On The Page

Writer Aydrea Walden discusses her recent job as a development executive at DreamWorks TV and her new gig writing for a Disney Jr. show. She also gives some valuable tips about networking and insight into the writers' room.

Writing/Directing brothers Tony Dean Smith and Ryan W. Smith talk about their journey from making movies in their living room to independent filmmaking and the release of their feature film "Volition."

T en writers from across the country and around the world get together on Zoom to ask questions about the craft of screenwriting. Special thanks to guests  Christina Nicole,  Danielle Pinnock,  Deanna Brauer,  Glenn Lawrence,  Kennet Bennervall,  Lateefah Holder,  Mario Kersey,  Marky Hinojosa,  Mykal Kilgore,  Seamus Heffernan and  Tony Gapastione.

Actor/writers Danielle Pinnock and Kimberly Hebert-Gregory talk about their annoyance with one-dimensional characterizations of black women in movie and TV stories, their wish for duality and complexity in the roles they play and their hope that the current push for change doesn't turn out to be a "Jenny Craig moment." 

Executive producer Liz Tigelaar dives deep into the character dynamics and issues explored in the Hulu limited series  Little Fires Everywhere . Find out the difference between plot and story and learn why Liz is the "queen of the act-out."

Writer / Director Ben Mekler talks about his experiences writing for the Netflix animated series  Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts .

From a " stereotype moratorium"  to  " d ivestment from discriminatory locales ," writer and social justice leader Alan Jenkins describes the concrete actions that writers and others in the entertainment industry can take right now.

Episode 666 called for a discussion of one of the greatest movies of all times, The Omen , with one of the greatest screenwriters of all times, David Seltzer. Not only does he share his thoughts and feelings about writing horror, he also gives insight into the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory !

Goal coach Debra Eckerling talks about the road trip approach to setting, planning and achieving goals laid out in her new book, Your Goal Guide .

Documentary filmmaker Senain Kheshgi talks about the way she uses narrative movie structure to shape her groundbreaking films.

Writer/Actor/Comedian Rich Fulcher returns to crack Pilar up with his take on voice acting, pitching and writing on Matt Groening's animated show  Disenchantment .

Veteran writers  Juliet Aires Giglio and Keith Giglio  talk about following structure while freshening genre in their latest venture writing Christmas movies ( C hristmas Reservations,    A Very Nutty Christmas)   for Lifetime.

Pilar enlists the listeners to talk about the bingeable shows that are helping them get through the Coronavirus quarantine.

Chris Sparling, writer of   BURIED ,  THE SEA OF TREES  (nominated for the   Palm d'Or at Cannes) , MERCY  and the soon to be released GREENLAND, is a veteran at working remotely and taking meetings online. In this episode he offers tips on virtual networking, maintaining focus and writing well. 

Locked down with their mom, Pilar's kids Ezra Dodson and Rita Dodson discuss "teen" language, portrayals of teenagers on screen and their mutual love of inappropriate horror movies.

Personal finance consultant Lisa Gould leads a creative conversation about ways that writers can save, manage and spend their hard-earned money.

Brian Keith Etheridge has been a writer and co-EP for the half-hour comedy  The Neighborhood,   The Goldbergs ,  Mike and Molly,   The Mick  and  The Ranch  … just to name a few. Here he shares his wisdom about writing, pitching and the dynamics of the writers' room. His philosophy:  "Anyone who pitches the solution is a hero."

Screenwriters Dave Merlino and Dustin Sweet share their four-year journey filming a documentary about war veterans.

Writer/director Wanuri Kahiu lives in Kenya, takes meetings in LA, and makes movies for the world.  Here she gives her inspiring take on writing adaptations, directing actors and the need for "fun and frivolous" stories about African culture.

Pilar wants to let you know about online/video-conference classes at On the Page and to announce that in-person classes are suspended at the studio for spring due to COVID-19. Stay safe and have a good writing week!  www.onthepage.tv

Pilar sits down with her step-father, Philippe Koenig, to discuss the first 40 years of his life as though it were a series of movies.

Writers Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg discuss their love of horror, their unique writing partnership and their experiences writing  Spiral (the next movie in the  Saw  franchise) starring Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson.

Showrunner Jeffrey Lieber digs into story, craft and the writers room as he shares his experiences about moving from playwright to filmmaker to TV writer and pitching a show called LOST along the way.

Writer/Director Danish Renzu talks about the passion and persistence that went into making his latest movie, "The Illegal."

Pilar and her friends Brian Pope and Mike Musa get together for their annual discussion/argument about the best screenplay and best adapted screenplay Oscar nominees.