The Writers Hangout

Sandy shares writing advice from Guillermo del Toro, a talented director, screenwriter, producer, and artist whose incredible work spans horror, fiction, and fairy tales. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 1964, del Toro’s passion for film and horror blossomed during his childhood. His unique style beautifully blends genres, often finding grace in the grotesque, and draws inspiration from anime, manga, and Japanese TV. Del Toro has brought to life impressive big-budget movies like Blade II, Hellboy, Pacific Rim, and The Shape of Water, along with Netflix’s captivating Frankenstein.  

 In remembrance of the wonderful writer, director, and actor Adrienne Shelly, we're excited to share again The Writers' Hangout Episode dedicated to her story, which we originally posted in the month she passed. It's a heartfelt chance to get to know this talented and incredible woman, whose life was tragically cut short. We hope you feel inspired and connected through her story.

The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Creator/Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

Sometimes, dreams really do come true! We're thrilled to have with us the amazing Jerry Zucker, who, alongside his brother David and their friend Jim Abrahams, played a huge part in transforming comedy in the 1980s. Together, they brought a fresh and hilarious twist to the spoof movie genre with the legendary 1980 hit “Airplane,” which the American Film Institute recognized as one of the ten funniest films ever made.

Before that, the Zuckers and Abrahams wrote the cult classic, "Kentucky Fried Movie" (1977), a comedy consisting of unrelated sketches. After "Airplane," the Zuckers and Abrahams created "Police Squad!" (ABC, 1982) and turned it into the successful film franchise of today. Next, Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker returned to the big screen with "Top Secret!" (1984). Jerry also directed "Ruthless People" (1986) and "Ghost" (1990), starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. "The Naked Gun - From the Files of Police Squad!" (1988). He produced "First Knight" (1995), "Rat Race," "A Walk in the Clouds" (1995), and "My Best Friend's Wedding" (1997). Additionally, he worked on "Fair Game" (2010).

Special thanks to Katie Zucker and Darlene Chan.

The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Creator/Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

Happy Halloween!!

Hang out with Sandy, Terry, and special guest screenwriter Mark Steen as they recap "Ghost and Mr. Chicken," starring Don Knotts from "The Andy Griffith Show" fame.

 Directed by Alan Rafkin and written by James Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" is about a timid typesetter who hasn't a ghost of a chance of becoming a reporter - until he decides to solve a murder mystery and ends up spending a fright-filled night in a haunted house.

 You don't need to watch the movie to enjoy the show, but we encourage you to do so since it's a fun movie that the whole family can enjoy.

The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Creator/Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

Rewind Episode -- British screenwriter Ian Mackintosh’s plane went missing on July 7, 1979, nineteen days before his thirty-ninth birthday, over the Gulf of Alaska. What happened remains a mystery. Join us as we tell the story of Lieutenant Commander Hamish Ian Mackintosh, a British Royal Navy officer, a writer of thriller novels, and a screenwriter for British television.

Ian’s series, THE SANDBAGGERS, was groundbreaking.  The New York Times said, "the best spy series in television history."   Ian MacKintosh was among the first writers to present espionage realistically and as a sordid series of political struggles, double-crosses, and personality clashes.


If you would like to read more about Ian Mackintosh I highly recommend The Life and Mysterious Death of Ian Mackintosh by Robert G. Folsom

The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS HANGOUT.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Creator/Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

Email: [email protected]

Rewind Episode: Join Sandy and Terry for a fun chat about how a short story from a dime store magazine turned into one of Hollywood's most talked-about films and the fifth-highest-grossing movie of 1954. The film REAR WINDOW, featuring stars like Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelly, Raymond Burr, and Thelma Ritter, was written by John Michael Hayes and directed by Alfred Hitchcock.  

 The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS HANGOUT.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Creator/Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

We have a fantastic episode for you. My guest is screenwriter, producer, and standup comedian Patricia Resnick, best known as the writer of the iconic film “9 to 5” and the author of the book for “9 to 5: the Musical.” Patricia Resnick was also involved in writing and producing on TV’s “Mad Men” and “Better Things,” among many other projects. Writers and friends, I promise you'll want to listen to this episode multiple times. Patricia shares her journey of becoming a successful, working screenwriter and explains how she, as a single mom, navigated a writing career during a time when women at work were often called "the girl."

The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS HANGOUT.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Creator/Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

Carolyn Omine and Kai Omine hang out with Sandy to discuss their Disney+ episode of The Simpsons called "Yellow Mirror." This mother and son writing team (Carolyn Omine is an Emmy-winning producer who joined the Simpsons’ writing staff in Season ten and became the show's first female Executive Producer when she was credited as an Executive Producer in Season 17) pull back the curtain to share how they ended up writing together, their writing process, and spill the beans to give The Writers’ Hangout two super cool exclusives!

The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS HANGOUT.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Creator/Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

Eight spec scripts have sold so far in August 2025. That's a fantastic achievement that should energize every writer out there. It looks like audiences are eager for movies that keep them guessing, which means fresh, original stories that can still surprise and delight. Sandy reports on this genuine optimism for screenwriters in an industry that has recently been taken over by existing IP.

The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS HANGOUT.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Creator/Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

Today’s guest is Aaron Foster, a standup comic who brings humor to topics like mental health in his stand-up shows. 

Aaron is touring now with his show “Mostly Jokes,” where he shares honest stories about being clinically depressed, his experience hosting an HGTV show, growing up with a bipolar father, and having a schizophrenic brother. At fifty, Aaron decided to follow his passion for stand-up comedy. I’m genuinely excited to introduce Aaron to you all, writers. Remember, it’s never too late to chase your dreams, and I believe Aaron’s story will inspire you to do just that.

The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS HANGOUT.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Creator/Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller