Hilliard, Lisa, Lynelle and Chris “Chop it Up” about our favorite, screenwriting/popular topics of the day… but with a Rant Room twist! HIGHLIGHTS: Lynelle’s winning script at UCLA, Derrick Bros “Architects of Crime” “Proof of Concept, our favorite cancelled tv series, streaming vs the movie theater, Underground series on WGN and so much more! Our motto, "Keep it real, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 2016” DIRECT LINK: bit.ly/SWRR-105 Subscribe, Comment, Rate & 5 STAR Review on iTunes!...
May 30, 2016•44 min
Hilliard, Lisa, Lynelle and Chris go IN - the good, bad and ugly side of Marvel’s CAPTAIN AMERICA “CIVIL WAR!” Our motto, "Keep it real, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 2016” DIRECT LINK: http://bit.ly/SWRR-104 Subscribe, Comment, Rate & 5 STAR Review on iTunes! http://bit.ly/HG-SRR-EP1 Twitter: @ScreenwritersRR @HilliardGuess @LisaBolekaja @LynelleWhite @UnauthorizedCBD #ScreenwritersRantRoom #BlackNerds #Comedy #CaptainAmerica...
May 23, 2016•1 hr 5 min
Hilliard and Lisa have a blast with big sis, genre writer/executive producer/director/author Deborah Pratt! HIGHLIGHTS: Quantum Leap, performing on Broadway, Sci-fi nerds, Magnum PI, AFI Directing Womens Workshop, Vision Quest Sci-fi novel, the WGAW Board and how it works… and so much more! Our motto, "Keep it real, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 2016” DIRECT LINK: bit.ly/SWRR-103 Subscribe, Comment, Rate & 5 STAR Review on iTunes! http://bit.ly/HG-SRR-EP1 Twitter: @ScreenwritersRR @H...
May 16, 2016•56 min
Hilliard and Lisa go IN with actress, writer, director Cyrina Fiallo on being a talent on the verge and landing the new series “RePlay” for the go90 entertainment app! Our motto, "Keep it real, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 2016” DIRECT LINK: bit.ly/SWRR-102 Subscribe, Comment, Rate & 5 STAR Review on iTunes! http://bit.ly/HG-SRR-EP1 Twitter: @ScreenwritersRR @HilliardGuess @LisaBolekaja @CyrinaFiallo #ScreenwritersRantRoom #BlackNerds #Comedy #TVFilmDrama #go90...
May 09, 2016•55 min
In this don’t miss episode, Hilliard & Lisa go IN with big bro, Keith Hamilton Cobb and talk about his journey from Soap Star to Broadway actor/writer/producer! HIGHLIGHTS: Ethnic vs Exotic hair, All My Children, breaking into Hollywood, everybody gets a standing ovation, NBC Development Deal, Beastmaster, Andromeda, how syndication works, cutting off the dreds, character actors, Noah’s Ark, the art of Soap Acting, American Moor's road to Broadway and so much more! DIRECT LINK: http://bit.ly...
May 02, 2016•1 hr 27 min
Hilliard, Lisa, Geoff and Lynelle go IN on the most popular industry sh**! DIRECT LINK: http://bit.ly/SWRR-100 Subscribe, Comment, Rate & 5 STAR Review on iTunes! http://bit.ly/HG-SRR-EP1 HIGHLIGHTS: C aptain America vs Black Panther, Asian aesthetic in films, The Invitation, Native Comics, Queen Sugar, the Directors Flex, Nat Turner, actor-singer Chris Pree raps/sings “Listen to My Thought” and a ton more game! Twitter: @ScreenwritersRR @HilliardGuess @LisaBolekaja @LynelleWhite @GeoffThorn...
Apr 25, 2016•1 hr 13 min
In this episode we talk with comedy writer turned drama writer, Guy Nicolucci about his journey from writing talk show/award shows to TV movie writer! HIGHLIGHTS: The failed journalist, writing for The Daily Show and Late Night with Conan O'Brien, writing comedy monologues/jokes, writing Roasts/Award Shows, transitioning to TV Movies/Features, the story “hook” and so much more! Our motto, "Keep it real, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 2016” DIRECT LINK: Bit.ly/SWRR-99 Subscribe, Comment, R...
Apr 18, 2016•1 hr 2 min
Hilliard & Lisa go IN on a number of topics that get you thinking about all types of sh**! HIGHLIGHTS: ICFA & NorthWest Con, Cosplay sh**, diverse writers rooms, The Outsiders series, Alexander Hamilton casting controversy and Batman vs Superman! Our motto, "Keep it real, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 2016” DIRECT LINK: http://bit.ly/SWRR-98 Subscribe, Comment, Rate & 5 STAR Review on iTunes! http://bit.ly/HG-SRR-EP1 Twitter: @ScreenwritersRR @HilliardGuess @LisaBolekaja #Scr...
Apr 11, 2016•38 min
Hilliard, Lisa and Tracy do a Part 3 of “The Chop it Up” covering hot, industry topics that we should all be aware of! HIGHLIGHTS: JK Rowlings First Nations issues, Keyboard Gangsters, award show campaigning, recap of the Oscars, writing dimensional characters, elements of a movie and a ton more game! Our motto, "Keep it real, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 2016” DIRECT LINK: http://bit.ly/SWRR-97 Subscribe, Comment, Rate & 5 STAR Review on iTunes! http://bit.ly/HG-SRR-EP1 Twitter: @S...
Apr 03, 2016•1 hr 11 min
Hilliard, Lisa and Tracy go IN this time answering some of the top industry questions most asked by writers and by our listeners! HIGHLIGHTS: Hilliard’s new music documentary, breaking in when you live outside of LA, you have to “ask” for what you want, the Programs and their high level of competition, experimenting with genre, becoming a hyphenate, the word “basically,” writers over 40, our favorite writing books and so much more! Our motto, "Keep it real, keep it opinionated and keep it what? ...
Mar 27, 2016•1 hr 33 min
Hilliard & Lisa go IN, covering some of the top industry and pop culture events going on in this kick ass “chop it up” episode! HIGHLIGHTS: Zoe Saldana and the Nina Simone controversy, Shout Out to writer/producer Paul Guyot, Ghost Busters and Leslie Jones, Marvel's Iron Fist casting fiasco, Into The Badlands and The Walking Dead romance with “Richonne.” Our motto, "Keep it real, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 2016” DIRECT LINK: http://bit.ly/SWRR_95 Subscribe, Comment, Rate & 5 S...
Mar 20, 2016•54 min
If you’re a fan of Horror, don’t miss this episode with Todd Nunes indie writer/director of the film “All Through the House!” HIGHLIGHTS: Making horror films as a kid, tenacity, Todd's sister “Scream Queen” Ashley Mary Nunes, directing horror stage plays, losing hope and gaining it back, LA Film School, “Two Brothers” thesis film, the “Scarry Larry” film, developing “All Through the House,” producing haunted house events, what’s next for Todd and more! Our motto, "Keep it real, keep it opinionat...
Mar 14, 2016•1 hr 9 min
That's right all you Rant Room Heads, it's one of our most anticipated episodes yet! Hilliard & Lisa go IN with the very popular, Glen Mazzara - creator/showrunner on the new, hit A&E Series “DAMIEN!” HIGHLIGHTS: Pitching on “Nash Bridges,” the writers room on “The Shield,” creating “Crash,” the ins-and-outs of “Hawthorne,” moving up on “The Walking Dead,” showrunning “Damien” at A&E, writing for tone, casting series regulars, embracing the dark side in characters, diversity in the r...
Mar 07, 2016•1 hr 32 min
If you wanna write and direct - don’t miss this episode y’all. Lynelle sat in again with me as we interview one of the busiest DGA TV/Film Directors out there… the amazing Rosemary Rodriguez! HIGHLIGHTS: NY Indie Films, “Acts of Worship” makes it to Sundance and The Spirit Awards, Artist Colonies, John Wells Women Directors Program, becoming a TV Director, the business side of TV, directing hit network TV shows, dealing with agents, saying “No,” directing “Jessica Jones” and “The Good Wife” and ...
Feb 29, 2016•1 hr 24 min
It's another kick ass episode y'all. Tracy Grant co-hosts with me as we interview big sis, top casting director/producer Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd! HIGHLIGHTS: Twinkie’s Hollywood Monologue Slam, “craft,” growing up smart, casting music videos, visualizing success, becoming a producer, casting do's and don'ts, “actors speak” and so much more game y’all don't wanna miss! Our motto, "Keep it real, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 2016” DIRECT LINK: http://bit.ly/SWRR-91 Subscribe, Comment, Rate &a...
Feb 22, 2016•1 hr 11 min
Today we go IN with James La Rosa - creator/showrunner of VH1’s hit dance series "HIT THE FLOOR!" HIGHLIGHTS: Soap Opera’s, writing strong women, “Spring Break Shark Attack,” assisting at Big Ticket TV, the first agent, the first TV writing gig “DC”, writing TV Movies, the agent honeymoon, creating “Hit The Floor,” Block Shooting and so many more on-the-set stories! Our motto, "Keep it real, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 2016” DIRECT LINK: http://bit.ly/SWRR-90 Subscribe, Comment, Rate &...
Feb 13, 2016•1 hr 35 min
It's another don’t miss episode with the coolest chick in TV, my friend and office neighbor, Co-Executive Writer/Producer Nicole Mirante! HIGHLIGHTS: “Writer Gang Signs,” the Cub Reporter, Under One Roof series, assisting director Thomas Carter, Writers Assistant vs Script Coordinator, the hit series Huff, moving up in the writers room, being in a Writer Fog, agent stories, Law & Order Criminal Intent, NCIS and so much more! Our motto, "Keep it real, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 201...
Feb 06, 2016•1 hr 39 min
In this episode I go IN with big bro, DGA director/writer/producer Jeff Byrd. Along with guest co-hosts Lynelle & Ruty, we cover Jeff’s long, successful career - how he got here and the next amazing chapter! HIGHLIGHTS: Brooklyn NY, learning the ropes from Spike Lee and Ernest Dickerson, directing some of the baddest 90s music videos, shifting to short films, landing an HBO Development deal, black vs white fraternity’s, the “Book of Love” film, Showtime’s Seventeen Again, Soul Food the serie...
Jan 31, 2016•1 hr 38 min
Wanna hear awesome stories from a top Hollywood Lit agent? Check out the this episode packed with industry game from Veteran Literary Agent at Kaplan Stahler, my old friend, Bradley Glenn! HIGHLIGHTS: Rescue 911 - being William Shatner’s El Pollo Loco Bitch, assisting/grids at APA, becoming a Lit agent at Metropolitan, learning the ropes, “from who-to-hello” at Kaplan Stahler, representing writers/directors, catching Bradley’s attention, working with clients, Spec vs Pilots and so much more! Our...
Jan 25, 2016•1 hr 14 min
We got a ton of emails asking us to do a bonus episode of “The Chop it UP.” So this time we’re going IN on two of the most anticipated films of the year: Star Wars and The Hateful Eight! Our motto, "Keep it real, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 2016” DIRECT LINK: http://bit.ly/SWRR-BONUS Subscribe, Comment, Rate & 5 STAR Review on iTunes! http://bit.ly/HG-SRR-EP1 TWITTER: @ScreenwritersRR @HilliardGuess @LisaBolekaja @LynelleWhite #ScreenwritersRantRoom #BlackNerds #Comedy #TV/Film #St...
Jan 20, 2016•1 hr 23 min
Hilliard & Lisa go IN with Niceole Levy, writer on the hit series "The Mysteries of Laura!" HIGHLIGHTS: Into the Badlands talk, #AsianBaeWatch, from actor to writer, the job of a police dispatcher, the CBS Diversity Program, NBC Writers on the Verge, Ironside, Allegiance, The Mysteries of Laura and so much more! Our motto, "Keep it real, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 2016” DIRECT LINK: http://bit.ly/SWRR-86 Subscribe, Comment, Rate & 5 STAR Review on iTunes! http://bit.ly/HG-SRR-...
Jan 17, 2016•1 hr 13 min
It’s the second episode of 2016... and it’s a dope one y’all. We go IN with good friend writer/director Chandus Jackson -- Universal & Disney Fellow! HIGHLIGHTS: The WIZ, Howard U, Military life experience, The Disney Fellowship, rules for a fellowship interview, The PGA Program, The Universal Feature Program, signing with WME & Circle of Confusion and an hour packed with industry game! Our motto, "Keep it street, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 2016” DIRECT LINK: http://bit.ly/SWR...
Jan 09, 2016•1 hr 5 min
In this kick ass, first episode of 2016 - we talk with Executive Producer/Showrunner Jeff Melvoin “The Series Fixer!” HIGHLIGHTS: Engaging the fans, becoming a journalist at Time Magazine, coming up in TV with: Remington Steele & Northern Exposure, “The Hail Mary Syndrome,” Showrunning the series Army Wives, rising above the clutter, the WGA Staff Writers Boot Camp, vanity & fear, the WGA Showrunner Program and so much more! Our motto, "Keep it street, keep it opinionated and keep it wha...
Jan 03, 2016•1 hr 39 min
In this new, kick ass episode - Hilliard & Lisa talk with actor/series creator Bashir Gavriel about the hustle muscle it takes to sell a TV Series to the USA Network! HIGHLIGHTS: Discovering your talent at a young age, going to Nursing School, understanding “God Winks,” navigating the world & the industry, life changing advice from Will Smith, the engaging pitch, writing, creating and selling “Paroled” to the USA Network, the WGA CBW Holiday Soul Event at UTA and so much more! Our motto,...
Dec 25, 2015•1 hr 3 min
Today we talk about making intersectional feminist films with two of the women behind the hit, new Moon Faze Fem Film Festival - actors/producers - Premstar Santana and Sarah Hawkins! HIGHLIGHTS: World star faces, making your own work - “her changing faces,” creating Moon Faze at LA Mother, championing female filmmakers, becoming producers and so much more… Our motto, "Keep it street, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 2,015” DIRECT LINK: http://bit.ly/SRRW-82 Subscribe, Comment, Rate & 5...
Dec 20, 2015•56 min
In this episode we go IN with good friend - motion graphics artist Jonathan Winbush and we discuss the hustle muscle it takes to get to the top of your game! HIGHLIGHTS: Taking the plunge to LA, being on your game, designing opening titles for Happy Madison’s company, DVD & BlueRay Menus, working with producers, My Little Pony, why motion graphics is important to filmmakers and so much more! Our motto, "Keep it street, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 2,015” DIRECT LINK: http://bit.ly/S...
Dec 13, 2015•1 hr 4 min
“Fade the f**k In! That’s right, Hilliard & Lisa go IN big time with big bro, Malcolm Spellman writer/Producer of the hit series “EMPIRE!” HIGHLIGHTS: Becoming the IT Writer, balancing a steady career, Writer-Action Message Board, creating Balls Out, savvy writers, inside the hit show “Empire” and so much more! Our motto, "Keep it street, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 2,015” DIRECT LINK: http://bit.ly/EP-80 Subscribe, Comment, Rate & 5 STAR Review on iTunes! http://bit.ly/HG-SRR-...
Dec 07, 2015•1 hr 23 min
Hilliard, Lisa and big bro, writer/producer Geoffrey Thorne from the hit show The Librarians, chopped it up in this episode - big time y’all! HIGHLIGHTS: Star Trek, Jessica Jones, “women with agency,” TV’s getting it right - Film’s getting it wrong,, diverse casting - only when it’s smart and part of the character, do we really need a black James Bond and a ton more sh**! Our motto, "Keep it street, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 2,015” DIRECT LINK: http://bit.ly/EP-79 Subscribe, Comment,...
Nov 29, 2015•1 hr 23 min
Hilliard and Lisa talk shop with Science Fiction Author/Professor Dr. Adilifu Nama about his latest book - “RACE ON THE QT -Blackness and the Films of Quentin Tarantino!” HIGHLIGHTS: Inside the new book, projecting race in films: The Planet of the Apes, Django Unchained, Jackie Brown, the self hating black man, living myths, The Groundhouse Pictures and so much more! Our motto, "Keep it street, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 2,015” DIRECT LINK: http://bit.ly/EP-78 Subscribe, Comment, Rate...
Nov 23, 2015•1 hr 11 min
Hilliard and Lisa have a blast with Chuck Rose - writer/creator of “THE ART OF MORE” a new, hit series on The Crackle Network! HIGHLIGHTS: Developing with Samuel Goldwyn Jr, playwriting and writing features, creating The Art of More series, behind-the-scenes, structure and pace, rewrites, The Vampires of Hollywood, diverse casting, Chuck’s novel “Head Games” and so much more! Our motto, "Keep it street, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 2,015” DIRECT LINK: http://bit.ly/EP-77 Subscribe, Comm...
Nov 16, 2015•55 min