Tue, 10 June 2008 Ageism? Sexism? Racism? That's the big listener mail topic this time. There's more mail, of course, and the inevitable career update (hint: we're being flown to Seattle! Woo-hoo!) Comments[8] |
Thu, 15 May 2008 That's a good time for things to happen in a screenplay. In real life, though, it's a good time to do a podcast. While we're waiting for, well, anything to happen, we do a quick career check-in and answer MORE listener mail. Comments[17] |
Thu, 17 April 2008 That's what they call it when you're up for a staff job... ...but they haven't called your name yet. A little career update and lots of listener Q&A, including our thoughts on videogame writing. Comments[6] |
Tue, 1 April 2008 Three years of podcasting, forty shows in the can... and finally, we listen to our audience. This episode: listener mail, and some overview on what we've learned so far. Comments[9] |
Mon, 11 February 2008 At long last, the WGA strike is over. What does it mean for the future of Hollywood? More importantly, what does it mean for us? Comments[26] |
Thu, 10 January 2008 TV is in BIG trouble. We applied for a WGA program to train future showrunners -- and damned if they didn't accept us... Comments[16] |
Sun, 16 December 2007 The WGA strike is all about the Internet... Why? Because it's the future -- for all of us. An inside take on what's going on and our thoughts about where Hollywood is heading. Get ready: everything you know is about to change. Comments[21] |
Tue, 4 December 2007 Still walking and waiting... An update from the picket lines, some thoughts on the latest contract offer, Sam's mom is finally impressed, and a shout out for help on our new projects. Comments[9] |
Tue, 6 November 2007 The second installment of our strike series. The deadline passed. Now we're on the picket lines. The latest updates, and why you shouldn't even think about scab work. Comments[22] |
Tue, 23 October 2007 The Stephen King pilot is turned in... ...just in time for a strike. What it all looks like through the smoke as California burns... Comments[7] |
Tue, 18 September 2007 ...You might get another podcast Or, in our case, find yourself pondering more career options than you ever expected. Each with complications you never anticipated, too. PS: in big bold letters, let us say here and now, WE'RE SORRY it took so freakin' long to get this episode made. As we'll explain, we've been, well, kinda busy. Comments[16] |
Wed, 21 March 2007 A nice place to visit... ...which is good, cause we sorta live there. Further reflections on this whole "being on staff" experience as we write our first episode of The Dead Zone and prepare to send it into production. Comments[56] |
Sun, 21 January 2007 Finally! Reflections on finally getting to the place we set out to reach so long ago: the writers' room. Comments[15] |
Fri, 15 December 2006 Our journey enters a new phase... ...or so we hope. This is a big (and much-delayed) update on developments in our career -- and our personal battles with our own hearts and minds. Comments[16] |
Fri, 27 October 2006 Do you need one? Of course. But when? And why? Just what DO they do? Comments[1] |
Wed, 4 October 2006 His book sold a million copies... but can we sell one TV show based on it? Months of hard work are put to the test as we start making the rounds to the networks. Comments[9] |
Thu, 24 August 2006 Moving your story to the next level... it ain't easy, but it has to be done. We've got a few thougths for you that might help, and, as always, a career update. Comments[13] |
Thu, 10 August 2006 Perseverance is the key... ...to getting through the door in Hollywood, despite the rejections. But getting in isn't the end: you still have to find inner strength to push ahead. We talk about some books and experiences with this struggle, and share our own tips. Comments[10] |
Wed, 7 June 2006 Talk is cheap... but getting people to listen means investing in your idea. You need to take your time, groom your message and learn to spend your words wisely. For TV, film or even a podcast, the pitch is crucial. Comments[23] |
Sat, 27 May 2006 Yes, it's "A Very Special Episode." No, Sam hasn't gone suicidal on us. But instead of talking Hollywood, we're asking for your help. We're plotting a new podcast with skits and song -- hell, it might even be funny. Comments[36] |
Fri, 19 May 2006 ...and Jim is Half Full We wish we were talking about a glass, not our uncertain job prospects. It's staffing season in Hollywood, and there's lots of jobs out there -- or not many at all. It all depends on how you look at it (and just what's in that glass you're drinking). Comments[11] |
Wed, 12 April 2006 Friday April 7th From a big studio meeting to our first gig on a panel of experts, it was one helluva ride... Comments[15] |
Wed, 29 March 2006 Is the whole idea a contradiction? Can you trust anyone out here, or is jaded cynicism all there is? Comments[6] |
Wed, 15 March 2006 It's showtime After all these years, we've finally got the whole package for the first time. We've written our scripts. We have our team in place. Staffing season is coming... Comments[5] |
Thu, 16 February 2006 Or are you just deluded? How can you tell? We risked it all to come to Hollywood -- but was that really a smart move? Is facing an American Idol style train wreck the only way to find out? Comments[7] |
Mon, 6 February 2006 Reality TV messed up our career ...but became a full-time gig for our friend Dan. So what's it like writing shows that "don't have writers?" And just how fascinating are those celebrities, anyway? Listen up, he'll tell you. Comments[8] |
Wed, 1 February 2006 The verdict is in... ...But what is it? And what have we been sentenced to? Comments[4] |
Mon, 23 January 2006 Is our pilot dead? Or will the ABC grant clemency? What do we write next? Where does our next paycheck come from? How will we clothe our children? What's for lunch? So many questions hang unresolved... Comments[9] |
Thu, 19 January 2006 ...TV people and TV plots, that is... A little news on the pilot front, then we address the class struggle on your TV set -- the one that isn't happening. Rich people are BORING! How about more TV characters people can actually relate to? Besides the Cylons? Comments[7] |
Fri, 6 January 2006 You'll never write alone At least, not once your script is sold. No script is too good to need notes. Lots and lots of notes... Comments[5] |
Fri, 4 November 2005 Hollywood is quite a ride... ...and there's no shortcut to the front of the line. Well, not for us mortals... Our apologies for the long delay with this one. Comments[18] |
Fri, 2 September 2005 Our TV pitch finds a buyer... What more is there to say? A lot, actually... Comments[14] |
Tue, 2 August 2005 ...and on the page We've got some career updates first, and then we tackle a tricky question: what the hell is "voice" in a script? Comments[5] |
Fri, 22 July 2005 Bring on the body bags.. ...'cause there's a war of ideas going on, and the casualties are piling up. Comments[0] |
Wed, 20 July 2005 You can count on 'em when you pitch A good meeting is about more than picking the right mineral water. Comments[3] |
Thu, 23 June 2005 What makes a writer? Writing, of course. And you'd better love the painful, frustrating act of creating for its own sake, 'cause that's what it's all about. Comments[2] |
Thu, 16 June 2005 It's crunch time The networks start buying TV ideas in a couple weeks and we're feverishly pumping out more pitches. Which begs the question: what makes a show really work? Comments[10] |
Thu, 19 May 2005 There's always a ray of hope... ...but it's usually shining down through a sewer grate. |
Fri, 6 May 2005 So you think you've got a great idea for a movie? So did we... |
Wed, 13 April 2005 Okay, we're all caught up on how we got here. Now we're pitching our TV show idea to Showtime, FX, and HBO. |
Wed, 13 April 2005 The first of 3 podcasts about giving up our old lives to become writers in Hollywood.
In this episode, we decide to try writing, even though we have it pretty good in Minnesota. Then we got a call... |
Wed, 13 April 2005 The second of 3 podcasts about giving up our old lives to become writers in Hollywood.
We land in LA. And while having a job on the Disney studio lot is pretty cool, it ain't easy to starting all over again. |
Wed, 13 April 2005 The last episode in our "how we got here" series.
We finally sell a script. Then another. And another... |
The comedy and tragedy of writing in Hollywood
What's it all about?
We're two writers trying to find our next break. Our show is about writing, Hollywood and our experiences on the way to...we wish we knew what.
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Sam & Jim Our Scripts
Our West Wing script, the first TV drama we ever wrote (and it almost got us a Diney Fellowship). It dates from the start of Season Two. Enjoy.
The West Wing: I'm Just a Bill
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