Podcasts about tv writer podcast

This week, host Gray Jones interviews Tawnya Bhattacharya, founder of the #1 TV writing school in the USA, Script Anatomy.  Please watch Tawnya's original interview from June 2013 (episode 078) to find out about her background, how she teamed up with Ali Laventhol (interviewed in episode 115), and how and why she started Script Anatomy. TAWNYA BHATTACHARYA BIOGRAPHY: Tawnya Benavides Bhattacharya is the Founder & CEO of Script Anatomy and currently the Co-Executive Producer of Apple's "Salsa." A screenwriting teacher for the past 15 years, Bhattacharya launched Script Anatomy in 2011 just as her career was taking off. Her objective: to use her experience of breaking into the TV industry and building a career to help other writers do the same. She created a unique writing curriculum with trademark tools for development, writing and rewriting, which have helped hundreds of writers get a job writing for TV, find representation, or sell pilots, screenplays and novels.  As a guest instructor, Tawnya has brought the Script Anatomy method to the Disney | ABC Writing Program, The WGA Foundations, WGFestival, the Austin Film Festival, the Producer's Guild (PGA) Power of Diversity Workshop, Hugo House in Seattle, the Willamette Writers Conference, Stage 32, The International Screenwriters Association, TV Writers Fund and the CineStory TV Writers Retreat in Idyllwild. Her column “Your TV Guide“ can be read in Script Magazine. She's also been a guest on several podcasts, including Scripts & Scribes, Sell Your Screenplay, The TV Writer Podcast, and On the Page. Bhattacharya and her writing partner, Ali Laventhol, are Co-Executive Producers and prior to Apple's Salsa, she and her writing partner have written on "Ginny & Georgia" (Netflix), "A Million Little Things" (ABC), "Famous in Love" (Freeform), "The Night Shift" (NBC), "Perception" (TNT), "The Client List" (Lifetime) and "Fairly Legal" (USA). They've sold pilots to eOne, Lionsgate and MGM and been hired to do rewrites for Legendary. They are currently writing a movie for Ozy Media and Lifetime based on Trump's "Zero Tolerance" policy and family separation at the border. They are former NBC Writers on the Verge fellows, and were semi-finalists for the ABC Disney Fellowship before getting a job that took them out of the running. Bhattacharya was also a FOX Writer's Intensive fellow. The team is repped by Industry Entertainment and Morris Yorn and UTA. Bhattacharya, an alumnus of Cornish College of the Arts Conservatory, studied acting and playwriting, and interned with playwright, Marie Irene Fornes and New City Theater in Seattle. She has performed in Seattle, Chicago, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic and LA.   INDEX TO THE EPISODE: 2:14 - Interview start, intro 3:22 - Why she feels Script Anatomy is the #1 TV writing school in America. 7:08 - The value of current working writers doing the teaching. Talks about some of her teachers and the courses they teach. 12:24 - Theory vs practical, how there is a huge system teaching theory, but Script Anatomy teaches practical tools. Tawnya expands on their method. 26:36 - Explain why they teach a lot about how to develop projects. Tawnya tells about some of the tools they use, particularly around theme. 34:58 - The successes of Script Anatomy alumni. 41:22 - The community outside the classes. 44:42 - Sponsor break - visit sponsors avgearguy.com & drivingfootage.com. 45:52 - Script Anatomy's offerings in 2021. 50:24 - Where should someone start? 54:59 - Other workshops, and weekend festival they're planning. 58:45 - Tawnya tells how to navigate their website, and script consultation services they provide. 1:02:36 - How should someone prepare for one of Script Anatomy's classes, so they can hit the ground running? 1:05:57 - Her recommended writing books. 1:09:55 - What will set people up for success in 2021? 1:13:03 - Conclusion Follow Tawnya on Twitter: @tbhattacharya Visit Script Anatomy on the web: scriptanatomy.com Follow Script Anatomy on Twitter: @scriptanatomy Buying Final Draft screenwriting software? Use this link to support the podcast: tinyurl.com/BuyFinalDraft. You can help with the ongoing costs of bringing these weekly podcasts to you by becoming a patron of the podcast – for as little as 25¢ per episode! There are many reward levels. CLICK HERE to find out more. Buy Gray's book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews. Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com.

This week, host Gray Jones interviews Tawnya Bhattacharya, founder of the #1 TV writing school in the USA, Script Anatomy. Please watch Tawnya's original interview from June 2013 (episode 078) to find out about her background, how she teamed up with Ali Laventhol (interviewed in episode 115), and how and why she started Script Anatomy.TAWNYA BHATTACHARYA BIOGRAPHY:Tawnya Benavides Bhattacharya is the Founder & CEO of Script Anatomy and currently the Co-Executive Producer of Apple’s "Salsa."A screenwriting teacher for the past 15 years, Bhattacharya launched Script Anatomy in 2011 just as her career was taking off. Her objective: to use her experience of breaking into the TV industry and building a career to help other writers do the same.She created a unique writing curriculum with trademark tools for development, writing and rewriting, which have helped hundreds of writers get a job writing for TV, find representation, or sell pilots, screenplays and novels. As a guest instructor, Tawnya has brought the Script Anatomy method to the Disney | ABC Writing Program, The WGA Foundations, WGFestival, the Austin Film Festival, the Producer's Guild (PGA) Power of Diversity Workshop, Hugo House in Seattle, the Willamette Writers Conference, Stage 32, The International Screenwriters Association, TV Writers Fund and the CineStory TV Writers Retreat in Idyllwild. Her column “Your TV Guide“ can be read in Script Magazine. She's also been a guest on several podcasts, including Scripts & Scribes, Sell Your Screenplay, The TV Writer Podcast, and On the Page.Bhattacharya and her writing partner, Ali Laventhol, are Co-Executive Producers and prior to Apple’s Salsa, she and her writing partner have written on "Ginny & Georgia" (Netflix), "A Million Little Things" (ABC), "Famous in Love" (Freeform), "The Night Shift" (NBC), "Perception" (TNT), "The Client List" (Lifetime) and "Fairly Legal" (USA). They've sold pilots to eOne, Lionsgate and MGM and been hired to do rewrites for Legendary. They are currently writing a movie for Ozy Media and Lifetime based on Trump's "Zero Tolerance" policy and family separation at the border.They are former NBC Writers on the Verge fellows, and were semi-finalists for the ABC Disney Fellowship before getting a job that took them out of the running. Bhattacharya was also a FOX Writer’s Intensive fellow. The team is repped by Industry Entertainment and Morris Yorn and UTA.Bhattacharya, an alumnus of Cornish College of the Arts Conservatory, studied acting and playwriting, and interned with playwright, Marie Irene Fornes and New City Theater in Seattle. She has performed in Seattle, Chicago, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic and LA. INDEX TO THE EPISODE:2:14 - Interview start, intro3:22 - Why she feels Script Anatomy is the #1 TV writing school in America.7:08 - The value of current working writers doing the teaching. Talks about some of her teachers and the courses they teach.12:24 - Theory vs practical, how there is a huge system teaching theory, but Script Anatomy teaches practical tools. Tawnya expands on their method.26:36 - Explain why they teach a lot about how to develop projects. Tawnya tells about some of the tools they use, particularly around theme.34:58 - The successes of Script Anatomy alumni.41:22 - The community outside the classes.44:42 - Sponsor break - visit sponsors avgearguy.com & drivingfootage.com.45:52 - Script Anatomy’s offerings in 2021.50:24 - Where should someone start?54:59 - Other workshops, and weekend festival they’re planning.58:45 - Tawnya tells how to navigate their website, and script consultation services they provide.1:02:36 - How should someone prepare for one of Script Anatomy’s classes, so they can hit the ground running?1:05:57 - Her recommended writing books.1:09:55 - What will set people up for success in 2021?1:13:03 - ConclusionFollow Tawnya on Twitter: @tbhattacharyaVisit Script Anatomy on the web: scriptanatomy.comFollow Script Anatomy on Twitter: @scriptanatomyBuying Final Draft screenwriting software? Use this link to support the podcast: tinyurl.com/BuyFinalDraft.You can help with the ongoing costs of bringing these weekly podcasts to you by becoming a patron of the podcast – for as little as 25¢ per episode! There are many reward levels. CLICK HERE to find out more.Buy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com.

Cinematographer (Lion Suit Dreamscape, networks: A&E, Esquire, TLC), camera operator (Nathan for You, Late Late Show, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee), father, Dodgers fan, writer, podcaster, and more. Check out his podcast, AbracaDadbod. September 2020  /  53m  /  Music by Brian Stone  /  LionSuit.com The podcast panel we mentioned regarding television pilot writing is TV Writer Podcast, Episode 085

This week, host Gray Jones interviews Greta Heinemann, a TV/film writer who grew up on the Bavarian/Austrian border, and overcame language and immigration barriers to break in to Hollywood.Greta Heinemann Biography:Greta Heinemann grew up at the Bavarian-Austrian border and raised herself watching an abundance of German-dubbed US TV shows by day, and action movies by night. Greta has since learned how to speak English and fought hard to immigrate to the US to pursue her dreams of becoming a screenwriter. She currently serves as Supervising Producer on NBC’s "Good Girls," has a show in development at HBO-Max and is in development on a feature film with David Leitch's 87North and Amblin Partners.Greta also developed the Writer's Wright – The Writer's Wright is an all-in-one productivity coach, career planner, journal, and notebook specifically developed to help aspiring and working writers structure their careers and lives just as thoroughly as their stories. Find more hours in the day. Make goals and deadlines less intimidating. Inspire. Stay sane, and always drive your story forward. Find out more at writerswrightjournal.com.INDEX TO THE EPISODE:1:40 - Interview start, with her beginnings near the Bavarian/Austrian border, living alone from the age of 11, and learning English by watching TV.6:48 - How she immigrated to the US… sent 200 applications for internships, and only one was answered. Eventually found an LGBTQ-friendly production company, but had to go back and forth to Germany for 2 years before she got sponsored on a special skills work visa.14:39 - Got green card — was finally able to apply for writing fellowships, and also became an intern writing coverage.17:53 - Got into Humanitas New Voices fellowship, and then the CBS Writers Mentoring Program in the same year, and describes the differences between the programs (plus how the TV Writer Podcast helped her get in!).29:04 - Discusses representation, and why she changed a few times.32:06 - Staffing on “NCIS: New Orleans” from her first showrunner meeting (and what led up to that), and how she learned the ropes.46:18 - How after 4 years she left to develop shows.49:11 - Staffing on NBC’s “Good Girls.”52:13 - Sponsor break. Visit drivingfootage.com for 4K 9-angle driving plates, or avgearguy.com for laptop rentals, and scanning/importing of photos, tapes, documents and more.53:12 - More about writing NBC’s “Good Girls.”56:42 - Her current feature film project and pilot for HBO.1:02:32 - Where she sees herself in 5-10 years, and her least and most favorite parts about TV writing.1:08:45 - Advice to greener writers.1:15:27 - What does she know now that she wishes she had known when she started out.Follow Greta on Twitter: @GretaHeinemannYou can help with the ongoing costs of bringing these weekly podcasts to you by becoming a patron of the podcast – for as little as 25¢ per episode! There are many reward levels. CLICK HERE to find out more.Buy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com.

 This week, host Gray Jones interviews Will Pascoe, showrunner of "Absentia." Will also wrote for such shows as "The Finder," "Orphan Black," "Da Vinci's Demons," and "Shut Eye." This episode is sponsored by Pilar Alessandra of onthepage.tv. Pilar is offering TV Writer Podcast listeners a 10% discount on any of her services. To get your 10% off, reach out to her directly and tell her Gray sent you! In this episode, Will has great tips on how not to get fired when you first get on staff, work/life balance, crafting your voice, standing out among the competition, and mentoring others. He also talks about running "Absentia," including some of the challenges with shooting on another continent. COVID-19 NOTE: though it was shot in person, safety was maintained through masks when not shooting, long lenses to separate camera and talent, shooting outdoors, and maintaining social distance. Will Pascoe Bio:Originally from Canada, Will Pascoe is an award-winning television writer and occasional documentary film director. After writing half-hour television series like "Degrassi," Will made the jump to writing one-hour television dramas full-time, working on the military-medical series, "Combat Hospital" for ABC and Sony. He then went on to work on Fox’s short-lived series, "The Finder," and later won a Humanitas New Voices prize and received a blind script deal with Fox to develop his own television show. He then became an upper-level writer and co-producer on BBC America’s, "Orphan Black." His episode “Variations Under Domestication” was selected by Entertainment Weekly as one of the best hours of television of the decade and won Will a Writer’s Guild Award and nominations for an Edgar Allan Poe Award and a Hugo Award (where he lost to his idol George R.R. Martin for his "Game of Thrones" “Red Wedding” episode). As well, "Orphan Black" won Will a Peabody Award for his work on the series. Other credits include the BBC Worldwide/Starz drama series, "Da Vinci’s Demons" and Hulu’s drama series, "Shut Eye." He’s developed television series for Fox, Playtone and Universal Studios. He's currently running season three of Amazon Prime’s hit series, "Absentia." He resides in Los Angeles. INDEX TO THE EPISODE:0:25- Interview start, talking about Will’s origins in Canada.2:26 - First professional writing credit became infamous episode of “DeGrassi.”3:35 - His first staff job on “Combat Hospital.”4:42 - Thanks to Hart Hanson, landed a gig on “The Finder,” his first Hollywood show.5:27 - How he learned to write TV mostly self taught, reading books and scripts, and doing a lot of writing, crafting his own voice.8:34 - How directing documentaries has influenced his writing, becoming a student of human behavior and interaction, and trying to understand the world.9:53 - Many of his scripts have stood out… discusses the “Orphan Black” episode which was selected by Entertainment Weekly as one of the best hours of television of the decade.12:04 - About winning the Humanitas New Voices Award, selling a pilot to Fox, and moving to Los Angeles (including victories and challenges, and immigration).19:07 - Comparing his path to the more traditional way of breaking in to Hollywood.21:56 - Sponsor break.22:54 - Talks about his experience in the Showrunner Training Program, learning about work/life balance for a showrunner. How the information and network of relationships has helped him in the time since.30:29 - Coming in cold as the showrunner for “Absentia.”33:31 - The challenges with shooting in Bulgaria, including a funny story about language barriers.38:21 - Will’s development process, and some of the projects he’s developing.41:53 - On pitching his material… pitching with slides, and why it’s more difficult via Zoom. Funny stories about Zoom calls.47:29 - Positives that may come from COVID-19 — better treatment of production crews, better conditions on set.51:56 - Differences between Canadian and American shows. How new staff writers are treated in each, and advice for new staff writers in US shows. Asking more established writers frequently for a “temperature check” — how did I do in the writers room this week? How more mature writers should go out of their way to encourage newer writers.57:10 - How Will mentors other writers. Paying it forward.58:20 - Advice to newer writers, in interviews and on the page. Have ideas for the show, and know the show really well.1:02:22 - How to stand out among the competition. Make the showrunner’s job easier, constantly push yourself to improve your writing, and always keep learning. Leave your comfort zone, and challenge yourself with different types of writing. Follow Will Pascoe on Twitter: @EvilWillPascoe You can help with the ongoing costs of bringing these weekly podcasts to you by becoming a patron of the podcast – for as little as 25¢ per episode! There are many reward levels. CLICK HERE to find out more. Buy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews. Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com.

  This week, host Gray Jones interviews Jami O'Brien, creator & showrunner of "N0S4A2" on AMC.   This episode is sponsored by Pilar Alessandra of onthepage.tv. Pilar is offering TV Writer Podcast listeners a 10% discount on any of her services. To get your 10% off, reach out to her directly and tell her Gray sent you!   In this episode, Jami has great tips for the writers room, improving your writing, winning in interviews, adapting pre-existing material, and general career advice.   Jami O'Brien Bio: Jami O'Brien created and showruns "NOS4A2" for AMC. Previously, she's written for "Fear the Walking Dead," "Hell on Wheels," "Big Love," and "Flesh and Bone," which was nominated for a Writer's Guild Award. Jami has an MFA in Playwriting from the Yale School of Drama.   INDEX TO THE EPISODE: 1:06 - Interview start, mention her show “N0S4A2.” 2:00 - Her back story - writing as a kid, Yale playwriting, and eventually moving to LA because of a friend who was a TV writer. 5:18 - Her first LA job, assisting a manager, learning about the industry. 7:11 - When she first started trying to write for TV, got a writing assistant job thanks to one of her Yale professors who was a show runner. Resisted writing a spec, but when she finally did, got good traction from it and landed an agent. Still did not get staffed right away, but after several interviews she was staffed on “Lie To Me.” 12:38 - What it was like to finally write on staff. 14:10 - Talks about her next couple of shows, “The Deep End,” “Big Love,” and a longer stint on “Hell on Wheels.” Describes great lessons she learned from the showrunners and another writer who was a mentor, which helped her scripts to be rewritten less and less. 19:32 - Sponsor break. 20:37 - How she got an overall deal at AMC, got attached to the “N0S4A2” project, and was co-EP on “Fear the Walking Dead.” 23:06 - Her process in how she adapted the book “N0S4A2” into a series, and doing a mini writer's room. 25:53 - Being a part of the Showrunner Training Program. 30:39 - What it was like to build a staff and run a show for the first time. Some discussion about mini writers rooms. 34:28 - What is she looking for when she interviews new writers? Looking for a voice, a point of view, and something unique. Must stand out from the bulk of scripts which are pretty good. 37:19 - What she looks for in interviews. 38:17 - Where her show is at with respect to Coronavirus. 39:13 - How she feels about the current TV landscape. 41:06 - Advice to younger self. 42:52 - Mistakes she sees newer writers making.   Follow Jami on Twitter: @jami_obrien   You can help with the ongoing costs of bringing these weekly podcasts to you by becoming a patron of the podcast – for as little as 25¢ per episode! There are many reward levels. CLICK HERE to find out more.   Buy Gray's book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.   Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com.

 This week, host Gray Jones interviews Jami O'Brien, creator & showrunner of "N0S4A2" on AMC. This episode is sponsored by Pilar Alessandra of onthepage.tv. Pilar is offering TV Writer Podcast listeners a 10% discount on any of her services. To get your 10% off, reach out to her directly and tell her Gray sent you! In this episode, Jami has great tips for the writers room, improving your writing, winning in interviews, adapting pre-existing material, and general career advice. Jami O'Brien Bio:Jami O'Brien created and showruns "NOS4A2" for AMC. Previously, she’s written for "Fear the Walking Dead," "Hell on Wheels," "Big Love," and "Flesh and Bone," which was nominated for a Writer’s Guild Award. Jami has an MFA in Playwriting from the Yale School of Drama. INDEX TO THE EPISODE:1:06 - Interview start, mention her show “N0S4A2.”2:00 - Her back story - writing as a kid, Yale playwriting, and eventually moving to LA because of a friend who was a TV writer.5:18 - Her first LA job, assisting a manager, learning about the industry.7:11 - When she first started trying to write for TV, got a writing assistant job thanks to one of her Yale professors who was a show runner. Resisted writing a spec, but when she finally did, got good traction from it and landed an agent. Still did not get staffed right away, but after several interviews she was staffed on “Lie To Me.”12:38 - What it was like to finally write on staff.14:10 - Talks about her next couple of shows, “The Deep End,” “Big Love,” and a longer stint on “Hell on Wheels.” Describes great lessons she learned from the showrunners and another writer who was a mentor, which helped her scripts to be rewritten less and less.19:32 - Sponsor break.20:37 - How she got an overall deal at AMC, got attached to the “N0S4A2” project, and was co-EP on “Fear the Walking Dead.”23:06 - Her process in how she adapted the book “N0S4A2” into a series, and doing a mini writer’s room.25:53 - Being a part of the Showrunner Training Program.30:39 - What it was like to build a staff and run a show for the first time. Some discussion about mini writers rooms.34:28 - What is she looking for when she interviews new writers? Looking for a voice, a point of view, and something unique. Must stand out from the bulk of scripts which are pretty good.37:19 - What she looks for in interviews.38:17 - Where her show is at with respect to Coronavirus.39:13 - How she feels about the current TV landscape.41:06 - Advice to younger self.42:52 - Mistakes she sees newer writers making. Follow Jami on Twitter: @jami_obrien You can help with the ongoing costs of bringing these weekly podcasts to you by becoming a patron of the podcast – for as little as 25¢ per episode! There are many reward levels. CLICK HERE to find out more. Buy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews. Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com.

  This week, host Gray Jones interviews UK show creator / showrunner and practicing doctor Dan Sefton, who is also the co-founder of the independent production company Seven Seas Films. This episode is sponsored by Pilar Alessandra of onthepage.tv. Pilar is offering TV Writer Podcast listeners a 10% discount on any of her services. To get your 10% off, reach out to her directly and tell her Gray sent you! Dan Sefton Bio: Dan Sefton is a prolific television writer who founded Seven Seas Films in 2016 alongside producer Simon Lupton, with the aim of creating and producing TV drama for the UK and international markets, putting the writer at the center of the process. Together they have several projects in development, including "The last Days of Marilyn," in partnership with 101 Studios. Previously an A&E doctor, he started his television career as a hobby; writing episodes of UK medical dramas such as "Doctors," "Casualty" and "Holby City." Delving into the world of scripted drama, Dan also wrote episodes of Harlan Coben's "The Five" (Sky One), "Death in Paradise" (BBC One), "Monarch of the Glen" (BBC One), "Mr Selfridge" (ITV) and "Secret Diary of a Call Girl" (ITV2). Having written comedy series "Porters" for UKTV to critical acclaim, Dan went on to write the original four-part drama series, "Delicious," starring Dawn French, Emilia Fox and Iain Glen for Bandit TV and Sky One. He also wrote four-part thriller "Trust Me" for Red Productions and BBC One, starring Jodie Whittaker, which was broadcast in August 2017. Most recently, Dan's writing credits include Tiger Aspect's "The Good Karma Hospital," now in its third series on ITV, and "The Mallorca Files" with Cosmopolitan Pictures and ProSieben for BBC One which is in production with series two. In May 2019, Great Point, the UK's leading independent media and investment firm, invested in Seven Seas Films. INDEX TO THE EPISODE: 1:42 - Interview start… how Dan started out as a medical doctor, and amazingly, continues to practice medicine while writing. How the first script he ever wrote was produced, for the UK show “Doctors.” Many medical shows followed… Dan discusses the difference between his real life experiences and the shows the end up on TV, how he was actually more appealing to producers when he was practicing medicine than when he quit it, and how he maintains the balance between the two. 9:41 - Dan discusses how representation works in the UK, and his experience with representation. 12:19 - How freelance scripts work in the UK… how there is not as much of a writing room in the UK, but how there are non-writing creative producers who do a lot of the series building and planning. 17:27 - How he made the jump to creating and running shows. 21:40 - The process from pitch to production of how he creates shows. How in the UK, you work much more with independent production companies to pitch shows to the network… discussion on the UK process is similar to how reality TV is developed in the US. 26:40 - Why and how he created his own production company. 29:29 - Sponsor break 30:26 - Differences between the US and the UK in how a show is run… how UK TV is much more of a writer auteur medium, but the US excels at delivering volume. Could a US writing room work in the UK? 36:54 - Dan has worked in several genres… is that easier in the UK? 40:40 - With shorter seasons in the UK, is it easier for a younger writer to get a show off the ground? How pairing with established production companies can help. How his company Seven Seas looks for new unique voices, but expects people to have done a lot of homework before walking in the door. 49:37 - Does he see many writers crossing the pond, one way or the other? Mostly, he sees showrunners from the US attracted to the writer-as-auteur system. 52:44 - Advice to greener writers… understand that you are the product, not just your script. What do you bring to the table? You must be able to sell that too. Also, know what you are getting into, and be willing to work very hard. It's better to write a fresh take on a genre than to reinvent the wheel. And… train yourself to work very quickly, even if it's not for a specific deadline. Follow Dan on Twitter: @dansefton You can help with the ongoing costs of bringing these weekly podcasts to you by becoming a patron of the podcast – for as little as 25¢ per episode! There are many reward levels. CLICK HERE to find out more. Buy Gray's book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews. Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com.

 This week, host Gray Jones interviews UK show creator / showrunner and practicing doctor Dan Sefton, who is also the co-founder of the independent production company Seven Seas Films.This episode is sponsored by Pilar Alessandra of onthepage.tv. Pilar is offering TV Writer Podcast listeners a 10% discount on any of her services. To get your 10% off, reach out to her directly and tell her Gray sent you!Dan Sefton Bio:Dan Sefton is a prolific television writer who founded Seven Seas Films in 2016 alongside producer Simon Lupton, with the aim of creating and producing TV drama for the UK and international markets, putting the writer at the center of the process. Together they have several projects in development, including "The last Days of Marilyn," in partnership with 101 Studios.Previously an A&E doctor, he started his television career as a hobby; writing episodes of UK medical dramas such as "Doctors," "Casualty" and "Holby City." Delving into the world of scripted drama, Dan also wrote episodes of Harlan Coben’s "The Five" (Sky One), "Death in Paradise" (BBC One), "Monarch of the Glen" (BBC One), "Mr Selfridge" (ITV) and "Secret Diary of a Call Girl" (ITV2).Having written comedy series "Porters" for UKTV to critical acclaim, Dan went on to write the original four-part drama series, "Delicious," starring Dawn French, Emilia Fox and Iain Glen for Bandit TV and Sky One. He also wrote four-part thriller "Trust Me" for Red Productions and BBC One, starring Jodie Whittaker, which was broadcast in August 2017.Most recently, Dan's writing credits include Tiger Aspect’s "The Good Karma Hospital," now in its third series on ITV, and "The Mallorca Files" with Cosmopolitan Pictures and ProSieben for BBC One which is in production with series two.In May 2019, Great Point, the UK’s leading independent media and investment firm, invested in Seven Seas Films.INDEX TO THE EPISODE:1:42 - Interview start… how Dan started out as a medical doctor, and amazingly, continues to practice medicine while writing. How the first script he ever wrote was produced, for the UK show “Doctors.” Many medical shows followed… Dan discusses the difference between his real life experiences and the shows the end up on TV, how he was actually more appealing to producers when he was practicing medicine than when he quit it, and how he maintains the balance between the two.9:41 - Dan discusses how representation works in the UK, and his experience with representation.12:19 - How freelance scripts work in the UK… how there is not as much of a writing room in the UK, but how there are non-writing creative producers who do a lot of the series building and planning.17:27 - How he made the jump to creating and running shows.21:40 - The process from pitch to production of how he creates shows. How in the UK, you work much more with independent production companies to pitch shows to the network… discussion on the UK process is similar to how reality TV is developed in the US.26:40 - Why and how he created his own production company.29:29 - Sponsor break30:26 - Differences between the US and the UK in how a show is run… how UK TV is much more of a writer auteur medium, but the US excels at delivering volume. Could a US writing room work in the UK?36:54 - Dan has worked in several genres… is that easier in the UK?40:40 - With shorter seasons in the UK, is it easier for a younger writer to get a show off the ground? How pairing with established production companies can help. How his company Seven Seas looks for new unique voices, but expects people to have done a lot of homework before walking in the door.49:37 - Does he see many writers crossing the pond, one way or the other? Mostly, he sees showrunners from the US attracted to the writer-as-auteur system.52:44 - Advice to greener writers… understand that you are the product, not just your script. What do you bring to the table? You must be able to sell that too. Also, know what you are getting into, and be willing to work very hard. It’s better to write a fresh take on a genre than to reinvent the wheel. And… train yourself to work very quickly, even if it’s not for a specific deadline.Follow Dan on Twitter: @danseftonYou can help with the ongoing costs of bringing these weekly podcasts to you by becoming a patron of the podcast – for as little as 25¢ per episode! There are many reward levels. CLICK HERE to find out more.Buy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com.

This week, host Gray Jones interviews veteran producer Shawn Ryan, who has created or co-created a number of series, including The Shield, The Chicago Code, Last Resort, Timeless, and his current series SWAT. This episode is sponsored by Pilar Alessandra of onthepage.tv. Pilar is offering a 10% discount to TV Writer Podcast viewers. To get your 10% off, contact Pilar through her website and mention the podcast. Shawn Ryan started out writing and acting in plays. He won the prestigious Norman Lear Playwriting Award, which included an opportunity to come to Los Angeles and observe the TV series My Two Dads. One of his pitches got turned into an episode for the series, and he knew he wanted to write for TV! But it would be several years of hard work, honing his craft and writing over a dozen spec scripts, before he finally got his first staff gig on Nash Bridges. Shawn is a learner, and a very hard worker. He has many helpful stories to tell about how he learned his craft, and how he learned to be his own worst critic. You'll love hearing how he came to create and run The Shield when he had very little production experience, and how he learned to create and co-create so many successful series. Timeless fans will be especially excited to hear about how he co-created that show with Eric Kripke, the love he has for the show and the fans, and how hopeful he is for future continuation of the story. INDEX TO THE EPISODE: 1:22 - Interview start, overview of creating and helping to create and run shows in a competitive industry. 3:24 - How has COVID-19 affected him? 7:18 - Back at the beginning, how did winning the Normal Lear Playwriting Award help launch his career? Discusses theater and playwriting, then going to Hollywood to observe My Two Dads as part of the award, and starting to pitch ideas on the show. 10:56 - Harder times after that show, getting days jobs and learning to increase his work ethic. Was a clever writer, but needed to learn the craft of being a deep writer. 12:28 - Wrote 16-17 spec scripts… talks about the 3 most important factors in breaking in. 14:53 - His first staff gig on Nash Bridges, after writing freelance episodes of Life with Louie. 16:54 - How the years of struggle are important for a writer. 19:23 - How not getting hired on Buffy the Vampire Slayer was actually better for his career — describes this training ground on Nash Bridges with Carlton Cuse and John Worth in detail, and working on Angel. Learning to become valuable to a show by being a story machine. 25:31 - How The Shield was born out of a spec pilot he had written… how he didn't have much production experience but was open about what he didn't know and relied on good people around him to succeed. Lots of detail about building this show for the new FX Network. 37:44 - The next few years, successfully developing many projects, working on The Unit with David Mamet, Mad Dogs. Getting excited about projects. 41:48 - Sponsor messages. 43:02 - All about co-creating Timeless with Eric Kirpke, and running that show. How he loves history, and the book The People's History was a great resource for stories. How amazed he is by the fans, and how he is hopeful about the show's future. 51:27 - How he feels about Peak TV as a show creator. Will TV decline the way movies did? 54:22 - Advice to younger writers, and to people trying to break in. How he asked to read a spec that was getting that writer work, and studied it. Learned not to settle for B+ work. Follow Shawn on Twitter: @ShawnRyanTV You can help with the ongoing costs of bringing these weekly podcasts to you by becoming a patron of the podcast – for as little as 25¢ per episode! There are many reward levels. CLICK HERE to find out more. Buy Gray's book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews. Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com. PLEASE NOTE: we are now doing Tuesday releases, to line up with Script Magazine's release dates.

This week, host Gray Jones interviews veteran producer Shawn Ryan, who has created or co-created a number of series, including The Shield, The Chicago Code, Last Resort, Timeless, and his current series SWAT.This episode is sponsored by Pilar Alessandra of onthepage.tv. Pilar is offering a 10% discount to TV Writer Podcast viewers. To get your 10% off, contact Pilar through her website and mention the podcast.Shawn Ryan started out writing and acting in plays. He won the prestigious Norman Lear Playwriting Award, which included an opportunity to come to Los Angeles and observe the TV series My Two Dads. One of his pitches got turned into an episode for the series, and he knew he wanted to write for TV! But it would be several years of hard work, honing his craft and writing over a dozen spec scripts, before he finally got his first staff gig on Nash Bridges.Shawn is a learner, and a very hard worker. He has many helpful stories to tell about how he learned his craft, and how he learned to be his own worst critic. You'll love hearing how he came to create and run The Shield when he had very little production experience, and how he learned to create and co-create so many successful series.Timeless fans will be especially excited to hear about how he co-created that show with Eric Kripke, the love he has for the show and the fans, and how hopeful he is for future continuation of the story.INDEX TO THE EPISODE:1:22 - Interview start, overview of creating and helping to create and run shows in a competitive industry.3:24 - How has COVID-19 affected him?7:18 - Back at the beginning, how did winning the Normal Lear Playwriting Award help launch his career? Discusses theater and playwriting, then going to Hollywood to observe My Two Dads as part of the award, and starting to pitch ideas on the show.10:56 - Harder times after that show, getting days jobs and learning to increase his work ethic. Was a clever writer, but needed to learn the craft of being a deep writer.12:28 - Wrote 16-17 spec scripts… talks about the 3 most important factors in breaking in.14:53 - His first staff gig on Nash Bridges, after writing freelance episodes of Life with Louie.16:54 - How the years of struggle are important for a writer.19:23 - How not getting hired on Buffy the Vampire Slayer was actually better for his career — describes this training ground on Nash Bridges with Carlton Cuse and John Worth in detail, and working on Angel. Learning to become valuable to a show by being a story machine.25:31 - How The Shield was born out of a spec pilot he had written… how he didn’t have much production experience but was open about what he didn’t know and relied on good people around him to succeed. Lots of detail about building this show for the new FX Network.37:44 - The next few years, successfully developing many projects, working on The Unit with David Mamet, Mad Dogs. Getting excited about projects.41:48 - Sponsor messages.43:02 - All about co-creating Timeless with Eric Kirpke, and running that show. How he loves history, and the book The People’s History was a great resource for stories. How amazed he is by the fans, and how he is hopeful about the show’s future.51:27 - How he feels about Peak TV as a show creator. Will TV decline the way movies did?54:22 - Advice to younger writers, and to people trying to break in. How he asked to read a spec that was getting that writer work, and studied it. Learned not to settle for B+ work.Follow Shawn on Twitter: @ShawnRyanTVYou can help with the ongoing costs of bringing these weekly podcasts to you by becoming a patron of the podcast – for as little as 25¢ per episode! There are many reward levels. CLICK HERE to find out more.Buy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com.PLEASE NOTE: we are now doing Tuesday releases, to line up with Script Magazine's release dates.

This week, host Gray Jones interviews multiple Emmy winning and Oscar-nominated comedy writer Dan O'Shannon, Executive Producer of Cheers, Frasier, and Modern Family, and author of the book, What Are You Laughing At? Episode 097 is sponsored by Pilar Alessandra of onthepage.tv. Pilar is offering a 10% discount on any of her services: to get your 10% off, reach out to Pilar directly and mention the TV Writer Podcast. Dan O'Shannon is a writer and producer who has worked on such hit comedies as Newhart, Cheers, and Frasier, as well as many other TV series, like The Odd Couple, Better Off Ted, and the drama Jericho. He was an executive producer on Modern Family until he left after season 5, to accept a development deal at CBS TV Studios. Dan has won six Emmy Awards, five WGA Awards, and several Golden Globe Awards for his TV work. He also was nominated for an Academy Award for writing the short animated film Redux Riding Hood, which was produced by Disney. Another animated short he wrote and produced, The Fan and the Flower, received an Annie Award. Dan is the author of two books, What Are You Laughing At? A Comprehensive Guide to the Comedic Event, and The Adventures of Mrs. Jesus. INDEX TO THE EPISODE: 2:40 - Intro, Gray geeks out about how Dan wrote on Newhart. 4:13 - What inspired Dan to do standup comedy - how he learned to be funny. 5:15 - Challenges in learning to write TV comedy pre-internet — how he took a one-way trip to LA with $100 in his pocket. 7:33 - Talk about his book - is it possible to learn how to be funny? 10:13 - How important is it for a comedy writer to do standup? Also learning how to tell a story. 12:05 - How multicam comedy offers a chance to learn how a live audience will react to jokes. 13:13 - How he made the jump from standup to TV writing. 15:10 - You're in the writer's room — now what? Mistakes writers make when they get on staff. 18:25 - The tough times between the first staff gig and his bigger shows. 20:48 - Secrets on how to get freelance scripts sold. 21:26 - How the writer's strike of 1988 led to him pairing up with Tom Anderson in a writing team, getting staffed on Newhart and Cheers together, eventually showrunning the show together, and then how they split apart in a way that didn't hurt their careers. 24:10 - On creating the series Maggie. 27:23 - The time between Maggie and Modern Family, writing drama shows for the first time. 29:04 - How Modern Family was different from a writing perspective - tight, economical writing and using mockumentary. Also discussed the production and post-production of the show. 33:10 - Single cam vs multicam from a writing perspective. 36:00 - The onset of social networks and how that affected writing. 39:00 - On developing pilots, and writing on The Orville. 41:12 - What has been the hardest part about writing for TV? On the pressure of always having to work toward deadlines, and not having a real life. 43:51 - The best part about writing for TV - working with and hanging out with some of the funniest people, and making people laugh. 45:38 - How the industry has changed over the last 35 years. 49:39 - How he distilled his decades of observations into the book What Are You Laughing At? 51:07 - About his book Adventures of Mrs. Jesus. 52:39 - Advice for less experienced writers - making your showrunner happy, what elements you need to have a successful career as a writer, and how to pitch successfully. 59:26 - What he looks for when hiring writers, in interviews and on the page. Does he read specs or pilots? Why writing a spec is so valuable, even if people will only read pilots. 1:06:27 - What might he say to his younger self based on what he knows now — don't make your career your identity. You can help with the ongoing costs of bringing these weekly podcasts to you by becoming a patron of the podcast – for as little as 25¢ per episode! There are many reward levels. CLICK HERE to find out more. Buy Gray's book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews. Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com. Upcoming weekly interviews will include Shawn Ryan (creator of Timeless and The Shield), writers from Arrow, The Flash, Legacies and Warehouse 13, and lots more!

This week, host Gray Jones interviews multiple Emmy winning and Oscar-nominated comedy writer Dan O'Shannon, Executive Producer of Cheers, Frasier, and Modern Family, and author of the book, What Are You Laughing At?Episode 097 is sponsored by Pilar Alessandra of onthepage.tv. Pilar is offering a 10% discount on any of her services: to get your 10% off, reach out to Pilar directly and mention the TV Writer Podcast.Dan O’Shannon is a writer and producer who has worked on such hit comedies as Newhart, Cheers, and Frasier, as well as many other TV series, like The Odd Couple, Better Off Ted, and the drama Jericho. He was an executive producer on Modern Family until he left after season 5, to accept a development deal at CBS TV Studios.Dan has won six Emmy Awards, five WGA Awards, and several Golden Globe Awards for his TV work. He also was nominated for an Academy Award for writing the short animated film Redux Riding Hood, which was produced by Disney. Another animated short he wrote and produced, The Fan and the Flower, received an Annie Award.Dan is the author of two books, What Are You Laughing At? A Comprehensive Guide to the Comedic Event, and The Adventures of Mrs. Jesus.INDEX TO THE EPISODE:2:40 - Intro, Gray geeks out about how Dan wrote on Newhart.4:13 - What inspired Dan to do standup comedy - how he learned to be funny.5:15 - Challenges in learning to write TV comedy pre-internet — how he took a one-way trip to LA with $100 in his pocket.7:33 - Talk about his book - is it possible to learn how to be funny?10:13 - How important is it for a comedy writer to do standup? Also learning how to tell a story.12:05 - How multicam comedy offers a chance to learn how a live audience will react to jokes.13:13 - How he made the jump from standup to TV writing.15:10 - You’re in the writer’s room — now what? Mistakes writers make when they get on staff.18:25 - The tough times between the first staff gig and his bigger shows.20:48 - Secrets on how to get freelance scripts sold.21:26 - How the writer’s strike of 1988 led to him pairing up with Tom Anderson in a writing team, getting staffed on Newhart and Cheers together, eventually showrunning the show together, and then how they split apart in a way that didn’t hurt their careers.24:10 - On creating the series Maggie.27:23 - The time between Maggie and Modern Family, writing drama shows for the first time.29:04 - How Modern Family was different from a writing perspective - tight, economical writing and using mockumentary. Also discussed the production and post-production of the show.33:10 - Single cam vs multicam from a writing perspective.36:00 - The onset of social networks and how that affected writing.39:00 - On developing pilots, and writing on The Orville.41:12 - What has been the hardest part about writing for TV? On the pressure of always having to work toward deadlines, and not having a real life.43:51 - The best part about writing for TV - working with and hanging out with some of the funniest people, and making people laugh.45:38 - How the industry has changed over the last 35 years.49:39 - How he distilled his decades of observations into the book What Are You Laughing At?51:07 - About his book Adventures of Mrs. Jesus.52:39 - Advice for less experienced writers - making your showrunner happy, what elements you need to have a successful career as a writer, and how to pitch successfully.59:26 - What he looks for when hiring writers, in interviews and on the page. Does he read specs or pilots? Why writing a spec is so valuable, even if people will only read pilots.1:06:27 - What might he say to his younger self based on what he knows now — don’t make your career your identity.You can help with the ongoing costs of bringing these weekly podcasts to you by becoming a patron of the podcast – for as little as 25¢ per episode! There are many reward levels. CLICK HERE to find out more.Buy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com.Upcoming weekly interviews will include Shawn Ryan (creator of Timeless and The Shield), writers from Arrow, The Flash, Legacies and Warehouse 13, and lots more!

This week, host Gray Jones catches up with Keto Shimizu, co-showrunner and EP for DC's Legends of Tomorrow, and who formerly wrote for Arrow, Being Human, and The Cape. Episode 096 is sponsored by Pilar Alessandra of onthepage.tv. Pilar is offering a 10% discount on any of her services: to get your 10% off, reach out to Pilar directly and mention the TV Writer Podcast. Don't forget that Gray interviewed Keto back in 2011 (episode 10), after she had just been staffed on The Cape. In that interview, she shares a lot about how she broke in to the industry. Check it out HERE or on any of the podcast aggregators. Keto Shimizu biography: Keto Shimizu was born in Princeton, NJ and spent much of her youth traveling the globe with a world music choir. A life-long fan of movies and comic books, she attended film school at Emerson College in Boston, then moved to Los Angeles in 2007 to pursue a career in the industry. Following graduation she worked in post-production, using nights and weekends to follow her true passion: writing. Her hard work paid off, as she was accepted into NBC's “Writers on the Verge” in 2009, and shortly thereafter was staffed on NBC's The Cape. Following its cancellation, she moved on to SyFy's Being Human where she spent two seasons. She was then brought on to CW's Arrow, and after three years writing for the DC comic adaptation she transferred to the spinoff Legends of Tomorrow where she is currently a writer and Executive Producer. INDEX TO THE EPISODE: 2:18 - Intro, catching us up on her career since The Cape 11:15 - what was the experience like in the tough time after her first staff gig 13:59 - what to do between jobs 15:08 - using your genre calling card 18:27 - where she sees herself after Legends of Tomorrow 19:19 - the projects she's currently developing 20:08 - on interviewing new writers 21:37 - on mentoring others, and general advice on pursuing a TV writing career 24:55 - how is the virus affecting Legends of Tomorrow Follow Keto on Twitter: @ketomizu You can help with the ongoing costs of bringing these weekly podcasts to you by becoming a patron of the podcast – for as little as 25¢ per episode! There are many reward levels. CLICK HERE to find out more. Buy Gray's book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews. Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com. Upcoming weekly interviews will include Dan O'Shannon (EP of Cheers, Frasier, and Modern Family), Shawn Ryan (creator of Timeless and The Shield) and lots more!

This week, host Gray Jones catches up with Keto Shimizu, co-showrunner and EP for DC's Legends of Tomorrow, and who formerly wrote for Arrow, Being Human, and The Cape.Episode 096 is sponsored by Pilar Alessandra of onthepage.tv. Pilar is offering a 10% discount on any of her services: to get your 10% off, reach out to Pilar directly and mention the TV Writer Podcast.Don't forget that Gray interviewed Keto back in 2011 (episode 10), after she had just been staffed on The Cape. In that interview, she shares a lot about how she broke in to the industry. Check it out HERE or on any of the podcast aggregators.Keto Shimizu biography:Keto Shimizu was born in Princeton, NJ and spent much of her youth traveling the globe with a world music choir. A life-long fan of movies and comic books, she attended film school at Emerson College in Boston, then moved to Los Angeles in 2007 to pursue a career in the industry.Following graduation she worked in post-production, using nights and weekends to follow her true passion: writing. Her hard work paid off, as she was accepted into NBC’s “Writers on the Verge” in 2009, and shortly thereafter was staffed on NBC's The Cape. Following its cancellation, she moved on to SyFy's Being Human where she spent two seasons.She was then brought on to CW's Arrow, and after three years writing for the DC comic adaptation she transferred to the spinoff Legends of Tomorrow where she is currently a writer and Executive Producer.INDEX TO THE EPISODE:2:18 - Intro, catching us up on her career since The Cape11:15 - what was the experience like in the tough time after her first staff gig13:59 - what to do between jobs15:08 - using your genre calling card18:27 - where she sees herself after Legends of Tomorrow19:19 - the projects she’s currently developing20:08 - on interviewing new writers21:37 - on mentoring others, and general advice on pursuing a TV writing career24:55 - how is the virus affecting Legends of TomorrowFollow Keto on Twitter: @ketomizuYou can help with the ongoing costs of bringing these weekly podcasts to you by becoming a patron of the podcast – for as little as 25¢ per episode! There are many reward levels. CLICK HERE to find out more.Buy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com.Upcoming weekly interviews will include Dan O'Shannon (EP of Cheers, Frasier, and Modern Family), Shawn Ryan(creator of Timeless and The Shield) and lots more!

This week, host Gray Jones interviews Michael Narducci, showrunner and EP for The Originals, co-EP for The Crossing, and writer and producer for The Vampire Diaries. Episode 095 is sponsored by Pilar Alessandra of onthepage.tv. Pilar is offering a 10% discount on any of her services: to get your 10% off, reach out to Pilar directly and mention the TV Writer Podcast. Michael Narducci biography: Currently working on an as yet unannounced Netflix series, Michael recently developed Warriors through ABC Studios. Prior to that, he was the showrunner of The Originals for Warner Brothers TV, and also served as a writer on The Vampire Diaries, Medium, The 4400, and The Crossing.     Michael was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio. He attended Harvard University where he lettered in football and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in psychology. He went on to receive his MFA in Creative Writing from The University of Virginia. His short stories have appeared in The Texas Review, The Virginia Quarterly Review, Pembroke and Gadfly magazine. He taught creative writing at The Idyllwild Arts Academy for seven years and has also taught writing in Boston, Charlottesville, South Central Los Angeles, and South Korea.  INDEX TO THE EPISODE: 2:01 - Interview start 2:38 - how COVID-19 is affecting him and his work 6:16 - how he went to Harvard and lettered in football but ended up doing an MFA in creative writing 8:38 - how he published short stories, taught in school for several years, and started writing specs 11:50 - how the Warner Brothers writing fellowship helped him get his first staff gig and an agent 14:43 - on landing the staff gig without going the traditional route of being an assistant 18:15 - on having a manager since before the WB program, and what he feels managers offer 20:18 - in between series, what happens? Details about show runner meetings and pitching. 22:57 - landing the gig on Medium after a lot of unsuccessful interviews 24:49 - landing the gig on Vampire Diaries, and what made that show different 27:51 - traveling to New Orleans to research the Originals spinoff, moving up to EP 28:53 - getting an overall deal, and consulting on The Crossing 30:54 - on development 31:09 - what showrunners are looking for in interviews 32:42 - Michael shares about many mentors who have helped him along the way 36:04 - on being a learner, and a team player - references the book Difficult Men, and the masculine vs feminine style of showrunning 39:28 - his showrunning on The Originals, mentoring others 41:30 - on having an overriding principal idea for each season, with examples from each season of The Originals 45:08 - why mentoring and giving back is important to him, and the value of story 50:00 - on development, and some of the projects he has developed 56:17 - what he is most passionate about - common cause, ensemble shows where people begin as adversaries but grow together, and making people care about characters and story. 1:00:22 - hardest thing about being a TV writer 1:04:10 - best part about being a TV writer - the “what if” brainstorming sessions, and collaboration with other writers to develop story, working with incredible actors and seeing it come to life on scene . 1:06:26 - what is positive in the industry and what needs to change? 1:07:42 - how much more diversity there is in writers rooms now, and how it is a great time to break in 1:09:35 - advice to greener writers - what he looks for when interviewing and reading scripts, and mistakes he sees people making, including on social media. Follow Michael on Twitter: @MichaelNarducci You can help with the ongoing costs of bringing these weekly podcasts to you by becoming a patron of the podcast – for as little as 25¢ per episode! There are many reward levels. CLICK HERE to find out more. Buy Gray's book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews. Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com. Upcoming weekly interviews will include Keto Shimizu (EP, Legends of Tomorrow), Dan O'Shannon (EP of Cheers, Frasier, and Modern Family), Shawn Ryan (creator of Timeless and The Shield) and lots more!

This week, host Gray Jones interviews Michael Narducci, showrunner and EP for The Originals, co-EP for The Crossing, and writer and producer for The Vampire Diaries.Episode 094 is sponsored by Pilar Alessandra of onthepage.tv. Pilar is offering a 10% discount on any of her services: to get your 10% off, reach out to Pilar directly and mention the TV Writer Podcast.Michael Narducci biography:Currently working on an as yet unannounced Netflix series, Michael recently developed Warriors through ABC Studios. Prior to that, he was the showrunner of The Originals for Warner Brothers TV, and also served as a writer on The Vampire Diaries, Medium, The 4400, and The Crossing.   Michael was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio. He attended Harvard University where he lettered in football and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in psychology. He went on to receive his MFA in Creative Writing from The University of Virginia. His short stories have appeared in The Texas Review, The Virginia Quarterly Review, Pembroke and Gadfly magazine. He taught creative writing at The Idyllwild Arts Academy for seven years and has also taught writing in Boston, Charlottesville, South Central Los Angeles, and South Korea. INDEX TO THE EPISODE:2:01 - Interview start2:38 - how COVID-19 is affecting him and his work6:16 - how he went to Harvard and lettered in football but ended up doing an MFA in creative writing8:38 - how he published short stories, taught in school for several years, and started writing specs11:50 - how the Warner Brothers writing fellowship helped him get his first staff gig and an agent14:43 - on landing the staff gig without going the traditional route of being an assistant18:15 - on having a manager since before the WB program, and what he feels managers offer20:18 - in between series, what happens? Details about show runner meetings and pitching.22:57 - landing the gig on Medium after a lot of unsuccessful interviews24:49 - landing the gig on Vampire Diaries, and what made that show different27:51 - traveling to New Orleans to research the Originals spinoff, moving up to EP28:53 - getting an overall deal, and consulting on The Crossing30:54 - on development31:09 - what showrunners are looking for in interviews32:42 - Michael shares about many mentors who have helped him along the way36:04 - on being a learner, and a team player - references the book Difficult Men, and the masculine vs feminine style of showrunning39:28 - his showrunning on The Originals, mentoring others41:30 - on having an overriding principal idea for each season, with examples from each season of The Originals45:08 - why mentoring and giving back is important to him, and the value of story 50:00 - on development, and some of the projects he has developed56:17 - what he is most passionate about - common cause, ensemble shows where people begin as adversaries but grow together, and making people care about characters and story. 1:00:22 - hardest thing about being a TV writer1:04:10 - best part about being a TV writer - the “what if” brainstorming sessions, and collaboration with other writers to develop story, working with incredible actors and seeing it come to life on scene .1:06:26 - what is positive in the industry and what needs to change?1:07:42 - how much more diversity there is in writers rooms now, and how it is a great time to break in1:09:35 - advice to greener writers - what he looks for when interviewing and reading scripts, and mistakes he sees people making, including on social media.Follow Michael on Twitter: @MichaelNarducciYou can help with the ongoing costs of bringing these weekly podcasts to you by becoming a patron of the podcast – for as little as 25¢ per episode! There are many reward levels. CLICK HERE to find out more.Buy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com.Upcoming weekly interviews will include Keto Shimizu (EP, Legends of Tomorrow), Dan O'Shannon (EP of Cheers, Frasier, and Modern Family), Shawn Ryan (creator of Timeless and The Shield) and lots more!

This week, host Gray Jones interviews Arika Lisanne Mittman, EP of Paradise Lost on Spectrum Originals, and Timeless. She also wrote and produced on Elementary and Dexter. Episode 094 is sponsored by Pilar Alessandra of onthepage.tv. Pilar is offering a 10% discount on any of her services: to get your 10% off, reach out to Pilar directly and mention the TV Writer Podcast. Arika got her start as an assistant on Dawson's Creek... though she would not get her first staff gig for several years, she landed an agent during that time. Her career took a detour when she was asked to head up a web initiative for Sony, producing dramatic short series for their website. This experience, combined with many years networking as an assistant led to her first staff gig on South of Nowhere. One of her first scripts there led to a WGA Award nomination and a Humanitas Award. She tells about several series where she was stuck at the staff writer level, but how she was able to catch up on Medium and Dexter, which was really the show that put her on the map. After several seasons of Elementary, and one season of Timeless, she was finally ready for the jump to showrunner -- and shares about her first experience showrunning on Timeless, a show she was very passionate about, and then co-showrunning the new Spectrum Original Paradise Lost and getting it off the ground. Arika is very open about the challenges of balancing a family with a busy TV career, and shares great tips about how to win in showrunner interviews, on the page, and in the writer's room. INDEX TO THE EPISODE: 1:58 - How is the virus affecting you? How will this impact the industry going forward — is there a “new normal” that will be a different way of doing business? 8:18 - Her unconventional start in the industry, pioneering into online content for Sony; how she has seen some parallels in Twitter and networking directly with fans. 16:26 - About South of Nowhere, her first staff writing gig, and how she was nominated for a WGA award and won a Humanitas award for one of her first scripts. 20:21 - Her experience getting an agent while still an assistant at Dawson's Creek; got fired by that agent, and signed with another later on. 22:33 - How valuable it is to be an assistant, and what your attitude and work ethic needs to be — how this network will be what gets you work later on. 24:13 - On staff, now what? Her trials and tribulations on her first few shows… repeating the staff level three times, shows getting cancelled, and how Dexter changed the game. 30:48 - On developing pilots, while still working on Dexter and having 2 young kids. 32:53 - On getting offered a position on Elementary 34:17 - How it wasn't easy - some of her challenges working her way up. 41:12 - Landing the gig on Timeless and becoming showrunner for the first time — how being passionate about the show is a key to getting the job, and the experience from the start of the show to its cancellation and movie wrap up. 51:40 - on Paradise Lost, co-showrunning a show, starting from scratch and staffing it. 53:24 - building a diverse staff. 56:25 - Help for greener writers — what she looks for in an interview, being enthusiastic about the project and being able to articulate why, as well as what you bring to the table. 1:00:49 - What she looks for on the page. 1:02:38 - Juggling young kids and a writing room, or working from home developing projects — how does she manage? What is her writing habit? 1:04:11 - Final thoughts — general career advice to greener writers. Follow Arika on Twitter: @arikalisanne You can help with the ongoing costs of bringing these weekly podcasts to you by becoming a patron of the podcast – for as little as 25¢ per episode! There are many reward levels. CLICK HERE to find out more. Buy Gray's book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews. Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com. Upcoming weekly interviews will include Michael Narducci (EP, The Originals), Keto Shimizu (EP, Legends of Tomorrow), Dan O'Shannon (EP of Cheers, Frasier, and Modern Family) and lots more!

This week, host Gray Jones interviews Arika Lisanne Mittman, EP of Paradise Lost on Spectrum Originals, and Timeless. She also wrote and produced on Elementary and Dexter.Episode 094 is sponsored by Pilar Alessandra of onthepage.tv. Pilar is offering a 10% discount on any of her services: to get your 10% off, reach out to Pilar directly and mention the TV Writer Podcast.Arika got her start as an assistant on Dawson's Creek... though she would not get her first staff gig for several years, she landed an agent during that time.Her career took a detour when she was asked to head up a web initiative for Sony, producing dramatic short series for their website. This experience, combined with many years networking as an assistant led to her first staff gig on South of Nowhere. One of her first scripts there led to a WGA Award nomination and a Humanitas Award.She tells about several series where she was stuck at the staff writer level, but how she was able to catch up on Medium and Dexter, which was really the show that put her on the map.After several seasons of Elementary, and one season of Timeless, she was finally ready for the jump to showrunner -- and shares about her first experience showrunning on Timeless, a show she was very passionate about, and then co-showrunning the new Spectrum Original Paradise Lost and getting it off the ground.Arika is very open about the challenges of balancing a family with a busy TV career, and shares great tips about how to win in showrunner interviews, on the page, and in the writer's room.INDEX TO THE EPISODE:1:58 - How is the virus affecting you? How will this impact the industry going forward — is there a “new normal” that will be a different way of doing business?8:18 - Her unconventional start in the industry, pioneering into online content for Sony; how she has seen some parallels in Twitter and networking directly with fans.16:26 - About South of Nowhere, her first staff writing gig, and how she was nominated for a WGA award and won a Humanitas award for one of her first scripts.20:21 - Her experience getting an agent while still an assistant at Dawson’s Creek; got fired by that agent, and signed with another later on.22:33 - How valuable it is to be an assistant, and what your attitude and work ethic needs to be — how this network will be what gets you work later on.24:13 - On staff, now what? Her trials and tribulations on her first few shows… repeating the staff level three times, shows getting cancelled, and how Dexter changed the game.30:48 - On developing pilots, while still working on Dexter and having 2 young kids.32:53 - On getting offered a position on Elementary34:17 - How it wasn’t easy - some of her challenges working her way up.41:12 - Landing the gig on Timeless and becoming showrunner for the first time — how being passionate about the show is a key to getting the job, and the experience from the start of the show to its cancellation and movie wrap up.51:40 - on Paradise Lost, co-showrunning a show, starting from scratch and staffing it.53:24 - building a diverse staff.56:25 - Help for greener writers — what she looks for in an interview, being enthusiastic about the project and being able to articulate why, as well as what you bring to the table.1:00:49 - What she looks for on the page.1:02:38 - Juggling young kids and a writing room, or working from home developing projects — how does she manage? What is her writing habit?1:04:11 - Final thoughts — general career advice to greener writers.Follow Arika on Twitter: @arikalisanneYou can help with the ongoing costs of bringing these weekly podcasts to you by becoming a patron of the podcast – for as little as 25¢ per episode! There are many reward levels. CLICK HERE to find out more.Buy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com.Upcoming weekly interviews will include Michael Narducci (EP, The Originals), Keto Shimizu (EP, Legends of Tomorrow), Dan O'Shannon (EP of Cheers, Frasier, and Modern Family) and lots more!

The TV Writer Podcast is back, and better than before! In our re-launch, host Gray Jones will be primarily interviewing showrunners and EP level writers. We'll be moving away from the focus on the newbie writer, and aiming more at the oft-neglected staff to mid-level writer. There is now a dedicated audio-only feed at iTunes, Podbean, Spotify and coming soon to Pandora. You can access the video version via YouTube, iTunes, Podbean, and on the web at tvwriterpodcast.com. Follow @GrayJones on Twitter for updates on upcoming interviews, and be sure to subscribe, like, and post reviews on all of these aggregators. We'll be bringing WEEKLY episodes every Monday during the stay-at-home order due to Coronavirus / COVID-19. In episode 092, sponsored by Pilar Alessandra of onthepage.tv, host Gray Jones interviews Bob Goodman, winner of two Daytime Emmy Awards, creator of The Zeta Project, and EP of Elementary and Supervising Producer for Warehouse 13. Speaking of On The Page, Pilar is offering a 10% discount on her interactive online class, Writing the First Draft, which starts April 4th. To get your 10% off, use the code onthepage10 at checkout.  Topics of discussion in the interview included:  • What to consider when choosing college programs. • Singing the praises of the Children of Tendu podcast. • The 5 most important things to succeed in Hollywood. • How to avoid getting pigeon-holed. • How to pick the right jobs for your resume. • Why he feels we need to purge “paying your dues” from our lexicon. • The glut of Peak TV with 500+ shows — why it is more competitive than ever. • Going from animated show creator / showrunner to 1 hour drama staff writer. • About development at the EP level. • About picking your battles with the network. • How a show is staffed. • Do's and don'ts in staffing meetings. • How your job is to get into the showrunner's head. • What needs to be on the page when staffing, and what is the kiss of death? • On why taking the long view is so important when looking at your career. If you are interested in breaking in, check out Bob's other excellent interviews on episode 8 of the Creative Writing Career podcast, and on Storybeat with Steve Cuden. Be sure to watch until the end, and listen for the contest code -- if you follow GrayJones and tweet the contest code before Friday, April 3rd, you will be entered into a draw to win... 2 rolls of toilet paper! Other prizes may be added too. Bob Goodman official bio: Bob Goodman is a television writer-producer who most recently served as Executive Producer on the hit CBS TV series Elementary, and before that he wrote and produced on Syfy's Warehouse 13. Prior to his work in live-action, Bob wrote for many years in animation, primarily as a staffer at Warner Bros. His credits include Batman, Superman, Batman Beyond, Justice League Unlimited and Ben Ten; plus he created and ran the Batman Beyond spin-off The Zeta Project. He's written web-series and videogames including the Dungeons & Dragons game Demon Stone, and several direct-to-DVD animated features including the two-part Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. Bob has received two Daytime Emmy Awards, as well as an Annie Award nomination for Individual Achievement in Writing. He currently has a pilot in development at ABC. Follow Bob on Twitter: @b0bg00dman You can help with the ongoing costs of bringing these weekly podcasts to you, by becoming a patron of the podcast – for as little as $1/month! There are many reward levels. CLICK HERE to find out more. Buy Gray's book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews. Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,000 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com. Upcoming weekly interviews will include Sarah Watson (The Bold Type, The Goonies reboot), Arika Lisanne Mittman (Paradise Lost, Timeless), Michael Narducci (The Originals), and lots more! PLEASE NOTE: ON THE FIRST VERSION OF THE PODCAST GRAPHIC, BOB WAS INCORRECTLY SHOWN AS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF WAREHOUSE 13. THIS WAS QUICKLY CORRECTED.

The TV Writer Podcast is back, and better than before! In our re-launch, host Gray Jones will be primarily interviewing showrunners and EP level writers. We'll be moving away from the focus on the newbie writer, and aiming more at the oft-neglected staff to mid-level writer. There is now a dedicated audio-only feed at iTunes, Podbean, Spotify and coming soon to Pandora. You can access the video version via YouTube, iTunes, Podbean, and on the web at tvwriterpodcast.com. Follow @GrayJones on Twitter for updates on upcoming interviews, and be sure to subscribe, like, and post reviews on all of these aggregators. We'll be bringing WEEKLY episodes every Monday during the stay-at-home order due to Coronavirus / COVID-19.In episode 092, sponsored by Pilar Alessandra of onthepage.tv, host Gray Jones interviews Bob Goodman, winner of two Daytime Emmy Awards, creator of The Zeta Project, and EP of Elementary and Supervising Producer for Warehouse 13. Speaking of On The Page, Pilar is offering a 10% discount on her interactive online class, Writing the First Draft, which starts April 4th. To get your 10% off, use the code onthepage10 at checkout. Topics of discussion in the interview included: • What to consider when choosing college programs.• Singing the praises of the Children of Tendu podcast.• The 5 most important things to succeed in Hollywood.• How to avoid getting pigeon-holed.• How to pick the right jobs for your resume.• Why he feels we need to purge “paying your dues” from our lexicon.• The glut of Peak TV with 500+ shows — why it is more competitive than ever.• Going from animated show creator / showrunner to 1 hour drama staff writer.• About development at the EP level.• About picking your battles with the network.• How a show is staffed.• Do’s and don’ts in staffing meetings.• How your job is to get into the showrunner’s head.• What needs to be on the page when staffing, and what is the kiss of death?• On why taking the long view is so important when looking at your career.If you are interested in breaking in, check out Bob's other excellent interviews on episode 8 of the Creative Writing Career podcast, and on Storybeat with Steve Cuden.Be sure to watch until the end, and listen for the contest code -- if you follow GrayJones and tweet the contest code before Friday, April 3rd, you will be entered into a draw to win... 2 rolls of toilet paper! Other prizes may be added too.Bob Goodman official bio:Bob Goodman is a television writer-producer who most recently served as Executive Producer on the hit CBS TV series Elementary, and before that he wrote and produced on Syfy’s Warehouse 13.Prior to his work in live-action, Bob wrote for many years in animation, primarily as a staffer at Warner Bros. His credits include Batman, Superman, Batman Beyond, Justice League Unlimited and Ben Ten; plus he created and ran the Batman Beyond spin-off The Zeta Project. He’s written web-series and videogames including the Dungeons & Dragons game Demon Stone, and several direct-to-DVD animated features including the two-part Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.Bob has received two Daytime Emmy Awards, as well as an Annie Award nomination for Individual Achievement in Writing. He currently has a pilot in development at ABC.Follow Bob on Twitter: @b0bg00dmanBuy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,000 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com.Upcoming weekly interviews will include Sarah Watson (The Bold Type, The Goonies reboot), Arika Lisanne Mittman (Paradise Lost, Timeless), Michael Narducci (The Originals), and lots more!PLEASE NOTE: ON THE FIRST VERSION OF THE PODCAST GRAPHIC, BOB WAS INCORRECTLY SHOWN AS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF WAREHOUSE 13. THIS WAS QUICKLY CORRECTED.

The TV Writer Podcast is back, better than ever! Host Gray Jones has moved permanently to LA, and the podcast now features exclusive in-person video interviews with Hollywood TV writers and producers. This week's fun episode is with Amy Berg, co-creator of the new web series Caper, and producer/writer for Person of Interest, Eureka, Leverage, and The 4400. Amy Berg is a self-confessed power nerd, and her office proves it! Gray & Amy have fun geeking out over her collection of sci fi figurines, before getting down to business. What gutsy move fresh out of college landed her a meeting with Joss Whedon? How did a failed interview lead to her first staff TV writing job, at 22 years old? How was it a good thing that she lost out on a job to Jane Espenson? How did a spec script from the point of view of a dog kick her career into high gear? What's her advice about “gimmick” scripts? And how did she end up creating a web series after so many years producing television? Speaking about Caper, check out new episodes every Wednesday, plus lots of bonus content at Geek and Sundry! Follow Amy on Twitter: @bergopolis Buy Gray's book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews. Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find our previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com or on Gray's YouTube channel. First published February 26, 2014.

To tackle the immense, cutting edge topic of social networking for the writer, we needed to call in a panel of experts… in a round table discussion set in a cool 3D environment, our three esteemed guests were Jeanne Veillette Bowermanand Jamie Livingston of #Scriptchat, and Joshua Stecker of Script Magazine; Gray Jones, in addition to moderating, represented Ink Canada.In Part 1, we discussed: Are you getting the most out of Facebook and Twitter? What are the differences between them? What pitfalls should you avoid and/or protect yourself against? Why are some people getting a lot more Twitter followers than you? How can you network with top writers without seeming too pushy?In Part 2 this week, we get a lot more specific. We discuss several resources on Facebook, Twitter, and the web in great detail. Jeanne demonstrates how you can attack Twitter with the same creativity with which you attack a script, and maybe even land a job or an agent from it. We expound on blogs and bloggers, of course we talk about more dos and don’ts, and there is an exciting call to arms at the end. We cover all of this and much more in part 2 of our massive 100 minute discussion.Meet our panel:Jeanne Veillette Bowerman is the Co-Founder and moderator of the weekly Twitter screenwriters’ chat, #Scriptchat, and a regular columnist for Write On Online and Script Magazine. A graduate of Cornell University, she’s written several spec scripts, including the adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Slavery by Another Name, with its author, Douglas A. Blackmon, senior national correspondent of The Wall Street Journal.Jamie Livingston is a writer, Co-Founder of #Scriptchat, and President of Romance Writers of America Screenwriting Chapter Script Scene. She’s a business owner and former magazine writer.Joshua Stecker is the West Coast/Web editor of Script Magazine, co-owner/producer of Modjeska Playhouse theatre company, and a part-time actor.Gray Jones is a reality TV editor, produced writer, and internationally award winning short film producer. In addition to hosting the TV Writer Podcast in partnership with Script Magazine, he also hosts Chuck vs. the Podcast for NBC’s Chuck, which has been voted the #1 TV-themed podcast in the entire world continuously for the last 28 months. He also runs a database of TV Writers on Twitter, which contains 700 writers and continues to climb.Follow the round table participants on Twitter:Jeanne Veillette Bowerman: @jeannevbJamie Livingston: @Jamie_LDJoshua Stecker: @joshuasteckerGray Jones: @GrayJonesBuy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,000 TV writers. Find our previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com or on Gray’s YouTube channel.First published May 1, 2011.

Script magazine is proud to announce our editorial partnership with TVWriterPodcast.com! Hosted by Gray Jones, the TV Writer Podcast is devoted to interviews with working TV writers. It is brought to you by Script magazine and Scriptmag.com, the leading source for scriptwriting information on the web.For the inaugural episode, Gray Jones has not one but two interviews with Human Target show runner Matt Miller. The first interview was done by host Jones on his other show, Chuck vs. the Podcast, and talks about Miller’s career path and how he ended up on Chuck. Then Jones’ second interview with Miller takes you to the present — hear all about his plans for season 2 of Human Target.Buy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,000 TV writers. Find our previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com or on Gray’s YouTube channel.First published August 13, 2010.

To tackle the immense, cutting edge topic of social networking for the writer, we needed to call in a panel of experts… in a round table discussion set in a cool 3D environment, our three esteemed guests were Jeanne Veillette Bowermanand Jamie Livingston of #Scriptchat, and Joshua Stecker of Script Magazine; Gray Jones, in addition to moderating, represented Ink Canada.Part 1: Are you getting the most out of Facebook and Twitter? What are the differences between them? What pitfalls should you avoid and/or protect yourself against? Why are some people getting a lot more Twitter followers than you? How can you network with top writers without seeming too pushy? We cover all of these topics and much more in part 1 of our massive 100 minute discussion.In Part 2, we will get a lot more specific. We discuss several resources on Facebook, Twitter, and the web in great detail. Jeanne demonstrates how you can attack Twitter with the same creativity with which you attack a script, and maybe even land a job or an agent from it. We expound on blogs and bloggers, of course we talk about more dos and don’ts, and there is an exciting call to arms at the end. We cover all of this and much more in part 2 of our massive 100 minute discussion.Meet our panel:Jeanne Veillette Bowerman is the Co-Founder and moderator of the weekly Twitter screenwriters’ chat, #Scriptchat, and a regular columnist for Write On Online and Script Magazine. A graduate of Cornell University, she’s written several spec scripts, including the adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Slavery by Another Name, with its author, Douglas A. Blackmon, senior national correspondent of The Wall Street Journal.Jamie Livingston is a writer, Co-Founder of #Scriptchat, and President of Romance Writers of America Screenwriting Chapter Script Scene. She’s a business owner and former magazine writer.Joshua Stecker is the West Coast/Web editor of Script Magazine, co-owner/producer of Modjeska Playhouse theatre company, and a part-time actor.Gray Jones is a reality TV editor, produced writer, and internationally award winning short film producer. In addition to hosting the TV Writer Podcast in partnership with Script Magazine, he also hosts Chuck vs. the Podcast for NBC’s Chuck, which has been voted the #1 TV-themed podcast in the entire world continuously for the last 28 months. He also runs a database of TV Writers on Twitter, which contains 700 writers and continues to climb.Follow the round table participants on Twitter:Jeanne Veillette Bowerman: @jeannevbJamie Livingston: @Jamie_LDJoshua Stecker: @joshuasteckerGray Jones: @GrayJonesBuy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,000 TV writers. Find our previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com or on Gray’s YouTube channel.First published April 24, 2011.

The TV Writer Podcast is back, better than ever! Host Gray Jones has moved permanently to LA, and the podcast now features exclusive in-person video interviews with Hollywood TV writers and producers. This week’s fun episode is with Amy Berg, co-creator of the new web series Caper, and producer/writer for Person of Interest, Eureka, Leverage, and The 4400.Amy Berg is a self-confessed power nerd, and her office proves it! Gray & Amy have fun geeking out over her collection of sci fi figurines, before getting down to business.What gutsy move fresh out of college landed her a meeting with Joss Whedon?How did a failed interview lead to her first staff TV writing job, at 22 years old?How was it a good thing that she lost out on a job to Jane Espenson?How did a spec script from the point of view of a dog kick her career into high gear?What’s her advice about “gimmick” scripts?And how did she end up creating a web series after so many years producing television?Speaking about Caper, check out new episodes every Wednesday, plus lots of bonus content at Geek and Sundry!Follow Amy on Twitter: @bergopolisBuy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find our previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com or on Gray’s YouTube channel.First published February 26, 2014.

Writer Tamiko Brooks grew up in Detroit, but knew from an early age she wanted to work in the entertainment industry. She was not only the first Nickelodeon live action fellow, but was also accepted to the Disney/ABC writing fellowship.Tamiko Brooks earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College Chicago. After graduation, she headed west to L.A., and got a job as an assistant on the TV sitcom, Moesha. Under the mentorship of some of the writers, Tamiko began writing spec sitcoms and ultimately received her first writing credit in 1999 with an episode of Moesha.Soon after, Tamiko was accepted to the first year of the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship, along with former podcast interviewee Courtney Lilly. She was relocated to Orlando, FL to work on the Nick sitcom, Taina.After that, she became an ABC/Disney writing fellow. As a result, she was placed on the sitcom, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. The head writer was so impressed with her that he hired her on staff, and she was with the show for two seasons until its cancellation.Tamiko was then hired as a writer on Half & Half. Additionally, Tamiko has written freelance assignments for The Proud Family and the daytime drama One Life to Live.You’ll learn a lot from Tamiko about navigating the industry, and dealing with the ups and downs and cyclical nature of TV schedules.Make sure you take part in the TV Writer Chat this Sunday night, as it will feature the launch of the first TV Writer Podcast contest, with some amazing prizes! Get the details about the chat at tvwriterchat.com.Follow Tamiko on Twitter: @TamikoBrooksBuy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,000 TV writers. Find our previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.comor on Gray’s YouTube channel.First published July 13, 2011.

Writer Tamiko Brooks grew up in Detroit, but knew from an early age she wanted to work in the entertainment industry. She was not only the first Nickelodeon live action fellow, but was also accepted to the Disney/ABC writing fellowship. Tamiko Brooks earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College Chicago. After graduation, she headed west to L.A., and got a job as an assistant on the TV sitcom, Moesha. Under the mentorship of some of the writers, Tamiko began writing spec sitcoms and ultimately received her first writing credit in 1999 with an episode of Moesha. Soon after, Tamiko was accepted to the first year of the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship, along with former podcast interviewee Courtney Lilly. She was relocated to Orlando, FL to work on the Nick sitcom, Taina. After that, she became an ABC/Disney writing fellow. As a result, she was placed on the sitcom, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. The head writer was so impressed with her that he hired her on staff, and she was with the show for two seasons until its cancellation. Tamiko was then hired as a writer on Half & Half. Additionally, Tamiko has written freelance assignments for The Proud Family and the daytime drama One Life to Live. You'll learn a lot from Tamiko about navigating the industry, and dealing with the ups and downs and cyclical nature of TV schedules. Make sure you take part in the TV Writer Chat this Sunday night, as it will feature the launch of the first TV Writer Podcast contest, with some amazing prizes! Get the details about the chat at tvwriterchat.com. Follow Tamiko on Twitter: @TamikoBrooks Buy Gray's book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews. Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,000 TV writers. Find our previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.comor on Gray's YouTube channel. First published July 13, 2011.

To tackle the immense, cutting edge topic of social networking for the writer, we needed to call in a panel of experts… in a round table discussion set in a cool 3D environment, our three esteemed guests were Jeanne Veillette Bowerman and Jamie Livingston of #Scriptchat, and Joshua Stecker of Script Magazine; Gray Jones, in addition to moderating, represented Ink Canada. In Part 1, we discussed: Are you getting the most out of Facebook and Twitter? What are the differences between them? What pitfalls should you avoid and/or protect yourself against? Why are some people getting a lot more Twitter followers than you? How can you network with top writers without seeming too pushy? In Part 2 this week, we get a lot more specific. We discuss several resources on Facebook, Twitter, and the web in great detail. Jeanne demonstrates how you can attack Twitter with the same creativity with which you attack a script, and maybe even land a job or an agent from it. We expound on blogs and bloggers, of course we talk about more dos and don'ts, and there is an exciting call to arms at the end. We cover all of this and much more in part 2 of our massive 100 minute discussion. Meet our panel: Jeanne Veillette Bowerman is the Co-Founder and moderator of the weekly Twitter screenwriters' chat, #Scriptchat, and a regular columnist for Write On Online and Script Magazine. A graduate of Cornell University, she's written several spec scripts, including the adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Slavery by Another Name, with its author, Douglas A. Blackmon, senior national correspondent of The Wall Street Journal. Jamie Livingston is a writer, Co-Founder of #Scriptchat, and President of Romance Writers of America Screenwriting Chapter Script Scene. She's a business owner and former magazine writer. Joshua Stecker is the West Coast/Web editor of Script Magazine, co-owner/producer of Modjeska Playhouse theatre company, and a part-time actor. Gray Jones is a reality TV editor, produced writer, and internationally award winning short film producer. In addition to hosting the TV Writer Podcast in partnership with Script Magazine, he also hosts Chuck vs. the Podcast for NBC's Chuck, which has been voted the #1 TV-themed podcast in the entire world continuously for the last 28 months. He also runs a database of TV Writers on Twitter, which contains 700 writers and continues to climb. Follow the round table participants on Twitter: Jeanne Veillette Bowerman: @jeannevb Jamie Livingston: @Jamie_LD Joshua Stecker: @joshuastecker Gray Jones: @GrayJones Buy Gray's book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews. Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,000 TV writers. Find our previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com or on Gray's YouTube channel. First published May 1, 2011.

To tackle the immense, cutting edge topic of social networking for the writer, we needed to call in a panel of experts… in a round table discussion set in a cool 3D environment, our three esteemed guests were Jeanne Veillette Bowerman and Jamie Livingston of #Scriptchat, and Joshua Stecker of Script Magazine; Gray Jones, in addition to moderating, represented Ink Canada. Part 1: Are you getting the most out of Facebook and Twitter? What are the differences between them? What pitfalls should you avoid and/or protect yourself against? Why are some people getting a lot more Twitter followers than you? How can you network with top writers without seeming too pushy? We cover all of these topics and much more in part 1 of our massive 100 minute discussion. In Part 2, we will get a lot more specific. We discuss several resources on Facebook, Twitter, and the web in great detail. Jeanne demonstrates how you can attack Twitter with the same creativity with which you attack a script, and maybe even land a job or an agent from it. We expound on blogs and bloggers, of course we talk about more dos and don'ts, and there is an exciting call to arms at the end. We cover all of this and much more in part 2 of our massive 100 minute discussion. Meet our panel: Jeanne Veillette Bowerman is the Co-Founder and moderator of the weekly Twitter screenwriters' chat, #Scriptchat, and a regular columnist for Write On Online and Script Magazine. A graduate of Cornell University, she's written several spec scripts, including the adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Slavery by Another Name, with its author, Douglas A. Blackmon, senior national correspondent of The Wall Street Journal. Jamie Livingston is a writer, Co-Founder of #Scriptchat, and President of Romance Writers of America Screenwriting Chapter Script Scene. She's a business owner and former magazine writer. Joshua Stecker is the West Coast/Web editor of Script Magazine, co-owner/producer of Modjeska Playhouse theatre company, and a part-time actor. Gray Jones is a reality TV editor, produced writer, and internationally award winning short film producer. In addition to hosting the TV Writer Podcast in partnership with Script Magazine, he also hosts Chuck vs. the Podcast for NBC's Chuck, which has been voted the #1 TV-themed podcast in the entire world continuously for the last 28 months. He also runs a database of TV Writers on Twitter, which contains 700 writers and continues to climb. Follow the round table participants on Twitter: Jeanne Veillette Bowerman: @jeannevb Jamie Livingston: @Jamie_LD Joshua Stecker: @joshuastecker Gray Jones: @GrayJones Buy Gray's book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews. Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,000 TV writers. Find our previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com or on Gray's YouTube channel. First published April 24, 2011.

Script magazine is proud to announce our editorial partnership with TVWriterPodcast.com! Hosted by Gray Jones, the TV Writer Podcast is devoted to interviews with working TV writers. It is brought to you by Script magazine and Scriptmag.com, the leading source for scriptwriting information on the web. For the inaugural episode, Gray Jones has not one but two interviews with Human Target show runner Matt Miller. The first interview was done by host Jones on his other show, Chuck vs. the Podcast, and talks about Miller's career path and how he ended up on Chuck. Then Jones' second interview with Miller takes you to the present — hear all about his plans for season 2 of Human Target. Buy Gray's book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews. Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,000 TV writers. Find our previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com or on Gray's YouTube channel. First published August 13, 2010.

In this hilarious episode, Hilliard talks with Gray Jones, of TV WRITER PODCAST, about his new e-book “How To Break Into TV Writing - INSIDER INTERVIEWS!” Also with, award-winning Sci-fi/Horror writer and author, Lisa Bolekaja. HIGHLIGHTS: Getting started and learning the ropes, “TV-phile bitch,” Helicopter Parents, Chuck vs the Podcast, the big move to the US, Writing Portfolios, producing & editing Reality TV, TV writing - Canada vs. US, inside Gray’s new e-book, the Comic-con Panel and the “Don’t Sleep on ‘Em” Segment (a Scene from an undiscovered writer) - “Falling Into Place” a quirky character drama by Lily Mercer. Our motto, "Keep it street, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 100!" Subscribe, Comment, Rate & 5 STAR Review Us on iTunes & Stitcher! Twitter: @ScreenwritersRR @HilliardGuess #ScreenwritersRR Email:  ScreenwritersRantRoom@Gmail.com www.HilldogProductions.com   Hilliard Guess (writer-director-producer-podcaster)

John Vorhaus is best known as the author of The Comic Toolbox: How to be Funny Even if You’re Not. This seminal book on writing comedy for television and film is now available in four languages, and continues to be a definitive source of information and inspiration for writers from Santa Monica to Scandinavia. An international consultant in television and film script development, Vorhaus has worked for television networks, film schools, and production companies in 30 countries on four continents. Vorhaus’ own screenwriting credits include Married… with Children, Head of the Class, The Sentinel,The Flash and many overseas television shows and films, including the sitcoms House Arrest and Pretty, Sick and Twisted, and the movie Save Angel Hope. John is also the author of the six-volume Killer Poker series, plus miscellaneous other books on the subject, including the novel Under the Gun, a “how-to whodunit” set in the world of high stakes tournament poker. His other novels include The California Roll and its upcoming sequel, The Albuquerque Turkey. Vorhaus is a graduate of Carnegie-Mellon University and a member of the Writers Guild of America. He has taught writing at Northwestern University and the American Film Institute, and lectured for such disparate groups as Mensa and the New Jersey Romance Writers Association. Discover more about John at his website: http://johnvorhaus.com Follow John on Twitter: @TrueFactBarFact CONTEST: buy Ross Brown's book, Byte-Sized Television: Create Your Own TV Series for the Internet, read it, and submit questions to mail@tvwriterpodcast.com by January 1st. If you win the random draw, you'll receive a copy of Troy Devolld's book, Reality TV: An Insider's Guide to TV's Hottest Market. Hosted by Gray Jones, the TV Writer Podcast is devoted to interviews with working TV writers. It is brought to you by Script magazine and Scriptmag.com, the leading source for scriptwriting information in print and on the web; and by Final Draft scriptwriting software, the entertainment industry standard for scriptwriting worldwide.

The doctor is in! This week features none other than the TV Script Doctor herself, Sarah McLaughlin, who also happens to be a successful comedy writer on shows such as That 70′s Show and Drop Dead Diva. Growing up in New York, Sarah McLaughlin wasn’t allowed to watch television… fascinated by the forbidden fruit, she pursued journalism at the University of Colorado, and before long she was in Los Angeles working as a production assistant on the final season of Home Improvement. On Home Improvement, she fell in love with scripted television, but didn’t know anything about the industry. She used her time there wisely, talking to as many people in different TV jobs as she could, and reading as many scripts as she could get her hands on. After taking a course at UCLA and writing some spec scripts, she landed a spot in the Warner Brothers Writers Workshop. Though tremendously helpful, it didn’t directly land her a writing gig. However, she was able to use her position as a writer’s assistant on That 70′s Show to pitch and write her own episode, and her writing career took off! After a few short stints on other shows, she ended back on That 70′s Show, where she worked her way up for several seasons. She went on to work on South Park, and sell pilots to MTV and Sony Television, before landing work on her current show, Drop Dead Diva. Between her staff experience, and her work as a script evaluator and creative consultant for the Warner Bros. Writers Workshop and The Disney/ABC writers fellowship, Sarah understands what it takes to have your script go from the “reject” pile to the “yes” pile. In this podcast, she shares many great tips on how to improve your spec or pilot script, as well as sharing how a TV episode goes from idea to finished product. Sarah works as a consultant to both new and working writers through her website: http://tvscriptdoctor.com Follow Sarah on Twitter: @tvscriptdoctor

He was born on the first day of the Great Depression, did competitive ski racing in Europe, and went to spy school to became a special agent. But a passion for writing led Eric Kaldor to Hollywood, and he has many stories to tell about his journey! After spending some time as a sports producer, Eric Kaldor landed his first TV writing gig. He then went on to write for some of the most well known hits of the 1970s: Emergency, Kojak, The Rockford Files, and The Incredible Hulk. You'll love hearing about how TV writing worked in the 1970s, and how much it differs from the group writing of today. Also, Eric is full of amusing anecdotes about his path to and through Hollywood. After 1980, Eric left TV writing to raise his family and build a successful family business with his wife. He started acting, and has had parts in films, like 2006's Hollywoodland, and many recent shows, including ER and House. Eric never stopped writing … he is currently working on a novel, and publishing it a chapter at a time on his website at erickaldor.com. Follow Eric on Twitter: @EricKaldor Hosted by Gray Jones, the TV Writer Podcast is devoted to interviews with working TV writers. It is brought to you by Script magazine and Scriptmag.com, the leading source for scriptwriting information in print and on the web; and by Final Draft scriptwriting software, the entertainment industry standard for scriptwriting worldwide. Subscribe: iTunes (Video) • iTunes (Audio) • PodBean (Audio)

Comedy writer Kristin Newman spent almost 10 years writing on very well-known comedies, and had her own pilot shot and picked up to series (though not aired). She now brings her talents to a one-hour drama, on NBC's Chuck. Kristin Newman got an early break, with a production staff job on Everybody Loves Raymond. She graduated to writer's assistant on Nikita, Mad About You, and That 70s Show. She ended up stuck in the 70s (in a good way!) for the next seven years, rising up from staff writer to supervising producer. Moving on to How I Met Your Mother as co-executive producer, she also landed an overall deal at Fox … which was unfortunately cut short when the 2007 writers strike happened. Because of an injury, Kristin was not able to walk the picket lines. What could she do? She wrote the pilot Single With Parents, which was shot with Alyssa Milano and Beau Bridges, and picked up to series … though it unfortunately never aired. Then came NBC's Chuck. She entered the staff as co-executive producer in its fourth season, and is currently breaking the series finale. Make sure to watch the final season, when Chuck returns on Friday, October 28th! Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for several hundred TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com. Hosted by Gray Jones, the TV Writer Podcast is devoted to interviews with working TV writers. It is brought to you by Script magazine and Scriptmag.com, the leading source for scriptwriting information in print and on the web; and by Final Draft scriptwriting software, the entertainment industry standard for scriptwriting worldwide. Subscribe: iTunes (Video) • iTunes (Audio) • PodBean (Audio)

This week we hear from another animation writer / story editor. Christopher Yost has been working on animated TV series, comics, and features for almost 10 years, for well-known Marvel and D.C. franchises. After a number of years as an advertising producer in Detroit, Michigan, Christopher Yost decided he needed to make the jump to Hollywood. He attended the Peter Stark Producing program at USC, but realized while there that writing was really his passion. An internship at Marvel Studios led to his first break, writing a script for Marvel’s animated property X-Men: Evolution. Soon he was writing such well-known titles as D.C.’s The Batman and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and eventually became head writer and story editor on Fantastic Four, Iron Man: Armored Adventures, and The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. During this time he also wrote two animated DVD features, Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow, and Hulk vs. Wolverine. Yost also works in comic books, writing for Marvel’s X-Men and Spider-Man franchises, DC’s Batman franchise, and the adaptation of the sci-fi classic Ender’s Game. His first creator-owned original graphic novel Killer of Demons debuted in March of 2009 to critical acclaim. Yost is currently working in the Marvel Writers Program, helping develop potential live-action feature properties for Marvel Studios as well as handling additional writing and reshoot scenes for the Marvel Studios film Thor. Follow Christopher on Twitter: @Yost Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for several hundred TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com. Hosted by Gray Jones, the TV Writer Podcast is devoted to interviews with working TV writers. It is brought to you by Script magazine and Scriptmag.com, the leading source for scriptwriting information in print and on the web; and by Final Draft scriptwriting software, the entertainment industry standard for scriptwriting worldwide. Subscribe: iTunes (Video) • iTunes (Audio) • PodBean (Audio)

Writer Tamiko Brooks grew up in Detroit, but knew from an early age she wanted to work in the entertainment industry. She was not only the first Nickelodeon live action fellow, but was also accepted to the Disney/ABC writing fellowship. Tamiko Brooks earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College Chicago. After graduation, she headed west to L.A., and got a job as an assistant on the TV sitcom, Moesha. Under the mentorship of some of the writers, Tamiko began writing spec sitcoms and ultimately received her first writing credit in 1999 with an episode of Moesha. Soon after, Tamiko was accepted to the first year of the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship, along with former podcast interviewee Courtney Lilly. She was relocated to Orlando, FL to work on the Nick sitcom, Taina. After that, she became an ABC/Disney writing fellow. As a result, she was placed on the sitcom, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. The head writer was so impressed with her that he hired her on staff, and she was with the show for two seasons until its cancellation. Tamiko was then hired as a writer on Half & Half. Additionally, Tamiko has written freelance assignments for The Proud Family and the daytime drama One Life to Live. You'll learn a lot from Tamiko about navigating the industry, and dealing with the ups and downs and cyclical nature of TV schedules. Make sure you take part in the TV Writer Chat this Sunday night, as it will feature the launch of the first TV Writer Podcast contest, with some amazing prizes! Get the details about the chat at tvwriterchat.com. Follow Tamiko on Twitter: @TamikoBrooks Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for several hundred TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com. Hosted by Gray Jones, the TV Writer Podcast is devoted to interviews with working TV writers. It is brought to you by Script magazine and Scriptmag.com, the leading source for scriptwriting information in print and on the web; and by Final Draft scriptwriting software, the entertainment industry standard for scriptwriting worldwide. Subscribe: iTunes (Video) • iTunes (Audio) • PodBean (Audio)

Writer-producer-author Sheldon Bull was challenged by friend and co-writer Blake Snyder to write a Save the Cat for sitcom writing. Thus was born Elephant Bucks: An Inside Guide to Writing for TV Sitcoms. Click image to play video; more details are below. Sheldon Bull has earned Elephant Bucks as a highly successful TV writer and producer for 30 years. He has held positions from story editor to executive producer on 11 different primetime network situation comedies, working with and writing for stars like Bill Cosby, Alan Alda, Danny DeVito, Bob Newhart, Henry Winkler, Craig T. Nelson, Loni Anderson, Betty White, and Melissa Joan Hart. Sheldon has produced a string of hit series including Newhart, A Different World, Coach, and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. He lives in the Los Angeles area … You can visit his website at www.sheldonbull.com. Make sure you check out the TV Writer Podcast Summer Contest, with some amazing prizes! Find out more at tvwriterpodcast.com. Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for several hundred TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com. Hosted by Gray Jones, the TV Writer Podcast is devoted to interviews with working TV writers. It is brought to you by Script magazine and Scriptmag.com, the leading source for scriptwriting information in print and on the web; and by Final Draft scriptwriting software, the entertainment industry standard for scriptwriting worldwide. Subscribe: iTunes (Video) • iTunes (Audio) • PodBean (Audio)

Writer-producer Ari Posner delivered a humorous valedictorian speech to his Harvard class in 1986, and has been making us laugh ever since! Click image to play video; more details are below. After graduating from Harvard, Ari worked as a reporter for numerous publications such as the Miami Herald, The Boston Phoenix, and The New Republic. However, he found himself continually drawn toward writing comedy. Awarded a full scholarship to study at USC, Ari moved to L.A., and soon after graduating was on his first sitcom staff, Fox's Partners. Since then he has worked on numerous multi-camera sitcoms, hour-long dramas, and single camera comedies, including such titles as Popular, Reba, Mental, and Call Me Fitz, which was recently nominated for 16 Gemini Awards. He has also written and developed many pilots, for such companies as Sony Pictures Television, Happy Madison Productions, Gary Sanchez Productions, CBS, and Disney Channel. In this interview, Ari takes us on an entertaining look at his journey through the industry, and gives incredibly helpful tips on writing pilots and other original material, and how to use that material to break in. Make sure you check out the TV Writer Podcast Summer Contest, with some amazing prizes! Find out more at tvwriterpodcast.com. Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for several hundred TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com. Hosted by Gray Jones, the TV Writer Podcast is devoted to interviews with working TV writers. It is brought to you by Script magazine and Scriptmag.com, the leading source for scriptwriting information in print and on the web; and by Final Draft scriptwriting software, the entertainment industry standard for scriptwriting worldwide. Subscribe: iTunes (Video) • iTunes (Audio) • PodBean (Audio)

Within seven years of graduating from film school, Sheri Elwood had not only created her own successful TV series, but had written and directed a feature film starring Kirsten Dunst and Lynn Redgrave. Fast forward to the present: her current series, Call Me Fitz, which was inspired by her own family, has just won seven Gemini Awards. After graduating from Ryerson University’s Film Program in Toronto, Sheri Elwood was awarded the National Apprenticeship Award from the Academy of Canadian Film and Television. This launched her to many seasons of comedy writing for networks such as Disney, Fox, The Family Channel, and YTV. By 1999, she had created her own series for tweens, I Was a Sixth Grade Alien, which went two seasons. In the off season, Sheri wrote and directed a Gemini nominated short film, Eb and Flo, and her first feature film, the romantic teen drama, Deeply, starring Lynn Redgrave, Kirsten Dunst and Brent Carver. Deeply premiered to a four-star review at the Toronto International Film Festival, and was also nominated for four Genie Awards. Elwood teamed with Lionsgate TV to create the comedy series Beta Males for the CW Network, and also wrote for the 1-hr ABC/CTV drama Defying Gravity for Fox Television Studios with creator James Parriott (Grey’s Anatomy). Fulfilling a dream to capture the spirit of her loving and unique family on TV, Elwood created the edgy cable series Call Me Fitz, starring Jason Priestly, for TMN/Movie Central. They have just begun shooting season three, with Elwood writing, directing, and showrunning. You can catch Call Me Fitz on HBO Canada, or in the U.S. on Netflix or DirecTV. Elwood has just signed a blind development deal with Jerry Bruckheimer Television. Sheri splits her time between Los Angeles and Nova Scotia, where she and her family spend time at their century-old schoolhouse and love to ring the bell. Follow Sheri on Twitter: @elwoodink Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for several hundred TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com. Hosted by Gray Jones, the TV Writer Podcast is devoted to interviews with working TV writers. It is brought to you by Script magazine and Scriptmag.com, the leading source for scriptwriting information in print and on the web; and by Final Draft scriptwriting software, the entertainment industry standard for scriptwriting worldwide. Subscribe: iTunes (Video)

Ever heard of someone who didn't live in L.A. or New York landing a staff TV writing gig? How about sight unseen, hired from a phone interview? Meet Mike Alber, who sold many pitches to a major network, wrote on a web series, and even landed a staff writing gig while not even living in the same state! Mike & writing partner Gabe Snyder met in high school, and clicked right away. Despite going to different colleges in different cities, they wrote together constantly. Mike was on track to be a doctor, but after starting med school he realized that writing was his passion, so he switched his masters studies to creative writing. Gabe moved to L.A. in 2006, but Mike continued his studies in Ohio. They placed in several screenplay competitions, but it was through an honorable mention at a trackingb.com contest that they got their first option. They were on the map! One relationship led to another, and soon they sold several pitches to Spike TV, worked on the web series Ultradome, signed for management and representation, and were taking meetings all over town. Mike tells the amazing story of how his newborn daughter kept him away from L.A., yet he was able to land his first TV staff gig, on MTV's Death Valley, with a phone call from the hospital waiting room! Mike finally did move to L.A. this year, and does advise that everyone else should move to L.A. first -- his luck is not easy to repeat! Mike and Gabe are idea machines, and Mike has great advice on how you can be one too! Follow Mike on Twitter: @malber Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for several hundred TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com. Hosted by Gray Jones, the TV Writer Podcast is devoted to interviews with working TV writers. It is brought to you by Script magazine and Scriptmag.com, the leading source for scriptwriting information in print and on the web; and by Final Draft scriptwriting software, the entertainment industry standard for scriptwriting worldwide. Subscribe: iTunes (Video) • iTunes (Audio) • PodBean (Audio)

Want to shoot a showcase film? Web series? Crowd fund a project? This week Gray talks to Koo -- a Webby Award winner, DIY filmmaker, and the creator of NoFilmSchool.com and its excellent free DSLR Cinematography Guide. Koo co-wrote, directed, shot, and edited the "urban western" web series The West Side, which won the Webby Award for Best Drama Series. Filmmaker Magazine heralded the series as "ingenious low-budget independent filmmaking that just happens to be viewable only on the web," and named him one of their 25 New Faces of Film. Koo has shot for Focus Features, The Workbook Project, and Ralph Lauren; he has written for Filmmaker Magazine and Weblogs, Inc.; and he has served as Senior Designer for Rhapsody and MTV. His films have been official selections at several film festivals nationwide, and he was the recipient of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. His website NoFilmSchool.com focuses on DIY filmmaking and independent creativity, and won Total Film's Best Creative Blog award. He is in pre-pre-production on his first feature film, Man-Child, which is being funded through a crowd funding Kickstarter campaign. Follow Koo on Twitter: @ryanbkoo Visit Koo's web site: NoFilmSchool.com Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for several hundred TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com. Hosted by Gray Jones, the TV Writer Podcast is devoted to interviews with working TV writers. It is brought to you by Script magazine and Scriptmag.com, the leading source for scriptwriting information in print and on the web; and by Final Draft scriptwriting software, the entertainment industry standard for scriptwriting worldwide. Subscribe: iTunes (Video) • iTunes (Audio) • PodBean (Audio) Koo PR photo by Mario Torres.

We have another Harvard grad this week … comedy writer Dan Goor, currently supervising producer of the hit sitcom Parks and Recreation. Click image to play video; more details are below. Though Dan actually studied biochemistry at Harvard, he spent his free time doing improv and theatre. He was accepted to med school, but deferred his admission, as he got an amazing travel grant for a one-year trip around the world. When he returned, his friend Charlie Grandy was applying for writing jobs, and Dan asked if they could apply together. Their application was approved at The Daily Show, and the rest was history! After writing for several years on The Daily Show, Dan & Charlie decided to break up their writing partnership, and Dan went on to write for Last Call with Carson Daily, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Office, and now Parks and Recreation. In this long interview, Dan goes into great detail about the process of writing Parks and Recreation, with very helpful tidbits from behind the scenes, including how to build a story, how to get the most out of the various departments, and the role of improv in the performances. He also gives very practical advice on writing your own pilots and spec scripts. You don't want to miss this one! Make sure you check out the TV Writer Podcast Summer Contest, with some amazing prizes! Find out more at tvwriterpodcast.com. Didn't get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for several hundred TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com. Hosted by Gray Jones, the TV Writer Podcast is devoted to interviews with working TV writers. It is brought to you by Script magazine and Scriptmag.com, the leading source for scriptwriting information in print and on the web; and by Final Draft scriptwriting software, the entertainment industry standard for scriptwriting worldwide. Subscribe: iTunes (Video) • iTunes (Audio) • PodBean (Audio)

To celebrate fan favorite TV critic Mo Ryan's move to AOL TV today, we decided to invite her back on the podcast to talk about Chuck season 3 and what we hope will happen in season 4. It's no holds barred -- we talk about the good, the bad, the ugly, and the redemption, sharing our ideas about what didn't work and why, what worked best, and what we can't wait to see when Chuck returns September 20th. You'll also hear about Yvonne's two wins at the Television Without Pity Tubey Awards, what Zac's up to, some exciting developments at Gray's new TV Writer Podcast, and some very exciting spoilers. Get your subway sandwiches, cheese balls and grape soda! Invite all your friends! Chuck season 4 will be epic! Like Mo? You can follow her on Twitter, at twitter.com/moryan Miss any episodes? You can find them all at chuckpodcast.blip.tvand every time you watch it helps to support us! Also, if you like the show, please consider supporting us with a monthly vote at Podcast Alley.

To celebrate fan favorite TV critic Mo Ryan's move to AOL TV today, we decided to invite her back on the podcast to talk about Chuck season 3 and what we hope will happen in season 4. It's no holds barred -- we talk about the good, the bad, the ugly, and the redemption, sharing our ideas about what didn't work and why, what worked best, and what we can't wait to see when Chuck returns September 20th. You'll also hear about Yvonne's two wins at the Television Without Pity Tubey Awards, what Zac's up to, some exciting developments at Gray's new TV Writer Podcast, and some very exciting spoilers. Get your subway sandwiches, cheese balls and grape soda! Invite all your friends! Chuck season 4 will be epic! Like Mo? You can follow her on Twitter, at twitter.com/moryan

It's only 5 weeks 'til Chuck's season 4 premiere, and lots is going on! Production is in full gear, and we've got a ton of news and spoilers. We talk about the changes in the Chuck writers room, Gray's new TV Writer Podcast and partnership with Script Magazine, Zac & Yvonne's Teen Choice Awards win, Zac's other projects, and more! We round it out with a Canadian edition of our listener emails, and lots of spoilers!

It's only 5 weeks 'til Chuck's season 4 premiere, and lots is going on! Production is in full gear, and we've got a ton of news and spoilers. We talk about the changes in the Chuck writers room, Gray's new TV Writer Podcast and partnership with Script Magazine, Zac & Yvonne's Teen Choice Awards win, Zac's other projects, and more! We round it out with a Canadian edition of our listener emails, and lots of spoilers! Miss any episodes? You can find them all at chuckpodcast.blip.tv, and every time you watch it helps to support us! Also, if you like the show, please consider supporting us with a monthly vote at Podcast Alley.