Creative Principles

Jonathan Tropper is an American novelist, screenwriter, and producer. He is the internationally best-selling author of six novels that have been translated into over thirty languages.

Most recently, he created the Apple TV+ Series YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, which follows a hedge fund manager who resorts to burglary after losing his job, targeting wealthy neighbors to maintain his family's lifestyle, but makes a fateful error breaking into the wrong home.

In this interview, we talk about writing characters who do questionable things but remain relatable, the casting of John Ham, the development process of the show, working with actors, and much more.

Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy!

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Luke Barnett is an actor, writer, and filmmaker. On the acting front, Luke recently wrapped season 5 of AppleTV+'s critically acclaimed sci-fi drama FOR ALL MANKIND, where he recurs as suit supervisor Mike Shaw (we also spoke with the creators of this series back in Episode 363.)

This year, his short film THE CROSSING OVER EXPRESS, which he wrote, directed, and starred in, went viral on X (formerly Twitter) and is now being developed as a feature.

Luke's short, The Crossing Over Express, got nearly 2 million views in 30 days, for a personal gut-wrenching story (shot in just 1 day with a skeleton crew).

Here's what else happened:

-6 managers / agents reached out to rep him

-100s of fans reached out about the emotional core

-Countless industry pros re-shared the post

-Featured in Variety, Deadline, No Film School, etc.

-Currently developing a pitch for a full feature version

If you haven't seen it yet, here's a link to Luke's Profile and the Short is pinned at the top:

https://x.com/LukeBarnett

In this interview, we talk about his breakthrough with FUNNY OR DIE, creating viral content, the success of THE CROSSING OVER EXPRESS, the importance of proactivity and positivity, the reality of film festival politics, and much more.

As a special note, this was part of our new LIVE interview series in partnership with Buzztown, a community for serious screenwriters, where students also participated in this interview. You can learn more or join the waitlist here: https://www.scriptmastermind.com/buzztown62993179

Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy!

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Jon Shaivitz is an LA-based writer and director. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2009, he's earned recognition in prestigious competitions such as the Academy Nicholl Fellowship (Top 50), StoryPros (Runner-Up), and the Atlanta Screenplay Awards (Best Feature).

His work has led to multiple script options, industry collaborations, and a growing reputation as a bold, innovative voice in filmmaking. In 2025, Jon makes his feature writing and directorial debut with ROSES ON THE VINE, a gripping drama set for worldwide release.

Recently, he’s been working on reinventing the screenplay-to-film pipeline with Pitcheroo, a game-changing new platform where screenwriters can connect with producers to get movies made.

Pitcheroo.com will launch Summer 2025 and soon after, Pitcheroo.org, a sister site that is non-profit to train and lift up the next generation of creators.

You can join their mailing list here: https://form.jotform.com/250508294545157

In this interview, we talk about his background and career, the film industry in Baltimore and the DC area, his film ROSES ON THE VINE, the concept and purpose of Pitcheroo, the problems with traditional screenwriting contests, and much more.

Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy!

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield are the dynamic duo behind the highly anticipated Netflix comedy series THE FOUR SEASONS, a show they co-created with Tina Fey, inspired by the classic 1981 film.

Fisher previously co-created the hit NEVER HAVE I EVER and wrote for BROOKLYN NINE-NINE and THE MINDY PROJECT, and Wigfield created SAVED BY THE BELL, GREAT NEWS, and won an Emmy for writing the 30 ROCK finale.

THE FOUR SEASONS follows three suburban couples vacationing together each season, but tensions arise when one couple splits up and the husband brings a much younger woman on subsequent trips.

In this interview, we talk about the nature of writing for comedy, the changes in the sitcom/comedy landscape, the development of the show, including the initial concept and inspiration from the movie, the writing process for the show, and much more.

Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy!

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Katie Robbins and Sarah Sutherland are the showrunners of Hulu's highly anticipated limited series, GOOD AMERICAN FAMILY, starring Ellen Pompeo and Mark Duplass.

The series follows a Midwestern couple who adopts what they believe is a little girl with dwarfism as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, falling into a battle fought in the tabloids, the courtroom, and ultimately their marriage.

Robbins' previous credits include the AppleTV+ drama series SUNNY, the award-winning Showtime drama series THE AFFAIR, and Amazon’s THE LAST TYCOON.

Sarah Sutherland was previously a co-executive producer on NINE PERFECT STRANGERS for Hulu and a Supervising Producer on SUNNY for Apple TV+, starring Rashida Jones.

You can listen to my previous interview with Katie where we talk about her series SUNNY, right here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep567-katie-robbins-showrunner-the-affair-the-last/id1292130289?i=1000669592206

In this interview, we talk about the creation of the show GOOD AMERICAN FAMILY, including the concept, research, and narrative perspective, the casting process — particularly the casting of the role of Natalia, advice for aspiring writers, and much more.

Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy!

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

NYU roommates Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, established a working partnership through their love for genre films. Their filmography includes the thrillers BODY, THE STAKELANDER, and the critically acclaimed VILLAINS, starring Bill Skarsgård and Maika Monroe. They continued their success with SIGNIFICANT OTHER and their newest action-comedy film NOVOCAINE.

NOVOCAINE follows a man, incapable of feeling physical pain, who transforms his rare condition into an unexpected advantage when the girl of his dreams is kidnapped.

In this interview, we talk about the making of their first films, the importance of film festivals versus online platforms like YouTube, how their directing partnership formed, the challenges and process of preparing to direct action sequences, and much more.

Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy!

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ian Seabrook is a highly acclaimed Director of Photography, celebrated for his mastery of underwater cinematography. His recent work includes lensing both underwater and main unit photography for the upcoming thriller LAST BREATH starring Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, and Finn Cole.

Seabrook's extensive filmography features blockbuster hits like INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY and DEADPOOL 2. His television credits include WEDNESDAY, SHOGUN, LOST IN SPACE, and SEE.

In his latest work, LAST BREATH, we follow seasoned deep-sea divers as they battle the raging elements to rescue their crew mate trapped hundreds of feet below the ocean's surface.

In this interview, we talk about his decision to pursue film and the lack of formal education in underwater cinematography at the time, the complexities of underwater filming, the cinematography in Last Breath, and much more.

Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy!

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Andy Bobrow is a seasoned TV comedy writer with over two decades of experience on hit network shows like MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE, COMMUNITY, and BROOKLYN NINE-NINE. He also served as Executive Producer and Co-Showrunner for Fox’s LAST MAN ON EARTH and currently writes for Fox’s KRAPOPOLIS.

Guy Goldstein bridges screenwriting and technology, renowned for creating WriterDuet, the pioneering real-time collaborative screenwriting software. His innovations include HartChart, WriterSolo, and ReadThrough, enhancing the writing process for millions.

Focused on leveraging AI to empower creators, his company develops tools like ScreenplayIQ for script analysis, PitchTrailer for audio-visual storytelling, and ScreenplayProof for screenplay-specific proofreading.

To learn more check: screenplayiq.com/ and screenplayproof.com/

In this interview, we talk about the evolution of storytelling in TV and film, the impact of AI on the industry, the role of AI in pitching and development, AI and intellectual property concerns, the industry perceptions of AI and AI's future in screenwriting and entertainment.

As a special note, this was part of our new LIVE interview series in partnership with Buzztown, a community for serious screenwriters, where students also participated in this interview. You can learn more or join the waitlist here:

https://www.scriptmastermind.com/buzztown62993179

Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy!

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

David Carson is a counter-intuitive thinker and creative problem-solver with a knack for uncovering genius where others see nonsense. Known for transforming unconventional ideas into groundbreaking solutions, he has helped global brands like American Express, Nike, Coca-Cola, and IKEA build human connections, captivate audiences, and redefine what’s possible.

As the author of Dumbify and creator of its popular newsletter, Carson inspires individuals and organizations to embrace “dumb” ideas—those that seem foolish at first but often hold the smartest answers.

In this interview, we talk about the concept of "dumb thinking," the power of humor to connect with people and make ideas more memorable, Carson’s creative process, and how he uses "dumb thinking" to come up with new ideas for his writing and other projects.

Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy!

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Mark Dent is a senior writer and editor at The Hustle, where he writes feature stories about business and the economy. Mark's work has also appeared in outlets like the New York Times and Wired. He's the author of KINGDOM QUARTERBACK, a book about Patrick Mahomes and the fall and rise of midwest cities.

In this interview, we talk about his early career and influences, his transitioning from sports journalism to newsletters, the appeal of newsletters, The Hustle's approach to content, story selection for newsletters, and more.

Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy!

If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!