On The Page

Writer/producer Anthony Sparks talks about writing "what is and what could be” in his career and on the television drama Queen Sugar.

Writer/ producer Matthew Claybrooks has written for both Chris Rock and Kevin Hart.  Here he talks about how he honors the comic’s personality and the ways he turns jokes into story.

Outlander, Battlestar Galactica, Grey’s Anatomy, Roswell … and the list goes on! Producer / writer Toni Graphia reveals her process and talks about the writers' room from a show-runner’s perspective.

Directing teacher Robert Bailey discusses ways that writer/directors can work with actors to bring out the intention and emotion of the page.

Writers Ilana Pena (Crazy Ex-Girlriend) and Madeline Hendricks (Jane the Virgin) discuss story brainstorming and joke writing in the writers’ room.

Thomas Barron, author of the new novel “Bocas," shares the screenwriting-friendly techniques he uses to keep readers turning the page.

Drawing from his book "Crowdsourcing for Filmmakers,” Richard (RB) Botto discusses the power of creating networks of friends and fans before, during and after the screenwriting and filmmaking process. 

After rising from intern to junior agent to development executive, On the Page’s own Nick Oleksiw is starting his own company, “Mischief Films.” He talks about what he’s learned about networking, story telling and script development and what he’s looking for with new material.

These six female writer/directors aren’t afraid to “go into the basement” when it comes to genre.  Emily Dell, Etta Devine, Sarah Ivy, Barbara Stepansky, Hannah MacPherson and April Wright talk about the tools and team building needed to be a working director. 

Writer, teacher and author Neil Landau gives tips for writing in the current market and discusses his new book TV Writing on Demand: Creating Great Content in the Digital Era.

Writer/ director Marcus and Karrie Cox share their experiences as producers on movies like Tangerine and Adult Beginners and discuss their process for acquiring and developing material they truly believe in.  

Jessica Orcsik, Manager & Program Director for Focus on Ability Film Festival discusses storytelling opportunities in writing about characters with disabilities.

Three writers, Chris Derrick, Michael Zannettis and Amanda Torigiani, talk about their favorite Star Wars movies. ‘Nuff said.

Writer/Director Vaughn Stein talks about the lessons he learned as an assistant director that helped him write and direct his movie, “Terminal,” starring Margot Robbie and Simon Pegg.

The work of writer/director Brad Silberling spans mediums and genres. Jane the Virgin, A Series of Unfortunate Events and Moonlight Mile are just a few of the projects he’s been involved in. Here he discusses his approach to editing and dialogue and reveals his inspiration for his latest movie An Ordinary Man.  

Writer Russ McGarry returns to the podcast to talk about a career as a freelance writer and his latest job writing a three minute show with a compelling season arc.

West Anthony, host of the Musical Notation Podcast, talks about his favorite scores and soundtracks and how they enhance the story on the screen.

Executive producer John Yorke (Wolf Hall, Casualty, Shameless) talks about writing and selling television in the UK. 

Marc Warzecha of the Second City Comedy Theater talks about the “game” of the sketch and ways that the principles of sketch writing work for TV writing.

Writer Jim Rash (The Descendants, The Way Way Back) talks about his co-writing process, his take on character and dialogue and how winning an Oscar doesn’t mean you don’t get writer's block.