Happier in Hollywood

Liz and Sarah will soon receive notes on their latest pilot script, and they know they’ll need to plan some recovery time before they dive into the rewrite. It’s their job to take criticism, but they need time to process. In Take A Hike, they talk about the benefit of remaking your social media feeds — and offer listener suggestions for feel-good accounts. Want to smile? Fill your feed with mini c...

It’s November, which means the annual Hollywood Holiday Shut Down has begun. Liz and Sarah have a pitch ready to sell, but they’ll likely wait until 2025 to take it out to networks. In Hits & Bombs, Sarah gives a Hit to her dog Jelly Bean’s canine ophthalmologist, and Liz gives a Hit to Patricia Arquette for her amazing performance in The Act on Hulu. Then, in The Happiness Project Revisited, Sara...

In this Bonus Episode, Liz and Sarah share their 2024 Gift Guide! They recommend everything from a cute tape measure to personalized pencils to a Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit Game. Need a gift for a dog lover? Choose the Nambe Pet Collection Dog Treat Jar. Looking for something to wear? Sarah suggests Mismatched Socks from Solmate. They also have books on the list — including the super buzzy novel...

Liz and Sarah sit down with friend of the pod and Entertainment Career Coach, Carole Kirschner, to discuss the state of Hollywood and what the future might hold. Carole’s advice to struggling writers? Keep working on your craft and meet as many people as you can. The business WILL turn around — eventually. In Take a Hike, Liz talks about why sometimes it’s good to surround yourself with people who...

Liz and Sarah announce their HIH Book Club selection — We Solve Murders by Richard Osman. Then they dive into more listener questions! How do Liz and Sarah maintain their close friendship? What are Sarah’s favorite skincare products? Would Liz consider applying to be on Survivor? Is it possible to stay positive in Hollywood right now? They answer all of these burning questions — and more! Get in t...

Liz and Sarah are answering all of your burning questions! What are their biggest regrets — personally and professionally? Which episode of TV they’ve written are they most proud of? How do they feel about writers using text messages in TV shows? And is Liz seeing quantifiable results from her Orange Theory Fitness classes? And so much more! Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft Get in tou...

As Liz and Sarah rewrite their latest pilot script, they’re reminded that some notes never go away. From story area to outline to script, there may be an issue that keeps bumping readers. Eventually, a solution will present itself— but it may take layers of work to get there. In Take A Hike, Sarah talks about why her new Oura Ring is helping her be healthier. Then Liz and Sarah give themselves a j...

Liz and Sarah are making progress on their pilot script — it’s gone to the producer. In this uncertain time in Hollywood, they’re making a point to celebrate all the small victories on the development path, and this is one of them! In Take A Hike, Sarah talks about why sometimes we all need to take a “sick” day — even if we’re not actually sick. Then, in The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah talk abou...

Right now Liz and Sarah are totally focused on writing their pilot script, and they’re loving that their time isn’t bifurcated or trifurcated (or even quadfurcated). In Take A Hike, Sarah shares how a recent visit from a repairman reminded her that sometimes a band-aid is good enough. At least for now. Then Liz and Sarah discuss the October theme of The Happiness Project Revisited — mindful invest...

As Liz and Sarah write the first draft of their new pilot script, they remember all over again how hard it is to face a blank page. Rewriting is so much easier than writing! In Take A Hike, they discuss why they enjoyed dressing up (and doing their hair and make up) for a recent night out together. Then, in The Mailroom, Liz and Sarah answer a question about how they became friends with a showrunn...

It’s September, and Liz and Sarah are setting their fall work agenda. They plan to write a pilot, pitch at least one show, finish their novel, and more. Ambitious? Yes. Doable? They’ll report back! Then they interview Brooke Siffrin and Aricia Skidmore-Williams, the cohosts of the mega popular podcast, Even The Rich, about why they’re not mean, what makes people succeed, and how they’ve forged the...

Liz and Sarah talk about getting a “heads up” before a notes call, and why having notes in advance is so helpful to the development process. In Take A Hike, they share why they’ve decided to start every workday with a ten minute meditation. Next, Liz and Sarah share two productivity tips in The Craft (& Fain). One: Label the days of the week on the calendar. Two: Set the meeting (even if you’re no...

Based on the level of productivity and flow they had during their recent time together in Ojai, Liz and Sarah are determined to spend more time in the same room — thus, they are starting Work Together Wednesdays. In HIH WFH (Happier In Hollywood Work From Home), they have a rant about wanting to return to an office. Liz is ready to wear real outfits, and Sarah is tired of sitting in her bedroom al...

Want to know how to deal with a toxic work environment? Curious about the best way to give feedback to a Gen Z staffer? Wondering if you should change jobs? This is the episode for you! Today Liz and Sarah talk to Kim Lessing and Kate Arend, the Co-Heads of Film and TV at Amy Poehler’s Paper Kite Productions, about their funny, insightful podcast — Million Dollar Advice. This week’s Hollywood Hack...

Liz and Sarah recently met with a development executive who pointed out that no matter how chaotic Hollywood gets, the work we do is the same. They discuss how this notion helps them stay calm this time of anxiety. In a Take Two about Upward Spirals, Sarah reveals what she’s doing to get back into Upward Spiral mode. Then, in The Craft (& Fain), they talk about skinny vs. fat IP. Which do they pre...

Liz and Sarah use several criteria when choosing which TV projects they want to pursue — a world they love, interesting characters, stories with legs. Now they’re adding a new one… is the material consequential? And what does that mean to them? In Take A Hike, Sarah shares how her new Wellness Journal is helping on her health quest. In Hits & Bombs, Liz and Sarah give a Hit to the Olympics. And th...

In honor of All Work August, Liz and Sarah started the month with an intense two days of work at Sarah’s house in Ojai. They realized all over again how productive they are when they’re in the same room, and they’re determined to make it happen more often in the months to come. In Take Two, they revisit the topic of to dream crush or not to dream crush when giving advice about making it in Hollywo...

Liz and Sarah had a delightful No Work July, but it’s time to put their noses to the grindstone — thus, it’s All Work August. They’re writing an outline, developing two pitches, continuing on their novel, and more. In Take A Hike, Liz talks about what gear she took on her recent hiking trip to England. Her new prized possession? A Tilly sun hat. Next, in Amplify, Liz and Sarah discuss Sorry/Not So...

For years Liz and Sarah have fantasized about taking the month of July off work. This year they’re actually having No Work July, and it’s amazing! In Hits & Bombs, Sarah gives herself a Bomb for not doing car maintenance in almost a decade, and she gives a Hit to the people at Valvoline in Virginia, Minnesota. Liz gives herself a Bomb for her perpetually messy home office, and a Hit for being half...

Liz and Sarah debate whether they should be cheerleaders or naysayers when offering advice and insight to people thinking about starting a career in Hollywood. To dream crush or not to dream crush? Inspired by her recent family reunion, Sarah suggests “planting activity seeds” in Take A Hike. Some seed suggestions — setting out a puzzle, a chat pack, or a board game. This week’s Hollywood Hack is...

Right now, Hollywood is all about intellection property. Liz and Sarah discuss what they look for in a book (or any other kind of material) when they’re considering whether or not to adapt it for TV. Is there a specific world? Are the characters complex? Does the story have legs? In Take A Hike, Liz reveals that she’s experiencing disconnect anxiety as she prepares for her upcoming trip to England...

Liz and Sarah talk to the fabulous podcast hosts, Kristen Meinzer and Jolenta Greenberg, about the new season of How To Be Fine, which dives into the loneliness epidemic and the sometimes fraught nature of friendship. What advice to they have for making friends as an adult? Do they ascribe to the idea of having a friend for “a reason, a season, or a lifetime?” In The Mailroom, Liz and Sarah answer...

Liz and Sarah discuss the current phase of their work cycle — consuming. With an eye toward developing IP, they’re reading, listening, and watching everything that comes their way. And they love it! In Take A Hike, Liz talks about how her recent Saturday afternoon outing to see stylist Allison Bornstein at the Theory Store in Brentwood inspired advice to “go solo.” Then Sarah gets a Hit for writin...

Liz and Sarah discuss the incredible power of encouragement — especially right now. Times are tough in Hollywood (and many places), but hearing that you’re on the right path can make all the difference. In The Mailroom, they answer a question about how to maintain a good attitude at work when you’ve been screwed over. This week’s Hollywood Hack will make your feet happy: Foot Petals Blisstick Blis...

Today Liz and Sarah answer more listener questions! Do they weigh in set design? Do writing teams really split a paycheck? Have they ever thought about breaking up? Does Sarah have resources to share for other potential single moms by choice? Is she doing Pilates regularly? And has Liz been going to Orange Theory? They answer all of these questions, and so many more! Get in touch on Instagram: @Sf...