3rd & Fairfax: The WGAW Podcast

In this episode, host Myles Warden speaks with St. Denis Medical creators Eric Ledgin (American Auto) & Justin Spitzer(Superstore) about keeping the workplace comedy mockumentary format fresh, the creative challenges of writing for network primetime TV, staffing their writers' room, and more.  

In this episode, host Hilliard Guess talks with Forever creator-showrunner Mara Brock Akil(The Game, Being Mary Jane) about reimagining Judy Blume's teen novel through the lens of young Black love, empowering new voices at her Writers' Colony residency, the importance of completing writing projects, and more. 

In this episode, host Monique Sorgen talks with creator, showrunner, and actor Kit Williamson about writing, directing, and starring in his comedy series Unconventional, why queer narratives and LGBTQ+ representation are vital, and more.

For nearly a year, Production Assistants, commonly called PAs, across the country have been taking steps to form a union with the Burbank-based LiUNA Local 724. Today on the podcast, WGAW member Andra Whipple is joined by LiUNA Local 724 business representative Alex Aguilar and Production Assistant and organizing committee member Clio Byrne-Gudding to talk about their campaign to improve wages, enshrine turnaround times and provide access to union health benefits. 

In this episode, host Kristina Woo talks with Interior Chinatown creator, showrunner, and author Charles Yu (Westworld, Legion, American Born Chinese) about adapting his National Book Award-winning novel to a limited series, his unlikely path in the entertainment industry, why inclusion & representation matters, and more.

In this episode, host Kristina Woo talks with screenwriter-director-actor Michael Angarano & screenwriter Christopher Smith about collaborating on their road trip comedy Sacramento, their path from page to screen, and more.

In this episode, host Josephine Green Zhang talks to The Last of Us creators and showrunners Craig Mazin(Chernobyl) & Neil Druckmann about crafting Season 2 of the hit series, adapting the popular videogame for television, advice for aspiring writers, and more.

In this episode, host Moon Zappa speaks with showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman (Jane the Virgin, Charmed) about reimagining the hit CBS series Matlock, the challenges of writing broadcast TV shows, how she shapes her writers' room, and more.

In this episode, host Monique Sorgen talks with showrunner and executive producer Michelle Nader(2 Broke Girls, The King of Queens, Dollface), about her two current comedy series, Shifting Gears and Deli Boys, how personal experience shapes her work, and more.

SAG-AFTRA's Interactive Media Agreement, which covers video game performers, expired in November of 2022. On July 26, 2024, after 18 months of negotiations with some of the industry's largest video game companies, SAG-AFTRA members called a strike. Today on the podcast, WGAW member and host Myles Warden is joined by SAG-AFTRA Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee Chair Sarah Elmaleh for an update on the strike and to learn more about the core issues that SAG-AFTRA members are fighting for.

In our latest episode, host Hilliard Guess talks with Cross developer-showrunner Ben Watkins(Hand of God, Burn Notice) about his hit Amazon Prime series, what he looks for when staffing writers' rooms, and more.

In this episode, host Moon Zappa talks with Companion screenwriter-director Drew Hancock (My Dead Ex, Suburgatory) about his feature film debut, transitioning from TV to film, balancing tone, and more.

Host Susie Singer Carter speaks with The Last Showgirl screenwriter Kate Gersten about drawing from her own experience of Las Vegas nightlife, her transition from writing for television (The Good Place, Mozart in the Jungle) to film, and more.

In this episode, WGAW member and host Jonterri Gadson is joined by Víctor Sánchez, Executive Director for the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy – also known as LAANE – an organizing and advocacy institution committed to economic, environmental, and racial justice. LAANE brings together community power and labor power to win policies that improve the lives of working families in Los Angeles and in Long Beach.

Host Jonterri Gadson talks with The Sticky creators-showrunners Brian Donovan & Ed Herro (American Housewife, The Neighbors) about their journey to bring the dark comedy caper to the screen, the challenges of shooting on location, the art of pitching, and more.

In this episode, host Josephine Green Zhang talks with Queer and Challengers screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes about collaborating with director Luca Guadagnino, the challenges of adaptation, and more.

In this episode, host Moon Zappa speaks with screenwriter David Scarpa (Napoleon, All the Money in the World) about Gladiator II, crafting historical epics, the creative challenges of sequels, and more.

Host Kristina Woo talks with screenwriter-director Sean Baker (Red Rocket, The Florida Project, Tangerine) about his latest film Anora, the nuts & bolts of indie filmmaking, handling tonal shifts, and more.

In this episode, host Aaron Fullerton speaks with The Diplomat creator-showrunner Debora Cahn about Season Two of Netflix's political drama series, how the show's writers' aim for authenticity, and more.

On this episode host Jonterri Gadson talks with Everybody Still Hates Chris developer-showrunner Sanjay Shah about how he got the Comedy Central animated series WGA-covered, the creative challenges of live-action vs. animation, his best tips for selling your pitch, and more.

On this episode, with 2024 elections just a few weeks away, campaign season is in full swing. WGAW Senior Research and Public Policy Director Laura Blum-Smith joins Kristina Woo to talk about WGAW's policy priorities.   To learn more about the guild's policy priorities visit https://www.wga.org/public-policy

Host Josephine Green Zhang talks with filmmaker Megan Park about her latest film, the coming-of age comedy My Old Ass, making the transition from acting to writing and directing, finding her authentic voice, and more.

Host Jasmyne Peck speaks with The Penguin developer-showrunner Lauren LeFranc about how the Max limited series explores the rise of the Gotham crime lord as a character study, the challenges of staying true to The Batman universe, and more.

Back by popular demand, we have members of the Hollywood Teamsters Local 399 —this time from the Casting Department. Teamsters Local 399 and their New York counterparts in Teamsters Local 817 began contract negotiating with the studios on August 26th for Casting Directors, Associate Casting Directors, and newly organized Casting Assistants. Host and WGAW member Andra Whipple sits down with two iconic Casting Directors and Teamster negotiating committee members Allison Jones and Sherry Thomas to discuss some of the challenges they are up against. Learn more about the Casting Directors campaign and how you can support them in their campaign toolkit.

Host Moon Zappa speaks with filmmaker Alma Har'el (Honey Boy) about creating, showrunning, and directing the AppleTV+ limited series Lady in the Lake, centering women in the narrative, finding the show's aesthetic, and more.

Host Kristina Woo speaks with Sunny creator-showrunner Katie Robbins (The Affair, Natalia) about her AppleTV+ sci-fi dramedy series, the creative challenges of adaption, the connection between humans and AI technology, and more.

WGAW member Andra Whipple sat down with Entertainment Community Fund Western Region Executive Director Keith McNutt to discuss what services are provided, what the Fund is currently working on, and how you can get involved. 

Host Jasmyne Peck speaks with Orphan Black: Echoes creator and showrunner Anna Fishko about exploring identity and found families in her sci-fi thriller series, 4D-printed body parts, what narratives she's drawn to, and more.

Host Josephine Green Zhang talks with screenwriter-director Joshua Margolin about his feature debut Thelma, how his grandmother's own experience inspired the film, how his improv comedy background informs his creative process, and more.

As the Teamsters and Hollywood Basic crafts continue their negotiations with the studios, we're coming to you with the second half of our two-part series on the issues they hope to address. This time, WGAW member Jonterri Gadson sits down with Teamsters local 399 members and Chef's Assistants Carlos Gonzales and Ester Garcia.

WGAW member Jonterri Gadson talks with Jimmy Kimmel Live Head Writers Molly McNearney and Danny Ricker about the creative challenges of writing for a late-night comedy/variety talk series, their advice on what it takes to submit a great writing “packet,” balancing the personal and professional, and much more.

On this episode, Ahsoka creator and Mandalorian writer Dave Filoni talks about expanding the Stars Wars universe, his new role as Lucasfilm's Chief Content Officer, and more.

In a special full-episode of Union Town, WGAW member/captain Jonterri Gadson talks with Teamsters Local 399 members Doug Weaver and Alison Taylor about the work they do and the importance of this negotiation. This is part one of a two-part series on the issues Hollywood Teamsters hope to address in their current negotiations with the studios.

Host Andra Whipple talks with Hacks creators & showrunners Lucia Aniello & Paul W. Downs & Jen Statsky about returning for Season 3 of their Max comedy series, reflections on last year's WGA strike, and why writing is essential at every stage of the process.

Timed to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, WGAW Asian American Writers Committee Chair Kristina Woo speaks with Expats creator-showrunner & filmmaker Lulu Wang about her Amazon series, authentic representation, transitioning to television, and more. (1:00) Next up, WGAW member Jonterri Gadson talks with Ridiculousness writers and new Writers Guild members Erin Conroy and Greg Edwards about the fight to achieve their first-ever WGA contract, the power of solidarity, and more. (41:14)

In this episode WGAW member Susie Singer Carter talks with 2024 Writers Guild Award-winning writer Jen D'Angelo (01:10) about crafting films such as Quiz Lady and Totally Killer, how her improv comedy experience informs her creative process, and more. For the Union Town segment (31:31), 2023 WGA Negotiating Committee Co-Chairs and past WGAW Presidents David A. Goodman and Chris Keyser receive WGAW's Morgan Cox Award at the recent 2024 Writers Guild Awards, honoring their outstanding Guild service and leadership which played a key role in the WGA achieving unprecedent gains during last year's MBA negotiations and 148-day writers' strike.

In this episode's Union Town segment (01:03), WGAW member “Jazz” Peck talks with American Federation of Musicians Local 47 President Stephanie O'Keefe about representing musicians in the industry, the power of solidarity, and the magic that both musicians and writers create with their work. Then, WGAW member Aaron Fullerton talks with A Murder at the End of the World co-creator-showrunner-writer and co-star Brit Marling (23:26) about telling stories that blend real emotions with big ideas, the unique pitching process she has with her writing partner, and more.

In this episode's Union Town segment (1:00), Writers Guild members turn out in force to show solidarity at the recent Many Crafts, One Fight rally to kick off crew unions IATSE, Teamsters, and Hollywood Basic Crafts' negotiations with the AMPTP. Then, host Josephine Green Zhang talks with Mr. and Mrs. Smith co-creator and showrunner Francesca Sloane (9:45) about her new Amazon series, creative process, career, and more.

This year has seen multiple newsroom strikes, massive lay-offs, and sudden closures. In this episode's Union Town segment (1:01), WGAW Asian American Writers Committee Chair Kristina Woo talks with Media Guild West President and former Los Angeles Times writer Matt Pearce about how reporters are organizing the newsroom to push back against corporate greed and protect good jobs. Kristina then speaks with writer and former journalist Albert Kim, developer and showrunner of Avatar: The Last Airbender, about crafting his new hit Netflix series, how Asian representation matters, and more. (31:51)

In this episode's “Union Town” segment (1:05), host Andra Whipple speaks with Rebekah Walendzak Slepski & Bina Martin about how educators at the Second City Training Center in Chicago, members of the Association of International Comedy Educators, reached a tentative deal with the iconic comedy company after a marathon, 11-hour bargaining session, thwarting a planned strike and ending a two-year fight for their first contract. Then host Monique Sorgen talks with writer-actor-comedian Gina Yashere (25:18) about her Nigerian-British  roots and her unique path from stand-up to co-creating and co-starring on CBS' hit comedy series Bob Hearts Abishola.

In this episode's new “Union Town” segment (1:18), WGAW member Jasmyne Peck speaks with educators Peter Gamble and Dara Resnik about how USC's Adjunct Faculty Alliance is organizing with UAW (United Auto Workers) to improve their pay and working conditions. Next up, to coincide with Black History Month, Committee of Black Writers Co-Chair Hillard Guess talks with Writers Guild Award & Emmy-winning and Academy Award-nominated writer Cord Jefferson (18:24) (Succession, Watchmen) about his acclaimed film American Fiction, the challenges of adaption, and creating Black-centered narratives.

Host Moon Zappa speaks with filmmaker Sarah Polley about writing and directing her latest film Women Talking, adapted from Miriam Toews' novel about women in an isolated religious community who grapple with reconciling their faith with brutal reality.

Host David Sheftell talks with Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty co-creator-showrunner-EP-writer Max Borenstein (The Terror: Infamy, Godzilla vs. Kong) about HBOMax's series chronicling the '80s-era L.A. Lakers basketball team on and off the court.

Host Hilliard Guess talks with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever screenwriters Ryan Coogler (director) & Joe Robert Cole about Marvel's hit sequel and moving the MCU franchise forward.

Host David Sheftell chats with writer Alisha Ketry (American Dad, Fuller House) about the comedy film I'm Totally Fine.

Host David Radcliff talks with Terence Winter (The Sopranos, The Wolf of Wall Street) about the new Paramount+ series Tulsa King, thriving in the writers' room, and law school.

Host Josephine Green Zhang speaks with Chris Estrada about co-creating, writing, and starring in Hulu's acclaimed, Latinx-centric comedy series This Fool, why representation matters, and more.

Host Monique Sorgen speaks with writer-actor-comedian Brittani Nichols (A Black Lady Sketch Show, Drop the Mic) about writing for ABC's award-winning, hit comedy series Abbott Elementary and more.

Host Aaron Fullerton speaks with filmmaker Todd Field (Little Children) about writing and directing his latest film Tár, which explores fame and power.

Host David Radcliff speaks with screenwriter-director James Gray (Ad Astra, The Lost City of Z) about his latest film, Armageddon Time, a personal coming-of-age story about the strength of family and the generational pursuit of the American Dream.

Host Brian Gary talks with The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power developers-showrunners J.D. Payne & Patrick McKay about Amazon's epic fantasy series set in in the Second Age of Middle Earth, thousands of years before J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.