This is the Official Site for "Hilliard Guess' SCREENWRITERS' RANT ROOM!" Our host is Hilliard Guess, a WGAw writer, director, TV/Film producer and most recently, the former Director of Development at Blue Monday Prods (now executive producer of Amazon's upcoming CROSS: AFTER HOURS series). Hilliard does one-on-one interviews with guests or rotating co-hosts stop by to drop industry bombs in this unfiltered, hilarious podcast series that delivers nuthin’ but REAL TALK… from REAL working writ ...
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495: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - AIYANA WHITE
1:37:25
1:37:25
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In this episode Hilliard and guest co-host (writer on Amazon’s upcoming CROSS) MEAGAN DAINE sit down with Executive Producer AIYANA WHITE (CROSS, THE GREATEST, LUCIFER, LA BREA, TINY PRETTY THINGS to list a few) for a super fun, educational episode that drops nothing but GAME! We talk about Aiyana’s amazing journey from staff writer to EP, selling …
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494: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - TAWNYA BENAVIDES BHATTACHARYA
2:00:31
2:00:31
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In this episode, Hilliard & guest co-host, dramedy writer Rich Redlo sat down with Executive Producer TAWNYA BENAVIDES BHATTACHARYA (A MILLION LITTLE THINGS, GINNY & GEORGIA, BEL AIR, MY LIFE WITH THE WALTER BOYS AND FOUNDER SCRIPT ANATOMY. This is another super fun episode with tons of great behind-the-curtain information and lessons for emerging …
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In this episode Hilliard and guest co-host (writer/professor) MICHELLE AMOR sit down with super talented writer/filmmaker PERES OWINO, Nominated this year for a Creative Arts Emmy, she co-wrote Netflix’s “African Queens – Njinga,” which was nominated for more Daytime/Creative Arts Emmys than any other program. It was also nominated for a Buzzie Awa…
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492: HEAD WRITERS' BEAU DEMAYO AND BRANDON EASTON
1:54:44
1:54:44
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Have you ever thought about Animation and how it works for screenwriters? In this episode, Hilliard chopped it up with Head Writer’s BEAU DEMAYO (MARVEL’S X-MEN 97) and BRANDON EASTON (TRANSFORMERS: WFC-SIEGE), going in deep about working in Animation, the ups-and-downs, staffing a writers’ rooms, writing for historic comic book characters, working…
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Are you considering giving up on your Hollywood Dream? In this episode, we talk with TV Writer's Zimran Jacob and Naiem Bouier about their journeys to Hollywood and the crazy things that make a writer want to pack up and move back home or the things you've learned that make you realize how much more creative and affective you could be if you said "…
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In this episode, Hilliard does a super fun, high energy podcast with Writer’s on the Verge - DIJORN & TRINEA MOSS (Paramount Writers Mentoring Program) and MYLES WARDEN (Act Your Age) that we just know all of your writers will enjoy. If you have any burning questions about how to break into TV, how to fill out your application for writing programs,…
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489: SCREENWRITERS' BURNING QUESTIONS
2:16:55
2:16:55
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In this episode, Hilliard and TV Writer Saeed Crumpler spend over 2 solid hours answering Emerging Screenwriter Questions that came in from Twitter and Social Media! These two drop nothing but industry game, giving clear examples from their own personal experiences whether writing, developing or producing TV or Film. Do not miss this episode y'all!…
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488: "DIARRA FROM DETROIT" – DIARRA KILPATRICK & MILES ORION FELDSOTT
1:31:31
1:31:31
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1:31:31
In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host writer/casting dir Scotty Mullen sat down for a super fun interview with 'lil sis, creator/executive producer Diarra Kilpatrick & executive producer Miles Orion Feldsott of the new BET+ hit series "DIARRA FROM DETROIT!" This is one of those don't-miss episodes y'all. We get real crafty in this one and lea…
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In this promo clip, Hilliard gets us ready for the new season as we celebrate “10 YEARS OF GAME", what’s coming up on the podcast and some of the new, fun and exciting things we can look forward to! Our Motto: "We keep it GAME all day!" Follow Hilliard Guess on X and all social media: @HilliardGuess IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom WE ARE…
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The Screenwriters Rant Room is taking a 6 week break while Hilliard is away working on a big TV project. Expect us back in mid-May or early June. If you NEED your Rant Room fix, check out the archives - there's almost 500 episodes to enjoy! SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, PROMOTE! Our Motto: "We keep it GAME all day!" Follow Hilliard Guess on X and a…
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487: SCOTTY MULLEN - ASSIGNMENT WRITER
1:56:10
1:56:10
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In this episode, Hilliard and Tristan J. Shuler from Road Map Writers sat down in a hilarious and engaging episode that is packed full of game. Our guest this week is little bro, Scotty Mullen, an award-winning writer known for his work with Syfy, Lionsgate, Lifetime, and Tubi. He is also an accomplished casting director and writing mentor. After g…
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486: "ZADOC ANGELL - ECHO LAKE ENTERTAINMENT"
1:20:16
1:20:16
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In this episode, Hilliard and Rene Rodriguez-Lopez (Development Exec at BET+), sat down for a fun, inspiring conversation with Literary Manager ZADOC ANGELL who began his career as a TV Literary Agent at Paradigm, where he worked for seven years. Transitioning to Literary Management 2010, Zadoc joined forces with manager Dave Brown and grew a team …
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485: ROSALIND Y JACKSON - EDMONDS ENTERTAINMENT
1:35:19
1:35:19
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In this episode, Hilliard and actor/filmmaker Dalila Ali Rajah sit down and have an amazing conversation with ROSALIND Y. JACKSON - DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT/PRODUCER EDMONDS ENTERTAINMENT". We talk about her journey into Hollywood, working her way up through film school, becoming an assistant at Edmonds Ent and working her way up to DOD/Producer, be…
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484: VERVE LITERARY AGENT - DAVINA HEFFLIN
1:56:41
1:56:41
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In this episode, Hilliard & lil bro actor/filmmaker Denzel Whitaker (BlackPanther, The Great Debaters), sit down for a fun interview with VERVE LITERARY AGENT - DAVINA HEFFLIN. We talk about her amazing journey growing up in the East Coast, writing and filmmaking in college, making her way up on the desk at the Gersh Agency, the love of your first …
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In this episode, Hilliard had a blast talking with a group of friends who are standup comics: DONALD LACY JR (writer, director, actor, comedian, radio talk show host and activist), JOEL BOYD (Just for Laughs New Faces of Comedy 2018, Drop the Mic, History of Swear Words - writer, actor, producer & director) and KIMBERLY ALLEN (writer on S1 & 2 of K…
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In this episode, Hilliard was joined by comedian/filmmaker NILES ABSTON and producer/literary manager KALA GUESS... ...we talk about their journeys to Hollywood, the ups-and-downs of struggling in Hollywood and pivoting careers to find your destiny! Niles talks about how he got staffed on the last season of Dave and Kala looks back on how she combi…
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481: KRISTINA THOMAS - WRITER/FILMMAKER
1:33:01
1:33:01
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In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host, emerging filmmaker Jade Hunter Alexandriia, sat down for an in-depth conversation with writer/filmmaker KRISTINA THOMAS -- a rising talent in the documentary world, made her mark by winning a contest for $50,000 to direct a compelling TV pilot in New Orleans for MTV/Endemol. Transitioning through roles l…
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480: PRINCESS MONIQUE FILMZ - EPISODIC DIR
1:55:40
1:55:40
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In this episode, Hilliard sat down with busy comedy/drama episodic director PRINCESS MONIQUE FILMZ (Grand Crew, The Godldbergs, Our Kind of People, Black-ish) and so many more. This amazing writer/author and co-chair of the DGA's African American Steering Committee, went through her amazing career and critical self discoveries like: moving to LA, w…
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In this episode, Hilliard had a blast of conversation with actor/hyphenates KAREEM GRIMES (All American, S.W.A.T.), SHAWN CARTER PETERSON (Pitch Perfect 2, Pretty Freaking Scary), HANSFORD PRINCE (Babylon, Grey's Anatomy) and KIRK BOVILL (Vice, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty)! We have an amazing cypher, covering these artists journeys…
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In this episode, Hilliard sat chopped it up with three amazing black female actor hyphenates: Lanett Tachel (Angie's Cure, Pump), Joni Bovill (Bosch, Better Call Saul) & Aasha Davis (Friday Night Lights, South of Nowhere) -- in a hilarious discussion about their big breaks and what it's like to work in the industry with more than one title under yo…
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477: JEFF BYRD - EXEC PRODUCER - YELLOW JACKETS
1:47:38
1:47:38
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In this episode, Hilliard & Exec Producer Tracy Grant sat down with the big homie - JEFF BYRD - who's currently Directing EP on Showtime's Emmy Nominated series YELLOWJACKETS! Jeff tells us his amazing journey starting back in Brooklyn NY, coming up under the Spike Lee camp and lessons learned from back then that he still utilizes on the set today.…
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Support the show for $1/month Subscribe to Chris's newsletter - THIN ICE In this episode, Hilliard sat down in a fun writers' cypher with Amadou Diallo (Billions), Rah Johnson ((Staff Writer), and Rene Rodriquez-Lopez (Manager of Content BET+). They talk about the differences writers should think about when setting their Plans and Goa…
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Support the show for $1/month Subscribe to Chris's newsletter - THIN ICE In this episode, Hilliard sits down with super talented writers/actors Dalila Ali Rajah and Tristan J. Shuler for a fun, laugh out loud discussion about being Black and Queer in the industry as well as some of the trials and tribulations black creatives face in Holl…
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474: 2 Writers Talkin Shit - Saeed Crumpler & Melanie Maras
2:10:35
2:10:35
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Support the show for $1/month Subscribe to Chris's newsletter - THIN ICE In the episode, Hilliard & Chris sat down with the team behind the popular '2 Writers Talkin Shit' podcast. I'm talking about Writer/Producer Saeed Crumpler and Writer/Comedian Melanie "Mel" Maras. These two drop a ton of industry game y'all - from Mel's journey in th…
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473: ECHOBEND PICTURES - ZUBIN ANKLESARIA & RYAN TURNER
1:56:32
1:56:32
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1:56:32
Support the show for $1/month Subscribe to Chris's newsletter - THIN ICE In this ep, Hilliard chopped it up with two of the smartest, most talented young filmmakers currently out here doing BIG THANGS y'all! I'm talking about Zubin Anklesaria Head of Productions & Ryan Turner Head of Post Production at the amazing, award-winning ECHOBEND Pic…
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472: CAROLE KIRSHNER - HOLLYWOOD GAME PLAN
1:30:37
1:30:37
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Support the show for $5/month In this episode, Hilliard & Chris sat down with big sis, Carole Kirshner - author, former executive, director of the WGAW Showrunner's Training Program, CBS Mentorship Program and all around Career Consultant! This is another don't miss episode for all of you aspiring and working writers out there. So much industry g…
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Support the show for $1/month Subscribe to Chris's newsletter - THIN ICE Hilliard and Tristan J. Shuler (of Roadmap Writers) sat down for an awesome episode with CO-EP Anglea Harvey - writer | producer | director | activist - who launched her entertainment writing career with a trans media experience for the pop culture smash Teen Wolf. That earn…
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Hilliard announces a few things about the future of the podcast! Here goes a short list of dope industry podcast supported by the Rant Room: On The Page: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-page/id262077408 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-page/id262077408 Hollywood Confessional: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hollywood…
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Support the show for $1/month Subscribe to Chris's newsletter - THIN ICE In this episode, Hilliard sat down with lil' sis, Strike Captain and Co-Executive Producer - Danielle Iman! They talked in depth about her incredible journey - being raised by strong ass women, growing up a nerd and track & field jock, navigating different worlds in college, b…
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469: Jeff Melvoin - Running The Show
1:43:07
1:43:07
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Support the show for $1/month Subscribe to Chris's newsletter - THIN ICE In this episode, Hilliard and Chris sat down with Showrunner Jeff Melvoin, the man who has produced hundreds of hours of network television and the genius behind the iconic WGAW Showrunner's Training Program. We talk about Jeff's amazing new book: RUNNING THE SHOW Television F…
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Support the show for $1/month Subscribe to Chris's newsletter - THIN ICE In this episode, Hilliard sat down with friends -- a group of four 2023 WGAW Board Candidates (Niceole Levy, Rob Forman, Jackie Penn & Leah Folta) -- discuss why they are running, the effect of mini-rooms on the community, BIPOC writers, moving up in the room, producing your e…
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Support the show for $1/month Subscribe to Chris's newsletter - THIN ICE In this episode recorded a few weeks back, Hilliard & Chris sat down with TV/Film writer Rich Redlo, (Hilliard's new 'older' mentee - cuz he's always mentoring younger writers) and talked about a ton of useful writing topics like AI, elitism, writing short stories as an introd…
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Support the show for $1/month Subscribe to Chris's newsletter - THIN ICE In this episode, Hilliard & Chris sit down with super awesome ALEX O'KEEFE y'all. Growing up, he was a community organizer for Obama, became a speechwriter for Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, a movement leader for The Green New Deal, and a staff writer on Season One o…
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Support the show for $1/month Subscribe to Chris's newsletter - THIN ICE Hilliard & Chris met on zoom with talented writer, director, and producer David Shen Miller - and talked about his work on his amazing animated short film “The Cocoon,” which just screened and won Best Animated Short at the Arizona Film Festival! The film also premiered at the…
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Support the show for $1/month Subscribe to Chris's newsletter - THIN ICE In this episode Hilliard had a writers cypher with talented filmmakers Lenny Barszap & Aaron Brown who have the new feature film HOME FREE - which was the closing night film at this years 2023 Dances With Films Film Festival! The two talk about their journey in the indie world…
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463: FILMMAKERS LANETT TACHELL & COREY GRANT
2:10:26
2:10:26
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Support the show for $1/month In this episode, Hilliard sat down with Lanett Tachell & Corey Grant filmmakers behind the Dances With Films Film Festival's 2023 Grand Jury Prize winning film ANGIE'S CURE! This is one of those don't miss podcasts y'all. These two drop so much industry game, you will certainly learn a ton as they go deep into the deve…
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Support the show for $1/month Subscribe to Chris's newsletter - THIN ICE In this episode, Hilliard chopped it up with black, queer actor/writer (of Broadway Tours & Director of Access Program at Road Map Writers) Tristan J. Shuler and TV writer (Poker Face) Charlie Peppers. We talk about the journeys for these two emerging creators, growing up as q…
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461: JOSE MOLINA - EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
1:51:03
1:51:03
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Support the show for $1/month Subscribe to Chris's newsletter - THIN ICE In this episode, Hilliard & Chris have a blast of a conversation with veteran writer-executive producer Jose Molina (Agent Carter, Sleepy Hollow, Vampire Diaries, Without a Trace, to list a few)... We go all the way back to his humble beginnings, taking a deep dive into his lo…
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Support the show for $1/month Subscribe to Chris's newsletter - THIN ICE In this episode, Hilliard sat down with emerging writers Chris Moore (producer at The Artistic Standard) and Jerry Jerome (filmmaker and wga strike photographer) for a fun, knowledgeable conversation about tv writing, being in the writers' room where it happens, being genuine,…
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459: SHOWRUNNER - CHEO HODARI COKER
2:03:37
2:03:37
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Support the show for $1/month Subscribe to Chris's newsletter - THIN ICE In this episode, Hilliard & Chris sit down with the homie, Showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker (Luke Cage) in a fun, insightful episode that's full of game, tips and tricks for working or aspiring writers and filmmakers. We also talk a lot about the climate of the 2023 WGA Writers St…
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458: Graham Streeter & Alex Lebosq - UNFIX
50:23
50:23
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Support the show for $1/month Subscribe to Chris's newsletter - THIN ICE In this episode, Hilliard sat down with filmmakers Graham Streeter & Alex Lebosq of Imperative Pictures and talked about their journey, working their way up in the indie world, starting with award-winning short films and moving into feature films that deal with human topics ev…
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457: Writer-Producer Kevin A. Garnett
1:10:40
1:10:40
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Support the show for $1/month Subscribe to Chris's newsletter - THIN ICE In this episode, Hilliard chops it up with writer/producer Kevin A. Garnett (The Republic of Sarah, Dynasty, House of Payne) to talk about his journey from assistant to script coordinator, to writer-producer in network TV. There are lots of fun stories and antidotes for writer…
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456: Leslee Scallon - Dances With Films
1:25:14
1:25:14
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Subscribe to Chris's newsletter - THIN ICE Support the show for $1/month In this episode, Hilliard, Chris and Richard sit down with founder and producer Leslee Scallon and talked about the amazing journey of the long-running and popular Dances With Films Film Festival which is premiers at the Chinese TCL 6 Theater on June 22, 2023, runs for eleven …
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Support the Rant Room for $1/month Subscribe to THIN ICE - Chris's Substack In this episode, Hilliard & Chris are joined on the Rant Room for an amazing Writers Cypher with Showrunner Mark Blutman and Writer/Producer Saeed Crumpler. We talk a whole bunch of sh** y'all. Some of the topics are: the WGA Writers Strike, show bibles, the first episode o…
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454: DMA - "Executive, Producer, Strategic Consultant"
1:02:40
1:02:40
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Support the Rant Room for $1/month Subscribe to THIN ICE - Chris's Substack In this episode, Hilliard & Chris talk SCREEENWRITING CRAFT with the amazing DMA - a producer, executive, author and strategic consultant in entertainment and technology. We talk about elements of the first ten pages, pitching, theme, characters and so much more! Follow her…
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Support the show for $1/month Chris's Substack - THIN ICE In this episode, Hilliard & Chris chop it up with writers Saeed Crumpler and Richard Scott in this super fun episode. We go IN about the current state of the 2023 WGA Writers Strike and so much more. Tune in for two hours' worth of nothing but industry game! Books Mentioned in the show: Walt…
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In this super fun episode, Hilliard, Chris and Lynelle sat down with amazingly talented Showrunner Dan Hernandez (Koala Man, The Tick, One Day at a Time, Adams Family 2, Ninja Turtles, Pokeman: Detective Pikachu) in a fun and hilarious discussion as we looked back on his journey to Hollywood, ups and downs of the writers' room and studio films, wri…
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Support the Rant Room for $1/month In this episode, Hilliard and actor David Ashley sat down with first-time showrunner Kaye Singleton, creator of the new suspenseful drama/thriller anthology series - COVENANT - stories that transform Bible stories and characters we all know - currently streaming on AMC's ALLBLK network (on Amazon). We had a blast …
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Support the Rant Room for $1/month In this powerful episode, Hilliard, Chris, Lynelle and special guest Danny Tolli (writer/prod The Catch, Roswell, Stalker, The Following) joins us for an in-depth conversation about the current WGA Strike and our personal takes on some of the proposals from the studios/networks. This episode is filled with industr…
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449: Ramfis Myrthil - Indie Producer
1:13:11
1:13:11
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Support the Rant Room for $1/month In this episode, Hilliard goes deep with super indie producer Ramfis Myrthil to talk about pivoting from on camera talent to producing award-winning films that have travel the world and red carpets across the globe! Check out the ScreenWriterRR website at www.screenwritersrr.com for information, merch, or our Patr…
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