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seated at the writers table podcast

“Seated At The Writer’s Table” is meant for anybody who geeks out over writing. If you find yourself over-analyzing a plot-line or discussing the details of a character’s dialogue than this show is for you. If you debate over who’s a better rock lyricist, Neil Peart or Pete Townshend, than this show is for you. If you’ve read and debated the finer points of the Lord of the Rings more than once, than this show is for you. Host Phil Giangrande interviews writers of all genres, as well as industry professionals such as literary agents, publishers and script doctors. For those who are interested in professional content writing for businesses, Phil will be speaking with experts in that field as well to uncover powerful marketing techniques that writers can use to immediately increase sales. Take Your Seat at the Writer's Table.
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Jun 23, 2019

“The Tramp” an original comedy pilot starring John O’Hurley (Seinfeld, Family Feud) and the comedian/Sirius XM host Godfrey, will make its West Coast Debut in the Pilots category at this year’s Dances with Films Festival at the TCL Chinese Theater, June 13-23, 2019.

The dynamic duo of Brian VanHooker and Steve Quistgaard are the driving force of the comedic Turtle with Lemonade Productions which created “The Tramp.”. Working together since the age of 15, when they made their first pilot, the two have produced a variety of creative ventures, including the online shorts “Little Known Moments in American History” and the animated pilot/comic book “Barnum & Elwood” in the almost 20 years that have since ensued. However, they consider “The Tramp” to be their most ambitious project to date.

The premise of “The Tramp” centers on out-of-work, narcissistic, game show host Chip Turner who has finally found a way to get his big comeback - provided he agrees to star in a new reality show where he will live as a homeless person on the streets of New York City.

The series is done in a mockumentary-style format that will follow Chip as he tries to adapt to street-living and contend with many obstacles; one of those is his executive producer Martin Miles who knows that to make “The Tramp” succeed, he'll have to ensure Chip gets down in the gutter to represent the real struggles that homeless people face, even if he has to manufacture those hardships for the camera.

“Overall, “The Tramp” is a series about survival.,” says VanHooker. “While Chip entered into this new reality show out of a desperate desire to rekindle his career, he has no idea just how complicated and dangerous street living can be.”

Adds Quistgaard, “As the series progresses, Chip’s naivete will give way to increasing bitterness over his state of affairs. When his reality show becomes more popular, Chip achieves exactly what he wants: relevance. But at a higher price than he bargained for.”

Seasoned performers O’Hurley and Godfrey have a field day with this fish-out-of-water comedic saga.

“The Tramp” will compete in the pilots category at this year’s Dances with Films Festival at the TCL Chinese Theater on Saturday, June 22ndat 2:15PM.

 

Jun 15, 2019

The World Without You is a story about the Frankel family who come together in 2005, a year after the death of the youngest son Leo, a journalist, at the hands of Al Qaeda to memorialize him at their summer cabin in the Berkshires. In so doing, they discover that the man they are burying is not quite the golden brother and son they thought, nor are they, as a family, the singular force for all that is helpless and downtrodden in the world that they were raised to be. Stuck in this country house together for the first time in years, each of Leo’s survivors must admit untruths they’ve been holding onto about not only him, but themselves, and finally obliterate the old family mechanism, to have any chance at surviving as “The Frankels,” in the future.

In this episode, Phil talks with Actor and Executive Producer Suzanne Johnson about her passion project "The World Without You."  Suzanne plays Marilyn in this wonderful film and shares the tips and challenges of shepherding a project from funding to film festivals and distribution.   You'll enjoy this conversation with Suzanne Johnson.  As always, keep writing.

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

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Help us spread the word. Please rate our show on itunes and leave comments for us. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/seated-at-writers-table-podcast/id980801767?mt=2  Tell us what insights you took from this episode

 
May 9, 2019

I spoke with author of "Next Therapist Please" Laurie Finkelstein at the LA Times Festival of Books.

Laurie Beth Finkelstein is the author of the award-winning Next Therapist Please. Based on her real-life experience hopping from one therapist to the next, it is a humorous take on heavy topics like depression, anxiety, OCD, and other mental health blessings.  

Finkelstein is also the author of the forthcoming AHOOT!which is a guide to medical marijuana for older adults. She is an expert in this area and knows how to break the stigmas associated with pot with a hit of humor.As an advocate and speaker, her responsible cannabis use based on personal experience and research. In her words, "I have experimented for five yearsso you don’t have to! 

Finkelstein donates part of her sales of Next Therapist Pleaseto NAMI, the National Alliance for Mental Illness. As amental health advocate, she is a NAMI member, two-time course graduate of the 12-week Family to Family class through NAMI, and an ongoing attendee at NAMI support groups and lectures. Finkelstein is a graduate of Pepperdine BA in Liberal Studies, School of Professional Studies. 

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

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May 6, 2019

I spoke with author of "Matt Miller in the Colonies - Virginian" Mark J Rose at the LA Times Festival of Books.

Mark J. Rose is a scientist, author and screenwriter. He lives in an equestrian community in Simi Valley, California, with his wife, three kids and two dogs.He holds a doctorate in pharmaceutical chemistry and is director of research and development at a major biotech company. He has been fascinated for many years with exploring the intersection of man’s basic humanity with the challenges of a rapidly changing technological world. Working primarily in the science fiction and thriller genres, all his writing deals with some aspect of the interaction of technology, science and society.  

Virginian: Twenty-first-century scientist Matt Miller has achieved success beyond his wildest dreams in the American colonies. He’s become a wealthy businessman and politician, with a beautiful
wife and family, but the American Revolution looms on the horizon. When a prominent British leader mysteriously disappears, Ben Franklin summons Matt to London to help investigate the involvement of Patrick Ferguson, a man whose ambitions are to change the future. Unknown to them all, another time traveler, with separate motivations, will join them in a struggle across two continents to change the destiny of Western Civilization.

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

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Help us spread the word. Please rate our show on itunes and leave comments for us. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/seated-at-writers-table-podcast/id980801767?mt=2  Tell us what insights you took from this episode

May 3, 2019

I spoke with author of "Dreamshores" Mike Robinson at the LA Times Festival of Books.

Although author of "Dreamshores" Mike Robinson has worked as an independent video-game producer and cinematographer, writing has always been the focal point of his creative life, although to him the phrase "creative life" sounds a tad redundant. He is the author of nine books: eight novels and one collection of short stories, all touching on the realms of the psychological, the metaphysical, the strange. A native of Los Angeles, he is also a screenwriter and producer, and editor of the magazine "Literary Landscapes" for the Greater Los Angeles Writers Society, or GLAWS.

"One of the best speculative fiction authors writing now."
-- Leslie Ann Moore, bestselling author of the "Griffin's Daughter" series

Dreamshores: Restless and fire-hearted, ten-year-old Sierra Nevada Smith was always chasing monsters, whether through the pages of her favorite books or in the woods behind the secluded California town where she grew up. Fantastic new worlds opened for her, however, when, after a near-tragedy, she discovered the films of legendary stop-motion animator Russell Boylan.

Ten years later, she finds herself working aboard a yacht, adrift at sea and in life, her peers nicknaming her the 'Monster Girl' a sad consolation for her own stunted career as a stop-motion animator in this era of computer-generated effects. When their boat is mysteriously pulled through a corridor of fog, the crew finds themselves deposited on the shores of an extraordinary island, a place where the stomping, roaring, clambering dinosaurs and creatures of Russell Boylan's classic films have been relegated to live beyond script or screen, and to evolve.

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

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Apr 30, 2019

I spoke with author of "A Promise In Autumn, A Love Story" Barbara Morriss at the LA Times Festival of Books.

About a decade into Barbara Morriss' retirement from teaching, she and her husband happened onto an ancestral family story of great romance, punishing sadness and rich history.  They worked with a genealogist and were able to develop a timeline of truths from old documents and newspaper publications.  Since not all the facts could be determined, it became necessary for Barbara to fill in the gaps. Her first book Finding Grace started with a timeline of facts and magically a narrative began to unfold. Barbara has now written three books, Finding Grace, A Promise in Autumn, and Glory Be at the Glidewell Ranch.  All stories were inspired by uncovering my husband’s family story from a century ago and became the Spring Water Trilogy. 

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

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Help us spread the word. Please rate our show on itunes and leave comments for us. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/seated-at-writers-table-podcast/id980801767?mt=2  Tell us what insights you took from this episode

Apr 29, 2019

I spoke with author of "Voices" Robert Yehling at the LA Times Festival of Books.

Robert Yehling is a multi-genre, multi-subject, hybrid author who publishes both traditionally and through publishing partnerships. He is the Independent Publishers Book Award-winning author of nine books (soon to be 10) and ghostwriter of six others.

His list includes: five poetry/essay collections - the latest is "Backroad Melodies", published in June 2013; two award-winning books on writing - "Writes of Life: Using Personal Experiences in Everything You Write" and "The Write Time: 366 Exercises to Fulfill Your Writing Life"; "The Champion's Way," a look at the 11 common characteristics of great champions and how we can develop them in our own lives; and "Voices," a novel that will be published in Winter 2014.

Voices: Legendary rock and roll singer/songwriter Tom Timoreaux, who like many began during San Francisco’s epochal Summer of Love, emerges from a long retirement with his band, The Fever. When his backup singer cannot tour, he brings on his estranged daughter, Christine. As they sing together and heal their relationship, The Fever tours to national acclaim—and Christine becomes a star. Meanwhile, in Italy, Tom’s long-lost “love child,” Annalisa, views a Fever concert streamcast and must decide whether to reach out to a man she thought dead. Voicesis a father-daughter-daughter relationship journey set against a half-century of rock and roll, where love and healing are always possible and music speaks louder than words.

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

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Apr 24, 2019

I spoke with author of "The Divorce Recovery Ladder" Susan Shofer at the LA Times Festival of Books.

Susan Shofer is your trusted ally for navigating divorce. Her first-hand experience has given her knowledge in the areas of divorce process, custody battles, parental alienation and working with attorneys. Her professional experience as a Licensed Private Investigator makes her uniquely qualified to instruct people how to gather evidence and courtroom etiquette. Susan's early career in finance lends to her ability to teach people how to maintain strong financial health throughout what can be a financially draining experience.

Susan is the author of several books, including a unique and comprehensive workbook called "The Divorce Recovery Ladder" that offers a pragmatic approach to the many facets of divorce.  She is the author of several educational webinars on divorce related subjects.

She is nearing the publication of a workbook to help those dealing with Parental Alienation more effectively navigate their battle.  In the fall of 2019, Susan has a book coming out that captures Susan’s journey with and triumph over severe Parental Alienation.

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

Join us on Facebook for updates and please like our page. www.facebook.com/seatedatthewriterstable    

Help us spread the word. Please rate our show on itunes and leave comments for us. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/seated-at-writers-table-podcast/id980801767?mt=2  Tell us what insights you took from this episode

Apr 22, 2019

I spoke with author of "The Engine Woman's Light" Laurel Anne Hill at the LA Times Festival of Books.

Laurel Anne Hill grew up in San Francisco, California, with more dreams of adventure than good sense or money. Her close brushes with death, love of family, respect for honor and belief in a higher power continue to influence her writing and her life. She has authored two award-winning novels: The Engine Woman’s Light(Sand Hill Review Press), a gripping spirits-meet-steampunk tale, and Heroes Arise(KOMENAR Publishing). Laurel’s published short stories and nonfiction pieces total over forty. She’s the Literary Stage Manager for the annual San Mateo County Fair, a speaker, writing contest judge, and editor. For more about her, go to http://www.laurelannehill.com.

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

Join us on Facebook for updates and please like our page. www.facebook.com/seatedatthewriterstable    

Help us spread the word. Please rate our show on itunes and leave comments for us. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/seated-at-writers-table-podcast/id980801767?mt=2  Tell us what insights you took from this episode

Apr 18, 2019

I spoke with author of "Straight Outta Tombstone, Coyote" Naomi Brett Rourke at the LA Times Festival of Books.

Naomi Brett Rourke is the pen name for the author, teacher, and theatre director living near the beach in Southern California's South Bay. She has a wonderful husband, three wonderful children, three wonderful step-children, seven wonderful grandchildren, a wonderful cat, dog, and tortoise. Verily, life is pretty good. 

When not writing, she can be found with a book in her hand, very often reading two or three at a time, with murder mysteries, crime, and horror being her favorites. Naomi loves all kinds of books, and her favorite authors are:Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Michael Crichton, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Mary Stewart, Agatha Christie, Daphne Du Maurier, William Shakespeare, Harper Lee, and, just recently, Delia Owen and her lovely novel Where the Crawdad Sings.  

As an author, Naomi has stories published in magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, London's Morpheus Tales, The Mature Years, the Young Adult journal Refractions, and the online magazines www.TriggerWarningShortStories.com, CulturedVultures.com, and Frontiertales.com. She has stories in multiple anthologies including Straight OuttaTombstone, a best-selling Weird West anthology, the Native American anthology Life on the Rez: Science Fiction and Fantasy Inspired by Life on America's Indian Reservations, Brewed Awakenings 2, and Enter the Apocalypse. She is currently finished with one novel, working on two more, writing more short stories, and has a finished screenplay. You can sometime see her on TV, movies, and alsosee her in short films as the mother in FAMILY PHOTO (happy holidays!) and in the Halloween promo of helpyourselftv.com, which she also co-wrote. Her short screenplay for CryptTV, Evil Twin was suggested by her grandson, but he can't watch it until he's older.  

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

Join us on Facebook for updates and please like our page. www.facebook.com/seatedatthewriterstable    

Help us spread the word. Please rate our show on itunes and leave comments for us. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/seated-at-writers-table-podcast/id980801767?mt=2  Tell us what insights you took from this episode

Apr 15, 2019

I spoke with author of "Rewriting Your Life" Dr. Ken Best at the LA Times Festival of Books.

Celebrity chiropractor Dr. Ken Best, D.C. has been sought after by the entertainment industry and greater Los Angeles for a quarter century due to his holistic approach to diagnosing and treating chronic ailments, treating thousands along the way.  

An expert in Applied Kinesiology ("AK") and Thetahealing, Dr. Best combines the latest in physical and energetic therapies to identify and treat chronic problems and patterns specifically and holistically. A certified Applied Kinesiologist through the International College of Applied Kinesiology, he has amassed over 1,000 hours of study and teaching, and more than 20 years of experience as a seminar instructor for both techniques of Applied Kinesiology and Thetahealing. He has taught and assisted thousands of healers. 

In 2007, Dr. Best began writing for his energy healing courses to assist his students in making more impactful changes in their lives by creating a course workbook.  This prompted Dr. Best to begin writing Rewriting Your Life.  The 99 Series of Books heard about Dr. Best and asked him to write a short book for their 99 Series.  Nine months later came 99 Things You Wish You Knew Before . . . Facing Life’s Challenges.  This bestselling Sony Reader book reached No.4 in their charts.  The Second Edition has come out as 11 Best Ways to Face Life’s Challenges.   

Following Einstein’s proposition that light and sound would be the medicine of the future, Dr. Best tests current energy-based modalities and their effectiveness. Cold laser therapy, laser acupuncture, magnets and pulsed magnetic frequencies are just a few of the innovations he utilizes. He has found that ingrained beliefs systems, a.k.a. Energy Programs, express themselves physically while deeply affecting the healing process. While working to release them, he’s provided answers and relief for patients where none were previously found. 

Dr. Best’s services are routinely called upon for wellness and emergency care not just by celebrities, but by production companies needing to keep their cast and crew in optimal health.  

Dr. Best graduated magna cum laude from the Cleveland Chiropractic College in Los Angeles, California 1994; summa cum laude from Patten College A.A.S. 1990; and has a Bachelors in Business Administration/International Economics degree from the University of San Diego 1982. 

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

Join us on Facebook for updates and please like our page. www.facebook.com/seatedatthewriterstable    

Help us spread the word. Please rate our show on itunes and leave comments for us. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/seated-at-writers-table-podcast/id980801767?mt=2  Tell us what insights you took from this episode

Jul 17, 2018
Los Angeles,CA………..Love is beautiful even when it’s dark. “365 Days of Love Letters,” a new series starring heart throb actor Chris Salvatore, dives into the tricky games of dating in today’s age of digital voyeurism. Created by Kyle Thomas and produced by Jessica Bryant ("The Humanity Bureau," "American Justice”), the series just dropped their teaser and has signed a team of powerhouses across talent, production, music, and fashion.
 
“The series follows two best friends who battle addiction — to love, security, and fantasy,” Thomas says. “We watch how far some people will go to gratify their needs at the expense of others.”
 
Also starring social media star, RJ Aguiar, the series highlights technology’s effects on relationships. “Social media apps promised to connect us,” Aguiar said, “but do they actually bring us closer? Or are they making us obsess over projecting an image while our own sense of self worth disappears?”
 
“People have become disposable: easy to find and easier to lose,” Salvatore said. “This series shows us modern day intimacy at a whole new level. It’s raw and riveting, and in this game of love, everyone is playing by their own set of rules.”
 
 The series has launched an IndieGoGo campaign to raise the money to finish the rest of the first season. The project, shot by Jessica Ramos (who worked on “Breaking Bad,” “Hail, Caesar!”, and “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”) and scored by Craig J Snider (who has worked with Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, and Katy Perry), looks to reach their goal of $50K by 8/12/18.
 
“We need everyone’s help to tell this story, because it’s a human story for the modern day,” Thomas said. “Do we as people each want love or do we just want power?”
 
 
The IndieGoGo highlights many levels of engagement, from set visits, personalized photos, and one-on-one chats. The first single from the show, “Envy,” sung by the haunting chanteuse Katie Hansen, is available for download on the project’s IndieGoGo. “Envy,” which Snider describes as a pop anthem about sex and awakening, is available for a donation of only $2.
 
Caitlainne Gurrerri (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “All My Children”), lead actress in the series, Borris Powell, international fashion designer, Alex Levine, and Dawson Schachter, producers, round out the team.
 
In this episode we discuss creating a series from the lens of technology, dating in Hollywood, putting structure to a series of fast paced beats, creating a personal brand, voyeurism with film, tone and intimacy in film, detachment of technology, creating music for film, finding the vulnerability of a character, character arc, casting, specificity in writing, improvising on set, the structure of a character's evolution, collaboration on set, networking and creating the right team, how to write a song, prepping for the shoot days, mistakes learned, prioritizing locations, finding the funding and much more...
 

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

Join us on Facebook for updates and please like our page. www.facebook.com/seatedatthewriterstable    

Help us spread the word. Please rate our show on itunes and leave comments for us. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/seated-at-writers-table-podcast/id980801767?mt=2  Tell us what insights you took from this episode

 
 
 
May 26, 2018

Filmmaker R. H. Norman will show his most recent narrative short film HAJJI at the 21st Annual Dances With Films at the TCL Chinese Theaters in Hollywood, Saturday, June 9th at 2:45PM.  The festival runs June 7- 17th.

 
Ross Marquand (The Walking Dead) plays a soldier in a reality-based conflict zone in "HAJJI", an inspired-by-true-events short which explores the cycle of violence caused by modern warfare in the Middle East.
 
Written and directed by R.H. Norman, the story follows two soldiers, played by Marquand and actor Dayo Okeniyi (Hunger Games, Shades of Blue), and their interaction with a local family, which culminates in an unfortunate act of unspeakable violence. The film is produced by David Lawson Jr., a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and was drawn to the project by its unique perspective on war.
 
Norman, who was mentored by Werner Herzog and whose other short films include “Gusano” and “Mulberry”, is also known as a producer, editor, storyboard artist and colorist. “Hajji” also stars Maddie Rien, Ray Haratian (Argo), Dajan Ahmad, Bahara Golestani, and Rajeev Chhibber. In addition to producers Okeniyi, Marquand, Lawson, and Norman, the film was produced by Micheline Pitt, Sean McDaniel, Christopher Ely, Damir Omic, and John Thomas Schrad of ReKon Productions.
 
In this episode, R.H. and I discuss self-funding a project, working with a producer to attach celebrity talent, writing an ambitious tightly woven short film, finding the victim in a dark character, creating a full character arc in a short film, choosing the specific moments to use in a short, the difference between writing a short film and a feature, writing characters for child actors, connecting dialogue to theme, playing with the timeline of a film, what makes a complete scene and much more...
 
Tickets and passes are available for sale at  http://www.tclchinesetheatres.com/.
 
Additional screening and ticket information can also be found at  https://danceswithfilms.com.

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

Join us on Facebook for updates and please like our page. www.facebook.com/seatedatthewriterstable    

Help us spread the word. Please rate our show on itunes and leave comments for us. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/seated-at-writers-table-podcast/id980801767?mt=2  Tell us what insights you took from this episode

May 22, 2018

Meet Aina Dumlao and Bru Muller.  Two very talented filmmakers who cam on Seated at the Writer's table to discuss the making of their award winning short film "DIWA".  In this episode Aina and Bru discuss the process of co-writing a script, adapting a short film from a feature,  re-writes, how to take a note on your script, tough scene choices, character motivations, finding locations, how to raise funding (The good and the bad), putting together a team, time maintenance, budgeting and strategy.

As you can see, the making of "DIWA" is a labor of love and very much a DIY project.  Aina and Bru co-wrote and co-produced the film, Aina starred in the film, they scouted locations, edited, raised funding...it's truly a wonderful accomplishment.  If you are a Do=It-Yourselfer, this is the show to listen to. 

"DIWA" will be screening at the "Dances with Film Festival" on June 9th Saturday at 5PM, at TCL Chinese theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles 90028. 

Get tickets at: www.danceswithfilms.com/diwa  

Feb 15, 2018

Writing with a universal theme in mind gives a story wide appeal and the ability to connect across generations.  In this episode sibling creators Bailey and Molly Donovan discuss the process of making a feature from writing to release.  There is a wealth of experiences to learn from.  You will hear things like:

  1. Writing to a universal theme.
  2. The genesis of the idea
  3. Managing a budget 
  4. Strategic trades for things like catering.
  5. Creating a professional look on a small budget
  6. The rewriting process
  7. Character development
  8. Writing dialogue that's real
  9. Lessons to learn about hiring crew
  10. Casting
  11. Raising Funds including grants from non profits, crowdfunding and family.
  12. Agreements for money.
  13. Breaking through production issues
  14. Cutting pages before the shoot
  15. Editing: tightening and knowing what to fight for
  16. Finding Distribution

Contact:
Molly Donovan
mollybdonovan@gmail.com
@themollydonovan (Twitter/instagram)

Bailey Donovan
baidonovan@gmail.com
@baidonovan (Twitter/instagram)

backforgoodfilm.com
@backforgoodfilm (Twitter/instagram)
Facebook: /backforgoodfilm

Back for Good - Trailer

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

Join us on Facebook for updates and please like our page. www.facebook.com/seatedatthewriterstable    

Help us spread the word. Please rate our show on itunes and leave comments for us. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/seated-at-writers-table-podcast/id980801767?mt=2  Tell us what insights you took from this episode

Jan 10, 2018

Getting into the writer's room is not easy.  It takes persistence, networking, hard work, talent and the ability to work well in a group of  others with similar skills and ambition.  In this episode writer Lorna Clarke Osunsanmi discusses her climb from PA to writer's assistant and finally to staff writer on the Hulu Original Series "The Path".  This interview is packed with great information for aspiring as well as seasoned writers. Special Note: *Mona Barkat and Rasha Goel were the brilliant producers of Cha Do Web Series. Bhavani Rao is just an awesome friend and producer

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

Join us on Facebook for updates and please like our page. www.facebook.com/seatedatthewriterstable    

Help us spread the word. Please rate our show on itunes and leave comments for us. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/seated-at-writers-table-podcast/id980801767?mt=2  Tell us what insights you took from this episode

Oct 17, 2017

They say that great comedy is grounded in reality.  In this episode the Creator/Writer and Director of the series "Broken Hearts Division" Nicole Feenstra and Scott Rodgers talk about their collaboration and the origin of the idea.  In addition we discussed:

  • Constructing a pilot
  • Editing the script for a short film
  • Locations, costumes & blocking
  • Writing comedy vs. drama
  • Crowd-funding
  • Working within a budget
  • Theme with comedy
  • Developing character and story quickly
  • Defining Your Audience
  • Writing On Set
  • Structure

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

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Sep 25, 2017

Co-Creators Kellie Crawford and Alex Kitay discuss the world of BDSM, Dungeons and the attraction of the Dominatrix profession in their new series Domina X.  I had many questions, particularly on how to interest someone in the show, that is not interested in the topic.  Their answers were compelling.  In addition we discussed:

  • Deciding what needs to be in the pilot and what doesn't
  • What is a mood real and is it necessary
  • How to write a family story centered around a dungeon
  • The psychology of domination
  • Writing an ensemble with 3 female leads
  • Acceptance as a theme
  • When to drop into your story
  • Understanding Character motivations
  • The Unspoken truth and character secret
  • Breaking through a block
  • What you need in a pitch room
  • Market Research

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

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Aug 21, 2017

Deborah M Pratt Co-Produced the hit TV show "Quantum Leap" garnering acclaim and fans in multiple generations.  Her 5 book series "The Vision Quest" is a masterpiece of Science Fiction.  The series intricate storylines, rich characters and cleverly woven ethical questions create a world that pulls you in deep and keeps you riveted.  I'm a big fan. 

In this episode Deborah discusses how to discover the reasons why characters behave the way they do, creating a world based in a unique set of laws, the ethics od genome research, the theme of living with fear, missed opportunities for writing inspiration, the discipline and speed of writing for TV, creating a bible of rules that other writers can follow, creating story devices, researching for story, asking questions to uncover holes in your story and problems with your characters, creating a global story with spiritual underpinnings, traditional publishing vs. self publishing and much, much more..   

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

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Jul 11, 2017

Robert Yehling has had a long and successful career as a Rock Journalist and Author.  Beginning as a teenager, Robert wrote 1000 word articles for a local paper, interviewing, among others, rock legends.  Since then he's ghostwritten many well known books and penned many of his own.  Robert also had a 5 year run as the Editor for American Idol Magazine and currently is the editor of the Billboard Music Awards and American Music Awards Event Magazines.

In this episode of "Seated at the Writer's Table" Robert and I discuss drawing inspiration from his career for his new book "Voices".  He provides insight on his process as well as; developing relationships between your main characters, living through the challenges of the Vietnam era and the music revolution of the 60's and 70's. writing dialogue for multiple generations coming from multiple places, understanding and writing his landscapes, rewriting and much much more.

"Voices" is the story of legendary rock and roll singer/songwriter Tom Timoreaux, who like many began during San Francisco's epochal Summer of Love, emerges from a long retirement with his band, The Fever. When his backup singer cannot tour, he brings on his estranged daughter, Christine. As they sing together and heal their relationship, The Fever tours to national acclaim and Christine becomes a star. Meanwhile, in Italy, Tom's long-lost "love child," Annalisa, views a Fever concert streamcast and must decide whether to reach out to a man she thought dead. Voices is a father-daughter-daughter relationship journey set against a half-century of rock and roll, where love and healing are always possible and music speaks louder than words.

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

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Jun 19, 2017

I have been waiting to bring you my interview with Actress/Screenwriter Nia Vardalos from Scriptfest.   During our conversation we discussed her impressive career beginning with turning her one woman show into the blockbuster "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" to the recent release of the sequel "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2" and everything in between.  Nia was so very gracious and took many questions from the audience.

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

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Help us spread the word. Please rate our show on itunes and leave comments for us. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/seated-at-writers-table-podcast/id980801767?mt=2  Tell us what insights you took from this episode

May 30, 2017

Creating, Self-Funding & Producing a 30 min Web Series can be costly in time and resources if you're not prepared and surrounded by the right team.  In this episode Writer/Producer Lane Allison and DP Devin Cutter of "After Pluto discuss:  Self-funding, finding the right title for your project, discovering your own characters, collaborating to find your vision on screen, planning out a scene with Shop Designer, using light and camera placement to tell your story, relationships & sacrifice in the characters arc, dealing with challenges on set and much more...

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

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Help us spread the word. Please rate our show on itunes and leave comments for us. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/seated-at-writers-table-podcast/id980801767?mt=2  Tell us what insights you took from this episode

May 8, 2017

Casting Director for over 30 years with credits such as American X, Valerie McCaffrey, has a unique understanding of what works on screen as she takes on writing and directing her short film "Dirty Bomb".  In this episode we discuss the changes in the industry, giving 30 years of notes on scripts, writing a period piece and choosing the moments you want to show, finding locations, writing dialogue that rings true, connecting to the audience to the characters and more....

Donate at:  Creative Visions - 310-317-9600

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

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Help us spread the word. Please rate our show on itunes and leave comments for us. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/seated-at-writers-table-podcast/id980801767?mt=2  Tell us what insights you took from this episode

Apr 18, 2017

"Breaking Bad" TV and Film writer Jay Roberts discusses the many lessons he learned while working on the ground breaking show and how he applies those lessons to his writing today. 

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

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Help us spread the word. Please rate our show on itunes and leave comments for us. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/seated-at-writers-table-podcast/id980801767?mt=2  Tell us what insights you took from this episode

 

Apr 3, 2017

Asking questions about your characters and plot can reveal where your script will go.  In this episode screenwriter and author of the book "11 Fundamental Questions"  Aaron Mendelsohn, discusses the vomit draft, fundamental story mistakes, character development, fatal flaws, unconscious desires of your characters, building a strong 2nd Act, bending the rules and much more...

WGA.org

For past shows and to learn more about the Seated At the Writer's Table community and join the mailing list, check us out at www.seatedatthewriterstable.com 

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Help us spread the word. Please rate our show on itunes and leave comments for us. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/seated-at-writers-table-podcast/id980801767?mt=2  Tell us what insights you took from this episode

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