Act Two Podcast
Act Two Podcast is hosted by screenwriters Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman. They explore the realities of working as professional screenwriters, sharing insights, experiences, and advice. The show aims to demystify the everyday life of a screenwriter for other screenwriters. It provides an insider look at the craft and business of writing for film and television.
Episodes
10 Things Every Screenwriter Should Know
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman break down and go in-depth on screenwriter Tom Vaughan's viral post about the 10 random things he learned about having a Screenwriting career after 29 years of writing movies.
Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
How Summer 2026 Blockbusters Are Inspiring Us to Write Original Screenplays
Hosts Tasha Huo & Josh Hallman talk about their hot takes on this Summer's blockbusters and how this massive Summer for theatrical releases is actually a lesson in writing originals.
Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
REPOST - The Art of Adaptation: Interview w/ Christopher Yost (THOR: RAGNAROK, COWBOY BEPOP)
In honor of the recent announcement about Christopher Yost showrunning Dungeon Crawler Carl, we're sharing this great interview with him! Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman sit down with one of the great adaptation writers in our business, Christopher Yost (THOR: RAGNAROK, COWBOY BEBOP), about how he approaches adaptation, how it differs from original writing, and how the tough choices of writing an
REPOST - Networking and Making Connections
After last week's episode where Kevin Shabel mentioned networking as key to building your career, we’re reposting an episode about that very topic! The favorite thing a screenwriter can do is to Network! Not really. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman dive into all things networking and what that means for a screenwriter. We discuss the dos and don'ts when you're forced out of your comfort zone and f
How to Become a Writer's Assistant | What the Job Really Is & How to Get It
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk with Kevin Shabel, Tasha's Showrunner's Assistant on Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft (Netflix) and the Writer's Assistant for The Mighty Nein (Amazon). He talks about how he got the job, how he excelled, the challenges of the job, and how he leveraged it into co-writing an episode in Season Two.
Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by th
5 Hacks for a Must-Read Screenplay
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the top screenplay hacks according to NoFilmSchool.com, with examples of how and when they use those hacks in their own professional writing, and also when to leave a hack on the cutting room floor.
Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
REPOST - 10 Signs of a Great Screenplay
Lists on how to write a "great" screenplay are practically useless when sitting down before a blank page. But hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss how to use lists and tips in the REWRITE process to help hone your decent script into a great one.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Music by 414beg
Screenplay Structure 101 | Every Major Turning Point, When It Happens & Why It Matters
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman break down Structure for a feature-length story to its basics. What are each of the turning points, when should they fall in your movie, why are they important, and what effect should they have on your story.
Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
5 Tips for Nailing Your TV Writers' Room Interview
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman share five concrete tips for nailing your TV writers' room interview - how to read the room's energy, why having an opinion on the material matters, and the resume detail that helped Tasha land her first staffing job.
Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
How Portal A is Changing the Game for Screenwriters & Directors | Producer Jacob Motz Interview
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman sit down with Portal A producer, Jacob Motz, to talk about the business of quality filmmaker-driven short form content, and how it's an exciting outlet for all Screenwriters and aspiring Writer-Directors, regardless of level or representation.
Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
REPOST - Staying Proactive And Being An Advocate For Yourself.
There are many ways to stay proactive in your writing life. If you're sitting on a script you're passionate about, there are (creative) ways to get it into the world. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk about the different outlets screenwriters have and ways to be an advocate for yourself.
Edited by the great Paul Lundquist
Music by 414beg.
Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Listener Q&A: Screenwriting from Abroad, Writing Around a Day Job & Why AI Won't Teach You to Write
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman field Listener questions.
Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
REPOST — Getting Repped — All the Ways to Get a Manager or Agent
Screenwriters Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman share their wild stories about how they got their first Manager and Agent, and talk through the many ways you can get representation. Everyone tells you to get repped, but why do you even need a rep, and what the heck do they do anyway?
This is the Act Two Podcast, where hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman demystify what it means to be an everyday working S
How to Rewrite Your Screenplay
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the many different ways screenwriters revise a script - from tackling major problems after a first draft to handling vague notes, character issues, comedy passes, production rewrites, and someone else’s pages. They break down their personal revision processes, why certain notes require going back to the cards, and how knowing what kind of rewrite a script n
What to See This Summer | 2026 Movie Picks
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the 2026 Summer Blockbuster line-up, what's worth seeing, what are some surprises, and ask the age-old post-pandemic question are "movies back?!"
Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
How Their Stolen Short Film Led to a Hollywood Feature Deal | Interview: Ryan Polly & Matt Black
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman sit down with writer-directors Ryan Polly and Matt Black to talk about their wild story of theft and impersonation that led to them making their first Hollywood feature film, and about what it's like to find Hollywood success while living and working in Texas.
Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Listener Q&A: When a Movie Kills Your Script & Script Submission Rules Hollywood Expects You to Know
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman answer listener questions about what to do when you see a trailer for an upcoming movie... that looks a lot like the script you've just worked so hard writing. How dead is your idea really? Also, what do Studios and Producers expect when it comes to formatting your scripts when you submit them?
TWIW: Tasha saw The Sheep Detectives and Remarkably Bright Creatures /
How to Pitch a Screenplay | Producer & Pitch Coach Emmeline Yang Hankins on What Actually Works
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman sit down with producer & development consultant, Emmeline Yang Hankins, to discuss what she's learned over the years about perfecting a pitch, and how she teaches pitching as a powerful tool at any stage of development. Her signature class for scripted TV, Kickstart My Pitch, has new dates coming up in June!
Act Two listeners can get an exclusive discount to E
Go Forth and Write Your Spec
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman check in on their current specs, break down their process for starting a new idea, and talk about why uninterrupted writing time is nearly impossible to protect. Also, TWIW!
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
The Agent Series with Mark Hartogsohn: What is a Lit Agent and How to Get One? (REPOST)
Host Tasha Huo brings on her Gersh agent, Mark Hartogsohn, for the first in a series designed to help Screenwriters navigate what it means to get an Agent and maximize your working relationship once you have an Agent. In this introductory installment, Tasha and Josh discuss how Mark became a Hollywood agent, what it means to be a Lit Agent for Screen and TV Writers, and how he goes about finding n
Rewriting for Yourself vs. Rewriting as a Professional Writer
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman break down the mindset shift between rewriting for yourself and rewriting for a job, and what it really means to rewrite like a professional writer. Also, in TWIW... Josh drives Jason Blum's golf cart, and Tasha takes a retreat!
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
The Art of the Cheer Moment | How to Write Scenes That Excite Audiences
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman mourn the shuttering of JJ Abrams' Bad Robot by talking about one of their most valuable lessons from JJ... "Cheer Moments". They discuss examples in Film & TV and how to craft an iconic cheer moment in your own script.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Good Writing Isn't Enough | The "Other" Skills Every Screenwriter Needs to Succeed
Just being a great writer doesn't mean you can make it as a professional Screenwriter. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what other qualities professional Screenwriters possess that help make them undeniable hires with career longevity.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Don't Send That Script Yet: Rewrites, Feedback & Knowing When Your Screenplay is Ready
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman field a listener question about Rewrites. Do you really need to rewrite your drafts before sending them to managers and agents? Will that slow momentum? How many scripts should you revise before you can start querying reps? Do you need a portfolio of scripts, or just one solid script?
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquis
Is the Screenwriting Life Worth It? Yes - Here's Why (Part 2)
In Part Two of a series about the Screenwriter's lifestyle, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman dig into all the ways being a professional Screenwriter is exactly the dream you imagine it to be, and more. If you think you can't handle the Ugly Truths of the previous episode, maybe this will change your mind.
TWIW: Tasha had to brainstorm horror movie ideas from scratch; where did she start?
Questio
Is the Screenwriting Life Worth It? The Ugly Truth (Part 1 of 2)
Being a Screenwriter is a worthy dream that is attainable. But the dream is much different than we imagine. In this Part One of a series, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the realities of a professional Screenwriter's lifestyle, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
TWIW: What to do when a studio wants to make a movie from a terrible book?
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edite
We Read Our Old Script Coverage (and It's Brutal) | 2025 Oscar Nominee Reactions
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman read real studio script coverage of their old specs, and it's... painful. Plus, they discuss some of this year's Oscar nominees, their predictions, their reactions, and why!
TWIW: Josh has a breakthrough by writing an Act One with no plan / Tasha wrote a movie treatment in a single day and has never felt so alive / We watched & discussed ET for February's Patre
What TV Execs Wish You Knew: Pitching, Development & Breaking In With Legendary's Anna Halligan
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman sit with Executive Director of Scripted Series at Legendary, Anna Halligan, to get a behind-the-scenes look at her day-to-day as a TV executive, including how she works with writers and what she wishes writers knew. Anna shares her insights on everything from generals, pitching, developing scripts at the studio level, and her unique journey to finding TV developmen
Screenwriting Q&A: Free Work, Producer Conflicts & February: Are You Excited?
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman field listener questions on free work, working on spec with a producer on your own original idea, and how to approach a producer when you don't like their ideas.
Also included: Are You Excited?!: February Edition
TWIW: Tasha is inspired to take karate after watching this Oscar movie / Josh has an AI scare
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the
Inside Studio Coverage: How Story Analysts Evaluate Scripts at Major Studios
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman sit down with long-time Universal Pictures Story Analyst, Ray Kolasa, to chat about the process a script goes through when it's sent to a studio, from submission, development to production. What do studios look for, what scripts work and don't work, and what writing lessons are there to learn from someone whose read thousands of scripts at the studio level?
Quest
Selling Out Isn't Wrong -- It's a Strategy
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss Franklin Leonard's much-debated post: The Moral Case for Selling Out and whether "selling out" is the key to having a Screenwriting career in Hollywood.
TWIW: Sam Raimi's SEND HELP is quite the theater experience / Is Marvel's WONDER MAN the most accurate depiction of life as an actor in Hollywood? / A listener demands to know why Tasha did not like Oscar
Free Work as Screenwriters: How to Decide, Set Boundaries, and Protect Yourself
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman field a listener question about Free Work, the nemesis of all Screenwriters, and the particular bane of up-and-coming Screenwriters. They talk about their own experiences with Free Work early in their careers and now, how they dealt with them, how best to protect yourself against endless unpaid drafts, and what's realistic about Free Work and our careers as Screenw
Why You? - The Question Every Screenwriter Needs to Know How to Answer
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the question we've all gotten from execs -- "Why you?" They discuss why they ask this question, what it means, and how best to answer it, including examples from real-life situations.
TWIW: Tasha just finished her spec adaptation of a book! What next? / Josh battles a coyote, and gets a new story idea / Has Tasha seen all the Oscar movies yet? / Tasha's
How Post-Production Can Make You a Better Writer: Insights from an Editor
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman sit down with editor Patrick Tuck (THE LOW DOWN, RESERVATION DOGS, CHAD POWERS) to discuss how writers' stories evolve in the editing room, lessons writers can learn from the post process, how writers can avoid common post pitfalls, and more!
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Interview with Scott Glassgold: Selling Your Short Story (REPOST)
Scott Glassgold, founder of management & production company Ground Control, has recently made waves in Hollywood for finding short stories on Reddit and turning them into high-profile sales for new writers. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman walk through that process with Scott and discuss the potential of the short story market for writers in any stage of their career.
Questions / Comments: A
How to Actually Hit Your 2026 Screenwriting Goals
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk 2026 Screenwriting goals and how to achieve them realistically. They discuss breaking screenwriting goals down into actionable steps, scheduling yourself, and other useful tips to stay on track this year.
TWIW: Tasha visited the Academy Museum over break / Tasha loved The Anaconda / Watching The Housemaid in a full theater made a big difference / A Spielberg
Wins, Misses and Takeaways: Our 2025 Goal Wrap-Up
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss how many of their 2025 Goals they achieved (spoiler alert: Josh beat Tasha), and what they can learn from their successes and failures going into 2026.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
How to Plan Your Screenwriting Year for Success: A Month-by-Month Guide
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss Final Draft blog by Ken Miyamoto, How to Plan Your Entire Screenwriting Year: A Month-by-Month Guide. They break down tasks for each month, discuss practical solutions to achieving those tasks, and why thinking about your year in these terms sets you up for success (and they maybe fangirl over Ken a little bit).
TWIW: Tasha got very different notes on a
The Writing Behind Tomb Raider: the Legend of Lara Croft Season 2
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman chat about Tasha's newest season of Tomb Raider: the Legend of Lara Croft now on Netflix, how the idea for the season came together, and behind-the-scenes writing stories.
TWIW: The Blacklist 2025: Who's Who and trends Josh is seeing / Tasha went to a BAFTA Games Mixer and sweated profusely / If you can spot the reference to Tasha & Josh's favorite movies in
5 Tips on Telling a Compelling Story
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk through Final Draft's 5 Pieces of Advice to Tell a Compelling Tale and offer their own specifics on why and how these pieces of advice work in your writing.
TWIW: This month's Running Man Q&A Patreon Zoom / Netflix buying WB? / Tasha's show The Mighty Nein is #1 in the US, Canada & Europe! / Vince Gilligan is so damn good at creating character-driven
Living Outside LA, Pitching Update, Mighty Nein - Plus: Are You Excited?
This week, Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk about living outside LA, where Tasha’s pitch stands, and an overdue double-dose of “Are You Excited?” - covering both November and December.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
How to Get Unstuck in Your Writing: Screenwriting Tips that Actually Work
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman field a listener question and discuss the tips & tricks they use to get unstuck in their writing.
TWIW: Is The Hunger Games a perfect movie? / Returning to "the big paper" for a video game adaptation pitch.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Writing THE MIGHTY NEIN: Interview with Showrunner Tasha Huo
Showrunner and co-host Tasha Huo's show premieres November 19 on Amazon Prime Video, and Josh makes her talk about it! Tasha reveals how she got the job adapting the Critical Role live D&D campaign, what the writing process was like to adapt something so massive and beloved, and what it was like working with the "nerdy ass voice actors" of Critical Role.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@g
Holiday Gifts -- What to get Reps and Producers (REPOST)
We have a repost this week:
Holidays are here, and it’s time to panic about what to get your reps. Freak out no more! Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman give some great gift ideas, and share some insider info from reps themselves on what gifts they are actually looking for this year.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Staying Relevant: How to Have a Long Career as a Screenwriter
Hollywood moves fast, and even the best careers can fade. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman share ways to stay relevant as a screenwriter and keep your career thriving. Plus... TWIW!
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
How to Write Great Villains | Halloween Special for Screenwriters
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman chat with horror writer and Friend of the Podcast, David Levinson (Welcome Home), about their favorite movie villains and how they were written to make a lasting impression.
TWIW: How do you manage the financial realities of being a spec writer? / What are Tasha, Josh and Dave dressing up as for Halloween??
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
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Ready or Not? How You Know Your Script is Ready
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss a listener question -- When do you know your script is ready?
TWIW: Good Boy, the horror movie from the POV of a dog and how Tasha hated it and finally learned to feel / Tasha & Josh are donating a 30-minute notes session for charity at Cause for Entertainment, a charity to support Breast Cancer Research and those affected by breast cancer.
Questi
Networking Dos and Don’ts & Are You Excited: October 2025 Edition
It’s Austin Film Festival time! Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman tackle the art of networking - a word that makes most writers shiver. They share how to approach it authentically, spark conversations, and avoid the common pitfalls that kill a good impression. Plus, a new round of Are You Excited? - where they dig into the month’s releases.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by
Write Better Dialogue: Tasha Huo's Secret Hack
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss Tasha's dialogue hack to quickly improve your dialogue and trim pages.
TWIW: What does it mean when a manager or agent "hip-pockets" you? / Tasha had a MIGHTY NEIN screening at SCAD and now she wants to go to there / The difference in approach between being a fan of an IP and just taking an IP job. / Storytelling lessons learned from our September Patreo
How do you write for animation? Interview with Francisco Angones (THE LEGEND OF VOX MACHINA, DUCK TALES)
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman sit down with Francisco Angones, the creator of DUCK TALES (2017) and Co-EP on THE LEGEND OF VOX MACHINA (S4, S5) to discuss what a Screenwriting career in animation can look like, share stories on its challenges and how to manage them, and share his day-to-day as an animation writer/creator.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul
Which Screenwriter Personality Are You?
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk about all the different types of careers for a Screenwriter and which may be right for you, depending on your personality.
TWIW: How to navigate the Austin Film Festival successfully, even if you're shy / Tasha's newest "big page" / Josh finds writing in the dark is a new hack / the Anaconda trailer is whack / Tasha & Josh's spec is moving on to the nex
Are You Excited?: September 2025 Edition + TWIW
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the movies coming to your eyeballs in September, and about the things on their mind this week in the world of Screenwriting.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Writing Action and Staying Relevant with Derek Kolstad (JOHN WICK, NOBODY)
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman sit down with Derek Kolstad, writer and creator of the JOHN WICK and NOBODY franchises, to discuss everything from crafting character-driven action movies to the reality of the grind behind being a successful working Screenwriter.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
How Agents Work for Screenwriters: David Boxerbaum (Partner, Verve)
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman sit down with Josh's agent, David Boxerbaum, a partner at Verve, to discuss how successful writers work with their agents, the recent boom in short story sales and what that means for Screenwriters, and why some specs sale and others don't.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
How to Multitask as a Screenwriter: Balancing Multiple Projects
Life gets crazy and overwhelming. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman break down how screenwriters multitask - balancing multiple projects, writing more than one script at a time, and staying productive along the way. Plus... TWIW!
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Are Pro Screenwriters Just Like Pro Athletes?
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman sit down with Screenwriter and Tennis Pro, Michael Basha, to discuss how the psychology of professional athletes can be a useful road map for professional screenwriters, and other ways pro sports mirrors the screenwriting industry.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Writing RED SONJA: From Script to Screen with Tasha Huo
Host Tasha Huo talks candidly about her writing journey on her first produced film, RED SONJA, from her first pitch to getting rewritten to final credits determination. RED SONJA releases in theaters on August 13th, and streaming on August 29th.
TWIW: Josh's old script idea is now a Brendan Fraser movie, but not how Josh expected / Tasha used a placeholder for a scene when she got stuck, but how
Is San Diego Comic-Con good for Screenwriters? + Are You Excited?: August Edition
Host Tasha Huo went to San Diego Comic-Con this year and has thoughts on why it's a great con for Screenwriters. Plus, Are You Excited about what's coming out in theaters in August?
TWIW: How to get unstuck in your writing / Jurassic World: Rebirth / Happy Gilmore 2 made Tasha cry
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Are You Excited?: July 2025 Edition
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk about which July Summer movies they're excited about, and give some interesting behind-the-scenes Screenwriting tidbits about how some of these movies got made.
TWIW: Tasha is having an IP crisis / Do you need a feature sample to meet at feature companies? / Josh's run-in with a Hollywood icon
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GRE
Social Media in your Screenwriting Career: Interview w/ Nic Curcio and Kristen Tepper
This week, we chat with screenwriters Nic Curcio and Kristin Tepper about branding, social media, and what it means to create content as a writer in today’s industry. We dive into how writers can approach their digital footprint, whether you need to be on social media, how to build an authentic brand, the blacklist, and a ton more...
Nic Curcio: @Nicolascurcio
Kristen Tepper: @KristenTepper
The
Where to Spend Time: IP or Spec?
Inspired by a post from Screenwriter Zack Stentz, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss whether it's a smarter career move to work on IP or to put your head down and write your own spec. They discuss the realities of what it means to work on IP vs. Specs, their own experiences working in both markets, and the consequences (both good & bad) of working on both.
TWIW: What Tasha's manager a
MAILBAG: Ready to Send Your Script? Writer’s Groups, Pitching & More
It’s a mailbag episode! Tasha and Josh tackle listener questions - from writer’s groups to pitching and more. Plus, This Week in Writing… Tasha is not a boring writer.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Animated to Live Action Adaptation: LILO & STITCH and HTTYD (Part 2)
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the live action adaptation of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, breaking down, from a writer's perspective, what made it successful and, in these podcasters opinions, unsuccessful as an adaptation.
TWIW: Voice in screenwriting is about pacing, and here's why.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Animated to Live Action Adaptation: LILO & STITCH and HTTYD (Part 1)
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the live action adaptation of LILO & STITCH, breaking down writer and director choices that helped launch it into massive numbers at the box office and that, in these podcasters opinions, makes it the most successful live action Disney adaptation yet!
TWIW: Josh thinks he can be a detective after writing one, and Tasha gets notes that she's a boring
When Life Happens, How to Keep Writing
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman have just been side-lined by sicknesses and Tasha is recently back from a month on the road. It's time to talk about how to keep writing during unexpected obstacles. Inertia in the right direction is important, but Life can get in the way. Let's talk practical, real ways to keep going during tough times.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by th
RE-RELEASE: How to Stay in Screenwriting Shape
Hosts Tasha Huo & Josh Hallman discuss a blog post by Final Draft about 5 Ways to stretch your Screenwriting muscles every day so you never lose writing momentum, even on days you don't feel like writing.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Music by 414Beg
Are You Excited? JUNE 2025 EDITION
Summer movies are out! And it's time to see if you're excited about what Hollywood has to offer in June! Some surprises, and some long-awaited blockbusters. What will you be seeing this June?
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Top Tips for Aspiring Screenwriters
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discover a list of top tips for aspiring Screenwriters, according to the New York Film Academy. They disagree fundamentally with some tips, and expound on the practicality of others in the real world. There is advice for up & coming Screenwriters everywhere. Tasha and Josh help translate that advice into real-life scenarios and uses.
TWIW: Outlining as a surp
A Writer's Tools: The Oversized Sketchpad
Host Tasha Huo rants about her oversized sketchpad and the different ways she's used it to help break multiple script ideas. She answers listener questions on using the sketchpad, and, really, just won't shut up about the sketchpad.
TWIW: What would Tasha's greatest betrayal of Josh be? / Don't sleep on The Accountant and The Accountant 2
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
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8 Famous Improv Moments Writers Can Learn From
Not everything you see on screen was in the script. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman break down 8 famous improvised movie moments - what made them work, how they changed the scene, and what screenwriters can learn from embracing spontaneity.
Questions or comments? Hit us up at ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist.
Know Your Story
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman dig into the importance of: Knowing Your Story. As screenwriters, we all get notes that make us question everything - is the story different now? Is it better? Or just... different? Tasha and Josh break down knowing your characters and ways to stay grounded when the note floodgates open.
Plus: Are You Excited?!
Questions or comments? Hit us up at ActTwoWriters@gmai
A Screenwriter's Self-Talk Cycle
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk about self-talk, the kind that holds us back, and the kind that pushes us forward. How do we recognize and manage those self-destructive thoughts, and how do we start talking kinder to ourselves as writers.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Writing for the Audience (and not sell out)
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss a hotly debated topic -- writing for an audience (it's not what you think it is). What does it mean to think about the audience when you write a scene and how do you do without compromising your vision as a writer.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
Framing Devices: What They Are and When They Work
What is a framing device, and why do writers use them? Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman explore the storytelling tool that bookends so many scripts. They also have a little disagreement about the use of a framing device in White Lotus...
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
How to Advocate for Yourself
Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss ways to advocate for yourself, whether you have reps or not, and the importance of thinking of yourself as the CEO of your own company of one.
TWIW: the new Nicholls Fellowship setup / Josh's insane Monday morning that ended with a 911 call
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
How to Get Repped (REPOST)
Getting repped can seem impossible, but the good news is there are actually many different paths to representation. In this repost from S4, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman break down what worked for them in their own careers and what they've seen work for other writers.
TWIW: Josh finished a pilot with his wife and celebrated with Taylor Swift, Tasha celebrates an Act Two mentee getting repped!
Starting Your Story Through Location
Some stories begin with a character. Others begin with a question. But what if yours begins with a place? This week, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman kick off a new series on story starting points — beginning with how location can be more than just a setting.
Stephen Sondheim Instagram POST.
Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com
Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist
A Physical Therapist on Writers' Pains with Melody Garcia
A writer has unique aches and pains due to the nature of their work: sitting for hours on end, hunched over a computer, typing, fidgeting, etc. Physical Therapist, Melody Garcia, talks about what common ailments she sees among writers and what you can do to prevent and treat your aches and pains.
TWIW: Mickey 17 and a Q1 goals check-in!
New Segment: Are You Excited??
Questions / Comments: ActT
Should You Outline?
Let's discuss outlines. Should you do them, when is it right for your project and not? Do you ask for it as a step in your deal, or keep it to yourself? Does an outline take the magic and joy out of writing, or can it help you get through an idea when you might otherwise falter? Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss how they and other writers they know think about outlining.
Questions / Comme
Why Now? - What It Means, How to Answer It
We've all been asked "Why now?" by someone who has read our script or listened to our pitch. But it probably doesn't mean what you think it means.
In this episode, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss what an exec is really asking when they say, "Why now?" And how best to answer it. They also discuss ways to prevent ever being asked this question in the first place!
Questions / Comments: Act
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