3rd & Fairfax: The WGAW Podcast

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News and information about the WGAw, and interviews with screenwriters from the worlds of movies, television, and new media.

Writers Guild of America West


    • May 15, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 56m AVG DURATION
    • 320 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from 3rd & Fairfax: The WGAW Podcast

    EP. 401 - Charles Yu - Interior Chinatown

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 51:42


    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.

    Ep. 400 - Michael Angarano & Christopher Smith - Sacramento

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 69:06


    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.

    Ep. 399 - Craig Mazin & Neil Druckmann - The Last of Us Season 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 22:13


    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.

    Ep. 398 - Jennie Snyder Urman - Matlock

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 45:11


    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.

    Ep. 397 - Michelle Nader - Shifting Gears / Deli Boys

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 62:06


    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.

    Ep. 396 - SAG-AFTRA Video Game Strike with Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and Sarah Elmaleh

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 35:08


    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.

    video games strike sag aftra sarah elmaleh wgaw duncan crabtree ireland
    Ep. 395 - Ben Watkins - Cross

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2025 51:28


    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.

    Ep. 394 - Drew Hancock - Companion

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 44:30


    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.

    Ep. 393 - Kate Gersten - The Last Showgirl

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2025 36:23


    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.

    Ep. 392 - Victor Sanchez – Executive Director of LAANE

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025 35:34


    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.

    Ep. 391 - Brian Donovan & Ed Herro - The Sticky

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 50:46


    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.

    Ep. 390 - Justin Kuritzkes - Queer/Challengers

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 46:04


    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.

    Ep. 389 - David Scarpa - Gladiator II

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 52:54


    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.

    Ep. 388 - Sean Baker - Anora

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 39:26


    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.

    Ep. 387 - Debora Cahn – The Diplomat

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 29:32


    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.

    Ep. 386 - Sanjay Shah – Everybody Still Hates Chris

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 63:58


    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.

    Ep. 385 - WGAW Public Policy Priorities with Laura Blum-Smith

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 33:43


    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

    Ep. 384 - Megan Park - My Old Ass

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2024 43:26


    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.

    Ep. 383 - Lauren LeFranc - The Penguin

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 43:09


    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.

    Ep. 382 - Union Town: Casting by Teamsters with Allison Jones & Sherry Thomas

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 58:19


    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.

    Ep. 381 - Alma Har'el

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2024 47:16


    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.

    Ep. 380 - Katie Robbins

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 44:48


    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.

    Ep. 379 - Keith McNutt, Executive Director of the Entertainment Community Fund

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2024 31:29


    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. 

    Ep. 378 - Anna Fishko

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 45:51


    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.

    Ep. 377 - Josh Margolin

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 51:18


    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.

    Ep. 376 - Union Town: Hollywood Teamsters Talk Negotiations Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 37:08


    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.

    Ep. 375 - Molly McNearney and Danny Ricker

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 32:53


    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.

    ricker wgaw molly mcnearney
    Ep. 374 - Dave Filoni

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2024 45:47


    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.

    Union Town: Hollywood Teamsters Talk Negotiations Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2024 36:03


    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.

    Ep. 373 - Lucia Aniello & Paul W. Downs & Jen Statsky

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2024 31:32


    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.

    Ep. 372 - Lulu Wang | Ridiculousness Writers Get First Contract

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 57:54


    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)

    Ep. 371 - Jen D'Angelo | Chris Keyser & David A. Goodman's Morgan Cox Acceptance Speeches

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2024 46:22


    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.

    Ep. 370 - Brit Marling | AFM Local 47 President Stephanie O'Keefe

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2024 60:01


    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.

    Ep. 369 - Francesca Sloane | Many Crafts, One Fight Recap

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2024 42:10


    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.

    Ep. 368 Albert Kim | Matt Pearce on Organizing in the Newsroom

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2024 73:31


    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)

    Ep. 367 - Gina Yashere | Second City Educators Discuss Tentative Deal

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2024 50:37


    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.

    Ep. 366 - Cord Jefferson, and USC Adjunct Professors Fight for Unionization

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2024 57:46


    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.

    Ep. 365 - Sarah Polley

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2023 45:13


    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.

    Ep.364 - Max Borenstein

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2023 62:44


    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.

    Ep. 363 - Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2023 58:29


    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.

    Ep. 362 - Alisha Ketry

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2022 45:25


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

    Ep. 361 - Terence Winter

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2022 57:35


    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.

    Ep. 360 - Chris Estrada

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2022 46:06


    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.

    Ep. 359 - Brittani Nichols

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2022 73:37


    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.

    Ep. 358 - Todd Field

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2022 42:10


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

    Ep. 357 - James Gray

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2022 54:01


    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.

    Ep. 356 - J.D. Payne & Patrick McKay

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2022 50:01


    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.

    Ep. 355 - Abi Damaris Corbin & Kwame Kwei-Armah

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2022 64:53


    Host Hilliard Guess chats with screenwriter-director Abi Damaris Corbin & co-screenwriter Kwame Kwei-Armah about their recent film Breaking, whose title resonates in more ways than one.

    kwame kwei armah abi damaris corbin
    Ep. 354 - Alfred Gough & Miles Millar

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2022 44:42


    Host Andra Whipple speaks with Wednesday creators-showrunners Alfred Gough & Miles Millar (Smallville, The Shannara Chronicles) about their Netflix's Addams Family spinoff comedy -mystery series, creative process, and more.

    Ep. 353 - Gordon Smith and Alison Tatlock

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2022 71:09


    All Things Must Come to an End: Host David Radcliff talks with Better Call Saul writers-EPs Gordon Smith and Alison Tatlock about the final season of AMC's acclaimed, award-winning series.

    Ep. 352 - Charles Shyer

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2022 60:16


    Home for the Holidays: Host Susie Singer Carter chats with filmmaker Charles Shyer (Father of the Bride, Baby Boom) about co-writing and directing Netflix's holiday romantic drama The Noel Diary, his career, and more.

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