Hilliard Guess' Screenwriters Rant Room

In this episode - Hilliard, TV/Film writer SAEED CRUMPLER, and comedy/drama writer RICH SCOTT talk about how the global economic downturn could affect the entertainment industry, and what writers can do to protect themselves financially and creatively. What You’ll Learn: How and why artists fight back by starting their own labels and production companies Survival is Key "Make Money Sexy Again" What should Emerging writers write in 2026 Being a Tastemaker AI and how to writers can work with it Change is constant, adapt or die Mentorship - the good and bad And so much more! 💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY. YouTube Shorts, Videos & BONUS CLIPS! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!" MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room! https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products EMAIL: ScreenwritersRantRoom@gmail.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.social IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom @Balance510 @Fatboyfeels WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com

In this prerecorded episode, Hilliard and writer/artist Minquell Ramone sat down for an in-depth (Bonus episode) covering how screenwriters can better utilize the screenwritersrantroom.com website (resources, archives, merch and more) and also where to subscribe to our new YouTube page/channel and how you can get some game while supporting the show at the same time. Another dope episode y'all. This one is full of game and wisdom and is a must listen to podcast! SUBSCRIBE - like, follow, share & 5-star review! YouTube Shorts, Videos & CLIPS! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!" WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room! https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products SCREENWRITERS’ RANT ROOM - LIVE OCTOBER 24, 2025 12:30PM-1:45PM THE CULVER THEATER MICHEAUXFILMFEST.COM EMAIL: ScreenwritersRantRoom@gmail.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.social IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom Guest: @MinquellRamone WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com

In this episode, Hilliard sat down for a nothing but game episode with big sis, FELICIA D. HENDERSON — an accomplished, award-winning showrunner, writer, director, producer, educator, and activist, with over twenty-five years of film, television, theater, and comic book content credits! Felicia created Showtime’s Emmy Award-nominated, three-time NAACP Image Award-winning series, SOUL FOOD, television’s first successful African American drama, and last year, through her production company, WaterWalk Entertainment, she wrote, directed, and produced her first short film, Humanitas Prize-nominated and multiple festival winner, THE REBEL GIRLS -- a true story based on a group of girl-warriors who were arrested in 1963 for attempting to integrate a movie theater in Southern Georgia – which you can currently see on all American Airlines domestic flights. Her writing and producing credits include dramas FIRST KILL, THE PUNISHER, EMPIRE, GOSSIP GIRL, and FRINGE. Her comedy credits include SISTER-SISTER, MOESHA, and EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS. Felicia is an Associate Professor in Northwestern University’s Department of Radio/Television/Film, where she teaches screenwriting and production courses. She holds a PhD from UCLA’s Department of Film, Television, and Digital Media and her research interests include politics, race, gender, and cultural capital in the TV writers’ room. Felicia is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a board member of the Leadership Academy for underrepresented girls called Shero’s Rise, and along with her sister-colleagues: Sara Finney-Johnson, Mara Brock Akil, and Gina Prince Bythewood, she endowed the Four Sisters Scholarship in screenwriting, directing, and animation at UCLA. She also endowed the Felicia D Henderson Scholarship in Screenwriting, also at UCLA. Most importantly, Felicia is “Auntie” to over 30 nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She grew up in Pasadena, California, but owes her skills in the kitchen – including melt-in-your-mouth candied yams, corn bread dressing, and banana pudding from scratch -- to her mother’s Mississippi roots. Currently, she splits her time between Los Angeles, Chicago, and wherever film and TV production takes her. SUBSCRIBE - like, follow, share & 5-star review! PART 2 COMING SOON ON YOUTUBE YouTube Shorts, Videos & BONUS CLIPS! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!" WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room! https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products SCREENWRITERS’ RANT ROOM - LIVE OCTOBER 24, 2025 12:30PM-1:45PM THE CULVER THEATER MICHEAUXFILMFEST.COM EMAIL: ScreenwritersRantRoom@gmail.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.social IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom Guest: @feliciadhen1 BTS: Chase "Zoom" Bell @z00m12 @defiproductionllc WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com

In this episode, Hilliard and co-host writer/prod/author James Moorer sit down with incomparable TV/Film writer/producer AKELA COOPER! There's almost two hours worth of game dropped and the last 30 mins of this super fun conversation was opened up to a group of writers sitting in the audience so that they could “Ask Us Anything!” Akela Cooper wrote M3GAN, produced by Universal, Blumhouse and James Wan/Atomic Monster and Akela is a credited writer on THE NUN 2 for New Line/Atomic Monster and wrote the film MALIGNANT, directed by James Wan, for WB/Atomic Monster. In 2021 Akela was named one of Variety’s Top 10 Screenwriters to Watch. On the TV side, Akela has written on such projects as STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS (Paramount+), MAGIC ORDER (Netflix), Steve DeKnight’s JUPITER’S LEGACY (Netflix), Marvel’s LUKE CAGE (Netflix), Ryan Murphy’s AMERICAN HORROR STORY (FX), and THE HUNDRED (CW) among others. SUBSCRIBE - like, follow, share & 5-star review! Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!" WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM For RESOURCES, MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room! https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products EMAIL: ScreenwritersRantRoom@gmail.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.social IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom Guests: @akelacooper @onemoorer WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com BTS: Chase "Zoom" Bell @z00m12

In this Season Finale episode, Hilliard sits down with actor/writer/prod/director NOEL BRAHAM - co-founder of the hit MICHEAUX FILM FESTIVAL now in its 7th year and killing the game on the circuit! HIGHLIGHTS: The Power of “YET," lessons from his family growing up, becoming an actor, climbing many mountains, becoming a filmmaker and producing a Webseries and daytime Emmy-nominated short films, the power of community, co-founding and producing the Micheaux Film Festival and so much more! Noel is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, founder, and master of making gold on a budget tighter than his schedule. As the visionary behind the Micheaux Film Festival, he’s built one of the fastest-growing multicultural film festivals in the country, while simultaneously directing, producing, writing, and probably acting out something in the back of an Uber. Born with a camera in one hand and an unshakable belief in multicultural stories in the other, Noel turned his journey from living in a hostel to helming red carpets into a movement. His work sits at the intersection of impact and innovation, combining soul-stirring narratives with social relevance...and maybe a sly wink to every industry gatekeeper who ever said "no." Noel’s latest indie feature, Angel City, starring SNL star Chris Kattan, is a gritty, heartfelt love letter to Los Angeles that blends social commentary with cinematic ambition. Inspired by his own experience of living out of his car while chasing a dream, the film pulls back the curtain on the harsh realities of Hollywood and the homeless community. A true creative Swiss Army knife, Noel has collaborated with brands like Sony, Amazon, and Apple, while continuing to champion emerging talent who have more grit than followers. He’s known for being equal parts strategist and storyteller and his superpower? Turning a three-person crew and a Craigslist location into something that looks like it came out of Warner Bros. When he’s not running a festival, pitching a project, or jumping on a Zoom in a button-up and gym shorts, you can find him praying, hyping indie artists, or asking Chat GPT how to survive on three hours of sleep. Noel Braham - proof that purpose, hustle, and faith can’t be denied. SUBSCRIBE - like, follow, share & 5-star review! WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM Merch (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES) YouTube Shorts & Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.social IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom Guest: @NoelBraham @Micheauxfilmfest BTS: @iamJerryJerome WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host TV comedy writer Myles Warden sat down in a super fun conversation with icon comedy/drama writer SARA FINNEY JOHNSON (co-creator on the ICONIC television series’ Moesha and The Parkers) and who has worked on many one hour dramas (Queen Sugar, Games People Play, etc) that make her invaluable in the room, on set, and in production! HIGHLIGHTS: Growing up in Los Angeles, working as a PA to writer during the Norman Lear hey-day, coming up in the writers’ room in the height of UPN network, co-creating the ICONIC television series’ Moesha and The Parkers (with Ralph Farquhar and Vida Spears), becoming a showrunner and being ready for it, running the Parkers, how to write projects based on real people, the importance of Spec Scripts today and so much more! BIO: Sara was born in Mobile, Alabama and raised in South Central L.A.’s Leimert Park neighborhood. She credits her southern roots and West Coast upbringing for providing the inspiration and passion for many of the stories she writes about. After graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, Sara began her television career as a P.A. and Writer’s Assistant at Norman Lear’s production company, Tandem/TAT. Shortly afterwards, she got her start as a Writer on several classic television comedies including: The Jeffersons, The Facts of Life, Married with Children and 227. She later worked as a Producer on Family Matters and The Parenthood. Sara was Co-Creator, Executive Producer/Showrunner on the groundbreaking UPN hit comedy, Moesha -- inspired by her growing up in Leimert Park and its equally successful spin-off, The Parkers. She was a Consulting Producer the first two seasons on the popular BET dramedy, The Game and the hit BET drama, The Quad. She was also Co-Executive Producer on BET’s American Soul and Games People Play before landing as Consulting Producer on Ava DuVernay’s award winning OWN series, Queen Sugar. She was Co-Executive Producer on the seventh and final season of Queen Sugar. She’s also a playwright and has produced numerous plays over the years, including: Mens, which was nominated for an NAACP Theater Award. She is also the co-founder of Los Angeles Black Playwrights, which was based at the Mark Taper Forum and produced plays throughout the Los Angeles area. She’s proud to have been an Artist In Residence at Mara Brock Akil’s amazing creative space, The Writers’ Colony. While at the Colony she worked on her first feature which she’s developing with a production company. HIGHLIGHTS: Growing up in Los Angeles, working as a PA to writer during the Norman Lear hey-day, coming up in the writers’ room in the height of UPN network, co-creating the ICONIC television series’ Moesha and The Parkers (with Ralph Farquhar and Vida Spears), SUBSCRIB - like, follow, share & 5-star review! Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!" WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM Merch (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES) YouTube Shorts & Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.social IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom Guest: @sarafinneyjohnson @reallymighty BTS: @michellesmoller WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host Tristan J. Shuler sat down for a 2-hour, in-depth, hilarious conversation with R. K. RUSSELL, NFL Player, activist, poet and author of the amazing new book THE YARDS BETWEEN US! HIGHLIGHTS: Growing up in Buffalo, Dallas racism and culture, Football at Purdue, the emotional NFL Draft and signing with the Dallas Cowboys, his traumatic experience in NY, meeting his partner Corey and finding love, coming out the press and his mother, life after football, developing a series based on his book with Gabrielle Union and Saeed Crumpler and so much more! WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, FOLLOW SHARE & 5-STAR REVIEW! Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!" Merch (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES) YouTube Shorts & Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.social IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom Guest: @rkrelentless @tristanjshuler BTS: Michelle Smoller WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com

In this episode, Hilliard sits down for an in-depth, over 2-hour conversation with SELWYN SEYFU HINDS Showrunner/Creator of WASHINGTON BLACK the new hit series on HULU! HIGHLIGHTS: The Source Magazine in the late 90s and the climate of Hip-Hop, going from Guyana to Brooklyn in the height of Classic Rap, the night Biggy Smalls died, his college years at Princeton, becoming an author, moving to LA to write screenplays, pitching tips and how he and his team cast and produced Washington Black and so much more! More about him: Selwyn most recently served as the creator, showrunner, and executive producer of the epic adventure series WASHINGTON BLACK, an adaptation of Esi Edugyan’s esteemed novel of the same name, which recently premiered on Hulu. He previously served as a writer/producer on Jordan Peele’s reboot of THE TWILIGHT ZONE, penning the critically hailed episode “Replay,” which made him a finalist in the Drama Teleplay category for the 2020 Humanitas Prize. He has a number of films in development including PRINCE OF CATS, the adaptation of Ronald Wimberly’s graphic novel, at Legendary; and 1000 MILES, based on the memoir Running A Thousand Miles For Freedom by William and Ellen Craft. He and Mad Massive Entertainment currently have an overall deal with UCP, where he is developing a television adaptation of Usher’s seminal album, Confessions. Previously, Hinds served as Editor-in-Chief of the hip hop magazine The Source in the late-‘90s, and created the Vertigo comic-book series Dominique Laveau: Voodoo Child. He is represented by CAA, Entertainment 360, and Del Shaw Moonves. Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review! Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!" WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM Merch (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.social IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom Guest: @Selwynhinds BTS: @wmb.photography WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com

In this episode Hilliard and guest co-host filmmaker/cinematographer (nephew) William M. Barclay sit down with Icon, Emmy-winning director/producer PARIS BARCLAY. HIGHLIGHTS: Paris’ Revival of his musical LETTERS FROM NAM, indie film and its importance today, using resources around you, Paris’ start directing music videos, pivoting to directing episodic TV, interview questions for directors, working with writer/producers, shortlists and its importance, set etiquette, directing Dahmer, Paris’ upcoming Billy Preston: That’s the way God Planned It documentary and so much more! Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review! Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!" WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM Merch (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.social IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom Guests: @PKbarclay @Wmb.photography WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host actor/filmmaker Denzel Whitaker (Black Panther, The Great Debaters) sit down for an in-depth, hilarious conversation with episodic director/producer KEN WHITTINGHAM, the man behind directing over 350 episodes of comedy television! Highlights: Ken’s rise from PA to Stage Manager in multi-cam comedies, Marla Gibbs giving him his first Story By credit on the hit sereis 227, landing his first directing gig on Malcolm & Eddie, directing single camera shows like Bernie Mac, The Office and Scrubs, working with writers/producers, tricks to showing your voice on a series, working with actors on set, shadowing directors on the set, being overly prepared to direct your episode and so much more! Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review! Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!" WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM For information, Merch (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room! https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products EMAIL: ScreenwritersRantRoom@gmail.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.social IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom Guests: @Kennywhitt @DenzelWhitaker WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host, tv/film writer Saeed Crumpler recorded a "LIVE" Screenwriters' Rant Room podcast at the Bravemaker film festival in Redwood City, California! HILLIARD GUESS With credits on Deadly Class (SYFY), showrunner on the award-winning digital series TICKER, Exec Producer on Amazon’s CROSS: AFTER HOURS, and the upcoming coming-of-age film MERMAID!, Hilliard Guess knows what it really takes to make it in Hollywood. graces the cover of the esteemed iTunes book "The Top 100 Indie Writers in The World" and is revered as the longtime host/moderator of the popular “Screenwriters’ Rant Room”, as well as the WGAW “3rd & Fairfax” podcasts, where he drops industry game with some of our top luminaries. He is the host of both long-running podcast SCREENWRITERS RANT ROOM and the WGAW 3rd & FAIRFAX where he drops industry game with some of our top luminaries and Filmmakers. He recently completed the new WGAW TV WRITERS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (4 Producers-Showrunners) and is busy developing TV and Film projects for some major companies in Hollywood. SAEED CRUMPLER A fellow in the 2021 Nickelodeon Writing Program, and he's in a First Look deal with SONY TV. Saeed’s been staffed on FLATBUSH MISDEMEANORS for Showtime. He consulted on BLINDSPOTTING for STARZ, working closely with Rafael Casal and Daveed Diggs. In 2021, Saeed completed a feature rewrite on MTV's HIP-HOP FAMILY CHRISTMAS for Jamie Foxx's company and a biopic about legendary underground hip-hop artist Mac Dre for Double Down Pictures. A Bay Area screenwriter with a music background, as a former hip hop artist in the hyphy scene, he has recorded with Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, and Chamillionaire. Saeed strives to bridge the gap to bring stories from the subculture into the mainstream.⁠ WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review! Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!" For information, Merch (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room! https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products EMAIL: ScreenwritersRantRoom@gmail.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.social IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom @balance510

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host, tv/film writer Saeed Crumpler recorded a "LIVE" Screenwriters' Rant Room podcast at the Bravemaker film festival in Redwood City, California! HILLIARD GUESS With credits on Deadly Class (SYFY), showrunner on the award-winning digital series TICKER, Exec Producer on Amazon’s CROSS: AFTER HOURS, and the upcoming coming-of-age film MERMAID!, Hilliard Guess knows what it really takes to make it in Hollywood. graces the cover of the esteemed iTunes book "The Top 100 Indie Writers in The World" and is revered as the longtime host/moderator of the popular “Screenwriters’ Rant Room”, as well as the WGAW “3rd & Fairfax” podcasts, where he drops industry game with some of our top luminaries. He is the host of both long-running podcast SCREENWRITERS RANT ROOM and the WGAW 3rd & FAIRFAX where he drops industry game with some of our top luminaries and Filmmakers. He recently completed the new WGAW TV WRITERS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (4 Producers-Showrunners) and is busy developing TV and Film projects for some major companies in Hollywood. SAEED CRUMPLER A fellow in the 2021 Nickelodeon Writing Program, and he's in a First Look deal with SONY TV. Saeed’s been staffed on FLATBUSH MISDEMEANORS for Showtime. He consulted on BLINDSPOTTING for STARZ, working closely with Rafael Casal and Daveed Diggs. In 2021, Saeed completed a feature rewrite on MTV's HIP-HOP FAMILY CHRISTMAS for Jamie Foxx's company and a biopic about legendary underground hip-hop artist Mac Dre for Double Down Pictures. A Bay Area screenwriter with a music background, as a former hip hop artist in the hyphy scene, he has recorded with Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, and Chamillionaire. Saeed strives to bridge the gap to bring stories from the subculture into the mainstream.⁠ WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review! Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!" For information, Merch (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room! https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products EMAIL: ScreenwritersRantRoom@gmail.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.social IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom @balance510

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host, writer/producer Dwain Worrell sit down for a super fun conversation with Co-Executive Producer CHRIS RAFFERTY (THE FLASH, COBRA KAI & LUCIFER)!Chris has been a lifelong artist in many different fields. He grew up an illustrator with dreams of drawing comic books. Made short films while earning a film degree at UC Santa Barbara. Spent time on stage acting and in front of cameras doing improv. All while earning a living in a decade-plus career as a graphic designer. But a crossroads in life inspired him to drop everything to go all-in on his greatest passion (and what he’d been spending years of early mornings & weekends on) — his writing. His career change was complete after he earned a spot in the prestigious Warner Bros Television Writers’ Workshop, and went on to write & produce for the first season of THE FLASH, the final season of COBRA KAI, and all 6 seasons of LUCIFER. When he’s not hustling for his next staff job or developing his own shows & original comic books, Chris can be found doing hard labor (renovations & yard work) for his Valley home and enjoying life with his Brazilian wife and her two Portuguese-meowing cats.Another dope episode! Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review!Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day! WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM For information, Merch (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room! https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products EMAIL:ScreenwritersRantRoom@gmail.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess, bsky.socialIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomGuests: @Chrisrafferty @Worrell_dwain WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ :Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host writer/dir/prod Fia Perera sit down for a 2 hour, in-depth conversation with writer/director executive producer ERIC DEAN SEATON! Highlights: Working his way up as an AD, getting his first episodic directors gig, sustaining a long career, directors get hired for what you've already done, creating a graphic novel an producing the award-winning short, fake it til you make it and we open it up to a room full of filmmakers who "ASK US ANYTHING!" More about Eric: With a Daytime Emmy nomination and three NAACP Image Award wins, Eric Dean Seaton stands out as one of the most dynamic and versatile storytellers in television, seamlessly crossing genres and styles. In the dramatic realm, Seaton has directed and executive produced the pilot and series Average Joe. His episodic work includes episodes of Will Trent, High Potential, The Cleaning Lady, Superman and Lois, Batwoman, Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl, The Flash and All American: Homecoming. In the world of single-camera comedies, he has contributed to hits like Modern Family, Black-ish, The Goldbergs, American Housewife, Life in Pieces, and Grown-ish. In multi-camera productions, Seaton has taken on pilots for Family Reunion, The Prince of Peoria, Raven’s Home, Mighty Med, and Kickin’ It. Additionally, his work in variety includes helming the beloved sketch shows All That and So Random making him one of the very few directors to have successfully navigated every style of narrative television. In addition to his work behind the camera, Seaton is the creator, writer, and publisher of the critically acclaimed graphic novel series Legend of the Mantamaji, and its sequel, Legend of the Mantamaji: Bloodlines. He also directed the accompanying multiple award-winning Legend of the Mantamaji: Live Action Short. Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review! Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!" WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM For information, Merch (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room! https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products EMAIL: ScreenwritersRantRoom@gmail.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.social IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom Guests: @Ericdeanseaton @theglobalactivista WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com

In this episode, Hilliard and Queer guest co-hosts writer/producer Deonte Staats, actor/filmmaker Dalila Ali Rajah and writer/content creator Skylar Ezell sit down in a super fun, engaging, 2-hour episode chopped full of game. Some topics: Highlighting people in our culture, anti-fem insults, "it’s just a phase," acceptance of being Out, a Platinum Gay, Shout Out to Patrick-Ian Polk and the new Noah’s Arc Film, centering Queer characters in your work, where to find inspiration for characters, who we are as writers, queer tropes, straight men insecurities and soooooooo much more! Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review! Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!” WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM For information, Merch (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room! https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products EMAIL: ScreenwritersRantRoom@gmail.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.social IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom Guests: @Checkmystaats @Dalilaalirajah @skylardawriter

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host writer/producer Deonte Staats sit down for a two hour, nothing but game conversation with Showrunner/Co-Creator of the new MAX hit series DUSTER! Highlights: LaToya’s time in the Warner Bros Writers Workshop, the Overall Deal and how it works, the John Wells system, creating the show Duster, casting, staffing the room, the importance of what’s on the page and we later open it up for a super fun Q&A with a group of Emerging Writers who were in the building! About LaToya: Born and raised in Los Angeles, writer-producer LaToya Morgan is known for her work on Shameless, Parenthood, Turn: Washington’s Spies, Into the Badlands and The Walking Dead. Recently, she joined forces with J.J. Abrams to co-create, showrun and executive produce the HBO MAX series Duster under her shingle TinkerToy Productions alongside Bad Robot for Warner Brothers Television which had its international premiere at Canne series, the Cannes International Series Festival in France in the Spring of 2025. The show premiered May 15th, 2025 is currently airing on the streamer weekly on Thursday nights through July. On the feature side, Morgan has projects at Universal, Paramount, and was tapped by Amazon/MGM and horror grandmaster George Romero’s family to write a new sequel to the iconic film Night of the Living Dead. Morgan is an advisor and mentor for the Sundance Institute, Film Independent, and Outfest Episodic Labs and the WGA’s Inclusion and Equity committee. She wrote, produced and directed the award winning short film Team Marilyn which was distributed on STARZ and is expanding into a feature film. In addition to writing for DC Comics, Morgan’s best-selling genre-bending sci-fi comic book series Dark Blood was recently published by BOOM! Studios. She was enlisted by the company once again – this time along with Creed star Michael B. Jordan and his company Outlier Society – to write Creed: The Next Round, the first ever comic book tie-in for the franchise. Morgan holds an MFA in Screenwriting from the American Film Institute Conservatory, is a two-time NAACP Image Award nominee, and a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review! Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!" WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM For information, Merch (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room! https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products EMAIL: ScreenwritersRantRoom@gmail.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.social IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom Guests: @Morganicink @Checkmystaats WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com

In this Season Finale episode, Hilliard and guest co-host, comedy writer Myles Warden sat down for a super fun, 2-hour episode with CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER STACEY EVANS MORGAN! We talk about Stacey’s amazing journey from assistant to co-ep, challenges as a writer, investing in yourself, opening doors for yourself, saying yes to opportunities, producing outside of scripted TV, speaking gigs, being the sexy writer in Hollywood, traditional staffing season, having an entrepraneurial spirit, working and developing series' with her brother showrunner Kyle Evans Morgan, the If Come Deal and how it works, the importance of writing Spec Scripts and so much more! In case you don't know, entertainment industry veteran, Stacey Evans Morgan is a television writer and producer with credits on the Disney Channel/Disney Plus show “Saturdays” and she has also written and produced on scripted series such as, “The Parkers”, “Love That Girl”, “Family Time”, “In the Cut and Partners in Rhyme starring MC Lyte and written for shows “One on One”, “Jamie Foxx Show”, Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and the DreamWorks Animation series “Madagascar: A Little Wild.” In addition to scripted series, Stacey has written for live television productions such as the NAACP Image awards and The Gracies. Stacey wrote and directed the short film “21 Days of April” and she is a published poet, essayist and author of her first novel which was adapted from an original screenplay already and later optioned for a film in 2023. A firm believer in “Paying it forward by giving back” Stacey has taught master classes in TV Writing at Delaware State University, Howard University and she has served as an Adjunct Lecturer at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Television as well as her own online workshop series. Stacey has an original TV project currently in development under an “If-Come” deal and continues to live by her mantra: Write the Vision! This is a don’t miss episode y’all! Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review! EMAIL: ScreenwritersRantRoom@gmail.com WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.social IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom Guests: @staceyevansmorgan @reallymighty WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com We invest countless hours per week to deliver the actionable content that goes into this podcast. We appreciate your support! Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"

In this episode, Hilliard & guest co-host Saeed Crumpler sat down with one of our favorite repeating guests AARON RAHSAAN THOMAS, acclaimed TV, Film writer/producer/ creator/co-showrunner of S.W.A.T., who began his career on Soul Food, Saturday Night Lights, Numbers, CSI NY, Southland, Sleepy Hollow and The Get-Down to list a few!! We talk about how Arron developed and pitched S.W.A.T., how writers can use certain techniques when pitching their projects to networks or PODS, pivoting while shooting during COVID and after the death of George Floyd, management and producing, serving the client, giving yourself room to improvise, why TV Spec scripts are important and so much more! This is a don’t miss episode y’all! Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review! EMAIL: ScreenwritersRantRoom@gmail.com WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room! https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.social IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom Guests: @arthomastv @balance510 WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com We invest countless hours per week to deliver the actionable content that goes into this podcast. We appreciate your support! Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host TV/Film writer Saeed Crumpler sat down with big bro Showrunner Glen Mazzara (Crash, Damien, Hawthorne HIGHLIGHTS: The new WGA's TV Writers Leadership Training Program, what Glen's been up to since our last episode #93 back in 2016, how to handle Development, Pitching & Notes, protecting yourself when times are slow, writing for tone, breaking down the first day/week in the writers' room and almost 2 hours worth of industry game! Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review on all your podcasts distributors! @glenmazzara @balance510 For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room! www.Screenwritersrantroom.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.social IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com

In this episode, Hilliard and comedy writer Myles Warden sat down for a super fun conversation with Co-Executive Producer VINCENT BROWN. Vincent recently wrapped up as co-executive producer for the FOX animated series HOUSEBROKEN, starring Lisa Kudrow. Prior to that, he served as a Co-Executive Producer on Apple TV’s series LIFE BY ELLA, winner of the Humanitas Award, a WGA Award and the Emmy Award for writing. Vincent began as a teen theatre performer, moving behind the scenes after graduating from Yale and becoming Dramaturge at San Francisco’s Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, which mounted his first play: a stage adaptation of Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye. He began in television on the Emmy-winning PBS children’s show, WISHBONE. After moving to Los Angeles, he joined MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE as Writer’s Guild Trainee, and his first network shows were COMMITTED (NBC-Universal) and GIRLFRIENDS. He has written for numerous family sitcoms, including Disney series such as A.N.T. FARM and K.C. UNDERCOVER, as well as adult sitcoms like the acclaimed Latino reboot of Norman Lear’s ONE DAY AT A TIME. His work on A.N.T. FARM won both a WGA Award and NAACP Image Award. He was nominated again for a WGA award for his work on LIFE BY ELLA (Apple TV+) and won the Emmy award for the same show. He has developed shows for Disney, Nickelodeon, and Kapital Entertainment in partnership with Cedric the Entertainer’s Bird and Bear. He’s currently working with producers trying to bring multiple projects based on IP to market because that’s where we are now. Our motto: "Keep it Game All Day!" For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room! www.Screenwritersrantroom.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.social IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom Guests: @VincentBrownLA @ReallyMighty WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com