We're thrilled to introduce our special guest, Leo Andronov! He's a talented screenwriter, director, novelist, dramatist, and the author of FIRST DRAFT PRACTICAL STEPS. Originally from Russia, Leo now makes his home in LA. He's celebrated in his home country, having won the top award at the Eurasia International Dramatist Competition, one of Russia's most prestigious playwriting contests. Leo also wrote and directed his first feature film, 29th Kilometer. His book, First Draft Practical Steps, r...
Jun 29, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 157
Our guest is Thomas Dekker, an actor, musician, director, and screenwriter. Known for portraying John Connor in "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," Thomas can next be seen in the upcoming camp horror comedy "HALLOWEEN STORE." Thomas wrote and directed "JACK GOES HOME," featuring Rory Culkin, available to watch on Prime. In this episode, Thomas shares invaluable insights about his screenwriting journey that will benefit writers and all creatives who wake up each day to pursue their dreams....
Jun 08, 2025•53 min•Season 1Ep. 156
The Writers Hangout Podcast is all ears! In today’s episode, we delve into the latest updates on Elisabeth Finch through the insights of Camilla Luddington and Jessica Capshaw, beloved actors from the iconic medical drama "Grey's Anatomy." Capshaw beautifully portrayed Dr. Arizona Robbins, while Luddington shines as Dr. Josephine "Jo" Wilson. Together, they also co-host the charming podcast "Call It What It Is," where they share valuable life lessons, talk about friendships, and touch on various...
May 18, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 155
Sandy takes you with her as we discover a private beach in Malibu's beautiful Point Dume area to discuss Elli Mae McNulty, an actor turned screenwriter who allegedly exploits California’s tenancy laws to turn casual stays into protracted eviction wars. When asked to leave the premises, this English Rose transforms into a nasty piece of work. You wouldn’t want to have tea with this woman at separate restaurants. Quoting Vanity Fair writers, Bradley Hope and Tom Wright, “Sure, let a neighbor use t...
May 04, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 154
In honor of my friend Linda Mazur, we are replaying one of my favorite episodes: 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 ...
Apr 20, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 153
Show notes to follow.
Apr 06, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 152
Rewind. Sandy and Terry discuss *Poltergeist*, one of America's most beloved horror films, which may indeed be the most cursed film in Hollywood history. Released by MGM on June 4, 1982, and written by Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais, and Mark Victor, *Poltergeist* is rumored to be cursed because real human skeletons were used in a pivotal scene. This curse is believed to have led to the tragic deaths of three individuals in brutal and devastating circumstances. We'll also talk to writer and act...
Mar 23, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 151
On today’s show, we have the legendary entertainment lawyer Peter Dekom. Peter Dekom significantly impacted his time at Bloom, Dekom & Hergott. He has represented remarkable clients, including George Lucas, Keenen Ivory Wayans, John Travolta, Ron Howard, and Robert Towne, as well as renowned companies like Sears and JVC. As an advisor, Peter has contributed significantly to New Mexico, helping shape the state's film incentives. You’ll want to bookmark this episode and listen to it at least f...
Mar 10, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 150
We're diving into more updates from the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni lawsuit, and we also have some surprising news about Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, who were sadly found at their home near Santa Fe, New Mexico. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Executive Producer Kristin Overn Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis Producer Terry Sampson Music by Ethan Stoller 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where yo...
Mar 03, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 149
Rewind: Join Sandy and Terry as they dive into the intriguing differences between the iconic film and the real-life story behind it! First on their list is the 1979 movie "Amityville Horror," featuring the talented Josh Brolin, Margot Kidder, and Rod Steiger. This captivating film tells the tale of a family haunted by supernatural forces after moving into a house with a dark past in Amityville, Long Island, New York. If you're enjoying your experience with us, we’d appreciate it if you could fol...
Feb 24, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 148
On today’s episode, we have Walter Wolf, the author of The Right Rehab: A Guide to Addiction and Mental Illness Recovery When Crisis Hits Your Family. This step-by-step guide outlines how to identify and access treatment options for individuals and families, regardless of their resources. Writers, I want to share this book with you because being creative isn’t easy. If you need help, options are available. This book is also an excellent resource if you're writing about addiction. We need to talk...
Feb 18, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 147
In today’s episode, we discuss three key incidents in the lawsuits involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Baldoni released a voice memo he sent to Blake and shared footage from a film that shows a scene where Blake expressed discomfort about unwanted touching. He believes the footage demonstrates that he was not inappropriate during this scene. Additionally, Baldoni feels that Ryan was mocking him in Deadpool vs. Wolverine. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HA...
Feb 09, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 146
The conclusion of who killed Thelma Todd in the Pacific Palisades Pt 2. Actress Thelma Todd was the “Queen of the Lot” and made it in Hollywood when she died of mysterious circumstances at 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. Hang out with u...
Feb 03, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 145
Rewind with one of your favorite episodes. 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 have been her business partner Roland West, a one-time screenwriter? Perhaps it was her ex-husband, the son of the Broccoli King, and agent Pat DiCicco? The police are investigating, and all clues point to The Trocadero, a famous nightclub that opened on the Sunset Strip in 1934. Hang out with us as we unfold the inexp...
Feb 02, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 144
In today’s show, Sandy talks about the wildfires that have sadly affected countless communities and caused trauma to many people in Los Angeles. A thoughtful listener's question brings us an update on Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, adding a personal touch to our discussion. After that, we'll dive into writer Bucky Woodall's lawsuit against Disney regarding the movie Moana 2, exploring the details together. Research for the episode: The Hollywood Reporter https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/busin...
Jan 14, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 143
Hang out with us as we dive deep into the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Lawsuits: A Comprehensive Overview of the Allegations, Key Figures, and Statements Made. Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have been engaged in a contentious exchange — and lawsuits — regarding Baldoni's alleged misconduct on the set of their 2024 film, It Ends With Us. Research for the episode: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/21/business/media/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us.html The PAGE International Screenwri...
Jan 05, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 142
Hang out with us as we explore the major spec sale that shook Hollywood just before the holidays: the AI thriller spec script "Alignment" by Natan Dotan, a writer who, until a week ago, had no representation. The Hollywood Reporter Article by Borys Kit https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/fifth-season-makeready-1236069133/ The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Executive Producer Kristin Overn Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis Producer Terry Sa...
Dec 21, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 141
Come with us as we embark on the exciting and rewarding adventure of making friends in Los Angeles. Plus, we'll look at how the WGA encourages studios to take "immediate legal action" against AI companies. Show notes to follow. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Executive Producer Kristin Overn Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis Producer Terry Sampson Music by Ethan Stoller Contact us at the [email protected]...
Dec 15, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 140
REWIND. Terry recently received a phone call from a childhood friend who asked for help. The friend has a connection whose work was offered a huge deal, and he wanted Terry to brief him on "Hollywood" deal-making. However, as Terry spoke with his friend, he began to suspect that the whole situation might be a scam. Unfortunately, this isn’t a new problem. Scammers often prey on vulnerable artists, especially screenwriters, by making false promises. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards spo...
Dec 08, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 139
In today’s episode, Sandy shares her go-to film genre for those much-needed escape moments. The enchanting "Moana 2" is lighting up the holiday box office, outshining "Red One," "Wicked," and "Gladiator 2." In exciting news, Amazon MGM has secured Julia Cox's heartfelt spec script, 'Love of Your Life,' for around $2 million! Research for this episode included: Amazon MGM Wins Battle For Julia Cox Spec Script ‘Love Of Your Life’ For Around $2 Million By Mike Fleming Jr, Justin Kroll https://deadl...
Dec 01, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 138
The holiday season box office excitement has kicked off with the launch of Amazon’s "RED ONE," featuring the talented Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans! This action-packed adventure revolves around the thrilling kidnapping of Santa Claus, played by J.K. Simmons, and our heroic duo, The Rock and Chris Evans, is on a mission to save him just in time for Christmas. Plus, it comes with a staggering budget of $250 million! Research for the episode includes Box Office: ‘Red One’ Has Itself a Fairly Littl...
Nov 17, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 137
The Writers’ Hangout is thrilled to provide an update on Elisabeth Finch, who produced and wrote for Grey’s Anatomy for eight seasons. Once a captivating grifter, she was later uncovered for lying on an epic scale. Previously, we released four episodes based on Elisabeth Finch: Episode 17 The Unbelievable Story of Elisabeth Finch: Part 1 Episode 18 The Unbelievable Story of Elisabeth Finch: Part 2 Episode 48 Update - Elisabeth Finch The GREY'S ANATOMY Writer Accused Of Faking Cancer Episode 70 R...
Nov 03, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 136
What do Mary Shelley’s "Frankenstein," P. Diddy, and the Universal Lot in Universal City all have in common? It's me, your host, Sandy Adomaitis! Join me as we dive into the captivating story behind Mary Shelley’s "Frankenstein." With writers, there’s always an intriguing drama lurking behind the scenes! The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Executive Producer Kristin Overn Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis Producer Terry Sampson Music by Ethan Stoller 👍 If...
Oct 20, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 135
What happened to Joker: Folie à Deux? After flopping at the box office debut, receiving poor reviews and the lowest audience score in comic book movie history, Todd Phillips’s musical Joker sequel has shocked Hollywood by earning a lackluster $40 million domestically. How did this highly anticipated musical follow-up starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga go so wrong? Research for this article included an article from Vanity Fair’s Chris Murphy https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/is-joker...
Oct 13, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 134
The fall season is well-known for its cozy atmosphere and festive activities. What could be more enjoyable than snuggling up on the couch for a comfortable night in? Here are Sandy's top 5 films to watch on a chilly fall night. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Executive Producer Kristin Overn Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis Producer Terry Sampson Music by Ethan Stoller 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you...
Sep 29, 2024•15 min•Season 1Ep. 133
REWIND EPISODE! You never know when your big break will happen. In this episode, co-host Terry Sampson shares how he landed his big break, compliments of Harold Ramis. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Executive Producer Kristin Overn Producer Sandy Adomaitis Producer Terry Sampson Music by Ethan Stoller 👍 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 @thewritershangout...
Sep 22, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 132
Claudette Wells, a versatile artist known for acting, writing, and voice-over work, is here to provide insights about her new book, FINE FRENCH DOGS. You may know Claudette from her roles as Peggy from A Different World and the iconic sitcom Square Pegs, where she starred alongside Sarah Jessica Parker. Claudette was on the Hangout with us previously to discuss a unique group she and I are a part of called Dead Mother’s Day. Listen to episode 16 for the 411 on that; it is a good thing. Buckle up...
Sep 15, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 131
We have a fantastic episode lined up for you! Kevin Bachar, an EMMY-winning documentary director and screenwriter, is our guest. Kevin has previously joined us to discuss his horror film "The Inhabitant," available on Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Apple+. He also discussed his book "Dredge: 22 Tales of Terror." Now, he's back to talk about his latest book, "The Visitor.” Kevin's books are available on Amazon. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Executive Producer...
Sep 01, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 130
The Writers’ Hangout dives into some entertainment news. Sandy and Terry cover the latest hot Hollywood lawsuits, which are plural, involving screenwriter R. Lance Hill, Amazon, and the remake of the 1989 ‘Roadhouse.’ A cult classic, ‘Roadhouse was a starring vehicle for Patrick Swayze, produced by Joel Silver and directed by Rowdy Herrington. Then, Terry shares an article by David Courtney, Ten Colorful Ways to Say It’s Hotter Than Hades in Texas, featured in Texas Monthly. Research for this ep...
Aug 25, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 129
Sandy and Terry Sampson discuss the little-known mystery of the 1997 disappearance of screenwriter Gary Devore . Gary was returning home after finishing the ending of his latest script, which he claimed would uncover government secrets. However, 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. Th...
Aug 11, 2024•17 min•Season 1Ep. 128
