Act Two Podcast

Pitching is terrible. But when you have a pitch format you can rely on, it's that much easier to be confident and successful in the room. In this episode of the "Pitching is Terrible" Series, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the standard formats they use in structuring their feature and TV pitches that make it much less terrible.   Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com  Edited by Paul Lundquist Music by 414beg

Turns out a Screenwriting career is not just about what you can do on a page. It's also about what you can do in a room. In this first part of a multi-episode series focused entirely on Pitching, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk generally about how you get pitches, what they are, and what you do once you have one. Pitching is terrible, but necessary if you are to have a Screenwriting career. So, let's start by breaking down the beast so we can figure out how to conquer it together.   Edited by Paul Lundquist Music by 414beg. Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com 

Confidence can literally make or break your writing career. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman get philosophical as they talk about their struggles with confidence as writers and how they powered through it. It ain't easy, but it is possible.   Edited by Paul Lundquist Music by 414beg. Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com

The first question every Panel Host asks a Screenwriter is, "What does your typical writing day look like?" It's a burning question we've all had because knowing how other writers work effectively can be extremely helpful, especially if you struggle with stress, procrastination, excuses, or timing issues. In this episode, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk through their typical writing day, and chat openly about their writing schedule trials, tribulations, tips and tricks.    Edited by Paul Lundquist Music by 414beg. Questions/Comments: Tasha.Huo@acttwowriters.com

... and then what? Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk about their experiences as Screenwriters at Sundance and the Austin Film Festival (respectively) and how it affected their careers. Why should you apply to a screenwriting festival, what do you do once you're at one, and what's the point of them? Tasha and Josh go in-depth on the festival experience as a Screenwriter and why it may be right (or wrong) for you.    Edited by Paul Lundquist Music by 414beg. Questions/Comments: Tasha.Huo@acttwowriters.com

"The Couch & Water Tour" is the colloquial term for the slew of General Meetings that Screenwriters take on the road to finding work and building their network. It's called that because an assistant inevitably tells you to sit on the waiting room couch and asks if you want water. It can feel like a grind, but it's an inescapable and vital part of any screenwriting career.   Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman break down what these General Meetings are for, how you get them, and what you do once you're in them. And since General Meetings are often a first step in getting work as a Screenwriter, they give tips and tricks on how to maximize your face-time with the producer or studio executive you're meeting generally, and share both their successes and embarrassing horror stories.

How the heck do you get a Staff Writing job on a TV show? And once you have it, what does the job even look like? Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman grill seasoned staff writer, Nneka Gerstle, on what it's really like to be in a TV Writer's Room. Nneka dispels the mystery surrounding a staff writer's experience, tells the story of how she got her first staff writing job, and breaks down what her day-in-the-life is like in "The Room". Nneka Gerstle has staffed on Tim Kring's "Jason Bourne" spin-off TREADSTONE on the USA Network, and HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL and JUST BEYOND for Disney +. If you've ever wondered what a job in TV looks like, or wondered if it was the job for you -- check out Nneka's story.

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman chat with Act Two member, Joe Russo, about his writing process on HARD KILL, his '90s throwback action movie starring Bruce Willis and former WWE wrestler Eva Marie. Joe walks us through the unique development process of writing a low-budget actioner, illuminates the realities of life as a working Screenwriter, and shares his entertaining tales from the trenches (like meeting Bruce Willis!).  Watch HARD KILL now on Amazon Prime HERE.   Edited by Paul Lundquist Music by 414beg. Questions/Comments: Tasha.Huo@acttwowriters.com

Spec scripts -- original feature-length screenplays you write for free and then try to sell on the market -- are an imperative part of a Screenwriter's profession, particularly for new and mid-level writers. They can offer you a unique control over your career, and have the potential to catapult you into the spotlight overnight. In this episode, Tasha Huo chats with co-host Josh Hallman about his spec writing process. He dives deep into how he develops his spec scripts, what land mines he's faced when it comes time to sell, the politics that are involved, and the absolute importance of passion.   Edited by Paul Lundquist Music by 414beg. Questions/Comments: Tasha.Huo@acttwowriters.com

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman sit down (with some electrolyte margaritas) and chat with screenwriter David Levinson on getting his first movie produced. They break down what it's like for a writer during the entire process, from development, to casting, to eating too much craft services on set in Italy.   WELCOME HOME by David Levinson -- A couple rents a villa in Italy hoping to mend their bruised relationship, but the devilishly charming homeowner can't seem to leave them alone. Emmy Award-winning actor Aaron Paul ("Breaking Bad") stars in this thriller of a weekend getaway gone wrong.   Watch WELCOME HOME here!   Edited by Paul Lundquist Music by 414beg. Questions/Comments: Tasha.Huo@acttwowriters.com