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Host Tasha Huo brings on her Gersh agent, Mark Hartogsohn, for the first in a series designed to help Screenwriters navigate what it means to get an Agent and maximize your working relationship once you have an Agent. In this introductory installment, Tasha and Josh discuss how Mark became a Hollywood agent, what it means to be a Lit Agent for Screen and TV Writers, and how he goes about finding new clients.   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Fresh from being told she *didn't* get the job, host Tasha Huo talks about the process of putting together a series pitch for one of her favorite IPs, what her process was, and what it was like to be told you didn't get the job.    Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman take you through a Fireside Chat of real-life stories of working Screenwriters, including real hurdles, obstacles and situations that professional Screenwriters have come up against and what to do in those situations.   TWIW: Are you too old to start your Screenwriting career? / Why you shouldn't copyright your scripts. / Tasha & Josh finished breaking their spec, what next? / Is the Apple Vision Pro going to change Screenwriting? / The value of traditional weekly-released TV shows. / What is the tone of the new Mr. & Mrs. Smith TV show?   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

It is the bane of any Screenwriter's existence when they turn in their perfect screenplay only to be told they need to cut 10 pages. Whether it's for the read or for production, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss their step-by-step process for cutting pages when you absolutely don't want to, but HAVE to.   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Where ideas come from and then how to turn that into an actual movie or TV show is THE hardest part of being a writer, and one of the most-asked questions between writers: "How did you come up with that?" So this episode, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman break down in detail how they went from Idea to Outline for their new Murder Mystery spec.   TWIW: Tasha's unexpected self-sabotage moment / To reference other movies in your action description, or not to? / Some new thoughts on pitch language   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss all the ways a Screenwriter feels uncomfortable in their day to day working lives, and how they tackle those feelings when they come up, whether it be a Pitch, a General Meeting, or discussing difficult ideas in their scripts.   TWIW: How Act Two's first Patreon Live Q&A went, Tasha's Screenwriting nightmare, Short Form content and how difficult it is to crack.   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

We all feel it. That voice in our head telling us we are Imposters and someone will finally figure out we don't know how to write, pitch or create stories. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what their own Imposter Syndrome looks like and how they have managed to not only combat it, but in some cases, completely defeat it.    TWIW: Is Barbie an "adapted" or "original" screenplay? / Tasha is watching Pokemon! / How to get over rambling and apologizing while pitching / Where ideas come from can be so surprising!   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what a General Meeting is and how to impress once you're in one. They also discuss why reps are key, but not imperative, to a Screenwriting career, and how to meet with reps if you are taking meetings with Agents and Managers.   TWIW: 22 Jump Street's surprising improv scene, The importance and beauty of listening to others on set, and Josh & Tasha list their Top 5 favorite movies of 2023 (which may surprise you).   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Happy 2024! Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss goals in the new year. Get ready. It's an exciting time.    Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss their Top 3 Christmas movies, why they work, and what they would do if they wrote a Christmas movie.   TWIW: The Oscars are now honoring "fan favorite" films / How NFL has cornered the market on character-driven storytelling / and the pain in the ass that is living with a writer.   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

Hosts Tasha Huo & Josh Hallman discuss filmmaking tips we can learn from writer-director James Mangold (LOGAN, INDIANA JONES & THE DIAL OF DESTINY).    TWIW: Is Harry Potter just a magical Mission Impossible movie? And how do you combat "spec boredom" so you can finish your script instead of move on to a new idea?   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

This Week in Writing includes a recap of our Screenwriter Meet Up, heart vs marketability, when to throw the kitchen sink at your script’s hook, how to work a general to your advantage, do you need to drop your rep if they don’t “get you,” the learned skill of trimming minutes, shredding the “a screenplay is a bland blueprint” opinion, and a reminder of why the first ten pages of your screenplay need to be engaging (even if it’s a slow burn!).   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist