Ep724 - Ajon Singh, Writer ‘Primetime’

Ajon Singh is a writer and producer best known for A24’s PRIMETIME starring and produced by Robert Pattinson and directed by Lance Oppenheim. Marking Singh’s first scripted feature, PRIMETIME recently earned three Gotham Award nominations, including Best Adapted Screenplay for Singh. He is co-writing an upcoming SPIDER-VERSE animated feature with Daniel Kaluuya for Sony Pictures Animation and was featured in Variety’s Screenwriters to Watch. In this interview, we talk about Ajon’s time working as a writer's assistant, how he wrote PRIMETIME, why he avoids overly transparent political agendas, writer's block, and much more. If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds, and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Brad Caleb Kane is a writer and showrunner who has worked on and produced numerous TV shows, including BLACK SAILS, TOKYO VICE, WELCOME TO DERRY, and the newly released CRYSTAL LAKE, a chilling prequel to the iconic Friday the 13th franchise that dives into the origins of one of horror’s most iconic villains. In this interview, we talk about building industry relationships, joining IT: WELCOME TO DERRY, developing and pitching the prequel series CRYSTAL LAKE, and much more. If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds, and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Mireille Enos is an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Tony nominated actress best know for her role as Detective Sarah Linden in AMC’s mystery drama THE KILLING. Some of her credits also include starring in Amazon’s action series HANNA and the blockbuster feature film WORLD WAR Z alongside Brad Pitt. Most recently, she stars opposite Jon Hamm in the MGM+ psychological thriller series AMERICAN HOSTAGE. The series follows Fred Heckman, a beloved Indianapolis radio reporter, who is thrust into the middle of a life-or-death crisis when hostage-taker, Tony Kiritsis, demands to be interviewed on his popular radio news program. In this interview, we talk about character preparation, her experience working with Jon Hamm and Adam Arkin, balancing her personal life with her career, and much more. If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds, and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Felicia Pride is a showrunner, screenwriter, author, and producer dedicated to uplifting Black stories. After pivoting to screenwriting at 35, she wrote and produced for GREY'S ANATOMY, QUEEN SUGAR, and BEL-AIR. She is now the showrunner and executive producer for NETFLIX's reimagining of A DIFFERENT WORLD. Felicia is also the author of six books, including HALLWAY DIARIES and THE PIVOT PLAYBOOK, and the founder of HONEY CHILE ENTERTAINMENT, a production company centering Black women over 40. In this interview, we talk about the characteristics of healthy versus unhealthy writers' rooms, her time at GREY'S ANATOMY and writing for established series, professional strategies, and her new show A DIFFERENT WORLD. If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds, and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Martin Campbell is an acclaimed director best known for revitalizing iconic franchises. He directed two of the most celebrated JAMES BOND films, GOLDENEYE and CASINO ROYALE, as well as THE MASK OF ZORRO and its sequel THE LEGEND OF ZORRO. Most recently, he directed the thriller JUST PLAY DEAD. The film follows a criminal who fakes his own death for the insurance payout while framing his wife's lover. But when his wife decides to kill him for real and take the money for herself, the two get locked in a deadly battle of wits. In this interview, we talk about his new film JUST PLAY DEAD, the differences between working in the studio system versus independent filmmaking, criteria for selecting screenplays, the parkour chase sequence in CASINO ROYALE, and much more. Listen to our previous interview with Campbell back in Episode 619. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS, right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend, as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds, and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Angourie Rice is an accomplished actress best known for her performances in THE NICE GUYS alongside Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe, as well as her role as Betty Brant in the MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE SPIDER-MAN trilogy. Her prominent screen credits also include the comedy HONOR SOCIETY and the acclaimed HBO series MARE OF EASTTOWN. Most recently, she stars in the romantic comedy FINDING EMILY. In FINDING EMILY, a lovesick musician receives the wrong number for his dream girl and joins forces with a driven psychology student to track her down. Their search triggers a hilarious campus-wide frenzy that unexpectedly tests their own hearts and ambitions. In this interview, we talk about the risks and challenges of being a working artist, what she has learned from working with Jennifer Garner, factors that attract an actor to a project, her new film FINDING EMILY, and much more. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS, right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend, as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds, and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Cassie serves as co-showrunner, executive producer, and writer on LUCKY, the pulse-pounding limited series adaptation led by Anya Taylor-Joy. Based on the New York Times bestselling novel of the same name, the series follows Lucky – a con artist who is forced to go on the run when a multimillion-dollar heist goes sideways. Previously, Cassie served as writer and co-executive producer on the first two seasons of the critically acclaimed Apple TV series SILO, working alongside Graham Yost. She also wrote and co-executive produced Netflix’s GRISELDA, which became the platform’s No. 1 series in 90 countries during its first week of release. Additional credits include FX’s TYRANT, and she began her television career on Showtime’s groundbreaking drama THE L WORD. In this interview, we talk about her early work as a writer's assistant on THE L WORD, writing strong female leads and female perspectives, collaborating with Graham Yost on SILO, her new series LUCKY, and much more. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS, right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend, as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds, and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Jonathan Pryce is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning actor best known for his work on the hit film THE TWO POPES and the acclaimed series THE CROWN and GAME OF THRONES. Most recently, Jonathan Pryce stars as David Cartwright in the hit series SLOW HORSES. The series follows a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents who defend the UK from sinister forces. In Episode 663, we also had the opportunity to interview Gary Oldman, who shared insights with us about his work on the series. In this interview, we talk about his take on playing real-life figures, his experiences working alongside actors like Anthony Hopkins and Gary Oldman, the benefits of long-form television storytelling, and much more. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS, right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend, as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds, and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Scoot McNairy is an acclaimed actor known for his key roles in Academy Award-winning pictures such as ARGO and 12 YEARS A SLAVE, as well as David Fincher's hit thriller GONE GIRL. On television, McNairy played lead roles in critically acclaimed series including HALT AND CATCH FIRE, TRUE DETECTIVE, NARCOS: MEXICO, and GODLESS. His newest show, FURIOUS, follows FBI agent Alice Black as she hunts a mysterious and calculating female serial killer. Both walk their own paths toward justice, and as their lives start to intertwine, the line between right and wrong begins to blur. In this interview, we talk about how he makes roles feel relatable to audiences, what he’s learnt from collaborating with directors like David Fincher and Zack Snyder, his new show FURIOUS, and how he prepares for roles. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS, right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend, as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds, and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Riz Ahmed is an Academy Award-winning and Emmy-winning actor, writer, and musician. He gained critical acclaim for his breakout role in NIGHTCRAWLER, followed by powerhouse performances in ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY, THE NIGHT OF, and his Oscar-nominated turn in SOUND OF METAL. Beyond his film work, he is a prominent rapper under the moniker Riz MC and co-founded the hip-hop group Swet Shop Boys. Most recently, he created, wrote, and starred in the Prime Video comedy-drama series BAIT. BAIT follows a struggling actor on the verge of his big break, who suddenly gets caught in a massive conspiracy and a major existential crisis. In this interview, we talk about his early rapping days, how he gained recognition in America, his entry into screenwriting and directing, his new project BAIT, and much more. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS, right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend, as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds, and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!