Episodes

  • We have a fantastic episode lined up for you! Kevin Bachar, an EMMY-winning documentary director and screenwriter, is our guest. Kevin has previously joined us to discuss his horror film "The Inhabitant," available on Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Apple+. He also discussed his book "Dredge: 22 Tales of Terror." Now, he's back to talk about his latest book, "The Visitor.”

    Kevin's books are available on Amazon.

    The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
    Executive Producer Kristin Overn
    Producer Sandy Adomaitis
    Producer Terry Sampson
    Music by Ethan Stoller

    👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.

    📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

    💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment please contact us @[email protected]

    PAGE International Screenwriting Awards
    Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent.

  • The Writers’ Hangout dives into some entertainment news.

    Sandy and Terry cover the latest hot Hollywood lawsuits, which are plural, involving screenwriter R. Lance Hill, Amazon, and the remake of the 1989 ‘Roadhouse.’ A cult classic, ‘Roadhouse was a starring vehicle for Patrick Swayze, produced by Joel Silver and directed by Rowdy Herrington.

    Then, Terry shares an article by David Courtney, Ten Colorful Ways to Say It’s Hotter Than Hades in Texas, featured in Texas Monthly.

    Research for this episode includes:
    Amazon, MGM Accuse Original ‘Road House’ Screenwriter of Fraud in Countersuit By Ross A. Lincoln for TheWrap by Samantha Bergeson for IndieWire
    https://www.indiewire.com/news/breaking-news/road-house-screenwriter-sues-amazon-over-copyright-ai-use-1234958090/#:~:text=Lance%20Hill%2C%20who%20uses%20the,movie%20was%20released%20in%201989

    ‘Road House’ Rumble: Amazon Denies AI Used To Create Actors’ Voices For Remake During Strike As Original Pic’s Scribe Sues To Shut Down New Movie by Dominic Patten for Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2024/02/road-house-lawsuit-amazon-copyright-1235839774/

    Ten Colorful Ways to Say It’s Hotter Than Hades in Texas, which was featured in Texas Monthly.
    https://www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/folksy-sayings-heat-weather/?utm_source=pocket_shared&utm_source=pocket_shared

    The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
    Executive Producer Kristin Overn
    Producer Sandy Adomaitis
    Producer Terry Sampson
    Music by Ethan Stoller

    👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.

    📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

    💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment please contact us @[email protected]

    PAGE International Screenwriting Awards
    Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent.

  • Missing episodes?

    Click here to refresh the feed.

  • Sandy and Terry Sampson discuss the little-known mystery of the 1997 disappearance of screenwriter Gary Devore. Gary was returning home after finishing the ending of his latest script, which he claimed would uncover government secrets. However, he disappeared without a trace. Did Gary step out to "buy a pack of cigarettes," or was he met with foul play? We'll delve into what happened that fateful night and revisit the rumors and conspiracy theories that continue to baffle and disturb people.


    The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
    Executive Producer Kristin Overn
    Producer Sandy Adomaitis
    Producer Terry Sampson
    Music by Ethan Stoller

    👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.

    📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

    💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment please contact us @[email protected]

    PAGE International Screenwriting Awards
    Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent.

  • Hang out with Sandy and Terry as they explore ten screenwriting quotes and learn how to apply them to your writing. Gaining insights from successful writers is an invaluable approach to refining your craft and overcoming challenges.

    👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.

    📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

    💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment please contact us @[email protected]

    PAGE International Screenwriting Awards
    Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent.

  • Hang out with us as we explore what happened behind the scenes during the writing of Twister, the 1996 blockbuster movie Twister, with a special guest, my cousin Kate!

    Twister is an action film and screwball romance featuring Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt. Writer Michael Crichton conceived it as a combination of the classic romantic comedy "His Girl Friday" and a PBS documentary about storm chasers he had seen on TV.

    Helen Hunt portrays Jo, a meteorologist whose father was swept away by a tornado when she was a child. She has devoted her life to researching tornadoes and has created a device designed to collect essential data in the midst of severe weather systems. Her estranged husband, Bill Paxton, has left his tornado days behind and is ready to settle down with a new woman, Jami Gertz. The film also stars the late great Philip Seymour Hoffman, Succession’s Alan Ruck, and Todd Field, who directed Tár.

    Research for this story includes:

    Screenwritersutopia.com
    Jeff Nathanson talks Catch Me If You Can
    By Fred Topel

    https://www.screenwritersutopia.com/article/33dc5cd0

    Variety
    Twister Stunt Boss Says Steven Spielberg Flew to Oklahoma and ‘Was F—ing Yelling’ at the Director After Crew Walked Off Set Amid Chaotic Filming
    By Zack Sharf
    https://variety.com/2024/film/news/steven-spielberg-screamed-twister-director-crew-rebelled-1236078124/

    Crichton & Co. win Twister Lawsuit
    Jury conducts whirlwind deliberations
    By Janet Shprintz
    https://variety.com/1998/film/news/crichton-co-win-twister-lawsuit-1117467205/

    Yardbarker.com
    20 facts you might not know about Twister
    https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/20_facts_you_might_not_know_about_twister/s1__37717932#slide_1

    The Original ‘Twister’ Is a Stealth Remake of a Classic Comedy
    https://www.cracked.com/article_42873_the-original-twister-is-a-stealth-remake-of-a-classic-comedy.html

    96 Twister Screenplay via Scribd
    https://www.scribd.com/document/561736972/Twister-1996-The-Original-Screenplay

    👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.

    📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

    💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment please contact us @[email protected]

    PAGE International Screenwriting Awards
    Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent.

  • Sandy and Terry delved into the Enneagram System, a method of categorizing human personality into nine distinct types. For writers, the Enneagram Personality Test website is a valuable resource for mapping out your characters' authentic emotional journeys.

    By taking the personality test, you will gain valuable character traits that will enhance your scripts for years by creating authentic and compelling characters!

    Learn more about the Enneagram System here: https://enneagramuniverse.com

    The Writers' Hangout is not affiliated with the Enneagram System. This is for fun and education.

    👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.

    📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

    💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment please contact us @[email protected]

    PAGE International Screenwriting Awards
    Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent.

  • The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the Writers’ Hangout podcast and will announce the Quarter-Finalists in their 2024 screenplay competition on Monday, July 15th. And that's our excuse to give our listeners a special treat! Today's episode features Sandy and Terry reading comments from the PAGE Awards Judges' scorecards. We also discuss the 10-point scale. A tool PAGE Judges use to score ten elements in your screenplay.

    These special Judges’ comments will only be revealed on episode 123 of The Writers’ Hangout Podcast.

    👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.

    📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

    💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment please contact us @[email protected]

    PAGE International Screenwriting Awards
    Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent.

  • We’re baaccck!

    It is the first week of July 2024, and Sandy and Terry are ready for #hotpodsummer.

    Did you know that our host and creator of The Writers’ Hangout, Sandy Adomaitis, has a wealth of experience in script development for both television and film? She has worked with some of the industry’s top showrunners, including Carlton Cuse, John Wirth, and Tom Spezialy. Now, for the first time, Sandy has exclusively compiled a list of ten warning signs that could dampen her enthusiasm for reading your script, available for our devoted listeners.


    👍 If you enjoy the show please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.

    📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

    💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to make a comment please contact us @[email protected]

    PAGE International Screenwriting Awards
    Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent.

  • How do they do it? How do successful writers become successful? They must all lead charmed lives. One imagines a successful writer who works hard, gets up at 4 a.m., goes to the gym, then slides behind the laptop for four hours. Afternoons, they take their doodle around the block of their tony neighborhood, then put in another two solid hours of editing. Have a healthy dinner with friends, then go to bed for a brilliant night's sleep. Well, dear writers, as we know on The Writer's Hangout, it doesn't always go well when we tell you a story about a screenwriter.

    Hang out with Sandy and Terry, who tell you the fascinating story of screenwriter and director Stephen Gaghan, known for writing the screenplay for Soderbergh's film TRAFFIC, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, and Syriana, which he wrote and directed.

    👍 If you enjoy the show please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.

    📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

    💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to make a comment please contact us @[email protected]

    PAGE International Screenwriting Awards
    Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent.


  • REWIND EPISODE.
    Join the conversation on how PAGE Awards Judges evaluate your screenplay with Karen Craig and Scott Barkan.

    Karen Craig is a professional screenwriter and script doctor whose credits include such films as AMERICAN PSYCHO II, starring Mila Kunis and William Shatner, and FORBIDDEN SECRETS, starring Kristy Swanson. Karen has served as a judge for the PAGE Awards for the past 12 years, reviewing both Thriller/Horror scripts and Family Films.

    Scott Barkan is a professional screenwriter who has produced several films and sold scripts. He has worked with Blumhouse and Lionsgate and is represented by Mainstay Entertainment and CAA. Scott is also a university professor who teaches music and communications. As a PAGE judge, he primarily reads Action/Adventure, Thriller/Horror, and Science Fiction scripts.

    👍 If you enjoy the show please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.

    📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

    💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to make a comment please contact us @[email protected]

    PAGE International Screenwriting Awards
    Hollywood’s favorite screenwriting contest -- one of the industry's top sources for new talent.




  • Our guests are Steve Cubine and Nan McNamara from the hit podcast "From Beneath The Hollywood Sign." Every week, Steve and Nan dive into the magical, mysterious, amusing, and sometimes bizarre tales of Old Hollywood. If you're a fan of the Golden Era of Old Hollywood, "From Beneath The Hollywood Sign" is a podcast you won't want to miss. So, follow and listen to them - we highly recommend it.

    On today’s show, we discuss the mysterious death of Thelma Todd and whether her screenwriter/director boyfriend, Roland West, had something to do with it. You can enjoy this episode, but we highly recommend listening to the previous three episodes we did on Thelma Todd, where we go into much more detail. Those episodes are 47, 48, and 57.

    Alert: This episode discusses suicide. If you need help, text or call 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

    Listen And Follow "From Beneath The Hollywood Sign" here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-beneath-the-hollywood-sign/id1708470432

    Follow Steve Cubine's Blog "From Beneath The Hollywood Sign" here: https://frombeneaththehollywoodsign.com

    The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
    Executive Producer Kristin Overn
    Producer Sandy Adomaitis
    Producer Terry Sampson
    Music by Ethan Stoller

    👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.

    📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

    💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to make a comment please contact us @[email protected]

  • Parts one, two, and three of "The Unbelievable True Story of Elisabeth Finch and Grey's Anatomy." Available now!

    Rising star and television writer Elizabeth Finch wrote many emotional scripts for Grey's Anatomy, exploring cancer, abortion, and sexual abuse based on her life experiences. In March of 2022, Grey's Anatomy writer Elisabeth Finch was investigated by Disney and placed on administrative leave by the production company Shondaland over concerns about her medical history. Elisabeth told friends and co-workers at Grey's Anatomy she'd been diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer called Chondrosarcoma in 2012. She wore a bandage that covered her port, was pale, nibbled on saltines, and took breaks to vomit during work. Elisabeth's cancer inspired a storyline on Grey's Anatomy, where the character Catherine Avery, played by Debbie Allen, was diagnosed with cancer like Elisabeth in Season 15 of Grey's in 2018. Elisabeth also lost a kidney; then, part of her tibia was removed due to chemotherapy. If that wasn't bad enough, she was forced to abort a fetus because chemotherapy made the pregnancy impossible.

    You won't believe the shocking story that comes next!

    The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
    Executive Producer Kristin Overn
    Producer Sandy Adomaitis
    Producer Terry Sampson
    Music by Ethan Stoller

    👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.

    📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

    💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to make a comment please contact us @[email protected]

  • Happy Mother's Day! Join Sandy and Terry on today's show as they discuss how mothers are portrayed in movies and explore the idea of screenwriters seeking feedback from the most influential women in their lives—their moms.

    The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
    Executive Producer Kristin Overn
    Producer Sandy Adomaitis
    Producer Terry Sampson
    Music by Ethan Stoller

    👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.

    📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

    💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to make a comment please contact us @[email protected]

  • Our esteemed guest is Professor Carol Stabile, the author of The Broadcast 41, a profound exploration of the experiences of 41 remarkable women. These women, including some of the most prominent figures of their time: Dorothy Parker, Gypsy Rose Lee, Lena Horne, and screenwriter Vera Caspray, challenged the rigid norms of the American television and radio industry during the tumultuous 1950s 'Red Scare' period. Carol, a highly respected Professor of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives for the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oregon brings her extensive academic background and expertise to her work. Along with Broadcast 41, Carol is the author of Feminism and the Technological Fix, White Victims, Black Villains: Gender, Race, and Crime News in US Culture, and other books.

    You can purchase The Broadcast 41 on Amazon.

    The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
    Executive Producer Kristin Overn
    Producer Sandy Adomaitis
    Producer Terry Sampson
    Music by Ethan Stoller

    👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.

    📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

    💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to make a comment please contact us @[email protected]


  • Do you know Judy Blume? She's a fantastic author who has written some of the most beloved childhood novels, such as "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret," "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing," and "Deenie." Sandy and Terry discuss some of the best writing tips for aspiring writers by Judy Blume, gathered by Literary Hub's Emily Temple. Trust me, this advice is perfect for anyone who wants to write books, screenplays, or short stories. So, let's get started!

    The article by Emily Temple discussed in the episode is from Literary Hub.
    https://getpocket.com/read/8dtpGT9bA5b1dh6827gbz7dCRmd4A6aM1bOYF6WX86Z6f8Xb5660lQVFqebzF3bT_2dac52dd6eb378ddfe90d625cd6bac09

    The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
    Executive Producer Kristin Overn
    Producer Sandy Adomaitis
    Producer Terry Sampson
    Music by Ethan Stoller

    👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.

    📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

    💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to make a comment please contact us @[email protected]

  • Sandy tells the strange story of Netflix reportedly paying director Carl Rinsch $55 million for a sci-fi series that he failed to complete and spent most of the money on crypto investments, five Rolls Royces, and a $380K watch. Now, Carl Rinsch is demanding an additional payment of $14 million from Netflix.

    Plus, does Terry get a visit from Black-eyed kids!!!!!!!!

    Research for the story includes:
    The New York Times article by John Carreyrou entitled, The Strange $55 Million Saga of a Netflix Series You’ll Never See
    https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/22/business/carl-rinsch-netflix-conquest.html
    Wikipedia
    IMDB
    THE WRAP article by Mike Roe entitled Netflix Director Spent Millions of the Streamer’s Money on Crypto and Rolls-Royces in $55 Million Sci-Fi Writeoff
    https://www.thewrap.com/carl-erik-rinsch-conquest-netflix-writeoff-crypto/

    The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
    Executive Producer Kristin Overn
    Producer Sandy Adomaitis
    Producer Terry Sampson
    Music by Ethan Stoller

    👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.

    📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

    💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to make a comment please contact us @[email protected]




  • In this rewind episode, we talk with Kristin Overn, the Founder and Executive Director of the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards competition. Kristin began her film career as a producer's assistant and script reader at companies like Davis Entertainment, Bonneville Worldwide, and 20th Century Fox. Since then, she has consulted, collaborated, and developed screenplays with dozens of writers, producers, and production companies. Kristin also has extensive experience in production and has served as a producer, line producer, and UPM on various independent features, original sitcom pilots, and several award-winning short films, TV commercials, and videos. She is a member of the Producers Guild of America and the Directors Guild of America.

    The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
    Executive Producer Kristin Overn
    Producer Sandy Adomaitis
    Producer Terry Sampson
    Music by Ethan Stoller

    👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.

    📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

    💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to make a comment please contact us @[email protected]

  • Sandy and Terry delve into the latest plagiarism controversy. The Alexander Payne-directed film The Holdovers didn’t win for the Best Original Screenplay at the 96th Oscars, but Da’Vine Joy Randolph did take home the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. The film is highly regarded by critics and audiences alike. In early March 2024, reporter Tatiana Siegel at Variety published a report on allegations made by Simon Stephenson, a screenwriter who worked on films such as Luca and Paddington 2. In a 33-page document, Simon claims that The Holdovers, written by David Hemingson, was transposed from his unproduced script, Frisco and that the similarities are “line-by-line” and have been routinely described as “brazen.”

    Research for this episode includes:

    Variety’s Tatiana Siegel article, Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers’ Accused of Plagiarism by ‘Luca’ Writer (EXCLUSIVE)https://variety.com/2024/film/news/the-holdovers-accused-plagiarism-luca-writer-1235935605/

    The Wrap’s Mike Roe article, Prominent Screenwriters Skeptical of Claims ‘The Holdovers’ Was Plagiarized https://www.thewrap.com/the-holdovers-plagiarized-luca-writer-claims-robert-king/

    The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
    Executive Producer Kristin Overn
    Producer Sandy Adomaitis
    Producer Terry Sampson
    Music by Ethan Stoller

    Contact us at the [email protected]

    👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.

    📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment, please get in touch with us @[email protected]

  • After watching "Quiet On Set," the Max documentary about allegations against producer Dan Schneider, who is accused of creating a toxic work environment on his Nickelodeon shows and engaging in inappropriate behavior, Sandy can't stop thinking about it. It reminds her of the story she shared with you in Episode 86, about her time writing for ABC/Disney's RECCES entitled "Harassed and Pitching," a Humanities Prize-nominated script.

    The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
    Executive Producer Kristin Overn
    Producer Sandy Adomaitis
    Producer Terry Sampson
    Music by Ethan Stoller

    Contact us at the [email protected]

    👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.

    📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment, please get in touch with us @[email protected]

  • Sandy and Terry delve into 4 impactful quotes by screenwriter, producer and director, John Hughes. One of the most successful and influential filmmakers in Hollywood history, John has helped launch the careers of Andrew McCarthy, Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Macaulay Culkin, Judd Nelson, and John Candy.

    The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
    Executive Producer Kristin Overn
    Producer Sandy Adomaitis
    Producer Terry Sampson
    Music by Ethan Stoller

    Contact us at the [email protected]