Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the Training Montage. Use it? Don't use it? What are the most iconic training montages and why do they work? Where do training montages fail and slow down the movie? How can you incorporate them into your own writing? Let's get hyped, and train. Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by Paul Lundquist
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman answer your questions, including - what is the difference between the "Call to Action" and the "Inciting Incident", how do you avoid common pitfalls in adapting IP, what are the do's and don'ts for recent film school grads, and how did Tasha go about choosing the emotional throughline in her show Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft? Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by Paul Lundquist
Ever feel like a movie or show disappoints you? Like they missed an opportunity? Like they let you down somehow but you can't quite place it? Well, it might be a Chekhov's Gun problem. In this episode, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what Checkhov's Gun is, why it's important in writing stories, how to use it, and examples of great and failed uses of Chekhov's Gun in popular movies. Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by Paul Lundquist
Happy Halloween (week). Josh is joined by special co-host Dave Levinson to discuss their favorite horror sequels (Tasha is back next week). They discuss what makes a great sequel and how to improve from the original concept. If we missed anything, let us know. Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by Paul Lundquist
Halloween is upon us. Joe Russo and Deve Levinson join the pod to discuss Rules and Mystery in horror films with a focus on 'The Ring.' Co-Host Josh Hallman steers the ship while Tasha travels... but she's here in spirit. We also dive into the Variety article: The 100 Best Horror Movies Of All Time. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by Paul Lundquist
It is still TOMB RAIDER: THE LEGEND OF LARA CROFT month! Co-host and Showrunner/Executive Producer Tasha Huo discusses changes from script to screen and how to tackle notes. Also, more Q&A. If you haven't already, check out Tomb Raider: The Legend Of Lara Croft on NETFLIX! Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by Paul Lundquist
October is TOMB RAIDER: THE LEGEND OF LARA CROFT month! Co-host and Showrunner/Executive Producer, Tasha Huo, is answering listener questions about the show, releasing October 10 on Netflix. Tasha is fielding any and all questions about process, craft, specific questions around scenes, dialogue, moments, and more! If you ever wanted to ask a showrunner how the sausage is made, now's your chance! In this first installment, Tasha addresses overall questions about how she got the job, how she handled oversight of such a beloved IP, her approach to the IP and specific characters, and more! Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by Paul Lundquist
Tasha is traveling the world and doing press, so we're reposting our episode on 8 sequence structure. When she's back, we'll tackle all things Tomb Raider - craft, process, pitching, episodes, etc. If you have any questions, please email acttwowriters@gmail.com. October is going to be an amazing month! Tomb Raiders comes to Netflix on October 10th.
We all have different paths in this industry, and it's important to understand where those paths lead and what jobs you'll be asked to do. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss showrunning, producing, and setting expectations as screenwriters. Also .... TWIW! Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by Paul Lundquist
As screenwriters, we work in a collaborative medium. But we also need to be the arbiters of great storytelling and are hired for our creative and unique visions. We work with other writers, producers, actors and directors, all of whom have opinions and thoughts that may conflict with your own. How do you captain the ship (script) while also respecting their input? Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss! TWIW: Josh went to the Emmys! And is writing a difficult sport on the body? Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman are at a mental low point in writing and discuss how they got there, the patterns of writing-depression they've noticed, and their helpful tips and tricks on how to get through it and keep writing. The ultimate deterrent to a writing career is giving up. Let's talk about how not to give up! TWIW: The Bear S3 is taking chances! Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what it's like to break and write a script in a TV Writer's Room, including the expectations you have as a writer versus the realities. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk with writer-director Joe Russo about his latest horror film, THE INHERITANCE, which nearly became a victim of the latest wave of studio tax write-offs. Joe talks about how the idea for the script originally came together in 2018, about the process of writing an ensemble horror movie, producing the film during COVID, and the consequent difficulties of getting it to the public. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the oft used (and incorrect) advice to writers of "Write what you know." Instead, they argue you should write anything you f***ing want! But if you do, make sure it is believable and well-researched, and Tasha and Josh give some examples from their own jobs where research has both served and hindered their writing. They address questions like How much research is too much? At what point in the process should you research? And how do you research effectively? Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what a "Central Question" is when it comes to screenwriting, why you need one and how to find it for your specific story. Inspired by a Screencraft Blog Post, they break down how a Central Question works in current movies and in their own work as practical ways to understand the concept and its use in your own stories. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what it's like to go to San Diego Comic-Con as a writer, and some panels that proved useful in thinking about Screenwriting. Also, Summer movies are in full swing this year -- are movies back?! Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
We're off this week, so we're re-releasing a conversation that we loved... Tasha and Josh break down the mother/daughter story in Pixar’s BRAVE with special guest Michele Wolkoff (EP, Pigeon Tunnel and Rook). They discuss what works, what doesn’t (and why), and analyze how a directorial overhaul 18 months prior to release affected the story and underlying themes. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman field email questions from listeners, including ways to better improve your dialogue, how to think about a "high-concept" idea, and what their process is when they approach different and distinct genres, like a Western vs. Sci-Fi, etc. TWIW: Beverly Hills Cop Axel F, Longlegs, Ryan Reynolds' sacrifices on Deadpool, and how Tasha figured out how to find time for reading. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss their This Week in Writings, including a story from Josh about pitching a father-son story and the personal feedback he got in return, Tasha's meeting with her manager that transformed her working methods, an LA Times article saying Management is dead but is it really?, and what to do if you want to write a biopic but don't have the life rights? Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss an interview with Bryan Cranston where he talks about how acting is a lifestyle, not a job. That same philosophy applies to a Screenwriting career, so they discuss how and why you must consider whether you want the lifestyle of a Screenwriter as much as the job of one. TWIW: Do you flash your fangirl/boy tattoo in a meeting? / INSIDE OUT 2 Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist