Act Two Podcast

What is a framing device, and why do writers use them? Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman explore the storytelling tool that bookends so many scripts. They also have a little disagreement about the use of a framing device in White Lotus...   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss ways to advocate for yourself, whether you have reps or not, and the importance of thinking of yourself as the CEO of your own company of one.   TWIW: the new Nicholls Fellowship setup / Josh's insane Monday morning that ended with a 911 call   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Getting repped can seem impossible, but the good news is there are actually many different paths to representation. In this repost from S4, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman break down what worked for them in their own careers and what they've seen work for other writers.   TWIW: Josh finished a pilot with his wife and celebrated with Taylor Swift, Tasha celebrates an Act Two mentee getting repped!...

Some stories begin with a character. Others begin with a question. But what if yours begins with a place? This week, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman kick off a new series on story starting points — beginning with how location can be more than just a setting.   Stephen Sondheim Instagram POST . Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

A writer has unique aches and pains due to the nature of their work: sitting for hours on end, hunched over a computer, typing, fidgeting, etc. Physical Therapist, Melody Garcia, talks about what common ailments she sees among writers and what you can do to prevent and treat your aches and pains.   TWIW: Mickey 17 and a Q1 goals check-in! New Segment: Are You Excited??   Questions / Comments: ActT...

Let's discuss outlines. Should you do them, when is it right for your project and not? Do you ask for it as a step in your deal, or keep it to yourself? Does an outline take the magic and joy out of writing, or can it help you get through an idea when you might otherwise falter? Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss how they and other writers they know think about outlining.   Questions / Comme...

We've all been asked "Why now?" by someone who has read our script or listened to our pitch. But it probably doesn't mean what you think it means. In this episode, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what an exec is really asking when they say, "Why now?" And how best to answer it. They also discuss ways to prevent ever being asked this question in the first place!   Questions / Comments: Act...

The Oscars are here! Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman welcome back Dave Levinson (Friend Of The Pod) to break down predictions, categories, and blockbusters that should have been recognized… plus, will everyone actually be watching? The Oscars are a Hollywood tradition - and we need to get into it.    Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

It's Mailbag time! Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman dive into the Act Two inbox and answer listener questions. Don't forget you can always reach out!    Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman dive back into branding yourself as a screenwriter. We're often told to stay in a lane, but how can you widen that lane? How can you tackle multiple genres at once? And how do you build a brand without boxing yourself in?   Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Special guest alert. Dave Levinson is back. We’re discussing contained stories — high-stakes, small-scale scripts. We’re diving into what makes these stories work, offer some of our favorites, and discuss why they're so appealing to the industry.    Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

"Cheer Moments" build to those audience-pleasing, emotionally satisfying moments... whether they’re moments of victory, revelation, or catharsis. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss writing to these moments, where this term came from (pretty sure it's JJ Abrams), and offer examples.    Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

In difficult times, it's easy to feel lost or that our job as Screenwriters doesn't matter or make a difference. But the opposite is, in fact, true. In this episode, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk about what it's like to write during the crisis of the Los Angeles wildfires, how it's helped them cope, and how it actually sheds light on the unique importance of our job as Screenwriters and Fi...

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman want to thank all of our listeners for their support and their check-ins during this unprecedented disaster. We are safe, we are together, and our hearts are broken for Los Angeles.    Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

2025 Screenwriting Goals have been made and now it's time to execute them. Join hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman as they talk about realistic, practical and effective ways to accomplish your screenwriting goals this year. Making career goals and accomplishing them are completely doable and within your control. Let's do this, together.   Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gm...

In the final episode of Season 5, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk through their 2024 writing goals to see how many they achieved and what lessons can be learned from their failures to prevent a repeat next year. They also list their 2025 writing goals in prep for their New Year's episode...   TWIW: Specs are back! / Movies are back! / Josh's daughter makes them both cry / Tasha's emotional p...

As INTERSTELLAR (2014) gets its IMAX re-release, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss how Christopher Nolan world builds in the film, utilizing every aspect of filmmaking at his disposal from shot framing, camera movement, dialogue, scene-dressing and music. Join in on a mini-breakdown of a masterclass in world-building.   Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Ed...

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss how to survive the holidays as a writer while staying productive, the best holiday gifts to get writers, and how to shop for those pesky managers and agents of yours.    TWIW: the Blacklist winners were announced, and Tasha & Josh have some favorites; movie-watching etiquette disaster during Interstellar; Tasha has two very different kinds of pitches in...

Christmas movies are the best! We dive into the Christmas magic of genre mashups, discussing how some films seamlessly blend Christmas themes with action, music, and comedy. We explore how these films balance the holiday spirit with unexpected twists ... and why we love them for it.   Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by Paul Lundquist 

Being a professional Screenwriter means that, unlike a corporate job, every day of your work life is different. But, a Work/Life Balance is achievable, it's just about making the right choices each day to prioritize your schedule. Midst the end of year chaos, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss how they succeed at achieving a Work/Life Balance and, when they fail, how it happens.    TWIW: Sta...

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the different meetings you will have as a Screenwriter and how to turn them into work opportunities. Whether it's a Producer, a Director or another Writer, there are different ways to approach each meeting and maximize your time.    TWIW: Do you engage on a project even if you're not passionate about it? / How an idea gestates over time. / A big new spec sa...

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the Training Montage. Use it? Don't use it? What are the most iconic training montages and why do they work? Where do training montages fail and slow down the movie? How can you incorporate them into your own writing? Let's get hyped, and train.   Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by Paul Lundquist 

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman answer your questions, including - what is the difference between the "Call to Action" and the "Inciting Incident", how do you avoid common pitfalls in adapting IP, what are the do's and don'ts for recent film school grads, and how did Tasha go about choosing the emotional throughline in her show Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft?   Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Que...

Ever feel like a movie or show disappoints you? Like they missed an opportunity? Like they let you down somehow but you can't quite place it? Well, it might be a Chekhov's Gun problem. In this episode, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what Checkhov's Gun is, why it's important in writing stories, how to use it, and examples of great and failed uses of Chekhov's Gun in popular movies.   Fol...

Happy Halloween (week). Josh is joined by special co-host Dave Levinson to discuss their favorite horror sequels (Tasha is back next week). They discuss what makes a great sequel and how to improve from the original concept. If we missed anything, let us know.     Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by Paul Lundquist