• Take 133 - Producer Michael Costigan, Brokeback Mountain, Based on a True Story
    Nov 21 2024

    We talk to the magnificent Michael Costigan, producer of such hits as Brokeback Mountain, Robin Hood and Hit Man, among many others joins the show.
    He talks about his new TV series Based on a True Story, his transition from movies to the small screen and how hard it is to get anything made.
    Michael explains his journey from terrible assistant, to producing seminal movies and compares adversity in film and television.
    An honest and candid romp through Hollywood, with tales of the biggest directors and a genuine passion for every project he touches.

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    42 mins
  • Take 132 - Showrunner Frank Cardea, NCIS, Crazy Like a Fox, Shogun
    Oct 24 2024

    What an episode!
    We talk to TV legend Frank Cardea about his decades in the business.
    He tells us about his move from accountancy to producing, the extraordinary longevity of his writing partnership and working on more than 400 episodes of NCIS.
    We hear some great examples of failure, some great examples of success and also some great examples of leadership.
    A fascinating deepdive into one of Hollywood longest and most prodigious careers.

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    53 mins
  • Take 131 - Writer and Showrunner Michael Rauch, Beautiful People, Royal Pains
    Oct 10 2024

    We talk to Michael Rauch. He starts with an extraordinary film school firing, then a late-night 'show being un-picked up' call and how he recovered from those early career setbacks.
    He tells us about his casting frustrations, managing multiple projects, and what he learned from great showrunners.
    An excellent episode full of brilliant anecdotes.

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    46 mins
  • Take 130 - Writer and Showrunner Mark Goffman, West Wing, Sleepy Hollow, Bull, Irrational
    Oct 3 2024

    We talk to the fascinating Mark Goffman.
    He tells us about swapping real Government speech writing at the State Department for writing on the West Wing, some extraordinary career luck and ventriloqism documentaries.
    Mark talks about the importance of giving people a voice in a room, the importance of working with good people repeatedly and the importance of reflecting something of yourself in every show.
    He talks about regret, where he derives his satisfaction in the writing process and he answers the question 'are your shows better in your head or on the screen'.
    A fascinating interview with a brilliant creator.

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    41 mins
  • Take 129 - John Wirth Part Two!
    Sep 26 2024

    We weren’t finished with John Wirth, so he comes back for more.
    This time we talk leadership style, drinking too much soda and the use of the red pen.
    John talks about being blunt, some more failure stories and even more advice.

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    55 mins
  • Take 128 - Showrunner and Writer John Wirth, Dark Winds, Nash Bridges
    Sep 19 2024

    We speak to the legendary John Wirth.
    He talks about a Hollywood career so long that he can't even remember all of the shows he has run, the shows he has been fired from and arguing with actors who hadn't won Emmys.
    He talks about managing upwards, 'run money' and an extraordinary argument with talent about trust.
    A remarkable episode with a remarkable storyteller.

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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Take 127 - Writer, Showrunner, Memoirist SJ Hodges, The Player, Uneven Ground
    Sep 12 2024

    We talk to the extraordinary SJ Hodges.
    She talks about changing her name to a gender neutral one to get read, jumping from staff writer straight to show runner and what she learned from managing a literal car crash on The Player.
    Then SJ shares her personal journey of losing her husband to a brain tumour, what she did next and how she ended up building a community around her memoir Uneven Ground.
    A poignant and honest episode.

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    1 hr and 51 mins
  • Take 126 - Writer Gary Whitta, The Book of Eli, Rogue One
    Sep 5 2024

    The podcast is back for the second half of season three and we have a cracker.
    Gary Whitta, writer of Book of Eli and Rogue One gives an extraordinary interview about his transition from video game editor to writer, working on Star Wars and his frustrations with Hollywood.
    He gves us an extraordinary pig analogy, talks about the excitement and pressure of being asked to work on the world's largest franchise and why he now won't watch any new Star Wars shows.
    One of the most honest and candid interviews we've had, Gary holds back nothing as he talks about his rollercoaster journey to the pinnacle of Hollywood.
    A must listen for writers, Star Wars fans and anyone interested in perseverance, creativity and how to play the Hollywood game.

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    1 hr and 9 mins