Sam and Jim go to Hollywood

Show #43: Discrimination

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:12:00 GMT

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!)

Show #42: Between Scenes

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Thu, 15 May 2008 23:04:00 GMT

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.

Show #41: In The Mix

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:36:00 GMT

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.

Show #40: Three Years Old

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 01:26:00 GMT

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.

Show #39: Ding, Dong, the Strike is Dead

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:02:00 GMT

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?

Show #38: Showrunners in Training?

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:29:00 GMT

TV is in BIG trouble.

We applied for a WGA program to train future showrunners -- and damned if they didn't accept us...

Show #37: Writing, the Future, and You

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 22:36:00 GMT

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.

Show #36: Striking Out

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Wed, 5 Dec 2007 01:26:00 GMT

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.

Show #35: WGA On Strike!

Tue, 6 Nov 2007 20:11:00 GMT

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.

Show #34: Strike!

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:16:00 GMT

The Stephen King pilot is turned in...

...just in time for a strike. What it all looks like through the smoke as California burns...

Show #33: Careful What You Wish For

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 20:40:00 GMT

...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.

Show #32: The Room

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 02:34:00 GMT

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.

Show #31: We're On Staff

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 21:21:00 GMT

Finally!

Reflections on finally getting to the place we set out to reach so long ago: the writers' room.

Show #30: the Tipping Point

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 20:49:00 GMT

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.

Show #29: Agents

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 21:29:00 GMT

Do you need one?

Of course. But when? And why? Just what DO they do?

Show #28: Pitching Stephen King

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Wed, 4 Oct 2006 22:24:00 GMT

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.

Show #27: Good to Great

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 21:05:00 GMT

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.

Show #26: Breaking in and Cracking Up

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 21:01:00 GMT

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.

Show #25: The Pitch

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Wed, 7 Jun 2006 20:07:00 GMT

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.

Show 24: A Cry for Help

Sat, 27 May 2006 20:07:00 GMT

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.

Show 23: Sam is Half Empty

Sat, 20 May 2006 01:33:00 GMT

...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).

Show #22: One Fine Day

SamandJim@SBCglobal.net — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 01:24:00 GMT

Friday April 7th

From a big studio meeting to our first gig on a panel of experts, it was one helluva ride...

Show #21: Hollywood Friends

Thu, 30 Mar 2006 01:07:00 GMT

Is the whole idea a contradiction?

Can you trust anyone out here, or is jaded cynicism all there is?

Show #20: The Moment of Truth

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 20:47:00 GMT

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...

Show #19: Are you good enough?

SamandJim@SBCglobal.net — Fri, 17 Feb 2006 03:36:00 GMT

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?

Show #18: When Reality Attacks!

SamandJim@SBCglobal.net — Tue, 7 Feb 2006 00:01:00 GMT

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.

Show #17: ABC speaks!

SamandJim@SBCglobal.net — Wed, 1 Feb 2006 23:49:00 GMT

The verdict is in...

...But what is it? And what have we been sentenced to?

Show #16: Living in Limbo

SamandJim@SBCglobal.net — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 06:00:00 GMT

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...

Show #15: Too Rich and Too Thin

SamandJim@SBCglobal.net — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 04:18:00 GMT

...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?

Show #14: Collaborating

SamandJim@SBCglobal.net — Sat, 7 Jan 2006 00:17:00 GMT

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...

Show #13: The Emotional Roller Coaster

SamandJim@SBCglobal.net — Sat, 5 Nov 2005 01:22:00 GMT

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.

Show #12: SOLD!

SamandJim@SBCglobal.net — Fri, 2 Sep 2005 23:44:00 GMT

Our TV pitch finds a buyer...

What more is there to say? A lot, actually...

Show #11: Voices in our Heads

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Tue, 2 Aug 2005 23:49:00 GMT

...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?

Show #10: The Good Fight

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Fri, 22 Jul 2005 20:54:00 GMT

Bring on the body bags..

...'cause there's a war of ideas going on, and the casualties are piling up.

Show #9: Smiles and Bullshit and Fears, oh my!

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Wed, 20 Jul 2005 20:13:00 GMT

You can count on 'em when you pitch

A good meeting is about more than picking the right mineral water.

Show #8: Scribble, scribble, scribble...

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Fri, 24 Jun 2005 01:52:00 GMT

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.

Show #7: It's the Character, Stupid

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 20:15:00 GMT

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?

Show #6: Pain and Hope

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Thu, 19 May 2005 22:53:00 GMT

There's always a ray of hope...

...but it's usually shining down through a sewer grate.

Show #5: The life and death of a great idea

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Sat, 7 May 2005 02:05:00 GMT

So you think you've got a great idea for a movie?

So did we...

Show #4: Wanna buy a TV series?

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 01:28:00 GMT

Okay, we're all caught up on how we got here.

Now we're pitching our TV show idea to Showtime, FX, and HBO.

Backstory volume 1: From Minnesota to L.A.

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 01:27:00 GMT

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...

Backstory volume 2: The wonderful world of Disney

samandjim@sbcglobal.net — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 01:26:00 GMT

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.

Backstory volume 3: What, we can get paid for this?

SamandJim@sbcglobal.net — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 01:24:00 GMT

The last episode in our "how we got here" series.

We finally sell a script. Then another. And another...