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

38:04

Writing To "Cheer Moments"

Act Two Podcast ·

2025/01/27

"Cheer Moments" build to those audience-pleasing, emotionally satisfying moments... whether they’re moments of victory, revelation, or catharsis. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss writing to these moments, where this term came from (pretty sure it's JJ Abrams), and offer examples. Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

23:39

Writing in a Crisis

Act Two Podcast ·

2025/01/20

In difficult times, it's easy to feel lost or that our job as Screenwriters doesn't matter or make a difference. But the opposite is, in fact, true. In this episode, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk about what it's like to write during the crisis of the Los Angeles wildfires, how it's helped them cope, and how it actually sheds light on the unique importance of our job as Screenwriters and Filmmakers.Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by the GREAT

04:55

Los Angeles Fire Wellness Check-In

Act Two Podcast ·

2025/01/13

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman want to thank all of our listeners for their support and their check-ins during this unprecedented disaster. We are safe, we are together, and our hearts are broken for Los Angeles. Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

50:05

2025 Goals (Part 2)

Act Two Podcast ·

2025/01/07

2025 Screenwriting Goals have been made and now it's time to execute them. Join hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman as they talk about realistic, practical and effective ways to accomplish your screenwriting goals this year. Making career goals and accomplishing them are completely doable and within your control. Let's do this, together.Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

43:34

2025 Goals (Part 1)

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/12/31

In the final episode of Season 5, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk through their 2024 writing goals to see how many they achieved and what lessons can be learned from their failures to prevent a repeat next year. They also list their 2025 writing goals in prep for their New Year's episode... TWIW: Specs are back! / Movies are back! / Josh's daughter makes them both cry / Tasha's emotional pitch Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul

43:13

Nolan Corn

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/12/24

As INTERSTELLAR (2014) gets its IMAX re-release, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss how Christopher Nolan world builds in the film, utilizing every aspect of filmmaking at his disposal from shot framing, camera movement, dialogue, scene-dressing and music. Join in on a mini-breakdown of a masterclass in world-building. Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

47:03

The Holiday Edition: Blacklist Winners, Holiday...

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/12/16

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss how to survive the holidays as a writer while staying productive, the best holiday gifts to get writers, and how to shop for those pesky managers and agents of yours. TWIW: the Blacklist winners were announced, and Tasha & Josh have some favorites; movie-watching etiquette disaster during Interstellar; Tasha has two very different kinds of pitches in the same week, what does that look like? Plus another installment of WOULD YOU RATHER? Follow us

35:01

Christmas Genre Mashups: Why They Work

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/12/10

Christmas movies are the best! We dive into the Christmas magic of genre mashups, discussing how some films seamlessly blend Christmas themes with action, music, and comedy. We explore how these films balance the holiday spirit with unexpected twists ... and why we love them for it.Follow us @ACTTWOWRITERS Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@Gmail.com Edited by Paul Lundquist

33:42

Is a Work/Life Balance possible as a Screenwriter?

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/12/03

Being a professional Screenwriter means that, unlike a corporate job, every day of your work life is different. But, a Work/Life Balance is achievable, it's just about making the right choices each day to prioritize your schedule. Midst the end of year chaos, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss how they succeed at achieving a Work/Life Balance and, when they fail, how it happens. TWIW: Standing up for a casting choice you believe in, or back down? Follow us

47:32

How to Turn Meetings into Opportunities

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/11/25

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the different meetings you will have as a Screenwriter and how to turn them into work opportunities. Whether it's a Producer, a Director or another Writer, there are different ways to approach each meeting and maximize your time. TWIW: Do you engage on a project even if you're not passionate about it? / How an idea gestates over time. / A big new spec sale just hit Hollywood by storm! What we know & don't know Follow us

52:28

The Training Montage

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/11/18

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

47:26

Mailbag: Call to Action vs. Inciting Incident,...

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/11/11

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

42:02

Chekhov's Gun in Screenwriting

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/11/04

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

59:50

The Best Horror Sequels!

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/10/28

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

57:37

Horror Rules & Mystery w/ Joe Russo and Dave Levinson

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/10/21

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

40:54

Script Changes, Tomb Raider, and Q&A Galore

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/10/14

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

50:15

TOMB RAIDER Q&A with Showrunner Tasha Huo

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/10/07

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

39:58

Get Your Tomb Raider Questions & 8 Sequence Story...

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/09/30

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.

32:28

No Writing Path Is The Same

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/09/23

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

47:30

Being Flexible without Compromising,

Act Two Podcast ·

2024/09/17

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 /

273 results

Act Two Podcast

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

BEHIND THE VELVET ROPE

David Yontef

Nerd Culture - A Gamekings Podcast

Blammo Media

UPodcast

UPodcast

The Writers Hangout

Sandy Adomaitis

The Sarah Fraser Show

Sarah Fraser