Advertise on podcast: Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss

Rogue One writer Gary Whitta returns to the podcast and we talk…podcasts. The British writer explains why he decided he needed to make a scripted podcast, casting Jon Boyega and how bad Hollywood is at the moment. He talks us through where he sees the industry, the process of pitching this show and his views on taking notes. In his usual witty, sardonic style, we also cover advice for writers, the frustrations of projects falling apart and the joy of creating again. A very fun, irreverent and insightful romp around Hollywood with one of its sharpest minds. Check out his pilot at www.seeyouinhell.tv

The magical Craig Thomas returns to the podcast. The How I Met Your Mother co-creator comes on to talk about his heart-warming novel That’s Not How It Happened. Craig talks about why he wrote the book, disability in Hollywood and the tortuous process of writing a novel. He explains his personal journey with his son’s rare disability, why it was so important to write this book and how he used his tv writing skills to help finish the novel. A genuine, heartfelt and important episode about a passionate man wanting to tell a story properly. Must listen material.

We talk to filmmaker Martyn Robertson and sports surgeon Gordon Mackay about the inspiring feature doc Make it to Munich. In a crossover episode we talk Hollywood and whisky, pioneering surgeries and telling stories with heart. They explain how the extraordinary story of a young man’s courage to overcome life-changing injuries has ended up at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood - the adventures they had along the way and the importance of real life heroes.

He was told he had no future in the entertainment business and yet Australian Nick Verso has gone on to have a stellar career. In this episode we talk about dealing with such raw rejection, how he found his place in the business and also the other early project that was turned down - and the apologies he has had about that since. We talk about why he started directing, how we got good at writing and managing the Australia-Los Angeles divide. A raw and candid episode from a smart and driven creator. And Noah gets excited when Nick starts talking about DJ'ing.

We talk to the incredible, passionate and enthusiastic James Eason-Garcia, co-EP of Ironman and his Awesome Friends. Noah and I geek out a little and cover both James' career while also asking superhero and Jedi questions of a man who has special access to both of those worlds. We talk about his journey from fan to working on these projects, the excitement of actually of walking through the doors of Disney to work and taking notes on established franchises. James talks about the state of the industry, the ongoing fascination with superheroes and collecting memorabilia. A really insightful discussion full of pure joy (from all three of us) of such fascinating worlds.

We talked to Australian showrunner and writer Tony Ayres. He talks about his Netflix show The Survivors, comparing himself to others and the balance between commerce and art. We explore his Chinese-Australian roots, the benefits and disbenefits of being niche and how Australia sees Hollywood and Hollywood sees Australian. We also cover the changing language of Hollywood, how he has changed to adapt to the industry and the blessing and the curse of being attached to The Slap.

We bring on the fascinating Daniel Casey. He tells us his Hollywood origin story, giving up directing to get a script moving, his route to F9 and the excitement of working on a serious franchise. Daniel talks about the exciting of being on the set of a $250m movie, how nice Fast and Furious fans were and how close he came to running out of money and giving up. He talked about some huge projects - including a Batman film - that got away, directing short films and being told to kill himself on social media when announcing his new show. Insightful, honest and specific, a great chat about what a writing career can really look like.

We are delighted to have the legendary Eriq La Salle on the show. The talented actor, writer, producer, director and novelist joins us to talk about his illustrious career, the power of storytelling and his love of acting but not necessarily some of the business of acting. We talk about a writing rejection leading to acting, an acting rejection leading to directing and frustrations about pay disparity and inequality shaping his work as a producer. Eriq talks about his role as producing director on On call, how he ended up acting in it as well and what he would have done if he hadn't been an actor. An inspiring episode by one of the industry's longest serving and broadest talents.

We talk to The Irrational Showrunner Arika Lisanne Mittman. She talks about her ten years as an assistant, finally getting her break and what she learned along the way. We discuss the rise and fall of network television, what the industry learned from the strike and whether she's any good at firing people (she's not!). Arika talks about her strengths and weaknesses as a showrunner, gives advice to those wanting to join the industry and the times she nearly got fired as a script co-ordinator. A detailed and entertaining journey through every facet of TV writing from an inspiring leader with a lot of episodes under her belt.

We talk to Equalizer showrunner Joe Wilson. In one of our most candid episodes so far, he talks about his journey from East Cleveland to Hollywood, the tough days at the start and even sleeping in his car. He explains how he got his break, how he is treated when he goes home and what sort of showrunner he aspires to be. We talk cool Hollywood moments, his strengths and weaknesses and the show about bands he aspires to make. A gritty episode that explores all the areas Hollywood doesn’t normally talk about.

It's always fun we have two guests on, particularly when they are talking about Wolf Productions first go at a streaming platform. We talk to showrunner Tim Walsh and co-creator Elliot Wolf about their new show On Call, making the most of the freedom of a streamer, whether the police in Long Beach still like them and how hard the industry is right now. Elliot talks about the Wolf legacy, trying new approaches to the industry and his pride in the new show. Tim is brutally honest about his time as a security guard, why he also assumes every show will be his last and gives great advice for those entering the industry today. A great insight into the new TV world which gets as honest as you'll hear it.

We talk to Sally Bradford Mckenna, co-showrunner of the new Peacock show Laid. She explains how she first got her break, reluctantly, on Will & Grace, how her father's career helped shaped hers and why every show needs two showrunners. She talks about the evolution of comedy writing, difficult rooms early in her career and being brought in to solve problems on shows, and how that didn't always go down well. Sally talks about the excitement of co-showrunning, why she wants to try it solo and how much she has learner from her partner Nahnatchka Khan. A fascinating episode exploring comedy, showrunning and the intricacies of making it in Hollywood.

We talk to showrunner JJ Bailey. He talks about his new show The Hunting Party, finding a new angle for a procedural and the excitement of getting a new network show on air. We hear about the complexity of the showrunner role, learning a way round a writers room and whether you should write about your hobbies. Great insight from a man who seems too nice to be successful in Hollywood.

We're back after our New Year and fire break and have a great oe, Coco and Cleaner writer Matthew Aldrich. He talks about the power of spec scripts, why he never celebrates his wins and the pressure and intensity of working with Pixar. He tells about sourcing ideas from news articles, how prior success has meant nothing for future success and the state of Hollywood today. We also cover not living in LA, alternative pastry chef careers and why he feels so fortunate. A great first episode of the year from a man with some amazing films under his belt. 

We talk to former HBO President and now producer Sue Naegle. A fascinating insight from the top of Hollywood about how Game of Thrones nearly didn’t get made, working with Eddie Redmayne and the art of saying no. Sue talks about producing multiple shows at the same time, the projects that got away and the fear of where the next deal is coming from. We also talk about Hollywood coming out of its dark times, the Day of the Jackal and what she learned being an agent. Extraordinary insight from a varied and successful career.