

The Writers Panel
Ben Blacker
The definitive insider's guide to our current golden age of television, Ben Blacker's The Writers Panel is an ever expanding anthology of live convention panels and intimate in-studio interviews with the writers, producers, and show runners responsible for all the shows you can't stop watching. Over the course of nearly 500 episodes and counting, The Writers Panel has sat across from guests such as Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad), Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele (Key and Peele), Liz Meriwether (New Girl), and Damon Lindelof (Lost, The Leftovers) to talk about the art and business of creating great television. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 24, 2023 • 29min
Krystal Ziv on Collaboration
In this craft-focused episode, Krystal Ziv (Wolf Pack; The Purge) discusses various types of collaboration.THE WRITERS PANEL IS A COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION.Follow and support the show by subscribing to Ben Blacker's newsletter, Re:Writing, where you'll also get weekly advice from the thousands of writers he's interviewed over the years, as well as access to exclusive live Q&As, meet-ups, and more: benblacker.substack.comSOCIALS:Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/benblacker.bsky.socialTwitter: twitter.com/benBlacker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 17, 2023 • 40min
Lily Sparks on YA
In this craft-centered conversation, author Lily Sparks (Teen Killers Club) discusses writing YA, showing the world as it should be versus how it is, sex in young adult fiction, and more. The final book in Lily's "Teen Killers" trilogy, Teen Killers at Large, is available now!THE WRITERS PANEL IS A COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION.Follow and support the show by subscribing to Ben Blacker's newsletter, Re:Writing, where you'll also get weekly advice from the thousands of writers he's interviewed over the years, as well as access to exclusive live Q&As, meet-ups, and more: benblacker.substack.comJoin Ben's advanced "Draft Intensive" class and go from outline to script, starts October 22: https://scriptanatomy.com/product/20231022-tv-draft-intensive-98/There are only two slots left, so sign up now!SOCIALS:Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/benblacker.bsky.socialTwitter: twitter.com/benBlacker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 10, 2023 • 31min
Lindsey Anderson Beer (Pet Sematary: Bloodlines)
Pet Sematary: Bloodlines writer/director Lindsey Anderson Beer discusses the Stephen King prequel, the intense draft process once she came on board, her background in neuroscience and robotics, the magic script that got her in the door, and lots more.Pet Sematary: Bloodlines is streaming now on Paramount+.THE WRITERS PANEL IS A COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION.Follow and support the show by subscribing to Ben Blacker's newsletter, Re:Writing, where you'll also get weekly advice from the thousands of writers he's interviewed over the years, as well as access to exclusive live Q&As, meet-ups, and more: benblacker.substack.comJoin Ben's advanced "Draft Intensive" class and go from outline to script, starts October 22: https://scriptanatomy.com/product/20231022-tv-draft-intensive-98/There are only two slots left, so sign up now!SOCIALS:Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/benblacker.bsky.socialTwitter: twitter.com/benBlacker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 3, 2023 • 1h 1min
BONUS: Patton Oswalt & Friends from SDCC
Superheroes and Not-so-Supervillains - Patton Oswalt (Minor Threats, Black Hammer: Visions), Jordan Blum (Minor Threats, Marvel's M.O.D.O.K.), Scott Hepburn (Minor Threats), James Tynion IV (The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos, Something is Killing the Children), Tate Brombal (The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos, Barbalien: Red Planet), and Jeff Lemire (Black Hammer, Mazebook; Sweet Tooth) discuss creating their own heroes, villains, and worlds in their creator-owned comics and more.Moderated by Ben Blacker (Hex Wives; The Thrilling Adventure Hour)Recorded at San Diego Comic Con, July 2023.THE WRITERS PANEL IS A COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION.Follow and support the show by subscribing to Ben Blacker's newsletter, Re:Writing, where you'll also get weekly advice from the thousands of writers he's interviewed over the years, as well as access to exclusive live Q&As, meet-ups, and more: benblacker.substack.comJoin Ben's advanced "Draft Intensive" class and go from outline to script, starts October 22: https://scriptanatomy.com/product/20231022-tv-draft-intensive-98/Space is extremely limited, so join now!SOCIALS:Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/benblacker.bsky.socialTwitter: twitter.com/benBlacker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 26, 2023 • 60min
Gerry Duggan on Thinking Visually
Gerry Duggan, writer of all media, talks about thinking visually, process, comics, art, movies, and more. They discuss the influence of visual arts and photography on their work in comic books, the process of writing and creating characters like Deadpool, and hopes for successful labor actions and equitable treatment in the TV industry.

Sep 12, 2023 • 42min
Liz Elverenli on Comedic Dialogue
In a craft-centered episode, Liz Elverenl (Grown-ish; Dollface; I Am Not Okay with This) discusses comedic dialogue.THE WRITERS PANEL IS A COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION.Follow and support the show by subscribing to Ben Blacker's newsletter, Re:Writing, where you'll also get weekly advice from the thousands of writers he's interviewed over the years, as well as access to exclusive live Q&As, meet-ups, and more: benblacker.substack.comJoin Ben's advanced "Draft Intensive" class and go from outline to script, starts October 22: https://scriptanatomy.com/product/20231022-tv-draft-intensive-98/Space is extremely limited, so join now!SOCIALS:Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/benblacker.bsky.socialTwitter: twitter.com/benBlackerFacebook: facebook.com/tvWritersPanel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 snips
Aug 29, 2023 • 51min
Riki Lindhome on Scheduling
Riki Lindhome, co-creator of Another Period, discusses the importance of scheduling and discipline in writing. They talk about finding the optimal writing schedule, struggles with staying focused, the importance of feedback and selecting readers carefully, challenges of balancing parenting and writing, work setup and carpal tunnel, and balancing multiple roles as an actor and writer.

9 snips
Aug 22, 2023 • 38min
Tom Vaughan on Second Acts
Screenwriter Tom Vaughan, known for his work on projects like Haunting of the Queen Mary and Winchester, discusses second acts in feature scripts. He also shares insights about his long and varied career, the challenges of understanding structure in writing, and the importance of story structure in enhancing creativity. Plus, the speaker highlights the impact of the midpoint in storytelling and discusses recent TV shows and movies they have enjoyed.

6 snips
Aug 8, 2023 • 43min
Joseph Dougherty on Dialogue
In a craft-centered episode, Joseph Dougherty (Pretty Little Liars; thirtysomething) discusses dialogue.THE WRITERS PANEL IS A COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION.Follow and support the show by subscribing to Ben Blacker's newsletter, Re:Writing, where you'll also get weekly advice from the thousands of writers he's interviewed over the years, as well as access to exclusive live Q&As, meet-ups, and more: benblacker.substack.comSOCIALS:Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/benblacker.bsky.socialTwitter: twitter.com/benBlackerFacebook: facebook.com/tvWritersPanel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

40 snips
Jul 25, 2023 • 54min
Rodney Barnes on Rewriting
Rodney Barnes (Winning Time; American Gods; Runaways) on the patience to rewrite. PLUS: WGA negotiating committee member Yahlin Chang (The Handmaid's Tale; Supergirl) on the union's proposals around episodic television.THE WRITERS PANEL IS A COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION.Follow and support the show by subscribing to Ben Blacker's newsletter, Re:Writing, where you'll also get weekly advice from the thousands of writers he's interviewed over the years, as well as access to exclusive live Q&As, meet-ups, and more: benblacker.substack.comSOCIALS:Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/benblacker.bsky.socialTwitter: twitter.com/benBlackerFacebook: facebook.com/tvWritersPanel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.