Act Two Podcast

After weeks of hard work, you've finally made it to the room and are pitching your take on a movie or show. Congrats! Now for the hard part... Whether it's to producers, studio execs, a director, actor/actress, or another creator -- you are going to get thoughts and questions after your pitch that you absolutely cannot predict. What do you do, and how can you possibly prepare? Hosts Tasha Huo and...

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman take on the hotly debated topic amongst Screenwriters of whether to include a character's Internal Dialogue in action descriptions, or simply write a blueprint for the camera (as we are taught in film school). Using examples from successful spec scripts that have sold and their own scripts, Tasha and Josh break down the benefits of adding Internal Dialogue and why...

What should you write next? It's common not to know what your next move should be, and it can be overwhelming knowing you'll spend months on a script. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss how they determine what to write next and ways to prioritize certain projects.    Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman answer listener and Screenwriting Twitter questions about what to do with conflicting notes, and discuss some TWIW in their own lives, from the many tiers of a single pitch before getting the job to their feelings (and realities) about a 10-year-old being hired to develop a studio movie.   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundq...

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk about where the ideas for three of their Film & TV scripts came from, where they were in their lives when it happened, and what can be learned about Idea Creation from that process.   TWIW - Revising Strategy: Start with a Blank Page / Is Roadhouse in the zeitgeist?    Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

The favorite thing a screenwriter can do is to Network! Not really. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman dive into all things networking and what that means for a screenwriter. We discuss the dos and don'ts when you're forced out of your comfort zone and find yourself trying to make new connections.  Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com -- Edited by Paul Lundquist

We all get notes, but sometimes we know they're not the right notes. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss when to take the note or when to stand your ground. There is a lot to consider: Are you getting paid? Are you writing on spec? Who is giving the note? How long have you been working on the script? Will it change the script? For better or worse, no scenario is the same. Questions/Comments:...

Tasha has lost her voice so this is a Retake: Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk with spec master Daniel Kunka to discuss his latest script: LIFT. Kunka’s spec created a frenzy that resulted in him teaming up with Netflix, Simon Kinberg, and Matt Reeves. The Act Two Podcast loves (LOVES) specs, and it was great to have Kunka offer inspiration while sharing his insight.   Questions/Comments: Act...

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss their Oscar predictions and why, what movies they feel were snubbed, their favorite Oscar traditions, and what makes a script adapted vs. original? Also they ANNOUNCE their first ever Act Two Patreon Oscar Pool! Join now to receive the Oscar Ballot and try your hand at winning this year's prize!   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the...

Fresh from being told she *didn't* get the job, host Tasha Huo talks about the process of putting together a series pitch for one of her favorite IPs, what her process was, and what it was like to be told you didn't get the job.    Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman take you through a Fireside Chat of real-life stories of working Screenwriters, including real hurdles, obstacles and situations that professional Screenwriters have come up against and what to do in those situations.   TWIW: Are you too old to start your Screenwriting career? / Why you shouldn't copyright your scripts. / Tasha & Josh finished breaking their sp...

It is the bane of any Screenwriter's existence when they turn in their perfect screenplay only to be told they need to cut 10 pages. Whether it's for the read or for production, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss their step-by-step process for cutting pages when you absolutely don't want to, but HAVE to.   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Where ideas come from and then how to turn that into an actual movie or TV show is THE hardest part of being a writer, and one of the most-asked questions between writers: "How did you come up with that?" So this episode, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman break down in detail how they went from Idea to Outline for their new Murder Mystery spec.   TWIW: Tasha's unexpected self-sabotage moment / To r...

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss all the ways a Screenwriter feels uncomfortable in their day to day working lives, and how they tackle those feelings when they come up, whether it be a Pitch, a General Meeting, or discussing difficult ideas in their scripts.   TWIW: How Act Two's first Patreon Live Q&A went, Tasha's Screenwriting nightmare, Short Form content and how difficult it is t...

We all feel it. That voice in our head telling us we are Imposters and someone will finally figure out we don't know how to write, pitch or create stories. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what their own Imposter Syndrome looks like and how they have managed to not only combat it, but in some cases, completely defeat it.    TWIW: Is Barbie an "adapted" or "original" screenplay? / Tasha is...

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what a General Meeting is and how to impress once you're in one. They also discuss why reps are key, but not imperative, to a Screenwriting career, and how to meet with reps if you are taking meetings with Agents and Managers.   TWIW: 22 Jump Street's surprising improv scene, The importance and beauty of listening to others on set, and Josh & Tasha list...

Happy 2024! Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss goals in the new year. Get ready. It's an exciting time.    Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss their Top 3 Christmas movies, why they work, and what they would do if they wrote a Christmas movie.   TWIW: The Oscars are now honoring "fan favorite" films / How NFL has cornered the market on character-driven storytelling / and the pain in the ass that is living with a writer.   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundq...

Hosts Tasha Huo & Josh Hallman discuss filmmaking tips we can learn from writer-director James Mangold (LOGAN, INDIANA JONES & THE DIAL OF DESTINY).    TWIW: Is Harry Potter just a magical Mission Impossible movie? And how do you combat "spec boredom" so you can finish your script instead of move on to a new idea?   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lun...

This Week in Writing includes a recap of our Screenwriter Meet Up, heart vs marketability, when to throw the kitchen sink at your script’s hook, how to work a general to your advantage, do you need to drop your rep if they don’t “get you,” the learned skill of trimming minutes, shredding the “a screenplay is a bland blueprint” opinion, and a reminder of why the first ten pages of your screenplay n...

How do you get the heart of your show across in a clear and concise way without overloading the script with too many elements or underwhelming with too few? Tasha and Josh discuss how to bring clarity of concept into your writing using lessons from their recent pilots. TWIW: Lessons from a Mike Flanagan Kickstarter. Why distinctive characters are essential for pitching a network TV show. Thoughts...

The day has finally arrived! On Nov 30th we officially launch the Act Two Podcast Patreon. To celebrate, we’re hosting a Screenwriter Meet & Greet that night in Los Angeles. If you’re in the area, come say “Hello!” We’d love to see you there! Link for Event Info Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

Tasha and Josh break down the mother/daughter story in Pixar’s BRAVE with special guest Michele Wolkoff (EP, Pigeon Tunnel and Rook). They discuss what works, what doesn’t (and why), and analyze how a directorial overhaul 18 months prior to release affected the story and underlying themes.   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

This Week in Writing includes why relationships are key to the Hollywood long game, signs you may need to restructure your spec, and why the simple act of reading a comic can be so creatively refreshing. Plus, Josh breaks through with a new idea to avoid extensive, unpaid rewrites!   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

Writing a first draft is tough. But writing a second draft can be tougher. Tasha and Josh discuss best practices for tackling the deceptively difficult second draft, be it going scene-by-scene, starting anew, or ignoring a note to find the real note lurking underneath.   TWIW: Why staying active with programs and competitions keeps you going. Should an agent ask for your resume? Style lessons from...