Act Two Podcast

Starting Your Story Through Location

Some stories begin with a character. Others begin with a question. But what if yours begins with a place? This week, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman kick off a new series on story starting points — beginning with how location can be more than just a setting.

 

Stephen Sondheim Instagram POST.

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

A Physical Therapist on Writers' Pains with Melody Garcia

A writer has unique aches and pains due to the nature of their work: sitting for hours on end, hunched over a computer, typing, fidgeting, etc. Physical Therapist, Melody Garcia, talks about what common ailments she sees among writers and what you can do to prevent and treat your aches and pains.

 

TWIW: Mickey 17 and a Q1 goals check-in!

New Segment: Are You Excited??

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Should You Outline?

Let's discuss outlines. Should you do them, when is it right for your project and not? Do you ask for it as a step in your deal, or keep it to yourself? Does an outline take the magic and joy out of writing, or can it help you get through an idea when you might otherwise falter? Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss how they and other writers they know think about outlining.

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Why Now? - What It Means, How to Answer It

We've all been asked "Why now?" by someone who has read our script or listened to our pitch. But it probably doesn't mean what you think it means.

In this episode, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what an exec is really asking when they say, "Why now?" And how best to answer it. They also discuss ways to prevent ever being asked this question in the first place!

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

The Oscars 2025 Episode! W/ Dave Levinson

The Oscars are here! Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman welcome back Dave Levinson (Friend Of The Pod) to break down predictions, categories, and blockbusters that should have been recognized… plus, will everyone actually be watching? The Oscars are a Hollywood tradition - and we need to get into it. 

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

MAILBAG: Pilots, Day Jobs, Meetings, and More!

It's Mailbag time! Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman dive into the Act Two inbox and answer listener questions. Don't forget you can always reach out! 

 

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Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com

The Screenwriter’s Brand: Find Your Lane

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman dive back into branding yourself as a screenwriter. We're often told to stay in a lane, but how can you widen that lane? How can you tackle multiple genres at once? And how do you build a brand without boxing yourself in?

 

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Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

One Room. Lots of Drama. Writing Contained Movies w/ Dave Levinson

Special guest alert. Dave Levinson is back. We’re discussing contained stories — high-stakes, small-scale scripts. We’re diving into what makes these stories work, offer some of our favorites, and discuss why they're so appealing to the industry. 

 

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Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Writing To "Cheer Moments"

"Cheer Moments" build to those audience-pleasing, emotionally satisfying moments... whether they’re moments of victory, revelation, or catharsis. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss writing to these moments, where this term came from (pretty sure it's JJ Abrams), and offer examples. 

 

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Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Writing in a Crisis

In difficult times, it's easy to feel lost or that our job as Screenwriters doesn't matter or make a difference. But the opposite is, in fact, true. In this episode, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk about what it's like to write during the crisis of the Los Angeles wildfires, how it's helped them cope, and how it actually sheds light on the unique importance of our job as Screenwriters and Filmmakers.

 

Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS

Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist