Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss

Noah Evslin and Dan Rutstein
  • 4.9 (76)
  • TV & FILM
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. SEP 6

    Take 147 - Special Episode. Martyn Robertson and Gordon Mackay. Make it to Munich.

    We talk to filmmaker Martyn Robertson and sports surgeon Gordon Mackay about the inspiring feature doc Make it to Munich. In a crossover episode we talk Hollywood and whisky, pioneering surgeries and telling stories with heart. They explain how the extraordinary story of a young man’s courage to overcome life-changing injuries has ended up at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood - the adventures they had along the way and the importance of real life heroes.

    40 min

  2. SEP 4

    Take 146 - Director, Producer, Writer Nick Verso, Boys in the Trees, Invisible Boys

    He was told he had no future in the entertainment business and yet Australian Nick Verso has gone on to have a stellar career. In this episode we talk about dealing with such raw rejection, how he found his place in the business and also the other early project that was turned down - and the apologies he has had about that since. We talk about why he started directing, how we got good at writing and managing the Australia-Los Angeles divide. A raw and candid episode from a smart and driven creator. And Noah gets excited when Nick starts talking about DJ'ing.

    43 min

  3. AUG 7

    Take 145 - Story Editor (Head Writer) James Eason-Garcia, Ironman and his Awesome Friends, Star Wars Young Jedi Adventures

    We talk to the incredible, passionate and enthusiastic James Eason-Garcia, co-EP of Ironman and his Awesome Friends. Noah and I geek out a little and cover both James' career while also asking superhero and Jedi questions of a man who has special access to both of those worlds. We talk about his journey from fan to working on these projects, the excitement of actually of walking through the doors of Disney to work and taking notes on established franchises. James talks about the state of the industry, the ongoing fascination with superheroes and collecting memorabilia. A really insightful discussion full of pure joy (from all three of us) of such fascinating worlds.

    48 min

  4. JUN 19

    Take 144 - Showrunner, Writer Tony Ayres, The Slap, The Survivors

    We talked to Australian showrunner and writer Tony Ayres. He talks about his Netflix show The Survivors, comparing himself to others and the balance between commerce and art. We explore his Chinese-Australian roots, the benefits and disbenefits of being niche and how Australia sees Hollywood and Hollywood sees Australian. We also cover the changing language of Hollywood, how he has changed to adapt to the industry and the blessing and the curse of being attached to The Slap.

    44 min

  5. MAY 15

    Take 143 - Writer Daniel Casey, 10 Cloverfield Lane, F9

    We bring on the fascinating Daniel Casey. He tells us his Hollywood origin story, giving up directing to get a script moving, his route to F9 and the excitement of working on a serious franchise. Daniel talks about the exciting of being on the set of a $250m movie, how nice Fast and Furious fans were and how close he came to running out of money and giving up. He talked about some huge projects - including a Batman film - that got away, directing short films and being told to kill himself on social media when announcing his new show. Insightful, honest and specific, a great chat about what a writing career can really look like.

    47 min

  6. MAY 8

    Take 142 - Actor, Writer, Director, Author, Producer Eriq La Salle, Coming to America, On Call

    We are delighted to have the legendary Eriq La Salle on the show. The talented actor, writer, producer, director and novelist joins us to talk about his illustrious career, the power of storytelling and his love of acting but not necessarily some of the business of acting. We talk about a writing rejection leading to acting, an acting rejection leading to directing and frustrations about pay disparity and inequality shaping his work as a producer. Eriq talks about his role as producing director on On call, how he ended up acting in it as well and what he would have done if he hadn't been an actor. An inspiring episode by one of the industry's longest serving and broadest talents.

    48 min

  7. MAR 27

    Take 141 - Arika Lisanne Mittman, Writer, Showrunner, Timeless, La Brea, The Irrational

    We talk to The Irrational Showrunner Arika Lisanne Mittman. She talks about her ten years as an assistant, finally getting her break and what she learned along the way. We discuss the rise and fall of network television, what the industry learned from the strike and whether she's any good at firing people (she's not!). Arika talks about her strengths and weaknesses as a showrunner, gives advice to those wanting to join the industry and the times she nearly got fired as a script co-ordinator. A detailed and entertaining journey through every facet of TV writing from an inspiring leader with a lot of episodes under her belt.

    48 min

  8. MAR 20

    Take 140 - Showrunner Joe Wilson, The Equalizer

    We talk to Equalizer showrunner Joe Wilson. In one of our most candid episodes so far, he talks about his journey from East Cleveland to Hollywood, the tough days at the start and even sleeping in his car. He explains how he got his break, how he is treated when he goes home and what sort of showrunner he aspires to be. We talk cool Hollywood moments, his strengths and weaknesses and the show about bands he aspires to make. A gritty episode that explores all the areas Hollywood doesn’t normally talk about.

    47 min
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4.9
out of 5
76 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Noah Evslin and Dan Rutstein
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    152
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss
  • Show Website
    Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss

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