In this episode, Hilliard & Chris chop game with the homie, Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, Co-creator/Showrunner of the hit CBS series S.W.A.T. We talk about his journey from higher education, to working as a PA and moving out to LA to go after his dreams. It was a long road, grinding his way up on shows like Soul Food, Friday Night Lights, Numb3rs, CSI: NY, Southland, Sleepy Hollow, The Get Down and others... Another super dope episode full of industry game y'all! King of New York on Criterion Chann...
Sep 27, 2021•2 hr 2 min
In this one-on-one episode, Hilliard sat down with indie writer/director/filmmaker FIA PERERA -- we talk about her amazing journey from NY to LA as an actor and activist, to touring as a stand up comic and pivoting to a writer/director. Along the way, we go into some of the ups and downs of this tumultuous industry and lessons learned while trying to make a super dope feature film called MERMAID in this climate. Lots of game dropped, y'all! Check out the ScreenWriterRR website at www.screenwrite...
Sep 20, 2021•1 hr 8 min
In this episode, Hilliard & Chris sit down with Showrunner Dailyn Rodriquez to talk about her amazing journey: working against crazy obstacles in her way, the Disney Fellowship, her first staffing job, repeating positions others wouldn't have to, rising to Number Two in a room, running the hit series QUEEN OF THE SOUTH, If-Come Deals/Pitching and her fight in the run to the WGAW Board of Directors! Check out the ScreenWriterRR website at www.screenwritersrr.com for information, merch, or our...
Sep 13, 2021•1 hr 58 min
In this episode, Hilliard and Chris talk about writers' room culture and dynamics, staffing, managing expectations, do's and don'ts, career pivoting and so much more in this jam-packed episode with nothing but industry game! The Moment with Brian Koppleman - Paris Barclay Episode The Moment with Brian Koppleman - Malcolm Spellman Episode Selwyn Hinds Viral Tweetstorm Check out the ScreenWriterRR website at www.screenwritersrr.com for information, merch, or our Pateron ! Support the show via the ...
Sep 06, 2021•1 hr 39 min
In this episode, Hilliard does one of his signature one-one-one interviews with Nasir Kenneth Ferebee, an NAACP Image Award and three time Telly Award winning producer, storyteller and filmmaker. They talk about his amazing journey, from NY to LA and rising from intern to producer in both reality and scripted -- on some of your favorite and popular shows! Check out the ScreenWriterRR website at www.screenwritersrr.com for information, merch, or our Pateron ! Support the show via the Patreon link...
Aug 23, 2021•1 hr 44 min
Hilliard and guest co-host Tracy Grant (EP on the upcoming series LACE on AllBlk.TV) sit down with the amazing MIKE GAUYO, who tells his story of going from assistant in Reality TV to how Issa Rae presented him with an opportunity to write on her scripted Podcast series, FRUIT, where he was staffed for two seasons. Mike is currently Executive Story Editor on Netflix’s record- breaking hit GINNY & GIORGIA and was previously Story Editor on HBO’s critically acclaimed series, INSECURE. Check ou...
Aug 16, 2021•1 hr 3 min
Hilliard does a one-on-one with old friend, actor/humanitarian/fitness/co-founder of FacePop App, KAREEM GRIMES. We talk about his long journey in the industry -- all the way from Boy's in the Hood, to The Shield, to S.W.A.T, acting in movies and Voice Overs and his current breakout role of Preach on The CW's hit series, All American! Check out the ScreenWriterRR website at www.screenwritersrr.com for information, merch, or our Pateron ! Support the show via the Patreon link . Remember support i...
Aug 10, 2021•1 hr 42 min
This week Chris drops a solo Bottle Episode that you won't want to miss! Death of the Artist by William Deresiewicz Atomic Habits by James Clear Check out the ScreenWriterRR website at www.screenwritersrr.com for information, merch, or our Pateron ! Support the show via the Patreon link . Remember support is love! We invest countless hours per week to deliver the actionable content that goes into this podcast. Connect with Us on Social Media: Chris Derrick on Twitter Lisa Bolekaja on Twitter Hil...
Aug 02, 2021•38 min
Hilliard sat down with (former guest) 'Emerging Writer' Amadou Diallo, in a super fun discussion about investing in yourself, writing in LA vs living out of state, getting into the new Mentorship Matters Fellowship, what type of writer are you and sooooo much more! Check out the ScreenWriterRR website at www.screenwritersrr.com for information, merch, or our Pateron ! Support the show via the Patreon link . Remember support is love! We invest countless hours per week to deliver the actionable co...
Jul 26, 2021•1 hr 31 min
Hilliard, Chris and lil’ big brother filmmaker Geno Brooks, sit down with the OG TV/FILM Executive Producer/Writer/Director CHARLES MURRAY and in Part Two, we talk about being a Cinephile, going down research rabbit holes, knowing your CRAFT, writing your way into directing, staying in the lanes chosen for you or creating your own path — and so much more! Check out the ScreenWriterRR website at www.screenwritersrr.com for information, merch, or our Pateron ! Support the show via the Patreon link...
Jul 19, 2021•51 min
In Part 1 of this episode, Hilliard, Chris and lil' brother filmmaker Geno Brooks, sit down with the OG TV/FILM Executive Producer/Writer/Director CHARLES MURRAY and in Part One we talk about Mentorship, it's true meaning and how writers can find better usage of their time to maintain or build a screenwriting career! Check back in for PART 2 next week! Check out the ScreenWriterRR website at www.screenwritersrr.com for information, merch, or our Pateron ! Support the show via the Patreon link . ...
Jul 12, 2021•1 hr 39 min
Hilliard sat down with comedy writer/indie filmmaker/actor Amir Mo -- in a fun discussion about writing and producing comedy from outside the box, finding your voice and POV and being a BIPOC writer in Hollywood today. This episode is brought to you by The Finish Line Script Competition! They are here to help writers succeed - visit https://finishlinescriptcomp.com for more information! If you want to check out Finish Line Script Competition’s other competition: The Tirota/Finish Line SOCIAL IMP...
Jun 28, 2021•49 min
Hilliard and Chris sit down with writer/prod Evette Vargas (co-chair of the WGAW Latinx Committee) & writer/prod Jorge River (Vice-chair of the WGAW Latinx Committee) in an amazing discussion and praise of Latinx joy for Lin Minuel-Miranda and John Chu's latest hit film: "IN THE HEIGHTS" GO SEE THIS FILM! This episode is brought to you by The Finish Line Script Competition! They are here to help writers succeed - visit https://finishlinescriptcomp.com for more information! If you want to che...
Jun 14, 2021•1 hr 31 min
Hilliard had another dope one-on-one with Veteran Actor of Stage and Screen -- over 80 plays including working with the late August Wilson opposite the late Roscoe Lee Browne in the Los Angeles Premiere of Wilson's "Joe Turner's Come and Gone". Co-starred in the classic films, the hip hop comedy classic CB4 as the iconic 40 Dog opposite the late Charlie Murphy with Chris Rock, the classic action film "Con Air" opposite John Malkovich. Recurring on the Emmy award winning ER on NBC....and on and o...
Jun 07, 2021•2 hr 19 min
In this episode, Hilliard has a one-on-one with comedy writer Aadip Desai (The Goldbergs, Sundance Advisor and more), and the two go IN on some of their favorite topics: SKA Music, Fellowships & Outlines. This episode is brought to you by The Finish Line Script Competition! They are here to help writers succeed - visit https://finishlinescriptcomp.com for more information! If you want to check out Finish Line Script Competition’s other competition: The Tirota/Finish Line SOCIAL IMPACT compet...
May 31, 2021•1 hr 56 min
In this super dope episode, Hilliard, Chris and Tracy Grant chop it up with big bro, Veteran Executive Producer P. Frank Williams. The Emmy and 8-time NAACP Image Award Winner, the man behind such shows as AMERICAN GANGSTER, UNSUNG, UNSUNG HOLLYWOOD, WU: THE STORY OF WU-TANG CLAN, WHO SHOT BIGGIE AND TUPAC, CELEBRITY CRIME FILES and so much more -- found out at www.PFrankWilliams.com This episode is brought to you by The Finish Line Script Competition! They are here to help writers succeed - vis...
May 24, 2021•1 hr 16 min
Hilliard & Chris talk with writer/director/professor Camille Tucker about her amazing trajectory -- growing up in Compton near the Black Cowboys, selling her first script to Robert De Niro, developing other projects with major studios and even tells the story of co-writing Lifetime’s hit TV movie, "The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel," which debuted to 2.7MM viewers and has had over 13MM viewers to date! This episode is brought to you by The Finish Line Script Competition! They are...
May 17, 2021•1 hr 58 min
Hilliard & Chris get together in person for the first time in over a year (after both being fully Vaccinated), and have an intense discussion about writing TV/Film in Hollywood and the affect and toll it takes on you, myths in the writers' room, working through depression, signs of it and so much more! This episode is brought to you by The Finish Line Script Competition! They are here to help writers succeed - visit https://finishlinescriptcomp.com for more information! If you want to check ...
May 10, 2021•1 hr 36 min
Hilliard & Lisa chop it up with Rapper/Music Producer/Filmmaker Jack Spade and Rapper/Comedy Writer Saeed Crumpler about writing from afar, licensing their music and beats to Film/TV, working with artists, creating avenues for residual income and even The Nickelodeon Writing Program! This episode is brought to you by The Finish Line Script Competition! They are here to help writers succeed - visit https://finishlinescriptcomp.com for more information! If you want to check out Finish Line Scr...
May 03, 2021•1 hr 36 min
Hilliard, Lisa & Chris talk with Jeanne Veillettte Bowerman (Executive Pipeline Media Group, Editor-in-Chief Pipeline Artists) and Matt Joseph Misetich (Senior Executive / Partner, Pipeline Media Group) about all of the amazing things they have going on for screenwriters, novelist, and artists on their newly launched PipelineArtists.com site! This episode is brought to you by The Finish Line Script Competition! They are here to help writers succeed - visit https://finishlinescriptcomp.com fo...
Apr 26, 2021•1 hr 53 min
In this episode Hilliard and Lisa look back with actor Dwayne Barnes and the controversial role he played as a crack head in the hit film Menace II Society. Sparked by a conversation that went viral on Deadline between Jay Baker agent at CAA and black Literary Manager Jewerl Keats Ross — disgustingly ties in Dwayne’s scenes in Menace — which Jay used against Jewerl with racial and homophobic undertones. The first Deadline article is from the Jewerl Ross: https://deadline.com/2021/03/caa-lit-agen...
Apr 19, 2021•2 hr
In this episode, Hilliard & Lisa chop it up with TV/Film Executive Donna-Marie Reid and Filmmaker/Creator of the Digital Series "QT" Tamieka Briscoe, about their amazing journeys, working in Hollywood as black, female content creators, utilizing ClubHouse to the fullest, building allies and so much more! This episode is brought to you by The Finish Line Script Competition! They are here to help writers succeed - visit https://finishlinescriptcomp.com for more information! If you want to chec...
Apr 12, 2021•2 hr 6 min
In this ep, Hilliard, Lisa and Chris talk about the many "assumptions" writers have in Hollywood - particularly with actor Shia LaBeouf who's been submitting his screenplays and placing in open screenwriting competitions (known for advancing Emerging Writers) over the past few years and the controversy the Writing Community and Social Media has around it! This episode is brought to you by The Finish Line Script Competition! They are here to help writers succeed - visit https://finishlinescriptco...
Apr 05, 2021•1 hr 7 min
Hilliard has a one-on-one with actor-model-filmmaker and star of the Emmy Nominated TVOne Series about black love -- "TOUGH LOVE." Eric talks about his amazing journey from Detroit doing construction, to modeling on runways of NY Fashion Week, to moving to LA and acting in a hit TV series! You can find Eric on all Social Media @EricJordonTidwell This episode is brought to you by The Finish Line Script Competition! They are here to help writers succeed - visit https://finishlinescriptcomp.com for...
Mar 30, 2021•1 hr 13 min
Hilliard & Lisa talk with head writer BEN JOHNSON JR., about writers' rooms, features and shooting in South Africa. Ben is a multi-talented, business-minded filmmaker who is professional in his conduct, serious about mastering his craft and passionate about telling authentic, emotionally compelling African stories. This episode is brought to you by The Finish Line Script Competition! They are here to help writers succeed - visit https://finishlinescriptcomp.com for more information! If you w...
Mar 22, 2021•1 hr 22 min
This week Hilliard and Chris are joined by big bro, TV/Film director Carl Seaton to talk about the obstacles of directing episodic television during Covid. So much game dropped in this episode y'all! This episode is brought to you by The Finish Line Script Competition! They are here to help writers succeed - visit https://finishlinescriptcomp.com for more information! If you want to check out Finish Line Script Competition’s other competition: The Tirota/Finish Line SOCIAL IMPACT competition. Th...
Mar 15, 2021•1 hr 21 min
Chris drops another bottle episode to talk about the 1 year anniversary of the COVID shutdown, the future of the movie industry, the importance of hustle, and writing outlines for TV episodes! This episode is brought to you by The Finish Line Script Competition! They are here to help writers succeed - visit https://finishlinescriptcomp.com for more information! If you want to check out Finish Line Script Competition’s other competition: The Tirota/Finish Line SOCIAL IMPACT competition. The year ...
Mar 09, 2021•16 min
Hilliard and Chris are joined by Bianca Sams, TV writer and co-chair of the WGAW Committee of Black Writers to discuss “Black Bodies on Screen” with a look at the popular Think Tank Inclusion and Equity Factsheet that went out to the industry: research-driven one-pagers to help guide writers rooms, writers, and all content creators toward better representation in their stories! You can find the Inclusion and Equity Factsheet HERE: https://www.writeinclusion.org/factsheets?mc_cid=0a365949e7&m...
Mar 02, 2021•1 hr 55 min
In this episode, Hilliard & Chris talk with Literary Manager/Producer Rachel Miller about her viral Twitter Thread that came out a few weeks ago listing some do's-and-don'ts that herself and showrunner uncovered while staffing their new Streamer thriller series which is a month into the writers' room! This episode is brought to you by The Finish Line Script Competition! They are here to help writers succeed - visit https://finishlinescriptcomp.com for more information! If you want to check o...
Feb 22, 2021•1 hr 49 min
In this super fun episode, Hilliard, Chris & Lisa sat down over Skype with four amazing Emerging Writers on the come up: Keena Ferguson, Amadou Diallo, Danielle Nicki and Larry Solidarity. We literally drop two hours of nothing but industry game y'all! This episode is brought to you by The Finish Line Script Competition! They are here to help writers succeed - visit https://finishlinescriptcomp.com for more information! If you want to check out Finish Line Script Competition’s other competit...
Feb 15, 2021•2 hr 8 min
