Shondaland's partner who isn't Shonda talks about working in one of the top pods in the business, where it's headed, and more. In conversation with EW's editor-in-chief Henry Goldblatt. Recorded at ATX Television Festival on June 10, 2016. Get your badge now for ATX's sixth season, June 8-11 2017, at http://atxfestival.com/ LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/plu s CONNECT W/ BEN BLACKER & THE WRITER'S PANEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA https://twitter....
Feb 23, 2017•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 318
The creator of The Blacklist and its spin-off, The Blacklist: Redemption, discusses why he made the move to television after fourteen years in features, leaving and returning to LA, his collaborators, how he does and doesn't like writing, and more. LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/plu s CONNECT W/ BEN BLACKER & THE WRITER'S PANEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA https://twitter.com/BENBLACKER https://www.facebook.com/TVWritersPanel THE WRITER'S PANEL IS ...
Feb 21, 2017•43 min•Ep. 317
Comedies and dramas alike are finding the humanity and nuance in faith-based storylines, whether its reconciling concepts of self and sexuality in religion or questioning a long-standing ideology. How does a series navigate what role a characters faith will play in his or her story or the show as a whole? Jessica Goldberg (The Path), Brenda Lilly & Hollis Rich (State of Grace), Glen Mazzara (Damien), Jack Amiel (The Knick), and Tom Fontana (Oz) discuss navigating questions of God and church ...
Feb 16, 2017•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 316
The creators of NBC's Timeless discuss their collaboration, the tricks of writing time travel, how creating their own showsThe Shield and Supernatural, respectively as young writers informed their process, and more. LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/plu s CONNECT W/ BEN BLACKER & THE WRITER'S PANEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA https://twitter.com/BENBLACKER https://www.facebook.com/TVWritersPanel THE WRITER'S PANEL IS A FOREVER DOG PODCAST https://for...
Feb 09, 2017•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 314
Jonathan Brackley and Sam Vincent, creators of Channel 4/AMC's Humans, talk about artificial intelligence in storytelling, what Westworld does well, their earlier work on MI-5, and lots more. LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/plu s CONNECT W/ BEN BLACKER & THE WRITER'S PANEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA https://twitter.com/BENBLACKER https://www.facebook.com/TVWritersPanel THE WRITER'S PANEL IS A FOREVER DOG PODCAST https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/podc...
Feb 07, 2017•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 313
The showrunner and co-creator of the Syfy series Incorporated discuss their working relationship, their show's relevance, and more. LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/plu s CONNECT W/ BEN BLACKER & THE WRITER'S PANEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA https://twitter.com/BENBLACKER https://www.facebook.com/TVWritersPanel THE WRITER'S PANEL IS A FOREVER DOG PODCAST https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/podcasts/the-writers-panel Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...
Feb 04, 2017•56 min•Ep. 312
Will Beall (developer/showrunner, Training Day); Dan Newmark and Ben Newmark (Gigi Does It; Coupled). LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/plu s CONNECT W/ BEN BLACKER & THE WRITER'S PANEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA https://twitter.com/BENBLACKER https://www.facebook.com/TVWritersPanel THE WRITER'S PANEL IS A FOREVER DOG PODCAST https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/podcasts/the-writers-panel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Host...
Jan 31, 2017•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 311
Take a break from reality with a double header from ATX, a Television Festival. First, Jennie Snyder Urman (creator, Jane the Virgin), Kevin Biegel (creator, Enlisted and Cougartown), Justin Adler (creator, Life in Pieces), and Dana Tuinier (VP Original Programming, TVLand) talk about why a kinder approach to storytelling may be exactly what viewers want and need. Moderated by Dan Fienberg (THR). Recorded at ATX Television Festival on June 12, 2016. Get your badge now for ATX's sixth season, Jun...
Jan 24, 2017•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 310
The American political system often lends itself to some of TVs bleakest and most inspiring moments. In this conversation, Kevin Falls (The West Wing), Rosemary Rodriguez (The Good Wife), and Bryan Seabury (SVP Drama Development, CBS) examine working with an existing framework of D.C., what happens when fictional politics meet real-world expectations. and why the subject lends itself to rich storytelling and keeps an audience tuning in. Moderated by Henry Goldblatt (EW). Recorded at ATX Televisi...
Jan 21, 2017•1 hr•Ep. 309
Erin Gibson and Bryan Safi talk about translating their Maximum Fun podcast into a TV Land late-night style series, their performance backgrounds, and more. LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/plu s CONNECT W/ BEN BLACKER & THE WRITER'S PANEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA https://twitter.com/BENBLACKER https://www.facebook.com/TVWritersPanel THE WRITER'S PANEL IS A FOREVER DOG PODCAST https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/podcasts/the-writers-panel Learn more a...
Jan 17, 2017•45 min•Ep. 308
The It's Always Sunny in Philadephia writers and co-stars discuss their now-airing 12th season, changing the face of TV comedy, how their show is written, and more. Co-hosted by Sunny super-fan Jenny Klein (Supernatural; Jessica Jones). LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/plu s CONNECT W/ BEN BLACKER & THE WRITER'S PANEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA https://twitter.com/BENBLACKER https://www.facebook.com/TVWritersPanel THE WRITER'S PANEL IS A FOREVER DO...
Jan 10, 2017•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 307
Peter Tolan (co-creator/showrunner, Outsiders, Rescue Me); Brannon Braga (co-creator/showrunner, Salem; Star Trek: Next Generation); Y. Shireen Razack (Shadowhunters); Adam Nussdorf (creator, Beyond). LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/plu s CONNECT W/ BEN BLACKER & THE WRITER'S PANEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA https://twitter.com/BENBLACKER https://www.facebook.com/TVWritersPanel THE WRITER'S PANEL IS A FOREVER DOG PODCAST https://foreverdogpodcasts...
Jan 03, 2017•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 306
Phillip Iscove (co-creator, Sleepy Hollow), Gloria Calderon Kellett (co-creator, the new One Day at a Time), and Dierdre Mangan (iZombie) look back on 2016 and try to find hope in the trends, movements, and good TV from this annus horribilis. LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/plu s CONNECT W/ BEN BLACKER & THE WRITER'S PANEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA https://twitter.com/BENBLACKER https://www.facebook.com/TVWritersPanel THE WRITER'S PANEL IS A FORE...
Dec 20, 2016•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 305
The screenwriter of A Monster Calls, and the author of the novel on which it's based, talks about how anyone with a story can be a writer, adapting his novel, his process, his other books including the Chaos Walking series and The Rest of Us Just Live Here, the Doctor Who spin-off Class he created for BBC, and more. A Monster Calls is in theaters December 23rd and throughout January. LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/plu s CONNECT W/ BEN BLAC...
Dec 13, 2016•36 min•Ep. 304
The actor (Silicon Valley; Big Love) and writer/director of Captain Fantastic, one of the best movies of the year, chats about stepping behind the camera, writing for actors, the biographical aspects of Captain Fantastic, and more. Seriously, stop messing around and see Captain Fantastic. LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/plu s CONNECT W/ BEN BLACKER & THE WRITER'S PANEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA https://twitter.com/BENBLACKER https://www.facebook....
Dec 06, 2016•50 min•Ep. 303
The screenwriter of Arrival talks about the decade-long process of bringing that story to the screen, hard hat jobs he's worked on including the remake/prequel of The Thing, his directorial debut, Hours, and more. LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/plu s CONNECT W/ BEN BLACKER & THE WRITER'S PANEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA https://twitter.com/BENBLACKER https://www.facebook.com/TVWritersPanel THE WRITER'S PANEL IS A FOREVER DOG PODCAST https://forev...
Nov 29, 2016•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 302
Megan Metzger (When Calls the Heart), Dave Metzger (The Blacklist), Joelle Cornett (Pure Genius), Charlotte Lewis (Faking It), and Jake Thomas (Notorious) discuss what the job entails, how they got their jobs, the best rooms, and the odd place a writers' assistant holds in a writers' room. Recorded on September 11, 2016 at Nerdmelt Theater. LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/plu s CONNECT W/ BEN BLACKER & THE WRITER'S PANEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA...
Nov 22, 2016•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 301
Michael Schur (creator of The Good Place; co-creator of Parks & Recreation), Damon Lindelof (co-creator, Lost, The Leftovers), Carlton Cuse (co-creator of Jack Ryan, Colony, and Bates Motel; co-showrunner, Lost), Marti Noxon (co-creator of Unreal and Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce), Douglas Petrie (co-showrunner of Daredevil and The Defenders), David Fury (Buffy; 24), Jane Espenson (Buffy; Once Upon a Time), Charles Murray (Luke Cage; Sons of Anarchy), Andrew Miller (co-creator, Secret Circle...
Nov 15, 2016•1 hr 51 min•Ep. 300
Blindspot creator Martin Gero chats about putting together the team, breaking story, how he uses the writers' room, his unusual hiring process, his late, beloved series LA Complex, procedurals, those tattoos, and more. Recorded at EW Popfest in Los Angeles, CA on October 29, 2016. LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/plu s CONNECT W/ BEN BLACKER & THE WRITER'S PANEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA https://twitter.com/BENBLACKER https://www.facebook.com/TVWr...
Nov 08, 2016•46 min•Ep. 299
The author of The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns, and more discusses discovering young adult fiction, the invention of characters, how his stories take shape, his earnest love of The Babysitters Club books, and more; he even drops some hints about his next novel! Recorded at NerdCon: Stories in Minneapolis, MN on October 14, 2016. LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/plu s CONNECT W/ BEN BLACKER & THE WRITER'S PANEL ON S...
Nov 01, 2016•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 298
Barbara Hall (creator of Madame Secretary, Judging Amy, and Joan of Arcadia); Joan Rater (co-creator of Doubt); Aline Brosh McKenna (co-creator of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend); Jenny Snyder Urman (creator of Jane the Virgin); Corinne Brinkerhoff (creator of No Tomorrow). Recorded at CBS Studios on October 5, 2016. LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/plu s CONNECT W/ BEN BLACKER & THE WRITER'S PANEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA https://twitter.com/BENBLACKER htt...
Oct 25, 2016•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 297
The creators of the new MTV show Mary + Jane discuss writing what they care about, their partnership and process, their breakthrough feature that led to Can't Hardly Wait, what happened after Josie & the Pussycats, and lots more. Ben Blacker and The Writers Panel have lots of upcoming live shows and appearances, including the 300th Episode Celebration on 11/6 in LA with Damon Lindelof, Carlton Cuse, Marta Kauffman, Mike Schur, and lots more! LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG...
Oct 18, 2016•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 296
Writer/creators/stars Adam Cayton-Holland, Andrew Orvedahl and Ben Roy discuss their TruTV comedy about teachers who are less mature than their students, getting their break in TV after the success of their Denver-based sketch group The Grawlix, the remarkable Maria Thayer, and more. Season 2 of Those Who Can't is on TruTV now. Ben Blacker and The Writers Panel have lots of upcoming live shows and appearances, including the 300th Episode Celebration on 11/6 in LA with Damon Lindelof, Carlton Cus...
Oct 11, 2016•51 min•Ep. 295
A double-header recorded at ATX, a Television Festival earlier this year. First, Keeping the Romance Alive with Hart Hanson (creator, Bones), Liz Tigelaar (showrunner, Casual; creator, Life Unexpected), Carter Covington (creator, Faking It), and Jennie Snyder Urman (creator, Jane the Virgin). How do writers keep a show going that's centered around a romance? What pitfalls can that bring, how do they keep an audience caring through the third, fourth, and fifth break upsor even more, after the cen...
Oct 04, 2016•1 hr 58 min•Ep. 294
Steven Moffat (Doctor Who; Sherlock), Bryan Fuller (American Gods; Star Trek; Hannibal), and Michael Green (American Gods) join Alicia Lutes (co-host/creator, Fangirling) at the Nerdist TV: The Boundary Pushers panel. Recorded at San Diego Comic Con on July 21, 2016 LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/plu s CONNECT W/ BEN BLACKER & THE WRITER'S PANEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA https://twitter.com/BENBLACKER https://www.facebook.com/TVWritersPanel THE ...
Oct 01, 2016•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 293
Westworld creators Jonah Nolan and Lisa Joy, Graham Yost (creator, Justified), Jonathan Tucker (actor, Justified), John Wirth (showrunner, Hell on Wheels), and Anson Mount (actor, Hell on Wheels) discuss the rich tradition of westerns on TV from iconic characters, to revenge, duels, outlaws, lawmen, and the communities they protect. Recorded at ATX Television Festival on June 11, 2016. Get your badge now for ATX's sixth season, June 8-11 2017, at http://atxfestival.com/ LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PAN...
Sep 27, 2016•47 min•Ep. 292
A double-header recorded at ATX, a Television Festival this year. First, Ryan Condal (co-creator, Colony), Zander Lehmann (creator, Casual), Sarah Gertrude Shapiro (co-creator, unREAL), and Joe Pokaski (co-creator, Underground) discuss the process of creating and/or running their own show for the first time, and learning to juggle all that having a new series entails, from pitching, to writing and producing a pilot, having their series picked up, organizing a writers room, and being paired with ...
Sep 20, 2016•1 hr 57 min•Ep. 291
Ben Sinclair and Katja Blichfeld, the creators, writers, and directors of web-series High Maintenance discuss their emotional writing process, keeping their trusted collaborators, the stories that interest them, and more. High Maintenance makes its premiere on HBO on September 16. All past episodes will then be available on HBOGo. LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/plu s CONNECT W/ BEN BLACKER & THE WRITER'S PANEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA https://t...
Sep 13, 2016•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 290
Anna Fricke (developer, Being Human), Liz Tigelaar (creator, Life Unexpected), Hart Hanson (creator, Bones), John Wirth (Hell on Wheels), and Scott Rosenbaum (The Shield) discuss the process of planning and plotting a season. Moderated by Natalie Abrams (Entertainment Weekly). Recorded at ATX Television Festival on June 10, 2016. Get your badge now for ATX's sixth season, June 8-11 2017, at http://atxfestival.com/ LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcast...
Sep 06, 2016•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 289
The creator of Mr. Robot talks about how he is and isn't like his creation, writing and directing, working with his writing staff, and more. LISTEN TO THE WRITERS PANEL AD-FREE ON FOREVER DOG PLUS: https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/plu s CONNECT W/ BEN BLACKER & THE WRITER'S PANEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA https://twitter.com/BENBLACKER https://www.facebook.com/TVWritersPanel THE WRITER'S PANEL IS A FOREVER DOG PODCAST https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/podcasts/the-writers-panel Learn more about your ad cho...
Aug 30, 2016•59 min•Ep. 288
