The Writers Hangout

Latest Episodes:

Happy Halloween With A Recap of The Ghost And Mr. Chicken Ft. Screenwriter Mark Steen Oct 29, 2023

Show notes

Happy Halloween!!
Hang out with Sandy, Terry, and special guest screenwriter Mark Steen as they recap "Ghost and Mr. Chicken," starring Don Knotts from "The Andy Griffith Show" fame.

Directed by Alan Rafkin and written by James Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" is about a timid typesetter who hasn't a ghost of a chance of becoming a reporter - until he decides to solve a murder mystery and ends up spending a fright-filled night in a haunted house.

You don't need to watch the movie to enjoy the show, but we encourage you to do so since it's a fun movie that the whole family can enjoy.
The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Creator/Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.
📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment, please get in touch with us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com
You can follow us on Twitter @pageawards.com and Facebook @pageawards

How Writers Find Their Agents And Managers Oct 22, 2023

Show notes

Thanks for hanging out with us!
In this episode, Sandy and Terry discuss a Twitter thread that provides valuable insights into how signed writers found their representation—special thanks to Tyler Clair Smith, the writer on X who inspired this episode. Follow Tyler Clair Smith @tclairsmith - we certainly did!
In this episode, we discuss helpful internet programs for screenwriters. The Writers’ Hangout Podcast did not receive payment for our opinion.
The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Creator/Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

Terry's Love Of The Marx Brothers And The Art Of Improvisation Oct 15, 2023

Show notes

We discuss Terry’s love of The Marx Brothers and his appreciation of improvisation. The Marx Brothers were a famous comedy act that succeeded in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in 14 motion pictures between 1905 and 1949. The American Film Institute selected five of the Marx Brothers' fourteen feature films as among the top 100 comedy films. Critics, scholars, and fans widely regard the Marx Brothers as some of the greatest and most influential comedians of the 20th century. They perfected the art of improvisation during their time, making their comedy timeless and unforgettable to Terry and the world.

Research for this episode includes:
20 Famous Movie Scenes That Were Actually Completely Improvised by Thomas Delatte for thethings.com/famous-movie-scenes-actually-completely-improvised/#jar-of-dirt-pirates-of-the-caribbean
Wikipedia
IMDB
editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/marx-brothers/
The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Creator/Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

How Mike White Came Up With The Idea For School Of Rock 20 Years Later Oct 08, 2023

Show notes

Hang out with Sandy and Terry in their discussion about the 20th anniversary of School of Rock and the process of generating creative ideas when a screenwriter begins to write a movie. We find the process intriguing - from when an idea strikes the writer, often while in the shower, to how they shape it based on their life experiences.

Research for this episode included:
One Great Rock Movie Can Change the World: An Oral History of ‘School of Rock’ written by Angie Martoccio rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/school-of-rock-anniversary-oral-history-jack-black-1234822127/
How a Script for a Friend Turned into a Cross-platform Classic written by Nicole Bitette paramount.com/news/content-and-experiences/school-of-rock-oral-history
Wikipedia, and IMBD.
The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Creator/Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

What Is S.A.D. And Why Writers Should Spend Winter in Lithuania Oct 01, 2023

Show notes

Hang out with Sandy and Terry as they discuss what is going on with the writer's strike, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and writing in winter in Vilnius.
Research for this episode relied heavily on the NIH National Institute of Mental Health.

nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder

Other resources:

thealaskafrontier.com/do-you-get-paid-to-live-in-alaska/#:~:text=Since%201982%20every%20qualified%20Alaskan,it%20sustainably%20for%20the%20future.

vox.com/culture/2023/9/24/23888673/wga-strike-end-sag-aftra-contract

If you are distressed or thinking about hurting yourself, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You also can text the Crisis Text Line (HELLO to 741741) or use the Lifeline Chat on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website.
The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Creator/Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

Hey Writers What's The Big Idea Sep 24, 2023

Show notes

Hang out with Sandy and Terry as they discuss the "big idea" - a high-concept premise that can persuade studio executives to read your script and turn it into a movie. Terry shares his opinion on the best pizza in the San Fernando Valley, while Sandy gets serious about New York bagels.

The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Creator/Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

Harassed And Pitching A Humanitas Prize Nominated Script Sep 16, 2023

Show notes

Sandy and Terry hang out and discuss Sandy being sexually harassed and bullied but still pitching a Humanitas Prize-nominated idea to Disney/ABC/ RECESS with her former writing partner.
👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.
📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment, please get in touch with us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com
You can follow us on Twitter @pageawards.com and Facebook @pageawards

Hollywood Then and Now With John Wirth and Gail Matthius Pt. 2 Sep 10, 2023

Show notes

Hang out with our guests, John Wirth and Gail Matthius, a Hollywood couple who met in high school, fell in love and moved to Hollywood to pursue their dreams.
Gail was a cast member on Saturday Night Live in 1981 and is known for her voice acting work in animated shows, including Bobby's World, Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs, and The Tick.

John Wirth is a television showrunner, producer, and writer. His credits included HELL ON WHEELS, WU ASSASSINS, TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, and NASH BRIDGES.

In part one, Gail and John discuss the early days and their willingness to work hard to succeed. In this episode, we focus on the difference between the time when Gail and John were struggling versus today in 2023, when, unfortunately, actors and writers have to strike for decent wages and protection from artificial intelligence.

Hollywood Then And Now With John Wirth and Gail Matthius Pt. 1 Sep 03, 2023

Show notes

Hang out with our guests, John Wirth and Gail Matthius, a Hollywood couple who met in high school. Gail was a cast member on Saturday Night Live in 1981 and is known for her voice acting work in animated shows, including Bobby's World, Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs, and The Tick.

John Wirth is a television showrunner, producer, and writer. His credits included HELL ON WHEELS, WU ASSASSINS, TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, and NASH BRIDGES.

In part one of this two-part episode, Gail and John discuss the early days and their willingness to work hard to succeed in show business. In part two, we'll focus on the difference between when Gail and John struggled and in 2023, when actors and writers must strike for decent wages and protection from artificial intelligence.
👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.
📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment, please get in touch with us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com
You can follow us on Twitter @pageawards.com and Facebook @pageawards

How To Procrastinate Like A Successful Screenwriter Aug 27, 2023

Show notes

Hang out with Sandy and Terry as they talk procrastination with a capital P! Everyone deals with it, but how do you stop procrastination? Then, once you do, what do you write your screenplay about? You have three great ideas, but which one do you write? We address this in the latest episode and have a few laughs.

Research for this episode includes articles from the following publications.
“Leonardo da Vinci” by Walter Isaacson

proactivitylab.com/the-7-most-famous-procrastinators/

johnaugust.com/2009/which-project-should-i-write

https://screenwritingfromiowa.wordpress.com/2011/08/07/pages-per-day/https://www.pcma.org/the-upside-of-procrastination/

https://solvingprocrastination.com/famous-procrastinators/#:~:text=Below%2C%20you%20will%20find%20a,Victor%20Hugo%2C%20and%20Steve%20Jobs
👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.
📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment, please get in touch with us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com
You can follow us on Twitter @pageawards.com and Facebook @pageawards

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