In this episode, Hilliard and Chris chop it up with indie film producer Keith Calder ( Blindspotting, The Blair Witch, The Wackness, Bunraku , The Guest ). Keith mentioned one of his favorite projects was a doc on the Kashmere Stage Band, a high school funk band, he's the link to THUNDER SOUL . Don't slip on checking this out! Here's the link to Blindspotting 's trailer. Follow Keith Calder on Twitter . We mentioned upcoming Rant Room T-shirts ! They're available now! If you are enjoying this la...
May 13, 2019•2 hr 5 min
In this LONG-ASS episode, Hilliard, Geoff, and Chris chop it up with rising star TV director Carl Seaton. We briefly talked about Steven Spielberg's Oners; you can see a sampling of those amazing shot h ere and here and here . Carl (or MISTER Carl Seaton) can be found at @mrcarlseaton on Instagram and Twitter . We mentioned upcoming T-shirts! Watch this space! If you are enjoying this labor of love, please consider supporting the Rant Room with a donation to our Patreon page - we spend considera...
May 06, 2019•2 hr 46 min
Hilliard and Chris sit down with Literary Manger/Producer Rachel Miller of the popular, full-service management and production company Haven Entertainment. This episode is full of industry game. Rachel answers a ton of questions about what she’s looking for, how to stand out and maintain your career, writing your voice and so much more! Rachel's management company, HAVEN . Follow them on Twitter . Follow Rachel on Twitter. Rachel's non-profit Film2Future that's building the pipeline for underrep...
Apr 29, 2019•1 hr 41 min
In Part 2 of this episode, Hilliard, Lisa and Chris bring four young writers - - fans of the podcast -- on the mic and answer their pressing industry questions in an episode packed full of game! The Brown Twins, Amber and Dani on Instagram Dallas Rico on Twitter Richard Scott on Twitter & Instagram If you are enjoying this labor of love, please consider supporting the Rant Room with a donation to our Patreon page - we spend considerable hours and tremendous resources each week, and every lit...
Apr 22, 2019•58 min
In the episode, Hilliard, Lisa and Chris bring four young writers - - fans of the podcast -- on the mic and answer their pressing industry questions in an episode packed full of game! www.bit.ly/SWRR-251 The Brown Twins, Amber and Dani on Instagram Dallas Rico on Twitter Richard Scott on Twitter & Instagram If you are enjoying this labor of love, please consider supporting the Rant Room with a donation to our Patreon page - we spend considerable hours and tremendous resources each week, and ...
Apr 15, 2019•1 hr 3 min
In Part 2 of this amazing interview, Hilliard and Chris chop it up with old friend, NAACP Image Award Winner ABDUL WILLIAMS for his recent work on the bio/musical The Bobby Brown Story as well as The New Edition Story, Lottery Ticket and the upcoming Salt-N-Pepa Music/Bio Miniseries for Lifetime. Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-250 If you are enjoying this labor of love, please consider supporting the Rant Room with a donation - we spend innumerable hours and tremendous resources on it each week, a...
Apr 11, 2019•1 hr 12 min
In this episode Hilliard and Chris chop it up with old friend, NAACP Image Award Winner ABDUL WILLIAMS for his recent work on the bio/musical The Bobby Brown Story as well as The New Edition Story, Lottery Ticket and the upcoming Salt-N-Pepa Music/Bio Miniseries for Lifetime. Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-249 If you are enjoying this labor of love, please consider supporting the Rant Room with a donation - we spend innumerable hours and tremendous resources on it each week, an every little bit of...
Apr 08, 2019•1 hr 6 min
In this episode, Hilliard, Lisa and Chris chop it up and give critical criticisms about how Hollywood tends to grant certain entertainers: writers/directors/actors the title of “Genius/Master.” We discuss why that happens, who truly deserves this title and so much more! DIRECT LINK: www.bit.ly/SWRR-248 If you are enjoying this labor of love, please consider supporting the Rant Room's Patreon with a donation - we spend innumerable hours and tremendous resources on it each week, and every little b...
Apr 01, 2019•1 hr 4 min
Hilliard, Chris, Tracy and Geoff Thorne chop it up about the future of theatrical films, Netflix and Comic Books. Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-247 Steven Spielberg's contention over Netflix movies and their eligibility for Oscars . “Once you commit to a television format, you’re a TV movie,” Spielberg said . “You certainly, if it’s a good show, deserve an Emmy, but not an Oscar. I don’t believe films that are just given token qualifications in a couple of theaters for less than a week should qua...
Mar 25, 2019•1 hr 21 min
This week Hilliard, Lisa, Chris, and Lynelle talk about the passing of TV Icon, Luke Perry and go deep into how to handle your own representation: from the importance of having managers and agents to how to choose the person that is right for you. Chad Gervich's book on managing your representation Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-246 If you are enjoying this labor of love, please consider supporting the Rant Room's Patreon with a donation - we spend innumerable hours and tremendous resources on it ...
Mar 18, 2019•1 hr 41 min
Hilliard, Lisa, Chris and Lynelle Chop it Up about everything in this one y'all. A don't miss episode full of not-so-great Black History Month shenanigans, Tennis, Casting, Green Book and so much more! Wesley Morris's NYTimes article on THE GREEN BOOK and his interview on the NYTimes's podcast The Daily - " What Hollywood Keeps Getting Wrong About Race " - from the Monday after the Oscars. The Swimming Pool scenes from MAN ON FIRE . The HBO doc BEING SERENA . Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-245 If ...
Mar 11, 2019•1 hr 29 min
In this episode, Hilliard, Chris, Tracy and Showrunner Geoffrey Thorne go IN, from writers POV on the discussion and proposal for change between the WGAW and the top Agents in regards to Packaging. It’s a don’t miss episode with a ton of game from working, WGAW writers who are deep in the trenches y'all! Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-244 Hollywood Reporter Articles on The WGA Code of Conduct for Agencies. And some biased coverage . A little history lesson on how the Supreme Court dismantled the H...
Mar 04, 2019•1 hr 20 min
In this week's episode Hilliard, Lisa and Chris sit down with DEADLY CLASS star Benjamin Wadsworth, with special guest Stella Maeva, who plays Julia Wicker on SyFy's THE MAGICIANS . We got a little silly with this, pitching potential movies for Benjamin and Stella to star in... but don't slip on the young LeStat concept Lisa talks about... watch out Anne Rice! Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-243 Benjamin Wadsworth on Twitter and Instagram Stella Maeve on Twitter and Instagram ' If you are enjoying ...
Feb 25, 2019•1 hr 40 min
In this weeks episode, Hilliard and Chris chop it up with Juan Grey, actor/writer/producer, who is currently one of the cast on The Russo Bros hit SYFY Series DEADLY CLASS . A former athlete, Juan made the leap to acting in a story you gotta hear to believe! This episode is full of wisdom coming from a young cat who’s all ready a successful entrepreneur! If you are enjoying this labor of love, please consider support the Rant Room with a donation - we spend innumerable hours and tremendous resou...
Feb 18, 2019•1 hr 14 min
Hilliard and Lisa are joined by Lynelle White and Jesani Drew to talk Horror Noire ! It was a rousing success - The show sold out. The panel was amazing. The fans were supportive. And @Shudder showed the new documentary film at the Egyptian Theater right in the heart of Hollywood Blvd! #HorrorNoire Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-240 To all of you fans of the show, your support is always welcome, and as we mention at the end of every episode, here’s the link to our new Patreon link, show some love!...
Feb 04, 2019•1 hr 28 min
Hilliard & Chris sat down with former Literary Manager Jenny Frankfurt and the winner of her 2018 Finish Line Script Competition Sebastian Magiera to discuss: the journey that led him to the competition, life after winning, what he’s learned thus far, navigating the Hollywood Water Bottle Tour, asking for referrals, being good in the room, pitching yourself and so much more! Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-239 Don't slip on listening to Alex and Nick drop TV-centric game on Paper Team podcast A...
Jan 28, 2019•1 hr 37 min
Hilliard and Chris sat down with good friend TV and Film writer STEVE HARPER to discuss his amazing career, the ups-and-downs and all around! Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRRR-238 First off, show some love for the Patreon page ! You know you want that Pearls of Wisdom Document that is forthcoming and all of the other fun gifts we have to offer! A FAMILY PORTRAIT (play) by Lenore Coffee, William Joyce Cowen THE PIANO LESSON (play) by August Wilson Steve's inspiring phrase: what's the engine for your ...
Jan 21, 2019•1 hr 37 min
In the episode, Hilliard, Chris and Lynelle go IN on an inspiring TED Talk focusing on how people in business can rethink FINDING A SPONSOR! DIRECT LINK: www.bit.ly/SWRR-237 Carla Harris - How to find the person who can help you get ahead at work More about Carla Harris -- cause she is the REAL DEAL We talked about other well-respected Industry-vetting resources, YMMV Sundance Lab Film Independent Lab BlckLst Austin Film Festival Screenwriting Competition Lee Jessup's Favorites Golden Globes Cat...
Jan 14, 2019•1 hr 43 min
Hosted by Hilliard - Geoff and Chris of course hogged the mic, this time talking about Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse and all of the comic book, geek shit you could imagine! And, true to form, the film WON the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film! Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-236 Counterpart - Trailer Babylon Berlin - Trailer Dogs of Berlin - Trailer Dragon Prince - Trailer The Sinner - Trailer Ozark - Trailer Peaky Blinders - Trailer Bodyguard - Trailer Insatiable - Trailer Miller's C...
Jan 07, 2019•1 hr 41 min
The is our end of the year episode and it’s a good one... full of industry GAME and dedicated to the pitfalls of producing for Indie, web series and network projects! Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-235 PODCAST SHOUTOUTS: The Micheaux Mission Podcast Nick and Alex's Paper Team Pilar Alessandra's On The Page Donating = Loving Fans of the show, your support is always welcome, and as we mentioned on the show, here's the link to this game-giving podcast's Patreon link: http://bit.ly/SWRRPatreon Monthly...
Dec 17, 2018•1 hr 38 min
Hilliard, Chris, Tracy and Lynelle go IN on the hot topic of Black Criticism! Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-234 Wesley Morris' New York Times article THE MORALITY WARS Zadie Smith's art critique (as mentioned in Morris' article) Wesley Morris' podcast STILL PROCESSING PODCAST SHOUTOUTS: The Micheaux Mission Podcast Nick and Alex's Paper Team Pilar Alessandra's On The Page Fans of the show, your support is always welcome, and as we mentioned on the show, here's the link to this game-giving podcast...
Dec 10, 2018•1 hr 2 min
In this episode, Hilliard, Lisa and Chris go in about an article Lisa balked at — Vogue's online article WASN'T THIS SUPPOSED TO BE THE GOLDEN AGE OF HORROR ? DIRECT LINK: www.bit.ly/SWRR-233 Writer/Director Shane Black's cameo in Predator (1987) Scripts we mentioned on the show: Tony Gilroy's MICHAEL CLAYTON , BOURNE IDENTITY , DOLORES CLAIBORNE , DEVIL'S ADVOCATE Tina Turner as Auntie Entity in MAD MAX: BEYOND THUNDERDOME Tupac's Thunderdome inspired music video: CALIFORNIA LOVE Shout out to t...
Dec 03, 2018•1 hr 7 min
Hilliard, Lisa and Chris sit down with big bro, writer/director Dwayne Johnson-Cochran to talk about his new Music Documentary BE KNOWN available on Amazon Prime! DIRECT LINK: www.bit.l/SWRR-232 Dwayne’s film LOVE & ACTION IN CHICAGO on Amazon Prime Other Must-See Music Docs: Twenty Feet from Stardom (2013) - trailer Chasing Train see it on Netflix From The Sky Down - trailer (U2 documentary) Hoop Dreams (trailer) Miss Sharon Jones! trailer see it on Netflix We also dapped up Melissa McCarth...
Nov 26, 2018•1 hr 7 min
Hilliard, Lisa, Chris and Showrunner Geoffrey Thorne talk about how sticking the landing is crucial for a screenplay to work; for a TV pilot, the engineering works differently because the ending is in most cases... the beginning. In a film, the ending contributes to your overall acceptance of the film as a whole, Act Three is the beast that needs to be looked it carefully. Sometimes Working Backwards is the key to success! Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-231 We talked about HEREDITARY had a controv...
Nov 20, 2018•58 min
This week Hilliard, Chris, and Lisa are joined by Geoffrey Thorne to discuss British vs. American actors - we weigh in on the unending debate about who can or can't portray Black life on screen! Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-230 Samuel L. Jackson takes umbrage when Black Brits play Black American roles . The UK's seminal acting school, RADA - Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts Black British actors John Boyega, Letitia Wright and Damson Idris show support for the London-based Identity School of Acting...
Nov 12, 2018•1 hr 36 min
Hilliard and Chris sit down with Deric A. Hughes to talk about his crazy journey from the Writers On The Verge Program to Co Executive Producer on two of the hottest genre series: FLASH & ARROW! www.bit.ly/SWRR-229 Warren Ellis' Planetary Stephen King's ON WRITING John Cassidy (Comic Artist) Robert Hewitt Wolfe Gene Roddenberry's ANDROMEDA DEEP SPACE NINE NBC's Writers On The Verge Warehouse 13 Rescue Me Greg Bertlanti Writing Rule: Heart, Humor, Spectacle Deric’s Writing Partner Ben Raab Sh...
Nov 05, 2018•1 hr 28 min
Hilliard, Chris and screenwriter/director Todd Nunes chop it up about EVERYTHING we love about the Horror genre! HIGHLIGHTS: HALLOWEEN, DAWN OF THE DEAD, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, THE WARRIORS (yes, it has elements of horror), SLASHERS vs PARANORMAL FILMS and so much more! Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-228 Fans of the show, your support is always welcome, and as we mentioned on the show, here's the link to this game-giving podcast's Patreon link: http://bit.ly/SWRRPatreon Todd Nunes - https://tw...
Oct 29, 2018•1 hr 8 min
Hilliard, Chris and Jesani Drew chop it up in a fun conversation about Rewriting and so much more! Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-227 Show Notes Sexy Beast - Trailer The Rookie on ABC The Goop Cop on Netflix MR INBETWEEN on F/X Beverly Hills Cop ( screenplay ) Breaking Bad ( pilot ) Castle ( pilot ) David Mamet's The Art of Theater Paris Review interview. PODCAST SHOUTOUTS: The Micheaux Mission Podcast Nick and Alex's Paper Team Pilar Alessandra's On The Page Fans of the show, your support is alwa...
Oct 22, 2018•1 hr 23 min
We sat down with CBS Program finalist Antonio "Sinsation The Writer" to answer his questions about navigating this crazy business. Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-226 David Mamet Memo To Writers of THE UNIT Javier Grillo-Marxuach 11 Laws of Showrunning Scripts You Better Have Read BIG ( the script ) KRAMER vs KRAMER ( the script ) TOY STORY ( the script ) Our Favorite Writing Coaches Carole Kirchner - Hollywood Game Plan Pilar Alessanro - On The Page Lee Jessup DMA - Planet DMA Alex Freedman and Ni...
Oct 15, 2018•1 hr 42 min
Bianca Sams is back! To talk about incorporating (should you? If so, when?) Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-225 Questions to Ask Yourself S Corp C Corp LLC Compare Business Structures Differences Between S Corp and C Corp California Secretary of State Corporate Name Look-Up After Trump's Tax Reform to Funnel Money to the Wealthy there are other considerations . Here are things to consider . Money/Expense Tracking Apps Personal Capital Betterment Mint TurboTax Shout out to the Micheux Mission Podcas...
Oct 08, 2018•1 hr 35 min
