Screenwriters' Rant Room

In this episode, Hilliard, Lisa and Chris jump into the horror films coming out this summer!     Ari Aster is back with MIDSOMMER Don't forget to check out his earlier short film - THE STRANGE THING ABOUT THE JOHNSONS .   We mentioned a harrowing Japanese horror flick,  AUDITION (1999)  Not for the faint-of-heart!   The Soska Sisters are remaking David Cronenberg's RABID (see the original film her...

In this episode, Hilliard, Lisa and Chris gauge their interest in the most anticipated movies coming this summer...   Godzilla: King of the Monsters trailer   Here's an interesting video on the evolution of Godzilla  since the 1954 original.   Hobbes & Shaw ... starring Lisa's swirl of maleness.   We're curious to see how Tessa Thompson & Chris Hemsworth take center stage in  Men In Black: Interna...

Hilliard, Chris and guess what - Lisa Bolekaja is back as we chop it up with the illustrious, super talented Latoya Morgan; a stellar scribe on such fan favorites as SHAMELESS, TURN and INTO THE BADLANDS!     Check out the #WGAStaffingBoost on Twitter; the writer-helping-writer initiative Latoya started.   Follow Latoya on Twitter   Rant Room T-Shirts are available ( here )   If you are enjoying t...

In this episode, Hilliard and Chris chop it up with indie film producer  Keith Calder  ( Blindspotting, The Blair Witch, The Wackness, Bunraku ,  The Guest ).   Keith mentioned one of his favorite projects was a doc on the Kashmere Stage Band, a high school funk band, he's the link to  THUNDER SOUL . Don't slip on checking this out! Here's the link to  Blindspotting 's trailer. Follow  Keith Calde...

In this LONG-ASS episode, Hilliard, Geoff, and Chris chop it up with rising star TV director Carl Seaton.     We briefly talked about Steven Spielberg's Oners; you can see a sampling of those amazing shot h ere and here and here .     Carl (or MISTER Carl Seaton) can be found at @mrcarlseaton on Instagram and Twitter .   We mentioned upcoming T-shirts! Watch this space! If you are enjoying this la...

Hilliard and Chris sit down with Literary Manger/Producer Rachel Miller of the popular,  full-service management and production company Haven Entertainment. This episode is full of industry game. Rachel answers a ton of questions about what she’s looking for, how to stand out and maintain your career, writing your voice and so much more!   Rachel's management company,  HAVEN . Follow them on  Twit...

In Part 2 of this episode, Hilliard, Lisa and Chris bring four young writers - - fans of the podcast -- on the mic and answer their pressing industry questions in an episode packed full of game! The Brown Twins,  Amber and Dani on Instagram Dallas Rico on Twitter Richard Scott  on Twitter  &  Instagram If you are enjoying this labor of love, please consider supporting the Rant Room with a donation...

In the episode, Hilliard, Lisa and Chris bring four young writers - - fans of the podcast -- on the mic and answer their pressing industry questions in an episode packed full of game! www.bit.ly/SWRR-251 The Brown Twins,  Amber and Dani on Instagram Dallas Rico on Twitter Richard Scott  on Twitter  &  Instagram If you are enjoying this labor of love, please consider supporting the Rant Room with a...

In Part 2 of this amazing interview, Hilliard and Chris chop it up with old friend, NAACP Image Award Winner ABDUL WILLIAMS for his recent work on the bio/musical The Bobby Brown Story as well as The New Edition Story, Lottery Ticket and the upcoming Salt-N-Pepa Music/Bio Miniseries for Lifetime.   Direct Link:  www.bit.ly/SWRR-250     If you are enjoying this labor of love, please consider suppor...

In this episode Hilliard and Chris chop it up with old friend, NAACP Image Award Winner ABDUL WILLIAMS for his recent work on the bio/musical The Bobby Brown Story as well as The New Edition Story, Lottery Ticket and the upcoming Salt-N-Pepa Music/Bio Miniseries for Lifetime.   Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-249   If you are enjoying this labor of love, please consider supporting the Rant Room with...

In this episode, Hilliard, Lisa and Chris chop it up and give critical criticisms about how Hollywood tends to grant certain entertainers: writers/directors/actors the title of “Genius/Master.” We discuss why that happens, who truly deserves this title and so much more!     DIRECT LINK: www.bit.ly/SWRR-248   If you are enjoying this labor of love, please consider supporting the Rant Room's  Patreo...

Hilliard, Chris, Tracy and Geoff Thorne chop it up about the future of theatrical films, Netflix and Comic Books.     Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-247     Steven Spielberg's contention over   Netflix movies and their eligibility for Oscars .     “Once you commit to a television format, you’re a TV movie,”  Spielberg said . “You certainly, if it’s a good show, deserve an Emmy, but not an Oscar. I d...

This week Hilliard, Lisa, Chris, and Lynelle talk about the passing of TV Icon, Luke Perry and go deep into how to handle your own representation: from the importance of having managers and agents to how to choose the person that is right for you.    Chad Gervich's book on managing your representation     Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-246 If you are enjoying this labor of love, please consider supp...

Hilliard, Lisa, Chris and Lynelle Chop it Up about everything in this one y'all. A don't miss episode full of not-so-great Black History Month shenanigans, Tennis, Casting, Green Book and so much more! Wesley Morris's NYTimes article on THE GREEN BOOK and his interview on the NYTimes's podcast The Daily - " What Hollywood Keeps Getting Wrong About Race " - from the Monday after the Oscars.   The S...

In this episode, Hilliard, Chris, Tracy and Showrunner Geoffrey Thorne go IN, from writers POV on the discussion and proposal for change between the WGAW and the top Agents in regards to Packaging. It’s a don’t miss episode with a ton of game from working, WGAW writers who are deep in the trenches y'all!   Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-244   Hollywood Reporter Articles on The WGA Code of Conduct fo...

In this week's episode Hilliard, Lisa and Chris sit down with DEADLY CLASS star Benjamin Wadsworth, with special guest Stella Maeva, who plays Julia Wicker on  SyFy's THE MAGICIANS . We got a little silly with this, pitching potential movies for Benjamin and Stella to star in... but don't slip on the young LeStat concept Lisa talks about... watch out Anne Rice!   Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-243  ...

In this weeks episode, Hilliard and Chris chop it up with Juan Grey, actor/writer/producer, who is currently one of the cast on The Russo Bros hit SYFY Series  DEADLY CLASS .   A former athlete, Juan made the leap to acting in a story you gotta hear to believe! This episode is full of wisdom coming from a young cat who’s all ready a successful entrepreneur!     If you are enjoying this labor of lo...

Hilliard and Lisa are joined by Lynelle White and Jesani Drew to talk Horror Noire ! It was a rousing success - The show sold out. The panel was amazing. The fans were supportive. And @Shudder showed the new documentary film at the Egyptian Theater right in the heart of Hollywood Blvd! #HorrorNoire   Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-240       To all of you fans of the show, your support is always welc...

Hilliard & Chris sat down with former Literary Manager Jenny Frankfurt and the winner of her 2018 Finish Line Script Competition Sebastian Magiera to discuss: the journey that led him to the competition, life after winning, what he’s learned thus far, navigating the Hollywood Water Bottle Tour, asking for referrals, being good in the room, pitching yourself and so much more!     Direct Link: www.b...

Hilliard and Chris sat down with good friend TV and Film writer STEVE HARPER to discuss his amazing career, the ups-and-downs and all around!   Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRRR-238   First off, show some love for the Patreon page ! You know you want that Pearls of Wisdom Document that is forthcoming and all of the other fun gifts we have to offer!   A FAMILY PORTRAIT (play) by Lenore Coffee, William...

In the episode, Hilliard, Chris and Lynelle go IN on an inspiring TED Talk focusing on how people in business can rethink FINDING A SPONSOR!   DIRECT LINK: www.bit.ly/SWRR-237   Carla Harris - How to find the person who can help you get ahead at work   More about Carla Harris -- cause she is the REAL DEAL   We talked about other well-respected Industry-vetting resources, YMMV   Sundance Lab   Film...

  Hosted by Hilliard - Geoff and Chris of course hogged the mic, this time talking about Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse and all of the comic book, geek shit you could imagine! And, true to form, the film WON the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film!   Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-236   Counterpart - Trailer Babylon Berlin - Trailer Dogs of Berlin - Trailer   Dragon Prince - Trailer The S...

The is our end of the year episode and it’s a good one... full of industry GAME and dedicated to the pitfalls of producing for Indie, web series and network projects!   Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-235 PODCAST SHOUTOUTS: The  Micheaux Mission Podcast Nick and Alex's  Paper Team Pilar Alessandra's  On The Page Donating = Loving Fans of the show, your support is always welcome, and as we mentioned o...

Hilliard, Chris, Tracy and Lynelle go IN on the hot topic of Black Criticism!   Direct Link: www.bit.ly/SWRR-234     Wesley Morris' New York Times article THE MORALITY WARS   Zadie Smith's art critique (as mentioned in Morris' article)   Wesley Morris' podcast STILL PROCESSING   PODCAST SHOUTOUTS:   The  Micheaux Mission Podcast   Nick and Alex's  Paper Team   Pilar Alessandra's  On The Page   Fan...

In this episode, Hilliard, Lisa and Chris go in about an article Lisa balked at — Vogue's online article WASN'T THIS SUPPOSED TO BE THE GOLDEN AGE OF HORROR ?    DIRECT LINK: www.bit.ly/SWRR-233   Writer/Director Shane Black's cameo in Predator (1987)   Scripts we mentioned on the show:   Tony Gilroy's MICHAEL CLAYTON , BOURNE IDENTITY , DOLORES CLAIBORNE , DEVIL'S ADVOCATE   Tina Turner as Auntie...