First Light: Follow-Up Interview w/Liz Kerin, Author/Screenwriter

EPISODE 63: Do you have trouble pitching? Are you an introvert and/or plagued by social anxiety when you have to present your ideas in front of people? You are NOT alone. Many of us became writers because we like to be alone in dark (but like, cozy) caves with our typewriters and iced coffees, not surrounded by smart, intimidating other writers, all waiting for storytelling gold to pour from our mouths. But guess what? If you're a writer -- especially a TV writer -- you're gonna have to pitch, babe. This episode is full of tips and tricks for how to improve your pitching skills, build confidence, and have fun collaborating with your creative colleagues.

EPISODE 62. In this episode, UFDP gets REAL! There's a lot to feel big feelings about right now. During fraught times, how can writers channel our anger, grief, overwhelm, and other intense emotions into our storytelling? How can we write about pertinent themes and current events without "getting too political"? Join UFDP as we discuss how to use writing as an outlet for ideas and concepts that can be difficult to otherwise express, how to bake challenging ideas into more palatable entertainment, and how we're maintaining our sanity during the dumpster fire that is 2025.

EPISODE 61. UFDP re-interviews writer/ director Maggie Levin (VHS:99, INTO THE DARK: MY VALENTINE) — new WGA Board Member and now on the Board for The Women's List, a script competition accessible to all female-identifying writers—* returns to discuss life post-strike, how her advice for new writers have changed and what she wishes writers new about the WGA board— plus all about who The Women's List is looking for! (hint: it's probably you!)*Listen up, uh, listeners! UFDP will sponsor someone's entry fee for The Women's List, so make sure you heed our instructions!And the sexy new resource we mention to help whip your script into shape: https://www.plotandpage.com/

EPISODE 60: UFDP interviews fabulous entertainment attorney Jennifer Gray of Hansen Jacobson about what writers' lawyers actually do, why it can take so long for writers to get paid, the truth about copyright law, AI, and more.

EPISODE 59: UFDP discusses the ways a dead project might suddenly come back to life, and how to reengage with material you haven't thought about in a long time.

EPISODE 58: UFDP unravels the mystery around what "being on script" actually means for staffed TV writers tackling their assigned episode— and whether Hannah and Jess are really too busy to hang out with Erica during that time (the answer may surprise you!).

EPISODE 57: Author and screenwriter Liz Kerin returns to UFDP with updates and to share the reality of how the development process of turning her Night's Edge duology into a TV series concluded.

EPISODE 56: Liz Kerin, playwright, screenwriter and author of vampire duology Night's Edge and First Light, told UFDP all about her writing process and the development process of adapting her own novel into a TV series during last year's writers strike.

It's a crossover episode! This week we interview another legend in the world of TV & screenwriting podcasts, Ben Blacker, creator and host of The Writer's Panel, who also happens to be a prolific writer across numerous genres and mediums, including film, TV, novels, comics, and live theater. With 600 episodes and counting, Ben has interviewed a plethora of creative luminaries responsible for some of your favorite movies and TV shows. Check out the Writer's Panel on Apple or Spotify. We discuss Ben's fascinating, labyrinthine career; how the industry has changed over the past decade; and, of course, what Ben wishes he knew when he was getting started. Tune in to hear about some of Ben's favorite Writer's Panel guests, advice on staying engaged in continuing to learn and hone one's craft, and much more in this very special guest episode.

EP 54: We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to say... WE DID IT! The epic 2023 writers strike is over! Tune in now to hear what UFDP talk about the highs and lows of strike life, what deal points we're most excited about, and what we hope happens next!