Watching movies can significantly boost your writing skills by providing a visual masterclass in storytelling, character development, and structure that you can actively analyze and incorporate into your work. We highlight five key areas a screenwriter should focus on while watching a film to improve as a writer.

 Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Creator/Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

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Sandy explores a recent Ankler.com article titled: 'Gen Z Is Huge. Their TV Shows Are Tiny. And Hollywood Is Panicking,' written by Whitney Friedlander. Showrunners Nahnatchka Khan, Ben Kronengold, and Rebecca Shaw, along with top executives, discuss the industry's biggest missed demographic target, and how the HBO series 'I LOVE LA,' created by Rachel Sennott, about a close-knit friend group that reunites after years apart to navigate ambition, relationships, and personal changes, has achieved the nearly impossible: getting Gen Z to stop scrolling and watch her show.  

Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Creator/Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

Check out our fantastic sponsor:

https://novelium.so

Vertical storytelling is gaining popularity, with more producers—mostly overseas—hiring screenwriters for vertical series. While these projects originated in Asia and the initial pay was low, they now offer fair compensation for authentic work.

At The Writers Hangout, we advise writers to write a short to earn produced credits and gain experience, which can open more doors. With the decline of festivals, vertical series are emerging as the new frontier. Mobile reach is extensive and is becoming a good way to break into or stay active in the industry.

Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Executive Producer and Host Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

CHECK OUT OUR FANTASTIC SPONSOR HERE:

https://novelium.so

Tragically, on December 14, 2025, Rob and Michele Reiner were fatally stabbed by their son, Nick Reiner. How could something like this happen? To assist in understanding these devastating deaths, our guest is Neal Nordlinger, an author, interventionist, and former film and television producer, as well as the founder of inCrisis Consultants. This organization supports families in navigating treatment options for addiction and mental health.

Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Executive Producer and Host Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

Novelium: Write With an Editor at Your Side

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Hang out with Sandy as she discusses the joint statement from WGA East and West about the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Netflix and the hostile takeover by Paramount. Plus, an update on Carl Rinch, the writer/director who embezzled $11 million from Netflix. Carl Rinch’s trial just wrapped up last week. We also share an inspiring story about resilience involving Meryl Streep and Dino De Laurentiis.  

Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Executive Producer and Host Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

Novelium: Write With an Editor at Your Side

https://novelium.so

Rewind. On Christmas Eve 2000, Susan Berman, a talented journalist, screenwriter, and author, sadly lost her life at her home on 1527 Benedict Canyon Drive in Beverly Hills. Susan, the cherished daughter of a mobster and a former dancer, was raised as part of mob royalty, celebrating birthdays with Elvis and Liberace. Her tragic passing deeply affected her friends, leaving us wondering—did Susan ever suspect her killer?

Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Executive Producer and Host Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

Sandy shares writing advice from Guillermo del Toro, a talented director, screenwriter, producer, and artist whose incredible work spans horror, fiction, and fairy tales. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 1964, del Toro’s passion for film and horror blossomed during his childhood. His unique style beautifully blends genres, often finding grace in the grotesque, and draws inspiration from anime, manga, and Japanese TV. Del Toro has brought to life impressive big-budget movies like Blade II, Hellboy, Pacific Rim, and The Shape of Water, along with Netflix’s captivating Frankenstein.  

 In remembrance of the wonderful writer, director, and actor Adrienne Shelly, we're excited to share again The Writers' Hangout Episode dedicated to her story, which we originally posted in the month she passed. It's a heartfelt chance to get to know this talented and incredible woman, whose life was tragically cut short. We hope you feel inspired and connected through her story.

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

Sometimes, dreams really do come true! We're thrilled to have with us the amazing Jerry Zucker, who, alongside his brother David and their friend Jim Abrahams, played a huge part in transforming comedy in the 1980s. Together, they brought a fresh and hilarious twist to the spoof movie genre with the legendary 1980 hit “Airplane,” which the American Film Institute recognized as one of the ten funniest films ever made.

Before that, the Zuckers and Abrahams wrote the cult classic, "Kentucky Fried Movie" (1977), a comedy consisting of unrelated sketches. After "Airplane," the Zuckers and Abrahams created "Police Squad!" (ABC, 1982) and turned it into the successful film franchise of today. Next, Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker returned to the big screen with "Top Secret!" (1984). Jerry also directed "Ruthless People" (1986) and "Ghost" (1990), starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. "The Naked Gun - From the Files of Police Squad!" (1988). He produced "First Knight" (1995), "Rat Race," "A Walk in the Clouds" (1995), and "My Best Friend's Wedding" (1997). Additionally, he worked on "Fair Game" (2010).

Special thanks to Katie Zucker and Darlene Chan.

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

Happy Halloween!!

Hang out with Sandy, Terry, and special guest screenwriter Mark Steen as they recap "Ghost and Mr. Chicken," starring Don Knotts from "The Andy Griffith Show" fame.

 Directed by Alan Rafkin and written by James Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" is about a timid typesetter who hasn't a ghost of a chance of becoming a reporter - until he decides to solve a murder mystery and ends up spending a fright-filled night in a haunted house.

 You don't need to watch the movie to enjoy the show, but we encourage you to do so since it's a fun movie that the whole family can enjoy.

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

Rewind Episode -- British screenwriter Ian Mackintosh’s plane went missing on July 7, 1979, nineteen days before his thirty-ninth birthday, over the Gulf of Alaska. What happened remains a mystery. Join us as we tell the story of Lieutenant Commander Hamish Ian Mackintosh, a British Royal Navy officer, a writer of thriller novels, and a screenwriter for British television.

Ian’s series, THE SANDBAGGERS, was groundbreaking.  The New York Times said, "the best spy series in television history."   Ian MacKintosh was among the first writers to present espionage realistically and as a sordid series of political struggles, double-crosses, and personality clashes.


If you would like to read more about Ian Mackintosh I highly recommend The Life and Mysterious Death of Ian Mackintosh by Robert G. Folsom

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

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