Screenwriters' Rant Room

In this episode Hilliard and guest co-host (writer on Amazon’s upcoming CROSS) MEAGAN DAINE sit down with Executive Producer AIYANA WHITE (CROSS, THE GREATEST, LUCIFER, LA BREA, TINY PRETTY THINGS to list a few) for a super fun, educational episode that drops nothing but GAME!We talk about Aiyana’s amazing journey from staff writer to EP, selling pilots, working and growing confidence in the writers room, having your “why”, having a family and sustaining a career, producing your episode, “Yes, And”, take the leap and so much more! Our Motto: "We keep it GAME all day!" NEW WEBSITE:www.screenwritersrantroom.comFor information, merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room! Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom Guests: @AiyanaEWhite @Meagandaine WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com We invest countless hours per week to deliver the actionable content that goes into this podcast. We appreciate your support! SCREENWRITER NETWORKS:OBSwriter.comBTFC.org Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/screenwriters-rant-room/messageSupport this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/screenwriters-rant-room/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PODCASTS WE SUPPORT: 2 Writers Talkin Shit: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2-writers-talking-shit/id1671253747 Hollywood Confessional: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hollywood-confessional/id1628848064?i=1000630276175 The Qube & Queer News: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/queer-news/id1595777135 A Conversation With Floyd Marshall Jr: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-conversation-with-host-floyd-marshall-jr/id1544499834 THEME SONG:Jack Spade WEBSITE:Abigail Bloom & Laura HuieTyler Musikanth LOGOS:Rachel Musikanth RANT ROOM TEAM:Richard Scott - Creative ProducerTyler Musikanth - Associate ProducerBrooke Baltimore - MarketingTogo - MarketingJade Hunter Alessandria - BTS

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTHIn this episode, Hilliard and guest co-hosts (award-winning playwright, tv writer, actress) Lekethia Dalcoe and (tv/film writer, actor) Rich Scott sit down for a hilarious conversation talking about “some” of our favorite Oscar picks and why we love them, as well as how we use “theme” in our writing, getting in where we fit in, and so much more!💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!⁠⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠⁠YouTube Shorts & Videos!⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess@Hilliardguess.bsky.socialIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomGuests:@fatboyfeels@Lakethia.dalcoeWE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com⁠⁠BTS: Matthew NicholsonConnor Conforti#screenwritersrantroom #writingtips #screenwritingtips #screenwriters #ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏOur Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!”

In this episode, Hilliard talks to five awesome, diverse, talented TV writers from the popular MENTORSHIP MATTERS WRITERS PROGRAM: Rich Scott, Renee Cunningham, Stephen Nolly, Mahalia Latortue-Pridgett and Joshua B. Kazemi! Tune in and listen to these amazing writers journeys. HIGHLIGHTS: The current climate in Hollywood and how to maneuver it, writing genre and comedy, how to pitch yourself, the writers' room, the future of Hollywood and so much more.💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!⁠⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠⁠YouTube Shorts & Videos!⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess@Hilliardguess.bsky.socialIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomGuests:@fatboyfeels@joshuakazemi@oldfactoryfilms@mahaliapridgett@renee_alyceaWE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com⁠⁠BTS: Matthew Nicholson (video)Eric De La Rosa (Photos)Connor Conforti (editing)Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"

In this episode , Hilliard and guest co-host episodic dir/producer Lisa France sat down with Brendan Foley series creator, writer, executive producer of the hit series SHERLOCK AND DAUGHTER on CW/HBO! Some highlights: We talked about this journey as a journalist and writer, the differences between working in the UK/Europe as a series creator and working in America, working on smaller budgets and how to get the biggest bang, co-productions, writing crime and who-done-its, creating Sherlock and Daughter, producing TV series and so much more!💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!⁠⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠⁠YouTube Shorts & Videos!⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess@Hilliardguess.bsky.socialIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomGuests:FB: @BrendanFoley@LisaFrance2067WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com⁠⁠BTS: Gregg SimonConnor Conforti

In this 2026 premiere episode -- Hilliard sits down with some of his favorite Fans and Mentees of the podcast — writer’s -- Dijorn & Trinea Moss, Rich Scott, Rich Redlo, Minquell Ramone, Jade Hunter Alexandriia, Brooke Baltimore, Anich D’Jae, Jacques Buckingham and Aaron Beauchamp. We had a laugh out loud, impactful discussion, rotating guests, talking about the difficult year of 2025, everyone's plans to do differently in 2026, TV staffing, the writers’ room, development, fellowships, craft tips and so much more.💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠YouTube Shorts, & Videos!⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomRotating Guests:@thedtmossteam@minquell@fatboyfeels@beewrites8@jade.alexandriia@anichdjae@jacques_buckinghamWE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com⁠Video BTS: Jade Hunter Alexandriia and MinquellEditor: Connor Conforti

Support the show for $1/month Subscribe to Chris's newsletter - THIN ICE In this episode, Hilliard and Chris sat down with Showrunner Jeff Melvoin, the man who has produced hundreds of hours of network television and the genius behind the iconic WGAW Showrunner's Training Program.We talk about Jeff's amazing new book: RUNNING THE SHOW Television From the Inside. Jeff tells us about his long journey and early career, the starts and finishes of writing the book, the job of the showrunner, the Showrunner Training Program, staffing, producing in the UK vs the US, six rules of making a TV writer, preproduction, post production and so much more. Buy his book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Rowman.com, or wherever books are sold! Check out the ScreenWriterRR website at www.screenwritersrr.com for information, merch, or our Patreon! We invest countless hours per week to deliver the actionable content that goes into this podcast. Follow us on Social: Chris Derrick on Twitter Hilliard Guess on Twitter Jeff on Instagram

Hilliard, Lisa, and Chris are joined by  Talent/Lit Agent Tiauna Jackson of The Jackson Agency! Support the show via the Patreon link. Remember support is love! We invest countless hours per week to deliver the actionable content that goes into this podcast. This episode is brought to you by http://www.avgearguy.com/. Mention the Screen Writers' Rant Room for 5% off your next order. Get the Rant Room T-shirt HERE!!! You can connect with Tiauna at www.TJA.Agency Submit your material here. RESOURCES: Get In Made Pros and Partners Lessons from the Screenplay (YouTube Channel) Podcasts You Need to Check-Out: Pilar Alessandro's ON THE PAGE NJ and Alex's PAPER TEAM Connect with Us on Social Media Tiauna Jackson on Twitter  Chris Derrick on Twitter  Lisa Bolekaja on Twitter  Hilliard Guess on Twitter  The Screenwriters Rant Room on Facebook  The Screenwriters Rant Room on Twitter

🔥In this finale episode of the season🔥 Hilliard and guest co-host writer-director Gregg Simon sat down with Showrunner-creator-director-author QUINTON PEEPLES in a super informative, 2-hour, nothing but game episode for any writer who wants to write and produce network TV. HIGHLIGHTS: Getting that first job and keeping it, writing TV movies and thriving through quality, why your interests help you to write your spec pilot, writing genre, pivoting to TV and diversifying, preparing for good to arrive, learning the dynamics of the writers’ room, apprenticing your way to the top and becoming EP/showrunner, the value of a diverse room, staffing your room, show running 11.22.63, rejection and so much more!About Quinton - Moving easily between the world of indie film and television, Quinton has written multiple features for all the major networks and studios including Fox, NBC, ABC, Disney, Lionsgate and many others. He found his way to directing in 1995 when he shot his original screenplay “JOYRIDE” starring Tobey Maguire and Benicio DelToro. He continues to direct indie features, commercials, and web series, in addition to his writing work.In 2008 when the WGA strike happened Quinton realized everyone else on the picket line had work friends to march with and he didn’t. That’s when he discovered that television writers collaborate as a team and the lure of that idea was irresistible. He wrote his first television spec pilot which resulted in his staffing on “FLASHFORWARD” at ABC. Transitioning to hour long drama, Quinton has worked on multiple shows as varied as “UNFORGETTABLE”, “THE LAST SHIP”, “11/22/63”, and Marvel’s “RUNAWAYS”. Most recently he was the showrunner on the limited series “ECHOES” for Netflix.Quinton is also a published author, with essays appearing in “CUT TO THE CHASE: WRITING FEATURE FILMS WITH THE PROS”, “ETERNAL LIVING: REFLECTIONS ON FAITH AND FORMATION”, and the graphic novel, “THE BIG COUNTRY”. His screenplay with Billy Crystal, “HAVE A NICE DAY” was performed live on stage at the Minetta Theater in New York City and is available on Audible as part of their Audible Originals program.💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!⁠⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠⁠YouTube Shorts & Videos!⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on social mediaIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomGuests:@Quintonwrites TikTok@GregglsimonWE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com⁠⁠Video: @writerly203@mohawkdirectorJoshua KazemiBTS:@iamjerryjeromeOur Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!”

🔥In this episode🔥Hilliard sat down with actor, writer, producer, director ALONA TAL - star on the hit series CROSS on Amazon Prime. We talked about all sides of her skills, directing, shadowing, using your instincts, her amazing work on other network TV shows like Fire Country, drawing creativity from your tribe, how she landed the role of Det. Kayla Craig on CROSS, grueling screen tests, the logistics of shooting on location, techniques for memorizing lines, series regular expectations and demands, building relationships with Showrunner Ben Watkins and her cast & crew on CROSS and so much more!💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!⁠⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠⁠YouTube Shorts & Videos!⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social mediaIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomGuest:@alonatalWE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com⁠⁠ANTHOLOGY I.O. - SHORT FILM FESTIVAL - WRITERS PANEL!Hilliard Guess, Tash Gray, Saeed Crumpler & Chris DerrickIn its inaugural year, Anthology IO Short Film Festival is not holding back any punches.  With its premiere event in Los Angeles on March 28th, 2026. The premiere event will be at the old Eastman Kodak building at Solotech Studios in Hollywood  screening the best of the best films in our festival.  Live music from The RIFT, a DJ, a red carpet step-and-repeat, glamour photoshoots,  along with food trucks, full bar, local vendors, games, raffle, and so much more!DOORS OPEN AT 5:30PM. RED CARPET AT 6PMTickets are currently available on Eventbrite at the links below.10% DISCOUNT TICKETS - CODE: RANTROOM10https://www.studioio.la/anthology-ioEventbrite Ticket SalesPartiful Event PostAnthology IO Festival SiteFilm Freeway SiteDETAILS:Date: Saturday, MARCH 28th, 2026Venue: Solotech Studios @ The Eastman Kodak Building in HollywoodAddress: 6700 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90038Limited Parking Accessible at: 1017 N Las Palmas Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038 Ep Video: @GreggSimon@JoshuaKazemi#screenwritersrantroom #writingtips #screenwritingtips #screenwriters #ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ #blackhollywood #crossonprimeOur Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!”

In this BONUS ep - Hilliard sat down with FIA PERERA writer-director-producer of the new coming-of-age feature film he produced with Ryan Lacen, Janice Bergere and Tyler Musikanth on Cape Cod called MERMAID!We talked all about producing the film from script-to-screen: development, rewrites, shooting the POC short film first, financing the feature film outside the box, crewing up a diverse crew, casting, using your resources to gain production value, production, post and so much more! Apple podcasts: https://bit.ly/4ulzqnhThere is so much game and tips for filmmakers dying to make their own feature film with a story that's burning deep inside!@mermaidfeaturefilm written and directed by Fia Perera @pererapictures is heading to its WORLD PREMIERE at @cinequestorg CINEQUEST Film Festival 🎉Starring @nat_faxon @arturoluizsoria @devyn.mcdowell @marybirdsongofficial @missipyle @tomkiesche @moffatpics @seaangeljenn THE WORLD NEEDS THIS POSITIVE STORY. NOW MORE THAN EVER! ✨🧜‍♀️ AND WE NEED YOU! 📣🤩Right now, in this political climate, LGBTQIA rights, especially trans kids and their families are fighting to simply exist @theglobalactivista tells that story — 📍 The iconic Hammer Theatre | Downtown San Jose📅 Saturday, March 14th | 🕖 7:00 PM💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!⁠⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠⁠YouTube Shorts & Videos!⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social mediaIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomGuest:@pererapicturesWE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com⁠⁠Video: @JoshuaKazemiOur Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!”

In this episode, writer-producer Hilliard Guess and guest co-host actor-writer-prod-dir Dalila Ali Rajah sit down for an educational conversation (we do talk a bit of politics in this one - FYI), with actor/writer/coach and 2026 NAACP Image Award nominee ADAM DAVENPORT, recognized in the Outstanding Literary Work – Journalism category for his essay examining Audra McDonald’s 2025 Tony Awards performance of “Rose’s Turn.” The piece reframes the performance as a landmark cultural moment - serving as an act of protest, reclamation, and artistic defiance within the lineage of Black women reshaping American performance. The nomination is a full-circle moment for Davenport, as the NAACP was the first organization to recognize his writing when he was in high school. He can speak to the nomination as well as his broader career as a multidisciplinary artist working across acting, writing, directing, producing, casting, and education. A Chicago native and Yale graduate, Davenport is a member of SAG-AFTRA, BAFTA, the European Film Academy, and the Recording Academy. His screen work includes Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (Netflix), for which he received a Satellite Award for Best Ensemble alongside multiple critics’ group honors. In 2020, he founded The International Acting Studio (TIAS), where he coaches actors working at the highest international level. Two performers he coached are current 2026 Czech Lion Award nominees, and his clients have appeared in projects including The Brutalist, Dune: Part Two, The Crown, and numerous network and cable series.Read the Essay here:https://www.bronzecommhub.com/blog/audra-mcdonald-took-the-stage-and-rewrote-the-rules💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!⁠⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠⁠YouTube Shorts & Videos!⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social mediaIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomGuests:@actingwithadam@dalilaalirajahWE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com⁠⁠Video: @JoshuaKazemi#screenwritersrantroom #writingtips #screenwritingtips #screenwriters #ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ #blackhollywoodOur Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!”

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host TV/Film writer Saeed Crumpler sit down with actor/writer/director/producer JOHNNY RAY GILL who is currently starring as Bobby Trey on Amazon's hit series CROSS!We talk about his role on Cross and his incredible relationship with showrunner Ben Watkins, working with the cast and crew, making choices as an actor, writing and directing award-winning films, his new music/art project, the types of films he's passionate about, research and rabbit holes, adding nuance to characters and so much more!Another don’t miss episode y’all!Audio: https://bit.ly/4qHUEJb💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!⁠⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠⁠YouTube Shorts & Videos!⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social mediaIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomGuests:@johnnyraygill@balance510WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com⁠⁠Video: @JoshuaKazemiBTS:@iamjerryjerome#screenwritersrantroom #writingtips #screenwritingtips #screenwriters #ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ #blackhollywoodOur Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!”

In the spirit of GORDON PARK and PAUL ROBESON, J. David Shanks prides himself on being the contemporary renaissance man. He’s a writer, producer, and actor with aspirations of adding to his hyphenated list of industry skill sets, Director for feature films and television series.David is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. He received his MFA in Producing for Film, Television, and New Media from the world-renowned Peter Stark Producing Program. His writing credits include NBC’s SHADES OF BLUE, FOX Television’s SHOTS FIRED, SHOWTIME’s THE CHI and the critically acclaimed NETFLIX SERIES SEVEN SECONDS where his episode, MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH won the 2019 NAACP IMAGE AWARD for Outstanding Writing in a Television Drama.Presently, David is working under an overall deal with AMC Network. He is currently the Executive Producer/ Co-Showrunner for the AMC SERIES 61st STREET and EP on CROSS S2 & S3.Another don’t miss episode y’all!💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!⁠⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠⁠YouTube Shorts & Videos!⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social mediaIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomGuests:@Davidshanks@DalilaalirajahWE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com⁠⁠Video: @JoshuaKazemi#screenwritersrantroom #writingtips #screenwritingtips #screenwriters #ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ #blackhollywoodOur Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!”

In this episode Hilliard sits down in a super informative conversation with writer, producer, author, publisher, manager James “Uncle James” Moorer and TV/Film writer, playwright, actor Lekethia Dalcoe to talk about writing our favorite genres and why, writing hybrid Horror, Sci-fi, Supernatural and Action, why genre is important to us, rules of the world and how they work, themes in genre films and tv and so much more!Another don’t miss episode y’all!💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!⁠⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠⁠YouTube Shorts & Videos!⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social mediaIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomGuests:@onemoorer@Lekethia.dalcoeWE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com⁠⁠Video: @JoshuaKazemiConnor Conforti#screenwritersrantroom #writingtips #screenwritingtips #screenwriters #ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ #blackhollywoodOur Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!”

In this season finale, end of the year episode, Hilliard's joined by close friends award-winning director/producer Carl Seaton, TV/Film writer Saeed Crumpler and Executive Producer Tracy Grant to talk about their plans and goals in the New Year and ways writers and filmmakers can think outside the box to grow their careers, businesses and health by making the best kinds of lifestyle changes for themselves!💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠YouTube Shorts & Videos!⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess@Hilliardguess.bsky.socialIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomGuests:@mrcarlseaton@balance510@tracygrant5439WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com⁠BTS: Jerry Jerome (photography)Matthew Nicholson (video)

In this ep, Hilliard interviews director/producer TREY HALEY the President/Partner at Tri Destined Studios where he is responsible for the implementation of all productions within the company. Toward the end of the ep, Kareem Grimes actor/star on the hit series ALL AMERICAN dropped in to hang with us to give Trey his flowers.Trey, a passionate filmmaker with a diverse breadth and sensibility, has directed and produced a variety of genres. He serves as one of the Executive Producers and the Lead Director for the following TV Shows:-The hit Crime Drama ‘Carl Webers The Family Business’ who's cast includes Ernie Hudson, Valarie Pettiford, Darrin DeWitt Henson, Tami Roman and Javicia Leslie, recently wrapped its sixth season on BET+ and is currently streaming. Seasons 1-4 streamed on Netflix where the show climbed as high as #6 on its first two weeks on the platform.Season 6 recently landed #1 on Amazon Primes subscription shows.-The Family Business: New Orleans’ which is a spinoff of the 'The Family Business' stars Brandon T. Jackson, Lela Rochon, Yvette Nicole Brown, Orlando Jones, Pooch Hall, Quincy Brown and David Banner. It premiered January 2025.-The Black Hamptons’ which stars Lamman Rucker, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Elise Neal, Brian White, Karon Joseph, Mike Merrill, Jennifer Freeman, and Blac Chyna. The show received an NAACP nomination for Best Limited Series in 2023.-Trey also recently Directed , ‘Deb is Boss’ starring Lil Mama, which is loosely based on the life of famed music manager Deb Anteny. Foxxhole Productions Datari Turner and Jamie Foxx are EP’s w Deb Anteny and Tri Destined Studios ND Brown Jones. It's set to be released top of 2026 by AllBlk/WeTV.Other recent movies include the sexy murder mystery ‘Love Mary Kill’ starring Monique Coleman and Skye Blac and the holiday roller-skating movie ‘Rolling Into Christmas’ starring Rhyon Nicole Brown.Trey also conducts filmmaking master classes where he integrates hands-on learning to address the creative, technical and business aspects of film and television.💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/productsYouTube Shorts, & Videos!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.socialIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomGuests:@treyhaleytds@kareemgrimesWE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.comBTS: Keshia Kola

In this episode, Hilliard and actor/writer/activist Dalila Ali Rajah sit down for a fun conversation with writer/activists Katie Mathewson & Y. Shireen Razack to talk about their amazing journey up the rung as TV writers and their activism on (TTIE) and diversity committees at the WGAW!KATIE MATHEWSONKatie Mathewson is an Emmy-nominated and Peabody Award-winning screenwriter/producer who has been working with her writing partner, Tanner Bean, for over a decade. The duo got their start on Fox’s PITCH, but since then, their credits have included Marvel Studios’ HAWKEYE, Amazon’s JURY DUTY, and Showtime’s DEXTER prequel. Katie and Tanner are currently Co-Executive Producers on Season 2 of DEXTER: RESURRECTION. Katie’s passion for LGBTQ+ activism and DEIA has led her to work with the Think Tank for Inclusion & Equity (TTIE). She previously served as Co-Chair of the LGBTQ+ Writers Committee, during which time she co-founded the Rainbow Pages – an independent database of queer WGA writers – and helped secure better healthcare coverage for transgender Guild members.THINK TANK INCLUSION & EQUITY (TTIE) & HOROWITZ RESEARCH RELEASE BEHIND THE SCENES: THE STATE OF INCLUSION & EQUITY IN TV WRITING 2025 REPORTY. SHIREEN RAZACKShireen is a South Asian, Trinidadian, Canadian, Muslim-American drama writerwith an affinity for science fiction, fantasy, and supernatural stories steeped in social justice allegory. Born in Canada, mostly raised in Texas, and a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, Shireen started her professional life with a career in advertising that took her from Texas to New York, then ultimately to Los Angeles, where she came to pursue her dream of writing for television. She is an alum of the CBS Writers Mentoring Program and now has over fifteen years of TV writing experience in multiple genres, including sci-fi/fantasy/supernatural, YA, and both medical and cop procedurals. Most recently, she was a Co-Executive Producer on Vampire Academy for Peacock.Shireen is also a co-founder and co-chair of Think Tank for Inclusion & Equity (TTIE), a member of the Board of Directors for the Writers Guild Foundation, a Writers Guild of America West mentor, and a black belt in San Soo Kung Fu.💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/productsYouTube Shorts, Videos & CLIPS!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.socialIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomGuests:@katiemathewsoninfo@writeinclusion.org@dalilaalirajahWE ARE OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.comBTS: Matthew Nicholson

In this episode Hilliard and guest co-host writer/director Gregg Simon sat down for almost two hours with DANIEL PEARLE Executive Producer of Netflix's number one thriller called THE BEAST IN ME starring Claire Daines and Matthew Rhys.Daniel Pearle is an American playwright and screenwriter. His plays have been produced and developed at Lincoln Center Theater, London’s Old Vic, The Vineyard, Ars Nova, and at regional theaters around the country. His play A Kid Like Jake premiered in a sold-out run at LCT3/Lincoln Center Theater (NY Times Critic’s Pick). The play won the 2013 Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award and was also awarded the prestigious Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation’s Theatre Visions Grant.Daniel’s feature film adaptation of A Kid Like Jake premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. The film is directed by Silas Howard and stars Claire Danes, Jim Parsons, Octavia Spencer, Priyanka Chopra, Amy Landecker, and Ann Dowd. IFC Films acquired domestic rights for the film, which opened in theaters June 1, 2018. He is currently writing an original feature film for Warner Bros.His other plays include Freefall (finalist, 2017 O’Neill Playwrights Conference), Remote Viewing (semi-finalist, 2015 O’Neill Playwrights Conference), The Prodigies (semi-finalist, 2013 O’Neill Playwrights Conference), and Plunder (winner, 2008 Loeb Drama Center’s Phyllis Anderson Prize). His short play The Truth About Christmas was a winner of the 2011 Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Short Play Festival.Daniel was a recipient of the 2018 Humanitas New Voices Grant for emerging writers in television. He received a WGA Award Nomination for his work on FX’s Impeachment: American Crime Story. Other TV credits include One of Us Is Lying (Peacock) and Accused (Fox). He is an alum of Ars Nova’s Play Group and a MacDowell Fellow. He earned his BA from Harvard University and his MFA from The New School for Drama.💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV/Film, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!⁠https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠YouTube Shorts, Videos & BONUS CLIPS!⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.socialIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomGuests:@danielpearle@gregglsimonWE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com

PLEASE EXCUSE THE SOUNDStep inside the Micheaux Film Festival and the real writers’ room panel! In this unfiltered, pull-no-punches live podcast taping, veteran writer/producer Hilliard Guess (Deadly Class, CROSS: After Hours) and award-winning actor/director Denzel Whitaker (Black Panther, Great Debaters), and his acclaimed short film Brand New (ALLBLK / AMC) team up to expose the truth behind the Hollywood curtain. From navigating writers’ rooms and producing on sets to surviving the industry grind, they’ll serve up raw insights and hard-earned gems, with behind-the-scenes stories on how creators can build a community. Expect laughs, truth bombs, and some straight-up game for filmmakers and creatives trying to level up!Joining the conversation:Simone Harris – Ryan Coogler’s Proximity MediaPamela Azmi-Andrew – Veteran Casting Director/Writer/ProducerCarl Seaton - Award-winning Episodic Director/ProducerEvent Time: 12:30 PM – 1:45 PMLocation: The Culver Theater (Panel Bldg.)💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/productsYouTube Shorts, Videos & CLIPS!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.socialIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomGuests:@denzelwhitaker@Mrcarlseaton@monieinthemiddle@pamelazmiandrewWE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com

In this episode - Hilliard, TV/Film writer SAEED CRUMPLER, and comedy/drama writer RICH SCOTT talk about how the global economic downturn could affect the entertainment industry, and what writers can do to protect themselves financially and creatively. What You’ll Learn:How and why artists fight back by starting their own labels and production companiesSurvival is Key"Make Money Sexy Again"What should Emerging writers write in 2026Being a TastemakerAI and how to writers can work with itChange is constant, adapt or dieMentorship - the good and badAnd so much more!💥SUBSCRIBE💥 if you’re serious about writing for TV, leveling up your craft, and staying tapped into real game from working industry pros who KEEP IT GAME ALL DAY.YouTube Shorts, Videos & BONUS CLIPS!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQOur Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"MERCH (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/productsEMAIL:ScreenwritersRantRoom@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.socialIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom@Balance510@FatboyfeelsWE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIP AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ : Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com