Screenwriters' Rant Room

On an all new episode, Hilliard and guest co-hosts actor/filmmaker Johnny Ray Gill and actor/filmmaker Denzel Whitaker chop it up in a dope, 2-part episode with showrunner BEN WATKINS, writer-creator of the NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series and Outstanding Drama Series for Amazon’s new hit series CROSS.

We break down many of Ben's writing tips for screenwriters -- like his 3 phases of screenwriting, building leverage, pivoting, picking up tidbits, finding characters on the page, researching, actors input and sooooooo much more!

This is a don’t miss episode y’all!

"Keep it GAME all day!"

For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room --
www.Screenwritersrantroom.com

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

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

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media
@Hilliardguess.bsky.social
IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom

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

In this episode, Hilliard and lil sis, actor/writer Dalila Ali Rajah sit down for a fun conversation about the do's and don'ts of submitting films to YOLONDA BRINKLEY creator of the long-running, and very popular DIVERSITY IN CANNES SHORT FILM SHOWCASE!

Yolonda, the self-proclaimed global disruptor, is a full-service marketing communications practitioner specializing in event production and entertainment publicity. Fueled by passion, she is the creator of Diversity in Cannes, the independent global film movement promoting inclusion at the Cannes Film Festival. Supported by Academy Award Winner Viola Davis' JuVee Productions, Yolonda's inclusion efforts include the annual presentation of Diversity Day in Cannes, consisting of two short film showcases, a film panel and an awards reception in France during the Festival de Cannes, where diversity is not a priority.
Celebrating 15 years, Yolonda has hosted hundreds of filmmakers from five continents, received thousands of short film submissions representing at least 35 countries and has welcomed esteemed panelists.

Earlier this year, she launched Black Women Cannes, which as the name describes, provides a platform to celebrate Black Women at the Cannes Film Festival as they've been grossly underrepresented. Yolonda is recognized for independently pioneering the inclusion efforts at the Cannes Film Festival, resulting in a European Diversity Award nomination.

Follow her journey @diversencannes @blackwomencannes

"Keep it GAME all day!"

For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!

www.Screenwritersrantroom.com
https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products

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

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media
@Hilliardguess.bsky.social
IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom
@Dalilaalirajah

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

We invest countless hours per week to deliver the actionable content that goes into this podcast. We appreciate your support!

THEME SONG: Jack Spade
WEBSITE: MQL2,
Abigail Bloom & Laura Huie
LOGOS: Rachel Musikanth
RANT ROOM TEAM:
Richard Scott - Creative Producer
Tyler Musikanth - Assoc Producer
Brooke Baltimore - Marketing
Togo - Marketing

In this super fun episode, Hilliard & guest co-host actor/writer/dir Denzel Whitaker sit down for an in-depth conversation with award-winning writer-dir-producer LISA FRANCE. If you ever had questions about how to become an Episodic Director, this might be the podcast for you!

Lisa France is an entertainment vet with over 25+ years in the business as a writer, director and producer. She began her film and TV career from the ground up. PA, AD, set dec, camera operator, props, 2nd AD, driver, stand-in, extra, etc.  She attributes her extensive entertainment job resume to her ability to think quickly in difficult production situations.  Eventually she landed a stunt gig with Spike Lee in He Got Game and a stunt acting job on The Summer of Sam and did stunts on a variety of other TV shows and films, most notably, The Sopranos.

France directed, co-wrote and produced her first feature film, "Anne B. Real" in 2003, which won more than 40 film festival awards and nominations around the world, including two Independent Spirit Award nominations. She then directed two more award-winning independent films in rapid succession, both were distributed on Netflix, Starz and AMC theaters. Her first documentary, "Roll with Me", also garnered numerous awards, debuted at The Woodstock Film Festival and was a 2018 Slamdance Official Selection later acquired and distributed by Ava DuVernay's ARRAY Releasing. 

France has directed numerous thrillers and Christmas movies for Lifetime, BounceTV, OWN Hulu and Tubi. During the height of the pandemic, France directed and produced on Season 5 and 6, the critically acclaimed, award winning series "Queen Sugar" by creator Ava DuVernay. France recently directed episodes of the hit FOX series "The Cleaning Lady" and "Naomi" which is currently streaming on HBO MAX. 

France produced "The Herricanes" which just debuted and won a Special Jury Prize and the Audience Award at SXSW and is actually playing in theaters this month. France is a proud member of AWD, the LGBTQ+ community, the DGA, WGA, and SAG-AFTRA.

Our Motto: "Keep it GAME all day!"

For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!
www.Screenwritersrantroom.com

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

Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review!
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media
@Hilliardguess.bsky.social
IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom
@Lisafrance2067
@DenzelWhitaker

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

We invest countless hours per week to deliver the actionable content that goes into this podcast. We appreciate your support!

THEME SONG: Jack Spade
WEBSITE: MQL2,
Abigail Bloom & Laura Huie
LOGOS: Rachel Musikanth
RANT ROOM TEAM:
Richard Scott - Creative Producer
Tyler Musikanth - Assoc Producer
Brooke Baltimore - Marketing
Togo - Marketing

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host (writers assnt CROSS on Prime) J.R. Zamora-Thal, sat down for an in-depth conversation with writer/producer JOSHUA GILBERT. He's a mid-level TV writer (Flash) -- https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4214168 -- and prior to staffing, did all the Writers' Office Assistant jobs: Writers' PA, Showrunner's Asst, Writers' Asst, and Script Coordinator (the gig he did the most).

Josh says, "It occurred to me that if a YouTube video can teach someone to fix their sink, they can learn to SCRIPT COORDINATE the same way. So I created an 8-part video training module that gives step-by-step instructions for taking a script from first draft to shooting draft!"

We talk about how other assistant jobs don't lend themselves to the Script Coordinator training video and why and also learn his journey of giving back to writer on the come-up!

Check out Josh's YouTube page and get soak up game - completely FREE!

"Veteran Script Coordinator" https://www.youtube.com/@VeteranScriptCoordinator

Our Motto: "We keep it GAME all day!"

For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room
Screenwritersrantroom.com

Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review!
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media
@Hilliardguess.bsky.social
IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom
@jr_ontheline

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

We invest countless hours per week to deliver the actionable content that goes into this podcast. We appreciate your support. PLEASE BUY A T-SHIRT OR HOODIE!

SCREENWRITER NETWORKS:
OBSwriter.com
BTFC.org
ScriptHop.com
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
PODCASTS WE SUPPORT:
2 Writers Talkin Shit: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2-writers-talking-shit/id1671253747

Hollywood Confessional: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hollywood-confessional/id1628848064?i=1000630276175

The Qube & Queer News: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/queer-news/id1595777135

A Conversation With Floyd Marshall Jr: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-conversation-with-host-floyd-marshall-jr/id1544499834

THEME SONG: Jack Spade

WEBSITE: MQL2,
Abigail Bloom & Laura Huie

LOGOS: Rachel Musikanth

RANT ROOM TEAM:
Richard Scott - Creative Producer
Tyler Musikanth - Associate Producer
Brooke Baltimore - Marketing
Togo - Marketing

In this episode, Hilliard & guest-host writer/actor Dalila Ali Rajah sat down in a super fun, laugh-out-loud conversation with FRANCHESCA RAMSEY, actor, writer, producer and the creator/star of the award-winning series MTV Decoded!

A former writer/correspondent for Comedy Central’s The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, her first book, "Well That Escalated Quickly" was nominated for an NAACP award and named one of Amazon’s best books of 2018. In 2021 she served as writer/co-producer on the iCarly reboot for Paramount+ and guest starred on NBC’s Superstore.
In the podcast space she serves as a co-producer and host of Wondery’s Black History for Real, Acast’s Lemme Fix it! and Audible’s We Were All Rooting For You. As a content creator Franchesca has amassed over a million followers across multiple platforms with her comedic social commentary and catchy viral songs.
Before her life as a writer and producer Franchesca worked as a graphic designer for brands including Maybelline, Ann Taylor and the City of Miami Beach.

In 2024 Franchesca’s debut feature was selected for the Sundance screenwriters fellowship program.
This is another don't miss episode full of tips-and-tricks for all you artist dying to create their own series or build a career online!

Our Motto: "We keep it GAME all day!"

For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!
Screenwritersrantroom.com

https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products
Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media
@Hilliardguess.bsky.social
IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom
@Chescaleigh

WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: [email protected]
We invest countless hours per week to deliver the actionable content that goes into this podcast. We appreciate your support!

SCREENWRITER NETWORKS:
OBSwriter.com
BTFC.org

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/screenwriters-rant-room/message
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
PODCASTS WE SUPPORT:
2 Writers Talkin Shit: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2-writers-talking-shit/id1671253747

Hollywood Confessional: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hollywood-confessional/id1628848064?i=1000630276175

The Qube & Queer News: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/queer-news/id1595777135

A Conversation With Floyd Marshall Jr: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-conversation-with-host-floyd-marshall-jr/id1544499834

THEME SONG: Jack Spade

WEBSITE: MQL2,
Abigail Bloom & Laura Huie

LOGOS: Rachel Musikanth

RANT ROOM TEAM:
Richard Scott - Creative Producer
Tyler Musikanth - Associate Producer
Brooke Baltimore - Marketing
Togo - Marketing

In this episode, Hilliard & guest co-host Tracy Grant (Exec Producer on LACE on ALLBLK), sat down for an informative conversation about the ins-and-outs of finding opportunities for your screenwriting career with special guest JAMES MOORER (writer/producer/author/publisher behind the new company One Moorer Media and Management, that is dedicated to writers who specialize in turning their screenplays into IP or IP into screenplays!

James is a sought-after speaker who inspires audiences with his innovative perspective and career journey. He delivers keynotes at industry conferences and events, including Exception Fest 2023. From 2021-2024, he served as Director of Outreach and Diversity Initiatives for Roadmap Writers and helped more than 400 writers gain representation. In June 2024, he began offering executive consulting services, publishing, and literary management via OneMoorerMedia andManagement.

With over two decades of success across filmmaking, writing, and producing, James continues to share his passion for creating highly engaging stories that resonate with global audiences.

Our Motto: "We keep it GAME all day!"

For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!
Screenwritersrantroom.com

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

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media
@Hilliardguess.bsky.social
IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom
@JamesMoorer
@TheReelTray

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

We invest countless hours per week to deliver the actionable content that goes into this podcast. We appreciate your support!

SCREENWRITER NETWORKS:
OBSwriter.com
BTFC.org

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/screenwriters-rant-room/support
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
PODCASTS WE SUPPORT:
2 Writers Talkin Shit: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2-writers-talking-shit/id1671253747

Hollywood Confessional: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hollywood-confessional/id1628848064?i=1000630276175

The Qube & Queer News: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/queer-news/id1595777135

A Conversation With Floyd Marshall Jr: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-conversation-with-host-floyd-marshall-jr/id1544499834

THEME SONG: Jack Spade

WEBSITE: Abigail Bloom & Laura Huie

ADDITIONAL DESIGNS: Minquell Ramone

LOGOS: Rachel Musikanth

RANT ROOM TEAM:
Richard Scott - Creative Producer
Tyler Musikanth - Associate Producer
Brooke Baltimore - Marketing

Togo - Marketing

In this episode, Hilliard and writer Saeed Crumpler (Flatbush Misdemeanors, 1st Look at Sony), sat down for an in-depth conversation on how to look at your writing career as a Plan vs a Goal in order to succeed and finish the thing you so desperately want to write. We also spend time talking about a slew of other writer topics, like screenwriting vocabulary, flipping from TV to film writing and things to look out for, why screenwriters should write existing spec scripts before attacking a pilot, pitching yourself and sooooooo much more!

For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!
Screenwritersrantroom.com

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

Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review!
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media
@Hilliardguess.bsky.social
IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom
@Balance510

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

We invest countless hours per week to deliver the actionable content that goes into this podcast. We appreciate your support!

SCREENWRITER NETWORKS:
OBSwriter.com
BTFC.org

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/screenwriters-rant-room/message

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/screenwriters-rant-room/support
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
PODCASTS WE SUPPORT:

2 Writers Talkin Shit: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2-writers-talking-shit/id1671253747

Hollywood Confessional: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hollywood-confessional/id1628848064?i=1000630276175

The Qube & Queer News: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/queer-news/id1595777135

A Conversation With Floyd Marshall Jr: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-conversation-with-host-floyd-marshall-jr/id1544499834

THEME SONG: Jack Spade

WEBSITE: Abigail Bloom & Laura Huie

LOGOS: Rachel Musikanth

RANT ROOM TEAM:
Richard Scott - Creative Producer
Tyler Musikanth - Associate Producer
Brooke Baltimore - Marketing
Togo - Marketing
Minquell - Additional Marketing

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host comedy writer Myles Warden sat down with Co-Executive Producer EVAN WAITE in a super dope conversation. Evan is not only a writer/producer on long-running hit series The Family Guy, but he’s written for show like (Inside Job, Fairfax Sunnyside, unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), several shows as well as The New Yorker and The Onion, so you know he’s not only funny, but a terrific writer. His perfectly timed book, "Life Wants You Dead: A Calm, Rational, and Totally Legit Guide to Scaring Yourself Safe" which is a hilarious parody survival guide for our crazy times.

Get the book y'all!

For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!
Screenwritersrantroom.com

https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products
Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media
@Hilliardguess.bsky.social
IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom
@TheOhBits
@MylesWarden

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

We invest countless hours per week to deliver the actionable content that goes into this podcast. We appreciate your support!

SCREENWRITER NETWORKS:
OBSwriter.com
BTFC.org

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/screenwriters-rant-room/message

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/screenwriters-rant-room/support
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
PODCASTS WE SUPPORT:

2 Writers Talkin Shit: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2-writers-talking-shit/id1671253747

Hollywood Confessional: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hollywood-confessional/id1628848064?i=1000630276175

The Qube & Queer News: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/queer-news/id1595777135

A Conversation With Floyd Marshall Jr: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-conversation-with-host-floyd-marshall-jr/id1544499834

THEME SONG: Jack Spade

WEBSITE: Abigail Bloom & Laura Huie

LOGOS: Rachel Musikanth

RANT ROOM TEAM:
Richard Scott - Creative Producer
Tyler Musikanth - Associate Producer
Brooke Baltimore - Marketing
Togo - Marketing
Minquell - Additional Designs

In this episode Hilliard and guest co-hosts Scott Foster & Brian Austin (Script Hop/The Gauntlet), sat down with OG screenwriters - SHANE BLACK (Lethal Weapon, Iron Man 3, A Long Kiss Goodnight) and JIM HERZFELD (Meet the Parents, Meet the Fockers, The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story, etc) in a super dope conversation covering ELEMENTS OF CRAFT for screenwriters. So much wisdom dropped, so many laughs, so much fun y’all!

We also spend some time talking about Script Hop where Shane, Jim and myself are on the Advisory Board of the company. We talking with the founders about the success of THE GAUNTLET - A revolutionary gateway into the industry — where no script is ever at the mercy of a
single gatekeeper's opinion. We go into how it works and how the Gauntlet can help screenwriters move the next level of their careers!

https://www.scripthop.com/Gauntlet
For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!
Screenwritersrantroom.com

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

Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review!
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media
@Hilliardguess.bsky.social
IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom
@bonafideblack.bsky.social

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

We invest countless hours per week to deliver the actionable content that goes into this podcast. We appreciate your support!

SCREENWRITER NETWORKS:
OBSwriter.com
BTFC.org

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/screenwriters-rant-room/message

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/screenwriters-rant-room/support
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
PODCASTS WE SUPPORT:
2 Writers Talkin Shit: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2-writers-talking-shit/id1671253747

Hollywood Confessional: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hollywood-confessional/id1628848064?i=1000630276175

The Qube & Queer News: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/queer-news/id1595777135

A Conversation With Floyd Marshall Jr: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-conversation-with-host-floyd-marshall-jr/id1544499834

THEME SONG:
Jack Spade

WEBSITE:
Abigail Bloom & Laura Huie

LOGOS:
Rachel Musikanth

RANT ROOM TEAM:
Richard Scott - Creative Producer
Tyler Musikanth - Associate Producer
Brooke Baltimore - Marketing
Togo - Marketing
Minquell - Additional Graphics

The Screenwriters' Rant Room is off this week for the holidays - we'll be back next week!