Blacklisted

In the third episode of season two, we're joined by former journalist Anna Klassen (Newsweek, The Daily Beast, BuzzFeed) to discuss her 2017 Black List script When Lightning Strikes — a coming-of-age story exploring the early life of J.K. Rowling, the novelist who conjured the magical world of Harry Potter.Guest: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anna Klassen ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on X, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and BlueSkyHost: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Hill⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky⁠⁠Visit ⁠⁠storyandplot.com/blacklisted⁠⁠ for a 10% discount on Tom Vaughan's fantastic screenwriting courses.Useful links:Final Draft - How Anna Klassen Turned Competition Wins into a Thriving CareerCanvas Rebel - Meet Anna KlassenThe Cosmophage - Anna KlassenThe Script Lab - InterviewInto The Script - Taking The Industry By Storm: An Interview with Screenwriter Anna KlassenShoutout LA - Meet Anna Klassen | Screenwriter

In our second episode of season two, we welcome Travis Braun to the podcast to discuss his 2022 Black List script, Dying For You. Travis made Black List history in December 2024, by becoming the first writer to top the list twice - and if that wasn't enough, he did it in successive years! Well done, TB.Guest: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Travis Braun⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Hill⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky⁠Visit ⁠storyandplot.com/blacklisted⁠ for a 10% discount on Tom Vaughan's fantastic screenwriting courses.Useful links:Deadline - Travis Braun and Black List make historyDeadline - 'One Night Only' sells to UniversalDeadline - 'Bad Boy' package taken to EFM

In our Season 2 premiere, we welcome Elyse Hollander to discuss her 2016 Black List-topping script Blonde Ambition—a Madonna biopic chronicling the pop icon's rise through the sexism-fueled music industry of the early 1980s. After selling to Universal with Michael De Luca producing, the project sparked massive controversy when Madonna herself took to social media to publicly denounce it. For the first time, Elyse opens up about the media firestorm, the personal toll of being targeted by one of the world's biggest stars, and what it's really like when your breakthrough script becomes a lightning rod for public debate.Guest: ⁠⁠⁠Elyse Hollander ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Hill⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSkyVisit storyandplot.com/blacklisted for a 10% discount on Tom Vaughan's fantastic screenwriting courses.Useful links:New York Times article on Madonna criticism BBC fact-check Elyse's screenplayTHR article on Madonna controversyDeadline article on Madonna reactionPeople - 'Madonna to write and direct her own biopic'Madonna's Netflix limited series announcementMaybe kindly buy our host a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email us @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theblacklisted.pod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Happy New Year! Let us be the first to welcome you to 2025! Today we bring you a special - surprise - episode with screenwriting career coach, Lee Jessup. May Lee provide you with inspiration to kickstart the new year as you stare at that fresh blank page - full of potential. Take a Deeper Dive: The script consultant that both our host and Crosby Selander have employed is Andrew Hilton who goes by the pseudonym:The Screenplay Mechanic. His services can be accessed here. Competition details for Script Pipeline can be found here. Lee Jessup recently hosted the Final Draft Write On podcast, discussing the state of the industry for screenwriters with Bellevue manager, Jeff Portnoy. Listen to the packed episode here. Guest: Lee Jessup⁠ on ⁠Instagram⁠ and X Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Hill⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠BSky If you can stretch to it, maybe kindly tip your host with a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠BSky⁠⁠⁠ Email us @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theblacklisted.pod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this conversation, Kate Sharp, a producer at Bellevue Productions and Emmy-nominated executive behind Hulu's Behind the Mask, shares her insights on discovering new writing talent and the challenges of biopic projects. She dives into the importance of originality for aspiring writers and discusses the evolving dynamics between writers and agents. Kate also encourages blending genres, emphasizing the growing demand for female voices in action and horror narratives. Her perspective on the personal touch in pitching adds a unique angle to the screenwriting process.

Matthew Dartnell, a literary manager at Writ Large, dives deep into the film and TV industry. He shares his journey from a sheltered upbringing to a thriving career, revealing how his love for horror films shaped his path. Matt discusses the balancing act of creativity and market demands in script development and the importance of networking. He also emphasizes the value of communication in screenwriting relationships and offers invaluable advice for emerging writers on completing projects and building key connections.

In this engaging conversation, Chris Coggins, a literary manager at Heroes and Villains Entertainment, delves into the art of storytelling and the significance of personal connections in the industry. She shares insights into the unique creative processes of writers and emphasizes the importance of timing in script submissions, especially during award seasons. Coggins also explores the evolving landscape of narrative across various mediums and discusses how industry changes impact both creators and managers. Her experiences highlight the delicate balance between advocating for clients and nurturing their creative journeys.

John Zaozirny, founder of Bellevue Productions, shares his wealth of knowledge as a literary manager. He discusses his transition from producer to manager and highlights standout projects like 'Chris Day.' Zaozirny offers valuable insights into selecting impactful biopics and the importance of networking for novice writers. He also delves into the challenges of balancing reading deadlines and personal commitments, alongside the unique world of 'stunt specs' in screenwriting. His journey reflects the evolving landscape of the film industry and the significance of originality.

In our final episode of season one, we welcome Austin Everett to the pod to discuss his ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠2019 Black List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ adaptation of the 'grounded' sci-fi novel, The Traveler. Guest: ⁠⁠Austin Everett⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on ⁠Instagram⁠ Based on the novella written by Joseph Eckert 'Impressive' Scriptshadow Review for The Traveler Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Hill⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Season Sponsors: Scrivener - Download the Outliner ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Final Draft - Upgrade to Version 13 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠                     Download Full Version ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For Exclusive, Ad-Free Episodes, join us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or, maybe kindly buy our host a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email us @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theblacklisted.pod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In the penultimate episode of our first season, we welcome Jessica Welsh to the show to discuss her ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠2021 Black List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Shania Twain music biopic, SHANIA! Guest: ⁠Jessica Welsh⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram Princeton Alumni Piece on Jessica Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Hill⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Season Sponsors: Scrivener - Download the Outliner ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Final Draft - Upgrade to Version 13 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠                     Download Full Version ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For Exclusive, Ad-Free Episodes, join us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or, maybe kindly buy our host a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email us @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theblacklisted.pod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠