Fighting Writer's Block and Other Literary Ailments
We’re tired of being tired of Franchise Fatigue, but it’s a serious issue. There is a steep downward curve in payback on subsequent entries and spin-offs/prequels etc., which is fueling a feedback circle of layoffs and cancellations in Hollywood. Why is this happening and what does it mean for writers? Listen as we try to find the answers. SHOW NOTES: None this episode
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Writer/Director Thomas Tulak, and Assistant Director/Composer Adam Pineless talk about “Who Dunt Dunt DUNNit?” their a hyper-meta, award-winning comedy film. It’s a hilarious murder mystery, wrapped in a murder mystery wrapped in a movie production about a murder mystery. SHOW NOTES:
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It’s been a rough few weeks across Hollywood at studios such as Warner Brothers, Cartoon Network, G4 and others. From layoffs to total shutdowns, we take a look at recent turmoil and how it might affect writers. SHOW NOTES:
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For some us, our biggest addictions are caffeine and endlessly scrolling TikTok videos, so, how do we write characters with more serious addictions? We talk to Ted Perkins, a former Warner Brothers and Universal studio executive, producer, screenwriter and now author who tackles the topic in his new book Addicted In Film, for which Ted watched 100 movies in 100 days about addiction. SHOW NOTES: About the Book: www.addictedinfilm.com Buy Addicted In Film on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/addictedinfilm Ted Perkin’s Bio Ted Perkins is a former film executive at Warner Bros., and his most recent post as Head of International Co-Productions and Acquisitions at Universal Pictures where he pioneered co-production between U.S. Major studios, Spain, Latin America, China and India. He turned to screenwriting and has sold over a dozen scripts to various companies including Fox Searchlight and Lionsgate. He recently sold a TV series spec for low six figures, and has another one in development with a large production conglomerate in Europe.
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This session, we talk with writer/director Matthew Gentile about American Murderer, his new true crime thriller about FBI fugitive Jason Derek Brown. American Murderer is based on the true story of Jason Derek Brown – a charismatic con man turned party king who bankrolls his luxurious lifestyle through a series of scams. When his funds run low and his past catches up with him, he plots his most elaborate scheme yet and, in the process, becomes the FBI’s most unlikely – and elusive – top ten fugitive. UPDATE: Now available on digital and streaming at iTunes and Amazon as well as Vudu, Playstation and Roku. SHOW NOTES: Trailer: https://youtu.be/rX3logJovfQ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MatthewLGentile Website: https://www.matthewgentiledirector.com IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4244841/ American Murderer: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13603778
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We get the scoop on Get It Made X, a script-to-screen program for writers to not only improve their writing, but also learn about marketing and production through group activities, meetings with industry professionals, and peer review opportunities. Co-founders Matt Boda and Sylvie Dang Boda talk about why they created the program and how it helps writers get their work made. SPECIAL PROMO CODE for Writers Group Therapy podcast listeners! Use the Code: WGT50 To get the Get It Made 30-day Trial for 50% off Regular Trial Sign up/enrollment fee: $59.99 WGT Discount: 50% off, $29.99 SHOW NOTES: GetItMade.La: https://www.getitmade.la On Twitter: https://twitter.com/GetItMade_LA On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getitmade.la/ Absurd Hero Productions: https://www.absurdheroproductions.com
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Nicholas Bruckman has produced and directed award-winning features, commercials and web-content for groups such as Greenpeace, Black Lives Matter and TED. His films have screened at Tribeca, Sundance, and SXSW where it won the Audience Award. His latest film “Not Going Quietly” is now streaming on Hulu. We talk storytelling in documentary formats, journalistic objectivity and more. SHOW NOTES: Nicholas’ site: https://nickny.com PeoplesTV site: https://peoples.tv Documentary website: https://www.notgoingquietlyfilm.com
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As writers, we struggle to get our work written, sold, and produced our whole careers. What we don’t hardly ever think about is, what happens after we’re gone? Our writing doesn’t stop being valuable, but who is going to take over managing it and, hopefully, continue to reap the benefits of our creativity for the length of our copyright? We discuss this with best-selling novelists Matt Buchman, writer of “Estate Planning for Writers” based on his own experiences. SHOW NOTES:Matt Buchman’s Website: http://www.mlbuchman.com
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The doctors (not real doctors) are in, again. We’re back from our Summer break and kicking off our 6th year with a look at all the recent stories in the news that impact Hollywood and writers including Roe v. Wade, inflation and supply chain woes, YouTube TV, CA Tax incentives, and more. SHOW NOTES: THR: One Big Reason Hollywood Hasn’t Begun Boycotting States Over Abortion Access THR: California Readies $1.65B Film/TV Tax Credit to Draw Productions From Anti-Abortion States THR: Digital Creators Rethink Hollywood As Some Push to Work On Their Own Terms THR: Hollywood Aims to Trim Production Costs Amid Inflation Surge, Supply Chain Pain THR: YouTube Takes Live TV Market Share as Streaming War Escalates Gamespot: Video Game Spending is down 13% year of year a drop of $1.71 billion
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In this session, we talk with novelist and screenwriter/showrunner Dennis Lehane. His award-winning novels and the film adaptations spawned major feature films such as “Shutter Island,” “Mystic River” and “Gone Baby Gone.” The show’s he’s written for, “The Wire” and “Boardwalk Empire,” are always at the top of everyone’s “best written show” lists. We discuss his journey and his latest project, the true crime limited series on AppleTV+ “Black Bird” starring Taron Egerton.
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