On The Page

Career coach Lee Jessup discusses Hollywood’s current “contraction” and suggests that it might ultimately result in a positive outcome.

Tracie Laymon, an award-winning writer and director, shares her journey of creating the acclaimed feature "Bob Trevino Likes It" after facing personal truths. She discusses transforming painful emotions into compelling narratives and the importance of authentic casting in breaking stereotypes. Collaboration during the directing process is highlighted, showcasing how actors' insights shape a story. Laymon also emphasizes building a creative community through social media, fostering emotional connections and mentorship in storytelling.

James “Doc” Mason, a writer and author, shares his expertise on crafting effective loglines from his book, 'Mastering the Logline.' He emphasizes the importance of a strong logline in storytelling and discusses essential elements such as stakes and character flaws. Through analysis of films like 'The Sixth Sense' and 'The Godfather,' he illustrates how to balance intrigue with clarity. Mason also highlights the impact of mentorship and networking in the industry, sharing personal anecdotes that reveal the power of connections for aspiring writers.

From getting stuck in a Zoom room to working in hospice, everything that writer Lauren Glover (Chicago Med, Fight Night) thought was an obstacle, came full circle to help her in her writing career. 

Barbara Stepansky, writer/producer on Outlander and head writer on Woman of the Dead, discusses adapting books for TV shows, maintaining character chemistry, exploring narrative rules, and the impact of industry changes. She shares insights on writing for the German market, TV vs US writing processes, and reflections on personal transformation in storytelling.

Writer/Director Marie-Emmanuelle Hartness comes from a personal place in her work and asks the same of her students at Emerson College. 

Writer and “good witch,” Glenda L. Richardson describes her process for capturing voices and crafting stories for celebrities such as Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish and Taraji P. Henson.

Entertainment attorney and composer Corey Field sees his work as helping writers and creators achieve their dreams. Here he explains the difference between sales, options and work-for-hire and discusses potential gains and traps along the way. 

Writer Delondra Mesa (American Rust, Pretty Little Liars) talks about her approach to discovering story and creating content even as the industry experiences “The Great Contraction.” 

Director Dans Karagannis and Writer Liz Renner discuss their journey meeting in an On the Page class and making their short film Damned If You Do. They talk about the importance of pitch decks and mood boards in visual communication, the concept of directing cues in a script, filmmaking challenges and creative adaptation, and the gratitude for the podcast's influence on their creative journeys.