Act Two Podcast

Pitching is Terrible: The Series (Part 7 - Idea to Pitch)

Pitching is terrible. But, it is a necessary evil. All pitches start from the mere seed of an idea and must be built into a pitch script that can dazzle and impress executives enough to pay you money (or, more likely, pay you their boss's money, risking their own jobs if you fail). 

So, in this episode, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman do an impromptu brainstorming session on a surprise logline to illustrate how they build a pitch off of a small one-sentence idea.

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

Music by 414beg

Fireside Chat: How to Break into the Industry

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman bring back the Fireside Chat by answering specific questions from a college student on ways to break into the industry, and from a listener on the differences between a pitch for a rewrite job and an original. 

 

TWIW: Is Jurassic World: Dominion over-complicated?, how feature writers are treated poorly, and does the movie True Lies' convenient plot device work or feel campy?

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

Music by 414beg

8 Sequence Story Structure

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman go through their own Three Act exposure therapy adventure as they talk through a popular structure tool for Screenwriters - The 8 Sequence Story Structure - that at once excites them, aggravates them, then inspires them.

 

Script Structure is something all Screenwriters have to learn and think about to have successful careers. In TV, structure is often as precise as knowing when your turning points are going to be down to the minute. In features, knowing what page number your story takes new turns is key to crafting your script as well as producing it. So it's no wonder Structure is a hot topic. One that Tasha and Josh clearly have mixed feelings about...

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

Music by 414beg

This Week in Writing

This Week in Writing, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the Emmys, what makes a script unique, Don't Worry Darling, how Tasha broke through a new original spec, and how to juggle multiple projects for a more successful career.

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

Music by 414beg

This Week in Writing

In This Week in Writing, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss Only Murders in the Building and why episode hooks are important, the ending of Nope and how/if it works, one of Josh's projects that has come back years later, and how Minority Report is a master class in world-building exposition.

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

Music by 414beg

Self-Advocating: How and Why?

"Working hard" as a professional Screenwriter means more than just writing. It also means building your network and promoting your brand. But the way we Self-Advocate as writers is different than in many other businesses. In this episode, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what Self-Advocating means as a Screenwriter, and how to do it at any stage of your career.

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

Music by 414beg

The Art of Adaptation: Interview w/ Christopher Yost (THOR: RAGNAROK, COWBOY BEPOP)

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman sit down with one of the great adaptation writers in our business, Christopher Yost (THOR: RAGNAROK, COWBOY BEBOP), about how he approaches adaptation, how it differs from original writing, and how the tough choices of writing an adaptation are unique. He also discusses his path to writing some of the biggest movies in our industry, and how his latest original movie SECRET HEADQUARTERS (playing now on Paramount+) came to be.

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

Music by 414beg

Unhealthy Writer Thoughts

From Jealousy and Self-Loathing to Depression and Spite, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss all the unhealthy writer thoughts that come up in their own heads and in their conversations with other writers, why they come up, and how to deal with them in a healthy way. 

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

Music by 414beg

Meet Cutes: Pride & Prejudice to Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman break down the Meet Cute device used in some of their favorite romantic comedies and discuss how the writing makes you root for the heroes and their romance.

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

Music by 414beg

TWIW: Imposter Syndrome, Pitching with Intention and Taking Your Shot

In this episode of This Week in Writing, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss everything from taking your shot with your favorite actors, to how Imposter Syndrome can easily spiral out of control, and new lessons learned this week about pitching.

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

Music by 414beg