Being a professional Screenwriter means that, unlike a corporate job, every day of your work life is different. But, a Work/Life Balance is achievable, it's just about making the right choices each day to prioritize your schedule. Midst the end of year chaos, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss how they succeed at achieving a Work/Life Balance and, when they fail, how it happens. TWIW: Standing up for a casting choice you believe in, or back down? Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments...
Dec 03, 2024•34 min•Season 5Ep. 47
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the different meetings you will have as a Screenwriter and how to turn them into work opportunities. Whether it's a Producer, a Director or another Writer, there are different ways to approach each meeting and maximize your time. TWIW: Do you engage on a project even if you're not passionate about it? / How an idea gestates over time. / A big new spec sale just hit Hollywood by storm! What we know & don't know Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Commen...
Nov 25, 2024•48 min•Season 5Ep. 46
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the Training Montage. Use it? Don't use it? What are the most iconic training montages and why do they work? Where do training montages fail and slow down the movie? How can you incorporate them into your own writing? Let's get hyped, and train. Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by Paul Lundquist
Nov 18, 2024•52 min•Season 5Ep. 45
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman answer your questions, including - what is the difference between the "Call to Action" and the "Inciting Incident", how do you avoid common pitfalls in adapting IP, what are the do's and don'ts for recent film school grads, and how did Tasha go about choosing the emotional throughline in her show Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft ? Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by Paul Lundquist...
Nov 11, 2024•47 min•Season 5Ep. 44
Ever feel like a movie or show disappoints you? Like they missed an opportunity? Like they let you down somehow but you can't quite place it? Well, it might be a Chekhov's Gun problem. In this episode, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what Checkhov's Gun is, why it's important in writing stories, how to use it, and examples of great and failed uses of Chekhov's Gun in popular movies. Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by Paul Lundquist...
Nov 04, 2024•42 min•Season 5Ep. 43
Happy Halloween (week). Josh is joined by special co-host Dave Levinson to discuss their favorite horror sequels (Tasha is back next week). They discuss what makes a great sequel and how to improve from the original concept. If we missed anything, let us know. Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by Paul Lundquist
Oct 28, 2024•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 52
Halloween is upon us. Joe Russo and Deve Levinson join the pod to discuss Rules and Mystery in horror films with a focus on 'The Ring.' Co-Host Josh Hallman steers the ship while Tasha travels... but she's here in spirit. We also dive into the Variety article: The 100 Best Horror Movies Of All Time. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by Paul Lundquist...
Oct 21, 2024•58 min•Season 5Ep. 51
It is still TOMB RAIDER: THE LEGEND OF LARA CROFT month! Co-host and Showrunner/Executive Producer Tasha Huo discusses changes from script to screen and how to tackle notes. Also, more Q&A. If you haven't already, check out Tomb Raider: The Legend Of Lara Croft on NETFLIX! Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by Paul Lundquist
Oct 14, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 40
October is TOMB RAIDER: THE LEGEND OF LARA CROFT month! Co-host and Showrunner/Executive Producer, Tasha Huo, is answering listener questions about the show, releasing October 10 on Netflix. Tasha is fielding any and all questions about process, craft, specific questions around scenes, dialogue, moments, and more! If you ever wanted to ask a showrunner how the sausage is made, now's your chance! In this first installment, Tasha addresses overall questions about how she got the job, how she handl...
Oct 07, 2024•50 min•Season 5Ep. 39
Tasha is traveling the world and doing press, so we're reposting our episode on 8 sequence structure. When she's back, we'll tackle all things Tomb Raider - craft, process, pitching, episodes, etc. If you have any questions, please email acttwowriters@gmail.com . October is going to be an amazing month! Tomb Raiders comes to Netflix on October 10th.
Sep 30, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 38
We all have different paths in this industry, and it's important to understand where those paths lead and what jobs you'll be asked to do. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss showrunning, producing, and setting expectations as screenwriters. Also .... TWIW! Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by Paul Lundquist
Sep 23, 2024•32 min•Season 5Ep. 37
As screenwriters, we work in a collaborative medium. But we also need to be the arbiters of great storytelling and are hired for our creative and unique visions. We work with other writers, producers, actors and directors, all of whom have opinions and thoughts that may conflict with your own. How do you captain the ship (script) while also respecting their input? Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss! TWIW: Josh went to the Emmys! And is writing a difficult sport on the body? Questions / Com...
Sep 17, 2024•48 min•Season 5Ep. 36
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman are at a mental low point in writing and discuss how they got there, the patterns of writing-depression they've noticed, and their helpful tips and tricks on how to get through it and keep writing. The ultimate deterrent to a writing career is giving up. Let's talk about how not to give up! TWIW: The Bear S3 is taking chances! Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist...
Sep 10, 2024•37 min•Season 5Ep. 35
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what it's like to break and write a script in a TV Writer's Room, including the expectations you have as a writer versus the realities. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Sep 02, 2024•31 min•Season 5Ep. 34
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk with writer-director Joe Russo about his latest horror film, THE INHERITANCE, which nearly became a victim of the latest wave of studio tax write-offs. Joe talks about how the idea for the script originally came together in 2018, about the process of writing an ensemble horror movie, producing the film during COVID, and the consequent difficulties of getting it to the public. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist...
Aug 26, 2024•54 min•Season 5Ep. 33
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the oft used (and incorrect) advice to writers of "Write what you know." Instead, they argue you should write anything you f***ing want! But if you do, make sure it is believable and well-researched, and Tasha and Josh give some examples from their own jobs where research has both served and hindered their writing. They address questions like How much research is too much? At what point in the process should you research? And how do you research effective...
Aug 19, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 32
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what a "Central Question" is when it comes to screenwriting, why you need one and how to find it for your specific story. Inspired by a Screencraft Blog Post , they break down how a Central Question works in current movies and in their own work as practical ways to understand the concept and its use in your own stories. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist...
Aug 12, 2024•32 min•Season 5Ep. 31
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what it's like to go to San Diego Comic-Con as a writer, and some panels that proved useful in thinking about Screenwriting. Also, Summer movies are in full swing this year -- are movies back?! Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Aug 06, 2024•44 min•Season 5Ep. 30
We're off this week, so we're re-releasing a conversation that we loved... Tasha and Josh break down the mother/daughter story in Pixar’s BRAVE with special guest Michele Wolkoff (EP, Pigeon Tunnel and Rook). They discuss what works, what doesn’t (and why), and analyze how a directorial overhaul 18 months prior to release affected the story and underlying themes. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist...
Jul 29, 2024•54 min•Season 5Ep. 30
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman field email questions from listeners, including ways to better improve your dialogue, how to think about a "high-concept" idea, and what their process is when they approach different and distinct genres, like a Western vs. Sci-Fi, etc. TWIW: Beverly Hills Cop Axel F, Longlegs, Ryan Reynolds' sacrifices on Deadpool, and how Tasha figured out how to find time for reading. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist...
Jul 22, 2024•43 min•Season 5Ep. 29
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss their This Week in Writings, including a story from Josh about pitching a father-son story and the personal feedback he got in return, Tasha's meeting with her manager that transformed her working methods, an LA Times article saying Management is dead but is it really?, and what to do if you want to write a biopic but don't have the life rights? Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist...
Jul 15, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 28
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss an interview with Bryan Cranston where he talks about how acting is a lifestyle, not a job. That same philosophy applies to a Screenwriting career, so they discuss how and why you must consider whether you want the lifestyle of a Screenwriter as much as the job of one. TWIW: Do you flash your fangirl/boy tattoo in a meeting? / INSIDE OUT 2 Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist...
Jul 08, 2024•48 min•Season 5Ep. 27
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman break down all the many skills required of a Screenwriter to have a long-lasting career and not just a one-hit wonder. Spoiler alert: it's not just about great writing. TWIW: Tasha has a breakthrough with AI / Is theater popcorn a meal replacement? Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Jul 01, 2024•53 min•Season 5Ep. 26
We are halfway through the year, so it's time to look back on our New Year's Goals! Join hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman as they do an honest mid-year check-in on their own goals for this year (which they have definitely not nailed) and discuss how we can all make stronger plans to accomplish those unfinished goals in the latter half of the year. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist...
Jun 24, 2024•24 min•Season 5Ep. 25
You just got notes and you want to curl into a ball and cry. Please don't do that. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what happens after you get notes. It can be intimidating. What's the process? Where to begin? Each scenario is different, and it's important to have a clear idea when you jump back into your writing. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Jun 17, 2024•44 min•Season 5Ep. 24
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman have a great conversation with Matt Misetich from Script Pipeline. We discuss how Script Pipeline is an asset for writers, contests, Brag Bars, and dive into the state of the industry, Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Jun 10, 2024•48 min•Season 5Ep. 23
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman sit down again with Act Two writer and Screenwriter of AIR, Alex Convery, to discuss how his screenwriting career and craft has changed since AIR was released in April 2023, and how the flurry of accolades during award season changed his career. With AIR being an original spec, Alex also talks about where the power of a Screenwriter lays, and how to combat the stalemate that often accompanies a Screenwriting career. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com E...
Jun 03, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 5Ep. 22
One of the most exciting things about Screenwriting is that everyone finds a different path to becoming a professional. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman sit down with Keely Macdonald (AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER, SLEEPY HOLLOW) to discuss her path to discovering a career in Screenwriting through her fan fiction, one big fat coincidence, and the Fox Writers Incubator program. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist...
May 27, 2024•42 min•Season 5Ep. 21
Thank you all for an awesome mixer! Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman tell stories from their 2nd Act Two Podcast Mixer in Los Angeles and, since writers groups were created on the night, they discuss what makes a successful writer's group and what has made their group run strong for 15 years. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
May 21, 2024•39 min•Season 5Ep. 20
The Act Two Mixer is fast approaching, and hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what to expect from the event and gain more from your writing community. TWIW: Can you send out an old version of a new script to different producers? / An awkward general and how to handle. / Josh watched UNFROSTED and has thoughts. / How editing footage is actually a writing skill. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist...
May 13, 2024•31 min•Season 5Ep. 19
