Liz and Sarah received so many great questions from listeners that they decided to devote another episode to answering them. What does Liz have to say about Survivor? Why didn’t Liz and Sarah have an office for Season Two of Fantasy Island ? Now that Sarah is catching up on recent pop culture, what are some of her favorite current TV shows? They also explain why everyone should watch The Shield, talk about whether they’ve been impacted by the Great Resignation, and so much more! Finally, this we...
Sep 01, 2022•29 min•Ep. 277
Liz and Sarah answer listener questions! Is being a showrunner what they expected? How do they come up with fantasies for Fantasy Island? Has Sarah ever considered taking up quilting? What is Liz’s favorite Real Housewives franchise? And so many more! Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraft Get in touch on Instagram: @ Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/ Happier in Hollywo...
Aug 25, 2022•27 min•Ep. 276
This week, Liz and Sarah reveal what they’ve learned about themselves when they’re not buried in work. Then they talk with showrunner and author Rasheed Newson about his new novel, My Government Means to Kill Me . How did he write a book while running a show? What advice does he have for aspiring writers? Finally, Rasheed provides this week’s Hollywood Hack: on Zoom, minimize your screen and put yourself on mute! Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraft Get in touch on Instagra...
Aug 18, 2022•29 min•Ep. 275
Liz and Sarah share some key takeaways from the excellent Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging training they recently attended, including how their personal identifiers impact their leadership styles — in both positive and negative ways. They also discuss the concept of STUFF, which stands for Stress, Time, Uncertainty, Fear, & Fatigue. When we experience STUFF it can be harder to effectively process opinions different from our own — but there ARE ways to make sure everyone still gets...
Aug 11, 2022•27 min•Ep. 274
Liz and Sarah discuss the upcoming Apple TV+ show, Bad Sisters. They developed the same show (based on a Flemish series) twice for ABC, but it (rightly) never got past the script stage. Now they’re excited to see how Sharon Horgan brings it to life. In Take A Hike, they offer three strategies for dealing with “crazy.” Then, in Hits & Bombs, Liz gives Sarah a hit for using her alone time well when Violet was at camp. And together they give a Bomb to the Supreme Court for overturning Roe v. Wa...
Aug 04, 2022•25 min•Ep. 273
This week, Liz and Sarah discuss the importance of spending time with their TV writer friends! Then, in Amplify, Liz and Sarah recommend fellow showrunner and author Rasheed Newson’s new book, My Government Means to Kill Me . In The Mailroom, they answer a listener question on how books become movies or shows. Finally, their assistant Lauren is back with this week’s Hollywood Hack: be an inviter! Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraft Get in touch on Instagram: @ Sfain & ...
Jul 28, 2022•25 min•Ep. 272
This week, Liz and Sarah are passing off their worry to the experts! They share how trusting your team can take the weight off. Then—one, two, three—in Take A Hike, they talk about how keeping a daily count can help mark each day with gratitude. Next, in The Craft (& Fain), they discuss the difference between big bullseyes and small bullseyes, and how shows like Barry and Yellowjackets hit their targets. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack from a listener is sticky business: the power of the...
Jul 21, 2022•21 min•Ep. 271
This week, Liz and Sarah have an update on their company, Fun Job Productions—after two years, did they decide to keep their fiction podcast company going? Then, Liz and Sarah are joined by author and fellow podcaster Lian Dolan! They talk about Lian’s latest novel, Lost and Found in Paris , her writing process, and how to dive into that book project you’ve been wanting to start. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack will improve your social life: have friends of all ages! Get in touch on Twitter:...
Jul 14, 2022•36 min•Ep. 270
This week, Liz and Sarah have a reality check for aspiring TV writers. From making less money to doing free work, the business has gotten even more brutal. Their advice? Follow your dreams, but know what you’re in for. In Take A Hike, Liz and Sarah talk about the importance of work traditions—how they mark milestones, help them bond, and make hard work more fun. Next, in The Craft (& Fain), they answer a listener question about the writing process on Fantasy Island . Finally, this week’s Hol...
Jul 07, 2022•29 min•Ep. 268
Even though Liz and Sarah are still in the middle of post production for Season 2 of Fantasy Island , they discuss how they feel like they’re on vacation! In Take A Hike, they reveal their summer themes: Liz is planning a Summer of Health, and Sarah is looking forward to a Summer of Settling (in a good way). Next, in Amplify, they spotlight the delightful Gordita Chronicles , a new show on HBOMax that’s fun for the whole family. In The Mailroom, Liz and Sarah tackle email etiquette. Finally, thi...
Jun 30, 2022•26 min•Ep. 268
Liz and Sarah celebrate wrapping production on Season Two of Fantasy Island ! They discuss the Season Two “production curse” and how knowing even The Godfather faced challenges was a comfort. In The Mailroom, Liz and Sarah answer TWO listener questions—how they approach being career-oriented moms and how to give great notes. Then, in Hits & Bombs, Sarah has a Bomb for the guy in the NRA T-shirt at the Disneyland Hotel pool, and Liz has Hits for two new shows— The Deep End and I Love That For...
Jun 23, 2022•28 min•Ep. 267
It’s time for Spring Listener Questions: Part 2! What do Liz and Sarah wish they knew about life—and Hollywood—when they graduated high school? Did they ever have a crush on the same person? Get the scoop on everything from insider details on working with a lean budget to bunnies and Corgis to where they’re shopping for clothes! Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraft Get in touch on Instagram: @ Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our ...
Jun 16, 2022•30 min•Ep. 266
It’s time for Spring Listener Questions: Part 1! Besides the writing, what parts of showrunning do Liz and Sarah particularly enjoy? Why do TV shows today show so… much… vomit?! Liz and Sarah answer your burning questions on all things from Fantasy Island to reality TV to “practical pants.” Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraft Get in touch on Instagram: @ Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.co...
Jun 09, 2022•28 min•Ep. 265
Liz and Sarah have a new strategy: You Ain’t Gonna Need It! YAGNI—a tip from a listener—is helping Liz and Sarah think about work differently. One example? Not spending energy on projects before they’re done deals. In Take Two, listeners share times in their lives that give them the same feeling of euphoria that Liz and Sarah get from handing in the last script of the season. Then in HIH WFH they discuss the decision NOT to return to Puerto Rico and how working from home allows them to get MORE ...
Jun 02, 2022•25 min•Ep. 264
Liz and Sarah have—knock on wood—finished writing Season Two of Fantasy Island ! They discuss the euphoria they felt after turning in the last Studio/Network draft and share how they celebrated. What compares? Finishing a trial, the last day of school, giving birth… Next, in The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah dub themselves The Queens of Cutting! They reveal the tricks—removing couplets, focusing on concise thoughts—that helped them cut nineteen pages from the Season Two finale script. Then, ...
May 26, 2022•25 min•Ep. 263
Liz and Sarah have news—the Big Summer Fun of Fantasy Island is now Big Fall (Or Winter) Fun on FOX! They discuss getting the call and what the move to in-season means for the show. Spoiler alert—it’s good! Then, in The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah have acquired new writers’ room lingo! What’s a front porch? Back porch? How about funneling? Then, in HIH WFH, they share a wellness concern—the lack of the loop—and consider options to replace their former walks around studio lots. Finally, thi...
May 19, 2022•26 min•Ep. 262
This week, Liz and Sarah discuss wrapping the Writers’ Room for Season Two of Fantasy Island ! Now they have Senioritis, but there’s still so much to do... They also announce that Season Two premieres Tuesday, May 31st at 9/8c on FOX—save the date! Then, in Take A Hike, Liz and Sarah discuss strategies for getting good sleep while stressed—L-Theanine pills, a muslin blanket, bamboo sleep pants, podcasts, and more! Next, in The Mailroom, Liz and Sarah answer a listener question about industries/d...
May 12, 2022•23 min•Ep. 261
This week, Liz and Sarah have a special guest co-host, friend of the pod and camp owner extraordinaire, Audrey Monke! The three deep dive into grit—how grit helps at work, growing your grit, and why stepping out of your comfort zone is key to gritty resilience. Then, in Take A Hike, EVERYTHING has been going wrong on Season Two of Fantasy Island . Liz and Sarah run through the problems—rain, COVID, food poisoning, no plane (no plane!)—and discuss how they look for the silver linings. Next, in Hi...
May 05, 2022•35 min•Ep. 260
What’s missing around your workspace? Liz and Sarah discuss the importance of having solid basics—Sarah needs a good chair, Liz needs pens! Then, in A Day In The Life, Liz and Sarah take listeners through a typical day of showrunning Season Two of Fantasy Island . From cut notes to COVID hurdles to delivering scripts on tight deadlines, this year has been all about staying nimble. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack is earth-friendly (and easy!): the Lomi Kitchen Composter. LINKS Happier Podcast...
Apr 28, 2022•25 min•Ep. 259
This week, Liz and Sarah share wisdom gleaned from Twitter—specifically, insights for lower level writers from TV writer Jeane Wong. One piece of advice? Think of the writers room as a dinner party. Next, in Take A Hike, they recommend a tried and true tactic to make a deadline more fun—have a work slumber party! Then, in Hits & Bombs, Liz and Sarah give a Hit to Fantasy Island composer Genevieve Vincent and a Bomb to there being no direct flights from Los Angeles to Puerto Rico. Finally, th...
Apr 21, 2022•26 min•Ep. 258
With three episodes left to break for Season Two of Fantasy Island , how do Liz and Sarah handle a morale killer? The short answer – they lean on their team and get to work. Then, in Take Two, Liz and Sarah revisit busy bragging. In Amplify, Liz shouts out the Netflix reality series, Deaf U , for both its unique look into Deaf culture and its soapy excellence. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack will help you work smarter, not harder: use a mini leaf blower! Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain ...
Apr 14, 2022•23 min•Ep. 257
In the thick of double days and double deadlines, Liz and Sarah call in reinforcements! They’ve added their good friend and TV writer Karine Rosenthal to the Fantasy Island S2 Writers’ Room. Liz and Sarah discuss delegating writing tasks so they can branch off to deliver documents and cuts and how fresh eyes later in the season really help! Then, in L v S, are Liz and Sarah guilty of “busy bragging”? Next, in The Craft (and Fain), they discuss how cutting extra words from scripts always makes th...
Apr 07, 2022•25 min•Ep. 256
Liz and Sarah share strategies for making a lean TV budget work and discuss putting them into action on Fantasy Island . At every stage of the process, there are ways to make smart adjustments—from keeping above-the-line costs down, to writing to locations, to shooting double up days, to accepting they’ll never have a recognizable needle drop. Limitations foster creativity…right?! Then, in HIH WFH, Liz and Sarah share their favorite technique for staying sane during all-day Zooms: schedule break...
Mar 31, 2022•25 min•Ep. 255
What does it mean to be a professional? Liz and Sarah deep dive into what pros do differently. From how they communicate, to anticipating needs, to seeing the void and filling it—professionals make it easy to work with them. Then, in Hits & Bombs, Liz gives hits to two TV shows— The Dropout and Dopesick —and a bomb to herself for (a lack of) home office organization. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack will keep your supplements a simple spin away: get a Lazy Susan! Get in touch on Twitter: ...
Mar 24, 2022•27 min•Ep. 254
Liz and Sarah embrace the fact that sometimes things just suck. Sarah moved last weekend—and, yep, it sucked. But acknowledging the suck and not trying to put a spin on it somehow made it easier. In Take Two, Liz and Sarah share a supersized list of travel hacks from a former flight attendant. Small things—a white noise machine, smoothies, a pre-written checklist—can make your next trip, well, not suck! Then, in the Mailroom, they answer a question about whether or not Hollywood writers ever buy...
Mar 17, 2022•24 min•Ep. 253
How do creative people budget? Creatively! Liz and Sarah talk MONEY—and how to manage it—with financial coach Dylan Snowden. Dylan shares how his background in the arts informs his work today, common mistakes, and how to set yourself up for financial success. Then, in Take A Hike, Liz and Sarah tackle the Sunday Night Blues. Listeners had lots of great suggestions—from planning a Sunday Spa, to meal prepping, to evening walks with friends. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack will improve your ne...
Mar 10, 2022•34 min•Ep. 252
Liz and Sarah are back from Puerto Rico! They discuss how being on location can be a (busy!) break from reality and how they’re tackling re-entry to their lives in Los Angeles and Ojai. Then, in Take A Hike, it’s crunch time on Fantasy Island . Liz and Sarah explain what double days are—two crews shooting two episodes at the same time—and how they’re managing the pressure with breathing techniques, meal kits, and Corgis! Next, from the Mailroom, Liz and Sarah answer a listener question about how...
Mar 03, 2022•27 min•Ep. 251
It’s the 250th episode of Happier In Hollywood! Liz and Sarah celebrate by recapping their twenty-five favorite topics featured on the podcast. From their very first Hollywood Hack—saying “fuck” in a meeting—to revelatory conversations with guests like Channing Dungey, Marcia Clark, Annie Duke, and more. Favorite pointers include “be an insulator,” the value of the “boulder pusher,” what to wear on Zoom, and asking: “Does this move the needle?” If you’ve been listening from the beginning, join L...
Feb 24, 2022•32 min•Ep. 250
Liz and Sarah discuss how taking a moment to add a personal touch to your work can make a big impact. One example? The necessities-filled beach bags that Fantasy Island production had waiting for them in their hotel rooms. Next, now that Liz and Sarah are back in Puerto Rico for Season Two, they assess what they REALLY need to WFH—Work From… Hotel! At the top of the list—free breakfast, a coffee maker, and good WiFi. Then, in The Craft (and Fain), they talk about Story vs. Moves—what the differe...
Feb 17, 2022•26 min•Ep. 249
TV writers wear many hats, and it’s important for writers of all levels to have the chance to wear them. Liz and Sarah share how getting to do ALL parts of the job early on in their career helped them learn how to run a show, and how offering the same opportunities they received makes the job more fulfilling for everyone. Next, in Take A Hike, Liz has some news of the four-legged variety—Nacho the Corgi now has a sister, Daisy! Liz and Sarah discuss how embracing a new identity is both freeing a...
Feb 10, 2022•24 min•Ep. 248
