We talk to Shudder General Manager Craig Engler.
The writer-turned-exec tells us what he’s learned about rejection as a writer and how he  now behaves as an exec.
Craig talks about the emotional heartbreak of a writing project ending in turmoil and legal dispute, how that drove him back to the exec side of the business and what it meant to him.
He explains why he likes to give a quick no, how sometimes they greenlight too quickly for some writers and gives a great explanation of what horror actually entails.
And he tells aspiring writers to just keep writing and only worry about what they can control.
An insightful discussion about a different part of the industry.

We talk to showrunner Vaun Wilmott who tells stories of giving up acting, selling shampoo and breaking into the world of writing.
He tells us about his 'overnight success', taking more than ten years of writing until he created Dominion and the joys of being the number two in a room.
We talk about leadership over Zoom, missing out on the snacks and lunches of the old days and working on a 'dream job' like Star Trek.
Vaun talks about his shows, the importance - in a world of rejection - of remembering your value and your successes and we get in to imposter syndrome, in all its forms.
A candid and insightful interview.
#Screenwriting #TVWriting #Showrunner #Writing #Adversity #Failure #Rejection #Hollywood

In one of our most in-depth and emotional interviews we talk to showrunner Patrick Macmanus.
He tells us his Hollywood journey - part-time bartending, failed at acting  and transition to writing.
Patrick talks about giving up on the entertainment business, moving to Mongolia and breaking a promise to his mother-in-law.
We go deep discussing distance from family, sacrifice and the commitment needed to make it through the tough times.
A powerful, honest and painful discussion about succeeding in Hollywood the hard way.
#Screenwriting #TVWriting #Showrunner #Writing #Adversity #Failure #Rejection #Hollywood

We talk to Simon Barry about his adventures in Hollywood and are joined by guest co-host and Maze Runner writer Grant Pierce Myers.
He talks about his first short film screening that no one turned up to, losing a girlfriend and gaining an agent the same day and how he came to Hollywood to be a screenwriter without a script.
Simon describes how he both felt he didn't belong, but also how  much he loved the Hollywood process - and the creative change he needed to make to be successful.
We talk dark days, hamster wheels and healthy delusions.
An honest and insightful discussion about making it Hollywood with plenty of mistakes made along the way.

The podcast shifts from writer to director and we are delighted to be joined by Jen McGowan.
She tells us her journey into directing, how winning an award early in her career changed her view of Hollywood and the importance of setting expectations.
We compare boxing and the entertainment industry, the importance of an outlet for anger and frustration and how she deals with rejection and failure.
Jen talks about diversity in the industry, how much things have changed since she began and why her acting career didn't pan out.
And why being told to 'expect to be poor for ten years' set her up for success.
A fascinating interview with a candid guest exploring a different part of Hollywood.

Fascinating interview with another successful Canadian - this time showrunner Brad Wright, co-creator of Stargate SG-1 and Netflix's Travelers.
He talks about how he managed to avoid moving to Hollywood, why being Canadian is being an advantage and the joys of working on Canadian productions.
Brad talks about getting into genre shows, the 'no assholes' policy in their room on Travelers and what a privilege it is to work in the TV industry.
We hear about his struggles getting a show after Stargate, how 17 years with one studio made it harder for him to make progress and how he felt 'like a new writer' when trying to get his next show made.
Brad talks about taking failure personally, how an exec thought he should have retired after his long-running success and wondering whether he would ever make another show.

We talk to the incredible Craig Thomas, co-creator and showrunner of How I Met Your Mother.
He explains how he nearly derailed himself after success came early, the importance of focus on successful projects and the risk of distraction. 
We talk about being 'hot' and the pressure that creates, we hear some incredible stories of failure and rejection as well as some extraordinary interactions with execs.
Craig talks about How I Met Your Mother, how How I Met Your Dad didn't work and taking the games out of the Goodwin Games. 
An entertaining and intriguing romp through TV land with one of the good guys of the industry.

We start season 2 with veteran showrunner and novelist Rob Thomas.
We get straight into it with the crushing blow of losing an overall deal with a major studio, a hellish year of development and concerns that his most recent show might be his last.
Rob explains how he went pretty much straight from Dawson’s Creek writer to showrunner, what he learned along the way and how he is a bad consultant but a great boss.
In an honest and revealing interview he tells us what he is worrying about, shares some simple but powerful advice and explains the pleasure he gets from seeing his old assistants win awards.
Fascinating insights from the creator of multiple shows.

Ahead of the return of our second season, Noah and Dan sit down for another of their little chats.
They talk about Noah's recovery from illness, the incredible reception to our first season and what is to come in the second.
We start our listener's questions segment, discuss the amazing honesty of our guests so far and set the scene for 50 more stories of rejection, failure and adversity.

Noah and Dan review the first season of Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss.
They talk about what they learned, why they did it and how much it meant to both of them.
And Noah reveals a secret that will bring new meaning to overcoming adversity.