Greenlit and Grounded

Success in writing for TV requires grit. Anthony Q. Farrell shares his journey from The Office to pitching to networks.We sit down with Anthony Q. Farrell to discuss the realities of the writers room and the persistence required to succeed. He shares his experience working on major productions and explains the high-stakes world of pitching to networks.Beyond the writing room, we cover essential audition preparation techniques. If you want to refine your craft, these industry insights provide a clear roadmap for navigating the creative business.Subscribe for weekly industry breakdowns, and comment below on what you want us to cover next.Connect with Anthony here:https://www.instagram.com/aqfarrell/?hl=enConnect with us: https://www.instagram.com/greenlitandgroundedpodcast/Jarred - https://www.instagram.com/bronst7/Daniel - https://www.instagram.com/danielkarp1/Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/obSangU6G3sAnthony Q. Farrell is a BAFTA-winning, Emmy-nominated writer/producer who has worked in Canada, the US, and the UK for over 20 years. He created, showran and executive produced CTV's half-hour comedy Shelved, and served as executive producer and showrunner of CBC's Run the Burbs, Overlord and the Underwoods, The Parker Andersons/Amelia Parker, and the BAFTA-winning Secret Life of Boys. His writing credits also include NBC's The Office, Nickelodeon's The Thundermans, and Little Mosque on the Prairie.Recorded at Sleepless Studios in Toronto.

Learn how a professional casting director reviews actors work and get practical audition tips to stand out. We break down the reality of the industry for performers.In this episode of Greenlit and Grounded, we talk with Sharon Forrest about the realities of the casting process. Whether you are an actor looking to refine your approach or curious about what happens after you submit, this conversation offers a grounded look at the industry.Sharon shares her perspective on the sheer volume of submissions she receives and offers actionable advice on how to improve your audition tapes. We discuss her role in advocating for performers and how you can better navigate the audition room.Follow for weekly industry breakdowns and comment below on which aspect of the casting process you want us to cover next.Connect with us: https://www.instagram.com/greenlitandgroundedpodcast/Watch on Youtube:https://youtu.be/yw4apsuggAMWe hope you enjoy, and if this episode interests you, please consider dropping a like and subscribing!Sharon Forrest is an acclaimed television and film casting director based in Canada. She is best known for her extensive portfolio across major Canadian and international television productions. She has built a comprehensive filmography with over 60 casting credits. Her most prominent television series work includes Hudson & Rex, Pretty Hard Cases, Frankie Drake Mysteries, and the long-running drama Heartland. She handles the casting for the high-profile procedural spin-off Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent. Forrest has received 11 industry nominations throughout her career. Most recently, she was nominated for Best Achievement in Casting, Fiction at the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards for her work on the Law & Order Toronto episode "White Squirrel City".Recorded at Sleepless Studios in Toronto.

Learn how to navigate a writer's room and build a screenwriting career with insights from Nadine Bhabha on Greenlit and Grounded.In this episode, we sit down with Nadine Bhabha to discuss her journey in the entertainment industry. She shares her personal experience with the Heated Rivalry series, including her decision not to read the source material before stepping on set. This conversation is essential for anyone looking to understand the reality of working in television and film production today.Beyond her specific project work, Nadine offers practical industry advice on how to break into a writers room. She breaks down the misconceptions about rigid industry structures and explains why, in her view, there are no fixed rules to success. Whether you are an aspiring writer or a seasoned professional, this discussion provides a clear look at the flexibility required to thrive in a creative career.Subscribe for weekly career breakdowns from industry professionals, and let us know in the comments which aspect of the writing process you want us to cover next.Connect with Nadine here: https://www.instagram.com/nadinebhabs/Connect with us: https://www.instagram.com/greenlitandgroundedpodcast/Jarred - https://www.instagram.com/bronst7/Daniel - https://www.instagram.com/danielkarp1/Watch on YouTube:https://youtu.be/4U_ry1n4GQcWe hope you enjoy, and if this episode interests you, please consider dropping a like and subscribing!Nadine Bhabha was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is an actor known for her roles in Letterkenny (2016), This Hour Has 22 Minutes (1992), and One More Time (2024). Nadine graduated with honors with a BFA in Acting from York University. She's been nominated for three Canadian Screen Awards (best supporting actor, best writing) and she won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Sandrine in the critically-acclaimed web series, Barbelle.Recorded at Sleepless Studios in Toronto.

Learn the realities of TV directing from professional director Warren P. Sonoda. Discover the key differences between guest directing and helming an entire season. In this episode of Greenlit and Grounded, Warren P. Sonoda shares his firsthand experience navigating the professional landscape of television production. We discuss the practical differences between coming on board as a guest director versus taking the lead on a full season of a TV show. Whether you are currently in film school or looking to break into the industry, Warren provides candid insights on the importance of building a creative community and finding your footing.We also examine the work of the Directors Guild of Canada and their ongoing efforts to support and protect Canadian content. This conversation is essential for any aspiring filmmaker who wants to understand the collaborative nature of directing TV shows and the infrastructure that supports the industry. Warren offers valuable perspectives on how to sustain a career in a competitive field.Subscribe for weekly filmmaking breakdowns and career advice, and let us know in the comments what specific directing topics you want us to cover next.Connect with Warren here: https://www.instagram.com/shootgoodfilms/ Connect with us: https://www.instagram.com/greenlitandgroundedpodcast/Jarred - https://www.instagram.com/bronst7/Daniel - https://www.instagram.com/danielkarp1/Watch on Youtube:We hope you enjoy, and if this episode interests you, please consider dropping a like and subscribing!BAFTA and CSA-winning, double Emmy-nominated filmmaker Warren P. Sonoda has directed over 110 episodes of television including Trailer Park Boys, Resident Alien, Todd & The Book Of Pure Evil, I Woke Up A Vampire, Hudson & Rex, Jane and the current Crave comedy hit The Trades, which he directed the pilot and all 8 episodes of season 1. Along with directing the pilots for The Trades, Netflix's I Woke Up A Vampire and Peacock's Take Note, Warren has directed 11 feature films including Things I Do For Money, Swearnet: The Movie and Coopers Camera, which was heralded by the Globe & Mail in 2023 as one of the 23 Best Canadian Comedies Ever Made. Finally, he's directed over 160 music videos which garnered 4 MuchMusic and 2 CCMA Awards, received a medal from the Queen, knocked Martin Scorsese out of the Guinness Book of World Records and in 2020, Japanese Canadian Sonoda was the first person of color to be elected National President of the Directors Guild of Canada. He also failed Ryerson (TMU) film school, twice.Recorded at Sleepless Studios in Toronto.

Sara Waisglass sits down with the Greenlit and Grounded team to talk about her success from Ginny and Georgia, what she does to make her auditions stand out, and future projects she's working on.Connect with Sara here: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/sarawais/⁠Connect with us: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/greenlitandgroundedpodcast/⁠Jarred - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bronst7/⁠Daniel - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/danielkarp1/⁠Watch on Youtube: ⁠https://youtu.be/T8i2j5YRtbA⁠We hope you enjoy, and if this episode interests you, please consider dropping a like and subscribing!Sara Waisglass is an actress and screenwriter who has spent over twenty years honing her craft. Having started her career at the ripe age of seven, Sara not only survived the child-actor pipeline but flourished through it and built meaningful connections in the Canadian film and television world along the way. Most recently, Sara brought to life fan favorite Maxine Baker on Netflix’s Ginny and Georgia; a series that earned recognition at a global scale and has amassed over 10 billion viewing minutes across all seasons.  In 2020, Sara earned a degree in Screenwriting at York University, steering her career in a new creative direction while never missing a beat in her professional work. As her knowledge of story and character expanded, so did her performances, earning her a devoted following from people across the world. Sara brings forth honest, memorable and multi-layered characters that stick with audiences long after they turn off their screens. Her creativity in her performances and her fresh, comedic voice have made her one to watch as she continues to grow in the film industry.Recorded at Sleepless Studios in Toronto.