Creative Principles

Latest Episodes:

Ep613 - Morgan Neville, Director ‘SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night’ Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

Morgan Neville is an acclaimed director and producer, known for his award-winning documentaries. His film WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? remains one of the highest-grossing and best-reviewed documentaries ever. His recent projects span TV and streaming platforms. His latest project SNL50: BEYOND SATURDAY NIGHT is a four-part docuseries honoring the legacy of SNL, with over 60 contributors, including SNL alumni, and spotlighting some of the show’s most iconic elements. In this interview, we talk about the initial pitch for SNL50, the details of some of the episodes, particularly the writers' episode, his approach to documentary filmmaking, and more. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep612 - Kate Gersten, Writer ‘The Last Showgirl,’ ‘Mozart in the Jungle’ & ‘The Good Place’ Jan 24, 2025

Show notes

Kate Gersten is best known for her work on the Golden Globe winning series MOZART IN THE JUNGLE and the Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated comedy THE GOOD PLACE. Her first feature film, THE LAST SHOWGIRL, based on her play A BODY OF WORK, premiered at TIFF earlier last year and stars Pamela Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Dave Bautista. The film is directed by Gia Coppola. THE LAST SHOWGIRL follows a seasoned showgirl who must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run. In this interview, we talk about her journey as a writer, the adaptation of THE LAST SHOWGIRL from play to film, the process of casting Pamela Anderson as Shelley and her connection to the character, the inspiration for writing about showgirls, and much more. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep611 - Michelle Nader, Showrunner ‘Shifting Gears’ & ‘Deli Boys’ Jan 24, 2025

Show notes

Michelle Nader is a veteran showrunner, writer, and executive producer known for her work in comedy. She serves as showrunner and executive producer of ABC’s upcoming series SHIFTING GEARS, starring Tim Allen and Kat Dennings, marking her first project under an overall deal with 20th Television. Michelle is also the showrunner of DELI BOYS, a Hulu comedy debuting in Spring 2025. Previously, she led 2 BROKE GIRLS and DOLLFACE, making her the first sole female showrunner for a Tim Allen show. In this interview, we talk about the evolution of female roles in sitcoms, the changing trends in comedy, her current and upcoming projects, and much more. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep610 - Pat Casey & Josh Miller, Screenwriters ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ Franchise Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

Pat Casey and Josh Miller first met in junior high detention in Minnesota, forming a creative partnership that began with a local late-night cable variety show and the ultra-low-budget film HEY STOP STABBING ME! Today, they’re best known as the writers of the blockbuster SONIC THE HEDGEHOG franchise for Paramount Pictures, including the latest film, SONIC 3, which introduces Shadow, voiced by Keanu Reeves. In this interview, we talk about the development of their writing partnership, their work on the SONIC THE HEDGEHOG films, the process of writing for Jim Carrey, pop culture references in their work, and much more. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep609 - Jordan Weiss, Writer ‘Sweethearts,’ ‘Harley Quinn’ & ‘Dollface’ Jan 02, 2025

Show notes

Jordan Weiss is the writer behind Hulu’s hit series DOLLFACE, a comedy about female friendships starring Kat Dennings, Brenda Song, Shay Mitchell, and Esther Povitsky. She also penned the script for Disney’s highly anticipated FREAKIER FRIDAY, the sequel to the iconic FREAKY FRIDAY. Jordan’s feature directorial debut, SWEETHEARTS, a coming-of-age comedy starring Kiernan Shipka and Nico Hiraga, follows two college freshmen who pull a "Turkey Dump" and break up with their high school sweethearts over "Drunksgiving" - the one chaotic night before Thanksgiving in their hometown that puts their codependent friendship to the test. In this interview, we talk about her experience working for Greg Daniels, landing her first staff writing job on HARLEY QUINN, developing and selling DOLLFACE, crafting unique and attention-grabbing writing samples, and her latest film SWEETHEARTS. As a special note, this was part of our new LIVE interview series in partnership with Buzztown, a community for serious screenwriters, where students also participated in this interview. You can learn more or join the waitlist here: forms.gle/RNaoVrdU9afWpykWA If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep608 - Morgan Sackett, Producer ‘A Man on the Inside,’ ‘The Good Place’ & ‘Parks and Recreation’ Jan 01, 2025

Show notes

Morgan Sackett is an accomplished television and film producer known for his work on critically acclaimed and beloved comedies such as PARKS AND RECREATION, THE GOOD PLACE, and VEEP. His projects have garnered multiple Emmy Awards and nominations, solidifying his reputation as a powerhouse in the entertainment industry. His latest show, A MAN ON THE INSIDE, follows Charles, a retired man, who gets a new lease on life when he answers an ad from a private investigator and becomes a mole in a secret investigation in a nursing home. In this interview, we talk about his career path and transition to producing, the shift from traditional network television to streaming, his newest show A MAN ON THE INSIDE, and advice for aspiring producers. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep607 - Bruce Campbell, Actor ‘HYSTERIA!,’ ‘The Evil Dead’ & ‘Ash vs. Evil Dead’ Dec 27, 2024

Show notes

Bruce Campbell is an actor and producer widely celebrated for his role as Ash Williams in the cult-classic EVIL DEAD film series and the hit TV show ASH VS. EVIL DEAD. Renowned for his charismatic performances and deadpan humor, Campbell has become an icon in the horror and sci-fi genres. His latest show, HYSTERIA!, follows a struggling high school heavy metal band of outcasts who use the town's sudden interest in the occult to start a reputation as a Satanic metal band, until a strange series of events triggers a witch hunt that leads back to them. In this interview, we talk about the early days of EVIL DEAD, the importance of collaboration between actors and writers, the dangers of excessive studio interference, the value of producing your own work, and much more. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep606 - Blake Crouch, Novelist & Screenwriter ‘Dark Matter,’ ‘Recursion’ & ‘Upgrade’ Dec 26, 2024

Show notes

Blake is a bestselling novelist and screenwriter. He is the author of a dozen novels, most recently, DARK MATTER, RECURSION, and UPGRADE, for which he is also writing the movie for Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners. His international bestselling WAYWARD PINES trilogy was adapted into a television series for FOX and his novel, RECURSION, is currently being developed as a Netflix series by Shonda Rhimes and Matt Reeves. The nine-episode adaptation of his novel DARK MATTER follows a man who’s abducted into an alternate version of his life. Amid the mind-bending landscape of lives he could've lived, he embarks on a harrowing journey to get back to his true family and save them from a terrifying foe: himself. In this interview, we talk about his early career break into screenwriting with WAYWARD PINES, the challenges and benefits of writer's rooms, the role of showrunners, his series DARK MATTER, and much more. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep605 - Halina Reijn, Writer and Director ‘Babygirl’ & ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ Dec 25, 2024

Show notes

Halina Reijn is a writer, director, and actress known for her debut feature INSTINCT and the Gen-Z horror-comedy BODIES BODIES BODIES (A24), which earned her a Film Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Director. Her latest film, BABYGIRL (A24), set to release on December 25th, premiered at the 2024 Venice Film Festival to widespread acclaim. The film, an original erotic thriller, follows Nicole Kidman as a high-powered CEO who puts her career and family on the line when she begins a torrid affair with her much younger intern. In this interview, we talk about her unconventional upbringing, her early writing and acting career, the inspiration and themes behind BABYGIRL, working with Nicole Kidman, the influence of theater on her screenwriting and directing, and much more. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

Ep604 - J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, Showrunners ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Dec 19, 2024

Show notes

J.D. Payne & Patrick McKay have been writing together for nearly 25 years, collaborating on over 20 screenplays, including STAR TREK BEYOND for J.J. Abrams, JUNGLE CRUISE for Disney, and their 2017 Blacklist script ESCAPE. In season two of their show, THE RINGS OF POWER, Sauron has returned. Cast out by Galadriel, without army or ally, the rising Dark Lord must now rely on his own cunning to rebuild his strength and oversee the creation of the Rings of Power, which will allow him to bind all the peoples of Middle-earth to his sinister will. Building on season one’s epic scope and ambition, the new season plunges even its most beloved and vulnerable characters into a rising tide of darkness, challenging each to find their place in a world that is increasingly on the brink of calamity. In this interview, we talk about their collaborative partnership, the process of pitching the LORD OF THE RINGS series, their approach to adapting Tolkien's work, and balancing the needs of both die-hard fans and new viewers. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

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