Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss
135 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 24 hours ago - ★★★★★ - 74 ratingsBehind the glitz and glamor, Hollywood can be brutal. For every success, there are many more rejections and failures. Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss explores that world and each week a new guest will talk about dealing with rejection, failure and adversity in the entertainment industry. Writer Noah Evslin and podcaster Dan Rutstein ask the questions.
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Episodes
Take 121 - Producer, Director, Showrunner Eddie Schmidt, Good One: A Show About Jokes
April 18, 2024 06:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBWe talk to Oscar and Emmy award nominee Eddie Schmidt. He talks about being comedy adjacent, his time in an improv troupe and how he moved into the showrunning part of Hollywood. We discuss leadership style, the fun of working in comedy and the demeaning comments of mean bosses. We talk about how to appreciate comedy, the complexities of navigating Hollywood and being able to speak truth to talent. A fun and insightful discussion about working and succeeding in the comedy part of Hollywood.
Take 120 - Comedian Ray Ellin
April 11, 2024 06:00 - 55 minutes - 38.5 MBIn a slightly different style of episode we talk to comedian Ray Ellin. We discuss how social media has changed comedy, hear some magnificent failure anecdotes from comedy clubs and bars and talk through the process of creating comedy. Ray talks us through his love of live standup, working in tv and why he made a podcast about Little House on the Prairie. We also cover cancel culture, Aruba and The Magic Castle. A fun and fascinating romp through entertainment through a different lens.
Take 119 - Writers and Producers Eric Johnson and Paul Tamasy, The Fighter, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
April 04, 2024 06:00 - 39 minutes - 27.3 MBWe talk to Oscar-nominated writing partners Eric Johnson and Paul Tamasy, They talk about their fight to get the Fighter written, battling both the mob and Hollywood, the joy of an Oscar nomination and the slog of the promotional campaign. They talk about how they savour every moment of red carpets and parties, the importance of never giving up and the frustrations of the arbitration system. They joke about their fear of TV writing and reveal the secret to Hollywood success - playing footba...
Take 118 - Writer Tom Vaughan, Winchester, The Haunting of the Queen Mary
March 07, 2024 07:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBWe talk to screenwriter Tom Vaughan who opens up about his Hollywood journey. He talks about his early career, the arrogance and refusal to take notes even from Disney and the mistakes he made. He talks candidly about being 'a drunk', how despite success he deservedly couldn't get people to work with him a second time and moving into teaching and taking a break from Hollywood saved him. We talked about his Razzie nomination, how he reinvented himself and why he's not proud of any of the movi...
Writer Tom Vaughan, Winchester, The Haunting of the Queen Mary
March 07, 2024 07:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBWe talk to screenwriter Tom Vaughan who opens up about his Hollywood journey. He talks about his early career, the arrogance and refusal to take notes even from Disney and the mistakes he made. He talks candidly about being 'a drunk', how despite success he deservedly couldn't get people to work with him a second time and moving into teaching and taking a break from Hollywood saved him. We talked about his Razzie nomination, how he reinvented himself and why he's not proud of any of the movi...
Take 117 - Director, Writer, Showrunner Matthew Carnahan, Dirt, House of Lies
February 29, 2024 07:00 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MBWe talk to the fascinating Matthew Carnahan. He tells us about his early work with Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, why he didn't want to work in TV and how he broke in to that world. He talks passionately about choosing meaningful projects over money, the joys of a successful project and the anger at the death of that same project. Matt talks about his early-career rage, losing projects to strikes, executive firings and bad luck and the things that bring him career satisfaction. The most hon...
Take 116 - Writer, producer, showrunner Ted Cohen, Friends, Veep, Succession
February 22, 2024 10:00 - 51 minutes - 35.5 MBThe One with 4-time Emmy winner Ted Cohen. We speak to Ted about his time on Friends, what’s it like to win an Emmy and how we coped after coming off Friends and spending ten years in the development wilderness. We talk about the switch from comedy to drama, writing for himself and getting on Veep. Then we hear about Succession, working on a game- changing project, his desire to create his own show and when you know you’re working on something special. A fascinating discussion with an award ...
Take 115 - Steven O’Neill, Head of Casting, Universal Content Productions
February 15, 2024 07:00 - 48 minutes - 33 MBWe talked to Head of Casting at Universal Content Productions, Steven O’Neill. He proudly talks about his work helping people achieve their dreams, how he fell in love with casting and what the pandemic did to change the process. He talks about how to deal with disagreements with showrunners, separating behaviour from performances and running into actors who he hasn’t cast. A fascinatingly honest, rather inspirational discussion about helping Hollywood dreams come true.
Take 114 - Writer and Showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker, Luke Cage, Creed II
February 08, 2024 06:00 - 54 minutes - 37.2 MBWe talk to legendary showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker. He talks about his journey from music journalist to writer, what he learned from the tough world of hip-hop and how he used those skills in Hollywood. Cheo talks about the similarities between running and writing, finding pockets of time to write and how screenwriting can be painful. He describes embracing the suck, seizing his moment and writing as pie-eating. A fascinating interview with a talented storyteller.
Take 113 - Showrunner and Executive Producer Keith Geller, Wipeout, Fear Factor, Floor is Lava
January 25, 2024 07:00 - 40 minutes - 28.2 MBWe speak to Keith Geller who talks us through his unscripted journey. We talk game shows versus docu-follows, shrinking budgets and higher expectations and picking only proven formats. He talks about his journey from Shakespeare to Wipeout, the role of social media and the changing attitudes towards mental health and crises. Keith talks pitching new formats, creating his own show and trying to create a fun, fair and safe work environment. An insightful look at the world of large scale unscri...
Take 113 - Showrunner and Executive Producer Keith Geller, Wipeout, The Floor, Floor is Lava
January 25, 2024 07:00 - 40 minutes - 28.2 MBWe speak to Keith Geller who talks us through his unscripted journey. We talk game shows versus docu-follows, shrinking budgets and higher expectations and picking only proven formats. He talks about his journey from Shakespeare to Wipeout, the role of social media and the changing attitudes towards mental health and crises. Keith talks pitching new formats, creating his own show and trying to create a fun, fair and safe work environment. An insightful look at the world of large scale unscri...
Take 112 - Writer Daniel Kunka, 12 Rounds, Lift
January 18, 2024 05:00 - 48 minutes - 33.3 MBWe talk to the lovely Daniel Kunka, writer of Netflix number one movie Lift. We talk zombie apocalypses, impregnating wolves and the unlikely demise of a great script. He tells us about his 15 year gap between movies, writing for a female lead and ending up with Kevin Hart and how it feels to have the number one movie on a global steaming platform. Daniel also explains the anxiety of losing his health insurance while his wife was pregnant, anxiety and selling scripts that don’t get made. A f...
Take 111 - Producers Marc Benardout, Hugh Broder - He Went That Way
January 11, 2024 06:00 - 48 minutes - 33.7 MBBack from the winter break and we have another 'case study' episode of the podcast. We talk to Marc Benardout and Hugh Broder, producers of He Went That Way, a new movie out tomorrow. They talk about working with Jacob Elordi and Zach Quinto, about dealing with the death of their director but also Marc's son during production and the 19-year journey to get the film made. We discuss prison visits, poetry professors and sibling serial killers. And the costs of an animatronic chimpanzee.
Take 110 - Showrunner Ashley Michel Hoban - Marco Polo, Girl from Plainville
December 21, 2023 07:00 - 47 minutes - 32.5 MBWe talk to the effervescent Ashley Michel Hoban. She talks about the excitement for her new show coming out today, her journey from assistant to showrunner and what she learned along the way. She tells about self belief, imposter syndrome and how’s she’s expecting to feel tomorrow morning after tonight’s Dr Death Season 2 premiere. Ashley discussed the importance of just writing, the pressure of being a showrunner and what she’s learned from previous colleagues who have supported her. A fasc...
Take 109 - Writer and Showrunner David Slack - Person of Interest, Law and Order, Teen Titans
November 16, 2023 08:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBWe speak to the excellent David Slack. We talk about how an independent movie failure led him to Hollywood, the path from animation to live action and getting fired from Law and Order. David tells us about the shows that didn’t make it, claiming unemployment and some of the poor behaviour that has gone on in Hollywood. We also cover post-strike executive interactions (good), AI ruining civilization (not so good) and the hedge fundication of the industry (not good at all).
Take 108 - Producer, director, songwriter, writer Adam Anders, Glee, Rock of Ages, Journey to Bethlehem
November 09, 2023 06:00 - 47 minutes - 32.8 MBThe day before his new movie hits 3000 theaters in 38 countries, we talk to the talented Adam Anders. He tells us about his transition from a very successful music career with shows like Glee to his 17 year journey to writing, producing, directing and songwriting for a Christmas family musical called Journey to Bethlehem. Adam talks about being creatively unfulfilled, the tightrope to walk when working on a religious movie and his extraordinary pursuit of Antonio Banderas. He explains how h...
Take 107 - Producer, Writer, Illustrator David Kirschner, Hocus Pocus, An American Tail, Frailty, Chucky
November 01, 2023 17:00 - 49 minutes - 34.1 MBMust. Listen. Episode. We have the legend that it David Kirschner. He talks getting his break designing an album cover for Neil Diamond, pitching Steven Spielberg at his July 4th party and Hocus Pocus going from abject failure to cult classic. David explains the story of Hocus Pocus taking years to make, bombing and leaving him in tears and then growing into a massive success. We hear about being sworn at by Harvey Weinstein, how he thinks naivety helped him navigate Hollywood and the import...
Take 106 - Writer and producer Jeremy Adams, Supernatural, Lego Scooby-Doo
October 26, 2023 05:00 - 42 minutes - 29.6 MBWe talk to Jeremy Adams about his life in animation. He tells us about the difficulties animated writers face, how they are treated compared to TV writers and how hard it is to break out of the mould. Jeremy tells us about his successes, the sacrifices his family had to make and the irony of creating great work for little pay and then watching millions be made in consumer goods products. He explains what makes great animated writing, they joys of the comic world and his dream to writer a liv...
Take 105 - Writer, actor, showrunner, director Deborah Pratt, Airwolf, Quantum Leap
October 19, 2023 14:00 - 42 minutes - 29.6 MBWe talk to the extraordinary Deborah Pratt. She tells us about how she got her break in Hollywood, her period of homelessness even after Quantum Leap and what she did to get her career back on track. Amazingly, we also cover a wide range of topics from Frank Sinatra to Airwolf to fan chat rooms. Deborah tells us about fighting against discrimination, pushing hard for groundbreaking scripts and what she learned about showrunning along the way. We talk passion projects, flying helicopters and ...
Take 104 - EVP IP Management Jordan Moblo, Universal Studio Group
October 12, 2023 14:00 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MBThis season we seek to explore failure and rejection in different parts of Hollywood. We have Jordan Moblo, EVP IP Management and Creative Acquisitions of Universal Studio Group. He talks why he is plans to be an agent didn't work, the books that got away and how they try and treat the authors they work with. He explains how they set expectations for what might happen to a book during the long road to production, authors they try not to work with and how he deals with competition from both o...
Take 103 - Executive, writer and showrunner Lisa Morales, Shameless, Two Sentence Horror Stories
October 05, 2023 16:00 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MBWe talk to the fantastic Lisa Morales. She tells us about crashing James Cameron's Hummer, her role as an executive and then giving that up to become a writer. She walks us through being fired for not being confident enough, imposter syndrome and rebuilding her confidence and her career. What she learned on her journey to being a showrunner, what she did when she got there and what her advice is to others on the way up are also all covered. We talk through the concept of 'caring but not givi...
Take 102 - Writers Aaron and Jordan Kandell, Moana, Adrift
September 28, 2023 05:00 - 52 minutes - 36.2 MBWe have the the amazing ‘Jewaiian’ twins who tell us about writing Moana, their early failures and why poetry didn’t pay the bills. They talk about representation in native Hawaiian storytelling, being down to their last 12 dollars and the emotionally challenging story of the making of Adrift. The twins explain how they celebrate success, how they deal with failure and their lives as teachers. A wonderful chat with a couple of serious Hollywood stars who also tell one of the most extraordina...
Take 101 - Showrunner Mike Scully, The Simpsons
September 21, 2023 04:00 - 49 minutes - 34 MBSeason 3 Premiere We have legendary Simpsons showrunner Mike Scully on the show. He talks about being pigeon-holed as ‘Cartoon Boy’, losing out on an Emmy to the Rugrats Passover special and writing jokes for $25 for Yakov Smirnoff. He tells us about being accused of being a UN Observer for being so quiet in a writing room, having a show cancelled for being too wild and crazy when they specifically asked for a wild and crazy show and tells us about the comedy show pitch which got no laughs. ...
Prologue - Season 3
September 14, 2023 06:00 - 23 minutes - 15.9 MBAfter a season break and, not withstanding the strike, the podcast returns. In this pre-season show, we talk about the strike, what people can expect this season and how much Noah surfs. We talk writers, execs and who you can expect to hear from.
Burn it Down Special - Author Mo Ryan
August 03, 2023 14:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBWe temporarily return from our mid-season break to hear from Burn It Down author Mo Ryan. She talks about writing her book, what she tried to achieve and her hopes for the industry. On her second podcast appearance she describes the toll writing a book like this takes, the chapters she didn't write and what she thinks about the future of Hollywood. A powerful interview with a passionate author about an important book.
Take 100, Producer Erica Huggins, The Dark Tower, Ted and President of Fuzzy Door Productions
March 30, 2023 04:00 - 45 minutes - 31.2 MBOur 100th guest is the amazing Erica Huggins, President of Fuzzy Door Productions. She talks about her early days as a film editor, being fired and told she will never work in this town again and her subsequent successful career. She talks balancing the comedy of Ted with the pressures of the modern world, working with Seth MacFarlane and the transition from film to television. We talk resilience, leadership and running a real business in Hollywood. Erica talks working in partnerships, inspi...
Take 99 - Former soldier, TV host Chef Andre Rush, Kitchen Commando
March 23, 2023 06:00 - 39 minutes - 27.4 MBWe talk to the extraordinary Chef Andre Rush in a slightly different episode of the podcast. The former solider and White House Chef talks about his transition into television, the 'sharks' he found there and why he chose to make the leap. Chef Rush tells us about the stresses of White House cooking, his role in spreading awareness about mental health and being in the gym at the Pentagon on September 11. We talk spilt wine, working with Gordon Ramsay and his desire to stay in television afte...
Take 98 - Writer, Producer and Showrunner Brannon Braga, Star Trek: The Next Generation, 24, The Orville
March 16, 2023 06:00 - 40 minutes - 28 MBWe talk to the excellent Brannon Braga. He talks about the pressure of working on the Star Trek franchise, understanding when he was, and wasn't, 'in peril', and we walk through his failures. Brannon tells us about which shows were hits, which were cancelled and what type of leader he is. We discuss how he receives fan feedback, working on his soul's work and taking notes from the studio. A thorough and candid look at Hollywood life from a man who has been at the top for a long time.
Take 97 - Writer and entrepreneur Steve Vitolo, Black-Ish, co-founder Scriptation
March 09, 2023 06:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBWe talk to Steve Vitolo, aspiring writer and now a tech leader. He tells us his story of writing in rooms, getting his show cancelled and developing his app on the side. He talks not taking advantage of his new found access, feature writing and telling his TV colleagues about his app. Steve tells us about leadership, winning an Emmy and when to quit writing. A fun interview about breaking in and getting out of Hollywood.
Take 96 - Writer and Showrunner Diane Ruggiero-Wright, Veronica Mars, iZombie
March 02, 2023 05:00 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MBWe talk to the amazing Diane Ruggiero-Wright. She talks passionately about early success, a big cancellation and nearly returning to waitressing. She tells us why she regrets not completing her education, the huge fall-out she had at the end of our her first show and why she isn't very good at taking notes. We talk writing ability, over-noting and leadership style as well as hearing about imposter syndrome, the overconfidence of youth and writing characters based on you. An extraordinarily h...
Take 95 - Writer, Showrunner Diane Ademu-John, Crossing Jordan, Medium, Dune: The Sisterhood
February 23, 2023 06:00 - 40 minutes - 27.9 MBWe talk to the amazing Diane Ademu-John. She talks about her first writing room, being afraid to speak and then getting fired from Crossing Jordan. She talks about leadership, co-showrunning and learning and growing even from bad projects. Diane talks about her love of genre, her new production company and working on a large ‘estate’ like Dune. An inspiring interview about confidence, storytelling and the inevitably of being fired.
Take 94 - Showrunner Luke Tunnecliffe, Making their Mark, Fearless
February 16, 2023 07:00 - 39 minutes - 27.5 MBWe talk to Australian showrunner Luke Tunnecliffe. He tells us about trying to run a sports documentary during a global pandemic, bringing an LA production to Australia only to get locked down and moving from sports documentaries to scripted dramas. He explains the difficulty of pitching Australia in Hollywood, the Australian obsession with sport and what he learned about showrunning managing productions during Covid. We talk the shows that got away, the importance of trust and relationships...
Take 93 - Comedian, actor, showrunner Gina Yashere, Bob Hearts Abishola
February 09, 2023 16:00 - 41 minutes - 28.7 MBWe speak to the extraordinary Gina Yashere about her journey from British comedian to American sitcom actress and showrunner. She talks about her dream to play a best friend in a sitcom, the lack of pressure because she never really wanted to be a showrunner and moving to America. Gina talks about her powerful comedy, talking about her childhood suicide attempt and breaking down barriers. She tells us how she doesn't yet feel successful, how she wants to help others like a 'rich white man' h...
Take 92 - Actor, producer, showrunner Jim Piddock, Tooth Fairy, Mascots
February 02, 2023 07:00 - 46 minutes - 32.1 MBTwo Englishmen talk Hollywood rejection as we managed to lose Noah for the episode. Veteran Jim Piddock tells us about his fight for fair pay for Tooth Fairy, what a nice man the Rock is and his huge problems with a high profile actress. He compares rejections as a writer, an actor and then an author, tells is about his thousands of failed auditions and why he loves writing. Jim talks casting, the studio exec who ruined his dream project and also shamelessly plugs his book!
Take 91 - Dan Rutstein, former journalist and diplomat and podcast co-host
January 26, 2023 05:00 - 54 minutes - 37.8 MBWe turn the microphone round and have host Dan Rutstein as guest. Friend of the podcast Paul Bae asks the questions with Noah as Dan talks through unsuccessfully applying for 100 jobs, getting laid off during the pandemic and the resilience needed to change careers. He talks openly about the importance of vulnerability, what he's learned from interviewing showrunners and why he didn't succeed as a writer (because he only wrote one thing!). It's not your normal episode but it has plenty of re...
Take 90 - Showrunner Eric Guggenheim, Miracle and Magnum P.I.
January 19, 2023 08:00 - 54 minutes - 37.6 MBWe talk to the fascinating Eric Guggenheim. We talk early career success, serious imposter syndrome and working with his brothers (one of whom has already been on the podcast). He tells us about his good years, his fallow years and how much he loves being in a room. We discuss the importance of learning the craft of writing, how it feels to tell your staff your show is cancelled and then how it feels to tell them you’ve been picked up by another network. A very human, a very vulnerable and a...
Take 89 - Writer and showrunner Simran Baidwan, Manifest, Clean Slate
January 12, 2023 04:00 - 49 minutes - 34.3 MBWe talk to the extraordinary Simran Baidwan. She tells us about her best and worst rooms, the transition from criminal prosecutor to Hollywood and the importance of grace in leadership. We cover inclusion, telling a good story and how to not put roadblocks in your own path. Simran tells us how her Indian immigrant parents dealt with her career move, why she walked away from TV's number one show and why aspiring writers should just write. An extraordinarily thoughtful and insightful interview...
Take 88 - Showrunner Jeffrey Lieber, Lost, Charmed
January 05, 2023 06:00 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBWe talk to the amazing Jeffrey Lieber - for the second time. We take a deep dive into the world of failure, rejection and adversity in Hollywood. We talk ill-fitting jobs, managing and leading teams and shit sandwiches. Jeffrey tells us about his fears of not showrunning again, talks us through the mistakes he’s made and gives advice to aspiring writers. A fascinating insight into the darker side of the business with one of its great minds and critical thinkers.
Take 87 - Podcaster, writer Paul Bae, Black Tapes, Big Loop
December 15, 2022 05:00 - 40 minutes - 28.2 MBWe talk to the fascinating Paul Bae. The teacher/comedian/podcaster/screenwriter/actor talks us through his journey. We talk failing in screenwriting and acting leading to millions of downloads for his scripted podcasts, getting a chance to tell Korean stories and his secrets to pitching. He tells us how naming Korean menu items cost him a speaking part in the Interview, telling authentic stories and being offered an overall deal for terrible money. A fun and funny interview with a serious s...
Take 86 - Showrunner Ildy Modrovich, CSI Miami, Californication, Lucifer
December 08, 2022 06:00 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MBWe talk to the extraordinary Ildy Modrovich. She talks about arranged marriages, the importance of two showrunners and the pilot that was guaranteed - until it wasn't. She talks about losing her confidence, making sure others don't lose theirs and missing out on Sons of Anarchy to take a safer job. Ildy tells us about dealing with failure, the importance of good timing and not taking it personally when projects fail. Motivational and inspirational in equal measure.
Take 86 - Showrunner Ildy Modrovich, CSI Miami, Californication, Lucifer
December 08, 2022 06:00 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MBWe talk to the extraordinary Ildy Modrovich. She talks about arranged marriages, the importance of two showrunners and the pilot that was guaranteed - until it wasn't. She talks about losing her confidence, making sure others don't lose theirs and missing out on Sons of Anarchy to take a safer job. Ildy tells us about dealing with failure, the importance of good timing and not taking it personally when projects fail. Motivational and inspirational in equal measure.
Take 85 - Writer, Showrunner Chris Sheridan, Family Guy, Resident Alien
December 01, 2022 08:00 - 44 minutes - 30.4 MBWe speak to the amazing and hilarious Chris Sheridan. He reads out some of his rejection letters, tells us about making calls from payphones on street corners and why he really didn't want to work on Family Guy. But then he talks about how great working on Family Guy was, running his own show and working in the studio kitchen. Chris tells us about travelling cross country to Hollywood, the importance of remembering his humble beginnings and dealing with success. A fun, insightful and inspira...
Take 84 - Writer and Actor Brittani Nichols, Abbott Elementary
November 17, 2022 07:00 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MBWe have comedian, actress and writer Brittani Nichols on the show. A fascinating discussion about diversity, inclusive comedy and working on a rocketship of a show like Abbot Elementary. We talk happy and unhappy rooms, friendships on shows and how nice her Abbott Elementary colleagues are. We talk perseverance in a career, award nominations and what comes next. A fun, entertaining and insightful discussion with a Hollywood rising star.
Take 83 - Writers and Directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, A Quiet Place
November 10, 2022 06:00 - 45 minutes - 31.6 MBWe talk to the dynamic duo of Scott Beck and Bryan Woods about gimmicks in scripts, a yes after multiple nos and what happened to their directing dreams. They talk with incredible candor about their Quiet Place journey, what happened, what they learned and how they coped with a complex career conundrum. We talk difficult decisions, celebrating and commiserating and putting things in perspective. A fascinating interview with two of the most genuine writers about their unique Hollywood story.
Take 82 - Daria Polatin, novelist and showrunner Devil in Ohio
November 03, 2022 14:00 - 46 minutes - 31.9 MBWe talk to novelist and showrunner Dari Polatin. She talks about getting her book written at 4am and during lunchbreaks, the rarity of being allowed to adapt a novel and the struggles of a junior female writer in a room full of men. She talks about writing plays, struggling to pay bills and her pride in showrunning her own show. Daria talks about social media, fan feedback and the vulnerability of failure. A fascinating and insightful interview with the creator of a number one global Netfli...
Take 81 - Writer, Showrunner Andy Siara, Palm Springs, The Resort
October 27, 2022 05:00 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MBWe talk to the amazing Andy Siara. He tells us the story behind the time loop in Palm Springs, his fear of never working again and gives the most extraordinary piece of advice about hope. He talks the difficult of showrunning, explains what he does well and what went wrong for him when he lost control of his story and why he loves co-showrunners. We cover starting a family, touring rock bands and the importance of having a magic script. You’ll never hear a more honest, raw and self-critical ...
Take 80 - Producer, Development Executive Alex Hedlund, Great Wall
October 20, 2022 06:00 - 40 minutes - 28 MBWe talk to development executive Alex Hedlund. We talk at length about Matt Damon movie The Great Wall, why it failed, how he was involved and when he realised it was going wrong. He tells us what he learned from working on it, how it impacted his career and how it killed a genre. Alex talks about giving and taking notes, how he now chooses his projects and working on sensitive documentary topics. A great interview full of great advice.
Take 79 - Actor, Director, Producer John Cameron Mitchell, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Joe Exotic
October 13, 2022 14:00 - 41 minutes - 28.6 MBWe talk to the extraordinary John Cameron Mitchell. We talk failure in writing, directing and actor, the risks of coming out and how they decide which projects to work on. John talks Hedwig, passion projects and discrimination. They tell a remarkable OnlyFans story, explain the fightback against stereotypes and makes very clear their view on content houses. JCM also talks about every failure leading eventually to success, some amazing career near-misses and how you can follow your heart AND ...
Take 78 - Writer and Director Peter Kosminsky, White Oleander, The Undeclared War
October 06, 2022 14:00 - 42 minutes - 29.1 MBWe (by which we actually mean just Dan) talk to writer and director Peter Kosminsky. He tells us about his early firings (of which there were many including lasting only a day as a researcher because they didn't like his ideas around tampon tax) as well as how he went from Chemistry student to lighting expert. He discusses his shortcomings as a director, his strengths and how they work on both sides of the Atlantic and the time he nearly gave up after being completely out of his depth on a b...
Take 77 - Writer and Showrunner Amy Berg, Warrior Nun, Counterpart
September 29, 2022 13:00 - 39 minutes - 27 MBWe talk to the magnificent Amy Berg. She tells us her journey through Hollywood - taking a step down to be an assistant, her first big break on North Shore and her start with a writing partner (and then his moment of grace and nobility that ended that partnership). She talks openly about being bullied to the point of physical illness, what happened after that boss was cancelled and what she learned from the experience. We talk about the challenges facing the industry nowadays, the cycle of b...