Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss

We talk to writer-turned-manager John Zaozirny, President of Bellevue Productions. He talks about his move from writing to management, stories of firing and being fired and why he loves the industry. John talks about being fired even when he has created success for his clients, the slow death of projects and the need to be careful with overnight success. He explains why he tries to help new writer...

We talk to the amazing Ann Cusack. She speaks honestly about the process of dealing with rejection, what she learned from the roles she didn’t get and the obsession with social media and the illusion of success. She talks about the under-rated importance of just being a nice person, working on harmonious sets and remembering to say thank you. Ann tells us about the support system of being part of...

We talk to writer and showrunner Matthew Federman. He talks about how he runs a writing room and pro-actively solves problems, the mistakes he made pitching and what he's learned from brilliant bosses. He explains the slightly broken Hollywood hiring process, why he cares about his writers who work for him so much and how he didn't make the most of career opportunities after working on t...

We talk to Maze Runner writer Grant Pierce Myers. He tells us about getting a movie green lit and being fired in a single phone call, the challenge of backing up a hit with a second success and the importance of courtesy among writers when you're brought on for a rewrite. He tells us about reading he has been kicked off a movie in the trades, the importance of savoring wins and having 'H...

We talk to the extraordinary Sheryl J. Anderson, veteran writer and showrunner. She tells us how 'famous, toxic' writers' rooms taught her how to lead her own show the right way, her regrets about not speaking up to protect women writers in her youth and the tremendous influence of her military father. She explains how the best work can be done by a happy team, how the extraordinary...

We talk to screenwriter Dan Hernandez. He tells us about how he handled the pressure of writing fan favorite Detective Pikachu, the big opportunities that got away in his career and going to high school with Josh Gad. He explains the benefits of being part of a writing duo, the importance of finding people around you with good 'taste' and how he handles the anxiety and rejection of a car...

Actor Erik Palladino talks us through his rollercoaster career after 30 years in Hollywood. He tells us how his pilots never get picked up, the time he was told he had a job by his agent on a Friday and on the Monday they admitted they’d called the wrong person and how, as an older actor, he worries more about his next paycheck than becoming a star. He tells us about how he deals with rejection, h...

Screenwriter Zack Stentz gives an honest account of the tough world of Hollywood and what a writer has to go through to make it. He talks about the red carpet highs of Thor and X-Men First Class but then the long periods of struggling to get anything made. In a powerful and candid discussion he talks about dealing with toxic fandom, the emotions of splitting from a long-time writing partner and go...

We talk to Adele Lim, writer on Crazy Rich Asians and the new Disney movie Raya and the Last Dragon. She talks about her journey from TV to film and her struggles along the way. Adele tells us she wrote some of her best work while coping with the anger of pregnancy-related discrimination, the monsters in TV writing rooms and why, as an Asian female, she felt she had to be better and harder working...

Your hosts Noah Evslin and Dan Rutstein explain what their new podcast is all about. Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss, is a podcast about failure, rejection and adversity in the entertainment industry. Seasoned Hollywood writer Noah and former diplomat and podcaster Dan take you on a journey through the lows of Hollywood life and are joined each week by a talented guest who will guide you throug...