Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson are the creators, showrunners, writers, and executive producers of the hit Showtime drama series, YELLOWJACKETS. YELLOWJACKETS, equal parts survival epic, psychological horror story and coming-of-age drama, is the saga of a team of wildly talented high school girls soccer players who become the (un)lucky survivors of …

Freddy Macdonald is a Student Academy Award winner and the youngest Directing Fellow ever accepted to the AFI Conservatory. Freddy’s AFI admission film, SEW TORN, was acquired by Searchlight Pictures, and it received an Oscar-qualifying theatrical release nationwide alongside READY OR NOT. SEW TORN follows a seamstress who gets tangled in her own t…

Jonathan Tropper is an American novelist, screenwriter, and producer. He is the internationally best-selling author of six novels that have been translated into over thirty languages.Most recently, he created the Apple TV+ Series YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, which follows a hedge fund manager who resorts to burglary after losing his job, targeting w…

Luke Barnett is an actor, writer, and filmmaker. On the acting front, Luke recently wrapped season 5 of AppleTV+'s critically acclaimed sci-fi drama FOR ALL MANKIND, where he recurs as suit supervisor Mike Shaw (we also spoke with the creators of this series back in Episode 363.)This year, his short film THE CROSSING OVER EXPRESS, which he wrote, d…

Jon Shaivitz is an LA-based writer and director. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2009, he's earned recognition in prestigious competitions such as the Academy Nicholl Fellowship (Top 50), StoryPros (Runner-Up), and the Atlanta Screenplay Awards (Best Feature).His work has led to multiple script options, industry collaborations, and a growing reputat…

Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield are the dynamic duo behind the highly anticipated Netflix comedy series THE FOUR SEASONS, a show they co-created with Tina Fey, inspired by the classic 1981 film. Fisher previously co-created the hit NEVER HAVE I EVER and wrote for BROOKLYN NINE-NINE and THE MINDY PROJECT, and Wigfield created SAVED BY THE BELL, GREA…

Katie Robbins and Sarah Sutherland are the showrunners of Hulu's highly anticipated limited series, GOOD AMERICAN FAMILY, starring Ellen Pompeo and Mark Duplass.The series follows a Midwestern couple who adopts what they believe is a little girl with dwarfism as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, falling into a battl…

NYU roommates Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, established a working partnership through their love for genre films. Their filmography includes the thrillers BODY, THE STAKELANDER, and the critically acclaimed VILLAINS, starring Bill Skarsgård and Maika Monroe. They continued their success with SIGNIFICANT OTHER and their newest action-comedy film NOVOCA…

Ian Seabrook is a highly acclaimed Director of Photography, celebrated for his mastery of underwater cinematography. His recent work includes lensing both underwater and main unit photography for the upcoming thriller LAST BREATH starring Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, and Finn Cole.Seabrook's extensive filmography features blockbuster hits like INDIAN…

Andy Bobrow is a seasoned TV comedy writer with over two decades of experience on hit network shows like MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE, COMMUNITY, and BROOKLYN NINE-NINE. He also served as Executive Producer and Co-Showrunner for Fox’s LAST MAN ON EARTH and currently writes for Fox’s KRAPOPOLIS.Guy Goldstein bridges screenwriting and technology, renowned f…

David Carson is a counter-intuitive thinker and creative problem-solver with a knack for uncovering genius where others see nonsense. Known for transforming unconventional ideas into groundbreaking solutions, he has helped global brands like American Express, Nike, Coca-Cola, and IKEA build human connections, captivate audiences, and redefine what’…

Mark Dent is a senior writer and editor at The Hustle, where he writes feature stories about business and the economy. Mark's work has also appeared in outlets like the New York Times and Wired. He's the author of KINGDOM QUARTERBACK, a book about Patrick Mahomes and the fall and rise of midwest cities.In this interview, we talk about his early car…

Dito Montiel went from punk rocker to briefly a boxer, then a Versace/Calvin Klein model. His band Gutterboy signed a record deal with Geffen, followed by a period of homelessness. He rebounded by writing A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS, which became a film starring Robert Downey Jr., launching his directing career.His latest film, RIFF RAFF, fo…

Nikki Toscano is a showrunner, executive producer, and director. She co-created and runs Peacock's LONG BRIGHT RIVER starring Amanda Seyfried, and was showrunner on Paramount+'s THE OFFER and Amazon's HUNTERS. With an extensive track record, including overall deals at major studios and credits on numerous acclaimed series, Toscano is a proven force…

J.J. Bailey is the creator, executive producer and co-showrunner on the NBC drama THE HUNTING PARTY. Since 2017, he has developed several projects with UTV/NBC, which include two pilot orders for ECHO and GETAWAY. Now working under an overall deal with NBCUniversal, Bailey has his first series order with THE HUNTING PARTY.Jake Coburn also serves as…

Ike Barinholtz is an acclaimed comedic actor, writer, and producer. He's known for his work on shows like THE MINDY PROJECT, NEIGHBORS, BLOCKERS, and HISTORY OF THE WORLD, PART II. David Stassen is a writer, producer, and director. He co-created and runs Netflix's RUNNING POINT starring Kate Hudson. He also co-wrote and produced Hulu's HISTORY OF T…

Pietro Schito is an animation screenwriter and producer who turns ideas into animated adventures and helps development teams unravel their story problems. He has worked with major studios and helped storytellers coming from Pixar, Netflix, Disney, and Dreamworks develop their own projects. Some of his credits include THINGDOM, THE PIANO, and INZOMN…

Martin Campbell is a filmmaker known for directing two acclaimed James Bond films, GOLDENEYE and CASINO ROYALE. He gained recognition in British television with REILLY: ACE OF SPIES and the BAFTA-winning EDGE OF DARKNESS. His Hollywood career includes hits like THE MASK OF ZORRO and VERTICAL LIMIT. Renowned for his dynamic action sequences and abil…

Andrew Buss has carved out a niche for himself as a pop culture expert, with a heavy emphasis on comedy. He has written for publications like Vanity Fair, New York Magazine’s Vulture, The Daily Beast, Consequence of Sound, and The Laugh Button, where he served as editor for five years.As a journalist, Andrew has conducted interviews with some of th…

Lol Crawley is a cinematographer known for his work on films such as THE BRUTALIST, WHITE NOISE, and 45 YEARS; and he is particularly recognized for his frequent collaborations with director Brady Corbet.His most recent work, THE BRUTALIST, follows a visionary architect and his wife who fled post-war Europe in 1947 to rebuild their legacy and witne…

Jarin Blaschke is an acclaimed cinematographer best known for his work with director Robert Eggers. His striking, atmospheric visuals define films like THE WITCH, THE NORTHMAN, and THE LIGHTHOUSE which earned him an Academy Award nomination.His latest work NOSFERATU, follows a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifyin…

Philip Gelatt is a writer, director, and producer best known for his contribution to Netflix’s animated anthology LOVE, DEATH & ROBOTS.His most recent work, FIRST WORD ON HORROR, featuring Stephen Graham Jones, Paul Tremblay, Elizabeth Hand, Laird Barron, and Mariana Enriquez, is a fifteen-part documentary series that profiles five of the finest ho…

Drew Hancock's debut feature film, COMPANION, a dark and twisted tale of romance gone awry, stars Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid and marks Hancock's rise as a filmmaker.After college, Hancock gained experience in production before thriving at Channel 101, creating shows like CAUTIONARY TALES OF SWORDS and acting in YACHT ROCK. Determined to transit…

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 legac…

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 dir…

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 c…

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,…

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 co…

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 TH…

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 …

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 currentl…

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.…

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 Da…

James Mangold is an Oscar-nominated writer-director known for film like GIRL INTERRUPTED, WALK THE LINE, LOGAN, COP LAND, and FORD V FERRARI — the latter earning a Best Picture Oscar nomination.Most recently, Mangold directed A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, where at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, a young Bob Dylan shook up his act on the folk music scene b…

Jon Spaihts is a screenwriter known for his work in the sci-fi and fantasy genres. He gained visibility with his script for PROMETHEUS, a prequel to the Alien series directed by Ridley Scott. Spaihts also co-wrote DOCTOR STRANGE, introducing Marvel audiences to the mystical side of the MCU, and contributed to the screenplay for DUNE, Denis Villeneu…

Jack Huston has established himself as a versatile talent in film, television, and theater, excelling both in front of and behind the camera. He’s been in shows and films like BEN-HUR, BOARDWALK EMPIRE, and AMERICAN HUSTLE. His directorial debut, DAY OF THE FIGHT, which he also wrote and co-produced, stars Michael Pitt, Ron Perlman, Steve Buscemi, …

As Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney, Duncan and his team helped Imagineering, Lucasfilm, Marvel, Pixar, and Disney Parks to innovate, creating magical new storylines and experiences.He now brings his extensive Disney expertise to audiences around the world using a unique approach to Design Thinking, helping people capture unlikely connec…

Laura Eason is a producer, screenwriter, and playwright. She most recently served as showrunner and executive producer of the new STARZ drama series THREE WOMEN. Her writing and producing credits for TV include the Showtime drama THE LOUDEST VOICE and four seasons of Netflix's five-time Emmy-nominated best drama series HOUSE OF CARDS. Her latest wo…

Colin Jeffrey is the Chief Creative Officer of Doner and Co-Founder of Wolfgang. Under his leadership, Doner was named an Ad Age A-List Standout Agency in 2023. At Wolfgang, Colin has created acclaimed campaigns for brands like Adidas, Panda Express, and NBCUniversal. Recognized as one of the most creative minds in advertising, Colin has appeared o…

Michael Costigan is a film and television producer based in Los Angeles. He is a partner at Aggregate Films, a production company he founded with Jason Bateman which creates film, television, documentary, and unscripted programming across all platforms. In this interview, we talk about the development process of BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, challenges and o…

Sean McBride is the Chief Creative Officer of Arnold Worldwide, a globally recognized creative agency. He is the creative guru behind our favorite progressive commercials starring Flo and Dr. Rick.Sean’s work has been repeatedly recognized by every major advertising award show there is, including Cannes, D&AD, One Show, Communication Arts, Clio, Ne…

Mark Sanderson is a screenwriter, author, script consultant, and lecturer. His career spans sketch comedy, writing for MTV, and over two dozen screenwriting assignments, including 17 produced films with worldwide distribution.Mark’s films have premiered on networks like Lifetime, SyFy, Fox, and HBO Canada, and stream on platforms like Tubi, Amazon,…

Joshua Zetumer serves as the showrunner, executive producer, and head writer of FX’s SAY NOTHING, an adaptation of the New York Times best-selling and National Book Critics Circle Award for Non-Fiction winning book SAY NOTHING: A TRUE STORY OF MURDER AND MEMORY IN NORTHERN IRELAND by Patrick Radden Keefe. Zetumer has also written on a number of glo…

Ellie leads the creative team at GLOW, working with high-profile entertainment clients such as Warner Brothers, HBO Max, Paramount+, Showtime, NBA, The Roku Channel, and more. She's also worked as Global Creative Manager at Netflix working on original projects including documentaries, unscripted, comedy, and kids and family content.She created camp…

"We wrote spec scripts. We sat in a Borders bookstore with an out-of-date agent directory and wrote query letters," says Alison Schapker, remembering her earliest days trying to break into television. "It couldn't have been more cold calling than what we were doing."Alison Schapker is a television writer and producer who has worked on genre-definin…

Douglas Vigliotti is the author of four books, including ARISTOTLE FOR NOVELISTS and TOM COLLINS: A ‘SLIGHTLY CROOKED’ NOVEL.In his latest book, ARISTOTLE FOR NOVELISTS, Douglas Vigliotti shows you exactly how to write a novel using the tried-and-true principles that have been used since antiquity to tell great stories. These timeless principles ar…

Dallas Jenkins is the creator, producer, director, and writer of the international hit series THE CHOSEN. He launched his career producing the independent feature HOMETOWN LEGEND at the age of 25 and shepherded it to distribution by Warner Brothers. In the nearly 20 years since then, he has directed and produced over a dozen feature and short films…

Dean Devlin has produced and co-written some of the most successful feature films of all time: INDEPENDENCE DAY, STARGATE, and GODZILLA which collectively grossed more than 1.4 billion dollars worldwide.Jonathan Glassner is a seasoned television writer, producer, and director best known for his work on science fiction and drama series. He is widely…

“I was really into THE BATMAN,” says Zobel. “So much so that I had reached out to him after I'd seen it. I had happened to have been on an email chain with him from years prior about another kind of movie thing, and so I had his email and I just reached out.”Craig Zobel is a director, producer, and screenwriter best known for directing episodes of …

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo stars in the Netflix series THE LINCOLN LAWYER. He will next be seen starring as the title character in PEDRO PARAMO, the directorial debut of Rodrigo Prieto based on the iconic book by Juan Rulfo, and was recently cast in a lead role in JURASSIC WORLD 4 opposite Scarlett Johansson.In THE LINCOLN LAWYER, Manuel plays lawyer Mick…