PODCAST

Act Two Podcast

Tasha Huo & Josh Hallman

Behind-the-Scenes of the Business and Craft of professional Screenwriting.

tv & film film interviews

All Episodes

46:23

How to Cut Pages

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/02/05

It is the bane of any Screenwriter's existence when they turn in their perfect screenplay only to be told they need to cut 10 pages. Whether it's for the read or for production, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss their step-by-step process for cutting pages when you absolutely don't want to, but HAVE to. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

45:15

Taking an Idea to Outline

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/01/29

Where ideas come from and then how to turn that into an actual movie or TV show is THE hardest part of being a writer, and one of the most-asked questions between writers: "How did you come up with that?" So this episode, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman break down in detail how they went from Idea to Outline for their new Murder Mystery spec. TWIW: Tasha's unexpected self-sabotage moment / To reference other movies in your action description, or not to? / Some new thoughts on pitch

35:24

Getting Comfortable with Feeling Uncomfortable

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/01/23

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss all the ways a Screenwriter feels uncomfortable in their day to day working lives, and how they tackle those feelings when they come up, whether it be a Pitch, a General Meeting, or discussing difficult ideas in their scripts. TWIW: How Act Two's first Patreon Live Q&A went, Tasha's Screenwriting nightmare, Short Form content and how difficult it is to crack. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

53:17

How to Combat (and Defeat) Imposter Syndrome

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/01/15

We all feel it. That voice in our head telling us we are Imposters and someone will finally figure out we don't know how to write, pitch or create stories. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what their own Imposter Syndrome looks like and how they have managed to not only combat it, but in some cases, completely defeat it. TWIW: Is Barbie an "adapted" or "original" screenplay? / Tasha is watching Pokemon! / How to get over rambling and apologizing while pitching / Where ideas come from can

49:17

How to Nail a General or Rep Meeting

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/01/08

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what a General Meeting is and how to impress once you're in one. They also discuss why reps are key, but not imperative, to a Screenwriting career, and how to meet with reps if you are taking meetings with Agents and Managers. TWIW: 22 Jump Street's surprising improv scene, The importance and beauty of listening to others on set, and Josh & Tasha list their Top 5 favorite movies of 2023 (which may surprise you). Questions / Comments:

55:04

New Year. New Goals. 2024!

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/01/01

Happy 2024! Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss goals in the new year. Get ready. It's an exciting time. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

43:23

’Tis the Season: Why Christmas Movies Work

Act Two Podcast ·

2023/12/18

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss their Top 3 Christmas movies, why they work, and what they would do if they wrote a Christmas movie. TWIW: The Oscars are now honoring "fan favorite" films / How NFL has cornered the market on character-driven storytelling / and the pain in the ass that is living with a writer. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

44:45

Filmmaking Tips from James Mangold (LOGAN)

Act Two Podcast ·

2023/12/11

Hosts Tasha Huo & Josh Hallman discuss filmmaking tips we can learn from writer-director James Mangold (LOGAN, INDIANA JONES & THE DIAL OF DESTINY). TWIW: Is Harry Potter just a magical Mission Impossible movie? And how do you combat "spec boredom" so you can finish your script instead of move on to a new idea? Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

43:28

TWIW: Party Recap, When a Short Story Has No Hook,...

Act Two Podcast ·

2023/12/04

This Week in Writing includes a recap of our Screenwriter Meet Up, heart vs marketability, when to throw the kitchen sink at your script’s hook, how to work a general to your advantage, do you need to drop your rep if they don’t “get you,” the learned skill of trimming minutes, shredding the “a screenplay is a bland blueprint” opinion, and a reminder of why the first ten pages of your screenplay need to be engaging (even if it’s a slow burn!). Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited

36:14

Finding Clarity of Concept in Your Pilot

Act Two Podcast ·

2023/11/27

How do you get the heart of your show across in a clear and concise way without overloading the script with too many elements or underwhelming with too few? Tasha and Josh discuss how to bring clarity of concept into your writing using lessons from their recent pilots. TWIW: Lessons from a Mike Flanagan Kickstarter. Why distinctive characters are essential for pitching a network TV show. Thoughts on The Killer’s use of voiceover. Why you should watch Blue Eye Samurai. And what was season 2 of Loki

04:06

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: LA Event & Patreon Launch

Act Two Podcast ·

2023/11/22

The day has finally arrived! On Nov 30th we officially launch the Act Two Podcast Patreon. To celebrate, we’re hosting a Screenwriter Meet & Greet that night in Los Angeles. If you’re in the area, come say “Hello!” We’d love to see you there! Link for Event Info Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

53:57

Breaking Down Pixar’s BRAVE with Producer & Manager,...

Act Two Podcast ·

2023/11/20

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

39:41

TWIW: Why Relationships Matter, When to Restructure,...

Act Two Podcast ·

2023/11/14

This Week in Writing includes why relationships are key to the Hollywood long game, signs you may need to restructure your spec, and why the simple act of reading a comic can be so creatively refreshing. Plus, Josh breaks through with a new idea to avoid extensive, unpaid rewrites! Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

42:16

Ways to Tackle a 2nd Draft

Act Two Podcast ·

2023/11/06

Writing a first draft is tough. But writing a second draft can be tougher. Tasha and Josh discuss best practices for tackling the deceptively difficult second draft, be it going scene-by-scene, starting anew, or ignoring a note to find the real note lurking underneath. TWIW: Why staying active with programs and competitions keeps you going. Should an agent ask for your resume? Style lessons from the Barbarian screenplay. And a friendly reminder that public domain is a proven place to mine IP

01:19:02

Building Dread: Top 5 Horror Films w/ Special Guest...

Act Two Podcast ·

2023/10/30

What makes a horror film truly terrifying? Tasha and Josh, along with special guest and horror aficionado Dave Levinson, break down their favorite horror films and what makes them so frightening that even decades later just the thought of the film sends a shiver up our spine. TWIW: Josh is shocked by the discrepancies between a pilot script and a finished pilot episode. Tasha gets to the root of the simplistic genius behind Netflix’s Fall of the House of Usher. Questions /

43:17

How to Get Repped

Act Two Podcast ·

2023/10/23

Getting repped may seem impossible, but there are actually many different paths to representation. Tasha and Josh break down what worked for them and what they’ve seen work for others. (Spoiler: the best way is to write a good script!) TWIW: Josh finished a pilot with his wife and celebrated with a bottle of rosé and Taylor Swift. Tasha celebrates an Act Two mentee getting repped! Plus, how long does it take to write a feature screenplay? How Professional Screenwriters Outline:

20:55

Where to Find Inspiration

Act Two Podcast ·

2023/10/16

There’s no wrong way to be inspired, but finding inspiration can oftentimes prove elusive. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss various techniques they use when they need a burst of creative inspiration, be it in nature, nostalgia, or an engaging museum plaque. TWIW: Josh and Tasha fear AI becoming a creative crutch, but admit that it can be a helpful tool when creating perfect imagery for look books (but shh! don’t tell anybody!!). Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the

27:16

The Importance of Self-Care

Act Two Podcast ·

2023/10/09

Take a break! Eat dinner with your family! Hangout with that friend! We promise you’ll still get your writing done. In this episode, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the importance of self-care in a post-strike world, and the various strategies they use to relieve the ever-present pressure of work work work. Step one: acknowledging that you need self-care in the first place! TWIW: Josh experiences notes in real time. Tasha feels pressure to make her next spec definitive while also finishing

54:21

The Essential Steps to Writing a Pilot Outline

Act Two Podcast ·

2023/10/02

Writing a Pilot is one of the more difficult undertakings of a Screenwriter. It must set up an entire series without revealing too much of the series journey, engage the audience with questions, but not leave enough questions to be confusing. A great pilot starts with a great outline. In this episode, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss how TV Pilots are broken and outlined in a professional writer's room, and how to take those lessons with you to your own personal pilot process. TWIW: the

46:35

Finding Humanity in Your Villain

Act Two Podcast ·

2023/09/25

A great villain is the hero of their own story. Search for their humanity and discover what makes them your hero’s shadow self. Plus, Elemental and the lost art of word of mouth marketing. TWIW: Josh achieves #couplegoals. Tasha struggles to finish her short story, but finds hope in her calendar of all places. Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

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