The Writers Hangout

On today’s show, we have the legendary entertainment lawyer Peter Dekom.  Peter Dekom significantly impacted his time at Bloom, Dekom & Hergott. He has represented remarkable clients, including George Lucas, Keenen Ivory Wayans, John Travolta, Ron Howard, and Robert Towne, as well as renowned companies like Sears and JVC. As an advisor, Peter has contributed significantly to New Mexico, helpin...

We're diving into more updates from the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni lawsuit, and we also have some surprising news about Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, who were sadly found at their home near Santa Fe, New Mexico. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Executive Producer Kristin Overn Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis Producer Terry Sam...

Rewind: Join Sandy and Terry as they dive into the intriguing differences between the iconic film and the real-life story behind it! First on their list is the 1979 movie "Amityville Horror," featuring the talented Josh Brolin, Margot Kidder, and Rod Steiger. This captivating film tells the tale of a family haunted by supernatural forces after moving into a house with a dark past in Amit...

On today’s episode, we have Walter Wolf, the author of The Right Rehab: A Guide to Addiction and Mental Illness Recovery When Crisis Hits Your Family. This step-by-step guide outlines how to identify and access treatment options for individuals and families, regardless of their resources. Writers, I want to share this book with you because being creative isn’t easy. If you need help, options are a...

In today’s episode, we discuss three key incidents in the lawsuits involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Baldoni released a voice memo he sent to Blake and shared footage from a film that shows a scene where Blake expressed discomfort about unwanted touching. He believes the footage demonstrates that he was not inappropriate during this scene. Additionally, Baldoni feels that Ryan was mocking...

The conclusion of who killed Thelma Todd in the Pacific Palisades Pt 2.  Actress Thelma Todd was the “Queen of the Lot” and made it in Hollywood when she died of mysterious circumstances at 29 years old. Who killed her? Could it be her business partner Roland West, a one-time screenwriter? Maybe it was the ex-husband, son of the Broccoli King, and agent Pat DiCicco? Police investigate, and all roa...

Rewind with one of your favorite episodes.  Actress Thelma Todd was the “Queen of the Lot” and had made it in Hollywood when she died at just 29 years old. Who killed her? Could it have been her business partner Roland West, a one-time screenwriter? Perhaps it was her ex-husband, the son of the Broccoli King, and agent Pat DiCicco? The police are investigating, and all clues point to The Trocadero...

 In today’s show, Sandy talks about the wildfires that have sadly affected countless communities and caused trauma to many people in Los Angeles. A thoughtful listener's question brings us an update on Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, adding a personal touch to our discussion. After that, we'll dive into writer Bucky Woodall's lawsuit against Disney regarding the movie Moana 2, expl...

Hang out with us as we dive deep into the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Lawsuits: A Comprehensive Overview of the Allegations, Key Figures, and Statements Made. Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have been engaged in a contentious exchange — and lawsuits — regarding Baldoni's alleged misconduct on the set of their 2024 film, It Ends With Us. Research for the episode: https://www.nytimes.com/20...

Hang out with us as we explore the major spec sale that shook Hollywood just before the holidays: the AI thriller spec script "Alignment" by Natan Dotan, a writer who, until a week ago, had no representation. The Hollywood Reporter Article by Borys Kit https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/fifth-season-makeready-1236069133/ The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponso...

Come with us as we embark on the exciting and rewarding adventure of making friends in Los Angeles. Plus, we'll look at how the WGA encourages studios to take "immediate legal action" against AI companies. Show notes to follow. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Executive Producer Kristin Overn Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis Producer...

REWIND. Terry recently received a phone call from a childhood friend who asked for help. The friend has a connection whose work was offered a huge deal, and he wanted Terry to brief him on "Hollywood" deal-making. However, as Terry spoke with his friend, he began to suspect that the whole situation might be a scam. Unfortunately, this isn’t a new problem. Scammers often prey on vulnerabl...

In today’s episode, Sandy shares her go-to film genre for those much-needed escape moments.   The enchanting "Moana 2" is lighting up the holiday box office, outshining "Red One," "Wicked," and "Gladiator 2."   In exciting news, Amazon MGM has secured Julia Cox's heartfelt spec script, 'Love of Your Life,' for around $2 million! Research for t...

The holiday season box office excitement has kicked off with the launch of Amazon’s "RED ONE," featuring the talented Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans! This action-packed adventure revolves around the thrilling kidnapping of Santa Claus, played by J.K. Simmons, and our heroic duo, The Rock and Chris Evans, is on a mission to save him just in time for Christmas. Plus, it comes with a stagge...

The Writers’ Hangout is thrilled to provide an update on Elisabeth Finch, who produced and wrote for Grey’s Anatomy for eight seasons. Once a captivating grifter, she was later uncovered for lying on an epic scale. Previously, we released four episodes based on Elisabeth Finch:  Episode 17 The Unbelievable Story of Elisabeth Finch: Part 1 Episode 18 The Unbelievable Story of Elisabeth Finch: Part...

What do Mary Shelley’s "Frankenstein," P. Diddy, and the Universal Lot in Universal City all have in common? It's me, your host, Sandy Adomaitis!  Join me as we dive into the captivating story behind Mary Shelley’s "Frankenstein."  With writers, there’s always an intriguing drama lurking behind the scenes! The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS&ap...

What happened to Joker: Folie à Deux?  After flopping at the box office debut, receiving poor reviews and the lowest audience score in comic book movie history, Todd Phillips’s musical Joker sequel has shocked Hollywood by earning a lackluster $40 million domestically. How did this highly anticipated musical follow-up starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga go so wrong? Research for this article in...

The fall season is well-known for its cozy atmosphere and festive activities. What could be more enjoyable than snuggling up on the couch for a comfortable night in? Here are Sandy's top 5 films to watch on a chilly fall night. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Executive Producer Kristin Overn Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis Producer Terry Samp...

REWIND EPISODE! You never know when your big break will happen. In this episode, co-host Terry Sampson shares how he landed his big break, compliments of Harold Ramis.  The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Executive Producer Kristin Overn Producer Sandy Adomaitis Producer Terry Sampson Music by Ethan Stoller 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to fo...

Claudette Wells, a versatile artist known for acting, writing, and voice-over work, is here to provide insights about her new book, FINE FRENCH DOGS. You may know Claudette from her roles as Peggy from A Different World and the iconic sitcom Square Pegs, where she starred alongside Sarah Jessica Parker.   Claudette was on the Hangout with us previously to discuss a unique group she and I are a par...

We have a fantastic episode lined up for you! Kevin Bachar, an EMMY-winning documentary director and screenwriter, is our guest. Kevin has previously joined us to discuss his horror film "The Inhabitant," available on Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Apple+. He also discussed his book "Dredge: 22 Tales of Terror." Now, he's back to talk about his latest book, "The Visitor.” Ke...

The Writers’ Hangout dives into some entertainment news.  Sandy and Terry cover the latest hot Hollywood lawsuits, which are plural, involving screenwriter R. Lance Hill, Amazon, and the remake of the 1989 ‘Roadhouse.’ A cult classic, ‘Roadhouse was a starring vehicle for Patrick Swayze, produced by Joel Silver and directed by Rowdy Herrington. Then, Terry shares an article by David Courtney, Ten...

Sandy and Terry Sampson discuss the little-known mystery of the 1997 disappearance of screenwriter Gary Devore .  Gary was returning home after finishing the ending of his latest script, which he claimed would uncover government secrets. However, he disappeared without a trace. Did Gary step out to "buy a pack of cigarettes," or was he met with foul play? We'll delve into what happe...

Hang out with Sandy and Terry as they explore ten screenwriting quotes and learn how to apply them to your writing. Gaining insights from successful writers is an invaluable approach to refining your craft and overcoming challenges. 👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.  📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast 💙 If...

Hang out with us as we explore what happened behind the scenes during the writing of Twister, the 1996 blockbuster movie Twister, with a special guest, my cousin Kate! Twister is an action film and screwball romance featuring Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt. Writer Michael Crichton conceived it as a combination of the classic romantic comedy "His Girl Friday" and a PBS documentary about storm...