We talk to the fascinating Paul Bae. The teacher/comedian/podcaster/screenwriter/actor talks us through his journey. We talk failing in screenwriting and acting leading to millions of downloads for his scripted podcasts, getting a chance to tell Korean stories and his secrets to pitching. He tells us how naming Korean menu items cost him a speaking part in the Interview, telling authentic stories and being offered an overall deal for terrible money. A fun and funny interview with a serious stude...
Dec 15, 2022•41 min•Season 2Ep. 37
We talk to the extraordinary Ildy Modrovich. She talks about arranged marriages, the importance of two showrunners and the pilot that was guaranteed - until it wasn't. She talks about losing her confidence, making sure others don't lose theirs and missing out on Sons of Anarchy to take a safer job. Ildy tells us about dealing with failure, the importance of good timing and not taking it personally when projects fail. Motivational and inspirational in equal measure.
Dec 08, 2022•43 min•Season 2Ep. 36
We speak to the amazing and hilarious Chris Sheridan. He reads out some of his rejection letters, tells us about making calls from payphones on street corners and why he really didn't want to work on Family Guy. But then he talks about how great working on Family Guy was, running his own show and working in the studio kitchen. Chris tells us about travelling cross country to Hollywood, the importance of remembering his humble beginnings and dealing with success. A fun, insightful and inspiration...
Dec 01, 2022•44 min•Season 2Ep. 35
We have comedian, actress and writer Brittani Nichols on the show. A fascinating discussion about diversity, inclusive comedy and working on a rocketship of a show like Abbot Elementary. We talk happy and unhappy rooms, friendships on shows and how nice her Abbott Elementary colleagues are. We talk perseverance in a career, award nominations and what comes next. A fun, entertaining and insightful discussion with a Hollywood rising star.
Nov 17, 2022•44 min•Season 2Ep. 34
We talk to the dynamic duo of Scott Beck and Bryan Woods about gimmicks in scripts, a yes after multiple nos and what happened to their directing dreams. They talk with incredible candor about their Quiet Place journey, what happened, what they learned and how they coped with a complex career conundrum. We talk difficult decisions, celebrating and commiserating and putting things in perspective. A fascinating interview with two of the most genuine writers about their unique Hollywood story....
Nov 10, 2022•46 min•Season 2Ep. 33
We talk to novelist and showrunner Dari Polatin. She talks about getting her book written at 4am and during lunchbreaks, the rarity of being allowed to adapt a novel and the struggles of a junior female writer in a room full of men. She talks about writing plays, struggling to pay bills and her pride in showrunning her own show. Daria talks about social media, fan feedback and the vulnerability of failure. A fascinating and insightful interview with the creator of a number one global Netflix sho...
Nov 03, 2022•46 min•Season 2Ep. 32
We talk to the amazing Andy Siara. He tells us the story behind the time loop in Palm Springs, his fear of never working again and gives the most extraordinary piece of advice about hope. He talks the difficult of showrunning, explains what he does well and what went wrong for him when he lost control of his story and why he loves co-showrunners. We cover starting a family, touring rock bands and the importance of having a magic script. You’ll never hear a more honest, raw and self-critical inte...
Oct 27, 2022•51 min•Season 2Ep. 31
We talk to development executive Alex Hedlund. We talk at length about Matt Damon movie The Great Wall, why it failed, how he was involved and when he realised it was going wrong. He tells us what he learned from working on it, how it impacted his career and how it killed a genre. Alex talks about giving and taking notes, how he now chooses his projects and working on sensitive documentary topics. A great interview full of great advice.
Oct 20, 2022•41 min•Season 2Ep. 30
We talk to the extraordinary John Cameron Mitchell. We talk failure in writing, directing and actor, the risks of coming out and how they decide which projects to work on. John talks Hedwig, passion projects and discrimination. They tell a remarkable OnlyFans story, explain the fightback against stereotypes and makes very clear their view on content houses. JCM also talks about every failure leading eventually to success, some amazing career near-misses and how you can follow your heart AND stil...
Oct 13, 2022•42 min•Season 2Ep. 29
We (by which we actually mean just Dan) talk to writer and director Peter Kosminsky. He tells us about his early firings (of which there were many including lasting only a day as a researcher because they didn't like his ideas around tampon tax) as well as how he went from Chemistry student to lighting expert. He discusses his shortcomings as a director, his strengths and how they work on both sides of the Atlantic and the time he nearly gave up after being completely out of his depth on a big H...
Oct 06, 2022•42 min•Season 2Ep. 28
We talk to the magnificent Amy Berg. She tells us her journey through Hollywood - taking a step down to be an assistant, her first big break on North Shore and her start with a writing partner (and then his moment of grace and nobility that ended that partnership). She talks openly about being bullied to the point of physical illness, what happened after that boss was cancelled and what she learned from the experience. We talk about the challenges facing the industry nowadays, the cycle of boom ...
Sep 29, 2022•39 min•Season 2Ep. 27
In our first episode in the second half of the season, we talk to dynamic duo Rasheed and TJ about their journey to the top. How to decide the credits, how to share victories/commiserate losses and instances of when outside forces have tried to pull them apart are all covered in this fun and insightful episode. We discuss bad rooms, bad jobs and bad people. But also rewarding shows, great colleagues and the joy of writing. The pair discuss what keeps them up at night, the importance of original ...
Sep 22, 2022•53 min•Season 2Ep. 26
We talk to amazing British showrunner Joe Barton. He tells us about being fired from Batman, what a British showrunner does and standing in the snow waiting to be rejected. We cover writing about a foreign culture, critical versus commercial success and a bit more about being fired from Batman. He tells us about his creative process, British interest in America and the importance of grammar when looking for an agent. A fascinating discussion with a very cool, very fun, very successful creator....
Jul 14, 2022•43 min•Season 2Ep. 25
We talk to Toby Gorman, president of Universal Television Alternative Studio. He tells us about his dream of being an airline pilot, falling into this career by accident and becoming a showrunner in his 20s. Toby tells us about killing projects, giving notes and part of the American Idol set nearly falling on him. We talk nepotism, the role of a studio president and the transatlantic cultural differences in unscripted. A fascinating insight into the unscripted world with a showrunner turned stud...
Jul 07, 2022•40 min•Season 2Ep. 24
We talk to Emmy-nominated showrunner Josh Silberman. We talk eating rats, nearly freezing to death and creating compelling TV. He tells us about his journey to the top, stolen show ideas and how to treat junior staff. Josh also talks Gene Wilder, working for Disney and constant seasickness. A fascinating insight into unscripted television by one of the best.
Jun 30, 2022•46 min•Season 2Ep. 23
We talk to the effervescent Meredith Scardino. She tells us about the transition from late night to episodic, handling rejection of both instant and slow ideas and how her upbringing prepared her for a life of pitching ideas. We discuss warm rooms, mean rooms and no asshole policies and what sort of leader she is. Meredith talks about the issues with virtual rooms, the joy of writing comedy and the dopamine hits of pitching a good idea. A fun romp through the world of comedy with an entertaining...
Jun 23, 2022•46 min•Season 2Ep. 22
We speak to the showrunner and creator Anthony Q Farrell. He talks about working in an office, then The Office, and then back to Macy's. We talk about the uncertainty of starting out and knowing when it is safe to give up the day job, his animated show that he is desperate to share and 'work as therapy'. Anthony tells us about his leadership style. the 'sick cyclical journey of Hollywood, and going back to the basics of story telling. He tells us about writing his own voice, the breadth of work ...
Jun 16, 2022•36 min•Season 2Ep. 21
We talk to the extraordinary Michael Starrbury. He tells us about his treasured film script that he just can't get made, his decision to not move to Los Angeles and his determination to run his career the way he wants. He talks about turning down jobs to stick to his path, ignoring the warnings of others and only moving forward with projects he believes in. Michael talks about drive, commitment and being collaborative. We also talk diversity quotas, avoiding 'bake offs' and White House invitatio...
Jun 09, 2022•45 min•Season 2Ep. 20
We speak to the fascinating James Roland. He talks about working long hours on terrible film sets, his journey into directing and rates his abilities as a showrunner. We talk diversity, the importance of treating people well and what he learned from bad bosses that helped his leadership. James talks about endangering Harry Belafonte, literally falling asleep at the wheel and giving every one in the room a voice - and a great scene from the Purge that came from that. A fun and insightful discussi...
Jun 02, 2022•45 min•Season 2Ep. 19
We talk to showrunner Beth Schwartz. She talks about her painfully long journey from assistant, how she now treats those in that position and what she learned along the way. She happily shares her tale of her slow start, nearly flying home and giving up and how she got her big break. Beth talks about respect in a room, the dangers of comparisons with other peoples' careers and finding your own unique path. A fascinating and honest discussion .
May 26, 2022•41 min•Season 2Ep. 18
We talk to the amazing Tze Chun. He talks us through his mathematical approach to creativity and goal-setting - a short every six months, 100 episodes of television! - his transitions from film to tv and back again and talks us through his first big break. Tze explains how his stubbornness ensured he would never give up, he explains his strengths and weaknesses and how he leads. A insightful and thoughtful episode with a committed and determined creator.
May 19, 2022•41 min•Season 2Ep. 17
We talk to the incredible Jan Nash. She tells us about her long and storied career in Hollywood, the importance of compassionate leadership and her time as a studio executive. She tells us what she learned as an investment banker, the importance of telling your own story and the privilege of working in a career you love and putting it all into perspective. We discuss leadership styles, the benefits of co-showrunners and sharing the load, and what makes for a successful room. Jan tells us her fut...
May 12, 2022•43 min•Season 2Ep. 16
We talk to the extraordinary writer, showrunner and producer Liz Hannah. She talks about working with Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep in her breakout script, getting tattoos after project successes and not buying her husband gifts. We discuss the pressure of following up a big success, having two hits out at once and the anxiety of working in entertainment and the feeling of relief when getting an overall deal. Liz discusses the journey of the Post and working with Spielberg, her mum finding out abou...
May 05, 2022•53 min•Season 2Ep. 15
In an episode with two British voices, it was a pleasure to have writer and director Nida Manzoor join us on the podcast. She tells us about the excitement and nerves of directing for British institution Doctor Who, turning down a chance to work on a Marvel show and bringing her show We Are Lady Parts to life. She talks us through the process of both writing and directing, how she chooses her next projects and the challenges of achieving the level of representation she wants. We talk about the d...
Apr 28, 2022•34 min•Season 2Ep. 14
We talk to NCIS legend Christopher Silber. He talks about his first time working on the franchise, the difficult work environment at the time and getting fired. But then also his return to the franchise, his continued love for the work and the creation of the Hawaiian iteration of the show. Christopher discusses the pressure to succeed, the difficulties of being a showrunner - and why he shares the workload with others - and the importance of understanding the toughness of the path of a writer b...
Apr 21, 2022•43 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Studio president Beatrice Springborn joins the podcast to give the view from 'upstairs'. She talks about her journey through journalism, start-ups and Pixar with some Film School thrown in. We discuss her leadership style , her empathy when rejecting projects and whether she wants commercial success or awards. Beatrice talks about completing a writing course and what she learned about rejection and failure, how she nearly quit the industry and what keeps her up at night. She tells us the process...
Apr 14, 2022•40 min•Season 2Ep. 12
We talk to director Tessa Blake about her rise through the world of episodic TV. She talks about the balance between craft and leadership skills, what she learned as a cocktail waitress and the importance of learning people's names. Tessa tells us about early rejections, insinuations that women couldn't succeed in this part of the industry and her attempts at writing. She explains how she overcame the obstacles in front of her, her legendary levels of preparation and how she uses that preparatio...
Apr 07, 2022•48 min•Season 2Ep. 11
We talk to TV writer, WGA Board Member and co-founder of Pay Up Hollywood Liz Alper. We chat with Liz about the challenges she’s faced this year looking for work as well as what the industry is facing as a whole in the middle of what feels like an industry-wide slowdown. She discusses what the guild is doing to help writers sustain their careers as well as the impetus for Pay Up Hollywood, a program designed to pressure the major studios into paying assistants more. Liz also opens up about how h...
Mar 31, 2022•46 min•Season 2Ep. 10
We talk to comedian, writer and showrunner Mike Royce. He talks us through his life as a comedian, compares bombing on stage to bad pitching in a room and the joy of regular Emmy nominations. And then trying to find success post-Raymond, failing at one show yet getting into the showrunners' club and being given another chance with the next one. We discuss why showrunning is hard, what he learned from others and used in his rooms and the importance of food and going home early. Mike tells us abou...
Mar 24, 2022•43 min•Season 2Ep. 9
We talk to Shudder General Manager Craig Engler. The writer-turned-exec tells us what he’s learned about rejection as a writer and how he now behaves as an exec. Craig talks about the emotional heartbreak of a writing project ending in turmoil and legal dispute, how that drove him back to the exec side of the business and what it meant to him. He explains why he likes to give a quick no, how sometimes they greenlight too quickly for some writers and gives a great explanation of what horror actua...
Mar 17, 2022•46 min•Season 2Ep. 8
