Screenwriters' Rant Room - TopPodcast.com

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TV WRITERS LIVE PANEL - ANTHOLOGY IO Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

BONUS EP!

In its inaugural year, Anthology IO Short Film Festival is not holding back any punches. With its premiere event in Los Angeles on March 28th, 2026.

THE TV WRITERS’ HUSTLE: ROOMS, PITCHES & STAFFING

Breaking into television isn’t just about writing a great script — it’s about understanding the hustle behind the scenes. In this candid panel, working TV/Film writers (Hilliard Guess, Tash Gray, Saeed Crumpler and Chris Derrick) pull back the curtain on how the business really works: from developing and pitching shows, to navigating the writers’ room and landing that coveted staff job.

Expect real talk, practical advice, and insider gems on how today’s writers break in, level up, and survive the ever-changing world of television. Whether you’re an emerging writer or a veteran on the grind, this conversation will give you the game you need to move your career forward!

⁠https://www.studioio.la/anthology-io⁠

DETAILS:

Date: Saturday, MARCH 28th, 2026
Venue: Solotech Studios @ The Eastman Kodak Building in Hollywood
Address: 6700 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90038

Limited Parking Accessible at: 1017 N Las Palmas Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

551 SHOWRUNNER - QUINTON PEEPLES Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

🔥In this finale episode of the season🔥 Hilliard and guest co-host writer-director Gregg Simon sat down with Showrunner-creator-director-author QUINTON PEEPLES in a super informative, 2-hour, nothing but game episode for any writer who wants to write and produce network TV.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Getting that first job and keeping it, writing TV movies and thriving through quality, why your interests help you to write your spec pilot, writing genre, pivoting to TV and diversifying, preparing for good to arrive, learning the dynamics of the writers’ room, apprenticing your way to the top and becoming EP/showrunner, the value of a diverse room, staffing your room, show running 11.22.63, rejection and so much more!

About Quinton - Moving easily between the world of indie film and television, Quinton has written multiple features for all the major networks and studios including Fox, NBC, ABC, Disney, Lionsgate and many others. He found his way to directing in 1995 when he shot his original screenplay “JOYRIDE” starring Tobey Maguire and Benicio DelToro. He continues to direct indie features, commercials, and web series, in addition to his writing work.

In 2008 when the WGA strike happened Quinton realized everyone else on the picket line had work friends to march with and he didn’t. That’s when he discovered that television writers collaborate as a team and the lure of that idea was irresistible. He wrote his first television spec pilot which resulted in his staffing on “FLASHFORWARD” at ABC. Transitioning to hour long drama, Quinton has worked on multiple shows as varied as “UNFORGETTABLE”, “THE LAST SHIP”, “11/22/63”, and Marvel’s “RUNAWAYS”. Most recently he was the showrunner on the limited series “ECHOES” for Netflix.

Quinton is also a published author, with essays appearing in “CUT TO THE CHASE: WRITING FEATURE FILMS WITH THE PROS”, “ETERNAL LIVING: REFLECTIONS ON FAITH AND FORMATION”, and the graphic novel, “THE BIG COUNTRY”. His screenplay with Billy Crystal, “HAVE A NICE DAY” was performed live on stage at the Minetta Theater in New York City and is available on Audible as part of their Audible Originals program.

💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.

MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!

⁠⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠⁠

YouTube Shorts & Videos!

⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@Hilliard Guess on social media

IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom

Guests:

@Quintonwrites TikTok

@Gregglsimon

WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:

⁠⁠Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com⁠⁠

Video:

@writerly203

@mohawkdirector

Joshua Kazemi

BTS:

@iamjerryjerome

Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!”

550 - ALONA TAL - STAR ON CROSS Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

🔥In this episode🔥Hilliard sat down with actor, writer, producer, director ALONA TAL - star on the hit series CROSS on Amazon Prime. We talked about all sides of her skills, directing, shadowing, using your instincts, her amazing work on other network TV shows like Fire Country, drawing creativity from your tribe, how she landed the role of Det. Kayla Craig on CROSS, grueling screen tests, the logistics of shooting on location, techniques for memorizing lines, series regular expectations and demands, building relationships with Showrunner Ben Watkins and her cast & crew on CROSS and so much more!

💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.

MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!

⁠⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠⁠

YouTube Shorts & Videos!

⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@Hilliard Guess on all social media

IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom

Guest:

@alonatal

WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:

⁠⁠Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com⁠⁠

ANTHOLOGY I.O. - SHORT FILM FESTIVAL - WRITERS PANEL!

Hilliard Guess, Tash Gray, Saeed Crumpler & Chris Derrick

In its inaugural year, Anthology IO Short Film Festival is not holding back any punches. With its premiere event in Los Angeles on March 28th, 2026.

The premiere event will be at the old Eastman Kodak building at Solotech Studios in Hollywood screening the best of the best films in our festival. Live music from The RIFT, a DJ, a red carpet step-and-repeat, glamour photoshoots, along with food trucks, full bar, local vendors, games, raffle, and so much more!

DOORS OPEN AT 5:30PM. RED CARPET AT 6PM

Tickets are currently available on Eventbrite at the links below.

10% DISCOUNT TICKETS - CODE: RANTROOM10

https://www.studioio.la/anthology-io

Eventbrite Ticket Sales

Partiful Event Post

Anthology IO Festival Site

Film Freeway Site

DETAILS:

Date: Saturday, MARCH 28th, 2026
Venue: Solotech Studios @ The Eastman Kodak Building in Hollywood

Address: 6700 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90038

Limited Parking Accessible at: 1017 N Las Palmas Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Ep Video:

@GreggSimon

@JoshuaKazemi

#screenwritersrantroom #writingtips #screenwritingtips #screenwriters #ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ #blackhollywood #crossonprime

Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!”

BONUS EP - PRODUCING MERMAID FEATURE FILM Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

In this BONUS ep - Hilliard sat down with FIA PERERA writer-director-producer of the new coming-of-age feature film he produced with Ryan Lacen, Janice Bergere and Tyler Musikanth on Cape Cod called MERMAID!

We talked all about producing the film from script-to-screen: development, rewrites, shooting the POC short film first, financing the feature film outside the box, crewing up a diverse crew, casting, using your resources to gain production value, production, post and so much more!

Apple podcasts: https://bit.ly/4ulzqnh

There is so much game and tips for filmmakers dying to make their own feature film with a story that's burning deep inside!

@mermaidfeaturefilm written and directed by Fia Perera @pererapictures is heading to its WORLD PREMIERE at @cinequestorg CINEQUEST Film Festival

🎉Starring @nat_faxon @arturoluizsoria @devyn.mcdowell @marybirdsongofficial @missipyle @tomkiesche @moffatpics @seaangeljenn

THE WORLD NEEDS THIS POSITIVE STORY. NOW MORE THAN EVER! ✨🧜‍♀️ AND WE NEED YOU! 📣🤩

Right now, in this political climate, LGBTQIA rights, especially trans kids and their families are fighting to simply exist @theglobalactivista tells that story —

📍 The iconic Hammer Theatre | Downtown San Jose

📅 Saturday, March 14th | 🕖 7:00 PM

💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.

MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!

⁠⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠⁠

YouTube Shorts & Videos!

⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@Hilliard Guess on all social media

IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom

Guest:

@pererapictures

WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:

⁠⁠Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com⁠⁠

Video:

@JoshuaKazemi

Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!”

549 ADAM DAVENPORT - NAACP NOMINEE Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, writer-producer Hilliard Guess and guest co-host actor-writer-prod-dir Dalila Ali Rajah sit down for an educational conversation (we do talk a bit of politics in this one - FYI), with actor/writer/coach and 2026 NAACP Image Award nominee ADAM DAVENPORT, recognized in the Outstanding Literary Work – Journalism category for his essay examining Audra McDonald’s 2025 Tony Awards performance of “Rose’s Turn.” The piece reframes the performance as a landmark cultural moment - serving as an act of protest, reclamation, and artistic defiance within the lineage of Black women reshaping American performance.

The nomination is a full-circle moment for Davenport, as the NAACP was the first organization to recognize his writing when he was in high school. He can speak to the nomination as well as his broader career as a multidisciplinary artist working across acting, writing, directing, producing, casting, and education.

A Chicago native and Yale graduate, Davenport is a member of SAG-AFTRA, BAFTA, the European Film Academy, and the Recording Academy. His screen work includes Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (Netflix), for which he received a Satellite Award for Best Ensemble alongside multiple critics’ group honors.

In 2020, he founded The International Acting Studio (TIAS), where he coaches actors working at the highest international level. Two performers he coached are current 2026 Czech Lion Award nominees, and his clients have appeared in projects including The Brutalist, Dune: Part Two, The Crown, and numerous network and cable series.

Read the Essay here:

https://www.bronzecommhub.com/blog/audra-mcdonald-took-the-stage-and-rewrote-the-rules

💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.

MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!

⁠⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠⁠

YouTube Shorts & Videos!

⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@Hilliard Guess on all social media

IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom

Guests:

@actingwithadam

@dalilaalirajah

WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:

⁠⁠Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com⁠⁠

Video:

@JoshuaKazemi

#screenwritersrantroom #writingtips #screenwritingtips #screenwriters #ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ #blackhollywood

Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!”

548 - JOHNNY RAY GILL Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host TV/Film writer Saeed Crumpler sit down with actor/writer/director/producer JOHNNY RAY GILL who is currently starring as Bobby Trey on Amazon's hit series CROSS!

We talk about his role on Cross and his incredible relationship with showrunner Ben Watkins, working with the cast and crew, making choices as an actor, writing and directing award-winning films, his new music/art project, the types of films he's passionate about, research and rabbit holes, adding nuance to characters and so much more!

Another don’t miss episode y’all!

Audio: https://bit.ly/4qHUEJb

💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.

MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!

⁠⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠⁠

YouTube Shorts & Videos!

⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@Hilliard Guess on all social media

IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom

Guests:

@johnnyraygill

@balance510

WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:

⁠⁠Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com⁠⁠

Video:

@JoshuaKazemi

BTS:

@iamjerryjerome

#screenwritersrantroom #writingtips #screenwritingtips #screenwriters #ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ #blackhollywood

Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!”

547 - EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - J. DAVID SHANKS Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

In the spirit of GORDON PARK and PAUL ROBESON, J. David Shanks prides himself on being the contemporary renaissance man. He’s a writer, producer, and actor with aspirations of adding to his hyphenated list of industry skill sets, Director for feature films and television series.

David is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. He received his MFA in Producing for Film, Television, and New Media from the world-renowned Peter Stark Producing Program. His writing credits include NBC’s SHADES OF BLUE, FOX Television’s SHOTS FIRED, SHOWTIME’s THE CHI and the critically acclaimed NETFLIX SERIES SEVEN SECONDS where his episode, MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH won the 2019 NAACP IMAGE AWARD for Outstanding Writing in a Television Drama.

Presently, David is working under an overall deal with AMC Network. He is currently the Executive Producer/ Co-Showrunner for the AMC SERIES 61st STREET and EP on CROSS S2 & S3.

Another don’t miss episode y’all!

💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.

MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!

⁠⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠⁠

YouTube Shorts & Videos!

⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@Hilliard Guess on all social media

IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom

Guests:

@Davidshanks

@Dalilaalirajah

WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:

⁠⁠Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com⁠⁠

Video:

@JoshuaKazemi

#screenwritersrantroom #writingtips #screenwritingtips #screenwriters #ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ #blackhollywood

Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!”

546 - GENRE MATTERS Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

In this episode Hilliard sits down in a super informative conversation with writer, producer, author, publisher, manager James “Uncle James” Moorer and TV/Film writer, playwright, actor Lekethia Dalcoe to talk about writing our favorite genres and why, writing hybrid Horror, Sci-fi, Supernatural and Action, why genre is important to us, rules of the world and how they work, themes in genre films and tv and so much more!

Another don’t miss episode y’all!

💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.

MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!

⁠⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠⁠

YouTube Shorts & Videos!

⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@Hilliard Guess on all social media

IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom

Guests:

@onemoorer

@Lekethia.dalcoe

WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:

⁠⁠Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com⁠⁠

Video:

@JoshuaKazemi

Connor Conforti

#screenwritersrantroom #writingtips #screenwritingtips #screenwriters #ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ #blackhollywood

Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!”

OSCARS PICKS, THEMES & MORE Feb 01, 2026

Show notes

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-hosts (award-winning playwright, tv writer, actress) Lekethia Dalcoe and (tv/film writer, actor) Rich Scott sit down for a hilarious conversation talking about “some” of our favorite Oscar picks and why we love them, as well as how we use “theme” in our writing, getting in where we fit in, and so much more!

💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.

MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!

⁠⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠⁠

YouTube Shorts & Videos!

⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@Hilliard Guess

@Hilliardguess.bsky.social

IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom

Guests:

@fatboyfeels

@Lakethia.dalcoe

WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:

⁠⁠Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com⁠⁠

BTS:

Matthew Nicholson

Connor Conforti

#screenwritersrantroom #writingtips #screenwritingtips #screenwriters #ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ

Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!”

MENTORSHIP MATTERS WRITERS PROGRAM Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Hilliard talks to five awesome, diverse, talented TV writers from the popular MENTORSHIP MATTERS WRITERS PROGRAM: Rich Scott, Renee Cunningham, Stephen Nolly, Mahalia Latortue-Pridgett and Joshua B. Kazemi! Tune in and listen to these amazing writers journeys.

HIGHLIGHTS: The current climate in Hollywood and how to maneuver it, writing genre and comedy, how to pitch yourself, the writers' room, the future of Hollywood and so much more.

💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.

MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!

⁠⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠⁠

YouTube Shorts & Videos!

⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@Hilliard Guess

@Hilliardguess.bsky.social

IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom

Guests:

@fatboyfeels

@joshuakazemi

@oldfactoryfilms