Liz and Sarah talk to powerhouse writing duo JaNeika and JaSheika James about their new book, Living Double: How Identical Twins Unlocked The Door To Success In Hollywood. They share what it was like to write for the mega hit show, Empire, and explain why it’s important for aspiring writers to “declare themselves.” In Amplify, Liz spotlights K-Pod, a podcast about Korean American in arts and culture, hosted by her college roommate, Catherine Hong, and Juliana Sohn. This week’s Hollywood Hack will keep you from doing Zoom meetings in the dark: Use a ring-light!
Podcast episodes
Episode 186: How Good Projects Go Bad
Liz and Sarah can finally reveal their latest project — an adaptation of the gripping upcoming novel, The Final Girl Support Group, by Grady Hendrix. In The Mailroom, they answer a listener question about how and why projects with great auspicious and potential sometimes turn out badly. One pitfall? Too many cooks. Then in The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah discuss why it’s important to talk about “why you, why now” when you’re pitching a new project. This week’s essential Hollywood Hack will help you stay safe during the pandemic: the GA Tech Covid-19 Event Risk Assessment Planning Tool.
Episode 185: A Thanksgiving Gratitude Assignment
Liz and Sarah discuss why it’s important to remember that nobody cares how much work you’ve put into something — the end result is all that matters. In Amplify, they shine a light on Black artists feared on the website Society6 and talk about the documentary On The Trail: Inside the 2020 Primaries, which features a diverse group of women covering the news. In Take A Hike, Liz and Sarah celebrate Thanksgiving by giving themselves and listeners a Gratitude Assignment: make a point of telling somebody you’re grateful for them — and why. This week’s Hollywood Hack makes mask wearing easier, safer and more fashionable: mask chains from CandiceBDesigns.
Episode 184: How To Quit A Job Without Burning Bridges
Quitting a job is hard, but it can be done without burning bridges. Liz and Sarah talk to Executive Coach and host of the podcast Career Stewardship, Michael Melcher, about how to quit. One tip? Imagine how the conversation will go in advance to help keep yourself calm and professional. In Hits & Bombs, Liz gives a Hit to everyone who’s decided to start decorating for the holidays early. And Sarah gives herself a Bomb for letting Violet sleep with her for weeks on end. This week’s Hollywood Hack is actually a Minnesota Hack: WinterGrips ice cleats.
Episode 183: Autumn Listener Question Episode!
Why doesn’t Liz cook? What has Sarah learned from parenting a Rebel child? How does a writer obtain IP for development? It’s the Autumn Listener Questions episode! Liz and Sarah cover everything from how to fuel creativity during a pandemic to what beverage they would each bring to a desert island (Diet Coke).
Episode 182: Groups Need A Group Agenda
Liz and Sarah discuss why it’s so important to set a group agenda before a meeting. One piece of advice if you want your group to make a good impression? Assign one person to steer the conversation back on track if necessary. In The Craft (& Fain), they reveal one of their favorite tools for writing a good pitch (or any sales document): Tell them what you’re going to say. Say it. And then tell them you said it. This week’s Hollywood Hack will provide hours of cocktail party conversation: Take a deep dive into a subject by watching and listening to multiple TV shows and podcasts about it. Liz’s recent deep dive? Everything having to do with the Albany-based cult, Nxivm.