Hang out with Sandy and Terry as they explore ten screenwriting quotes and learn how to apply them to your writing. Gaining insights from successful writers is an invaluable approach to refining your craft and overcoming challenges. 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. 📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast 💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment please contact us @thewritershangoutpodcas...
Aug 04, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 127
Hang out with us as we explore what happened behind the scenes during the writing of Twister, the 1996 blockbuster movie Twister, with a special guest, my cousin Kate! Twister is an action film and screwball romance featuring Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt. Writer Michael Crichton conceived it as a combination of the classic romantic comedy "His Girl Friday" and a PBS documentary about storm chasers he had seen on TV. Helen Hunt portrays Jo, a meteorologist whose father was swept away by a tornado w...
Jul 28, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 125
Sandy and Terry delved into the Enneagram System, a method of categorizing human personality into nine distinct types. For writers, the Enneagram Personality Test website is a valuable resource for mapping out your characters' authentic emotional journeys. By taking the personality test, you will gain valuable character traits that will enhance your scripts for years by creating authentic and compelling characters! Learn more about the Enneagram System here: https://enneagramuniverse.com The Wri...
Jul 21, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 124
The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the Writers’ Hangout podcast and will announce the Quarter-Finalists in their 2024 screenplay competition on Monday, July 15th. And that's our excuse to give our listeners a special treat! Today's episode features Sandy and Terry reading comments from the PAGE Awards Judges' scorecards. We also discuss the 10-point scale. A tool PAGE Judges use to score ten elements in your screenplay. These special Judges’ comments will only be revealed on ep...
Jul 14, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 123
We’re baaccck! It is the first week of July 2024, and Sandy and Terry are ready for #hotpodsummer. Did you know that our host and creator of The Writers’ Hangout, Sandy Adomaitis, has a wealth of experience in script development for both television and film? She has worked with some of the industry’s top showrunners, including Carlton Cuse, John Wirth, and Tom Spezialy. Now, for the first time, Sandy has exclusively compiled a list of ten warning signs that could dampen her enthusiasm for readin...
Jul 07, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 122
How do they do it? How do successful writers become successful? They must all lead charmed lives. One imagines a successful writer who works hard, gets up at 4 a.m., goes to the gym, then slides behind the laptop for four hours. Afternoons, they take their doodle around the block of their tony neighborhood, then put in another two solid hours of editing. Have a healthy dinner with friends, then go to bed for a brilliant night's sleep. Well, dear writers, as we know on The Writer's Hangout, it do...
Jun 09, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 121
REWIND EPISODE. Join the conversation on how PAGE Awards Judges evaluate your screenplay with Karen Craig and Scott Barkan. Karen Craig is a professional screenwriter and script doctor whose credits include such films as AMERICAN PSYCHO II, starring Mila Kunis and William Shatner, and FORBIDDEN SECRETS, starring Kristy Swanson. Karen has served as a judge for the PAGE Awards for the past 12 years, reviewing both Thriller/Horror scripts and Family Films. Scott Barkan is a professional screenwrite...
Jun 02, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 120
Our guests are Steve Cubine and Nan McNamara from the hit podcast "From Beneath The Hollywood Sign." Every week, Steve and Nan dive into the magical, mysterious, amusing, and sometimes bizarre tales of Old Hollywood. If you're a fan of the Golden Era of Old Hollywood, "From Beneath The Hollywood Sign" is a podcast you won't want to miss. So, follow and listen to them - we highly recommend it. On today’s show, we discuss the mysterious death of Thelma Todd and whether her screenwriter/director bo...
May 26, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 119
Parts one, two, and three of "The Unbelievable True Story of Elisabeth Finch and Grey's Anatomy." Available now! Rising star and television writer Elizabeth Finch wrote many emotional scripts for Grey's Anatomy, exploring cancer, abortion, and sexual abuse based on her life experiences. In March of 2022, Grey's Anatomy writer Elisabeth Finch was investigated by Disney and placed on administrative leave by the production company Shondaland over concerns about her medical history. Elisabeth told f...
May 19, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 118
Happy Mother's Day! Join Sandy and Terry on today's show as they discuss how mothers are portrayed in movies and explore the idea of screenwriters seeking feedback from the most influential women in their lives—their moms. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Executive Producer Kristin Overn Producer Sandy Adomaitis Producer Terry Sampson Music by Ethan Stoller 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podc...
May 12, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 117
Our esteemed guest is Professor Carol Stabile, the author of The Broadcast 41, a profound exploration of the experiences of 41 remarkable women. These women, including some of the most prominent figures of their time: Dorothy Parker, Gypsy Rose Lee, Lena Horne, and screenwriter Vera Caspray, challenged the rigid norms of the American television and radio industry during the tumultuous 1950s 'Red Scare' period. Carol, a highly respected Professor of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Asso...
May 05, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 116
Do you know Judy Blume? She's a fantastic author who has written some of the most beloved childhood novels, such as "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret," "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing," and "Deenie." Sandy and Terry discuss some of the best writing tips for aspiring writers by Judy Blume, gathered by Literary Hub's Emily Temple. Trust me, this advice is perfect for anyone who wants to write books, screenplays, or short stories. So, let's get started! The article by Emily Temple discussed in...
Apr 28, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 115
Sandy tells the strange story of Netflix reportedly paying director Carl Rinsch $55 million for a sci-fi series that he failed to complete and spent most of the money on crypto investments, five Rolls Royces, and a $380K watch. Now, Carl Rinsch is demanding an additional payment of $14 million from Netflix. Plus, does Terry get a visit from Black-eyed kids!!!!!!!! Research for the story includes: The New York Times article by John Carreyrou entitled, The Strange $55 Million Saga of a Netflix Ser...
Apr 21, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 114
In this rewind episode, we talk with Kristin Overn, the Founder and Executive Director of the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards competition. Kristin began her film career as a producer's assistant and script reader at companies like Davis Entertainment, Bonneville Worldwide, and 20th Century Fox. Since then, she has consulted, collaborated, and developed screenplays with dozens of writers, producers, and production companies. Kristin also has extensive experience in production and has serv...
Apr 14, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 113
Sandy and Terry delve into the latest plagiarism controversy. The Alexander Payne-directed film The Holdovers didn’t win for the Best Original Screenplay at the 96th Oscars, but Da’Vine Joy Randolph did take home the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. The film is highly regarded by critics and audiences alike. In early March 2024, reporter Tatiana Siegel at Variety published a report on allegations made by Simon Stephenson, a screenwriter who worked on films such as Luca and Paddington...
Apr 07, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 112
After watching "Quiet On Set," the Max documentary about allegations against producer Dan Schneider, who is accused of creating a toxic work environment on his Nickelodeon shows and engaging in inappropriate behavior, Sandy can't stop thinking about it. It reminds her of the story she shared with you in Episode 86, about her time writing for ABC/Disney's RECCES entitled "Harassed and Pitching," a Humanities Prize-nominated script. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS'...
Mar 31, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 111
Sandy and Terry delve into 4 impactful quotes by screenwriter, producer and director, John Hughes. One of the most successful and influential filmmakers in Hollywood history, John has helped launch the careers of Andrew McCarthy, Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Macaulay Culkin, Judd Nelson, and John Candy. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Executive Producer Kristin Overn Producer Sandy Adomaitis Producer Terry Sampson Music by Ethan Stoller Contact...
Mar 24, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 110
Sandy hangs out with the award-winning actress, musician, and screenwriter Lucy Walsh. When Lucy was seventeen, she was given sixty-three of the love letters her Grandfather Dale wrote her Grandmother Wanda while he was in World War II. A dozen years later, life-changing events compelled Lucy to fly from Los Angeles to tiny Newman, Illinois, to spend three days talking with Wanda, which ended up being their final conversations. Lucy transformed her journey into a masterclass on humanity, chronic...
Mar 10, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 109
Terry recently received a phone call from a childhood friend who asked for help. The friend, has a friend, who was offered a huge deal for something they had written, and would Terry get him up to speed on "Hollywood" deal making. However, as Terry spoke with the friend, he began to suspect that the whole thing might be a scam. Unfortunately, this is not a new problem. Scammers often prey on vulnerable artists, especially screenwriters, by making false promises to them. The PAGE International Sc...
Mar 03, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 108
We are thrilled to have a special guest, Stan Zimmerman , who is a renowned film and television writer. He has been nominated for two WGA Awards for Best Comedy Episodic Writing for his work on The Golden Girls and Roseanne. Stan talks about his new book, The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+girls+stan+zimmerman&crid=2D56CM0FL6JH2&sprefix=stan+zimmer%2Caps%2C415&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_11 We loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone interested in ...
Feb 25, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 107
One of the biggest challenges for new and seasoned writers is to sit down and start writing their screenplay. It's common for writers to have an excellent idea for a script for months but not put anything down on paper. To make matters worse, they might see a movie trailer that looks exactly like the movie they have in their head, causing them to feel discouraged and frustrated. In this episode, Sandy and Terry Writers focus on "how to begin" with tips by Dean Orion . He wrote the book Live To W...
Feb 18, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 106
For screenwriters, the Public Domain can be a treasure trove of inspiration and material. Hollywood is obsessed with Intellectual Property (IP) and buying the rights to the latest hit book or graphic novel can be expensive and out of reach for most screenwriters. By tapping into the public domain, screenwriters can find stories, characters, and themes that are already known and loved, and put their own spin on them. On January 1, 2024, a version of Mickey Mouse will enter the public domain in th...
Feb 11, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 106
Did Taylor Swift pen the spy thriller that inspired the new film ARGYLLE? Hang out with Sandy and Terry, who explores how the internet built a conspiracy theory that Taylor Swift secretly wrote the spy thriller ARGYLLE. Matthew Vaughn directs ARGYLLE, which stars Henry Cavill, Ariana DeBose, Bryan Cranston, Dua Lipa, and Bryce Dallas Howard as Elly Conway. Plus, in honor of Super Bowl LVIII, Terry takes a quiz on football movies. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' ...
Feb 04, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 105
Adam Joiner, an ordinary man from the Sacramento area of California, managed to secure millions in funding for a movie that his brother Andrew wrote called 'Legends.' The movie blends legendary 19th-century American figures and steampunk Avengers, designed to satisfy the increasing demand for big-budget fantasy-action films. However, the following story is full of twists and turns that result in 'Legends' not becoming a legend, and someone must take the blame. Research for this episode includes:...
Jan 28, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 104
Sandy and Terry are back and ready to take on 2024. However, Terry encountered a problem when both of his computers crashed, and he lost both copies of the Final Draft. Meanwhile, Sandy worked hard over the holidays to set up a writing office but now finds herself in a difficult situation and turns to The Writers' Hangout for some advice and support. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Executive Producer Kristin Overn Producer Sandy Adomaitis Producer/Engin...
Jan 21, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 103
Join us as we rewind and discuss one of the most legendary parties in Hollywood history. After the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Walt Disney threw a party at the Norconian Resort located in the California Desert to thank his employees. However, the party quickly becomes wild and crazy, and Walt never speaks of it again. It was an unspoken rule among the employees that the party would not be mentioned if you wanted to keep your job. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponso...
Jan 14, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 102
Join Sandy and Terry as they discuss one of the film's most iconic closing lines - "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown" - from the 1974 movie CHINATOWN. The film was written by Robert Towne and directed by Roman Polanski. It features Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in the lead roles. In this episode, we will discover the fascinating story behind the creation of this famous last line and why it nearly didn't make it into the movie. 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a r...
Jan 07, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 103
Happy New Year! In today's episode, we will rewind the story of Doug Kenney, the screenwriter and co-founder of National Lampoon, who was behind popular movies like Animal House and Caddyshack. Despite being remembered as a 'genius' by his friends and colleagues, Kenney tragically passed away at the age of 33 after falling off a cliff in Hawaii. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a review. 💙 If you have an idea for the podcast, please write us at [email protected] We woul...
Dec 31, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 102
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Sandy and Terry! Writers, we've compiled a clip show of our past two years hanging out with you!! Kick back next to a cozy fire and start the show, or be like me and turn on a fake fireplace because you live in Southern California, and it is 62 degrees outside. We love you and are excited to see what the future holds for us in 2024! The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Executive Producer Kristin Overn Creator/Producer ...
Dec 23, 2023•56 min•Season 1Ep. 101
During today's show, Sandy and Terry will discuss Billy Wilder's 10 tips for excellent screenplay writing. Few screenwriters are as pedigreed as Billy Wilder, renowned as one of the most creative filmmakers of American cinema's Golden Age. Billy was nominated 21 times at the Academy Awards, 13 for his screenwriting and 8 for his direction. He won the Best Director award for his 1945 film "The Lost Weekend" and again 15 years later for "The Apartment". Thanks to the success of "The Apartment," Wi...
Dec 17, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 100
