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PODCAST

The Writers Hangout

Sandy Adomaitis

THE WRITERS HANGOUT, a podcast that celebrates the many stages of writing from inspiration to the first draft, revising, getting a project made and everything in-between. We’ll talk to the best and brightest in the entertainment industry and create a space where you can hang out, learn from the pros and have fun.

tv & film film history

All Episodes

15:15

Five Films To Cuddle Up With This Fall

The Writers Hangout ·

2026/10/04

Grab a blanket, pour something warm, and settle in! This week, The Writers Hangout revisits a favorite episode, celebrating five wonderfully cozy fall films: Stepmom, The Family Stone, Mystic Pizza, When Harry Met Sally, and Baby Boom.From Nora Ephron dialogue and Julia Roberts in Central Park to Diane Keaton in Vermont, we’re talking great writing, memorable performances, gorgeous fall foliage, oversized sweaters, and plenty of movie nostalgia.Plus, Sandy reveals which films earn the coveted

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68:29

Dark Hollow: Screenwriter/Director Daniel Byers on...

The Writers Hangout ·

2026/09/27

What does it take to turn a screenplay into a terrifying feature film? On this episode of The Writers Hangout, host Sandy welcomes Daniel Byers, writer and director of Dark Hollow, an independent folk-horror film that blends Appalachian folklore, practical creature effects, and a chilling story rooted in the region’s coal-mining history.Daniel’s screenplay, originally titled Paradise, won the Jury Award at the 2023 Austin Film Festival, helping launch the film’s journey to production and

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32:11

Rob Reiner: A Hollywood Assistant’s Story with...

The Writers Hangout ·

2026/09/20

What’s it really like to work for a Hollywood legend?On this episode of The Writers Hangout, comedian and screenwriter Charlie Nadler takes us behind the scenes of his career in Hollywood, including his time as Rob Reiner’s executive assistant and his work at Castle Rock Entertainment.Charlie shares stories about working with Rob and getting a firsthand look at the filmmaking process. He also talks about growing up in a family of writers—his parents met while working on Laverne & Shirley—and his

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74:49

Remembering Dolly Parton: The Story Behind 9 to 5...

The Writers Hangout ·

2026/09/06

In honor of Dolly Parton's recent passing, we are rewinding our episode with 9 to 5 screenwriter Patricia Resnick.We have a fantastic episode for you—and one that feels especially meaningful as we remember the extraordinary Dolly Parton.My guest is screenwriter, producer, and stand-up comedian Patricia Resnick, best known for writing the iconic film 9 to 5, starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin, as well as writing the book for 9 to 5: The Musical.With the recent passing of Dolly

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19:50

Did Taylor Sheridan Steal the Idea for Yellowstone?

The Writers Hangout ·

2026/08/24

What happens when a struggling writer claims a Hollywood powerhouse stole her idea?In this episode of The Writers Hangout, Sandy takes a closer look at a lawsuit filed by writer Lauren J. Salkin, who alleges that Taylor Sheridan and others used elements of her 2016 pitch, Sovereign Nation, to create the hit series Yellowstone.Sandy breaks down a recent Variety article about the lawsuit and examines the similarities Salkin claims exist between her project and Yellowstone — including a tribal casino

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20:11

Rewind: How to Spend $600 Million Dollars: The Story...

The Writers Hangout ·

2026/08/16

Let us introduce you to the fascinating and luxurious world of Stephen Leo Bing, an American businessman, philanthropist, film producer, and screenwriter. Sadly, Steve Bing passed away from multiple blunt-force trauma after jumping from the 27th floor of a luxury apartment building in Century City, Los Angeles, on June 22, 2020. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner officially confirmed his death as a suicide. He was just 55 years old.Enjoy the show.Contact us:

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35:48

The Wild Story Behind 1993's Super Mario Bros. Movie

The Writers Hangout ·

2026/08/09

Rewind. Did you know there was another SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE besides the animated blockbuster starring Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, and Fred Armisen? The first SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE hit theaters in 1993 and was the first feature-length live-action film based on a video game. Directed by the husband-and-wife team Rocky Morton and Annabel Jankel, it follows brothers Mario Mario (Bob Hoskins) and Luigi Mario (John Leguizamo) as they quest to

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49:36

Growing Up Orkin: Comedy, Creativity, and the Legacy...

The Writers Hangout ·

2026/08/02

Hang out with us for a fun conversation with Lisa Orkin and Harris Orkin — daughter and son of legendary radio writer, actor, and producer Dick Orkin. Dick Orkin, the mind behind the iconic radio serial “Chickenman” and the creative powerhouse The Famous Radio Ranch, was hailed by Newsweek as the pioneer of “The Advertising Theater of the Absurd.” He revolutionized audio advertising with his use of deadpan comedy, memorable characters, and situational humor, setting a new standard for creative

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34:01

How Writers Find Their Agents And Managers

The Writers Hangout ·

2026/07/26

Thanks for hanging out with us!In this REWIND episode, Sandy and Terry dive into a fascinating Twitter thread that shares some really valuable insights into how signed writers found their representation. A big thank you to Tyler Clair Smith, the talented writer on X who inspired this episode. Be sure to follow Tyler Clair Smith at @tclairsmith—we certainly did!In this episode, we discuss helpful internet programs for screenwriters. The Writers’ Hangout Podcast did not receive payment for our

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64:36

Hollywood Insider Becky D’Anna Discusses Terminator,...

The Writers Hangout ·

2026/07/19

What makes Terminator 2: Judgment Day one of the greatest films ever made?We're excited to have Becky D'Anna join us! Becky is a podcaster, a movie historian, and a lifelong cinephile with a 26-year career in movie marketing. We'll dive into an engaging chat about The Terminator, Comic-Con, the works of Ingmar Bergman, and much more!Becky shares how watching Terminator 2 on opening day in 1991 inspired her Hollywood career and ultimately led to a 26-year career in movie marketing,

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13:58

Christopher Nolan's Writing Advice: 5 Quotes Every...

The Writers Hangout ·

2026/07/12

What can screenwriters learn from one of the greatest filmmakers of our time?In this episode, we explore five inspiring quotes from Academy Award-winning writer and director Christopher Nolan and break down the storytelling principles behind his remarkable career. From Memento and The Dark Knight trilogy to Inception, Interstellar, and Oppenheimer, Nolan has built a reputation for creating emotionally powerful, intellectually challenging films that captivate audiences worldwide.Before diving into

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27:08

Oh My God! They Killed Kenney! The Too Short and...

The Writers Hangout ·

2026/06/29

REWIND This episode explores the remarkable life and tragic death of Doug Kenney, the comedic genius behind Animal House and Caddyshack, and a co-founder of National Lampoon. Friends and collaborators described Kenney as a brilliant creative force whose influence helped redefine American comedy. At just 33 years old, his life came to a sudden and mysterious end after falling from a cliff in Hawaii, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape comedy and filmmaking today.The PAGE International

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51:41

Vicky Hart on Her Father, Stan Hart, a Legendary...

The Writers Hangout ·

2026/06/21

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Victoria “Vicky” Hart, daughter of acclaimed television writer Stan Hart, whose remarkable career helped shape some of the most beloved comedy programs in television history.Stan Hart, alongside writing partner Larry Siegel, was a key writer for The Carol Burnett Show, earning multiple Emmy Awards for his work. His extensive career also included writing credits for films such as Move and Eat and Run (1986), as well as television favorites such as Love, American

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37:04

Filmmaker Billy Luther Talks ‘Frybread Face & Me.’

The Writers Hangout ·

2026/06/14

Filmmaker Billy Luther talks with Sandy about his coming-of-age film, ‘Frybread Face and Me,’ which was executive-produced by Taika Waititi and distributed by Ava DuVernay’s company, Array, on Netflix.Written and directed by Billy, ‘Frybread Face and Me’ was selected for SXSW 2023's Narrative Spotlight and TIFF 2023's Discovery and New Wave Selects. Billy’s feature documentary, Miss Navajo, premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival and aired nationally on PBS’ Independent Lens that same

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19:29

Billy Wilder's 10 Tips To Write A Great Screenplay

The Writers Hangout ·

2026/06/07

Rewind. Sandy and Terry will discuss Billy Wilder's 10 tips for screenwriters. Few screenwriters are as pedigreed as Billy Wilder, who is renowned as one of the most creative filmmakers of American cinema's Golden Age. Wilder was nominated 21 times at the Academy Awards, 13 for screenwriting and 8 for direction. He won the Best Director award for his 1945 film "The Lost Weekend" and again 15 years later for "The Apartment." Thanks to the success of "The

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13:00

Master One Rule Instantly Become A Better Writer

The Writers Hangout ·

2026/06/01

In today’s episode, we're diving into a key principle of screenwriting: SHOW DON’T TELL. This simple yet powerful rule can truly elevate your writing to new heights. These three words hold a lot of meaning—so what exactly does SHOW DON’T TELL mean? Join us as we explore this idea and share some great examples from well-known films and TV shows that beautifully illustrate this principle.Executive Producer Kristin Overn Creator/Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis Producer Terry Sampson Music by

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32:20

PAGE Awards Judges Reveal How They Evaluate Your...

The Writers Hangout ·

2026/05/25

REWIND. We continue our conversation about how PAGE Awards Judges evaluate your screenplay with Karen Craig and Scott Barkan. Next week, to wrap up this four-part series, we’ll be talking to Kristin Overn, the Founder and Executive Director of the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards.Karen Craig is a professional screenwriter and script doctor whose credits include AMERICAN PSYCHO II, starring Mila Kunis and William Shatner, and FORBIDDEN SECRETS, starring Kristy Swanson. Karen has served as a

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40:50

PAGE Awards Judges Reveal How They Evaluate Your...

The Writers Hangout ·

2026/05/25

REWIND. Two PAGE Awards Judges, Victoria Lucas and Laurie Ashbourne, discuss how they evaluate your screenplays, whether you're just starting or have a script in the competition. You do not want to miss this inside talk.⭐️ Laurie Ashbourne began her film career in Disney animation and has worked over the past 20 years as a story consultant, writer, and producer for Disney, Amazon, and many independent producers. She has more than 30 features and short films to her credit, including her new

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32:23

PAGE Awards Judges Reveal How They Evaluate Your...

The Writers Hangout ·

2026/05/25

REWIND. PAGE Awards Judges David Portlock and John Evans continue our conversation about how they evaluate your screenplay. These two judges share a lot of helpful information in this interview.✰ David Portlock has worked as a script reader for United Talent Agency and currently works for Bassett Vance Productions. Over the past 15 years, David has consulted and assisted dozens of writers in developing their films. Also a screenwriter, David wrote and directed a feature film picked up by HBO,

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45:16

PAGE Awards Judges Reveal How They Evaluate Your...

The Writers Hangout ·

2026/05/25

REWIND of two more PAGE Awards Judges, Dwayne Smith and Mike Kuciak, continues the conversation about how they evaluate your screenplay.Mike Kuciak has two movies coming out in 2022; he's the writer-director of one and the writer-producer of the other. He's a producer on a third film scheduled to begin production in late 2022. He has served as a producer and executive producer on several independent films. He was the senior vice president of development for a literary management-production

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217 results

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