Writers Group Therapy

In this session, we chat with Jenna St. John, the writer/actor/producer whose indie comedy series “Sexpectations” reach #3 on the top comedies list on iTunes/AppleTV ahead of “Parks and Recreation.”  SHOW NOTES: Jenna on IMDB “Sexpectations” on IMDB Facebook Instagram Apple TV

Special guest, producer and screenwriter Ed Solomon talks about his writers journey and new show “Full Circle” on Max. Ed is know for writing blockbusters like “Men in Black,” “Charlie’s Angels,” and “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” His latest show “Full Circle” featuring Claire Danes, Dennis Quaid and Timothy Olyphant is streaming on Max.  SHOW NOTES: Ed Solomon on IMDB “Full Circle” on IM...

In this episode, we fill out our 2024 Industry Bingo cards with our predictions for the entertainment industry. Some predictions cover AI, unions, streaming, influencers, pilot season, and more. SHOW NOTES: None this episodes

This session we expound on the Black Friday and Holiday deals that might appeal to writers and filmmakers. We also discuss writing holiday movies and what are the key elements that go into them. SHOW NOTES: Writing Christmas Films & Navigating the Holidays: The ULTIMATE Guide 7 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF GREAT HOLIDAY MOVIES Pi.ai - a conversive AI Chatbot The 61 Best Thanksgiving Movies: Your Holi...

Writer/Director Jeffrey Crane Graham discusses his new award-winning, John Hughesian coming of age dramedy “Always Lola” that is premiering for rent/purchase on most streaming platforms including Amazon Prime, YouTube and AppleTV. Jeffrey also teaches screenwriting and produces and cohosts the podcast “The Screen Writing Life.” SHOW NOTES: Always Lola on IMDB Apple TV The Screenwriting Life Jeffre...

In this session we discuss the state of Hollywood post WGA strike while the SAG-AFTRA strike continues, as wells our own personal writing updates. SHOW NOTES: Box Office: Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ Is No. 1 With $33M, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ Rides to $23M 2023 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming

Richie Billing is a UK-based author, podcaster and writing instructor whose debut novel, “Pariah’s Lament” was published in March 2021 by Of Metal and Magic Publishing. We discuss his writing, teaching and more.  SHOW NOTES: Richie’s Website:  www.richiebilling.com . The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed podcast Fantasy Writing Classes Richie Billing bio Richie Billing writes all kinds of stories, but mos...

Jane L. Rosen is an author, screenwriter, and former Huffington Post contributor. Jane often takes inspiration from real-life stories and interviews to craft her novels. Her first novel “Nine Women, One Dress” was translated into ten languages. Her second novel “Eliza Starts a Rumor” has been optioned by NBC. “A Shoe Story” and “On Fire Island” are out now. SHOW NOTES: Jane’s Website: https://jane...

Dusk Wave Arts CEO, Vision Holder and Lead Writer Paul Graham brings attention to neurodiverse issues through digital audio comics and games. We discuss the development of his company and his stories. Show Notes: Instagram: @duskwavearts FB: www.facebook.com/dwavearts Dusk Wave Arts Website:  https://duskwavearts.com "The Glove": https://theglove.comicswithaudio.com "Criminal King&q...

We’re back from our Summer break, starting off our 7th year of Writers Group Therapy, but the WGA, and now SAG-AFTRA, are still on strike. We catch up on all the latest and look towards a fall with no premieres.  SHOW NOTES: Talks Between Writers, Studios at a Standstill After Week of Trading Barbs AMPTP Hires New Crisis PR Firm as Strikes Go On Linear TV Falls Below 50 Percent of Viewing for Firs...

NOTE: This episode was recorded prior to the WGA going on strike. From their unusual start from a Twitter feed that became “S**t my dad says,” show runners Patrick Schumacker and Justin Halpern are celebrating the success of their shows “Abbott Elementary” and “Harley Quinn.” We discuss their unique start, juggling show running duties on two shows and what the future holds. SHOW NOTES: Justin Halp...

We wrap up the 6th year of Writers Group Therapy (Can you believe it's been 6 YEARS!) with a discussion of Rachanee’s recently published third novel in the Kingdom Legacy Series: “Heir of Memory & Shadow,” a look at the first week of the writers strike, and our summer plans. SHOW NOTES: Rachanee’s Website: https://www.rachanee.net (Buy digital copies directly from Rachanee’s site) On Amazo...

Does your script need some TLC? Maybe a script doctor can help. Shannon Massey Smith shares the ins and outs of being, and working with, a script doctor. SHOW NOTES: Girls to The Front Productions: girlstothefrontproductions.com Shannon on IG: @ShannonMasseySmith Discord: S_Massey

“Blindspotting” creator/writer/producer/director/actor Rafael Casal (Miles) talks about how touring with his music and poetry transformed into telling stories about his community in Oakland, CA in the award-winning Starz series. Show Notes: Rafael Casal on IMDB : https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2592137/ Blindspotting : https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7242142/ Season 2 Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/wat...

This session, we discuss what Tom learned about Stephen King and writing from his book “On Writing” including the tools and techniques King uses and recommends as well as revealing details about his journey to becoming a published author.  Book Description from Amazon.com: Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and practical...

Our guest this session is screenwriter, YouTuber, and podcaster Tyler Mowery who recently rebranded his YouTube Channel with 266,000 subscribers as “Top Development.” We talk about Tyler’s journey, process and script consultant services. SHOW NOTES: Top Development YouTube Channel Top Development Website Tyler on Twitter Interview with Get It Made X Founders Matt and Sylvie Boda

SHOW NOTES: Writers Group Therapy Session #166 - CreAItors http://www.writersgrouptherapy.com/2021/05/session-134-ai/ Writers Guild Highlights Compensation, Mini-Rooms in 2023 Negotiations Pattern of Demands https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/wga-pattern-of-demands-2023-negotiations-vote-1235335884/ Writers Guild Highlights Compensation, Mini-Rooms in 2023 Negotiations Patter...

In this session, we discuss promoting your written works and compare promoting books, scripts, shorts and web series. SHOW NOTES: Rachanee’s Books: https://www.rachanee.net “The Game” Series: https://www.youtube.com/@thegameseries Laurie Loveman, Novelist: http://www.laurieloveman.com Designcrowd.com : https://www.designcrowd.com

Our future AI overlords have made significant progress since our last episode about AI (Session #134 – Artificial Intelligence in Hollywood: http://www.writersgrouptherapy.com/2021/05/session-134-ai/ ). We talk Buzzfeed replacing writers with chatbots, DnD OGL and AI dungeon masters, ChatGPT and its screenwriting skills and more. SHOW NOTES: THR: Attack of the Chatbots: Screenwriters’ Friend or Fo...

We talk with the creators of the new comedy streaming series “The Game.” Writers/creators Matt Curtain and Lauren Henning, and director Amanda Sonnenschein talk about the genesis of the show and its unique tone and humor. From the show: The Game is an ensemble adventure-fantasy comedy series that follows a group of TTRPG players both IRL and as their fantasy counterparts in the supernatural realm...

In this session, we talk our writing goals for 2023, the latest news including the WGA prepping for contract negotiations, Twitch payout cuts, COVID in Hollywood, Moviepass’ resurrection, and more. SHOW NOTES: Twitch payout cuts WGA Negotiations/Strike Prep Hollywood’s Unions and Studios Extend COVID Protocols With Small Modifications Moviepass Resurrection

We’re tired of being tired of Franchise Fatigue, but it’s a serious issue. There is a steep downward curve in payback on subsequent entries and spin-offs/prequels etc., which is fueling a feedback circle of layoffs and cancellations in Hollywood. Why is this happening and what does it mean for writers? Listen as we try to find the answers.

Writer/Director Thomas Tulak, and Assistant Director/Composer Adam Pineless talk about “Who Dunt Dunt DUNNit?” their a hyper-meta, award-winning comedy film. It’s a hilarious murder mystery, wrapped in a murder mystery wrapped in a movie production about a murder mystery. SHOW NOTES: Trailer for "Who Dunt Dunt DUNNit?": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-Gk2sOXnuQ Film IG: https://www.instagram.com...

It’s been a rough few weeks across Hollywood at studios such as Warner Brothers, Cartoon Network, G4 and others. From layoffs to total shutdowns, we take a look at recent turmoil and how it might affect writers. SHOW NOTES: Thanks to ClownfishTV https://twitter.com/ClownfishTVcom for their great analysis. G4 Shut Down Less than a Year After Re-launching Warner Bros. BLOODBATH! WB TV Lays Off 26% o...

For some us, our biggest addictions are caffeine and endlessly scrolling TikTok videos, so, how do we write characters with more serious addictions? We talk to Ted Perkins, a former Warner Brothers and Universal studio executive, producer, screenwriter and now author who tackles the topic in his new book Addicted In Film , for which Ted watched 100 movies in 100 days about addiction. SHOW NOTES: A...