You Can't Make This Script Up

This week we're talking about world building - from the minutiae to the BIG ideas. We discuss the ones who did it best and our strategies for recreating that magic.Pod Racing, George Lucas and the Star Wars prequelsKathleen Kennedy - President of Lucasfilm and patron Saint of our career endeavors The 2021 Cannes Film Festival and Brit's fave - the red carpet fashion Pink suits are in! Spike Lee in Vuitton, Olivia Rodrigo in vintage Chanel, Kamala Harris in Sergio Hudson! (Even Kate Middleton at Wimbleton!)Which reminds us - Wimbledon just happened and it was high fashion and star studded. We love to see it. The J.Crew sweater jacket that Meghan Markle wore to Wimbleton. (FYI she has it in heather dove aka light gray)HBO announced ANOTHER GOT spinoff. But we finally get to leave Westeros! Tze (pronounced Z) Chun - a cool dude, an AWESOME twitter follow and his timeline which is THE place to find Asian American creators! (Also he's hella cool and lowkey hilarious.)What is World Building? Great examples in literature (and therefore tv/film): Tolkien and Lord of the Rings, Rowling and Harry Potter, GRRM and GOT, CS Lewis and Narnia, etc.We have ~ thoughts ~ about The Witcher (on Netflix). Season 2 drops this winter.HBO's new show The Last of US - based on a video game and adapted for screen by Craig Mazin.Story archetypes! The Kevin Fiege interview Caitlin loves and recommends too much. Correction: Post credit scenes are called STINGERS (not spider lol). John Francis Daley - Actor (Freaks and Geeks/Bones) but now a successful screenwriter (Horrible Bosses, Vacation, Dungeons and Dragons) Anna Waterhouse - screenwriter (The Gray Man, Rebecca)The Edge of Tomorrow (2014) aka Live Die Repeat - Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt sci-fi action movie that is awesome. World building techniques - top to bottom or bottom to top?Trying to film something set in NYC while not in NYC.Studios and production companies want you to build a world that they can mind for IP for the next 50 years. (Also favorite words from execs “aspirational” and “elevated”)Brittany wants to live in The Sopranos universe… HBO open a damn theme park!Caitlin makes pretty obvious conclusions about post WWI and WW2 audiences and the rise of film and tv but someone had to say it.Emmy Noms - HBO holds its dominance alongside the rise of Disney+. (Which reminds us - Warner Brothers, where are those Harry Potter spin off series at? What are you waiting for?)Perfect IP situation - writing within a world people know and love but telling a story audiences know little to nothing about so there are limited expectations or comparisons. John Mayer's new album “Sob Rock” - out now. Also, we love a well executed theme. The merch! The branding! What a triumph! CAN YOU GET US HARRY STYLE TICKETS?! HELP US PLZ.Brit is heading to DisneyWorld and the world is her oyster! 

Hi! We are very burnt out and discussing sequels. This episode may be best consumed with cold medicine. (Kidding. Exhaustion is a drug in and of itself! Let's party!)Pixar's newest film - LUCA (2021)The most recent DC/Twitter discourse re: Harley Quinn's animated series on HBOmax - does Batman give head?Funniest tweets from that day. The Room (2003), The Disaster Artist (2017) and Tommy WiseauAudrey Hepburn's best quotes - “The mind reels!”2022 sequels coming down the pipeline - Jurassic World: Dominion, Scream, Thor: Love and Thunder, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.Erza Miller - actor (Justice League, Fantastic Beasts)We spiral into a bit of a Harry Potter rabbit hole… there's uh, a lot of Dumbledore discourse.Top Gun: Maverick (2021)Tom Cruise and the coconut cakeAvatar and it's many sequels in developmentIMAX and 3D movies - we have ~ thoughts ~2009 Best Director at the OscarsKathryn Bigelow - director (The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Forty)Chloe Zhao - director (Nomadland) Jurassic Park: The Lost World (1997)The Mummy Returns (2001)Grease 2 (1982)Aladdin - The Return of Jafar (1994) and The King of Thieves (1996)The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride (1998)Addams Family Values (1993) NOTE: Caitlin mixed up movie camp counselors here - mistakenly referencing the Parent Trap cast and erasing Christine Baranski from the conversation. She will be watching The Good Fight as penance for her sins.The Godfather: Part Two (1974)The Pirates of the Caribbean sequelsHBO's new series from Craig Mazin - The Last of Us. Starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsay. Reboots and Revivals - Gossip Girl, Spring Awakening Tap Dancing! Yes, we really talk about everything. 

Our unplanned hiatus is OVER and we are ready to RAMBLE! Err... rumble?Screenwriting competitions, festivals, fellowshipsSpreadsheets are our savior. (Even if Caitlin is a psycho about it!)Reflecting on our pre-2021 episodes and our predictions and excitement (Inauguration fashion, Disney+ Marvel shows!)Amazon buys MGM for $8 BillionWizard of Oz sequels - Return to OZ (1985)John Chu - Director (Crazy Rich Asians, In The Heights, Wicked)Our college days in NYC circa 2007-2012 and theater school antics at AMDAAnthony Ramos - actor and AMDA alum (Hamilton, In The Heights)Acting school tries to make every student a “blank slate” but ends up making everyone homogenous when what usually gets you the job is the thing that makes you stick out from the crowd!Originating a role versus replacing a role in theaterTick, Tick… BOOM! Movie musical trailer. Directed by Lin Manuel Miranda. Andrew Garfield - actor (The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Under the Silverlake, Spider-Man, The Social Network)*Disney+ SPOILERS* and our collective freak out on Disney's Shareholder Day announcementsJon Favreau and Dave Filoni doing the most (and the best) at LucasFilms.Daniel Brühl - actor (Falcon and the Winter Soldier, The Alienist)Loki, Disney+ series starring Tom HiddlestonBrit's vision for an indie superhero movie a la Logan (2017)Brie Larson - actor (Captain Marvel, Room) who is prepping for Captain Marvel 2 with celebrity trainer, Jason Walsh (Rise Movement and Rise Nation - our favorite cardio class in LA!)Jurassic World sequel - Bryce Dallas Howard (actor) & Colin Trevorrow (writer/director)NOTE: Caitlin calls people by their first names simply because she is lazy. These people are ~ not ~ her friends.Dax Shepard's podcast - Arm Chair Expert, Kerri Russel, and our love of JJ AbramsPacific Palisades - JJ and Caitlin are from the same small town that has recently been dramatically renovated by developer, Rick CarusoPitching! Our two recent pitches - one project to a studio and the other for an OWA at a major production companyOur career coach, Lee JessupQuestions everyone in Hollywood asks about your project: 1. Why are you the person to tell this story? And 2. Why now?Adapting a real life event - what about this makes it a movie and not a documentary?No matter how specific a story, audiences need an emotional journey to connect to that makes the project feel universalOpen Writing Assignment - screenwriting work for hireA brief interlude on music licensing in podcastingGeneral meetings - we'll cover that soonTent Pole Intellectual Property - example: Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Star WarsISA - International Screenwriting Association“Kill Your Darlings”Brit's SKIMS obsession is real. We sidebar to discuss our favorite Kardashians.Caitlin's recent TV binges: Shrill on Hulu and Peaky Blinders on NetflixLindy West's book - Shit, Actually: The Definitive, 100% Objective Guide to Modern CinemaOur DMs are open! (Not THAT way. Or maybe…)

We're pulling inspiration from Pinterest boards, Spotify playlists, Google street view - anything we can get our grubby little hands on 'cause this shit is hard, okay?!  (Recorded November 2020) Things we talked about in the episode include:Our creative process - research and development Pinterest boardsSpotify playlistsGoogle Street ViewTudor England and British Invasion classic rock Bad habits we had as young writersJane the Queen, our Lady Jane Grey adaptationPrincess Leia, Alderaan and learning how to crystalize the inspiration down to brief but descriptive action linesChristian Davies, our friend and amazing writerBo Welch, production designer Rugs in movies! Inception (2010) and The Big Lebowski (1998)People in Hollywood are obsessed with “white space” in scripts. Being open to “cuts” and taking your ego out of the equation. Writing in Hollywood: where art meets business! Directing “on the page” - should you do it? Scriptnotes podcast episode on “Writing Action” Sunset Boulevard (1950) and Mulholland Drive (2001)The many historical “princess” limited series on STARZPink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” and The Rolling Stones’ “Lady Jane”Spark of inspiration/creation - where do you find it? More on this later. Finding inspiration via the details: titles, loglines, outlinesAstrological signs (Yes, we went there.)Supplementary materials: lookbooks/decks, sizzle reels, pitch videos.Kylie Jenner’s Kylie Cosmetics holiday collab with “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)IFC’s Documentary Now! 1970’s Original Cast Album: “Company” documentary and the parody it inspired. Grey Gardens (1975) documentary by Albert and David MayslesThe Kid Stays in the Picture (2002) documentary by Bob EvansNew York Magazine’s Approval MatrixFind us on Instagram and Twitter!

Note: This episode was recorded November 2020, AKA before the Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Oprah interview. Let it be known - we stan Josh O'Connor, we pan Prince Charles. MARKLE HIVE, RISE UP!Things we talked about in the episode include:“Modern Austen” Deadline press release (Y'all are not ready for Caitlin's RANT here, whew apologies!) Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen and her body of work Clueless (1995)“Modern Austen” writer, Eleanor Burgess (Perry Mason)Optioning books for development in film and tv“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” by Judy BlumeJumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)“Royal Holiday” by Jasmine GuilloryCarve outs in options and contracts The immense talent of Octavia Spencer (and Idris Elba)“One to Watch” by Kate Stayman-LondonPlus size actresses and casting Our Mamas and Papas biopic - People Like Us“You Should See Me in a Crown” by Leah JohnsonReese Witherspoon book club and spinoff YA book club Queer/gay high school love stories on screen“All American Girl” by Meg Cabot Teri Weinberg, tv producer (The Office, The Tudors, Ugly Betty)Charlaine Harris, author (Southern Vampire Mysteries)Meg Cabot’s “The Princess Diaries” novels and movie adaptations Party of Five reboot with ICE deportation circumstancesShonda Rhimes and “The Princess Diaries 2: A Royal Engagement” (Note: Shonda wrote PD2 featuring Chris Pine - he did not work on the script. Caitlin realizes her word choice was... confusing.)Attaching IP to pitches/scriptsOptioning books, articles, etc.Women in Film mentoring circlesWhat is IP aka Intellectual Property?“The Serpent King” by Jeff Zentner and Brittany’s personal option and adaptation journeyEntertainment lawyers and option agreements Brian Grazer’s epic quote on people in HollywoodLearning from adapting books - try it yourself! Public domain aka FREE IP! Sonya Sklaroff, artist The Crown Season 4 - Prince Charles, yay or nay? Prince William and Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, and Princess Diana - life, death and legacy.Christopher Jackson, Getty Images photographerPeter Morgan, creator and writer of The Crown Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and the epic black outfit Find us on Instagram and Twitter!

*insert Keanu's "gosh I love movies!" meme here* (Recorded November 2020)Ryan Murphy’s AHS spinoff seriesAmerican Horror Story, Ratched & Six Feet UnderWandaVision release date set for Jan. 15th, 2021“I Love Dick” tv show, Marfa, TX & the glory of Kathryn Hahn“The Shrink Next Door” - new project with Paul Rudd/Will FerrellThe Wizard of Oz (1925), Aladdin (1992), Toy Story (1995), Jumanji (1995), The Land Before Time (1988)Jurassic Park (1993) - plus the tours you can go on in Hawaii & That Laura Dern sceneTitanic (1997), Paramount Studios in Hollywood, CA & Ed Debevic's restaurant (RIP)The Laemmle on 2nd Street in Santa Monica, CAPolish Wedding (1998), Brokeback Mountain (2005)Forrest Gump (1994), Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), Erin Brokovich (2000)Baz Luhrmann (again!) - Moulin Rouge (2001), Strictly Ballroom (1992) and Romeo + Juliet (1996)The Alliance Theater in Atlanta, GeorgiaBroadway shows: Wicked, See What I Want to See, Beauty and the Beast, The Phantom of the Opera, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1999 film with Donny Osmond), CATS, Sunset Boulevard (based on the 1950 film by Billy Wilder), Starlight ExpressThe Adderley School for the Performing ArtsIdina MenzelThe Notebook (2004), A Walk to Remember (2004 film & 1999 novel)Rebel Without A Cause (1955)Movie Gallery & Blockbuster VideoAlmost Famous (2000) - yes, AGAIN - & Big Fish (2003)Clue (1985)Billy Crudup in The Morning Show on Apple TV+The Beatles Anthology documentary seriesHome Alone (1990)Problematic former favesChildhood bedrooms & Caitlin’s Godfather/Beauty and the Beast crossoverThe Peacemaker (1997) - Mimi Leder, Nicole Kidman & Julia RobertsPirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)The historical movie theaters in Westwood Village - Westwood, CADreamgirls (2006)Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) & The Phantom Menace (1999)The prequels were good.Christopher John Rogers, designer. (Beyonce's dress in Vogue!)2021 Inauguration Fashion ideas (BRIT WAS RIGHT - OMG!)Mispronouncing LA & NY placesCaitlin’s museum rant: MOMA, The Met, “Starry Night” by Van Gogh, The Louvre, The Musée d'Orsay, visible storage, and the painting “The Consecration of the Emperor Napoleon and the Coronation of Empress Joséphine on December 2, 1804” by Jacques Louis David & an extreme oversimplification of art history and the impressionist movementHow to pronounce Van Gogh.As usual, sorry if you hear Caitlin typing - she's taking notes!

We only scratched the surface but don't worry - Brittany still found a way to bring up Almost Famous! (Recorded November 2020)Things we talked about in the episode include:The Queen’s Gambit TV show (2020) and novel (1983)Cuban Chess prodigy from 1922 - Maria Teresa Mora Pride & Prejudice (2005) Dir. Joe Wright. Score by Dario MarianelliLove Actually (2003) Dir. Richard Curtis. Score by Craig Armstrong.Cameron Crowe and Almost Famous (2000)Steven Spielberg and the John Williams PBS tribute concertTangled (2010), “When Will My Life Begin (Reprise)” and Alan Menken13 Reasons Why and “Take Me Back to the Night We Met” by Lord HuronRomy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997), Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” and screenwriter, Robin SchiffPutting songs into your script - Pros and Cons. (The Beatles catalogue! AH!) Led Zeppelin’s music in car commercials and movies“I Will Be There When You Die” by My Morning Jacket and Elizabethtown (2005)Music Supervisors We Dig: Kier Lehman (Spider-man) and Danny Bramson (Cameron Crowe’s projects).Spotify inspirational playlistsTwyla Tharp, her book on creativity (The Creative Habit) and the Billy Joel show - Movin’ Out! Soundtracks versus ScoresBaz Luhrmann and the Moulin Rouge (2001) soundtrack John Williams’ body of work, Hans Zimmer, Howard Shore. (Caitlin said Howard Ashman but she meant Howard Shore for LOTR.)Love Actually’s mastery of both score and soundtrack. Development people and using discretion with music in scriptsBaby Driver (2017), Edgar Wright and The Hollywood Reporter video Janet Evanovich Author Bio Caitlin’s Favorite Pandemic Albums: “Folklore” by Taylor Swift, “Spider-man: Into the Spiderverse” soundtrack, “Knives Out” by Nathan Johnson, “Little Women” score by Alexandre Desplat, “Fetch The Bolt Cutters” by Fiona Apple, and “Fine Line” by Harry Styles.

We’re diving deeeeeep. Gird your loins! (Recorded November 2020)Hillbilly Elegy (2020 film and 2016 book by J.D. Vance)Caitlin brings up ~ screenwriting twitter ~ YET AGAIN.A Million Little Pieces (2003 book by James Frey)Why does having a personal connection to the story make a script more desirable?Sketchy Hollywood Nonsense!The “White Trash Narrative” and male, southern writersAn ode to Ron Howard, director of our hearts.White Trash: The 400 Year Old Untold History of Class in America (2017 book by Nancy Isenberg) What You’re Getting Wrong About Appalachia (book By Elizabeth Catte)Personal backgrounds and the correlation with a writer’s brand.Class, wealth, and all the trappings of that bullshit.Realizing you are living through a life moment that will eventually need to be expressed creativity. Drawing on life experience to enrich stories indirectly.Don’t be so literal! Nuance is the name of the game, baby!Lady Bird (2017) and Greta GerwigBecoming too attached to the truth when adapting real life.The Farewell (2019) and Lulu WangRejecting who we are as young people vs. embracing who we are as adults.“One to Watch” a 2020 novel by Kate Stayman-LondonFramebridge - this is not an ad... but it could be! Framebridge, I love you! Call me!Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History (2017 children's book by Vashti Harrison)

Few things scarier than working for rich, high-powered narcissists! (Recorded November 2020)THR’s article on Hollywood assistants in the pandemic Personal anecdotes on being assistants in entertainment Luddite bosses, boomers, narcs - the works. Catholic, Jewish and Southern Baptist guilt. Hollywood is dead from Thanksgiving through New Years Day - just accept it! Vaccines! A new administration! The hope of 2021!“No one wants to be first in Hollywood - they want to be second!”Game of Thrones, the spinoff series, et all. What GOT houses do you think we are in? All will be revealed! (Take the quiz here.)Roman and Jewel (2021 book by Dana L. Davis) - a YA novel that’s pitched as Romeo + Juliet meets Hamilton. Kiss Me Kate - Cole Porter’s 1948 musical and Shakespeare’s Taming of the ShrewWhat a showmance?MTV’s 2001 adaptation of Georges Bizet’s opera - “Carmen: A Hip Hopera” starring Beyonce KnowlesAlison Leiby’s Tweet - @AlisonLeiby “I'll say it: watching a movie on tv with commercials is GOOD.” and the ensuing discourse. AMC Network, The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Forrest Gump (1994)Our shared, favorite national pastime: Mob Week also on AMCPBS, Rick Steves and his pro-marijuana stance. *You might hear Caitlin frantically typing notes on her computer in the background - sorry!*

Extra, Extra - read all about it. We’re talking current events and adaptations. (Recorded November 2020)Things we talked about in the episode include:Disney+ Press Release re: subscribersDisney+ Press Release re: restructuringJohn Malone wanted to buy Netflix apparentlyMulan (2020), Hamilton, Soul (2020) releasing on Disney+Netflix model versus Disney+ modelExamples of Onboarding on appsWhat is user experience?Netflix Trending BarHaunting of Bly Manor is #12019 Varsity Blues ScandalThe Bling Ring (2013), Molly’s Game (2017) and glossy, courtroom dramasShonda Rhimes, Ryan Murphy and Greg Berlanti - the holy trinity of TV Drama21 Jump Street (2012)Anna Delvey - the fake heiress, her trial and Shonda Rhimes Netflix showCaroline Calloway and The Cut article by her former friend, Natalie Beach Gone Girl (2014), The Girl On The Train (2016), Black Swan (2010) and Single White Female (1992)The Muse (1999) and What About Bob? (1991)The Cool Girl monologueWebtoons and Lore Olympus Henry Thomas Jr.’s ET (1982) auditionRachel McAdams’ audition for The Notebook (2004)

Disclaimer: We love DC Comics! We just have… a lot of questions! Things we talked about in the episode include:The Batman spinoff TV series “Gotham Central” on HBOMax The DC Universe - highs and lowsMarvel Cinematic Universe versus the DC Cinematic Universe: an impossible but inevitable comparisonThe messy rights ownership of X-Men, Spider-man and Fantastic FourChris Evans’ journey to becoming Steve Rogers aka Captain America (Listen to the story here in THR’s podcast “Awards Chatter”)End of credits scenes from the MCUThe Batman (2021) with Robert Pattison and all the other batmans of our lifetimes (Christian Bale, Ben Affleck, etc.) The new trailer for the Zack Snyder cut of Justice LeagueGreg Berlanti, Dailyn Rodriguez and the new Wonder Girl series on The CWDC on The CW and the ArrowverseOther DC characters we love: Eve Coffin, Zatanna and Vixen.Looking for superhero inspiration in the public domainOur superhero project, Miss America and how to make an “universe” genre film in the vein of “Captain America: The First Avenger” Creative executives and development ideasCreating a cohesive vision. What’s the… (dare I say it?) ....endgame?The endless storylines of different comic book superheroesThe Nolan Batman trilogy and Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman filmsThe Frozen documentary series - Into The Unknown: Making Frozen 2 (2020) on Disney+Jennifer Lee, CCO of Disney Animation Studios AND writer/director of Frozen and Frozen 2Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Frozen and Frozen 2 songwritersThe Spanish Princess on STARZ (and Brittany’s overall love for historical limited series about famous princesses.) Find us on Instagram and Twitter!

Surprise! Nelly’s gonna play Chuck Berry... only in Hollywood! Things we talked about include: Breaking on camera and Caitlin’s bad auditionEllen Chenoweth, casting director (True Grit, A Bronx Tale, Meet the Parents, Doubt - the list goes on!) The Buddy Holly biopic “Clear Lake” with Colin Hanks, Ruairi O'Connor and NellyThat Thing You Do! (1996)Our endless ongoing discussion of Almost Famous (2000). What a biopic? Franklin Leonard and The Black ListElizabeth Shapiro, actress, writer, singer - multi hyphenate AF! Impact Creative Systems, Imagine Entertainment’s incubator program Walk the Line (2005) and Rocketman (2019)Actors who sing in music biopics versus ones who don’t. Beyond the Sea (2004) Ray (2004) and Jamie Foxx’s singing bits in his stand-upSelena (1997 movie) and Selena (2020 Netflix series) John Llyod Young and the Jersey Boys (2014 musical film adaptation)Straight Outta Compton (2015)Guest appearance by Brittany’s cat, Boots - meow! Love & Mercy (2014) and the Wrecking Crew, session musicians (Here’s a cool doc on them!)Are biopics better or worse with the artist and their families being involved?Elyse Hollander, screenwriter and her Madonna biopic screenplay “Blonde Ambition” Madonna to direct and co-write her own biopic at Universal. Diablo Cody to co-write project (Juno, Tully, Young Adult)When are you being a control freak and when are you taking control of your narrative? Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980)“13 Reasons Why” actress Ann Winters dresses up as Madonna to get the role in her biopic and... knocks it out of the park. (Instagram)Our music biopic “People Like Us” - the rise and fall of the Mamas and the Papas. Telling the story of the band from the POV of Michelle Phillips and Cass Elliot. Michelle Phillips autobiography (California Dreamin': The True Story of the Mamas and the Papas) and the Vanity Fair article A Dolly Parton biopic - Megan Hilty, Reese Witherspoon or Scarlett Johansson? Marilyn Monroe biopics - My Week With Marilyn (2011), SMASH (2012) and Blonde (2021)Jenna Evans Welch, author and her book series “Love & Gelato”, “Love & Luck” and “Love & Olives”Regina King’s directorial debut “One Night in Miami” (trailer here!)

Hey, what gives?! Why do creatives get boxed into corners of the industry? Things we talked about include:Deadpool 3 writers are Bob Burger’s Writer/Producers -  Wendy Molyneux and Lizzie Molyneux-Loeglin aka The Molyneux Sisters.  Fox animated series - The Great North (coming 2021) and Bless the HeartsJillian Bell, actress (Workaholics, Godmothered!, 22 Jump Street)Scriptnotes, John August and writing GO (1999) on specWhy aren’t comedies recognized at awards shows?Jim Carrey’s performance as “The Grinch”Why is it so hard to be known for multiple genres as creators?How we connect the lines from our “brand” to our body of workLord and Miller switching to directing live action with 21 Jump Street (2012) after Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs (2009)Patty Jenkins, Monster (2003), Wonder Woman (2017), and Cleopatra (upcoming with Gal Gadot)TNT’s “I Am The Night” (2019) a series about a suspect in the infamous Black Dahlia murder.Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems (2019) and Mo’Nique in Precious (2009)Post-Mad Men Jon Hamm doing comedy in Bridesmaids, TAG, 30 Rock, Kimmy Schmidt, etc. We hired a career coach! They asked us a lot of hard questions. Lol. Are there more opportunities in streaming? Should you write tv over features?Netflix’s original programming in 2013 - OITNB and House of Cards (which is the first netflix original series.) And their investment in features like The Old Guard (2020) and Extraction (2020). Brittany’s favorite Hollywood lingo - “Is there a world in which…” Expanding a feature to a seriesThe House of Mouse aka Disney Quentin Tarantino got a book deal. (Also check out his movie theater in LA - The New Beverly Cinema.)  Phoebe Waller Bridge, creator and star of Fleabag. Also known for her acting, producing and writing - Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), BBC’s Killing Eve series and No Time to Die (2021). Shocking! The Crown’s Emerald Fennell - scene stealing Camilla and ALSO the showrunner for the second season of Killing Eve. The talent!Lulu Wang, director (The Farewell)Shadowing directors and diversity programs Rian Johnson sweatshirts Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club YA selection - “A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow” by Laura Taylor Namey“Mexican Gothic” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel García MárquezSerial killer doc on HBO “Crazy, Not Insane” (2020)Helter Skelter, 1974 book by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt GentryNancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Murder She Wrote, Law & Order: SVU, Dateline

Yo, ho, yo, ho - let’s talk about sequels, reboots and spinoffs! Things we talked about include:STARZ's historical women anthology seriesThe definition of “novel” “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”, composed by Klaus BadeltThe original Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy “The Pirate King”, Gilbert and Sullivan and British operettaHunter Harris - Instagram, Twitter and the Vulture articleSuper Yaki, the clothing brand that we always talk aboutThe tweet about The Mummy 2 and masksMargot Robbie and Christina Hodson’s Pirates spin-offCraig Mazin's Pirates rebootThe Shining tweet that makes fun of the Disney movie scheduleBob Iger, executive chairman of The Walt Disney CompanyWB asks Johnny Depp to leave Harry Potter prequelsLucky Exports Pitch Program: Margot Robbie and Christina Hodson’s incubator program for women-identifying writers in the action genreMillie Bobby Brown’s new project DamselTHR feature on Chloe Zhao (Nomadland and The Eternals)Dee Rees, directorCarey Mulligan: If Dee Rees was a white man she'd be directing the next Star WarsKathryn Bigelow winning her Oscar for The Hurt Locker (2010) (Correction!!)The Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland and it’s scentWonderful World of Disney and the opening of Pirates in 1968Elizabeth Holmes, royal fashion writer Not this Elizabeth Holmes though.Zendaya Essence cover story (NOTE: this is actually a recreation of Donyale Luna's 1965 Harper's Bazaar cover) The Verge’s feature on Law Roach

Once upon a time… Our Origin Story!Things we talked about in the episode include:Cedartown, Georgia (Brittany’s hometown)Pacific Palisades, California (Caitlin’s hometown)The baby born on the Mayflower (Oceanus, NOT Americus - sorry! #correction)The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA)YA aka the genre of Young Adult Contact, the dance showMissed Connections on CraigslistRipley Grier is OPEN! (Chelsea Studios however is closed.)The New SchoolThe OC and Gossip Girl - tv seriesLittle Miss Sunshine (2006) and Brittany’s homeworkBlake Snyder’s Save the Cat (aka where to find the “Beat Sheet”)Theme in storytellingMalcom Gladwell and the 10,000 Hours theoryStar Wars and Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)WookieepediaThe Ringer’s Binge Mode: Star Wars Podcast SeriesThe Princess Bride (1987), Robin Wright and Wonder Woman (2017)Outlining a screenplay, writer’s block and world buildingPrincess Leia - why do we love her? Why is her story so compelling? What is Retcon?Harry Potter films and Daniel RadcliffeAdaption versus original materialWW2 female stories and Pearl Harbor (2001)Super Yaki (@superyakistuff on IG) and the Prequels topThe Artist’s Way and morning pagesFake deadlines and screenplay competitions Getting notesPartnership/CollaborationClone High, animated MTV series (2002-2003)Lord & Miller’s BAFTA Screenwriting MasterclassFind us on Instagram and Twitter!

Twitter got into it re: Iron Man 2 versus Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Naturally, we had ~thoughts~! Things we talked about in the episode include:Hot tweets on the topic at handA Tale of Two Marthas - The clip and the Zack Snyder BTS intelAll the DC features are available on HBOMax - go watch em! Kevin Feige, president and CCO of MarvelCorrection: Caitlin called phase 1-4 of the MCU just phase 1... obviously that's wrong. Wonder Woman (2017), Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), Black Widow (2020), and Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey (2020).Caitlin on the Marvel Cinematic Universe WikiChris Evans, his political website and the NY vs Boston rivalryJoss Whedon, writer/director of Avengers (2012) and Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)The Russo Brothers, directors of Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019)Scarlett Johansson - Black Widow (2021), Marriage Story (2019) and JoJo Rabbit (2019)Taika Waititi - BAFTA Masterclass, Star Wars and The Mandalorian season one The top ranking DC movies in terms of box officeMichael Shannon, beloved character actor - Revolutionary Road, Boardwalk Empire, and like, so many more amazing films. Our Town, Off-Broadway production with Michael ShannonCate Blanchett as Blanche Du Bois in A Streetcar Named Desire at BAMScarlett Johansson and Liev Schreiber in The View From the BridgeThe Ringer’s Binge Mode: Marvel series - available on SpotifyKevin Feige’s Origin Story on THR’s podcast “Awards Chatter” Gwyneth Paltrow’s quote on balance and wellnessFind us on Instagram and Twitter!

Plucked from obscurity! An overnight success! But… not really!Things we talked about in this episode include:Day jobs and being support staff in Hollywood (Here’s a pretty good idea of what a typical day as an assistant looks like.)Life after AMDA - actors in the wild. Classes, auditions, commercials!Being a casting assistant and a development/production internRonnie Yeskel, casting director (Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs) Teri Weinberg, producer (The Office, The Tudors, Ugly Betty)Doing background acting for film, tv and commercialsReading scripts and writing coverageThe Social Network (2010) and screenwriting icon, Aaron SorkinThe Second City LA, The Groundlings, Mikey Day and SNLBridesmaids (2011) and Kristen Wiig & Anne Mumolo Re-writes, punch-ups, improv - jokes!Superbad! (2007) and Seth Rogan & Evan GoldbergWorking in film and TV in secondary markets (Atlanta, Canada, etc.) Independent filmmaking and being adaptable Optioning a book and adapting a screenplayThe perks of being in LAOff-Broadway plays and self-producing theater in NYCManhattan Movement and Arts CenterGlobal ad agency, Leo Burnett and NY cultural institution, the Village Voice newspaperHurricane Sandy in 2012Being an assistant aka “on a desk”Finding inspiration from your day job (Brit’s experience in development and pitching. Caitlin’s in talent management.)Bad bosses in Hollywood and toxic work environments (Read more on it here.)Be nice to other assistants! They will probably be in Hollywood for a long time!The death of QuibiNetflix, HBO and Writer/Creators owning their work (Taylor Swift and Michaela Coel’s I May Destroy You.)The myth of being an overnight successDoing your dream job in the free time when you aren’t doing your day jobHelena Bonham Carter’s performance as Princess Margaret on The CrownKen Jennings, LeVar Burton and the future of Jeopardy! (RIP Alex Trebek)Find us on Instagram and Twitter!

The Scorpion King reboot, monster movies and the Tom Cruise coconut cake!Things we talked about in the episode include:Dwayne Johnson reboots The Scorpion King with UniversalStephen Sommers’ The Mummy (1999) and The Mummy Returns (2001)Jonathan Herman, screenwriter (Straight Outta Compton, F9, Scarface reboot)Tom Cruise’s The Mummy (2017)Universal Movie MonstersEarwolf’s How Did This Get Made “Van Helsing” Episode Dwayne Johnson’s Tequila - TeremanaDwayne Johnson’s stylist, Ilaria Urbinati (@ilariaurbinati on IG)Mallory O’Meara’s “The Lady From the Black Lagoon” The Ringer’s Binge Mode: Marvel “The Incredible Hulk” Episode Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water (2017)Jake Johnson, Lauren Lapkus and the Jurassic Park/World franchiseMary Shelley’s Frankenstein Cary Fukunaga’s Jane Eyre (2011)Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie and the MI franchiseMI:6 Fallout BTSThe MI:7 Train Viral VideoTom Cruise’s Coconut Cake (If you’re in LA, get it here at Doan’s Bakery in Woodland Hills, CA.) The Queen’s Gambit on NetflixThe Crown Season 4Diana, Princess of Wales and her casual outfitsMidnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (book and 1997 film)Biden/Harris 2020Universal HealthcareThe Black Sheep SweaterKatie Sturino and Super Size the Look (@KatieSturino on IG)Find us on Instagram and Twitter! 

We're Caitlin Gallo and Brittany Harris. We’d like to introduce our new podcast - You Can’t Make This Script Up. We’re two best friends, born worlds apart - brought together by a need for applause and strong coffee. We live in LA and have been working in various facets of the entertainment industry for the last ten years. We’ve been actors, interns, assistants, development execs, talent reps - the list goes on. But in 2018 we finally decided to go where... many, many have gone before - and turn our writing hobby into a writing career. As we navigated this new venture, we found a lot of advice about “breaking in” to the industry was dated and that most people talking about their experiences in film and television were A-list men. So we thought - what the hell, let’s let the world know what it’s like to be a female writing duo in 2020 Hollywood. And thus - this podcast was born! Just keep in mind, we’re making it up as we go. From two up-and-coming screenwriters - a podcast about Hollywood.