Screenwriters Rafael Aguilo and Neal Thibedeau have written more than ten projects over the past four years and Pilar thinks they need their big break! Here they talk about their favorite projects and their style of collaboration.

Producer Kim Zubick (Togo, The Zookeepers Wife) emphasizes the need for emotion in verbal pitches, pitch-decks and sizzle reels.

Filmmaker and marketing specialist Chris Brennan discusses ways that screenwriters can market themselves and their work by creating a new mindset, thinking about how they can “add value” and strategizing their social media and e-mails in more effective ways.

Writer/Director/Professor Shahari Moore draws from her “well" of experience and knowledge as she writes personal stories that grab the attention of industry and writers labs.

Adrian Colón Jr went from being a Wayans fan to working in the writers room with them on the new CBS show Poppa’s House. Hear what he learned as he went from Writers PA to CBS Fellow to working writer.

Actress, director, writer Tiffany Yvonne Cox (Reasonable Doubt, Napa Ever After) talks about the work she does on screen, on the page and behind the scenes to improve artists' lives and "expose the world one story at a time."

How do you write a character over 50? By writing them as a superhero. From their secret lair to their Kryptonite, Pilar gives a tip-packed lesson in writing mature characters.

From working in development for Ivan Reitman to writing short stories and making the Love List with her feature film, Victoria Male has done it all. Here she shares a wealth of information including her unique take on IP and the secret skills that come with being a “fan girl." 

Director Elliott Lester returns to talk about how a gender swap and involvement by Peter Dinklage brought him to his latest project, The Thicket. 

Career coach Lee Jessup discusses Hollywood’s current “contraction” and suggests that it might ultimately result in a positive outcome.

Writer/Director Tracie Laymon turned a painful truth into an award-winning independent feature. Hear how she conceived, wrote, directed and produced Bob Trevino Likes It, earning the jury prize for Best Narrative Feature and the Audience Award at the 2024 South by Southwest Film Festival. 

Writer James “Doc” Mason digs into the elements of the logline as discussed in his book, Mastering the Logline: How To Excite Hollywood in a Single Sentence.

From getting stuck in a Zoom room to working in hospice, everything that writer Lauren Glover (Chicago Med, Fight Night) thought was an obstacle, came full circle to help her in her writing career. 

Barbara Stepansky, writer/producer on Outlander and head writer on Woman of the Dead, talks about how the rules of the shows she writes on present creative challenges that make her job even more interesting.

Writer/Director Marie-Emmanuelle Hartness comes from a personal place in her work and asks the same of her students at Emerson College. 

Writer and “good witch,” Glenda L. Richardson describes her process for capturing voices and crafting stories for celebrities such as Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish and Taraji P. Henson.

Entertainment attorney and composer Corey Field sees his work as helping writers and creators achieve their dreams. Here he explains the difference between sales, options and work-for-hire and discusses potential gains and traps along the way. 

Writer Delondra Mesa (American Rust, Pretty Little Liars) talks about her approach to discovering story and creating content even as the industry experiences “The Great Contraction.” 

Director Dans Karagannis and Writer Liz Renner discuss their journey meeting in an On the Page class and joining together to make their short film Damned If You Do, currently screening in major festivals. 

Writer Suha AL Khalifa is a senior writer at the Saudi Giant MBC Studios (Rashash, Devil’s Promise) and also wrote the region's first female super-hero film. She talks about how her experience as a psychotherapist and as a "cultural hybrid" (Bahrain, UK, and US) has informed her writing and storytelling.

Joe Gold’s “Shakespeare Inc.” offers sixteen variations of a story. Hear how he wrote it, how “choose your own adventure” storytelling is structured and how this approach can work for video-game and screenwriting.

Emily Harris is not only an award-winning writer-director (Carmilla), she also has an amazing “day job” as the Curator of Film at the Victoria & Albert Museum.  

When writer-director GG Hawkins had access to a unique location for a limited amount of time, she “planted a flag and figured out a way to do it,”  writing, producing and directing an indi-feature called I Really Love My Husband.

Filmmaker/ professor Michele Meek shares her thoughts about changing sexuality in teen films, how rom-coms often rely on a non-consent premise and about her wish that writers put their sex scenes on the page.

From "safety nets” to “act three payoffs," Pilar goes solo to talk about what she’s learning while working with writers Story to Script.

Writer/director Hilari Scarl discusses her latest multi-media work, Not Another Deaf Story, written and performed with deaf actors on stage and on screen.

Writers Chris Lawing and Alex Grossman have independently made the movies they’ve written and prepare to makes more! Here they talk about how they’ve pulled it off and what they’ve learned along the way.

Actor Joel Stoffer (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Stranger Things) stage-reads scene direction submissions from listeners as they showcase their writing skills! Who will win?

Writer/producer Tracy Grant (Lincoln Heights, Lace) tells a personal story filled with highs and lows that led to a number of writing lessons and his confirmation that "you only need one yes."

Did you write a prize-worthy piece of scene direction? Enter it in the On the Page Scene Direction Contest! Pilar explains the rules and gives the deadline.

A catch up with writer/comedian Laura House as she talks about the lean years and the ripe years, including running a British show in the middle of Covid and learning to feel “the right amount of proud” about her accomplishments.

Science through entertainment. Entertainment inspiring science. Filmmakers Tamara Krinsky and Taryn O’Neill co-founded Scirens to explore all of the possibilities.

Writer Jimmy Miller reflects on a script that changed as he changed, ultimately leading to his current Nicholl Fellowship win.

We’re covering it all in this one: Six writing tips from Pilar’s list, some talk of movies that got overlooked at the Oscars and a discussion of writer Sam Benjamin’s new wrestling short film, Screwjob.

Pilar and her friends Brian Pope, Mike Musa and Alex Troxler get together for their annual discussion about the best screenplay and best adapted screenplay Oscar nominees.

Writer/Producer Christine Lenig worked hard and took notes for twelve years before her rom-com Upgraded was finally produced with Camila Mendes, Marisa Tomei and Lena Olin. Now it’s #1 on Amazon! 

Writer/Scholar David Noller discusses his book Master Poetry Forms and talks about the ways that screenwriting and poetry are similar in terms of structure, form and craft.

Writer Andrew Zinnes provides nuggets from his new book, Screenwriters Advice, a “how to” as told through the interviews of successful writers of film and TV.

Spotlight on Robert Wooldridge and Kimberly Dilts, two talented On the Page writers with excellent material, ready for their big break!

Writer Allison McGevna talks about how the tools and narrative style she uses in her job as a multimedia storyteller and media executive help her as a screenwriter. 

Today’s glut of rom-coms: Why do we love them? What do they get right? What do they get wrong? Writer Elizabeth McKenzie has opinions!

Writer/director Christy Stratton returns to the podcast to discuss her short film, The Runt (and to hear about Pilar’s horror-movie Christmas.)

Jonterri Gadson went from "comedy nerd" to "comedy expert" when she earned fellowships with the NBC Late Night Writers Workshop and Kevin Hart’s LOL to land a show on adult swim and launch a career writing for The Upshaws, A Black Lady Sketch Show and the upcoming animated show Everybody Still Hates Chris. 

Career coach Lee Jessup returns to discuss the industry changes and writing trends of 2023 and shares what’s ahead for the new year.

Pilar reads and gives feedback on the loglines that didn’t make the top fifteen lists for the 2023 Logline Contest.

Pilar and Aadip read, evaluate and vote on feature and TV loglines sent in by listeners. Dimwitted extraterrestrials. Time-traveling teachers. Felons at birthday parties. Who will win?

A healthy “impatience” led writer Lenore Adediran to stop waiting and make a web series. Since then she’s sold a pilot, a feature and the Christmas movie, A Christmas Serenade, produced by Harpo Films and streaming on Max. 

Portuguese Script writer Miguel Simal spent years in telenovela writers rooms learning to be as creative as possible before going on to co-write the award-winning Netflix series, Glória. 

Writer Isabel Dréan talks about her shift from thrillers to holiday movies, leading to five of her scripts being produced in an 18-month period.

Ready to submit for the annual On the Page logline competition? Pilar explains the rules and gives the deadline.

As he reaches his ten year anniversary of writing, Scotty Mullen returns to share his thoughts on what he’s learned from writing low budget horror, women in peril movies, Christmas movies and so much more. Bottom line: Writing has to be fun!

Writer/Director Lee Whittaker spent years as a stunt man, stunt coordinator and second-unit director before setting out to make a feature film on his own. Hear what he learned from his experience and desire to make a movie with a message.

Writer/directors Dave Merlino and Dustin Sweet set out to document the stories of the men who served in the 9th Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam. But what they ended up with was a documentary about the need to talk through trauma. Here they discuss their years-long journey making and distributing Apache Blues: Welcome Home. 

From providing a performance space for the UCB in New York to creating writing/acting "Second Draft” evenings in Los Angeles, writer Ellen Ancui continually brings together groups of creatives and builds her own supportive writing community.

Writer Crescent Imani Novell won the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship in 2018 and has been writing on an animated shows like Dreamworks' Fright Krewe, Marvel’s Moon Girl and Mattel's Barbie: It Takes Two. She’s got excellent advice about story, character and dialogue, with a little personal hustle thrown in.

Writer Seth M. Sherwood (Leatherface, Light as a Feather) discusses common horror themes from “screwed by the system” to “man plays God” as written about in his new book, The Scary Movie Writers Guide.

Writer Nick Smith joins Pilar and her husband Pat Francis in a discussion about Hammer Films, the production company that made Dracula, The Curse of Frankenstein, The Mummy and much more! 

From writers' room minimums to guaranteed second steps, career coach Lee Jessup talks about the “exceptional” gains made by the WGA as a result of the 148-day writers’ strike.

Writer/director Nico Casavecchia has made award-winning movies and short films with everything from VR to carbon monoxide molecules. Here he discusses his approach to telling story through unconventional mediums and ways to think of AI as a potential creative tool.

Last time writer/actor Michael-Leon Wooley was on the podcast his script Hey Wait A Minute had just gotten the attention of UTA. Two years later UTA is repping another script, Witch Please, and both have been optioned and packaged by major production companies. His ultimate goal? To write "everyone’s favorite movie."

Leigh Medeiros, co-founder and co-director of the Hollywood Climate Summit’s Pitchfest for Film and TV, talks about how climate screenwriting equals good storytelling and gives “ten reasons why the time is now for screenwriters to help save the planet."

Daniel Augustin and Sh’Kia are actors, writers, musicians and spouses. Listen to how they learned production from music, acquired filmmaking skills from auditioning and started writing directing and starring in their own projects to keep it all alive.

Producers Trishtan Williams and KC Chan Haimes describe the storytelling process behind their new docuseries Why Not Us: Howard Golf and discuss their approach to finding narrative and character authenticity in all of their work.

Whether it’s the factual truth for documentary or the emotional truth for her fictional narratives, writer/director Alicia Ontiveros believes in truth and fairness in her work. Here she talks about what she’s learned from her work in docs over the years and where she’s going next in her screenplays.

What does Once Upon a Time In Hollywood and Barbie have in common? They’re both examples of “Metamodernism." Writer M. Elizabeth Eller explains it all!

Writer Marc Haimes stresses the importance of creative collaborations and the need to have fun as he returns to the podcast to talk about his latest projects, Nimona, Ultraman and Lost Ollie. 

Rocky (RaKenna) Luckey talks about how she took the skills she learned from “pressure cooker" jobs in music, production and film festivals to write a spec and land a job in television!

Dr. Laura Erickson–Schroth, psychiatrist, writer and activist, discusses positive and negative portrayals of mental health issues in film and television.

Managers versus agents, packaging deals versus spec sales. Zack Zucker from Bellevue Management breaks it all down for us.

Proving that a couple who creates together stays together, writer Elizabeth Musgrave and artist Frank Forte talk about their adventures turning features into plays, plays into short films and scripts into comic books.

Pilar helps you “declare your independence” from a conventional screenwriting school of thought on outlining, branding, daily writing and more!

Actor/writer Scott Turner Schofield, Executive Producer of They/Them and consultant for Euphoria, talks about his work bringing complex and authentic stories of trans-characters to script and screen. 

Jon Fitzgerald, co-founder of Slamdance and author of Filmmaking for Change talks about ways to get attention at film festivals, the importance of a call to action in movies with a message and how his latest venture, Cause Cinema, highlights content with social impact.

Writer Bill True, Department Chair at the Scottsdale School of Film and Theater, talks about the specific factors that helped propel a community college in Arizona to Variety’s list of "Top Film Schools in North America.” 

Bafta-winning, Academy Award-nominated writer Tony McNamara, (The Favourite, The Great, Cruella), talks about his approach to telling story and creating period pieces with a contemporary stamp.

Jennifer Cram’s experience in casting helped her say “yes” to directing her first feature. Jen talks about the years-long journey of her soon-to-be-released feature film, Sick Girl, why it’s fun to write about unlikeable characters and how she’s learned to be an advocate for her own work.  

Advice from Brian Keith Etheridge (Mythic Quest, The Neighborhood, The Ranch, Mike and Molly), will help you with pitching and characters, and may just make you a better poker player as well!  

For Mother’s Day, Pilar’s 18-year-old daughter Rita Dodson shares her thoughts and wisdom about on-screen content that portrays teenagers in accurate and interesting ways.

Career coach Carole Kirchner returns to the podcast to talk about ways to brave career obstacles and overcome writers block.

WGA writers are striking to get the pay and benefits they deserve. But how does this effect non WGA writers as well? Career coach Lee Jessup explains it all.

A little scared about AI’s role in the writing world? So are we. Writer and communications data analyst Michael Grebb helps us understand what’s happening now and what might be ahead.

Brit McAdams talks about the fact that it took twelve years to make his comedy Paint, starring Owen Wilson, only to discover that now is the perfect time.

What does a late night talk show, a game show, a limited series about The Godfather and a college soap have in common? The writer Mona Mira! Listen to how she wrote and learned on The Weakest Link, The Offer and the Hulu series Tell Me Lies.

Co-writer/directors Peter Murphy and Rachael Moriarty talk about making movies in Ireland, their creative process and the open door that allowed them to write their award winning movie, Róise and Frank, about a grieving woman and the dog who may or may not be her husband.

When Broadway went dark and Tommar Wilson found himself without a job, he turned to writing. Now he’s an NBC Fellow and has just been staffed  on an upcoming TV show for Universal Content Productions that will air on Netflix.

After years in the music business and as a counselor in corrections, Jevon Graves found himself writing on the We TV show, Kold x Windy. Now he’s truly doing what he loves.

Actor/writer Kristen Lee Kelly (original cast of Rent) stage-reads scene direction submissions from listeners as they showcase their writing skills! Who will win?

Acclaimed theater director Marya Mazor shares her thoughts on the differences between directing for theater and for the screen and how she follows the clues within the script to help achieve her vision.

Did you write a prize-worthy piece of scene direction? Enter it in the On the Page Scene Direction Contest! Pilar explains the rules and gives the deadline.

Emphasizing “the art of reader engagement," writers Chris Perry and Eric Henry Sanders’s new book Scenewriting helps writers come up with new ways to plan, draft and perfect their scenes. 

Pilar and her friends Brian Pope, Mike Musa and Alex Troxler get together for their annual discussion about the best screenplay and best adapted screenplay Oscar nominees.

Writer Alicia Lomas-Gross shares about her experiences and writing process on her first produced feature, Perfect Harmony for Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.

Writer Matt Pacult of Documentary Now talks about the creative ways he goes about finding story, pitching ideas and giving notes.

Hear how Victor Gabriel captured “the resilience of innocence” in his first short film that went to Sundance and his feature film which attracted none other than director Spike Lee.

Copyright advocate David Newhoff returns to answer all your questions about protecting your work, obtaining rights to IP, hiring a lawyer and much, much more.  

Writer Gary Jones talks about what he’s learned about writing and editing as he turns written short films into spoken radio plays.

Mika Frank talks about how her love of writing, combined with her training in pharmacy and research led her to her current job as story editor on Fox’s hit show, The Resident.

From comedy writer to therapist, Phil Stark, writer on South Park, That 70’s Show and the screenwriter of the movie Dude, Where's My Car? talks about his unique, personal journey.

Career coach Lee Jessup returns to discuss the writing trends popular in 2022 and shares what’s ahead for the new year.

Pilar reads and gives feedback on the loglines that didn’t make the top fifteen lists for the 2022 Logline Contest.

Pilar and Aadip read, evaluate and vote on feature and TV loglines sent in by listeners. It all comes down to a well-written sentence and a creative idea. Who will win?

When his day job was threatened, writer Jeff Bonnett decided that he wasn’t going to write a resume; he was going to write a screenplay. The end result is “Falling for Christmas,” a Netflix movie starring Lindsay Lohan.

Linda Klein, co-editor of the new book Loss and Grief, discusses the visual, sensory and emotional realities of the dying and grieving experience and how writers can use this knowledge to create more truthful depictions on screen.

Ready to submit for the annual On the Page logline competition? Pilar explains the rules and gives the deadline.

Screenwriting teacher and author John Truby reveals how to master and transcend genre by understanding their unique story systems and philosophies.

The writer of the Oscar winning film Inside Out talks about her new movie My Father’s Dragon and how she builds story from theme and emotion.

We check back in with writer Kris Crenwelge after her “year of going for it” earned her three writers’ fellowships, staffing on an animated show and a new job on the series True Lies on CBS.

Brandon Childs was only a PA when he started adding jokes to the lunch order e-mail. Before long he was brought into the writers room on Black Monday, Kenan and, most recently, Netflix’s new comedy Blockbuster.

Cinematographer Sarah Whelden talks about how she holds the vision of the director, looking through the lens to help capture theme, tone and story.

As British writer Sam Benjamin discusses the release of his new film The Payday he’s joined by Elizabeth McKenzie from Australia and Dawn Ius from Canada to discuss the challenges of writing in their home country, the lure of Los Angeles and the love of their genres. 

Andy Raymer shares writing and industry information gleaned from his experience as a writer, creative exec, independent producer and script consultant.

Actor/writer Cynthia Gravinese decided to stop feeling powerless and write a web series about the people and place she loved. When Covid hit her hard and she lost the ability to speak, she did the same thing all over again.

Pilar and her husband Pat brainstorm film and TV show premises inspired by song titles in Pat’s playlist. A fun way to find your next script idea!

Vanessa Benton wrote their “F-it” script and broke through. Now they're a writer for Netflix projects Sandman and Fate: The Winx Saga, writing the dark fiction that they love.

Writer and historian Gina DeAngelis talks about the balance of historical accuracy and entertainment in her scripted work and on screen in general.

Josh Staman, Executive Producer of Weird Waters (Peacock), talks about the unique structure of short-form animation, pushing through “analysis paralysis,” and learning to be more “hare-brained” in his writing.

Pilar sits down with her 16 year old nephew, Eric Pick, to find out about the classic films he’s watching as he embarks upon his journey to become a director and screenwriter. A worthy film list for any writer!

Filmmaking duo Adamma & Adanne Ebo talk about the work and thought that went into writing, directing and producing their feature film Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul starring Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown.

From writer to producer to director to actor to parent, Keena Ferguson is always thinking creatively about ways to get her message and stories onto the screen and out to the world.

An informal Q&A with two students from Pilar’s class, Laura Weekes and Dale Hildebrand, resulted in an in-depth discussion about the pros and cons of independent filmmaking.

Writer/director Jennifer Sharp decided to buck the system, travel to Mexico and make her movie ... which ended up being a story about a writer trying to make her movie while battling the system.

Writer Paul Bellini, “the guy in the towel,” talks about what he’s learned from writing with Scott Thompson and the Kids in the Hall for over thirty years.

What do you do when your dad catfishes you? Write a movie about it, of course! James Morosini talks about drawing from the truth and creating empathy for his characters as he wrote, directed and starred in his feature film, I Love My Dad, starring Patton Oswalt.

From his critically acclaimed screenplay Palm Springs to his upcoming series The Resort, writer Andy Siara likes to explore the “disappointment of time.” 

William Indick, author of “Psychology for Screenwriters,” discusses why screenwriters must understand human behavior to make their stories come alive.

Author Jess King talks about their new game-changing screenwriting book, Inclusive Screenwriting for Film and Television, which examines and challenges conventional notions of characterization, world building and three act structure.

Keith Giglio and Juliet Aires Giglio share the knowledge of screenwriting and Christmas movies that inspired their new book, “The Summer of Christmas."

Pilar’s oldest child Ezra Dodson walks us through the structure and character rules of Dungeons and Dragons, emphasizing the ways in which it can work as a writing and brainstorming tool for non-D&D storytelling.

After years of assisting and learning on the job, Naomi Brodkin is a working writer with an episode of Little America coming out soon. She discusses what she’s learned from being on set and in the writers’ room and how her hard work led to the good luck of being involved in the Academy Award winning movie Coda.

Writer Jared Pascoe shares the personal experiences and desire for story that led to his co-founding the Pre-Rainbow Pages aimed at bringing visibility to non-writers guild LGBTQIA+ writers.

Phil Rosenthal, the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond, Somebody Feed Phil and the new podcast Naked Lunch, talks about the ways that specificity contributes to great storytelling.

Writer Gigi Rios New discusses writing for The Garcias on HBO Max and for the need for Latin-driven content in TV and film.

Writer / director Chris Derrick discusses writing for Star Trek: Picard and how it’s taught him to write to the emotional arc first and bring the cool stuff in later.

What takes eight years, sixty-seven writers, thirty-six directors and one actual apocalypse? Hear how filmmaker Chris Jones produced the crowd-created feature film, The Impact, connecting 50 short films into one narrative.

Actor, writer Beverly Mickins, creator of Los Angeles’s longest running storytelling venue Story Salon, talks about the elements that make up a well told, personal story.

Screenwriter Agnieszka Kruk talks about the ways that her creative community in Poland is helping filmmakers in Ukraine affected by the war, and suggests ways that writers worldwide can support their cause.

After earning a spot in the prestigious CBS Mentoring Program, Writer Yakira Chambers learned how to create a “personal A story” that contributed to her getting a job as a writer on NCIS Hawaii. She discusses her successful first year, writing three episodes and getting the opportunity to work with LeVar Burton.

On "Sibling Day” Pilar sits down with her brother Chris Pittas to discuss his decision to pursue screenwriting, his success in competitions, recent representation with Citizen Skull Management … and what he’s learned along the way. 

Veteran comic book editor Shelly Bond discusses the similarities and differences between comic book writing and screenwriting.

Television director and feature writer Pete Chatmon dives into his extensive experience and unique perspective on storytelling and directing, while giving a sneak peak of his new book,"Transitions: A Director's Journey and Motivational Handbook."  

Manager Matt Dy talks about the way he discovers and develops material for the management/production company Lit Entertainment.  

Pilar and her friends Brian Pope, Mike Musa and Alex Troxler get together for their annual discussion about the best screenplay and best adapted screenplay Oscar nominees.

York Walker, staff writer on FBI, talks about his personal path from actor to playwright to television writer.

How can writers truly observe their world and society and write honestly about them? Dr. Teruko Vida Mitsuhara, a linguistic anthropologist and script writer, is here to tell you.

Joshua Berman found himself in the middle of a movement, reached for a camera and never stopped filming. Director Amy Goldstein took it from there, crafting the story that became The Unmaking of a College, a documentary about the 2019 student-led, 75-day sit-in at Hampshire College – the longest in American college history

A passion for the true story and years of “crawling through broken glass” helped writer David Kessler get his movie Minamata produced, starring Johnny Depp and directed by Andrew Levitas. 

For 30 years Charlie Vignola has had a hand in developing some of the world’s most successful movie franchises for Jerry Bruckheimer Films. Here he shares what he learned about acquiring, developing and “creative problem solving,” for the Pirates of the Caribbean saga, the National Treasure films, the Bad Boys series and others. 

Barbara Ward Thall's script Geriosity sparks a discussion about how our views on aging create bias in the hiring process and prevent accurate depictions on screen.

Sydney Baloue (CW’s Tom Swift) talks about how his experiences in the world of queer culture and ballroom contribute to his super power as a storyteller and television writer.

Allard Cantor, co-founder of the literary management company Epicenter, shares about finding talent, developing material and getting his clients work in the film and TV industry. 

Doug Passon and Randy Olson talk about the “And, But, Therefore” template they use to help lawyers, scientists and screenwriters tell effective stories.

From love interests to courtroom scenes, Pilar offers writing tips to kickstart the writing year. Writer Sam Benjamin joins her to discuss!

Career coach Lee Jessup returns to discuss the writing trends popular in 2021 and shares what’s ahead for the new year.

Writer Scotty Mullen returns to to talk about his newest movie, A Christmas Village Romance, his love of all things Christmas and why the entertainment industry is a "buffet of bonkerness.” 

Pilar gives a logline lesson built off of listener submissions, then Pilar and Aadip pick their favorites! 

Development executive Zsófia Szemerédy talks about the the importance of sustainable practices in filmmaking and discusses ways to implement them on set and on the page.

Writer-director Nathalie Biancheri discusses the preparation, script-work and directorial vision that went into creating her new psychological drama, Wolf.

'Tis the season for the annual On the Page logline competition! Pilar explains the rules and gives the deadline.

Emerson film student Kat Poole’s passion is to rediscover and celebrate female film pioneers. Here, she educates us about three of them: filmmaker Alice-Guy Blache screenwriter Jeanie MacPherson and editor Margaret Booth.

George Stevens Jr. the founder of the American Film Institute, talks about the passion for film that inspired him to preserve and archive great movies, establish the Kennedy Center Honors and serve as a voice for the arts in Washington DC. as Co-chair of the Presidential Committee on the Arts & Humanities.

Director Philip Barantini shot his independent feature film Boiling Point in one take and lived to tell the tale. Hear how he kept the camera moving while also telling a rich story of an intense night in a restaurant.

Writer Celia Finkelstein talks about the projects she has in development, her pitch style on Zoom and how her acting experience has taught her not to judge a character.

Canadian writer Lindsay Gossling reveals the work and effort that went into writing and directing her disaster movieThirteen Minutes. She also talks about the challenges of making her film Un Traductor which went on to become Cuba’s submission for the Academy Awards.

Sean S. Cunningham, director and producer of the original Friday the 13th movie, talks about the film's humble beginnings, Jason’s evolvement as an “anti-hero” and the need for great story above all.

What makes us afraid and how do we write that on the page? Writer Neal Marshall Stevens provides answers as he gives a preview of his book, A Sense of Dread: Getting Under the Skin of Horror Writing. 

Shelley Dennis grew up loving the TV show Roseanne and now she has a staff writing position on The Conners! Hear how hard work, attention to story and a little mindfulness paid off.

Veteran producer and creative executive Kelly Edwards worked with every major studio in Hollywood and is now pursuing her dream of being a television writer on the Fox Drama Our Kind of People.  Here she talks openly about her career pivot and also offers nuggets from her new book The Executive Chair: A Writer’s Guide To TV Series Development.

Writer Jo Rochelle was just about to call it quits when her writing career caught fire. Hear how she got the attention of a manager, became staffed on her favorite show Good Trouble, and filmed her own independent movie - all while continuing to “ride the rollercoaster."

Actor/writer Danielle Pinnock had a crazy year full of ups and downs but she kept writing, found inspiration in her underwear drawer and set up her animated series Unmentionables with Taraji P. Henson! 

Michael-Leon Wooley’s search for depth in his singing and performing has informed his writing as well, leading to major attention on his very first feature-film script! Hear how he did it and why “fine is not enough."

Pilar Alessandra’s teaching and consulting business On the Page celebrates a 20 year anniversary! Alex Troxler interviews Pilar about her program, its humble beginnings and the way her teachings and the industry have changed.

Richie Siegel and Marissa Torelli-Pedevska, co-founders of the Inevitable Foundation, talk about the need to hire and produce the work of disabled screenwriters. 

Writer Matt Foss talks about how he went from being “terrible and earnest” to "consciously competent” as an award winning playwright and how he uses “given circumstances” to ground his stories and adaptations.

Elizabeth Kaiden and Nitza Wilon, co-founders of The Writers Lab, talk about their efforts to highlight the voices of women over 40 on the screen and on the page.

Writer/producer Emily Fox (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Daybreak, Girlfriends Guide to Divorce) shines a light for writers as she describes how she comes up with story and runs a writers room.

Writer and director Dan Mazer talks about his long collaboration with Sacha Baron Cohen and the complex storytelling that goes into writing movies with a number of possibilities and outcomes.

Eric Pearson, the writer of Black Widow and Thor: Ragnarok talks about his and Marvel’s approach to storytelling, including “every scene needs to do two things” and “that’s a long way to go for salami." 

Tim Long’s nerdy beginnings inspired his new movie The Exchange, and his story sense and comedy chops earned him head writer status at Letterman and a 20 year run on The Simpsons. 

Ted Campbell talks about how his experience as a second unit director and assistant director helped him develop the writing and directing skills he needed to be hired as a writer and director for three projects for MarVista Entertainment.

Glenn Sanders, Senior Creative Director at Amazon Prime Video, talks about entertainment marketing and how it can impact choices a writer makes early on in terms of concept, story and character.

Writer Kris Crenwelge turned a lockdown low to an end of the year high when she set her mind to treating her writing passion as a TV business. Hear her take on applying to labs, interviewing for “entertainment adjacent” jobs and doing the hard work that eventually landed her her first paid writing gig.

Writer Antwone Fisher talks about what went into writing and selling the classic movie about his real life and the importance of letting yourself be embarrassed by the truth.

Comedian Wayne Federman, author of “The History of Stand-Up," talks about the way that technology and the times have changed stand-up from Mark Twain to Dave Chapelle.

Writer/director Sonya Ballantyne talks about her experiences as a “creative native” and about her scripted work focusing on Indigenous women and girls in non-traditional film genres. 

Writer Savannah Ward loves to be “devastated” by a good story. They discuss the multiple timelines highlighted on Cruel Summer and, as a non-binary writer, give their personal take about trans characters on screen.

Alicia Carroll, staff writer for Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, talks about the show’s unique structure and approach to story and music. 

Award-winning playwright Dezi Gallegos is now a creative executive at Proximity Media (Judas and the Black Messiah). Here he talks about the company’s desire to develop original movies with a unique perspective. 

Jennifer Paz talks about her take on script and story as an actor and writer and about the need for more Asian-American content and characters on screen.

Rob Buchta, producer of Running Wild and creator of You vs. Wild on Netflix, talks about the challenges of a choose-your-own-adventure experience and the marriage of action and emotion needed for a factual adventure show.

Deborah Patz’s book, Write! Shoot! Edit! was intended for teenagers but it’s the perfect primer for anyone who’s ever wanted to film something but was too afraid to start. 

Pilar and her friends Brian Pope, Mike Musa and Alex Troxler get together for their annual discussion about the best screenplay and best adapted screenplay Oscar nominees.

Writer Michelle Denise Jackson talks about what she’s learned as she advanced from Writer’s PA on Grey’s Anatomy, to Writers Assistant on Mrs. America, to Staff Writer on two Netflix series and now as Co-Producer on Queen Sugar! 

Writer/Producer Evette Vargas discusses the content and applications needed to create successful pitch decks and sizzle reels.

Pilar Alessandra talks about ways to give and get script notes at the submission stage, the development stage and the production stage.

Rebecca Phelps talks about her approach to writing the Watty Award-winning novel Down World and its similarities, in process, to writing a screenplay.

Screenwriter and executive producer Jessica Goldberg talks about Cherry, the feature film she co-wrote starring Tom Holland, as well as her experiences creating the Hulu series The Path and acting as showrunner for the Netflix series Away.

Tom McCafferty, Vice Chairman of Veterans in Media and Entertainment, talks about the creative possibilities and unique challenges of writing movie and TV shows that focus on military events and characters. 

When should you incorporate? How can you take a home office deduction? How can you get financially organized? Entertainment accountant Trina Rozen explains it all to you.

Actor/Writer Finnerty Steeves discusses the courage and "1001 favors" it took to write, produce and star in her independent film, Before/During/After being released by Gravitas Pictures.

Andrew Robinson, senior writer for  Blizzard Entertainment talks about how he helps craft narrative and world-building for World of Warcraft, StarCraft, Heroes of the Storm, Hearthstone and Overwatch with animated cinematics, short stories, comics and songs. 

Johanna Stein, show-runner of Madagascar A Little Wild, breaks down the animation process from story board to “lip flap."

After years of hard work and hustle, writer Crosby Selander defied the odds and sold his script in a major bidding war to Legendary Pictures. Hear how he did it and cleared that “final hurdle!"

Award-winning Brazilian writer Rosane Svartman talks about the story work that goes into writing 155 episodes of one season of a prime-time telenovela.

Hunter Doohan discusses what he’s learned as an actor and as a writer from portraying the role of Adam opposite Bryan Cranston on the Showtime series Your Honor.

Mitch Lusas, Head of Product for Coverfly, talks about his company’s approach to finding talent and helping writers.   

JaNeika and JaSheika James, co-executive producers of Gossip Girl, talk about the life and career experiences that went into their inspiring memoir, Living Double.

Pilar reads and gives feedback on the loglines that didn’t make the consider or recommend list for the 2020 Logline Contest.

Pilar and Aadip evaluate loglines sent in by listeners. Who will get a consider, recommend or pass? 

Career coach Lee Jessup returns to discuss the writing trends popular in 2020 and shares what’s ahead for the new year.

With a little help from Michael Bay, Adam Mason and Simon Boyes wrote and produced a movie about the pandemic during the pandemic. Hear how both the story and the production of their movie, Songbird, adapted to the real-life events happening around them.

Alexander Troxler reached out to other writers during the lockdown and ended up with a collaborative tv pilot and a whole new kind of writers’ room.

Stress relief expert Suzanne Gundersen talks about how writers can overcome writer's block by dealing with their fear, grief and anxiety.  

Announcement of the deadline and rules for the 2020 Logline Competition.  Plus a replay of last year’s bonus episode to remind you of 10 patterns to help build your logline.

Whether she’s writing on the prequel to Game of Thrones, helping adapt Daisy Jones and The Six for Reese Witherspoon’s company or developing a feature film for Margot Robbie, it all comes down to one thing for writer Charmaine DeGrate: theme.

David Newhoff, author of Who Invented Oscar Wilde, dives deep into the history of copyright and the protection issues writers and creatives still deal with today. 

Making movies. Making film festivals. Tony Gapastione of Bravemaker Productions talks about the many things he’s learned as he creates and curates short films and features.

Free-writing, fun writing and brain dumps! Writer/comedian Marc Warzecha talks about ways you can turn an ordinary subject into a hilarious sketch.

Writer/ Producer Mike Royce talks about the ways that life issues and personal stories in the writers’ room inspire episodes of the shows he’s worked on: One Day at a Time, Enlisted, Men of a Certain Age and Everybody Loves Raymond.

Landi Maduro, director and producer at Bluechild Entertainment, offers advice to new filmmakers about creating the emotion, tone and visual look of their on-screen projects.

Writer Delondra Mesa (Z-Nation, Step Up) has paid her dues, working from Zombie-movie writer to Executive Story Editor. Hear how she did it and why she is a better writer because of it!

Writer / producer Erica Rivinoja (South Park, Clone High, The Last Man on Earth) has great advice about turning simple kids stories into big movies, finding the funny in a scene and pitching with confidence in the writers room. 

Shireen Razack and Angela Harvey, co-chairs of the Think Tank for Inclusion & Equity, talk about issues and problems in the industry facing underrepresented writers and the ways in which their report put hard numbers to the anecdotes.  

Writer Tiffany Thomas talks about writing on the reboot of The Proud Family and how working as a sketch comedian helped her on the page and in the writers’ room.

Writer Shannon Houston (Homecoming, Little Fires Everywhere, Station 11) is both a writer on and a fan of the HBO show Lovecraft Country which she describes as "complicated, strange and always unraveling.”

Andrew Chapman, Executive Producer of The Resident, talks about the ways in which the show shines a light on the problems within the medical industry and stresses themes of accountability.

Richard Bosner talks about the ways working as a producer on independent movies like Fruitvale Station, Other People and Mapplethorpe have taught him as a writer and director.

Writer/actor Kemiyondo Coutinho (MTV’s Undressed, Starz’ Step Up:High Water), talks about the ways that creating content for herself led to her current career as a TV writer.

Writer/Producer Michael Jamin (Tacoma FD, Maron, King of the Hill) talks about relying on the truth when he needs to find the story and the funny for TV or memoir.

Screenwriter Alison Peck, writer of Ugly Dolls and You Can’t Keep a Good Girl Down (in development)  talks about her approach to writing story and dance in the new Netflix movie Work It.

Fugitives, murders, UFOs and lost loves! Christine Lenig, Senior Vice President of Cosgrove/Meurer Production, talks about the storytelling that goes into the Netflix reboot of Unsolved Mysteries.

TV showrunner Janine Sherman Barrois (Claws, Self Made, Criminal Minds, ER) talks about what she looks for in writers' participation and pages, how she breaks story in the writers’ room and why a writing career is like getting to eat chocolate chip cookies all day.

Writer Aydrea Walden discusses her recent job as a development executive at DreamWorks TV and her new gig writing for a Disney Jr. show. She also gives some valuable tips about networking and insight into the writers' room.

Writing/Directing brothers Tony Dean Smith and Ryan W. Smith talk about their journey from making movies in their living room to independent filmmaking and the release of their feature film “Volition."

Ten writers from across the country and around the world get together on Zoom to ask questions about the craft of screenwriting. Special thanks to guests Christina Nicole, Danielle Pinnock, Deanna Brauer, Glenn Lawrence, Kennet Bennervall, Lateefah Holder, Mario Kersey, Marky Hinojosa, Mykal Kilgore, Seamus Heffernan and Tony Gapastione.

Actor/writers Danielle Pinnock and Kimberly Hebert-Gregory talk about their annoyance with one-dimensional characterizations of black women in movie and TV stories, their wish for duality and complexity in the roles they play and their hope that the current push for change doesn’t turn out to be a “Jenny Craig moment.” 

Executive producer Liz Tigelaar dives deep into the character dynamics and issues explored in the Hulu limited series Little Fires Everywhere. Find out the difference between plot and story and learn why Liz is the “queen of the act-out."

Writer / Director Ben Mekler talks about his experiences writing for the Netflix animated series Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts.

From a "stereotype moratorium" to “divestment from discriminatory locales," writer and social justice leader Alan Jenkins describes the concrete actions that writers and others in the entertainment industry can take right now.

Episode 666 called for a discussion of one of the greatest movies of all times, The Omen, with one of the greatest screenwriters of all times, David Seltzer. Not only does he share his thoughts and feelings about writing horror, he also gives insight into the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!

Goal coach Debra Eckerling talks about the road trip approach to setting, planning and achieving goals laid out in her new book, Your Goal Guide.

Documentary filmmaker Senain Kheshgi talks about the way she uses narrative movie structure to shape her groundbreaking films.

Writer/Actor/Comedian Rich Fulcher returns to crack Pilar up with his take on voice acting, pitching and writing on Matt Groening’s animated show Disenchantment.

Veteran writers Juliet Aires Giglio and Keith Giglio talk about following structure while freshening genre in their latest venture writing Christmas movies (Christmas Reservations,  A Very Nutty Christmas) for Lifetime.

Pilar enlists the listeners to talk about the bingeable shows that are helping them get through the Coronavirus quarantine.

Chris Sparling, writer of BURIED, THE SEA OF TREES (nominated for the Palm d'Or at Cannes), MERCY and the soon to be released GREENLAND, is a veteran at working remotely and taking meetings online. In this episode he offers tips on virtual networking, maintaining focus and writing well. 

Locked down with their mom, Pilar’s kids Ezra Dodson and Rita Dodson discuss “teen” language, portrayals of teenagers on screen and their mutual love of inappropriate horror movies.

Personal finance consultant Lisa Gould leads a creative conversation about ways that writers can save, manage and spend their hard-earned money.

Brian Keith Etheridge has been a writer and co-EP for the half-hour comedy The Neighborhood, The Goldbergs, Mike and Molly, The Mick and The Ranch … just to name a few. Here he shares his wisdom about writing, pitching and the dynamics of the writers’ room. His philosophy:  “Anyone who pitches the solution is a hero."

Screenwriters Dave Merlino and Dustin Sweet share their four-year journey filming a documentary about war veterans.

Writer/director Wanuri Kahiu lives in Kenya, takes meetings in LA, and makes movies for the world.  Here she gives her inspiring take on writing adaptations, directing actors and the need for “fun and frivolous” stories about African culture.

Pilar wants to let you know about online/video-conference classes at On the Page and to announce that in-person classes are suspended at the studio for spring due to COVID-19. Stay safe and have a good writing week! www.onthepage.tv

Pilar sits down with her step-father, Philippe Koenig, to discuss the first 40 years of his life as though it were a series of movies.

Writers Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg discuss their love of horror, their unique writing partnership and their experiences writing Spiral (the next movie in the Saw franchise) starring Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson.

Showrunner Jeffrey Lieber digs into story, craft and the writers room as he shares his experiences about moving from playwright to filmmaker to TV writer and pitching a show called LOST along the way.

Writer/Director Danish Renzu talks about the passion and persistence that went into making his latest movie, “The Illegal.”

Pilar and her friends Brian Pope and Mike Musa get together for their annual discussion/argument about the best screenplay and best adapted screenplay Oscar nominees.

Ready, set, go!  Determined to finally get your script “out of your head and onto the page?” Hear how Pilar helped one of her toughest cases: her husband Pat!

Author / illustrator Vincent X. Kirsch talks about the ways that picture books have helped him write better screenplays and the ways screenwriting has helped him make better picture books. 

Writers aren’t the only ones who have to work their way up.  Producer Mandy June Turpin has paid her dues and now has a roster of projects to talk about - as well as advice about how to develop a movie from script to screen.

Siobhan Bachman is a TV executive who previously developed IP for Archie Studios (Riverdale), worked as a manager at 360, was ABC’s UK Comedy and Drama Development Scout and may or may not have discovered a chap named John Oliver. Here, she shares her wisdom about character development, IP adaptation and the differences between British and American story development.

Manager Kate Brogden of The Cartel discusses what she looks for in a great animated project and a great animation client. A must-listen if you write animation or just love watching it.

Career coach Lee Jessup returns to discuss the writing trends popular in 2019 and shares what’s ahead for the new year.

Pilar and Aadip evaluate log lines sent in by listeners. Who will get a consider, recommend or pass? 

TV literary agent Davina Hefflin (The Gersh Agency) talks about her work with writers and the storytelling and character development that moves her on the page.

Writer Scotty Mullen returns to the podcast to talk about his upcoming holiday movie, the Christmas tropes he loves and what it’s like to work with Donna Mills.

Writer/Directors Emily Dell and Hannah Macpherson talk about their productive year creating horror/thriller content and their interesting advice to "come at storytelling sideways."

Announcement of the deadline and rules for the 2019 Logline Competition.  Plus 10 patterns to help build your logline.

Writer/Directors Etta Devine, Barbara Stepansky and April Wright return to talk about a year writing on Outlander, getting a blacklist script produced, creating an award winning documentary and much more.

Writer and television journalist Michael Grebb returns to discuss “Five Big Trends Writers Should Know About” including a new take on "peak TV," the death of the television season and the fact that almost everything in the industry is motivated by CYA.

Kelsey Calaitges, development executive at Frederator Studios (Adventure Time, The Fairly Odd Parents) and writer on GO! Cartoons Bravest Warriors shares wisdom about pitching and writing for character-driven animation.

Pilar and writer Jake Morgan discuss ways to combine genre, tone and intention to create the perfect “genre mash” television show.

Hear how, after seventeen years of stops and starts, Matt Harris’s script “The Starling” was produced with actors Melissa McCarthy, Kevin Kline, Chris O’Dowd, Timothy Olyphant and director Ted Melfi.

Pilar offers “Five Easy Rewrites” and writers on social media add over 40 more!  Take notes on this one.

Writer Anne Kruse shares five concepts that build writer perseverance.

David Wright, writer/producer on Star Trek: Lower Decks, discusses the storytelling legacy of Star Trek.

Acting coach Crystal Carson reveals the ways she helps actors analyze story, discover characters and interpret meaning from feature and TV scripts. 

Writer/Producer Christy Stratton shares her love of act structure and enthusiasm for the new FOX animated show “Bless the Harts.”

The writers of A Quiet Place discuss their upcoming film Haunt, their long-standing writing partnership and their process of discovering story and characters on the page.

Pilar guides you through a few lazy ways to brainstorm, outline and write your TV pilot.  E-mail for the handout!

Leon Gittens, a character animator for movies and video games, talks about the different kinds of animators needed to create one product, the role of the script in that product and the ways in which he personally brings emotion to a character.

Aadip Desai has gone from On the Page Podcast producer to ABC/Disney fellow to staff writer on The Goldbergs.  Hear about his journey to get there and what he’s learned - and is still learning - along the way.

Writer Taylor Vaughn Lasley talks about her exciting summer pitching two series; one with Damon Wayans Jr. and one withFunny or Die.

David Skelly (The Muppets, Splash and Bubbles, Word Party) and Jennifer Skelly (My Little Pony, The Lion Guards, Motown Magic) return to the podcast to talk about writing and creating TV for pre-school and elementary age audiences. 

Maura Chanz, Michelle Flowers and Clarissa Kern have turned their jobs assisting show-runners and producers into major stepping stones to a writing and producing career.

Writer Rachel Kaplan talks about what she’s learned in the writer’s room of the popular, animated comedy BoJack Horseman.

Writer and editor Ayser Salman returns to talk about how she turned real life experiences into a comic memoir and pitch for a tv series.

Filmmakers Sterling Macer Jr, Chris Molinaro and Jeremy Walton share their “dos” and “don'ts” about making movies cheaply, independently and with integrity.

Years of creating high quality content is paying off for writer Jude Roth.  Hear what she’s learned from taking meetings and obtaining high quality representation. 

Filmmaker Alex Ferrari talks about the “hustle” of independent filmmaking and the personal experiences that led him to write his new book, Shooting for the Mob.

Shaun Cassidy (New Amsterdam, Emerald City, American Gothic) went from pop star to rockstar writer. Here he digs into the process of the writers’ room and reveals his personal inspiration for finding story. A must-listen. 

TV executive Rev. Karen Frost talks about her path in Hollywood and her current role as creative executive at Viola Davis’s JuVee Productions.

Carnegie Mellon graduates Tommar Wilson and Beth Crosby reunited in an On the Page screenwriting class.  Although Tommar performs on Broadway and Beth performs sketch and improv, they also united in their observations about writing and acting.

The Sixth Sense, Election, Being John Malkovich, Magnolia … Tonight we’re gonna write like it’s1999!  Special assistance from Pat Francis and Azul Nino (also produced in 1999).

Writers Jason Director and Ayla Harrison are happily married and constantly moving forward in their writing career.  They’ve also developed a list for finalists and fellows to help them make contacts and get work .

Pilar is joined by writer Melissa Cassera to discuss ways to create and show the emotional progression of on-screen characters.

Canadian writers Michelle Muldoon and Geordie Sabbagh talk about the daring steps they’ve taken to seek out contacts and make their own movies. 

Ashleigh Powell (The Nutcracker and the Four Realms; one of Variety’s 10 Screenwriters to Watch) talks about her love of writing, genre, and world building.

David Matillo wrote seven unproduced scripts before his feature spec “Bare Knuckle” made the 2015 Blacklist. He discusses the projects he’s written since then and what he’s learned along the way. 

Manager/Producer Markus Goerg (Heroes and Villains Entertainment) describes a writer’s career as, “never boring, never easy and never a straight line."

Playwright / screenwriter Christy Hall (I Am Not OK With This on Netflix), discusses her approach to writing for the stage and screen.  

Organizer Tracy McCubbin, author of Making Space, Clutter Free, discusses ways to declutter your writing space and organize your writing time.

Author/ USC Professor Pamela Douglas discusses the changes to genre, structure and the international market addressed in the fourth edition of her classic book Writing the TV Drama Series.

Hilliard Guess, writer on Deadly Class, talks about asking for what you want, changing perception and his personal steps toward becoming the next J.J. Abrams.

Ryan O’ Connell talks about writing on Will and Grace and Awkward and discusses his upcoming Netflix series Special, inspired by his experiences as a gay man navigating the world with cerebral palsy.

Eight days. Thirteen states. Thirty drivers.  Pilar’s husband Pat Francis talks about his new documentary in which he traveled across country using only the ride-share service Lyft.

Kendra Jordan and Racquel Baker discuss the new B.E.T. show Boomerang and the way they find episodes and break story in the writers’ room.

Psychiatrist Laura Erickson-Schroth and general practitioner Justin Young are also writers who crave a more realistic depiction of the medical profession on screen.  Listen to their advice about myth vs. truth in the medical world.

Pilar and her friends Brian Pope, Mike Musa and Nancy Noever get together for their annual discussion/argument about the best screenplay and best adapted screenplay Oscar nominees.

Story analysts Mark Chandley (HBO), Holly Sklar (Warner Bros.) and Daniel Livnat (UTA) discuss their approach to reading and covering scripts and books for production companies, studios and agencies.

Writer / director Meredith Danluck discusses the thought and effort that went into her independent thriller State Like Sleep and her four-screen narrative film North of South, West of East. 

Stop working so hard!  In a quick tutorial, Pilar guides you through some lazy ways to brainstorm, outline and write your screenplay.

Jade Branion and Darren O’Hare made some fascinating life choices that influenced and energized their writing.

Kristin Overn, Executive Director of the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards, talks about the world of writing competitions and provides insight into the ways judges read and evaluate scripts.

David Rabinowitz’s first feature-length script got the attention of Jordan Peele and was directed by Spike Lee.  He discusses the writing and pitching process and what he’s learned along the way.

Pilar and Aadip evaluate log lines sent in by listeners. Who will win ... and who will end up on the “But List?”

One sold a movie. One was nominated for a Webby. And one decided to just focus on being happy. Denise Cruz-Castino, Aydrea Walden and Mike Martin update.

The creative team at the video game company BioWare shares their insight into writing characters, story lines and action moments.

Career coach Lee Jessup returns to discuss the writing trends popular in 2018 and shares what’s ahead for the new year.

Writer/editor Kyle Dodson discusses what he’s learned from being in the world of short-form content at the digital production company AOK.  He also shares tips for new creatives moving to Los Angeles.

Writer/Actor Taryn O’Neill discusses the ways that stories about science can entertain and change the world.

With the help of writer Elena Zaretsky, Pilar explains the meaning of the mysterious red pen marks she makes on her students' scripts.

Writers Carlton Allen and Michael Monteiro Wise love the Harry Potter movies.  Here they explain why the book-to-screen adaptations work so well and why Harry Potter fans may end up saving the world.

Suzanne Keilly has had such a successful two years writing on Dallas and Robo, creating two horror movies for SyFy and being staffed on the upcoming Netflix show Warrior Nun, that we made her return to the show to tell us about it!

Literary manager Jeff Portnoy talks about his role giving notes to writers, setting them up with agents, getting them ready for staffing and even producing movies. 

Film ratings consultant Barry Freeman discusses rating elements such as sex, violence and language on screen and explains why this knowledge is important for screenwriters.

John Stimpson has happily made a living and achieved success writing, producing and directing movies without moving to Los Angeles! 

Writers Chuck McCue and Jules Vincent thought like producers when writing their horror movie “Alive.” Now it’s screening at Austin.

In anticipation of his new book, writer Erik Bork discusses the seven elements of a viable story for screen, stage or fiction. 

Will Plyler, owner of Done Deal Pro, shares his thoughts about the thousands of film and TV deals made in Hollywood and archived daily on his website. 

Greta Heinemann raised herself at an early age, learned English by watching Baywatch, came to the United States determined to be a writer and is now a producer on NCIS New Orleans!

Kerry Carroll discusses the ways that market research is used to test scripts, films and TV shows.    

Producer Kelli Joan Bennett and writer Monica Zepeda talk about how they turned a simple idea and one location into “Collusions,” a festival-winning movie starring Tom Everett Scott. 

Writer Alex Cramer returns to talk about his latest spec sale and what he’s learned from ten years of writing assignments and pitch meetings.

Karen Campbell’s hard work and love of the writers’ room has earned her writing and producing credits on everything from Dexter to Outlander.  

Writer/producer Anthony Sparks talks about writing "what is and what could be” in his career and on the television drama Queen Sugar.

Writer/ producer Matthew Claybrooks has written for both Chris Rock and Kevin Hart.  Here he talks about how he honors the comic’s personality and the ways he turns jokes into story.

Outlander, Battlestar Galactica, Grey’s Anatomy, Roswell … and the list goes on! Producer / writer Toni Graphia reveals her process and talks about the writers' room from a show-runner’s perspective.

Directing teacher Robert Bailey discusses ways that writer/directors can work with actors to bring out the intention and emotion of the page.

Writers Ilana Pena (Crazy Ex-Girlriend) and Madeline Hendricks (Jane the Virgin) discuss story brainstorming and joke writing in the writers’ room.

Thomas Barron, author of the new novel “Bocas," shares the screenwriting-friendly techniques he uses to keep readers turning the page.

Drawing from his book "Crowdsourcing for Filmmakers,” Richard (RB) Botto discusses the power of creating networks of friends and fans before, during and after the screenwriting and filmmaking process. 

After rising from intern to junior agent to development executive, On the Page’s own Nick Oleksiw is starting his own company, “Mischief Films.” He talks about what he’s learned about networking, story telling and script development and what he’s looking for with new material.

These six female writer/directors aren’t afraid to “go into the basement” when it comes to genre.  Emily Dell, Etta Devine, Sarah Ivy, Barbara Stepansky, Hannah MacPherson and April Wright talk about the tools and team building needed to be a working director. 

Writer, teacher and author Neil Landau gives tips for writing in the current market and discusses his new book TV Writing on Demand: Creating Great Content in the Digital Era.

Writer/ director Marcus and Karrie Cox share their experiences as producers on movies like Tangerine and Adult Beginners and discuss their process for acquiring and developing material they truly believe in.  

Jessica Orcsik, Manager & Program Director for Focus on Ability Film Festival discusses storytelling opportunities in writing about characters with disabilities.

Three writers, Chris Derrick, Michael Zannettis and Amanda Torigiani, talk about their favorite Star Wars movies. ‘Nuff said.

Writer/Director Vaughn Stein talks about the lessons he learned as an assistant director that helped him write and direct his movie, “Terminal,” starring Margot Robbie and Simon Pegg.

The work of writer/director Brad Silberling spans mediums and genres. Jane the Virgin, A Series of Unfortunate Events and Moonlight Mile are just a few of the projects he’s been involved in. Here he discusses his approach to editing and dialogue and reveals his inspiration for his latest movie An Ordinary Man.  

Writer Russ McGarry returns to the podcast to talk about a career as a freelance writer and his latest job writing a three minute show with a compelling season arc.

West Anthony, host of the Musical Notation Podcast, talks about his favorite scores and soundtracks and how they enhance the story on the screen.

Executive producer John Yorke (Wolf Hall, Casualty, Shameless) talks about writing and selling television in the UK. 

Marc Warzecha of the Second City Comedy Theater talks about the “game” of the sketch and ways that the principles of sketch writing work for TV writing.

Writer Jim Rash (The Descendants, The Way Way Back) talks about his co-writing process, his take on character and dialogue and how winning an Oscar doesn’t mean you don’t get writer's block.

Writer, Actor and longtime listener Paul A. Rose, Jr. sits in to ask questions and give information pertaining to previous episodes of the On the Page Podcast.

When you choose a “frame” for your story, you control the story that’s told.  Writers Michael Zannettis and Chelsea O’Connor, hosts of the “We Can Talk About Podcast” discuss the “Strict Father / Nurturing Parent” frame used by many movies and TV Shows.

Curiosity and lots of research helped Andrew Logan and Taylor Allen write the movie “Chappaquiddick,” a dramatization of the car accident and cover-up involving Senator Ted Kennedy.  

Filmmaker Ben Zolno talks about what he’s learned from making the improvised dialogue movie, “Status Pending.”

Brian Pope, Mike Musa, Nina Berry and Pat Francis join Pilar for their annual discussion of the Oscar nominees for best screenplay and best adapted screenplay.

Writer Jake Morgan describes the ways in which taking meetings and working in a writers’ room is like dating. And, in honor of Valentine’s Day, Pilar walks us through a structural template for romantic comedies.

Writer Jennifer Joyce talks about how her life and experiences become the starting point for sketches, TV shows and movies.

Writer John Whittington (The Lego Batman Movie, When We First Met, Boy 21) talks about  his live action/animation writing career and the surprising script that changed everything.  

Writer Ed Solomon (“Now You See Me,” “Men in Black,” “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure”) wrote the HBO six-part series “Mosaic” as well as the eight-hour storytelling app that goes with it. Here he discusses objective and subjective storytelling and talks about how he breaks and rewrites his scripts.

Doug Jones, star of the Golden Globe winning film "The Shape Of Water,” reveals how he brings silent and non-human characters to life.

Writer Matthew Aldrich and writer/co-director Adrian Molina discuss their approach to story, pay-off and world building for “Coco,” the winner of the 2018 Golden Globe for animated feature.

Jennifer Julian and Holly Payberg of June Bug Pictures talk about the techniques they use to hook a listener in a two-minute pitch.

Alan Jenkins, President of The Opportunity Agenda, and Jon Fitzgerald, author of "Filmmaking for Change," discuss ways to change the world through film, TV and documentary storytelling.

Writer Brian Turner returns to talk about his new job writing for the Netflix series “Trolls” and helps Pilar answer more questions from her neglected e-mail inbox.

Career-coach Lee Jessup returns to talk about the changes we saw in 2017 and writing trends ahead for 2018. 

Pilar and Aadip review log lines sent in from listeners!  Who will be the winner?

Non-binary characters don’t fit into classic male or female molds. Writers Laura Erickson-Schroth and Sonya Ellis discuss the challenges and creative opportunities. Pilar’s 17-year-old daughter Ezra Rae Dodson leads the way.

Armed with a case of thumb drives and a bag filled with aspirin, filmmakers Curt Wiser, Al Mauro and John Wotring went to the American Film Market for four days of pitching, meetings and networking.  Hear their day-by-day account in this special “roving reporter” episode.

Filmmakers Shazia Malik and Danish Renzu talk about their experiences pitching, writing and directing movies in India and the U.S.

Sometimes you just happen to run into an old client from New York, who happens to be in town taking meetings for his feature after wrapping production for his short film.  So, what do you do next?  Put him on the podcast of course!  Guest: Keith Armonaitis  

Pilar gives a sneak preview of her next book, “The Coffee Break Screenwriter Breaks the Rules,” with this discussion about narrative devices like voice over and flashback.

Josh Stolberg, writer of “Jigsaw” (in theaters now), talks about the “Saw" franchise, working with Clive Barker and his advice for being scary on the page. 

Writer on the verge Eric Rudnick talks about rewriting, video pitching and channeling your inner Bruce Springsteen.    

So you’ve got a script. What happens next?  Producer Rona Edwards fills us in.  A must-listen for those who want to understand the true business side of showbiz.  Also check out the third edition of her book, “I Liked It, I Didn’t Love It:  Screenplay Development from the Inside Out."

Animation writer Katie Mattila (Avatar: The Last Airbender, Kung Fu Panda, Harvey Beaks, 100 Things to do Before High School, Tangled: The Series and Home: Adventures with Tip and Oh) talks about her experience with script-driven animated series and story-board driven animated series.  

Pilar's students from the International Film School in Cologne, Germany talk about their stories and feelings about US and German television. 

With the help of writer Suzanne Keilly, Pilar clears out her overstuffed e-mail inbox and gives long overdue answers to listener questions.

Using comedy expert Steve Kaplan’s upcoming book as a launching point, he and TV writer Ellen Sandler discuss the journey, goals and drive of main characters in comedy features and TV shows.

Star student turned star TV writer Charmaine DeGrate returns to the podcast to share what she’s learned as a writer and producer of the popular CW series “The 100.” 

Christopher Vogler, author of the landmark book "The Writer's Journey”, discusses mythic structure, connectivity and “the wisdom of the body."

David Kessler spent years attempting to get life rights for the scripts he wanted to write. In this episode he shares his journey and provides tips for the passionate (and brave) screenwriter. 

It's another On The Page/Rock Solid mash-up as Pilar and Pat Francis read listener's log lines and play the songs that the writer would want on the soundtrack.

Want to get a laugh? Try some conflict and hostility. Peter Desberg, psychologist, teacher and author, explains it all to you.

Silicon Valley writer Shawn Boxe talks about getting work, navigating the writers room and creating story while also battling cancer.

The great Scotty Mullen returns to talk about his latest movie: Sharknado 5!

Time, place, pacing and continuity: these are just some of the responsibilities of a script supervisor. Sylvia Parker (Edge of Tomorrow, T2 Trainspotting, The Theory of Everything, Murder on the Orient Express), covers the details!

Kirsten (Kiwi) Smith, the co-writer of "Legally Blonde," "10 Things I Hate About You," "Ella Enchanted" and (in development) "The Expendabelles" and "Sister Act 3," talks about breaking story, creating set-pieces and discovering the “joy" of a character.

From inner wounds to onion chopping, Pilar and author Michael Hauge hash out the complex character arc of the on-screen protagonist.

Writing partners Lauren Hynek and Elizabeth Martin describe their journey from winning contests to writing the live action “Mulan" for Disney.

How do you find the next great story? Writers Jacob Coakley, Alicia Lomas-Gross, Amanda Torigiani, Nadia Madden and Neal Thibedeau share the ways they brainstorm new ideas and find character inspiration from news, work and life.

Jamie Anderson has worked hard creating content and pitching ideas. Now it's paying off with representation and features in development. 

Producer Wendy Miller (formerly with Playboy TV, NBC Universal, Lifetime, Oxygen) has heard many, many reality pitches.  Here are some of her do’s and don’ts!

Heather Overton, manager of original programming at Crown Media Family Networks, discusses the mission and story approach at the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.

Irish writer/director John Butler discusses the ways he honored and subverted archetypes in his "coming out of age" film, "Handsome Devil."

Pilar learns from husband Pat Francis about the “three phases” of Marvel story-lines in the movies and on television. 

Writers Melissa Cassera and Hunter Doohan separately made their first script sales with Lifetime.  Hear how they did it, what it’s taught them and what’s next on the horizon.

Carole Kirschner, Director of the WGA Showrunner Training Program, CBS Diversity Program and Humanitas Fellowship, returns with business advice on how to create your personal PR packet, how to prep for a meeting and what not to wear to an interview. 

A distributor, marketing expert, acquisitions director, producer, writer and filmmaker offer their opinions and expertise at the Cartagena International Film Festival.   

"Go-getters”  Aydrea Walden, T. Michael Martin and Denise Cruz reveal the unique approaches to story and business that helped them hit the ground running with their writing careers.

Pilar welcomes legendary Director John Badham (Saturday Night Fever, War Games, Blue Thunder, Stakeout) to the show to discuss his career in filmmaking and his approach to the script.  

Pilar celebrates the 500th episode of the On the Page Podcast with her producers past and present.

Director Elliott Lester discusses his upcoming slate of projects including the new film "Aftermath" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Daniel Pyne, screenwriter (sum of all fears, manchurian candidate, pacific heights) and novelist, drops by the OTP Studio to chat about noir tropes, writing authentically, and the challenges of inaccurate IMDB descriptions.

Pilar and guest co-host Jason Levy (winner of the 2016 Log Line Contest) listen to the movie and TV pitches of writers Cat Alvarado, Barbara Cole, Julianne Eggold, Darius Garland, Misha Klein and Ryan Nanni. 

Writers Ayser Salman and Lena Khan talk about the challenge and promise of writing Muslim characters for film and TV. 

TV and film choreographer Courtney Miller reveals the way on-screen dance contributes to story. 

Brian Pope, Mike Musa, Nina Berry and Pat Francis join Pilar for their annual discussion of the nominees for best screenplay and best adapted screenplay.

Kim Zubick, producer of "The Zookeeper’s Wife," reveals the movie's long road from book to screen.

Author Pamela Jaye Smith talks about the structure, characters and different kinds of love found in the movies curated in her new book, “Romantic Comedies: These Films Can Save Your Love Life."

Brian Kalata and Stephen Andrzejewski, the producers of the documentary "Pencils Down! The 100 Days of the Writers Guild Strike,” look back at the issues that created the strike and discuss the changes in the industry since its resolution. We then rebroadcast Episode 10 of the On the Page Podcast, originally recorded on the eve of the Writers Strike.

Career coach Lee Jessup returns to talk about the interviews she conducted for her new book “Breaking In: Tales From The Screenwriting Trenches.”

Screenwriter Giz Gewirtz, co-founder of Seismic Games, discusses the possibilities and limitations of virtual reality narratives.

Kathryn Renee Thomas and Caitlin Barlow, creators and stars of “Teachers” on TV Land, school us in the improv techniques they use to build characters and find “the game of the scene.”

Jim Churchman, stunt coordinator for Marvel movies, discusses what lifts off the page and onto the screen to create great action sequences.

Pilar and members of her Tuesday-night Writers Group pour champagne, look back on 2016 successes and discuss goals for the new year. (Stick around for Pilar’s 5 Writing Resolutions for 2017. They might surprise you.)  

What do pro-wrestling and good screenwriting have in common? Writer, actor and wrestling fan Sam Benjamin explains it to you.

This week Pilar is on a business trip teaching on the East Coast, so please enjoy a rebroadcast from December 16, 2011. A twelve day writing guide from logline to pages. Sing along with Pat and Pilar!

Filmmaker Kim Adelman shares tips on short film writing and low-budget filmmaking from her book, “Making It Big In Shorts,” now in its third edition.

Actor Kevin E. West gives an actor’s perspective on the script and discusses how the 7 Deadly Sins get in the way of artists’ success.  

Nadia Madden, Pilar's "most improved" writer of 2016, talks about navigating the Austin Film Festival, the benefit of notes and classes and how much she secretly hates pumpkin pie. 

English writer/director Mark Heywood and Irish writer/director and Tribeca shorts programmer Niall McKay talk about the different story telling approaches here and abroad.

Can we still have a good laugh after this election? Kelly Hudson and Jocelyn Richard of “Funny or Die” are here to help.

Writers Judalina Neira and Sarah Fahey talk about the different roads that led them from college in Boston to writing for shows like “Hit the Floor” and “The Flash.”

Pilar goes it alone this week to help you polish up your script before giving it to an important reader. E-mail her at [email protected] to get the list!

Comic book writer Eric Freitas (Judge Dredd, Regular Show, Godzilla), reveals how he uses movie structure to write his comic books, then uses the scripts he’s created to write feature films.

Sometimes a creator’s got to create in order to create more. Filmmaker Noel Orput and web series producer Sarah Hawkins explain how they made it happen for themselves.

Academy award-nominated animation supervisor David Schaub shares the analysis of three-act structure he used when creating his structure app, “The Three Act Compass.”

Jonathan Wolf, Managing Director of the American Film Market, discusses the power of the pitch at the world’s largest motion picture business event.

Audience Development Strategist Lara Hoefs discusses the ways that creators and storytellers can learn from their fanbase.

Producer Glenn Williamson brings stories from his early years working for Tim Burton on Edward Scissorhands to producing critically hailed and compelling titles like 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', 'Sunshine Cleaning', and 'The Omen' (2006).

Matt Belknap (podcast king and former reader for Imagine Entertainment) joins Pilar to evaluate listener log lines and pick a winner!

Tom Nunan discusses his tremendous career from being an executive at ABC, Fox, NBC and UPN to founding Bull’s Eye Entertainment which produced the Academy Award winning movie "Crash.”

Marc Haimes, writer of "Kubo And The Two Strings," discusses his up and coming projects: the adaptation of the subversive graphic novel “Nimona," and a drama based on the Waco Texas tragedy, produced by Mark Boal.

Producer and TV host Damona Hoffman talks about the creativity and storytelling that goes into developing and writing reality shows.

Larry Friedman, the high school teacher you wish you had, walks us through the inspiring prompts and exercises he gives in his writing classes. Guaranteed to unstick any writer ... no matter what the age.

Writer Sonya Ellis talks about the negative tropes and positive approaches to writing trans characters in film and TV.

Composer and writer Heather Schmidt talks about the ways she captures the emotion, tone, pace and story beats of the films, TV shows, and video games she scores.

Pilar entertains Robin Schiff in the OTP Studio, as Robin relates the autobiographical origin of her script for 'Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion', and teaches us how to effectively write voices through improv, all while reflecting on how writing comedy for TV and Film have changed over her thirty-year career.

Writer Aaron Korsh, (creator of the hit show Suits), and director Kevin Bray (Suits, Empire, Blackish, CSI, Walking Tall) discuss the happy intersection of writing and directing on TV.

Rebecca Phelps and Chris Cookson, authors of the blog “Novel2Screen,” discuss the ways that screen adaptations go right … and painfully wrong.

Entertainment attorney Richard DeLossa discusses copyright protection, script releases, writing partnerships and more.  

Writer Suzanne Keilly talks about her work on "Ash vs. Evil Dead" as a writers’ assistant, episode writer and webisode writer.

Pilar helps writers Alicia Lomas Gross and Steve D’Arcangelo build a whole movie from one real-life-event. Listen and follow along!

Terry Rossio, writer of “Aladdin," “Shrek" and "Pirates of the Caribbean," shares his thoughts about adaptation, story telling, dialogue and script notes.

SK Valenzuela, literature professor and winner of the Industry Insider Screenwriting Contest, discusses the similarities between poetry writing and screenwriting.

Joel Trussell and Noah Jones traveled from Maine and Tennessee to the land of unicorns. Hear how they did it and went on to work on animated projects such as "Yo Gabba Gabba," "Fish Hooks" and "Pickle and Peanut."

Joy Gorman Wettels, producer of "The Meddler" and "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World," starts with the question, “why should your story be told?"

Writer Irene Turner does not shrink away from tough characters and true crime. Here, she talks about co-writing "An American Crime," starring Ellen Page, and "The Most Hated Woman in America," with Melissa Leo (Netflix 2017).

Writer Paul Rust is everywhere on Netflix right now with his show “Love” and co-writing credit on “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday.” So it looked like a good time to replay an episode you might have missed!

Writer and marketing consultant Melissa Cassera talks about 7 ways you can create your “little black book” of helpful industry connections.

What do a "Grey’s Anatomy” and “I-Zombie” writer have in common? They both moonlight as Y.A. writers! Jen Klein and Sara Saedi talk about structure and storytelling for both mediums.

Aaron Covington, co-writer of “Creed," talks about the work and thought that went into writing the 7th "Rocky” movie. 

Stephanie Allain, producer of “Dear White People,"  and “Hustle and Flow,” and an early champion of "Boyz n the Hood," talks about theme, diversity and scripts that make her “heart beat fast.”

Pilar is joined by writers Garrett Frawley and Brian Turner (AKA The Christmas Guys) to discuss their reboot of the 70's kids' show "Sigmund and the Sea Monsters” and their award-winning Amazon show "Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street.” Guest interviewer: Rita Dodson.

As the second edition of "The Coffee Break Screenwriter" hits the shelves, we replay an episode devoted to that book, hosted by Matt Belknap. New edition available through mwp.com and amazon.com

Pilar sits down with screenwriting team Creighton Rothenberger and Katrin Benedikt to discuss the intricacies of writing action films such as "Olympus Has Fallen," "The Expendables 3" and their current release "London Has Fallen."

"What keeps you up at night?" Writer Charlotte Stoudt discusses what it's like to write for Homeland.

Ethan Erwin, executive VP of Silver Pictures and producer of The Book of Eli and The Nice Guys, discusses the process of movie making, working with Shane Black, Denzel Washington's guest house and Jean Claude Van Damme's six pack.

Costume designer Mary Zophres and set decorator Dena Allen look to the script to layer the movies and TV shows they work on.

Brian Pope and Mike Musa join Pat Francis and Pilar for their annual discussion of the nominees for best screenplay and best adapted screenplay.

Joey Tuccio, the head of Stage 32 Happy Writers Online Pitchfest, talks about do’s and don’ts for online pitching.

It's another On The Page/Rock Solid mash-up as Pilar and Pat Francis read listener's log lines and play the songs that they would want on the soundtrack.

Meredith Berg started in theater, but now she has a critically acclaimed independent movie, a web series with over six-million hits and comic book experience that would make any geek jealous.

Pilar sits down with Comedian and Screenwriter Pete Schwaba to discuss making independent films anywhere in the USA.

With Aadip’s help, Pilar answers listeners’ questions about writing voice, genre, scene beats, script competitions and more. 

Pilar and the music / writing experts of the Rock Solid Podcast (Pat Francis, Christy Stratton and Murray Valeriano) use song titles to brainstorm movie and TV ideas.

Jennifer Dornbush, the author of the book “Forensic Speak," separates fact from fiction for those writing about forensics, evidence and crime scenes.  

Writer Hollie Overton wrote a novel in the “spare time” she had as a working TV writer. Now she’s adapting that book into a feature film. We talk to her about doing it all.

Pilar sits down with her mom, Sydelle Pittas, to discuss the story of her life as it might play out through movie log lines.

Brother and sister team Adam Wilson and Melanie Wilson LaBracio reveal their process for writing movies, tv and ice shows!

Screenwriter and Author Jonathan Vankin discusses the liberties filmmakers take when they adapt non fiction subject matter for the big screen.

Filmmaker Viko Nikci talks about his award-winning documentary “Coming Home,” which he edited as though he was writing a screenplay.

Pilar sits down to discuss the craft of screenwriting with the executives at Triggerfish Animation and some of South Africa's most promising writers.

With the help of her handsome sidekicks Pat and Mike, Pilar evaluates "Before & After" rewrite submissions sent in by her faithful listeners.

With the help of her handsome sidekicks Pat and Mike, Pilar evaluates "Before & After" rewrite submissions sent in by her faithful listeners.

Pilar is joined by writers Valerie Ahern, Mike Montesano and Eric Schaar to discuss their process for writing family oriented sitcoms.

Writer Shawn Boxe is on the brink! Here he talks about breaking story and taking meetings.

Need tools for comedy, sitcom writing or life itself? Author and TV Writer, John Vorhaus has something to teach you.

Writer Alexandra Denye came for a visit and never stopped moving. Here are 10 things she did to make progress on her writing and further her career.

Great on-screen stories often revolve around major character epiphanies. Author Elise Ballard and Pilar discuss.

Writer Matt R. Lohr shares what he learned about conflict, structure and world-building from the writer of "Alien" and "Total Recall."

Filmmaker Coley Sohn talks about her indie film “Sassy Pants,” her days as Pilar’s wingman and her take on gay characters on screen.

YouTube comedy writers Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin share their tips and techniques for creating entertaining short content on the web and beyond. 

Criminology expert Kat Lindsey discusses the accuracy of killers and crime as they are portrayed in film and TV.

Pilar revisits six of the rewrite tools from "The Coffee Break Screenwriter" in order to get you prepped for her Before and After Writing Contest. 

Hear how writer Carlito Rodriguez entered The Magical Starbucks and came out writing for "The Leftovers" and “Empire." 

Comedian, writer and author Laurie Kilmartin discusses her work writing political jokes for Conan O'Brien and personal jokes for her standup.  

Actor Rich Sommer talks about his interpretation of script and character while playing Harry Crane on AMC's "Mad Men."

Writer Corey Mandell returns to the podcast to talk to Pilar and Aadip about “cashing in on the second golden age of television."

Director David Nutter joins Pilar to discuss directing episodes of some of the most popular shows in television history, including The Sopranos, X-Files and Game Of Thrones. (And yes, he directed the episode with “The Red Wedding!”)

Writer Erin Cardillo discusses creating, writing and producing the upcoming CW sitcom "Significant Mother."

Animation director Joshua Taback joins Pilar to discuss how he turns the written word into a fully realized and animated story.

Writer Melissa Rauch (Bernadette on “The Big Bang Theory”) and writer Winston Rauch discuss their independent comedy "The Bronze” which opened Sundance this year and will be released in October.

Pilar sits down with Antonia Bogdanovich and her legendary father Peter (Paper Moon, The Last Picture Show, What’s Up Doc)  to discuss “The Phantom Halo” written and directed by Antonia.  Episode perk: a Bogdanovich-curated top ten list of classic movies!

Pilar sits down with Pat and actors David Rees Snell and Ted Lyde to discuss the pros and cons of dad depictions on film and TV.

Pilar is joined by writer / producers Charo Toledo  and Carlos Portugal to discuss their Hulu original series "East Los High.” 

Writer Laurie Lamson shares information from her "Now Write!” books about screenwriting, science fiction and mystery.

Writer Brian Keith Etheridge joins Pilar to discuss his career as a television writer and producer on "Mike and Molly," "South Park" and “Workaholics.”

On Mother's Day Pilar sits down with two story experts (her daughters Sara and Rita) to discuss the world and character rules of their favorite movies, shows and books.

Director Elliott Lester discusses the making of his soon to be released HBO feature "Nightingale."

Pilar is joined by writer John Quaintance on opening day of his film "Hot Pursuit” starring Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara.

Screenwriter J. Mills Goodloe talks about writing in "The Shed" and the long journey to get his film "The Age Of Adaline" onto the big screen. 

Charley Dane’s research for his original pilots includes police ride-alongs and gang tours. He talks about this plus his experience writing for  KYLE XY, LEGEND OF THE SEEKER and TNT’s PERCEPTION.

Manager/Producer Scott Carr talks about what he looks for in writers and in scripts. 

Writer Eileen Jones discussed her work writing treatments for TV, film and commercials.

GregRobin Smith, Managing Director of The Washington Shakespeare Festival, discusses the Shakespearean tropes, themes, characters and structure that work for contemporary script-writing.

Writer/Executive Producer Paul Guyot (THE LIBRARIANS, GEOSTORM, LEVERAGE, FELICITY) returns to update us on his adventures in film and TV. 

Writer/director April Wright talks about how she reviews films as a programming associate for the Sundance Film Festival and AFI Film Festival.   

Jonathan Vankin, screenwriter and former editor with DC Comics talks about the difference between comic book stories and movie stories. Helping out with the questions are super-fans Kyle Dodson and Kevin Killebrew.

A repost of the 2010 episode featuring actor/writer Bob Odenkirk of "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul."

Accomplished writer/director/novelist and song-writer Jessica Bendinger talks about story and the need to become a “missionary” for your project.

Brian Pope and Mike Musa join Pat Francis and Pilar for their annual discussion of the nominees for best screenplay and best adapted screenplay.

Writer/Director Paul Linsley walks us through four “layers” of storytelling:  Letter, allegory, moral and anagoge.    

On the page writers Charmaine DeGrate and Michael Grebb talk about their recent successes winning awards and getting meetings.

Life is an improv for Rick Overton, actor, comedian and Emmy-award-winning writer.    

Cablers, streamers and hackers oh my! Career coach Lee Jessup talks about the trends and trials of a very interesting year.

John Zaozirny, a principal at Bellevue Productions, talks about what it takes to get a project "set up" within the industry.

Tawnya Bhattacharya, writer/co-producer on NBC’s "The Night Shift” and instructor at “Script Anatomy,” talks about the elements of a good pilot and tv spec.

Pilar provides a list of guidelines to help you determine if your story is best  suited for film, tv or web.

Pilar talks film, scripts and pitching with Richard “RB”  Botto, the founder/ CEO of Stage 32.

We're visited once again by Garrett Frawley and Brian Turner, the Christmas Guys who hate Christmas.  This year, they talk about their new gig as staff writers for Amazon’s kid show "Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street."

We go to the Budds' backyard as Ryan interviews filmmaker Jeff Stolhand, co-writer of "Burned" (with From Dusk Til Dawn's Alvaro Rodriguez) about living and working in Austin, TX and taking yearly meetings in LA.

Writer Nancy Pimental talks about her experience as Executive Producer of “Shameless" and her early days writing for "South Park."

Chief Pilot Syd Blue discusses the many ways the world of aviation inspires great story telling. NOTE: In the event of a water landing, this podcast can be used as a flotation device.

Carole Kirschner, director of the WGA Showrunner Training Program, lists the components of a strong pilot and reveals the best TV shows to spec.

Powerhouse team Lori Gambino (a blacklist screenwriter) and her husband David (producer of “The Judge,” starring Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall) talk about screenwriting, biographical adaptations and the creative collaboration of marriage.

Writer Emma Gahan steps in as roving reporter for this year’s London Screenwriters’ Festival. Guests include the Deputy Chairwoman of the Writers' Guild of Great Britain, Jason Pittock (the winner of the Bluecat Screenplay Competition), Amma Asante (director of “Belle”) and more!

Jeffrey Travis brought engineering and art together with his film "Flatland" and his business "Positron." Here he talks about those projects as well as his movie "Dragon Day," on VOD this week and "Old Fashioned," going against "Fifty Shades of Grey."

Writer/director Tracie Laymon has a hot spec and new representation. Fortunately, her experience in the independent world has prepared her well.

Writers Hilliard Guess and Lisa Bolekaja talk about the need for diverse characters and diverse writers’ rooms.

Chris Amick, Development Assistant at Trigger Street Productions, offers up a list of “do’s and don’ts" for new writers.

Hear how Cheryl Texiera (writer/director of "Confessions of a Bitter-Sweet Actress") and Cassie Daniels (writer of "Convalescent" with Sinovio Entertainment) teamed up to write their spec "Bachelorette Weekend" and sold it within six months!

Former Imagine reader Matt Belknap, armed with his terrible Australian accent, returns to help Pilar analyze listener log lines. Who will be the big winner?

Writer/Director Josh Stolberg inspires as he talks about his Hollywood hits ... and notable misses.

Writer Mark Valadez talks about his journey from the ABC/Disney Fellowship to the comedy medical show “Scrubs" to the dramatic one-hour “Gang Related.”

Amy Brenneman, star of "The Leftovers," "The Practice" and "Judging Amy," talks about character arc, story intention and discovering emotion on the page... even when the character is silent.

Writer / location manager Robert Paulsen joins Pilar and Mike Siegel of “Travel Tales Podcast” to talk about how place becomes character in well-written scripts.

Writer/director Ben Zolno creates story-driven campaigns to make people think differently. Terrific tips on how to get a message out, without being message-heavy.

Bruce Marshall Romans, Writer/Producer for the AMC show “Hell on Wheels” talks about the importance of writing from character and staying grounded in reality.

Interview with Duncan Birmingham, executive producer of “Maron” on IFC.

What are the biggest mistakes writers make? How do you tackle the rewrite? Procrastination? Agents vs. Managers? Corey Mandell and Pilar answer your questions!

Ben Mekler, staff writer at Nerdist Industries, is always joking... and always working.

Roving reporter Ryan Budds interviews speakers, producers and attendees at the 2014 Great American Pitchfest!

Being a fan of Adult Swim got writer/director Casper Kelly "in the building,” and eventually landed him the position of creator for the popular show, “Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell."

Screenwriters Keith Giglio and Juliet Aires Giglio share their secrets about being a successful writing team and successful spouses.

Pilar and guest producer Emma Gahan talk with Alan Fitzpatrick, the Managing Director of “Filmbase,” a national resource centre for filmmakers in Ireland.

U.K. writer/ producer Judy Goldberg discusses her collaborative film projects "Be Heard” and “50 Kisses.”

On the Page’s own Ryan Budds gives 10 Tips for Making It In LA.

Alex Cramer returns to talk about writing a rock biopic and a Disney movie and gives his more seasoned take on The Bottled Water Tour.

Devi Snively, writer and film professor at Notre Dame, explores and examines horror movies from a sociological perspective. http://deviantpictures.com

Hamlet for psychological depth, Macbeth for obsession, Lear for family drama. Jennie Evenson, author of "Shakespeare for Screenwriters," shows us how these characters help us create modern stories with timeless themes.

David Bax and Pilar discuss some of their favorite moments on TV including "biggest shocker" and "best kiss."

Christopher Roach, writer of the Liam Neeson hit movie “Non-Stop,” talks about screenwriting, his roots in reality TV and writing for the WWE.

Pamela Jaye Smith, author of “Show Me The Love! All Kinds of Love for All Kinds of Stories” discusses the different kinds of love that can be found in movies and tv shows.

Writer Matthew Riopelle talks about eight act structure and writing for Lifetime.

Jake Wagner, head of the Management Division of BenderSpink, talks about finding talent and selling screenplays.

Dr. Zach Lutsky talks about what he's learned as a medical consultant and writer for television dramas (E.R., Mob Doctor, Scandal and more).

Jesse Wolfe, writer of Eye Of The Hurricane, director, and film professor at Savannah College of Art and Design says the future of film is all about story.

John Rhodes, founder of ScreenCraft, talks about what he’s learned from working in acquisitions and on films such as Rabbit Hole, Drive and Enders Game.

Gary Mann, Senior VP of Original Programming and Development, talks about the direction, tone, and taste of Comedy Central.

Career Coach Lee Jessup returns to talk about her new book, “Getting It Write: An Insider’s Guide to a Screenwriting Career.”

Corey Mandell returns to talk about the best way to get work and keep working as a Hollywood screenwriter. www.coreymandell.net

That’s right, “The Walking Dead!” Plus, Seth has written for House, Prison Break and more.

Brian Pope and Mike Musa join David Bax and Pilar for their annual discussion of the nominees for best screenplay and best adapted screenplay.

Pilar celebrates Valentine’s Day by answering writing questions from some of the people she loves … her students.

Writer/Producer Liz Tigelaar (Bates Motel, Revenge, Nashville) and actress Shiri Appleby (Girls, E.R., Roswell) talk about how life intersected with fiction on the one-hour drama "Life Unexpected."

Scotty Mullen, writer of Asylum's My Boyfriend is a Zombie Stoner, talks about his hot delicious pizza approach to pitching and writing.

Chad Gervich, Author of How To Manage Your Agent, talks candidly about getting and keeping an agent.

Song writer David Kauffman set out not only to make a film, but to open a film. Here’s his story so far.

Franklin Leonard (founder of the Blacklist) and Madeline Di Nonno (director of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media) discuss “unconscious bias” on screen and in the hiring process.

Nadia Bacon, staff writer on “About a Boy,” talks about comedy, perseverance, and dating as research.

Christy Stratton, Co-EP of "Awkward" and writer on "King of the Hill" talks about the "glamorous" world of tv writing.

Garrett Frawley and Brian Turner, writers of four Christmas specials, return to talk about their work on live and animated shows in 2013.

What goes into a successful crowd-funding campaign? Independent filmmakers Kat Castaneda, Reko Moreno and Gary Allen discuss!

Ignore the echo and prepare to take notes!  Pilar provides tips and tools from her rewrite class to help make your scenes more active and entertaining.

Michael Hitchcock (writer on Glee) and Eddie Alfano (actor/writer) talk about their industry experience and their writing collaboration.

In honor of the great screenwriting teacher Syd Field, we replay his 2011 On the Page episode.

Well, 1/4 page really.  Pilar and Ryan Budds read and evaluate listener submissions with the help of Mike Siegel. 

Well, 1/4 page really.  Pilar and Ryan Budds read and evaluate listener submissions with the help of Mike Siegel.  

Do video game characters have backstories? Could Breaking Bad become a video game? Game writer Susan O'Connor reveals all.

Molly Shannon from Saturday Night LIVE, TV and Movies talks about creating characters.

Gordy Hoffman talks about the Blue Cat Screenplay Competition and about what works on the page.

Screenwriter and TV producer Paul Guyot returns to talk about pitches, meetings and being good in the room.

Writer Russ McGarry talks about his wrestling documentary, writing on Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja (Disney XD), and his podcast.

Writer Tremor Temchin - former agent assistant, writer's assistant and celebrity assistant - shares what he's learned about writing and about the industry. (pardon the echo)

Pilar goes through the structure of 8 different story-telling templates from "Origin Stories" to "Puzzle Movies."  NOTE:  The "echoes" of the new  studio affect the sound quality of this episode.  Apologies in advance. 

Theater fundamentals for screenwriters as discussed by playwright / Film Instructor Steven Wolfson.  Take his advice and audiences won't be tempted to step out for sushi during your second act.

Can a car door protect you from a bullet?  How do you know when a criminal is lying Writers Dave Merlino (former Federal law Enforcement Supervisor) and Dustin Sweet provide answers.

Actor / Writer Pippa Hinchley talks about sketch vs. film and gives tips from her class on writing for the web.

"San Francisco Terisa" crashes Comic-Con and snags interviews with Jane Espenson, Scott Aukerman, Jeffrey Tambor and More!

Writer/producers Bret Calvert and John Ricci Jr. talk about the comedy and drama of Game Shows!

At Comic-Con, roving reporter San Francisco Terisa spends six minutes with Kristen Nedopak talking about the up-coming Geeky Awards.

Third grade super teacher Erica Rood provides writing tips for writers of all ages.

Actor David Rees Snell of "The Shield" and "The Unit" talks about his take on scripts from an actors point of view.

Writer/Producer Troy Devolld, author of "Reality TV: An Insiders Guide to TV's Hottest Market," talks about getting work in the reality show industry.

Jeff Portnoy, Story Editor for Resolution, talks about what he and others look for when reading scripts submitted for representation.

Chellis Ying, writer and marketing executive, discusses the ways that China has become a major film market and an emerging force within the film industry.

Paul Guyot, Feature and TV writer, talks about his recent feature sale to Paramount Pictures and his experience writing for TV shows such as "Leverage" and "Judging Amy."

Producer Kim Zubick (The Zookeeper's Wife; License To Wed: Yours, Mine and Ours), discusses the state of the industry, the different approaches to producing movies of varying budgets, and attaching A-list talent. 

Ruth Atkinson, script consultant, story editor, and advisor to Sundance Institute/Film Independent, discusses the importance of theme and making your movie "about" something.

Carr D'Angelo, movie producer and owner of Earth 2 Comics, discusses the marriage of comics and movies.

Pilar is joined by writer Matt Harris to discuss their new venture … producing the independent feature, "The Starling."

Actor, writer, comedian Johanna Stein talks about writing for tv, web and more.

Roving reporter San Francisco Terisa sits down with Pilar to discuss her experiences at the Tribeca Film Festival and the Silent Film Festival.

What's it like to be a writer in Poland? Writer and festival organizer Agnieszka Kruk provides insight.

Writer/Director Chad Diez talks about creating his award-winning web series, LAPS, on an iPhone.

Writer Caleb Bacon returns to talk about his work on the Vince Vaughn produced show "Sullivan and Son."