rattle and Roll by Newsweek Staff https://www.newsweek.com/sheik-rattle-and-roll-115527 The New York Times article Gritty Portrayal Of the Abyss From a Survivor; The Screenwriter for 'Traffic' Says He Drew on His Past By Rick Lyman The Los Angeles Times article Stephen Gaghan, one-time Hollywood wunderkind, returns after a long absence with ‘Gold’ by Steven Zeitchik https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-stephen-gaghan-gold-20161114-story.html IMDB and Wikipedia 💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment, please contact us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com PAGE International Screenwriting Awards Hollywood's favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent.
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| 20 Aug 2023 | Sandra Bullock’s The Blind Side Controversy | 00:28:01 | |
Hang out with Sandy and Terry as they discuss THE BLIND SIDE controversy over Michael Oher, the NFL veteran whose life inspired the movie and who is suing his conservators, Sean and Leigh Ann Tuohy, for $15 million. The former Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers Tackle says in his filing that he gave the rights to his life story away to 20th Century Fox in 2007 without any payment whatsoever and that he was missing profits from John Lee Hancock’s 2009 film, which grossed $309 million at the worldwide box office. After 19 years, the Tuohys say they plan to terminate Michael Oher's conservatorship – NPR. The Blind Side author responds to Michael Oher's lawsuit, saying Hollywood is to blame for the lack of profits by Jessica Wang. Wikipedia and IMDB The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. 💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment, please contact us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com PAGE International Screenwriting Awards Hollywood's favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. | |||
| 27 Aug 2023 | How To Procrastinate Like A Successful Screenwriter | 00:24:46 | |
Hang out with Sandy and Terry as they talk procrastination with a capital P! Everyone deals with it, but how do you stop procrastination? Then, once you do, what do you write your screenplay about? You have three great ideas, but which one do you write? We address this in the latest episode and have a few laughs. Research for this episode includes articles from the following publications. proactivitylab.com/the-7-most-famous-procrastinators/ johnaugust.com/2009/which-project-should-i-write https://solvingprocrastination.com/famous-procrastinators/#:~:text=Below%2C%20you%20will%20find%20a,Victor%20Hugo%2C%20and%20Steve%20Jobs PAGE International Screenwriting Awards Hollywood's favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent. | |||
| 03 Sep 2023 | Hollywood Then And Now With John Wirth and Gail Matthius Pt. 1 | 00:48:02 | |
Hang out with our guests, John Wirth and Gail Matthius, a Hollywood couple who met in high school. Gail was a cast member on Saturday Night Live in 1981 and is known for her voice acting work in animated shows, including Bobby's World, Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs, and The Tick. John Wirth is a television showrunner, producer, and writer. His credits included HELL ON WHEELS, WU ASSASSINS, TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, and NASH BRIDGES. In part one of this two-part episode, Gail and John discuss the early days and their willingness to work hard to succeed in show business. In part two, we'll focus on the difference between when Gail and John struggled and in 2023, when actors and writers must strike for decent wages and protection from artificial intelligence.
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| 10 Sep 2023 | Hollywood Then and Now With John Wirth and Gail Matthius Pt. 2 | 00:29:02 | |
Hang out with our guests, John Wirth and Gail Matthius, a Hollywood couple who met in high school, fell in love and moved to Hollywood to pursue their dreams. John Wirth is a television showrunner, producer, and writer. His credits included HELL ON WHEELS, WU ASSASSINS, TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, and NASH BRIDGES.
In part one, Gail and John discuss the early days and their willingness to work hard to succeed. In this episode, we focus on the difference between the time when Gail and John were struggling versus today in 2023, when, unfortunately, actors and writers have to strike for decent wages and protection from artificial intelligence. | |||
| 16 Sep 2023 | Harassed And Pitching A Humanitas Prize Nominated Script | 00:27:56 | |
Sandy and Terry hang out and discuss Sandy being sexually harassed and bullied but still pitching a Humanitas Prize-nominated idea to Disney/ABC/ RECESS with her former writing partner. | |||
| 24 Sep 2023 | Hey Writers What's The Big Idea | 00:22:58 | |
Hang out with Sandy and Terry as they discuss the "big idea" - a high-concept premise that can persuade studio executives to read your script and turn it into a movie. Terry shares his opinion on the best pizza in the San Fernando Valley, while Sandy gets serious about New York bagels. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.
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| 01 Oct 2023 | What Is S.A.D. And Why Writers Should Spend Winter in Lithuania | 00:30:26 | |
Hang out with Sandy and Terry as they discuss what is going on with the writer's strike, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and writing in winter in Vilnius. nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder Other resources: vox.com/culture/2023/9/24/23888673/wga-strike-end-sag-aftra-contract If you are distressed or thinking about hurting yourself, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You also can text the Crisis Text Line (HELLO to 741741) or use the Lifeline Chat on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website. 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. | |||
| 08 Oct 2023 | How Mike White Came Up With The Idea For School Of Rock 20 Years Later | 00:18:13 | |
Hang out with Sandy and Terry in their discussion about the 20th anniversary of School of Rock and the process of generating creative ideas when a screenwriter begins to write a movie. We find the process intriguing - from when an idea strikes the writer, often while in the shower, to how they shape it based on their life experiences. Research for this episode included: 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. | |||
| 15 Oct 2023 | Terry's Love Of The Marx Brothers And The Art Of Improvisation | 00:17:11 | |
We discuss Terry’s love of The Marx Brothers and his appreciation of improvisation. The Marx Brothers were a famous comedy act that succeeded in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in 14 motion pictures between 1905 and 1949. The American Film Institute selected five of the Marx Brothers' fourteen feature films as among the top 100 comedy films. Critics, scholars, and fans widely regard the Marx Brothers as some of the greatest and most influential comedians of the 20th century. They perfected the art of improvisation during their time, making their comedy timeless and unforgettable to Terry and the world. Research for this episode includes: 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. | |||
| 22 Oct 2023 | How Writers Find Their Agents And Managers | 00:34:01 | |
Thanks for hanging out with us! 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. | |||
| 29 Oct 2023 | Happy Halloween With A Recap of The Ghost And Mr. Chicken Ft. Screenwriter Mark Steen | 00:55:01 | |
Happy Halloween!! Directed by Alan Rafkin and written by James Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" is about a timid typesetter who hasn't a ghost of a chance of becoming a reporter - until he decides to solve a murder mystery and ends up spending a fright-filled night in a haunted house. You don't need to watch the movie to enjoy the show, but we encourage you to do so since it's a fun movie that the whole family can enjoy. 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. | |||
| 05 Nov 2023 | Dread: 22 Tales Of Terror With Screenwriter Kevin Bachar | 00:30:36 | |
On today's show, Kevin Bacher, the winner of the 2018 Page Awards Grand Prize, is here. Kevin was a guest on The Writers Hangout last Spring, Episode 69, where we discussed his movie, THE INHABITANT, starring Dermot Mulroney and Leslie Bibb. THE INHABITANT was released last year in theaters and can be found on Amazon Prime and Hulu. Besides being a screenwriter, Kevin is an EMMY-winning WGA documentary director/writer. If you have watched The Discovery Channel, you must have seen his work. In this episode, we discuss Kevin's new short story collection, DREAD: 22 Tales of Terror, which reveals the darker side of nature. DREAD is a collection of tales that offer horrifying reasons why thousands of people have gone missing in the wild. Kevin, an Emmy-award-winning National Geographic cinematographer, has swum with sharks, climbed the peaks of mountains, and explored the darkest of forests. In DREAD, he weaves together terrifying true stories from his real-life adventures with twisted fiction from the depths of his frightening imagination. Flip the pages to indulge in the dark side of nature— haunted forests, tree demons, monstrous snakes, and a search-and-rescue team terrorized by the ghosts of those they couldn’t save. 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. | |||
| 07 Nov 2023 | The Bitter Sweet Symphony of Adrienne Shelly - Rewind One Year Later | 00:21:01 | |
In honor of the late writer, director, and actor Adrienne Shelly, we are reposting The Writers' Hangout Episode dedicated to her story in the month she passed. This is an opportunity to get to know this talented and amazing woman whose life was cut short by a tragic event. 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. | |||
| 12 Nov 2023 | Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest TV Theme Songs of All Time | 00:43:44 | |
Hang out with Sandy and Terry as they go through Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest TV Theme Songs of All Time! From Seventies sitcoms with expository jams to modern prestige classics with experimental scores, from 'Sanford and Son' to 'Succession,' from 'Match Game' to 'Game of Thrones.' 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. | |||
| 19 Nov 2023 | 7 Quick Tips for Creating Memorable Character Names | 00:26:15 | |
In this episode, Sandy and Terry discuss seven tips on creating memorable character names for your stories. Have you ever wondered how important character names are in a story? Well, let's ask Google: "The right name can help the reader easily identify each character. However, getting too creative with your name choices can be distracting or even confusing for the reader. The wrong name can take the reader out of the story and make them question why you, as the author, made such an inane choice." Therefore, writers, grab a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage and enjoy this quick and helpful episode where you will learn some great tips on naming your characters effectively. 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. | |||
| 26 Nov 2023 | 10 Movies Coming To A Theater Near You | 00:27:36 | |
Hang out with Sandy and Terry as they discuss the variety of movies released at the end of 2023. We will see a bit of everything: boys to men wrestling, Beyoncé touring, and Timothée Chalamet singing. This season's movie lineup is sure to captivate audiences of all tastes. So come and tune in to Sandy and Terry's conversation as they share their thoughts on the latest and greatest films of the season. 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. | |||
| 03 Dec 2023 | Screenwriter Diane Hanks And The Woman With The Purple Heart | 00:36:38 | |
The Writers' Hangout Podcast has a special treat for you today. Our guest is 2016 PAGE Awards winner Diane Hanks, who has joined us to discuss her stunning novel WOMAN WITH A PURPLE HEART. The story of Lieutenant Annie Fox, the first woman to earn a Purple Heart, is told in "The Woman with the Purple Heart." Annie was the chief nurse at Hickam Hospital, located at Hickam Air Field adjacent to Pearl Harbor, on December 7, 1941. The hospital was bombed heavily during the attack. You can purchase WOMAN WITH A PURPLE HEART at your local independent bookstore or on Amazon. 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. | |||