Peter Dekom! Carnivorous Hollywood and the New Rebels: Writers

We're delighted to introduce Spade Robinson, a talented filmmaker, screenwriter, and story consultant. She runs the Atlanta Film Project, a consulting firm dedicated to helping storytellers polish their scripts and projects. Currently, Spade is working on her debut feature film, 'Late Bloomers,' set against the beautiful backdrop of the American Heartland.In our chat, we explore what a story consultant does, how Spade encourages hesitant writers to be honest and dig deeper for stronger screenplays, and she shares five of her best screenwriting tips. She also talks about her favorite clients—including housewives who are passionate screenwriters—how to handle rejection with resilience, and the step she believes offers the most democratic way for a writer to change their life.    Executive Producer Kristin OvernCreator/Executive Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan Stoller

We’re thrilled to welcome Joel Church-Cooper, a highly admired TV showrunner celebrated for his talent in creating shows around the industry’s top comedic voices. We hear how Joel took a viral short video and turned it into the acclaimed half-hour comedy series BROCKMIRE, featuring Hank Azaria and Amanda Peet. Joel also shares the hurdles he faced along his writing journey and how improv played a vital role in shaping his skills as a writer today. Additionally, we discuss Joel’s newest series, GOING DUTCH, with stars Dennis Leary and Danny Pudi. There’s a wealth of lessons here for writers, so be sure to listen to this episode more than once! Executive Producer Kristin OvernCreator/Executive Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan Stoller

We're excited to welcome suspense author and travel journalist Dawn M. Barclay. She's here to share insights about her intriguing book: Vacations Can Be Murder, a fascinating travel guide that uncovers the locations of major crimes and buried bodies in New England.Writers and reference books can be great sources for screenplay ideas, and this book offers countless ideas on every page. Who knows, maybe your next script idea will be on page 43? Buckle up as we explore the criminal landscape. "Warning: this episode contains content that may be sensitive, distressing, or inappropriate for certain audiences." Please note that we discuss depictions of violence, murder, and sexual assault that you might find disturbing. Executive Producer Kristin OvernCreator/Executive Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan Stoller

Have you ever wondered what a film and television producer does and thinks? Well, you’re in luck because our guest is the talented Marc Resteghini, a producer who owns Jack Tar Pictures, a company based at Amazon Studios. Marc’s first release under this banner is set for March 4, 2026, with Guy Ritchie’s Young Sherlock, an origin story. Previously, Marc spent over eight years helping to build Amazon Studios, advancing through the executive ranks to eventually serve as the US & Global Head of TV Development. Marc has also overseen more than a dozen feature films over 15 years, working as an executive at 20th Century Fox and as a producer with DreamWorks’ Parkes/MacDonald Productions and Warner Bros.’ Di Novi Pictures.Executive Producer Kristin OvernCreator/Executive Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan Stoller

Sandy recently came across an article in Variety that she thinks could spark your creativity for your next screenplay, short film, or vertical series. We also take a moment to revisit the March 2024 episode of 'Don’t You Forget About John Hughes,' where Terry and Sandy dive into four inspiring quotes by the legendary screenwriter, producer, and director John Hughes. As one of Hollywood's most successful and influential talents, John Hughes has played a key role in launching the careers of stars like Andrew McCarthy, Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Macaulay Culkin, Judd Nelson, and John Candy.Executive Producer Kristin OvernCreator/Executive Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan StollerCheck out our fantastic sponsor, Novelium:https://novelium.so

As a winter storm sweeps across the United States, bringing heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the Southern Rockies and Plains through the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, we hope everyone stays warm and safe. Today, we're excited to welcome Brian Austin Green, a talented actor who's been a familiar face on television for over thirty years. He's most popular for his role as David Silver on "Beverly Hills 90210." With an impressive list of credits, including Smallville, Desperate Housewives, CSI, and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Brian joins us to share his thoughts on writers from an actor’s perspective. So, cozy up, add another log to the fire, and enjoy the show!  Executive Producer Kristin OvernCreator/Executive Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan StollerCheck out our fantastic sponsor, Novelium:https://novelium.so

This week, we invite the esteemed Peter Dekom to provide an in-depth analysis of the intense bidding wars between Netflix and Paramount, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities confronting the entertainment industry today. How do these dynamics influence writers, creators, and the future of storytelling?Executive Producer Kristin OvernCreator/Executive Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan StollerCheck out our fantastic sponsor, Novelium:https://novelium.so

Watching movies can significantly boost your writing skills by providing a visual masterclass in storytelling, character development, and structure that you can actively analyze and incorporate into your work. We highlight five key areas a screenwriter should focus on while watching a film to improve as a writer. Executive Producer Kristin OvernCreator/Executive Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan StollerCheck out our fantastic sponsor, Novelium:https://novelium.so

Sandy explores a recent Ankler.com article titled: 'Gen Z Is Huge. Their TV Shows Are Tiny. And Hollywood Is Panicking,' written by Whitney Friedlander. Showrunners Nahnatchka Khan, Ben Kronengold, and Rebecca Shaw, along with top executives, discuss the industry's biggest missed demographic target, and how the HBO series 'I LOVE LA,' created by Rachel Sennott, about a close-knit friend group that reunites after years apart to navigate ambition, relationships, and personal changes, has achieved the nearly impossible: getting Gen Z to stop scrolling and watch her show.  Executive Producer Kristin OvernCreator/Executive Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan StollerCheck out our fantastic sponsor:https://novelium.so

 Vertical storytelling is gaining popularity, with more producers—mostly overseas—hiring screenwriters for vertical series. While these projects originated in Asia and the initial pay was low, they now offer fair compensation for authentic work.At The Writers Hangout, we advise writers to write a short to earn produced credits and gain experience, which can open more doors. With the decline of festivals, vertical series are emerging as the new frontier. Mobile reach is extensive and is becoming a good way to break into or stay active in the industry.Executive Producer Kristin OvernExecutive Producer and Host Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan StollerCHECK OUT OUR FANTASTIC SPONSOR HERE:https://novelium.so