Happier in Hollywood

Liz and Sarah talk about how a recent conversation about a former development project reminded them that “no now doesn’t mean no forever.” In Take A Hike, Liz discusses why you might want to do your own version of her Fryman 50. Then they answer a question from The Mailroom about whether they’ve ever written for a show they didn’t like — and if so how did they handle it? This week’s Hollywood Hack...

Liz and Sarah share what tools they consider essential for their job as TV writers. On the list? Final Draft, Google Docs, dry erase board tiles, the reMarkable Tablet, and more. In A Day In The Life, they run through what a typical day is during development. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from Liz’s mom: Put a number on it. Finally, Liz recommends Season Two of Sex/Life on Netflix.  Get in touc...

Liz tells Sarah she realized that she’s been going on endless rants about the state of TV writers in Hollywood — and she’s vowing to stop! From now on, Liz is going to be positive and try to manifest good things. Will it work? Keep listening to find out! In Take A Hike, Sarah shares how her wood burning stove has helped her see that little things can be big things. Then, in The Craft (& Fain), Liz...

Liz and Sarah talk to H Schuster about her plan to democratize and diversify access to the entertainment industry. The mission of H’s new company HUSSLUP is to transform Hollywood’s old clique with one click. Then, in The Mailroom, Liz and Sarah answer a question about TV writer Elisabeth Finch who notoriously lied her way up the ladder on hit shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Vampire Diaries. This we...

Liz and Sarah are deep into the first draft of the pilot they’re writing — and discovering all over again how hard it is to write a pilot. Creating something out of nothing is never easy! In Take A Hike, Liz talks about how she decided to set aside worry during her recent glamping trip. The result? She was fully present and had an amazing time. Next, in Take Two, Liz and Sarah share more ways to l...

As Liz and Sarah continue to work on the novel they plan to write, they realize that for once they’re in total control of their fate. That’s exciting — but also scary. There’s no one to blame but themselves if they don’t finish it! In The Craft (& Fain) they talk about how sometimes you should “do a little before you do a lot.” Then Sarah gives Connie a Hit for doing Violet’s hair and make up for...

Liz and Sarah celebrate the 300th episode of Happier In Hollywood! What are some of listeners’ favorite moments of the podcast? Volunteers not recruits. Get to steppin’. Identify your personal canary in a coal mine. And so much more! For Liz and Sarah, the best part of the podcast is… you! They’re so grateful for the incredible HIH community.  Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraft...

Liz and Sarah share an email from a listener that outlines the differences between writing a mystery and a thriller. One key takeaway? Curiosity fuels a mystery. Anxiety drives a thriller. Then they go Behind The Scenes of Episodes 203 and 204 of Fantasy Island. How does the crew deal with wind? Do Fantasy Island writers get ideas from their therapy sessions? How did they come up with the surreal...

Liz and Sarah are finally celebrating their 20th anniversary of being a writing team with a Caribbean cruise on the Regal Princess. Yes, they’re working onboard but they’re having plenty of fun too — including snorkeling over a shipwreck in Grand Cayman. As they look back over twenty years, they reveal the top three things they’ve learned. Most important? The war of attrition never ends, so keep t...

Liz and Sarah are setting their own deadlines on a current project - and that can be a challenge for these two Obligers. How will they manage to stay on track? In Take A Hike, Sarah reveals how the recent rains in Southern California made her realize it’s a good idea to practice for an emergency. Next, in The Craft (& Fain), they discuss the importance of doing your research before diving into a n...

Liz and Sarah discuss what makes them feel like they’re back to work after a long break. For Liz, it’s getting on her treadmill desk. For Sarah, it’s setting an alarm. Then they go Behind The Scenes of Episode 201 of Fantasy Island. The rain on screen was fake, the real rain was a real problem. This week’s Hollywood Hack is helping Liz listen to more books: the Libby app! It takes less than a minu...

Liz and Sarah pay tribute to the legendary Barbara Walters, whose career was an inspiration to both of them. Then they reveal their 2023 New Year’s resolutions. Liz is going to weigh herself every day. Sarah is making a 23 for 23 list focused entirely on herself. In Take Two, they revisit the idea of a clothing swap party. And finally this week’s Hollywood Hack will help if you have any final holi...

Liz and Sarah reveal (and explain) their Team Motto for 2023 — “Alt Ending Thelma & Louise!” They’re anticipating a difficult year but they’re in it together, just like ride or die pals Thelma and Louise. Then they revisit 2022 in a special Take Two. In The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah discuss how they use visuals when they pitch a new show. The process has changed — for the better — since before...

Recently, Liz and Sarah talked about how they were “all dressed up with no place to go” when a pitch meeting was cancelled last minute. Well, they got dressed and they went! Did they sell their pitch in the Zoom Room? Listen to find out. In Take Two, they share stories from listeners in other careers who have also experienced very frustrating last minute cancellations. Then, in Take A Hike, Liz ta...

As Liz and Sarah wait for news of a Season Three pickup of Fantasy Island, they discuss how in Hollywood there’s ALWAYS a wait. In HIH WFH (Happier In Hollywood Work From Home) they talk about why it’s a good idea to stop treating the permanent like it’s temporary. Chances are you WILL be working at home at least part time forever. Then they Amplify a new memoir from child star Jennette McCurdy — ...

Liz and Sarah discuss how they were all psyched up for a pitch meeting — and then it didn’t happen. The only consolation? Liz hadn’t paid for a blow out. In Take A Hike, they talk about the opposite of schadenfreude — freudenfraude. Especially now, when Hollywood is so chaotic, it’s helpful to take pleasure in others’ good fortune. Then Sarah revisits the Bomb she gave Elon Musk in Take Two. Final...

As Sarah and Liz hone a new pitch they realize that the note they often get is the same one that they always give — MORE EMOTION. In Take A Hike, Sarah talks about how doing jigsaw puzzles is keeping her calm (and might be key to figuring out story problems). Next, Liz and Sarah give a Bomb to Elon Musk. And Liz gives a Hit to “things going wrong.” Finally, Sarah discovered this week’s Hollywood H...

Liz and Sarah discuss what they’re grateful for— Sarah’s Ojai life is looking up, Liz has taken charge of her health, and their Fantasy Island cast is… well, a fantasy. In Take a Hike, Sarah shares her decision NOT to set an alarm. Then Liz and Sarah answer a Mailroom question about Bad Sisters. Spoiler Alert: Liz still can’t make herself watch it. Finally, a listener from Berlin shares a Hollywoo...

Liz and Sarah talk about how often they rush to meet a deadline — and then realize there was no rush at all. Then, in Take A Hike, they discuss how the realization that accepting can be easier than rejecting led to Sarah owning a hissing cockroach. Next, Liz and Sarah offer even MORE great holiday gift ideas in Take Two. Finally, Sarah is passionate about this week’s Hollywood Hack: the reMarkable...

This week Liz and Sarah share their favorite holiday gift ideas for 2022 — cute AirPod cases, the Fermob Balad Lamp, the Click and Grow Smart Garden, a personalized vinyl record, Corkcicle coolers, and SO MANY MORE!!!  Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraft Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com Join our Facebook group: https...

Liz and Sarah mention “the war of attrition that is life in Los Angeles” every week in the Happier In Hollywood opener. This week they discuss why combating attrition feels harder than ever — and tactics for winning the battle. Then, in Take A Hike, they share lessons learned from the late character actor and Instagram star Leslie Jordan. In this week’s HIH WFH, Liz suggests reading for fun at lun...

After a recent meeting, Liz and Sarah discuss the concept of transparency. How much is too much? And when do you know if it’s safe to be transparent at work? In Take A Hike, they examine the difference between “managing” expectations people and “creating” expectations people. Both types have advantages and disadvantages. Next, in Amplify, Liz and Sarah share a new two part documentary from actor E...

Liz and Sarah discuss their recent realization that they should reframe work “politics” as work “diplomacy.” In Take A Hike, they share insight from a member of the HIH Facebook group — sometimes you have to stand still and do nothing until it feels okay. Then, in Hits & Bombs, Liz responds to listeners concern that she always gives herself Bombs by giving herself two Hits — one for taking her hea...

Liz and Sarah discuss why sharing their expertise helped them hone in on their strengths and weaknesses as Showrunners. Then — do you love the Fantasy Island theme music as much as Liz and Sarah do? In Hollywood Jobs, they talk to Fantasy Island composer, Genevieve Vincent, about how she captures the magic of the island in her score every episode. Finally, this week’s Hollywood Hack is inspired by...

Liz and Sarah are back in work mode, and they went on an overnight retreat at the Emerald Iguana Inn in Ojai to brainstorm in person. The result? A hugely productive twenty-four hours and a new Team Talisman — the iguana. In Take A Hike, they discuss their decision to wear comfortable shoes at the first work party they’ve gone to in three years. Good thing too — they ended up walking three miles....