In this episode, Hilliard and actor/writer/activist Dalila Ali Rajah sit down for a fun conversation with writer/activists Katie Mathewson & Y. Shireen Razack to talk about their amazing journey up the rung as TV writers and their activism on (TTIE) and diversity committees at the WGAW!

KATIE MATHEWSON

Katie Mathewson is an Emmy-nominated and Peabody Award-winning screenwriter/producer who has been working with her writing partner, Tanner Bean, for over a decade. The duo got their start on Fox’s PITCH, but since then, their credits have included Marvel Studios’ HAWKEYE, Amazon’s JURY DUTY, and Showtime’s DEXTER prequel. Katie and Tanner are currently Co-Executive Producers on Season 2 of DEXTER: RESURRECTION. 

Katie’s passion for LGBTQ+ activism and DEIA has led her to work with the Think Tank for Inclusion & Equity (TTIE). She previously served as Co-Chair of the LGBTQ+ Writers Committee, during which time she co-founded the Rainbow Pages – an independent database of queer WGA writers – and helped secure better healthcare coverage for transgender Guild members.

THINK TANK INCLUSION & EQUITY (TTIE) & HOROWITZ RESEARCH RELEASE BEHIND THE SCENES: THE STATE OF INCLUSION & EQUITY IN TV WRITING 2025 REPORT

Y. SHIREEN RAZACK

Shireen is a South Asian, Trinidadian, Canadian, Muslim-American drama writerwith an affinity for science fiction, fantasy, and supernatural stories steeped in social justice allegory. Born in Canada, mostly raised in Texas, and a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, Shireen started her professional life with a career in advertising that took her from Texas to New York, then ultimately to Los Angeles, where she came to pursue her dream of writing for television. She is an alum of the CBS Writers Mentoring Program and now has over fifteen years of TV writing experience in multiple genres, including sci-fi/fantasy/supernatural, YA, and both medical and cop procedurals. Most recently, she was a Co-Executive Producer on Vampire Academy for Peacock.

Shireen is also a co-founder and co-chair of Think Tank for Inclusion & Equity (TTIE), a member of the Board of Directors for the Writers Guild Foundation, a Writers Guild of America West mentor, and a black belt in San Soo Kung Fu.

💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.

Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"

MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!

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YouTube Shorts, Videos & CLIPS!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@Hilliard Guess on all social media 

@Hilliardguess.bsky.social

IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom

Guests:

@katiemathewson

[email protected]

@dalilaalirajah

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[email protected]

BTS: Matthew Nicholson

In this episode Hilliard and guest co-host writer/director Gregg Simon sat down for almost two hours with DANIEL PEARLE Executive Producer of the new Netflix thriller called THE BEAST IN ME starring Claire Daines and Matthew Rhys.

Daniel Pearle is an American playwright and screenwriter. His plays have been produced and developed at Lincoln Center Theater, London’s Old Vic, The Vineyard, Ars Nova, and at regional theaters around the country. His play A Kid Like Jake premiered in a sold-out run at LCT3/Lincoln Center Theater (NY Times Critic’s Pick). The play won the 2013 Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award and was also awarded the prestigious Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation’s Theatre Visions Grant.

Daniel’s feature film adaptation of A Kid Like Jake premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. The film is directed by Silas Howard and stars Claire Danes, Jim Parsons, Octavia Spencer, Priyanka Chopra, Amy Landecker, and Ann Dowd. IFC Films acquired domestic rights for the film, which opened in theaters June 1, 2018. He is currently writing an original feature film for Warner Bros.

His other plays include Freefall (finalist, 2017 O’Neill Playwrights Conference), Remote Viewing (semi-finalist, 2015 O’Neill Playwrights Conference), The Prodigies (semi-finalist, 2013 O’Neill Playwrights Conference), and Plunder (winner, 2008 Loeb Drama Center’s Phyllis Anderson Prize). His short play The Truth About Christmas was a winner of the 2011 Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Short Play Festival.

Daniel was a recipient of the 2018 Humanitas New Voices Grant for emerging writers in television. He received a WGA Award Nomination for his work on FX’s Impeachment: American Crime Story. Other TV credits include One of Us Is Lying (Peacock) and Accused (Fox). He is an alum of Ars Nova’s Play Group and a MacDowell Fellow. He earned his BA from Harvard University and his MFA from The New School for Drama.

💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.

Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"

MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!

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YouTube Shorts, Videos & BONUS CLIPS!

⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@Hilliard Guess on all social media 

@Hilliardguess.bsky.social

IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom

Guests:

@danielpearle

@gregglsimon

WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : 

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PLEASE EXCUSE THE SOUND

Step inside the Micheaux Film Festival and the real writers’ room panel! In this unfiltered, pull-no-punches live podcast taping, veteran writer/producer Hilliard Guess (Deadly Class, CROSS: After Hours) and award-winning actor/director Denzel Whitaker (Black Panther, Great Debaters), and his acclaimed short film Brand New (ALLBLK / AMC) team up to expose the truth behind the Hollywood curtain.

From navigating writers’ rooms and producing on sets to surviving the industry grind, they’ll serve up raw insights and hard-earned gems, with behind-the-scenes stories on how creators can build a community. Expect laughs, truth bombs, and some straight-up game for filmmakers and creatives trying to level up!

Joining the conversation:
Simone Harris – Ryan Coogler’s Proximity Media

Pamela Azmi-Andrew – Veteran Casting Director/Writer/ProducerCarl Seaton - Award-winning Episodic Director/Producer

Event Time: 12:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Location: The Culver Theater (Panel Bldg.)

💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.

Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"

MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!

https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products

YouTube Shorts, Videos & CLIPS!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@Hilliard Guess on all social media 

@Hilliardguess.bsky.social

IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom

Guests:

@denzelwhitaker

@Mrcarlseaton

@monieinthemiddle

@pamelazmiandrew

WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : 

[email protected]

In this episode - Hilliard, TV/Film writer SAEED CRUMPLER, and comedy/drama writer RICH SCOTT talk about how the global economic downturn could affect the entertainment industry, and what writers can do to protect themselves financially and creatively. 

What You’ll Learn:

How and why artists fight back by starting their own labels and production companies

Survival is Key

"Make Money Sexy Again"

What should Emerging writers write in 2026

Being a Tastemaker

AI and how to writers can work with it

Change is constant, adapt or die

Mentorship - the good and bad

And so much more!

💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.

YouTube Shorts, Videos & BONUS CLIPS!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ

Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"

MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!

https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products

EMAIL:

[email protected]

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@Hilliard Guess on all social media 

@Hilliardguess.bsky.social

IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom

@Balance510

@Fatboyfeels

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[email protected]

In this prerecorded episode, Hilliard and writer/artist Minquell Ramone sat down for an in-depth (Bonus episode) covering how screenwriters can better utilize the screenwritersrantroom.com website (resources, archives, merch and more) and also where to subscribe to our new YouTube page/channel and how you can get some game while supporting the show at the same time.

Another dope episode y'all. This one is full of game and wisdom and is a must listen to podcast!

SUBSCRIBE - like, follow, share & 5-star review!

YouTube Shorts, Videos & CLIPS!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ

Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"

WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM

MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!

https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products

SCREENWRITERS’ RANT ROOM - LIVE 

OCTOBER 24, 2025 12:30PM-1:45PM

THE CULVER THEATER

MICHEAUXFILMFEST.COM

EMAIL:

[email protected]

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@Hilliard Guess on all social media 

@Hilliardguess.bsky.social

IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom

Guest:

@MinquellRamone

WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : 

[email protected]

In this episode, Hilliard sat down for a nothing but game episode with big sis, FELICIA D. HENDERSON — an accomplished, award-winning showrunner, writer, director, producer, educator, and activist, with over twenty-five years of film, television, theater, and comic book content credits!

Felicia created Showtime’s Emmy Award-nominated, three-time NAACP Image Award-winning series, SOUL FOOD, television’s first successful African American drama, and last year, through her production company, WaterWalk Entertainment, she wrote, directed, and produced her first short film, Humanitas Prize-nominated and multiple festival winner, THE REBEL GIRLS -- a true story based on a group of girl-warriors who were arrested in 1963 for attempting to integrate a movie theater in Southern Georgia – which you can currently see on all American Airlines domestic flights.

Her writing and producing credits include dramas FIRST KILL, THE PUNISHER, EMPIRE, GOSSIP GIRL, and FRINGE. Her comedy credits include SISTER-SISTER, MOESHA, and EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS. Felicia is an Associate Professor in Northwestern University’s Department of Radio/Television/Film, where she teaches screenwriting and production courses. She holds a PhD from UCLA’s Department of Film, Television, and Digital Media and her research interests include politics, race, gender, and cultural capital in the TV writers’ room.

Felicia is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a board member of the Leadership Academy for underrepresented girls called Shero’s Rise, and along with her sister-colleagues: Sara Finney-Johnson, Mara Brock Akil, and Gina Prince Bythewood, she endowed the Four Sisters Scholarship in screenwriting, directing, and animation at UCLA. She also endowed the Felicia D

Henderson Scholarship in Screenwriting, also at UCLA. Most importantly, Felicia is “Auntie” to over 30 nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She grew up in Pasadena, California, but owes her skills in the kitchen – including melt-in-your-mouth candied yams, corn bread dressing, and banana pudding from scratch -- to her mother’s Mississippi roots. Currently, she splits her time between Los Angeles, Chicago, and wherever film and TV production takes her.

SUBSCRIBE - like, follow, share & 5-star review!

PART 2 COMING SOON ON YOUTUBE

YouTube Shorts, Videos & BONUS CLIPS!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ

Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"

WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM

MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!

https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products

SCREENWRITERS’ RANT ROOM - LIVE 

OCTOBER 24, 2025 12:30PM-1:45PM

THE CULVER THEATER

MICHEAUXFILMFEST.COM

EMAIL:

[email protected]

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@Hilliard Guess on all social media 

@Hilliardguess.bsky.social

IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom

Guest:

@feliciadhen1

BTS: Chase "Zoom" Bell

@z00m12

@defiproductionllc

WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : 

[email protected]

In this episode, Hilliard and co-host writer/prod/author James Moorer sit down with incomparable TV/Film writer/producer AKELA COOPER!

There's almost two hours worth of game dropped and the last 30 mins of this super fun conversation was opened up to a group of writers sitting in the audience so that they could “Ask Us Anything!”

Akela Cooper wrote M3GAN, produced by Universal, Blumhouse and James Wan/Atomic Monster and Akela is a credited writer on THE NUN 2 for New Line/Atomic Monster and wrote the film MALIGNANT, directed by James Wan, for WB/Atomic Monster. In 2021 Akela was named one of Variety’s Top 10 Screenwriters to Watch.

On the TV side, Akela has written on such projects as STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS (Paramount+), MAGIC ORDER (Netflix), Steve DeKnight’s JUPITER’S LEGACY (Netflix), Marvel’s LUKE CAGE (Netflix), Ryan Murphy’s AMERICAN HORROR STORY (FX), and THE HUNDRED (CW) among others.

SUBSCRIBE - like, follow, share & 5-star review!

Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"

WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM
For RESOURCES, MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!

https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products

EMAIL:
[email protected]
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
@Hilliard Guess on all social media
@Hilliardguess.bsky.social
IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom

Guests:
@akelacooper
@onemoorer

WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ :
[email protected]
BTS: Chase "Zoom" Bell
@z00m12

@defiproductionllc

In this Season Finale episode, Hilliard sits down with actor/writer/prod/director NOEL BRAHAM - co-founder of the hit MICHEAUX FILM FESTIVAL now in its 7th year and killing the game on the circuit!
HIGHLIGHTS: The Power of “YET," lessons from his family growing up, becoming an actor, climbing many mountains, becoming a filmmaker and producing a Webseries and daytime Emmy-nominated short films, the power of community, co-founding and producing the Micheaux Film Festival and so much more!
Noel is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, founder, and master of making gold on a budget tighter than his schedule. As the visionary behind the Micheaux Film Festival, he’s built one of the fastest-growing multicultural film festivals in the country, while simultaneously directing, producing, writing, and probably acting out something in the back of an Uber. Born with a camera in one hand and an unshakable belief in multicultural stories in the other, Noel turned his journey from living in a hostel to helming red carpets into a movement. His work sits at the intersection of impact and innovation, combining soul-stirring narratives with social relevance...and maybe a sly wink to every industry gatekeeper who ever said "no."
Noel’s latest indie feature, Angel City, starring SNL star Chris Kattan, is a gritty, heartfelt love letter to Los Angeles that blends social commentary with cinematic ambition. Inspired by his own experience of living out of his car while chasing a dream, the film pulls back the curtain on the harsh realities of Hollywood and the homeless community.
A true creative Swiss Army knife, Noel has collaborated with brands like Sony, Amazon, and Apple, while continuing to champion emerging talent who have more grit than followers. He’s known for being equal parts strategist and storyteller and his superpower? Turning a three-person crew and a Craigslist location into something that looks like it came out of Warner Bros. When he’s not running a festival, pitching a project, or jumping on a Zoom in a button-up and gym shorts, you can find him praying, hyping indie artists, or asking Chat GPT how to survive on three hours of sleep. Noel Braham -  proof that purpose, hustle, and faith can’t be denied.
SUBSCRIBE - like, follow, share & 5-star review!
WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM
Merch (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES)
YouTube Shorts & Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
@Hilliard Guess on all social media
@Hilliardguess.bsky.social
IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom
Guest:
@NoelBraham
@Micheauxfilmfest
BTS: @iamJerryJerome
WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ :
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In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host TV comedy writer Myles Warden sat down in a super fun conversation with icon comedy/drama writer SARA FINNEY JOHNSON (co-creator on the ICONIC television series’ Moesha and The Parkers) and who has worked on many one hour dramas (Queen Sugar, Games People Play, etc) that make her invaluable in the room, on set, and in production!

HIGHLIGHTS: Growing up in Los Angeles, working as a PA to writer during the Norman Lear hey-day, coming up in the writers’ room in the height of UPN network, co-creating the ICONIC television series’ Moesha and The Parkers (with Ralph Farquhar and Vida Spears), becoming a showrunner and being ready for it, running the Parkers, how to write projects based on real people, the importance of Spec Scripts today and so much more!

BIO: Sara was born in Mobile, Alabama and raised in South Central L.A.’s Leimert Park neighborhood.  She credits her southern roots and West Coast upbringing for providing the inspiration and passion for many of the stories she writes about. 
 
After graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, Sara began her television career as a P.A. and Writer’s Assistant at Norman Lear’s production company, Tandem/TAT.  Shortly afterwards, she got her start as a Writer on several classic television comedies including: The Jeffersons, The Facts of Life, Married with Children and 227.  She later worked as a Producer on Family Matters and The Parenthood.  Sara was Co-Creator, Executive Producer/Showrunner on the groundbreaking UPN hit comedy, Moesha -- inspired by her growing up in Leimert Park and its equally successful spin-off, The Parkers. She was a Consulting Producer the first two seasons on the popular BET dramedy, The Game and the hit BET drama, The Quad.  She was also Co-Executive Producer on BET’s American Soul and Games People Play before landing as Consulting Producer on Ava DuVernay’s award winning OWN series, Queen Sugar.  She was Co-Executive Producer on the seventh and final season of Queen Sugar.  
 
She’s also a playwright and has produced numerous plays over the years, including: Mens, which was nominated for an NAACP Theater Award.  She is also the co-founder of Los Angeles Black Playwrights, which was based at the Mark Taper Forum and produced plays throughout the Los Angeles area.
 
She’s proud to have been an Artist In Residence at Mara Brock Akil’s amazing creative space, The Writers’ Colony. While at the Colony she worked on her first feature which she’s developing with a production company.
SUBSCRIBE - like, follow, share & 5-star review!

Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"

WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM
Merch (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES)

YouTube Shorts & Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
@Hilliard Guess on all social media
@Hilliardguess.bsky.social
IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom

Guest:
@sarafinneyjohnson
@reallymighty

BTS: @iamJerryJerome

WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ :
[email protected]

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host Tristan J. Shuler sat down for a 2-hour, in-depth, hilarious conversation with R. K. RUSSELL, Out NFL Player, activist, poet and author of the amazing new book THE YARDS BETWEEN US!

HIGHLIGHTS:
Growing up in Buffalo, Dallas racism and culture, Football at Purdue, the emotional NFL Draft and signing with the Dallas Cowboys, his traumatic experience in NY, meeting his partner Corey and finding love, coming out the press and his mother, life after football, developing a series based on his book with Gabrielle Union and Saeed Crumpler and so much more!

WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM
SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, FOLLOW SHARE & 5-STAR REVIEW!

Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"

Merch (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES)

YouTube Shorts & Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
@Hilliard Guess on all social media
@Hilliardguess.bsky.social
IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom
Guest:
@rkrelentless
@tristanjshuler

BTS: Michelle Smoller

WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ :
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