Writers Group Therapy

In this session, we talk with Mattson Tomlin, the screenwriter of the action/sci-fi Netflix film "Power Project." (23:15) Mattson also scripted and produced the upcoming film "Little Fish" starring Olivia Cooke and has gained attention for being brought onboard to co-write "The Batman" with Matt Reeves. We also discuss the new WGA MBA contract, Mulan and other big budget films on the small screen, and back on set in Covd.

SHOW NOTES: 

"Power Project" on Netflix: http://www.netflix.com/watch/80204465

Contained scripts are in high demand and it's not just because Covid-19 has made big film productions extremely more complicated and costly. Indie filmmakers have a real opportunity with their smaller productions to find distribution and an audience. Those filmmakers need scripts. We discuss writing a contained script and why you might want to. 

SHOW NOTES:

We round up most of the finalists of the 2017 Playstation Emerging Filmmaker Program, of which Tom was one, to see how their various experiences since the contest unfolded. How did winning/or not winning, affect their screenwriting career?

Panelists (See http://www.writersgrouptherapy.com for full show notes):

• Shira Rosenweig

In this session, we discuss the creative and business behind the endless franchises and how writers are affected by them. 

SHOW NOTES: None this episode

In this session of Writers Group Therapy, we interview interview John Scalzi, the Hugo-Award Winning, NY Times & Amazon Best Selling science fiction author. Also WGA has claims dismissed - Steven Soderberg and DGA Covid 19 Planning - Unions ask for deductions back - NBCU vs AMC - and more!

SHOW NOTES:

Unions Ask Congress to Restore Business Expense Deductions for Hollywood Workers

Steven Soderberg to Lead DGA Covid-19 Production Committee

Writers Guild Suffers Big Loss as Court Dismisses Almost All Its Claims Against Agencies

Disney Isn’t Trying to Steal your Star Wars Tweet

AMC vs Universal

In this session of Writers Group Therapy, we interview screenwriter and blogger Jaime Jessup. Also: WGA News, Virtual SXSW, Brooklyn Nine-Nine Writers Room, HITRECORD.org and more.

SHOW NOTES:

SXSW-Amazon Virtual Fest Sets Lineup for April 27 Launch

'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' Mulling How to Incorporate COVID-19 Into Season 8

SAG-AFTRA, Studios in Talks on How Long Actors Can Be Held Under Contract

Writers Guild Exec Says No Deal on Studio Talks, Calls Alliance "Despicable"

WGA Inflames Tensions By Telling Out-Of-Work Live-Action Writers To Switch To Animationhttps://www.cartoonbrew.com/artist-rights/wga-inflames-tensions-by-telling-out-of-work-live-action-writers-to-switch-to-animation-189575.html

HITRECORD.org- https://hitrecord.org/

In this session, we talk with manager-turned-agent Joseph Fronk about working through the Covid 19 crisis and what writers should be doing now to prep for after. Also a Quibi review, Masterclass with Aaron Sorkin and how Hollywood can restart production safely.

SHOW NOTES:

In this session, one of our favorite guests is back, screenwriter, producer, documentarian and author Steven Smith, to discuss working in Hollywood in Covid 19 lockdown times. Steven is a 4-Time Emmy nominee; producer and writer of over 200 documentaries for television, home video and other media. He has authored two books, his newest coming out in May, is the biography “Music by Max Steiner: The Epic Life of Hollywood’s Most Influential Composer."

SHOW NOTES: None this episode

This special session was recorded live on Facebook. Watch the video at https://www.facebook.com/1576537085753881/videos/653104418858442

In this session, we discuss writing about a crisis IN the middle of the crisis, increased copyright fees, Hollywood working virtually, WGA news, and more.

Show Notes:

On this session, Tom interviews Rachanee about her new comedy podcast "Ex Pat." Also, we discuss how Covid 19 is impacting Hollywood and how you can prepare for it, WGA and NBCUniversal, more Pilot Season news, Streamers and Basic Cable channel alliances.  

SHOW NOTES: 

Ex Pat Podcast (with links to the podcast on all platforms, or search for "Ex Pat The Show"): https://www.expattheshow.com/

Basic Cable buying more reality shows, less scripted, as scripted goes to streamers

Peacock Inks Massive Licensing Deal With A+E Networks

WGA East Files Labor Complaint Against NBC Over Shuttered Nonfiction Unit