Podcasts for TV writers

Sam & Jim Go To Hollywood

Sam & Jim may have checked out of their podcast in 2008 but that doesn’t negate the amazing amount of information available in the 44 episodes they cranked out in years prior. From moving out to LA from Minnesota to *share* an assistant’s job, to selling features, getting hired onto a writing staff, and finally selling multiple pilots, they’ve walked the road we’re all struggling down. I highly recommend anyone interested in Hollywood check ‘em out – for TV writers, it’s required listening.

Sam and Jim go to Hollywood – iTunes link

USC School of Cinematic Arts Conversations With…

USC’s film school is considered by many to be the most connected in Hollywood. Their alumni well is *deep* and many come back to lecture and/or teach at some point and the school has been so kind as to post a number of Q&As on iTunes. I enjoyed Phil Rosenthal’s insights into making a show that will last for decades in syndication, liked hearing three senior writers from Big Bang talk about the unique environment that is the comedy writer’s room, and listened to the always-entertaining Jane Espenson explain how she managed to put together one of the most diverse resumés in the WGA.

USC School of Cinematic Arts Conversations With… – iTunes link

The Paley Center for Media

The Paley Center puts together amazing panels for TV shows that usually include all the princial actors, writers, and producers. While there’s a lot of star-worship going on, you can find real nuggets of great info about writing. My favorite is the “Creating Characters: J. J. Abrams” interview where The Man talks about building characters that can withstand a multi-year run.

The Paley Center for Media – iTunes link

Martini Shot

Rob Long started his career writing on “Cheers” before penning the super-hilarious books Set up, Joke, Set Up, Joke & “Conversations with My Agent” which I have read dozens of times. “Martini Shot” is a short 3 minute show Long sporadically puts out on KCRW that almost always has to do with the TV business and writing.

Martini Shot – iTunes link

A couple of other sources that don’t focus completely on TV writing but are useful nonetheless includes: KCRW’s The Business, On The Page: Screenwriting, and Creative Screenwriting Magazine.