Act One Podcast

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Act One Podcast - Episode 20 - Interview with Author, Houston Howard.

Houston is an entrepreneur, creator, producer, professor, author, speaker and thought-leader in the space of multiplatform, transmediated entertainment — or what he simply calls, Super Story.

Driven by a passion and desire to build generational IP that leverages both narrative velocity and brand scalability, Houston has created Super Story IP and multiplatform strategy for the likes of Fox, CBS, Mattel, Disney Imagineering, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Wizards of the Coast, West Coast Customs, Slinky and more. Houston has published three books focused on process of creating transmediated entertainment, including his most recent and most successful, You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Story.

As an industry mentor for the Producers Guild of America, an Advisory Board member of the Beyond Games conference, a contributor to the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences and Special Advisor to the US/China Film Summit, Houston has committed himself to the equipping of independent creative professionals with a variety of practical tools and strategies that better positions them and their projects for 21st century success.

Houston's website is https://www.superstory.works.

The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

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Act One Podcast - Episode 19 - Interview with Screenwriter and Director, Scott Teems.

Scott is an Act One alumni and a Georgia-born filmmaker whose upcoming projects include the Universal/Blumhouse releases HALLOWEEN KILLS, which he co-wrote with David Gordon Green and Danny McBride, THE EXORCIST, another collaboration with Green and McBride, and Stephen King’s FIRESTARTER, which he adapted for the screen and will executive produce.

Scott adapted another King property, THE BREATHING METHOD, which is in development with Spyglass and director Gore Verbinski, and he wrote the upcoming sequel INSIDIOUS 5 for Sony/Blumhouse and director Patrick Wilson. Scott also penned the adaptation of Abraham Verghese’s bestselling novel CUTTING FOR STONE for BRON Studios, Anonymous Content, and director Richie Mehta.

Scott’s previous credits as writer-director include the award-winning films THAT EVENING SUN, HOLBROOK/TWAIN, and most recently, THE QUARRY.

Scott was a writer and co-executive producer of the popular Netflix series NARCOS: MEXICO, and he wrote, directed, and produced three seasons of the acclaimed, Peabody Award-winning SundanceTV drama RECTIFY.

The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

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Act One Podcast - Episode 18 - Interview with Screenwriter, James Cary.

James Cary is the co-creator and co-writer of the BBC comedy BLUESTONE 42. His other TV credits include MIRANDA, MY HERO and MY FAMILY as well as co-writing several series with comedian, Milton Jones. James has also script-edited and written for a number of other British comedy series including CONCRETE COW, RECORDED FOR TRAINING PURPOSES, BRIDGET & EAMON and CITIZEN KHAN. James is also a podcaster and the author of several books including "The Sacred Art of Joking" and "The Gospel According to a Sitcom Writer".

More from James Cary:
Podcast: "Cooper and Cary Have Words" https://www.cooperandcary.com
Substack Weekly Newsletter: "Don’t Mention It" https://jamescary.substack.com
Website: https://www.jamescary.co.uk

The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

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Act One Podcast - Episode 17 - Interview with Filmmaker Brent Gudgel of the new documentary film, FREE BURMA RANGERS.

For the past 20 years Brent has been a busy documentary director. His credits include the acclaimed documentary Free Burma Rangers, Dear Francis (Showtime television), and Lovin’ Lakin for Hulu (featuring Kristen Bell, Seth McFarlin, Jamie Lee Curtis). He has also directed over 300 short documentaries with brands such as Toyota, LA Clippers, Union Rescue Mission, and Goodwill, among others. Brent is married and has two young children. This year they relocated from Texas back to California to raise their kids on their family farm.

To purchase tickets for the September 13th screening of FREE BURMA RANGERS, go to https://www.fathomevents.com/events/Free-Burma-Rangers-Encore.

To see more of Brent's work, visit https://deidoxfilms.org.

The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

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Act One Podcast - Episode 16 - Special Episode featuring the Act One TV Showrunner Roundtable Discussion with Saladin K. Patterson (ABC's THE WONDER YEARS), Monica Macer (CBS' MACGVYER), Sheryl J. Anderson (Netflix's SWEET MAGNOLIAS), and Brian Bird (Hallmark's WHEN CALLS THE HEART).

Recorded on Thursday, February 11th, 2021, this roundtable offers a fascinating look "behind the curtain” of making television. Some of the topics discussed includes how to get a job writing for tv, creative leadership, and faith in Hollywood.

About our panelists:

MONICA MACER is a screenwriter, executive producer, and showrunner of Korean and African American descent. She has written for some of the most acclaimed television series over the last 15 years, including LOST (ABC), PRISON BREAK (FOX), NASHVILLE (ABC), QUEEN SUGAR (OWN) and GENTEFIED (Netflix). Most recently, Monica proudly served as showrunner and executive producer for MACGYVER (CBS). As showrunner of Queen Sugar’s second season, Macer was tapped as one of Variety’s 10 Writers to Watch.
Macer is married to actor/filmmaker, Sterling Macer Jr., and she’s the proud mother of a thirteen-year-old daughter.

BRIAN BIRD is co-creator and executive producer of the top-rated Hallmark Channel series WHEN CALLS THE HEART, in partnership with Michael Landon, Jr., which premieres its eighth season in February 2021. He has written and/or produced two dozen films, including THE HEART OF MAN, THE CASE FOR CHRIST, CAPTIVE, NOT EASILY BROKEN, THE ULTIMATE LIFE and BOPHA! and nearly 350 episodes of network television, including TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL, STEP BY STEP and EVENING SHADE. He is currently developing four new films, NORTHERN LIGHTS, LIFE AFTER HEAVEN, The STORY OF EVERYTHING, and THE MONARCH. His most important production to date is his 40-year marriage to wife Patty and their five children.

SHERYL J. ANDERSON is the showrunner and an executive producer of SWEET MAGNOLIAS (Netflix). She began her writing journey as a playwriting major at The College of William & Mary in Virginia. Sheryl has worked as a television studio executive, screenwriter, and half-hour writer (PARKER LEWIS CAN'T LOSE, DAVE'S WORLD). She then moved to the hour world, writing for a wide range of series (CHARMED, FLASH GORDON, WHEN CALLS THE HEART), and selling pilots to Disney, SyFy, NBC, and Lifetime. She created UPtv’s first dramatic series, TIES THAT BIND, and has written movies for Lifetime, Hallmark, and UPtv. Sheryl also teaches and mentors through a variety of organizations and universities. She and her children are members of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Santa Monica.

SALADIN K. PATTERSON is currently the showrunner of the new show, THE WONDER YEARS on ABC. Also he is an Executive Producer of the FX comedy series DAVE. Prior to that, he was the showrunner of the TBS series THE LAST O.G., and the showrunner of the TBS animated series, THE COPS. Some of his other credits include THE BIG BANG THEORY, TWO AND A HALF MEN, PSYCH, THE BERNIE MAC SHOW, and FRASIER. Patterson is a native of Montgomery Alabama and he is an M.I.T. alumnus with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He now resides in Los Angeles, California with his wife, Chelsea, his daughter Micah and son, Joshua.

The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

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Act One Podcast - Episode 15 - Interview with Producer Darren Moorman of the new Netflix film, Blue Miracle.

Darren Moorman is a seasoned producer and the head of Reserve Entertainment. He has worked with studios that include MGM, Lionsgate, and Paramount Pictures. His latest film, Blue Miracle, starring Dennis Quaid, premiered on Netflix on May 27th, 2021. Darren’s debut film was the 1999 feature All Over Again, starring Craig T. Nelson and Academy Award® nominee Robert Loggia. He founded Reserve Entertainment in 2014. Reserve develops and produces high-quality films and television programming that not only entertains, but also brings lasting effects on society and culture. Working with Paramount Pictures, Reserve’s first film was an adaptation of the New York Times’ bestselling book, Same Kind Of Different As Me. The movie starred Academy Award® nominated actors Renee Zellweger, Greg Kinnear, Djimon Hounsou, and Jon Voight. That was followed by the theatrical releases Indivisible and Run The Race. Darren also created and produced the television program Mark Hamill’s Pop Culture Quest with Lionsgate, and currently is in post-production on two more TV-show pilots, Embedded and Finding Family. Darren is currently in Production on the feature film SIGHT, starring Greg Kinnear. Darren and his wife Krista live in Pasadena, Calif. with their two sons, Eli and Zion.

To support the work of Casa Hogar, visit their website at https://www.casahogarcabo.com.

The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

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Act One Podcast - Episode 14 - Interview with Director Roman White and Producer Gabriel Vasquez of the new Netflix film, A Week Away.

An accomplished director, White has worked with some of the biggest names in entertainment including Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton, Justin Bieber, Kelly Clarkson, Colbie Caillat, Josh Groban, Reba, and Shakira. Also an animator and FX artist, White has earned numerous Emmy Awards, plus multiple Director of the Year nods, and he’s been recognized by MTV, ACM, CMA and CMT for his work. His video for Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” is the only country video to ever win an MTV VMA, and his video for Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” was named by CMT as the top video of the decade. In 2016, White wrote and directed his first film, Summer Forever (Relativity and Disney) and has been directing commercials and films ever since.

Founder and President of Vazquez Entertainment, Vasquez has spent the last 20 years developing and managing the careers of award-winning, accomplished artists and speakers. Through his company, he has produced over 4,000 events. Over his career, Vasquez has held multiple roles at major labels and management companies including 3rd Wave Records, EMI/Sparrow Records, Myrrh Records, Creative Trust, Creative Trust Workshop, and Word Entertainment/Warner Brothers. He has worked on the creation and launch of many artist projects, including Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Newsboys, and Jaci Velasquez, among many others. In 2016, he executive produced his first film, Wildflower, under the Vasquez Productions banner.

Rove Productions’ debut film, A Week Away, will be released globally on Netflix March 26. Vasquez is the co-creator and producer of the faith-based musical, while White co-produces and directs. Filmed in Nashville, A Week Away is the fish-out-of-water story of a troubled teen who ultimately finds love and belonging at the place he least expects, a Christian summer camp. (From Lorie Hollabaugh/Music Row)

The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

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Act One Podcast - Episode 13 - Interview with Screenwriter and Comic Book Writer, Jim Krueger.

Jim is an American comic book writer, novelist, and filmmaker. He is considered one of the top-rated writers currently working in American comics. In addition to creating his own comics properties such as The High Cost of Happily Ever After and The Runner, his projects include the prestigious X Trilogy from Marvel Comics, and Justice from DC Comics.

The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

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Act One Podcast - Episode 12 - Interview with Screenwriter, Clare Sera.

Clare Sera has written both live action and animated films for Disney, Warner Bros., Sony, Paramount, Universal and more. A few even got made including BLENDED with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, and the Warner Bros. animated film, SMALLFOOT. When she isn’t writing movies, she helps to empower inner city gals with the world's greatest non-profit, WriteGirl.

The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

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Act One Podcast - Episode 11 - Interview with Assistant Executive Director of the WGA West, Charles Slocum.

Charles Slocum is an Assistant Executive Director at the Writer’s Guild of America, West, and previously worked at Paramount Pictures as a financial analyst, NBC as a game show judge, and ABC as a Nielsen Ratings analyst. He has a BA from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, an MA in Theology and Film from Fuller Seminary where he wrote about the similarities between film and the Incarnation, and a ThM from Fuller looking at theology and culture. He is the former Board chair for Act One and now a Board member of MasterMedia International.

The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

Support the show