Justin Kuritzkes is having a good year. Two of his scripts, Challengers and Queer, were brought to life by world-renowned director Luca Guadagnino. Despite being about wildly different worlds, both scripts center complicated characters swirling in complicated romantic dynamics. Challengers, our focus of today's conversation, was born out of Justin's newfound interest in tennis, and a fascination with what might be happening off the court between players in an intimate sport. His script instantly attracted Zendaya’s attention, so it’s safe to say he did something right!

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Despite the BAFTA wins, Peabody Awards, and IFTA nominations, Sharon Horgan didn't really begin her writing career until her mid-30s, but her previous professional experiences have given her valuable ammo to write interesting, nuanced characters. Today we discuss how she reveals that nuance as she writes. Season two of Bad Sisters is available on Apple TV+ now.

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Thanks to AFF for welcoming us back this year for another Story Workshop, and a special thanks to Brittney, Jessica, and Adam for sharing their projects. If you'd like to reach Adam to discuss his cult-inspired TV show, you can reach him here: https://www.adambranson.com/contact

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As writers, we're aiming to create the most believably human characters we can, and one of the best ways to do this is to understand their psychology. Today, we're honored to welcome world-renowned psychiatrist Dr. Dan Siegel to share how human beings form belief systems based on traumatic experiences in their developmental years, and what it takes for them to transform (a.k.a., the three-act journey of a feature).

GET DAN'S NEW BOOK HERE!

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Jenna Lamia's first producer/creator/showrunner credit wasn't just a success — it was a smash hit, becoming one of Netflix's top five most streamed TV seasons EVER. The show, which stars Nicole Kidman, is a sleek and funny murder mystery set around a bougie Nantucket wedding, and today, Jenna talks all about how she adapted Elin Hilderbrand's best-selling novel into one of the year's most successful shows.

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Another mailbag! We answer your brilliant questions, and talk a bit about Austin. Buckle up!

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On today's eerie episode, we welcome three creatives behind Hulu's new campy horror slasher film, "Carved" - director and co-writer Justin Harding, co-writer Cheryl Meyer, and star Peyton Elizabeth Lee - to talk about horror, and particularly, how to write it. Happy Halloween!

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We talk about ACTIVE protagonists all the time on the show, but we know that creating one is easier said than done. Luckily, Meg and Lorien have a laundry list of practical exercises you can explore today to bring your protagonist to life.

But first, we talk with longtime TSL listener and TSL workshops member Laurel Senick about a lovely, lava-filled email she sent us.

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How does a TV writer go from working on a classic sitcom (The Office), to a deeply-felt immigrant dramedy (Little America), to creating a hidden camera show (Jury Duty), and most recently, creating an Emmy-nominated female-driven workplace drama (Lessons in Chemistry)? Hard work. Despite his mega-career, Lee Eisenberg doesn't believe he is in the upper echelon of Hollywood's most talented writers, but he does believe he outworks almost anyone else in town. Tune in to find out how you can, too.

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Joey Tuccio may know more writers in Hollywood than just about anyone. In fact, he loves writers so much, that he created an entire program to nature, incubate, and propel writers to representation through his brainchild ROADMAP WRITERS. Today, in a re-broadcast of a hugely attended Facebook live from 2023, we ask the hard questions about what it really takes to get a manager.

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John Hoffman is the first to admit his surprise at just how comfortable he felt directing Meryl Streep on his set for Only Murders In The Building. She's not the only legend to have appeared on the show...Steve Martin, Martin Short, Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Nathan Lane: it's a murderers' row. And yet, it's been decades of hard work, ups and downs, passes, "almost-greenlights" and visits from Moetta...John's imaginary muse, that have earned him the confidence to showrun one of TVs most beloved comedies. Learn about how he built that confidence in today's lovely conversation.