

On The Page
Pilar Alessandra
ON THE PAGE: Join professional script consultant Pilar Alessandra as she demystifies screenwriting and answers your questions about script craft and story.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 31, 2025 • 42min
960. The Autism Scene
 Entertainment attorney Britton Payne talks about his work with The Autism Scene, a nonprofit advocating for the inclusion of explicitly autistic characters in kids pop culture. Check out his new competition the AuSPEC AWARDS, a kids animated series spec script competition which requires a series regular meaningfully interacting with an explicitly autistic character. 

Oct 24, 2025 • 34min
959. LaToya Morgan: Fifteen Years Later
 What happens when you're feeling discouraged in your writing career? You "persevere" and eventually carve out a career like writer-producer LaToya Morgan (Shameless, Parenthood, The Walking Dead, Duster). We read her fifteen-year-old letter to the podcast and talk about what happened next! 

Oct 17, 2025 • 40min
958. A Social Commentary
 Writer Lori Rosene-Gambino does not back down from adding social commentary into her fictional narratives. Hear what she has to say about her movie Anniversary, directed by Jan Komasa and starring Diane Lane. 

Oct 12, 2025 • 51min
957. The "Strange Alchemy" of Playwriting
 Krista Knight discussed her work as a playwright, screenwriter, and new media artist, including scripting a ride for Tokyo Disneyland, adapting Trolls for DreamWorks/Music Theatre International, writing a stage musical with the late Jill Sobule and creating a VR puppet play during the Covid lockdown. 

Oct 3, 2025 • 53min
956. Epic Intimacy
 Writers Jake Emanuel and Willie Block talk about the "epic intimacy" they created for their fictional podcast Edge of Sleep which went on to become a book and television show. 

Sep 26, 2025 • 38min
955. Writing a Movie While Staffed in the Room
 Rae Benjamin (The Witcher, Sirens of the Deep) says she's "inspired by stories and characters" and isn't afraid to explore any medium to get there. 

Sep 19, 2025 • 54min
954. Trial by Fire
 What happens when fire breaks out on the first day of your film shoot? Writer/director John W. Kim talks about that and other challenges that went into the writing, directing and producing of his independent film Reunion (currently in post-production). 

Sep 12, 2025 • 44min
953. Your Creative Side-Hustle
 Filmmaker Michelle Muldoon joins Pilar to talk about all of the ways your storytelling and creativity can be applied to other creative work that, in turn, helps fuel your script writing. 

Sep 5, 2025 • 36min
952. On a Wing and a Prayer
 Producer Lauren Vilchik talks about the love and hard work it took to make the movie A Little Prayer, currently in theaters. 

6 snips
Aug 29, 2025 • 45min
951. Screenwriting Sensei
 Paul Chitlik, a writer and UCLA professor, shares insights from his new book, The Screenwriting Sensei. He discusses the making of this guide, inspiring screenwriters through unique teaching methods. The relationship between character traits and narrative premises is explored, highlighting iconic examples like 'Romeo and Juliet'. Chitlik emphasizes the importance of compelling character development and offers practical tips on rewriting treatments. The lighthearted banter also covers his upcoming book release and personal anecdotes about storytelling and food. 


