Writers Group Therapy

In this session of Writers Group Therapy we discuss Netflix’s visually stunning and narratively compelling“Our Living World” with award winning producer and show runner Ben Roy. Ben has worked across many genres and platforms, creating content for Channel 4, the BBC, PBS and Animal Planet. He has produced adventure and wildlife shows for Discovery, National Geographic and Smithsonian channels. SHOW NOTES: Our Living World on IMDBOur Living World on NetflixProducer Ben Roy on IMDB

In this session of Writers Group Therapy, we have with us Lauren Pomerantz, the writer of the new comedy feature “Am I Okay?" that streams on Max starting June 6th. Lauren has previously written for TV on The Ellen DeGenes Show, Saturday Night Live and Community. She brings her comedy chops to “Am I Okay,” which debuted at Sundance in 2022 and stars Dokota Johnson and Sonoya Mizuno. SHOW NOTES: Am I Ok? on IMDBLauren on IMDBWooby & Fotty YouTube series

In this session, our guest this session is screenwriter and screenwriting teacher Tom Vaughn. Tom teaches screenwriting at The University of Houston, his alma mater, and online, he offers tons of free writing advice online through his daily posts on X and his weekly Story and Plot newsletter, which has nearly 5000 subscribers. SHOW NOTES: Storyandplot.com On IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1129343 Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/storyandplot

In this session of Writers Group Therapy, we are talking with Brett Wagner, the writer and director of The Big Bend, a thriller borne out of an experience he had with his own family in the deep desert of west Texas. His award winning shorts “Chief” and “Care” appeared at Sundance, the LA International Short Film Festival and received a BAFTA award of excellence, and qualified for the Academy Awards. SHOW NOTES; https://youtu.be/fyKelEO-v_0The Big Bendhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0994587/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10536088/https://www.showbizjunkies.com/movies/the-big-bend-review/#google_vignette@WagnerificThe Big Bend@theBigBendmovieThe Big Bend Facebook page

In this session, horror fans will be excited to hear from The First Omen screenwriting team of Arkasha Stevenson and Tim Smith who also directed and produced the film respectively. We discuss their passion for the original that drove their process in creating a terrifying prequel to the Richard Donner classic. Arkasha and Tim are a team who have written and produced projects for AMC, Hulu, Netflix, SyFy and Amazon including Channel Zero: Butcher’s Block, Legion and Briarpatch. SHOW NOTES: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5672290https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075005https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6674331https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5654281

We talk with “A Bit of Light” screenwriter Rebecca Callard and Director Stephen Moyer (Bill Compton on “True Blood”) about their touching slice of life film that stars Anna Paquin, Ray Winstone and newcomer Luca Hogan. ***Spoiler note: Contains some spoilers*** SHOW NOTES: Stephen Moyer on XStephen Moyer on IGA Bit of Light on IMDB:

What happens when writers say and do stuff that comes back to haunt them? We discuss how the industry reacts to the personal actions of writers and what you should be cautious of when posting and vlogging. SHOW NOTES: James Gunn Fired From ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ Franchise Over Offensive TweetsStar Wars: All 18 Fired & Replaced Directors In the Disney EraPublisher drops author for using fake accounts to ‘review-bomb’ peers

Brooklyn lawyer turned actor and author Steve Schlam discusses is new novel “The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane” that was released by 8th House Publishing. Steve studied under Joseph Heller, the renowned author of “Catch-22” at City University of New York where he earned his Master’s in Creative Writing and English. SHOW NOTES: www.steveschlam.com8th House Publishing ShopBuy on AmazonBuy on Barnes&NobleAbout the Book

On this session, “Barry” co-executive producer and writer Duffy Boudreau talks about writing the award winning Max series as well as his earlier work in comics and journey from Oklahoma to Washington to Los Angeles. Editor Note: The day after recording our interview with Duffy Boudreau, “Barry” was nominated for Best Comedy Series in the WGA Awards. SHOW NOTES: Barry on IMDBDuffy Boudreau on IMDB

Fashion was the first to get “fast” with “Fast Fashion.” Then saw the rise of “Fast Publishing” and “Fast Music.” Is Hollywood the next creative realm to get to the cheap and trendy treatment? We discuss what is “fast” and how it’s going to come for Hollywood. SHOW NOTES: TikTok Is Turning the Publishing World Into Fast FashionFast Fashion an music festivals and concertsAsylum movies and the blockbusters they ripped off

In this session, we chat with Jenna St. John, the writer/actor/producer whose indie comedy series “Sexpectations” reach #3 on the top comedies list on iTunes/AppleTV ahead of “Parks and Recreation.” SHOW NOTES: Jenna on IMDB“Sexpectations” on IMDBFacebookInstagramApple TV

Special guest, producer and screenwriter Ed Solomon talks about his writers journey and new show “Full Circle” on Max. Ed is know for writing blockbusters like “Men in Black,” “Charlie’s Angels,” and “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” His latest show “Full Circle” featuring Claire Danes, Dennis Quaid and Timothy Olyphant is streaming on Max. SHOW NOTES: Ed Solomon on IMDB“Full Circle” on IMDBWatch “Full Circle” on MaxWords By Words Show Patreon Page About "Full Circle": An investigation into a botched kidnapping uncovers long-held secrets connecting multiple characters and cultures in present day New York City.

In this episode, we fill out our 2024 Industry Bingo cards with our predictions for the entertainment industry. Some predictions cover AI, unions, streaming, influencers, pilot season, and more. SHOW NOTES: None this episodes

This session we expound on the Black Friday and Holiday deals that might appeal to writers and filmmakers. We also discuss writing holiday movies and what are the key elements that go into them. SHOW NOTES: Writing Christmas Films & Navigating the Holidays: The ULTIMATE Guide7 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF GREAT HOLIDAY MOVIESPi.ai - a conversive AI ChatbotThe 61 Best Thanksgiving Movies: Your Holiday Movie Feast (I guess there were more Thanksgiving movies than we thought!)

Writer/Director Jeffrey Crane Graham discusses his new award-winning, John Hughesian coming of age dramedy “Always Lola” that is premiering for rent/purchase on most streaming platforms including Amazon Prime, YouTube and AppleTV. Jeffrey also teaches screenwriting and produces and cohosts the podcast “The Screen Writing Life.” SHOW NOTES: Always Lola on IMDBApple TVThe Screenwriting LifeJeffrey’s website and screenwriting class

In this session we discuss the state of Hollywood post WGA strike while the SAG-AFTRA strike continues, as wells our own personal writing updates. SHOW NOTES: Box Office: Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ Is No. 1 With $33M, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ Rides to $23M 2023 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming

Richie Billing is a UK-based author, podcaster and writing instructor whose debut novel, “Pariah’s Lament” was published in March 2021 by Of Metal and Magic Publishing. We discuss his writing, teaching and more. SHOW NOTES: www.richiebilling.comThe Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed podcastFantasy Writing Classes Richie Billing bio Richie Billing writes all kinds of stories, but mostly fantasy fiction. His tales often explore real-world issues, zooming in on the characters and their troubles. His short fiction has been widely published, with one story adapted for BBC radio. His debut novel, Pariah's Lament, was published by Of Metal and Magic Publishing in March 2021. Richie also hosts the podcast The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed, a venture inspired by the requests of readers of his acclaimed craft book, A Fantasy Writers’ Handbook. When not writing, Richie works as an editor and digital marketer and teaches creative writing both online and in his home city of Liverpool. Most nights you can find him up into the early hours scribbling away or watching the NBA.

Jane L. Rosen is an author, screenwriter, and former Huffington Post contributor. Jane often takes inspiration from real-life stories and interviews to craft her novels. Her first novel “Nine Women, One Dress” was translated into ten languages. Her second novel “Eliza Starts a Rumor” has been optioned by NBC. “A Shoe Story” and “On Fire Island” are out now. SHOW NOTES: https://janelrosen.comhttps://www.instagram.com/janelrosen“On Fire Island” on AmazonNBC Developing “Eliza Starts a Rumor” Drama Series

Dusk Wave Arts CEO, Vision Holder and Lead Writer Paul Graham brings attention to neurodiverse issues through digital audio comics and games. We discuss the development of his company and his stories. Show Notes: Instagram: @duskwavearts FB: www.facebook.com/dwavearts Dusk Wave Arts Website: https://duskwavearts.com "The Glove": https://theglove.comicswithaudio.com "Criminal King": https://criminalking.comicswithaudio.com

We’re back from our Summer break, starting off our 7th year of Writers Group Therapy, but the WGA, and now SAG-AFTRA, are still on strike. We catch up on all the latest and look towards a fall with no premieres. SHOW NOTES: Talks Between Writers, Studios at a Standstill After Week of Trading BarbsAMPTP Hires New Crisis PR Firm as Strikes Go OnLinear TV Falls Below 50 Percent of Viewing for First Time