3rd & Fairfax: The WGAW Podcast
Society & Culture
About
News and information about the WGAw, and interviews with screenwriters from the worlds of movies, television, and new media.
Episodes
- Ep. 425 - Susanna Fogel & David Iserson - Ponies
In this episode, Jonterri Gadson talks with writing team Susanna Fogel & David Iserson ( The Spy Who Dumped Me) about creating their spy thriller series Ponies, balancing tone, their collaborative process, and more.
- Ep. 424 - Kristen Stewart - The Chronology of Water
In this episode, Kristina Woo speaks with Kristen Stewart about writing, directing, and producing her debut feature film, The Chronology of Water . They also discuss the creative choices of adaptation from page to screen, art vs. commerce,…
- Ep. 423 - Rian Johnson - Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
In our latest episode, Josephine Green Zhang speaks with screenwriter-director Rian Johnson (Knives Out, Star Wars: The Last Jedi) about crafting his latest film, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery , his own origin story, the art of th…
- Ep. 422 - Winnie Holzman & Dana Fox - Wicked: For Good
In this episode, host Susie Singer Carter talks with screenwriters Winnie Holzman & Dana Fox( Wicked ) about collaborating on the hit film Wicked: For Good , the creative challenges adapting musicals from stage to screen, and much more.
- Ep. 421 - Chloé Zhao - Hamnet
In this episode, host Aaron Fullerton speaks with screenwriter-director Chloé Zhao( Eternals , Nomadland ) about crafting her latest film Hamnet , the art of adaptation, where she finds creative inspiration, and much more.
- Ep. 420 - Ryan Coogler - Sinners
In this episode, host Jasmyne Peck talks with screenwriter-director Ryan Coogler( Black Panther , Creed ) about crafting his acclaimed hit film Sinners , the importance of family and community, his filmmaking process, and much more.
- Ep. 419 - Brad Ingelsby - Task
In this episode, host Aaron Fullerton speaks with writer Brad Ingelsby, who's having a major moment right now: as creator and co-showrunner of the crime drama series Task, co-screenwriter of the wildfire survival film The Lost Bus, and scr…
- Ep. 418 - Andy Parker - Boots
In this episode, host Hilliard Guess sits down with Boots creator and co-showrunner Andy Parker about writing the hit Netflix limited series that explores the coming-of-age story of a young gay Marine in an era before "Don't Ask, Don't Tel…
- Ep. 417 - David DiGilio - The Terminal List: Dark Wolf
In this episode, host Brian Gary speaks with creator-showrunner David DiGilio about his action-thriller series The Terminal List and its prequel spinoff series T he Terminal List: Dark Wolf , exploring character through the lens of psychol…
- Ep. 416 - Bill Condon - Kiss of the Spider Woman
In this episode, host Jasmyne Peck speaks with screenwriter-director Bill Condon ( Dreamgirls , Chicago ) about bringing Kiss of the Spider Woman to the screen, the creative challenges of adapting Broadway musicals to feature films, findin…
- Ep. 415 - Shane Black & Charles Mondry & Anthony Bagarozzi - Play Dirty
In this episode, host Moon Zappa talks with Play Dirty screenwriter-director Shane Black ( The Nice Guys , Iron Man 3 ) & co-screenwriters Charles Mondry ( Road House ) & Anthony Bagarozzi ( Road House , The Nice Guys ) about collaborating…
- Ep. 414 - Susie Singer Carter - No Country for Old People
In this episode, host Moon Zappa talks with filmmaker and fellow podcast host Susie Singer Carter( My Mom and the Girl ) about her eye-opening doc series, No Country for Old People , which exposes the nursing home/elder abuse crisis, advoc…
- Ep. 413 - Noah Hawley - Alien: Earth
In this episode, host Brian Gary speaks with creator, showrunner, writer, & director Noah Hawley ( Fargo , Legion ) about bringing the popular sci-fi/horror Alien franchise to TV for his hit FX series Alien: Earth , world-building, creativ…
- Ep. 412 - WGAW PAC and the California Tax Incentives Program
In this episode, host Brian Gary sits down with WGA West PAC Board Member Danny Tolli and WGA West Political and Legislative Director Shelagh Wagener to learn more about the WGAW's PAC and our work within the Entertainment Union Coalition.
- Ep. 411 - Jason Keller - Stick
In this episode, host Monique Sorgen talks with screenwriter, creator, and showrunner Jason Keller ( Ford v Ferrari , Escape Plan ) about crafting his AppleTV+ comedy series Stick , segueing from film to television, finding the funny, and…
- Ep.410 - Francesca Delbanco & Nicholas Stoller - Platonic
In this episode, host Jonterri Gadson speaks with creators, showrunners, and married writing partners Francesca Delbanco( Friends from College ) & Nicholas Stoller( Goosebumps , Friends from College, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising ) about cr…
- Ep.409 - Dan Gregor & Doug Mand & Akiva Schaffer - The Naked Gun
In this episode, host Josephine Green Zhang talks with The Naked Gun screenwriters Dan Gregor & Doug Mand ( Chip 'N' Dales: Rescue Rangers , Dolittle , How I Met Your Mother ) & co-screenwriter-director Akiva Schaffer( Saturday Night Live…
- Ep. 408 - Sophie Brooks - Oh, Hi!
In this episode, host Jonterri Gadson talks with screenwriter-director Sophie Brooks about her latest film Oh, Hi! , the challenges of indie filmmaking, her creative process, and much more.
- Ep. 407 - Carina Adly MacKenzie - We Were Liars
In this episode, host Moon Zappa speaks with We Were Liars co-developer/co-showrunner Carina Adly MacKenzie ( Roswell, New Mexico , The Originals ) about YA storytelling through an adult lens, the alchemy of diverse writers' rooms, mentori…
- Ep. 406 - Gerard Johnstone - M3GAN 2.0
In this episode, host Jasmyne Peck speaks with M3GAN 2.0 screenwriter-director Gerard Johnstone (M3GAN ) about upgrading horror fans' favorite robotic doll, the creative challenges of making sequels to hit movies, and more.
- Ep. 405 - Eric Ledgin & Justin Spitzer - St. Denis Medical
In this episode, host Myles Warden speaks with St. Denis Medical creators Eric Ledgin ( American Auto ) & Justin Spitzer( Superstore ) about keeping the workplace comedy mockumentary format fresh, the creative challenges of writing for net…
- Ep. 404 - Mara Brock Akil - Forever
In this episode, host Hilliard Guess talks with Forever creator-showrunner Mara Brock Akil(The Game, Being Mary Jane) about reimagining Judy Blume's teen novel through the lens of young Black love, empowering new voices at her Writers' Col…
- Ep. 403 - Kit Williamson - Unconventional
In this episode, host Monique Sorgen talks with creator, showrunner, and actor Kit Williamson about writing, directing, and starring in his comedy series Unconventional , why queer narratives and LGBTQ+ representation are vital, and more.
- Ep. 402 - Production Assistants United! Bringing PAs into Hollywood Labor
For nearly a year, Production Assistants, commonly called PAs, across the country have been taking steps to form a union with the Burbank-based LiUNA Local 724. Today on the podcast, WGAW member Andra Whipple is joined by LiUNA Local 724 b…
- EP. 401 - Charles Yu - Interior Chinatown
In this episode, host Kristina Woo talks with Interior Chinatown creator, showrunner, and author Charles Yu ( Westworld , Legion , American Born Chinese ) about adapting his National Book Award-winning novel to a limited series, his unlike…
- Ep. 400 - Michael Angarano & Christopher Smith - Sacramento
In this episode, host Kristina Woo talks with screenwriter-director-actor Michael Angarano & screenwriter Christopher Smith about collaborating on their road trip comedy Sacramento , their path from page to screen, and more.
- Ep. 399 - Craig Mazin & Neil Druckmann - The Last of Us Season 2
In this episode, host Josephine Green Zhang talks to The Last of Us creators and showrunners Craig Mazin( Chernobyl ) & Neil Druckmann about crafting Season 2 of the hit series, adapting the popular videogame for television, advice for asp…
- Ep. 398 - Jennie Snyder Urman - Matlock
In this episode, host Moon Zappa speaks with showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman ( Jane the Virgin , Charmed ) about reimagining the hit CBS series Matlock , the challenges of writing broadcast TV shows, how she shapes her writers' room, and mo…
- Ep. 397 - Michelle Nader - Shifting Gears / Deli Boys
In this episode, host Monique Sorgen talks with showrunner and executive producer Michelle Nader( 2 Broke Girls , The King of Queens , Dollface ), about her two current comedy series, Shifting Gears and Deli Boys , how personal experience…
- Ep. 396 - SAG-AFTRA Video Game Strike with Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and Sarah Elmaleh
SAG-AFTRA's Interactive Media Agreement, which covers video game performers, expired in November of 2022. On July 26, 2024, after 18 months of negotiations with some of the industry's largest video game companies, SAG-AFTRA members called…
- Ep. 395 - Ben Watkins - Cross
In our latest episode, host Hilliard Guess talks with Cross developer-showrunner Ben Watkins( Hand of God , Burn Notice ) about his hit Amazon Prime series, what he looks for when staffing writers' rooms, and more.
- Ep. 394 - Drew Hancock - Companion
In this episode, host Moon Zappa talks with Companion screenwriter-director Drew Hancock ( My Dead Ex , Suburgatory ) about his feature film debut, transitioning from TV to film, balancing tone, and more.
- Ep. 393 - Kate Gersten - The Last Showgirl
Host Susie Singer Carter speaks with The Last Showgirl screenwriter Kate Gersten about drawing from her own experience of Las Vegas nightlife, her transition from writing for television ( The Good Place , Mozart in the Jungle ) to film, an…
- Ep. 392 - Victor Sanchez – Executive Director of LAANE
In this episode, WGAW member and host Jonterri Gadson is joined by Víctor Sánchez, Executive Director for the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy – also known as LAANE – an organizing and advocacy institution committed to economic, envi…
- Ep. 391 - Brian Donovan & Ed Herro - The Sticky
Host Jonterri Gadson talks with The Sticky creators-showrunners Brian Donovan & Ed Herro ( American Housewife , The Neighbors ) about their journey to bring the dark comedy caper to the screen, the challenges of shooting on location, the a…
- Ep. 390 - Justin Kuritzkes - Queer/Challengers
In this episode, host Josephine Green Zhang talks with Queer and Challengers screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes about collaborating with director Luca Guadagnino, the challenges of adaptation, and more.
- Ep. 389 - David Scarpa - Gladiator II
In this episode, host Moon Zappa speaks with screenwriter David Scarpa ( Napoleon , All the Money in the World ) about Gladiator II , crafting historical epics, the creative challenges of sequels, and more.
- Ep. 388 - Sean Baker - Anora
Host Kristina Woo talks with screenwriter-director Sean Baker ( Red Rocket , The Florida Project , Tangerine ) about his latest film Anora , the nuts & bolts of indie filmmaking, handling tonal shifts, and more.
- Ep. 387 - Debora Cahn – The Diplomat
In this episode, host Aaron Fullerton speaks with The Diplomat creator-showrunner Debora Cahn about Season Two of Netflix's political drama series, how the show's writers' aim for authenticity, and more.
- Ep. 386 - Sanjay Shah – Everybody Still Hates Chris
On this episode host Jonterri Gadson talks with Everybody Still Hates Chris developer-showrunner Sanjay Shah about how he got the Comedy Central animated series WGA-covered, the creative challenges of live-action vs. animation, his best ti…
- Ep. 385 - WGAW Public Policy Priorities with Laura Blum-Smith
On this episode, with 2024 elections just a few weeks away, campaign season is in full swing. WGAW Senior Research and Public Policy Director Laura Blum-Smith joins Kristina Woo to talk about WGAW's policy priorities. To learn more about t…
- Ep. 384 - Megan Park - My Old Ass
Host Josephine Green Zhang talks with filmmaker Megan Park about her latest film, the coming-of age comedy My Old Ass , making the transition from acting to writing and directing, finding her authentic voice, and more.
- Ep. 383 - Lauren LeFranc - The Penguin
Host Jasmyne Peck speaks with The Penguin developer-showrunner Lauren LeFranc about how the Max limited series explores the rise of the Gotham crime lord as a character study, the challenges of staying true to The Batman universe, and more.
- Ep. 382 - Union Town: Casting by Teamsters with Allison Jones & Sherry Thomas
Back by popular demand, we have members of the Hollywood Teamsters Local 399 —this time from the Casting Department. Teamsters Local 399 and their New York counterparts in Teamsters Local 817 began contract negotiating with the studios on…
- Ep. 381 - Alma Har'el - Lady in the Lake
Host Moon Zappa speaks with filmmaker Alma Har'el ( Honey Boy ) about creating, showrunning, and directing the AppleTV+ limited series Lady in the Lake , centering women in the narrative, finding the show's aesthetic, and more.
- Ep. 380 - Katie Robbins - Sunny
Host Kristina Woo speaks with Sunny creator-showrunner Katie Robbins ( The Affair , Natalia ) about her AppleTV+ sci-fi dramedy series, the creative challenges of adaption, the connection between humans and AI technology, and more.
- Ep. 379 - Keith McNutt, Executive Director of the Entertainment Community Fund
WGAW member Andra Whipple sat down with Entertainment Community Fund Western Region Executive Director Keith McNutt to discuss what services are provided, what the Fund is currently working on, and how you can get involved.
- Ep. 378 - Anna Fishko - Orphan Black: Echoes
Host Jasmyne Peck speaks with Orphan Black: Echoes creator and showrunner Anna Fishko about exploring identity and found families in her sci-fi thriller series, 4D-printed body parts, what narratives she's drawn to, and more.
- Ep. 377 - Josh Margolin - Thelma
Host Josephine Green Zhang talks with screenwriter-director Joshua Margolin about his feature debut Thelma , how his grandmother's own experience inspired the film, how his improv comedy background informs his creative process, and more.
- Ep. 376 - Union Town: Hollywood Teamsters Talk Negotiations Part 2
As the Teamsters and Hollywood Basic crafts continue their negotiations with the studios, we're coming to you with the second half of our two-part series on the issues they hope to address. This time, WGAW member Jonterri Gadson sits down…