Episodes
Filmmaker and host of the No Film School podcast joins the show to talk about shooting her first feature on a shoestring budget, seizing opportunity, and giving yourself permission to rest as a creative.
Published 10/30/24
Want to sell your TV pilot? In this episode, I walk screenwriters through the importance of establishing trust with executives, creating an interesting and specific world, incorporating clear conflicts that drive story, and ensuring clarity and conciseness in the pitch. I also share personal experiences and examples from popular shows to illustrate her points, providing valuable insights for aspiring writers.
Published 10/23/24
Head Writer of HBO's A Black Lady Sketch Show, Lauren Ashley Smith, joins the latest episode of The Werking Writer Podcast.
Published 08/14/24
Kerry Coddett discusses her diverse creative pursuits, maintaining control of your creative work and career, and the importance of staying true to oneself.
Published 06/12/24
Emmy-nominated writer Kristen Bartlett (SNL, Full Frontal w/ Samantha Bee), shares her journey from growing up in North Carolina to breaking into the comedy industry.
Published 05/29/24
Francesca Ramsey (Chescaleigh) joins the show to talk about the unexpected paths her career has taken and the importance of being open to new opportunities.
Published 05/08/24
Dahéli Hall discusses her journey in the entertainment industry from acting to writing and producing. She shares how she initially struggled with being put in a box and the pressure to conform to industry expectations.
Published 04/17/24
Writer and improviser Brandon Gardner shares his journey from having no writing credits to becoming the showrunner of the new Peacock comedy 'In the Know'. He discusses working with Mike Judge and Zach Woods, writing for animation, and the dynamics of the writer's room. Brandon reflects on the response to the show and the challenges of a niche audience. He also shares his thoughts on uncertainty in the creative industry and offers advice to the creative community.
Published 04/10/24
Actor, writer, and director, Jerah Milligan (Astronomy Club, Black Mirror, Desus & Mero) discusses his journey from DC to Hollywood, the impact of the writers' strike, and the struggles and personal failures he has faced in the industry as a Black man.
Published 04/03/24
Yola Jean Lu, a comedian and filmmaker, joins the podcast to discuss her journey in comedy and how she's dealt with pain, heartbreak, and the desire to make her parents proud along the way. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses sensitive topics.
Published 03/27/24
In this conversation, Megan Ross provides insights into the process of making short films, including raising funds and managing budgets. She explores the struggles of calling herself a writer and the rewards of pursuing one's artistic vision. She shares lessons from fellowships and programs, highlighting the importance of making the most of the opportunities and valuing relationships within cohorts. Meghan discusses the impact of the industry recession and the shift to indie filmmaking.
Published 03/20/24
M. Dickson (Hoops, Enchanted, How I Met Your Father) discusses the challenges and uncertainties of working in an unstable industry and the importance of taking action and staying motivated.
Published 03/13/24
Grand Crew showrunner Phil Augusta Jackson joins the show to discuss his journey from marketing to comedy and TV.
Published 03/06/24
Tara Schuster, a former Comedy Central exec who oversaw 'Key & Peele' and '@Midnight', shares her journey from the corporate world to becoming a bestselling author.
Published 02/28/24
Standup Comedian Tanael Joachim (TJ) joins the show to talk about his viral Don't Tell comedy set that led to getting verified on Instagram, his journey to America from Haiti, his transition to stand-up comedy, and his romantic view of the art form. We also discuss the viral Katt Williams interview on Club Shay Shay, debate the merits of Black Hollywood's grievances, and whether or not the Illuminati is real.
Published 02/21/24
Rekha Shankar (Grand Crew, Animaniacs) joins the podcast to talk about the importance of making mistakes, the impact of streaming on creatives in the entertainment industry, and what it was like to run College Humor.
Published 02/14/24
Jordan Temple discusses his background, journey into writing, and experiences in successful writers rooms. He also shares insights into the Atlanta writers room and the creative process behind the show, and reflects on the importance of creating your own work.
Published 02/07/24
NAACP Image Award nominated writer and standup comedian Rochée Jeffrey joins the show and discusses her transition into standup comedy, the challenges and benefits of directing a narrative podcast, and the importance of understanding the business side of writing. She shares her strategies for self-motivation and getting things done, as well as her approach to preparing for job interviews. Rochée also highlights the changing landscape of media and the need for marginalized voices to find...
Published 01/31/24
Writer and podcast host, Jamie Loftus, joins the show to talk about how scrappiness has helped her make a living as a writer and how she wrote her first book.
Published 01/24/24
Charla sits down with writer and Werking Writer School alumni Nicole "NK" Kelly to talk about her journey to becoming a working writer. After experiencing an ego death, Nicole found that it not only changed the way she approached her work, but also her life.
Published 01/17/24
In this episode, Charla dives into how screenwriters can land a Hollywood agent or manager and break into TV Writing.
Published 12/06/23
Dan Goor (Co-creator of 'Brooklyn 99'), wanted to be a scientist, a clown, and has applied and been accepted to law school. But, he found that focusing on writing was what really led to his success. Although he's had lots of ups and downs, Dan doesn't deny that he's been incredibly lucky in his career. He says that sticking to one thing may not be the right move for everyone, but he says for himself, that focusing on doing one thing well is what allowed him to be the mega-producer he is today.
Published 11/15/23
Writer/Comedian Jo Firestone grew up in St. Louis, Missouri to Jewish parents. Her credits include Ziwe, Joe Pera Talks With You, Shrill, and others.
Published 10/18/23
David Phillips is a rare LA native who’s written for Brooklyn 99, Rick & Morty, Grand Crew, and more. In this episode we talk about how David grew up in LA, running a room for the first time, and developing a funny script idea.
Published 10/04/23