Hilliard Guess' Screenwriters Rant Room

In this Season Finale episode, Hilliard sits down with actor/writer/prod/director NOEL BRAHAM - co-founder of the hit MICHEAUX FILM FESTIVAL now in its 7th year and killing the game on the circuit!HIGHLIGHTS: The Power of “YET," lessons from his family growing up, becoming an actor, climbing many mountains, becoming a filmmaker and producing a Webseries and daytime Emmy-nominated short films, the power of community, co-founding and producing the Micheaux Film Festival and so much more!Noel is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, founder, and master of making gold on a budget tighter than his schedule. As the visionary behind the Micheaux Film Festival, he’s built one of the fastest-growing multicultural film festivals in the country, while simultaneously directing, producing, writing, and probably acting out something in the back of an Uber. Born with a camera in one hand and an unshakable belief in multicultural stories in the other, Noel turned his journey from living in a hostel to helming red carpets into a

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host TV comedy writer Myles Warden sat down in a super fun conversation with icon comedy/drama writer SARA FINNEY JOHNSON (co-creator on the ICONIC television series’ Moesha and The Parkers) and who has worked on many one hour dramas (Queen Sugar, Games People Play, etc) that make her invaluable in the room, on set, and in production!HIGHLIGHTS: Growing up in Los Angeles, working as a PA to writer during the Norman Lear hey-day, coming up in the writers’ room in the height of UPN network, co-creating the ICONIC television series’ Moesha and The Parkers (with Ralph Farquhar and Vida Spears), becoming a showrunner and being ready for it, running the Parkers, how to write projects based on real people, the importance of Spec Scripts today and so much more!BIO: Sara was born in Mobile, Alabama and raised in South Central L.A.’s Leimert Park neighborhood.  She credits her southern roots and West Coast upbringing for providing the inspiration and passion for many of the storie

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host Tristan J. Shuler sat down for a 2-hour, in-depth, hilarious conversation with R. K. RUSSELL, Out NFL Player, activist, poet and author of the amazing new book THE YARDS BETWEEN US!HIGHLIGHTS:Growing up in Buffalo, Dallas racism and culture, Football at Purdue, the emotional NFL Draft and signing with the Dallas Cowboys, his traumatic experience in NY, meeting his partner Corey and finding love, coming out the press and his mother, life after football, developing a series based on his book with Gabrielle Union and Saeed Crumpler and so much more!WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COMSUBSCRIBE, LIKE, FOLLOW SHARE & 5-STAR REVIEW!Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"Merch (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES)YouTube Shorts & Videos:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua83eFRxVA1-r3ry5c0-fQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media@Hilliardguess.bsky.socialIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomGuest:@rkrelentless@tristanjshulerBTS: Michelle SmollerWE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING

In this episode, Hilliard sits down for an in-depth, over 2-hour conversation with SELWYN SEYFU HINDS Showrunner/Creator of WASHINGTON BLACK the new hit series on HULU!HIGHLIGHTS: The Source Magazine in the late 90s and the climate of Hip-Hop, going from Guyana to Brooklyn in the height of Classic Rap, the night Biggy Smalls died, his college years at Princeton, becoming an author, moving to LA to write screenplays, pitching tips and how he and his team cast and produced Washington Black and so much more! More about him:Selwyn most recently served as the creator, showrunner, and executive producer of the epic adventure series WASHINGTON BLACK, an adaptation of Esi Edugyan’s esteemed novel of the same name, which recently premiered on Hulu. He previously served as a writer/producer on Jordan Peele’s reboot of THE TWILIGHT ZONE, penning the critically hailed episode “Replay,” which made him a finalist in the Drama Teleplay category for the 2020 Humanitas Prize.He has a number of films in development including P

In this episode Hilliard and guest co-host filmmaker/cinematographer (nephew) William M. Barclay sit down with Icon, Emmy-winning director/producer PARIS BARCLAY.HIGHLIGHTS: Paris’ Revival of his musical LETTERS FROM NAM, indie film and its importance today, using resources around you, Paris’ start directing music videos, pivoting to directing episodic TV, interview questions for directors, working with writer/producers, shortlists and its importance, set etiquette, directing Dahmer, Paris’ upcoming Billy Preston: That’s the way God Planned It documentary and so much more!Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review!Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COMMerch (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media@Hilliardguess.bsky.socialIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomGuests:@PKbarclay@Wmb.photographyWE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ :Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host actor/filmmaker Denzel Whitaker (Black Panther, The Great Debaters) sit down for an in-depth, hilarious conversation with episodic director/producer KEN WHITTINGHAM, the man behind directing over 350 episodes of comedy television!Highlights: Ken’s rise from PA to Stage Manager in multi-cam comedies, Marla Gibbs giving him his first Story By credit on the hit series 227, landing his first directing gig on Malcolm & Eddie, directing single camera shows like Bernie Mac, The Office and Scrubs, working with writers/producers, tricks to showing your voice on a series, working with actors on set, shadowing directors on the set, being overly prepared to direct your episode and so much more!Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review!Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COMFor information, Merch (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/productsEMAIL:ScreenwritersRantRoom@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host, tv/film writer Saeed Crumpler recorded a "LIVE" Screenwriters' Rant Room podcast at the Bravemaker film festival in Redwood City, California!HILLIARD GUESS With credits on Deadly Class (SYFY), showrunner on the award-winning digital series TICKER, Exec Producer on Amazon’s CROSS: AFTER HOURS, and the upcoming coming-of-age film MERMAID!, Hilliard Guess knows what it really takes to make it in Hollywood.  graces the cover of the esteemed iTunes book "The Top 100 Indie Writers in The World" and is revered as the longtime host/moderator of the popular “Screenwriters’ Rant Room”, as well as the WGAW “3rd & Fairfax” podcasts, where he drops industry game with some of our top luminaries.He is the host of both long-running podcast SCREENWRITERS RANT ROOM and the WGAW 3rd & FAIRFAX where he drops industry game with some of our top luminaries and Filmmakers. He recently completed the new WGAW TV WRITERS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (4 Producers-Showrun

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host, writer/producer Dwain Worrell sit down for a super fun conversation with Co-Executive Producer CHRIS RAFFERTY (THE FLASH, COBRA KAI & LUCIFER)!Chris has been a lifelong artist in many different fields. He grew up an illustrator with dreams of drawing comic books. Made short films while earning a film degree at UC Santa Barbara. Spent time on stage acting and in front of cameras doing improv. All while earning a living in a decade-plus career as a graphic designer.But a crossroads in life inspired him to drop everything to go all-in on his greatest passion (and what he’d been spending years of early mornings & weekends on) — his writing. His career change was complete after he earned a spot in the prestigious Warner Bros Television Writers’ Workshop, and went on to write & produce for the first season of THE FLASH, the final season of COBRA KAI, and all 6 seasons of LUCIFER.When he’s not hustling for his next staff job or developing his own shows & o

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host writer/dir/prod Fia Perera sit down for a 2 hour, in-depth conversation with writer/director/executive producer ERIC DEAN SEATON!Highlights: Working his way up as an AD, getting his first episodic directors gig, sustaining a long career, directors get hired for what you've already done, creating a graphic novel an producing the award-winning short, fake it til you make it and we open it up to a room full of filmmakers who "ASK US ANYTHING!"More about Eric:With a Daytime Emmy nomination and three NAACP Image Award wins, Eric Dean Seaton stands out as one of the most dynamic and versatile storytellers in television, seamlessly crossing genres and styles.In the dramatic realm, Seaton has directed and executive produced the pilot and series Average Joe. His episodic work includes episodes of Will Trent, High Potential, The Cleaning Lady, Superman and Lois, Batwoman, Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl, The Flash and All American: Homecoming.In the world of sing

In this episode, Hilliard and Queer guest co-hosts writer/producer Deonte Staats, actor/filmmaker Dalila Ali Rajah and writer/content creator Skylar Ezell sit down in a super fun, engaging, 2-hour episode chopped full of game.Some topics: Highlighting people in our culture, anti-fem insults, "it’s just a phase," acceptance of being Out, a Platinum Gay, Shout Out to Patrick-Ian Polk and the new Noah’s Arc Film, centering Queer characters in your work, where to find inspiration for characters, who we are as writers, queer tropes, straight men insecurities and soooooooo much more!Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review!Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!”WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COMFor information, Merch (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/productsEMAIL:ScreenwritersRantRoom@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on a

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host writer/producer Deonte Staats sit down for a two hour, nothing but game conversation with Showrunner/Co-Creator of the new MAX hit series DUSTER!Highlights: LaToya’s time in the Warner Bros Writers Workshop, the Overall Deal and how it works, the John Wells system, creating the show Duster, casting, staffing the room, the importance of what’s on the page and we later open it up for a super fun Q&A with a group of Emerging Writers who were in the building!About LaToya: Born and raised in Los Angeles, writer-producer LaToya Morgan is known for her work on Shameless, Parenthood, Turn: Washington’s Spies, Into the Badlands and The Walking Dead.Recently, she joined forces with J.J. Abrams to co-create, showrun and executive produce the HBO MAX series Duster under her shingle TinkerToy Productions alongside Bad Robot for Warner Brothers Television which had its international premiere at Canne series, the Cannes International Series Festival in France in the Spring of

In this Season Finale episode, Hilliard and guest co-host, comedy writer Myles Warden sat down for a super fun, 2-hour episode with CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER STACEY EVANS MORGAN!We talk about Stacey’s amazing journey from assistant to co-ep, challenges as a writer, investing in yourself, opening doors for yourself, saying yes to opportunities, producing outside of scripted TV, speaking gigs, being the sexy writer in Hollywood, traditional staffing season, having an entrepreneurial spirit, working and developing series' with her brother showrunner Bentley Kyle Evans, the If Come Deal and how it works, the importance of emerging writers writing Spec Scripts and so much more!In case you don't know, entertainment industry veteran, Stacey Evans Morgan is a television writer and producer with credits on the Disney Channel/Disney Plus show “Saturdays” and she has also written and produced on scripted series such as, “The Parkers”, “Love That Girl”, “Family Time”, “In the Cut and Partners in Rhyme starring MC Lyt

In this episode, Hilliard & guest co-host Saeed Crumpler sat down with one of our favorite repeating guests AARON RAHSAAN THOMAS, acclaimed TV, Film writer/producer/ creator/co-showrunner of S.W.A.T., who began his career on Soul Food, Saturday Night Lights, Numbers, CSI NY, Southland, Sleepy Hollow and The Get-Down to list a few!We talk about how Arron developed and pitched S.W.A.T., how writers can use certain techniques when pitching their projects to networks or PODS, pivoting while shooting during COVID and after the death of George Floyd, management and producing, serving the client, giving yourself room to improvise, why TV Spec scripts are important and so much more!This is a don’t miss episode y’all!Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review!EMAIL:ScreenwritersRantRoom@gmail.comWWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COMFor information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media@Hilliardguess.bsky

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host TV/Film writer Saeed Crumpler sat down with big bro Showrunner GLEN MAZZARA (Crash, Damien, The Walking Dead, Hawthorne, Extraction to list a few)!HIGHLIGHTS: The WGA's new TV Writers Leadership Training Program, what Glen's been up to since our last episode #93 back in 2016, how to handle Development, Pitching & Notes, protecting yourself when times are slow, writing for tone, breaking down the first day/week in the writers' room and almost 2 hours worth of industry game!https://bit.ly/SWRR519Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review on all your podcasts distributors!For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!www.Screenwritersrantroom.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media@Hilliardguess.bsky.socialIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomGuests:@glenmazzara@balance510WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com

In this episode, Hilliard and comedy writer Myles Warden sat down for a super fun conversation with Co-Executive Producer VINCENT BROWN.Vincent recently wrapped up as co-executive producer for the FOX animated series HOUSEBROKEN, starring Lisa Kudrow. Prior to that, he served as a Co-Executive Producer on Apple TV’s series LIFE BY ELLA, winner of the Humanitas Award, a WGA Award and the Emmy Award for writing.Vincent began as a teen theatre performer, moving behind the scenes after graduating from Yale and becoming Dramaturge at San Francisco’s Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, which mounted his first play: a stage adaptation of Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye.He began in television on the Emmy-winning PBS children’s show, WISHBONE. After moving to Los Angeles, he joined MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE as Writer’s Guild Trainee, and his first network shows were COMMITTED (NBC-Universal) and GIRLFRIENDS. He haswritten for numerous family sitcoms, including Disney series such as A.N.T. FARM and K.C. UNDERCOVER, as well as adult

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-hosts (actor/filmmaker) Shawn Carter Peterson and (actor/filmmaker) Iona Morris Jackson sat down with STACIE GREENWELL who plays the role of Detective Shawna D Lackner, one of the stars on the Amazon Prime hit series CROSS!Stacie’s journey from the courtroom to the camera is a testament to following one's true passion. After several years practicing law in Washington, D.C., Stacie realized her heart belonged to the world of performance. She made a bold move to New York City, where she earned an M.F.A. in Acting at the Actors Studio Drama School. Years of stage experience in the Big Apple prepared her for her next chapter in Hollywood. Since arriving in Los Angeles, Stacie has appeared in numerous beloved and critically acclaimed television series such as Shameless (Showtime), Perry Mason (HBO), Big Little Lies (HBO), Last Man Standing (Fox), The Pitt (HBO), and Modern Family (ABC), as well as the Oscar-nominated film, Vice. Currently, Stacie plays the role of Detecti

In this episode, Hilliard and Writer on the Verge, Rich Scott, sit down for an impromptu conversation about writer showrunner and executive meetings -- over talking, mentorship, perception, nurturing relationships, being ready for an opportunity, working with producers and friends, having a Rep that works for you, not against you and so much more!Our Motto: Keep it GAME all day!"For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES - BLACK, GREY & WHITE), all things Rant Room!www.Screenwritersrantroom.comhttps://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/productsSubscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media@Hilliardguess.bsky.socialIG:@ScreenwritersRantRoom@FatboyFeels@WearererichieWE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com#SUPPORTBLACKBUSINESSES#SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM

In this episode, Hilliard does his very first Bottle Episode by himself covering TV STAFFING MEETINGS!He talks about how it all works, the General, the Staffing Breakdowns, mandates, themes, mimicking your script to the pilot, the zoom interview, showing personality, welcome to the show, curiosity, talking about yourself, tell them why you love their script, how writing partners can shine in a meeting and so much more!This is a don’t miss episode y’all!Our Motto: "Keep it GAME all day!"For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!www.Screenwritersrantroom.comhttps://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/productsSubscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media @Hilliardguess.bsky.socialIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomWE 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

"CREATING CROSS"Hilliard and guest co-hosts actor/filmmaker Johnny Ray Gill and actor/filmmaker Denzel Whitaker chop it up in a dope, 2-part episode with showrunner BEN WATKINS, writer-creator of the NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series and Outstanding Drama Series for Amazon’s new hit series CROSS.Ben talks about how he created and wrote the series CROSS on Amazon Prime and we go deep into the ins-and-outs of running a successful series, casting, writing, writers' rooms, production, the magical negro trope and so much more!This is a don’t miss episode y’all!"Our Motto: Keep it GAME all day!"For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room --www.Screenwritersrantroom.comhttps://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/productsSubscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media@Hilliardguess.bsky.socialIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomWE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

On an all new episode, Hilliard and guest co-hosts actor/filmmaker Johnny Ray Glil and actor/filmmaker Denzel Whitaker chop it up in a dope, 2-part episode with showrunner BEN WATKINS, writer-creator of the NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series and Outstanding Drama Series for Amazon’s new hit series CROSS.We break down many of Ben's writing tips for screenwriters -- like his 3 phases of screenwriting, building leverage, pivoting, picking up tidbits, finding characters on the page, researching, actors input and sooooooo much more!This is a don’t miss episode y’all!"Keep it GAME all day!"For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room --www.Screenwritersrantroom.comhttps://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/productsSubscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media@Hilliardguess.bsky.socialIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoomWE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠