The Untitled Female Driven Podcast is hosted by Jess Chou, Hannah Rosner and Erica Schreiber. It covers what we wish we'd known about Film and TV writing when we were getting started.
Untitled Female Driven Podcast
The Untitled Female Driven Podcast is a must-listen for aspiring screenwriters and those looking to break into the industry. This podcast stands out among others in its genre because it feels like you're sitting down with Erica, Jess, and Hannah as they thoughtfully chat through specific topics in each episode. The hosts cover all aspects of breaking into the business and becoming a professional screenwriter, providing practical advice that is both friendly and approachable. It's like free therapy for writers!
One of the best aspects of this podcast is how it provides real and practical advice from accomplished women living in LA who are actively working in the industry. The hosts share their own experiences and provide valuable insights that can be applied to anyone's writing career. They tackle basic information for total newbies while also offering tips and tough love for more experienced writers looking to level up. It's evident that the hosts genuinely want to help their listeners succeed.
On the downside, the hosts mention that they are incredibly busy themselves, which can sometimes limit the frequency of episodes or availability to address listener questions. While understandable given their own commitments, it would be great if there were more consistent releases or opportunities for engagement with listeners.
In conclusion, The Untitled Female Driven Podcast is an invaluable resource for writers looking to make it in the ever-changing world of screenwriting. With their immense knowledge and engaging style, Erica, Jess, and Hannah have created a podcast that provides immense value to its audience. Whether you're just starting out or further along in your career, this podcast offers practical advice, valuable insights, and a sense of camaraderie that makes you feel less alone on your writing journey.
EPISODE 61. UFDP re-interviews writer/ director Maggie Levin (VHS:99, INTO THE DARK: MY VALENTINE) — new WGA Board Member and now on the Board for The Women's List, a script competition accessible to all female-identifying writers—* returns to discuss life post-strike, how her advice for new writers have changed and what she wishes writers new about the WGA board— plus all about who The Women's List is looking for! (hint: it's probably you!)*Listen up, uh, listeners! UFDP will sponsor someone's entry fee for The Women's List, so make sure you heed our instructions!And the sexy new resource we mention to help whip your script into shape: https://www.plotandpage.com/
EPISODE 60: UFDP interviews fabulous entertainment attorney Jennifer Gray of Hansen Jacobson about what writers' lawyers actually do, why it can take so long for writers to get paid, the truth about copyright law, AI, and more.
EPISODE 59: UFDP discusses the ways a dead project might suddenly come back to life, and how to reengage with material you haven't thought about in a long time.
EPISODE 58: UFDP unravels the mystery around what "being on script" actually means for staffed TV writers tackling their assigned episode— and whether Hannah and Jess are really too busy to hang out with Erica during that time (the answer may surprise you!).
EPISODE 57: Author and screenwriter Liz Kerin returns to UFDP with updates and to share the reality of how the development process of turning her Night's Edge duology into a TV series concluded.
EPISODE 56: Liz Kerin, playwright, screenwriter and author of vampire duology Night's Edge and First Light, told UFDP all about her writing process and the development process of adapting her own novel into a TV series during last year's writers strike.
It's a crossover episode! This week we interview another legend in the world of TV & screenwriting podcasts, Ben Blacker, creator and host of The Writer's Panel, who also happens to be a prolific writer across numerous genres and mediums, including film, TV, novels, comics, and live theater. With 600 episodes and counting, Ben has interviewed a plethora of creative luminaries responsible for some of your favorite movies and TV shows. Check out the Writer's Panel on Apple or Spotify. We discuss Ben's fascinating, labyrinthine career; how the industry has changed over the past decade; and, of course, what Ben wishes he knew when he was getting started. Tune in to hear about some of Ben's favorite Writer's Panel guests, advice on staying engaged in continuing to learn and hone one's craft, and much more in this very special guest episode.
EP 54: We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to say... WE DID IT! The epic 2023 writers strike is over! Tune in now to hear what UFDP talk about the highs and lows of strike life, what deal points we're most excited about, and what we hope happens next!
EPISODE 53: UFDP sits down with Mina Baban, a television development executive at Fifth Season, formerly Endeavor Content (the studio behind Severance, Nine Perfect Strangers, Tokyo Vice etc). For a peek behind the development curtain, tune in as we pepper Mina with questions ranging from process to pitch.
EPISODE 52. A highly serious and important episode where UFDP discusses their favorite snacks to eat while writing. The answers may surprise you.
EPISODE 51. UFDP gets real honest about life on strike, from the logistics of picketing to the emotional burdens. Striking isn't easy... but it is necessary! Bonus: Hannah makes Erica and Jess cry by sharing a poignant strike-related family moment.
EPISODE 50: All about writer's groups! This week, the Untitled Females discuss how to start (or join an existing) writers group. How do you find a group of like-minded writers? What makes certain groups work well (or not)? There's no right way to writer's group... but there are a few wrong ways, and we'll get into them! Also, email UntitledFemaleDrivenPodcast@gmail.com if you're looking to join a new writer's group and we'll help pair you with other writers looking to form a group!
EPISODE 49: Free work is often the bane of a writer's existence. Sometimes it's a necessary evil that holds the promise of genuine opportunity; other times, it's just bullsh*t. In this episode, UFDP breaks down the different types of unpaid work writers are often asked to do, and how to determine whether the free work is worth your free time.
EPISODE 48. UFDP shares their new years resolutions for 2023, along with what's realistic for you to set in your writing/career goals and what 2023 might look like for working writers.
EPISODE 47. UFDP breaks down the definition of a script rewrite and a polish (and how to differentiate between the two), what you should know about contracts, producer expectations, managing your time, and a very special Jabba the Hut impression.
EPISODE 46. UFDP discusses their highlights and low points of 2022, what to expect in terms of a potential strike, what they're looking forward to in 2023! Happy holidays to all!
EPISODE 45. UFDP goes over what belongs in the first 10 pages of your script and what doesn't, and of course how to wow your readers so they keep on reading!
EPISODE 4. UFDP continues exploring a bake-off for Three Little Pigs...In Space! Screenwriters Jess and Hannah duke it out as they go through their story milestones for Exec-For-A-Day Erica as she evaluates takes and sips Grand Marnier on ice. Who will Erica choose to move forward in this imaginary development process? Stay tuned to find out!
EPISODE 43. UFDP dives into what pitching in a multiple writer "bake-off" situation actually looks like. Screenwriters Jess and Hannah pitch (evil?) Exec Erica on a surprising OWA (Open Writing Assignment): THREE LITTLE PIGS... IN SPACE! Who gets the job? Find out next time in Part 2!
EPISODE 42: This week we interview VERY SPECIAL GUEST and longtime UFDP friend Lindsay Calhoon Bring, co-creator of HBO Max's original series PRETTY LITTLE LIARS: ORIGINAL SIN, about partnering with superstar producer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and what it was like being a first-time showrunner. Don't miss today's episode as Lindsay tells us her incredible origin story and shares what it took to bring PLL: OS to life!
EPISODE 41: Hey, guess what? All three UFDP hosts are currently adapting projects in different ways! Listen in to hear exactly how, creatively speaking, UFDP turns books into pitches and scripts.
EPISODE 40: UFDP discusses how and when you might be able to adapt literary materials into screenplays, pilots, or pitches. Where do you find the best source material? How do you know it should be a movie or TV show, and if so, which? Tune in to learn more about this process!
EPISODE 39: You have some free time on your hands (or you don't, but you know you need a new sample!) You have a bunch of ideas (or you don't, but you're really dying to write something new!) How do you decide what script to write next? UFDP are here to help you decide which of your potential upcoming writing projects you should devote your precious time to.
Episode 38: We've all felt it. The green-eyed monster inside of us that roars when our friends, colleagues, or nemeses gets an assignment, job, or win that we wanted...and learning how to tame our envy in the highly competitive world of screenwriting is essential to our success and mental well being. Listen in as we engage in a free-wheeling, slightly loopy conversation about the times we've been jealous, how we handled them, and what we've learned.
EPISODE 37. UFDP dives into the process of partnering with producers on your own projects. How do you find a producer? What should you look for in a great partner? What are some red flags to avoid? Find out more by listening in!
EPISODE 36: You won't want to miss this one! This week, our brothers in industry podcasting, Javi and Jose - aka the Children of Tendu - dispense incredible advice on how to survive and thrive in the wild world of TV writing. Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Emmy Award-winning writer/producer on "Lost" and creator of "The Middleman") and Jose Molina (writer/producer on "Legacies" "Firefly," "Castle" and "Law & Order: SVU") are the hosts of THE CHILDREN OF TENDU, a podcast with practical, straight-shooting advice on breaking into television and staying there. Check them out on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/children-of-tendu/id833831151 Don't forget to rate and review this week's UFDP!
EPISODE 35. UFDP interviews director America Young (Legacies, Kung Fu, Blindspot) about her career, which includes everything from being a stuntwoman (yep, you read that right... she's a badass), to acting, to directing features and TV episodes. We also chat with America about collaborating with writers, her creative process, and who really deserved to win the 1984 All-Valley karate tournament. RESOURCES Undiscovered Scripts podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4bRIOwqazk0zdaNtD7xD95?si=z3fbpSPVRfempI8kRKcEAQ The Chimaera Project: https://www.chimaeraproject.org/
EPISODE 34. UFDP interviews Julia Turner (Director of Current Programming, Warner Bros) about how she got her first industry job, what a Current Programming exec actually does, how writers can ace their meetings with her and other execs, and how the heck she knows Hannah so well.
EPISODE 33: UFDP fellowship graduates Hannah (WB) and Jess (CBS) go behind the curtain on what doing a TV fellowship is actually like: the day-to-day, the lessons learned, people met, and of course the effect their fellowships have had on their careers.
UFDP fellowship graduates Hannah (WB) and Jess (CBS) go in-depth on the misc. materials needed to apply for TV writing fellowships - essays, statements of interest, Q & A's - and, more importantly, how to make your stories and prose stand out from the pile.
EP 31: UFDP fellowship graduates Hannah (WB) and Jess (CBS) give us the down-low on why and how to apply to the TV writing fellowship programs. RESOURCES Fellowship and Program List 2022 (UPDATE IN PROGRESS): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WJ7VHqvLYWH2TsBC5M0rlL3kWkvYjO8B875QVruppoI/edit#gid=0 WGA Fellowships & Writing Programs List: https://www.wgfoundation.org/fellowship-writing-programs-for-screenwriters-masterlist
Happy new year, ya filthy animals! (We know, that's not how it goes...) In this special final episode of 2021, UFDP reflect on their professional and personal bests and worsts of 2021 - the successes, the rejections; what they celebrated, what they learned; and their goals for the next year in writing.
EPISODE 29: RED FLAGS. This episode is all about what to consider when you're considering (taking a job). UFDP discusses how to prepare for a job interview, whether it be entry-level or a staffing gig; questions to ask, what to watch out for, and yellow and red flags we've seen in our careers (sometimes too late).
EPISODE 28: UFDP delves back into all the weird terms writers and other industry folks use. Listen in to learn which of these terms are real and which are fake: Freewrite, Emo Journey, Amuse Bouche.
EPISODE 27: Around the Horn. Four Quadrants. Sophie's Choice. These are just a few examples of shorthand phrases thrown around in Writer's Rooms when breaking story. In this episode, we discuss what they mean along with a lot more jargon used by writers (and execs, producers, and other industry people). Listen in to learn the lingo of professional screenwriters so that when you get your first WR job, you won't feel like you're on the wrong end of the Chowder Spout (is that actual jargon T.V. writers use? Check out this episode to find out!)
EPISODE 26: Ever wanted to reach out to someone for advice, but weren't sure where to start? UFDP breaks down how to make a good first impression on an industry contact (and/or a potential mentor) — and how to form a genuine, meaningful connection that can last throughout your career.
EPISODE 25: UFDP goes into detail on how to rock one of the most important meetings you'll ever have— the one that could get you hired for a TV writers' room! Listen in to learn how to stealthily enchant your potential new boss/showrunner, and everyone else whose support you need to get that coveted job.
EPISODE 24: In this episode, UFDP talks to a very special guest... Rebekah Berlin, esteemed editor (and secret fourth member) of the Untitled Female Driven Podcast! Rebekah breaks down everything writers should know about editing, how she got her start, and how to make sure what begins on the page doesn't end up on the cutting room floor.
EPISODE 23: We've been over who and where and why, now strap in for the WHAT! UFDP gets into how, exactly, to craft a pitch for a feature or series. Complete with secret tips, how and when to break the rules, and how to make your pitch stand out from the crowd.
EPISODE 22: Ever wondered about the whats/wheres/whens/hows of everything pitch-related? Love 'em or hate 'em, pitches are a vital part of a screenwriter's career...and UFDP is here to break down the process!
EPISODE 21: How do you create iconic characters who stand out, who feel like real people, who your audience will root for? This week we talk about how to craft characters that leap off the page (or screen!) and what makes a great protagonist (and antagonist - everyone loves a good villain!)
EPISODE 20: UFDP wonders: what's the difference between an original pilot and a TV spec script? Or the difference between a TV spec script and a Film spec script? What are the uses for all these different types of scripts, and how can you make yours stand out? Tune in to learn all these things and more!
EPISODE 19: You wrote an episode of television! And it's getting made! And you get to be involved in producing it... so what exactly does that entail? UFDP breaks down a writer's role and responsibilities during pre-production and on set.
EPISODE 18: UFDP answers a listener's question on how to juggle multiple projects at the same time and wrangle demanding producers. It's not easy!
EPISODE 17: UFDP answers a listener's question on worldbuilding— what it is, how to build up the mechanics of a world properly, and and what questions you need to answer, especially as a genre writer. Part two of two!
EPISODE 16: UFDP interviews Writer/Director/Actor/Producer/Badass Ellie Foumbi about how to wear many hats in development, on set, and everywhere else.
EPISODE 15: UFDP answers a listener's question on worldbuilding— what it is, how to build up the mechanics of a world properly, and and what questions you need to answer, especially as a genre writer. Part one of two!
EPISODE 14: UFDP offers a free therapy session on how to deal with the most common aspect of starting a screenwriting career: rejection.
EPISODE 13: The UFDP survival guide on how to navigate your first TV staff writing job.
EPISODE 12: UFDP talks about the different types of day jobs writers can take in order support themselves while pursuing their dream career. Here to destigmatize surviving in this crazy entertainment world.
EPISODE 11: UFDP interviews Erin Cancino, former Shonda Rhimes Creative Assistant, SCANDAL Writer's Assistant and BRIDGERTON Researcher, on how she worked her way up to become a Staff Writer on the new Marvel/Disney+ show HAWKEYE. A significant and scandalous detour into the writing of BRIDGERTON was bound to ensue, gentle listeners.
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