127 episodes

Behind the glitz and glamor, Hollywood can be brutal. For every success, there are many more rejections and failures. Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss explores that world and each week a new guest will talk about dealing with rejection, failure and adversity in the entertainment industry. Writer Noah Evslin and podcaster Dan Rutstein ask the questions.

Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss Noah Evslin and Dan Rutstein

    • TV & Film
    • 4.9 • 11 Ratings

Behind the glitz and glamor, Hollywood can be brutal. For every success, there are many more rejections and failures. Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss explores that world and each week a new guest will talk about dealing with rejection, failure and adversity in the entertainment industry. Writer Noah Evslin and podcaster Dan Rutstein ask the questions.

    Take 123 - Showrunner, writer Emily Fox, Hindsight, Watchful Eye, Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist

    Take 123 - Showrunner, writer Emily Fox, Hindsight, Watchful Eye, Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist

    We talk to the fascinating Emily Fox who tells us about getting fired, trying to stuff a large chair into a car in the rain while in tears and the importance of connection in a writing room during a pandemic.
    She tells us about her shows getting cancelled due to a change of exec, being nice to people firing her and building bonds among colleagues.
    We talk the importance of support outside the industry, her cancellation radar and her ability to forget about failed projects.
    A fun and interesting discussion with a delightful writer.

    • 51 min
    Take 122 - Writer, Producer, Showrunner Wendy West, Law and Order SVU, Dexter, FBI: Most Wanted

    Take 122 - Writer, Producer, Showrunner Wendy West, Law and Order SVU, Dexter, FBI: Most Wanted

    We talk to Emmy-nominated writer and producer Wendy West.
    She talks about researching murder, her love of morgues and being the only woman in the room early in her career.
    Wendy talks about mentoring young female writers, supporting veterans and what it's like to work in the Dick Wolf world.
    She explains her path to success, her love of crossovers and finding out her show is being cancelled by fax.
    A fascinating insight into procedural TV by one of the best to have done it.

    • 44 min
    Take 121 - Producer, Director, Showrunner Eddie Schmidt, Good One: A Show About Jokes

    Take 121 - Producer, Director, Showrunner Eddie Schmidt, Good One: A Show About Jokes

    We talk to Oscar and Emmy award nominee Eddie Schmidt.
    He talks about being comedy adjacent, his time in an improv troupe and how he moved into the showrunning part of Hollywood.
    We discuss leadership style, the fun of working in comedy and the demeaning comments of mean bosses.
    We talk about how to appreciate comedy, the complexities of navigating Hollywood and being able to speak truth to talent.
    A fun and insightful discussion about working and succeeding in the comedy part of Hollywood.

    • 40 min
    Take 120 - Comedian Ray Ellin

    Take 120 - Comedian Ray Ellin

    In a slightly different style of episode we talk to comedian Ray Ellin.
    We discuss how social media has changed comedy, hear some magnificent failure anecdotes from comedy clubs and bars and talk through the process of creating comedy.
    Ray talks us through his love of live standup, working in tv and why he made a podcast about Little House on the Prairie.
    We also cover cancel culture, Aruba and The Magic Castle.
    A fun and fascinating romp through entertainment through a different lens.

    • 55 min
    Take 119 - Writers and Producers Eric Johnson and Paul Tamasy, The Fighter, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

    Take 119 - Writers and Producers Eric Johnson and Paul Tamasy, The Fighter, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

    We talk to Oscar-nominated writing partners Eric Johnson and Paul Tamasy, 
    They talk about their fight to get the Fighter written, battling both the mob and Hollywood, the joy of an Oscar nomination and the slog of the promotional campaign.
    They talk about how they savour every moment of red carpets and parties, the importance of never giving up and the frustrations of the arbitration system.
    They joke about their fear of TV writing and reveal the secret to Hollywood success - playing football with British people!
    A fascinating discussion about the slog of making movies and the joy of watching them make it to the big screen.

    • 39 min
    Take 118 - Writer Tom Vaughan, Winchester, The Haunting of the Queen Mary

    Take 118 - Writer Tom Vaughan, Winchester, The Haunting of the Queen Mary

    We talk to screenwriter Tom Vaughan who opens up about his Hollywood journey.
    He talks about his early career, the arrogance and refusal to take notes even from Disney and the mistakes he made.
    He talks candidly about being 'a drunk', how despite success he deservedly couldn't get people to work with him a second time and moving into teaching and taking a break from Hollywood saved him.
    We talked about his Razzie nomination, how he reinvented himself and why he's not proud of any of the movies that he wrote.
    An extraordinary insight into the mind of a writer who is happy to now share his experience and knowledge with those coming up in the industry.

    • 46 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
11 Ratings

11 Ratings

HHDTV ,

So good

I am absolutely hooked. I started listening because a writer/Podcaster I admire, Paul Bae was on it and recommended it. I went through the first season (it had all aired) and picked the dozen or so episodes that most appealed to me. As soon as I finished them I went back and listened to every other episode. And now I’m listening weekly to S2. Highly recommend. Not just for writers (I’m a director) such great stories.

Colin Matthews (Writer) ,

Essential Listening for Screenwriters

For any writer interested in working in film or television, this podcast is a must-listen. Leading showrunners, writers, agents managers and more share their firsthand experiences and help prepare you for a career in Hollywood. Hearing stories of how some of the most successful people in Hollywood have struggled, been mistreated and sometimes just been victims of bad luck (and survived) is both inspiring and enlightening.

Kelly J. Crawford ,

An Inspiration for Everyone

This podcast is top-notch. Technically, very professional. The two host work well together, and ask great questions that have their guests spilling their guts, in complete honesty, about their fears, anguish and frustration, trying to launch -- and then maintain -- a prosperous career in the entertainment industry. What I really love about Dan & Noah is that they stay quiet and don't interrupt their guests as they talk for sometimes 9-12 minutes straight. Very rare in a podcast talk show. Whether you work in the entertainment industry or not, this podcast, and these guests, are very inspirational -- and I look forward to each new episode!

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