Act Two Podcast

The Act Two Mixer, and How to Have a Successful Writer's Group

Thank you all for an awesome mixer! Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman tell stories from their 2nd Act Two Podcast Mixer in Los Angeles and, since writers groups were created on the night, they discuss what makes a successful writer's group and what has made their group run strong for 15 years.

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

TWIW & the Act Two Mixer Announcement

The Act Two Mixer is fast approaching, and hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what to expect from the event and gain more from your writing community. 

 

TWIW: Can you send out an old version of a new script to different producers? / An awkward general and how to handle. / Josh watched UNFROSTED and has thoughts. / How editing footage is actually a writing skill.

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Screenwriting Lingo

Screenwriting has its own special language, things that might sound insane if you aren't in the industry. We were inspired by the Screencraft article: 33 Terms Every Screenwriter Needs To Know. So, we dive into the article and discuss terms that screenwriters will hear and use... 

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Pitching is Terrible: The Series (Part 8 - Things Execs Say)

After weeks of hard work, you've finally made it to the room and are pitching your take on a movie or show. Congrats! Now for the hard part... Whether it's to producers, studio execs, a director, actor/actress, or another creator -- you are going to get thoughts and questions after your pitch that you absolutely cannot predict. What do you do, and how can you possibly prepare?

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss some real questions and feedback they've gotten after their pitches, and how best to improv your answers. Pitching is terrible, but the more prepared we are, the slightly less terrible it becomes.

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Internal Dialogue in Screenwriting - Do or Don't?

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman take on the hotly debated topic amongst Screenwriters of whether to include a character's Internal Dialogue in action descriptions, or simply write a blueprint for the camera (as we are taught in film school). Using examples from successful spec scripts that have sold and their own scripts, Tasha and Josh break down the benefits of adding Internal Dialogue and why it can work.

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

What to Write Next?

What should you write next? It's common not to know what your next move should be, and it can be overwhelming knowing you'll spend months on a script. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss how they determine what to write next and ways to prioritize certain projects. 

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

TWIW: When to Take the Note, the Pitching Tiers and More!

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman answer listener and Screenwriting Twitter questions about what to do with conflicting notes, and discuss some TWIW in their own lives, from the many tiers of a single pitch before getting the job to their feelings (and realities) about a 10-year-old being hired to develop a studio movie.

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Where Do Ideas Come From?

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk about where the ideas for three of their Film & TV scripts came from, where they were in their lives when it happened, and what can be learned about Idea Creation from that process.

 

TWIW - Revising Strategy: Start with a Blank Page / Is Roadhouse in the zeitgeist? 

 

Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Networking and Making Connections

The favorite thing a screenwriter can do is to Network! Not really. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman dive into all things networking and what that means for a screenwriter. We discuss the dos and don'ts when you're forced out of your comfort zone and find yourself trying to make new connections. 

Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com -- Edited by Paul Lundquist

When To Take The Note

We all get notes, but sometimes we know they're not the right notes. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss when to take the note or when to stand your ground. There is a lot to consider: Are you getting paid? Are you writing on spec? Who is giving the note? How long have you been working on the script? Will it change the script? For better or worse, no scenario is the same.

Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com -- Edited by Paul Lundquist