Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss

We talk to Shudder General Manager Craig Engler. The writer-turned-exec tells us what he’s learned about rejection as a writer and how he  now behaves as an exec. Craig talks about the emotional heartbreak of a writing project ending in turmoil and legal dispute, how that drove him back to the exec side of the business and what it meant to him. He explains why he likes to give a quick no, how some...

We talk to showrunner Vaun Wilmott who tells stories of giving up acting, selling shampoo and breaking into the world of writing. He tells us about his 'overnight success', taking more than ten years of writing until he created Dominion and the joys of being the number two in a room. We talk about leadership over Zoom, missing out on the snacks and lunches of the old days and working on...

In one of our most in-depth and emotional interviews we talk to showrunner Patrick Macmanus. He tells us his Hollywood journey - part-time bartending, failed at acting  and transition to writing. Patrick talks about giving up on the entertainment business, moving to Mongolia and breaking a promise to his mother-in-law. We go deep discussing distance from family, sacrifice and the commitment needed...

We talk to Simon Barry about his adventures in Hollywood and are joined by guest co-host and Maze Runner writer Grant Pierce Myers. He talks about his first short film screening that no one turned up to, losing a girlfriend and gaining an agent the same day and how he came to Hollywood to be a screenwriter without a script. Simon describes how he both felt he didn't belong, but also how  much...

The podcast shifts from writer to director and we are delighted to be joined by Jen McGowan. She tells us her journey into directing, how winning an award early in her career changed her view of Hollywood and the importance of setting expectations. We compare boxing and the entertainment industry, the importance of an outlet for anger and frustration and how she deals with rejection and failure. J...

Fascinating interview with another successful Canadian - this time showrunner Brad Wright, co-creator of Stargate SG-1 and Netflix's Travelers. He talks about how he managed to avoid moving to Hollywood, why being Canadian is being an advantage and the joys of working on Canadian productions. Brad talks about getting into genre shows, the 'no assholes' policy in their room on Travel...

We talk to the incredible Craig Thomas, co-creator and showrunner of How I Met Your Mother. He explains how he nearly derailed himself after success came early, the importance of focus on successful projects and the risk of distraction.  We talk about being 'hot' and the pressure that creates, we hear some incredible stories of failure and rejection as well as some extraordinary interact...

We start season 2 with veteran showrunner and novelist Rob Thomas. We get straight into it with the crushing blow of losing an overall deal with a major studio, a hellish year of development and concerns that his most recent show might be his last. Rob explains how he went pretty much straight from Dawson’s Creek writer to showrunner, what he learned along the way and how he is a bad consultant bu...

Ahead of the return of our second season, Noah and Dan sit down for another of their little chats. They talk about Noah's recovery from illness, the incredible reception to our first season and what is to come in the second. We start our listener's questions segment, discuss the amazing honesty of our guests so far and set the scene for 50 more stories of rejection, failure and adversity...

Noah and Dan review the first season of Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss. They talk about what they learned, why they did it and how much it meant to both of them. And Noah reveals a secret that will bring new meaning to overcoming adversity.

We end the first season of Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss with Bill Lawrence. He tells about his multiple early firings, how he feels when his shows fail to become hits and how difficult it was to pitch Ted Lasso. He talks about dealing with success, what he learned early in his career and how he feels about comparing his new projects to his old ones. Bill explains that success in this industr...

One of his producers died in a car crash, another was murdered - and these aren't even his most dramatic stories! In the penultimate show of the season, we talk to legendary screenwriter Steven E. de Souza. The Die Hard writer, with more than $2bn in box office to his name, takes us on a fabulous romp through Hollywood. We talk about some of his biggest successes, but also how even he struggl...

We talk to the legendary showrunner David Shore. He talks us through his journey giving up working as a lawyer in Canada and moving to Hollywood with very limited contacts - and very limited writing skills. He explains how he got his break on Due South, how he measured his time in the business one job at a time and then how he chose to leave a show he wasn't enjoying and that move created the...

We talk to Derek Simonds about his experience taking up the reins of The Sinner. He talks openly about the overwhelming experience of taking on the multi-disciplinary showrunner role, the pressure it created and the toll it took on his health. Derek described the pressure of rushing a second season to meet network deadlines, how much he’s learned along the way and he also explores the preparation...

We talk to the remarkable Sam Ernst. He tells his story of instant success in the restaurant business followed by early failure in the entertainment industry and what he learned along the way. Sam explains his relationship with writing partner Jim Dunn, the benefit of working so closely with someone - particularly during the dark days - and their path to becoming a success. He tells us about the e...

We talk to showrunner LaToya Morgan. She tells us about her vision board, her ambition and her rise to the top of the entertainment business. She explains the pressure of working on her big new show Duster with J.J. Abrams, the benefits of working with a big name and her step-by-process for moving the show forward and the importance of not overthinking what the audience will want. LaToya tells us...

We talk to the fascinating writer Chuck Wendig. He tells us about Star Wars fans liking him in real life, but not online, and getting dropped by Marvel over political tweets. We discuss the politics of cancel culture around Disney, burning the bridge to the comics world and how social media impacts art and artists. And Chuck advises new writers to be careful about social media - "the juice is...

We talk to writing duo Liz Craft and Sarah Fain. They talk about the dynamics of a writing duo, when and how they have disagreements and how they deal with both rejection and success. The practicalities of splitting pay checks, the book adaptation that got away and how they felt about it and the parallel success of Fantasy Island. They describe the lost project as like 'an ex-boyfriend who yo...

We speak to the fantastic Hart Hanson. He talks about being courteous but cranky, his unwanted reputation for being nice and why he would never bully his team. He explains the bizarre genesis of Bones, the balance between art and creativity and the practicality of raising a family in Hollywood. Hart talks about his Canadian politeness, how Bones became a subversive show and his frustrations of lat...

We talk to veteran journalist Mo Ryan. We explore the complex world of Hollywood, reporting on abuse and toxicity in the industry and the personal toll it has taken on her. She tells how she approaches these type of stories, her support and compassion for the victims and the lengths lawyers and large organizations go to create obstacles. Mo talks honestly about her own experience of abuse, the pan...

We talk to film producer Andy Horwitz. He talks about about how to let writers go from projects, trying to treat people fairly but also the principle of 'protect the movie at all costs'. Adam explains the process of movie making, the difference between TV and film rejection and why he was so desperate to become a movie producer. He tells rejection stories, his own battles to get Triple F...

Having written or produced more than 120 hours of television, Joseph Mallozzi has had a stellar career. We talk to him about the relative comfort of working on one show for more than ten years, his impatience when he isn't on a show and the importance of working with great people. He talks about the frustration of working on a difficult show, with impossible deadlines and budgets and managing...

We talk to insightful and wisdom-filled manager Zadoc Angell. This long-time literary agent, manager and TV producer, as well as current Co-President of Echo Lake Entertainment, talks about moving from agent to manager, managing  client expectations and why emailing rejection is often the best way. He talks openly about his career, the different ways executives articulate passing on a project and...

We talk to the remarkably funny and articulate Marc Guggenheim. The industry veteran talks about moving from procedurals to genre, working for an abusive showrunner and his regrets over taking a gig ‘just for the money’. He talks openly about the different shortcomings of showrunner, what he learned from good and bad bosses and the importance of fostering creativity. He explains how he takes rejec...

We talk to doctor-turned-writer and showrunner Neal Baer. He talks us though his journey on ER, the public service he performs and the lives he has  saved through television. We cover the anti-science movement, the joy of working with execs who give you freedom to be creative and the challenge of transitioning to non-medical shows. Neal tells us how he deals with rejection, making television durin...