Hilliard Guess' Screenwriters Rant Room

In this episode, Hilliard and lil sis, actor/writer Dalila Ali Rajah sit down for a fun conversation about the do's and don'ts of submitting films to YOLONDA BRINKLEY creator of the long-running, and very popular DIVERSITY IN CANNES SHORT FILM SHOWCASE! Yolonda, the self-proclaimed global disruptor, is a full-service marketing communications practitioner specializing in event production and entertainment publicity. Fueled by passion, she is the creator of Diversity in Cannes, the independent global film movement promoting inclusion at the Cannes Film Festival. Supported by Academy Award Winner Viola Davis' JuVee Productions, Yolonda's inclusion efforts include the annual presentation of Diversity Day in Cannes, consisting of two short film showcases, a film panel and an awards reception in France during the Festival de Cannes, where diversity is not a priority.Celebrating 15 years, Yolonda has hosted hundreds of filmmakers from five continents, received thousands of short film submissions repr

In this super fun episode, Hilliard & guest co-host actor/writer/dir Denzel Whitaker sit down for an in-depth conversation with award-winning writer-dir-producer LISA FRANCE. If you ever had questions about how to become an Episodic Director, this might be the podcast for you! Lisa France is an entertainment vet with over 25+ years in the business as a writer, director and producer. She began her film and TV career from the ground up. PA, AD, set dec, camera operator, props, 2nd AD, driver, stand-in, extra, etc.  She attributes her extensive entertainment job resume to her ability to think quickly in difficult production situations.  Eventually she landed a stunt gig with Spike Lee in He Got Game and a stunt acting job on The Summer of Sam and did stunts on a variety of other TV shows and films, most notably, The Sopranos. France directed, co-wrote and produced her first feature film, "Anne B. Real" in 2003, which won more than 40 film festival awards and nominations around the world, includin

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host (writers assnt CROSS on Prime) J.R. Zamora-Thal, sat down for an in-depth conversation with writer/producer JOSHUA GILBERT. He's a mid-level TV writer (Flash) -- https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4214168 -- and prior to staffing, did all the Writers' Office Assistant jobs: Writers' PA, Showrunner's Asst, Writers' Asst, and Script Coordinator (the gig he did the most). Josh says, "It occurred to me that if a YouTube video can teach someone to fix their sink, they can learn to SCRIPT COORDINATE the same way. So I created an 8-part video training module that gives step-by-step instructions for taking a script from first draft to shooting draft!" We talk about how other assistant jobs don't lend themselves to the Script Coordinator training video and why and also learn his journey of giving back to writer on the come-up! Check out Josh's YouTube page and get soak up game - completely FREE! "Veteran Script Coordinator" https://ww

In this episode, Hilliard & guest-host writer/actor Dalila Ali Rajah sat down in a super fun, laugh-out-loud conversation with FRANCHESCA RAMSEY, actor, writer, producer and the creator/star of the award-winning series MTV Decoded! A former writer/correspondent for Comedy Central’s The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, her first book, "Well That Escalated Quickly" was nominated for an NAACP award and named one of Amazon’s best books of 2018. In 2021 she served as writer/co-producer on the iCarly reboot for Paramount+ and guest starred on NBC’s Superstore.In the podcast space she serves as a co-producer and host of Wondery’s Black History for Real, Acast’s Lemme Fix it! and Audible’s We Were All Rooting For You. As a content creator Franchesca has amassed over a million followers across multiple platforms with her comedic social commentary and catchy viral songs.Before her life as a writer and producer Franchesca worked as a graphic designer for brands including Maybelline, Ann Taylor and the City of Miami

In this episode, Hilliard & guest co-host Tracy Grant (Exec Producer on LACE on ALLBLK), sat down for an informative conversation about the ins-and-outs of finding opportunities for your screenwriting career with special guest JAMES MOORER (writer/producer/author/publisher behind the new company One Moorer Media and Management, that is dedicated to writers who specialize in turning their screenplays into IP or IP into screenplays! James is a sought-after speaker who inspires audiences with his innovative perspective and career journey. He delivers keynotes at industry conferences and events, including Exception Fest 2023. From 2021-2024, he served as Director of Outreach and Diversity Initiatives for Roadmap Writers and helped more than 400 writers gain representation. In June 2024, he began offering executive consulting services, publishing, and literary management via OneMoorerMedia andManagement. With over two decades of success across filmmaking, writing, and producing, James continues to share his pa

In this episode, Hilliard and writer Saeed Crumpler (Flatbush Misdemeanors, 1st Look at Sony), sat down for an in-depth conversation on how to look at your writing career as a Plan vs a Goal in order to succeed and finish the thing you so desperately want to write. We also spend time talking about a slew of other writer topics, like screenwriting vocabulary, flipping from TV to film writing and things to look out for, why screenwriters should write existing spec scripts before attacking a pilot, pitching yourself and sooooooo much more! For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!Screenwritersrantroom.com https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media@Hilliardguess.bsky.socialIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom@Balance510 WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com We invest countless hours per week to deliver the

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host comedy writer Myles Warden sat down with Co-Executive Producer EVAN WAITE in a super dope conversation. Evan is not only a writer/producer on long-running hit series The Family Guy, but he’s written for show like (Inside Job, Fairfax Sunnyside, unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), several shows as well as The New Yorker and The Onion, so you know he’s not only funny, but a terrific writer. His perfectly timed book, "Life Wants You Dead: A Calm, Rational, and Totally Legit Guide to Scaring Yourself Safe" which is a hilarious parody survival guide for our crazy times. Get the book y'all! For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!Screenwritersrantroom.com https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/productsSubscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media@Hilliardguess.bsky.socialIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom@TheOhBits@MylesWarden WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode Hilliard and guest co-hosts Scott Foster & Brian Austin (Script Hop/The Gauntlet), sat down with OG screenwriters - SHANE BLACK (Lethal Weapon, Iron Man 3, A Long Kiss Goodnight) and JIM HERZFELD (Meet the Parents, Meet the Fockers, The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story, etc) in a super dope conversation covering ELEMENTS OF CRAFT for screenwriters. So much wisdom dropped, so many laughs, so much fun y’all! We also spend some time talking about Script Hop where Shane, Jim and myself are on the Advisory Board of the company. We talking with the founders about the success of THE GAUNTLET - A revolutionary gateway into the industry — where no script is ever at the mercy of a
single gatekeeper's opinion. We go into how it works and how the Gauntlet can help screenwriters move the next level of their careers! https://www.scripthop.com/GauntletFor information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!Screenwritersrantroom.com https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products Subscribe, li

The Screenwriters' Rant Room is off this week for the holidays - we'll be back next week! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/screenwriters-rant-room/support

In this episode Hilliard and guest co-host actor/filmmaker Johnny Ray Gill (CROSS) sit down in a 2 1/2 hour conversation with actor/filmmaker ALONA TAL (CROSS) for an in-depth conversation about working as talent in Hollywood, and the ins-and-outs of the journey to landing series regular roles on TV.We also talk about how Alona landed her role on Ben Watkins' CROSS series (which just premiered its entire season on Amazon Prime on November 14th), and Alona and Johnny Ray gave some of their favorite audition tips and tricks to actors as well as how they work best with writers and producers and so much more!Another don't miss episode for yo' ass!For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!Screenwritersrantroom.comhttps://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/productsSubscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social mediaIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom@AlonaTal@JohnnyRayGillWE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode Hilliard & writer (1st Look at Sony) Saeed Crumpler spend two solid hours talkin all kinds of writer shit for y'all to soak up game. A don't miss episode for anyone interested in writing for TV/Film. Also, if you have plans to direct your first film or short, this is the episode for you. Lots of gems to help you on your journey!Sitting in as guest co-host this week is dramedy writer Rich Redlo.For information, Merch (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!Screenwritersrantroom.comhttps://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/productsSubscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social mediaIG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom@Balance510WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠:Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.comWe invest countless hours per week to deliver the actionable content that goes into this podcast. We appreciate your support!SCREENWRITER NETWORKS:OBSwriter.comBTFC.orgSend in a voice message: https://podca

In this new season premiere episode, Hilliard and guest co-host (actor/filmmaker) Shawn Carter Peterson sat down with JOHNNY RAY GILL - a critically acclaimed actor, filmmaker, rapper, poet and activist. He just finished filming seasons one and two of "CROSS" created by Ben Watkins, Amazon Prime's new psychological thriller based on the best-selling book series Alex Cross by James Patterson. Gill stars opposite Aldis Hodge and Ryan Eggold as Bobby Trey, a deadly, cunning ex-DC police officer from Shreveport who’s motived by money and the reclaiming of his family’s land, stolen by a racist predatory US government. Up next, Johnny Ray will be seen in cat form, in Oscar winner Gore Verbinski’s highly anticipated new animated feature "Cattywumpus." It’s purrrhaps Gill’s most hysterical transformation yet. This dynamic, versatile, potent performer might be best known for his soul-stirring performance as Kerwin, opposite Aden Young in the Ray Mckinnon, Mark Johnson, Melissa Bernstein Sundance series "Rectify." A da

In the final episode of the season, Hilliard and guest co-host, veteran actor/writer TONY WINTERS sat down for a 2 hour conversation with award-winning writer/director of the new hit film - Searchlight Pictures THE SUPREMES AT EARL’S ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT - TINA MABRY (also Mississippi Damned, “Queen of the South”, “Pose”, "Queen Sugar", "Women of the Movement", "Insecure") to list a few!A native of Tupelo, Mississippi, Tina Mabry graduated from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts with an MFA in Film Production. A true hyphenate, Mabry is an award-winning writer, director, and producer for television and film. She was a co-producer, writer, and director for USA’s hit drama "Queen of the South". Mabry was also a producer, writer, and director on OWN’s "Queen Sugar" created by Ava DuVernay.Mabry’s vast episodic directing credits include “Insecure” (HBO), “Dear White People” (Netflix), “Pose” (FX), “Grand Army” (Netflix), “Women of the Movement” (ABC), “Power” (STARZ), the “Beast Mode” pil

In this episode Hilliard and guest co-host (actor/writer) DALILA ALI RAJAH were joined by lil sis, Emmy-winning writer, producer, performer LENA WAITHE! Lena created the hit series THE CHI which set a new record with Season 6 as the most-streamed season the series has ever seen! Lena Waithe, and led by CEO, Rishi Rajani. Since its inception, Hillman Grad has grown to include five divisions across TV/Film, Books, Podcasts, Branded Content and Mentorship–quickly rising to become one of the most prominent companies in entertainment.    Through Lena’s Hillman Grad Productions, the company’s film and television arm, is home to the producers behind Showtime’s most streamed drama series, "The Chi", BET’s "Twenties", Universal’s "Queen & Slim", Sundance award-winner "The Forty-Year-Old Version", and more. Current producorial projects include the Emmy-nominated documentary film "Being Mary Tyler Moore", which held its world premiere at this year’s SXSW Festival an

In this episode, Hilliard & guest co-host Zimran Jacob sit down to chop it up with writer/producer NIKHIL S. JAYARAM in a two hour, nothing-but-game episode for all of you writers dying to get staffed on a TV series!We talk about Nikhil's new book THE TV WRITERS HIDDEN PATH:TVWRITERSHIDDENPATH.COMNikhil is a screenwriter for television and film. Rising from Staff Writer to Producer, he’s written on hit TV series including the Emmy-nominated STAR TREK: PRODIGY for Paramount+/Nickelodeon, NBC’s SHADES OF BLUE and THE MYSTERIES OF LAURA, and shows in various stages of developmentfor Netflix and other outlets. He has sold projects to and written for major studios, such as Sony Pictures Television, WarnerBrothers Television, Universal Television, Activision/BlizzardStudios, and ViacomCBS. He’s currently scribing a romanticcomedy feature for Hallmark.His writing has earned him entryinto the CBS Writers Mentoring Program, NBC’s Writers on theVerge, the CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) New

In this episode Hilliard and guest co-host (writer & teamster) Ric Davis sat down in a laugh-out-loud episode with actor/writer/comedian WILLIE MACC!Willie Macc has over 100 million views of his standup and comedy videos across all social media platforms. He is one of the stars from the hit BET show College Hill: Virgin Island. Willie Macc is sold his pilot “My Flipping Familys” on HGTV where he and his brother buy and flip homes around St. Louis. Willie Macc has become one of the few Reality TV stars to transition and make it as working actor and comedian in Hollywood. He has been in over 50 national commercials such as Kia, Verizon, Credit Karma, Progressive, Snapple, and many more. Willie has app teared in tv shows such as CSI, Casual on Hulu, ABCs The Goldbergs, Meet the Spartans with Kevin Sorbo, Carmen Electra and Tiffany Haddish. Willie Macc has recently been featured in Deadline for the Black Boy Writes Program started by showrunner Mike Guayo writer on HBO’s Insecure and Netflix’s Ginny and Georg

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-hosts Dijorn & Trinea Moss sit down for a super entertaining conversation with. Literary Manager Zack Zucker from Bellevue Productions. It is a kickass, two hour podcast where we peppered Zack with writer/filmmaker questions and he dropped nothing but industry game! About Zack:Prior to joining Bellevue, Zack worked at Google, United Talent Agency, and Twentieth Century Fox. He also produced independently.On the feature side, his clients have placed #1 on the 2020 and 2021 Black Lists and had films premiere at Sundance, SXSW, TIFF, and Tribeca. On the TV side, his clients have sold to the likes of Fox, Hulu, Netflix, Sony, eOne, and Village Roadshow, and have written on such series as Fight Night, FBI: International, Frasier, Manifest, Flatbush Misdemeanors, and AJ & the Queen.As a producer, his feature, THE NOVICE, premiered at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival, where it won multiple awards including Best US Narrative. The film went on to sell to IFC Films and was n

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host actor, writer producer (Angie's Cure) sit down for a hilarious conversation about being a multihypenate filmmaker in today's climate in Hollywood.Since 1999, Marcus has appeared in over 90 TV shows, films and commercials including notable roles on Frasier, The Big Bang Theory, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Black-ish. As a writer, Marcus’ first romantic comedy feature "The List" was broadcast as an ABC Family original movie in 2007. StarringWayne Brady, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Jane Lynch and Malcolm Jamal Warner, The List was subsequently nominated in for three NAACP Image Awards, including one for Best TV Movie! "Alley Way", a web series that Marcus both created and stars in won BEST COMEDY at the 2020 SeriesFest Television Festival and in 2022, Marcus co-wrote and co-directed "The Fallen", a music driven feature starring gospel music sensation DeitrickHaddon that is currently streaming on AMC owned ALL BLK. Most recently, Marcus co-wro

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

In this episode, Hilliard & guest co-host, dramedy writer Rich Redlo sat down with Executive Producer TAWNYA BENAVIDES BHATTACHARYA (A MILLION LITTLE THINGS, GINNY & GEORGIA, BEL AIR, MY LIFE WITH THE WALTER BOYS AND FOUNDER SCRIPT ANATOMY. This is another super fun episode with tons of great behind-the-curtain information and lessons for emerging and working writers! Discount: WRITERSRANT24 code for $50.00 off any August 2024 feature or TV writing class! Our Motto: "We keep it GAME all day!" NEW WEBSITE:screenwritersrantroom.comFor information (T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room! Subscribe, follow, like, share & 5-star review!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Hilliard Guess on all social media IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom Guest: @Tbhattacharya @ScriptAnatomy 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 suppo