HOW TO: Process and Embrace the Assistant Position (w/ Grace Guy)

HOW TO: Turn Life Lows into Creative Highs (w/ Mahalia Latortue-Pridgett)

This week, we speak with Mahalia Latortue-Pridgett, director's assistant on ABBOTT ELEMENTARY. She breaks down her journey from interning at Viola Davis’s production company in its early days to now carving out her own path as a writer in television. She talks about starting her career in Atlanta, realizing she needed to make the leap to Los Angeles, and balancing a day job at a management company while quietly dedicating an hour every day to writing. Using the relationships and industry knowledge she gained in talent representation, Mahalia eventually signed a shopping agreement and sold her script — all before many people around her even knew what she was building. We also get into the realities of surviving the entertainment industry, and how hardship and rejection can ultimately sharpen your voice as a writer. Mahalia opens up about working with Randall Einhorn on Abbott Elementary, the value of mentorship, and why strong characters and clear comedic engines are the foundation of great TV writing. Plus, we discuss representation, collaboration, and what it looks like to build a creative partnership with a manager who truly understands your voice. MAHALIA INSTAGRAM [https://www.instagram.com/mahaliapridgett/]  SUBMIT TO 50/50 HORROR! [https://filmfreeway.com/5050horror]

HOW TO: Advocate for Equity in the Studio System (w/ Janie Kahan)

This week , we sit down with Janie Kahan to trace her path through the animation industry — from learning the studio pipeline at DreamWorks on TROLLS WORLD TOUR and CROODS 2, to Nickelodeon’s PLANKTON: THE MOVIE, and eventually Netflix Animation, where she found a creative home working on Charlie Kaufman’s ORION AND THE DARK. Along the way, Janie reflects on gravitating toward more emotionally mature storytelling and the kinds of projects that align with her artistic instincts. The conversation also dives into the larger purpose Janie brings to every workplace: advocacy, allyship, and creating more inclusive environments for disabled creatives in the industry. We discuss practical ways productions can better support disabled team members day-to-day, the importance of communication and adaptability, and how meaningful social change can happen through both art and workplace culture. DISABILITY FILM CHALLENGE [https://disabilityfilmchallenge.com/] THE MIRACLE PROJECT [https://www.themiracleproject.org/] DEAF WEST THEATRE [https://www.deafwest.org/] SUBMIT TO 50/50 HORROR! [https://filmfreeway.com/5050horror]

HOW TO: WIN 50/50 COMEDY (w/ Myles Hodder)

This week, we sit down with 50/50 FESTIVAL WINNER Myles Hodder! We dive into his upbringing in Newfoundland — “straight off the rock” — to becoming an award-winning comedy director. A Second City-trained performer who originally started as an actor, Myles breaks down how a small addition to his commercial directing reel unexpectedly became the project that won him 50/50 Comedy, and why simplicity almost always wins in comedy. We also get into the mechanics of directing funny material — from balancing improv with preparation on set to the importance of timing, rhythm, and why some of the best comedy lives in close-ups. Plus, Myles shares his approach to navigating the wave of industry meetings that followed the festival, including how to take the pressure off generals and build long lasting relationships.  MYLES WEBSITE [https://www.heymyles.co/] THREE COLORS SCREENING: BUY YOUR TIX NOW! [https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/three-colors-pan-african-private-screening-tickets-1986278891634?aff=oddtdtcreator] SUBMIT TO 50/50 HORROR FEST [https://filmfreeway.com/5050horror] RACHEL - John Early/Kate Berlant/Andrew DeYoung [https://vimeo.com/341842996]

HOW TO: Approach Animation from a Writer's Perspective (w/ Anca Vlasan)

This week, we sit down with writer and animator Anca Vlasan -- we start by discussing how her Romanian heritage shaped her love of storytelling, particularly her pull toward “fish out of water” narratives. She reflects on her debut short Lizard Queen, which became her calling card and helped her break into Adult Swim, where she also formed a close creative partnership with Mike Lazzo.  We also get into how Anca approaches animation from a writer’s perspective, with a strong emphasis on structure, and how working on Adult Swim’s bumps became an unexpected comedy bootcamp. She talks about recently teaching herself to animate as a step toward becoming a showrunner, and why taking control of the full process has been so creatively important to her.  SUBMIT TO 50/50 HORROR FESTIVAL! [https://filmfreeway.com/5050horror] ANCA'S WEBSITE [https://www.ancavlasan.com/] COSMIC ZOOM (Anca's first animated short!) [youtube.com/watch?v=kQjnfRDvXwg&feature=youtu.be] KOALA MAN [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14307470/] YOLO  [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12058366/] Best Adult Swim BUMPS! [https://youtu.be/rzO9KFtpy20?si=Q-mfpvkTA503QOxE]

HOW TO: Process and Embrace the Assistant Position (w/ Grace Guy)

This week, we sit down with writer and comedian Grace Guy to unpack the complicated, often unspoken dynamics of assistant culture in the entertainment industry. Drawing from her own experience as a former assistant, Grace shares the inspiration behind her deeply personal play Deckhand—a sharp, emotionally charged story about a boss and assistant trapped together on a boat. We dive into the love/hate tension that defines so many of these relationships, and the uncomfortable truth that while assistants are often told their proximity to power will lead to opportunity, that promise rarely materializes. Grace also opens up about recognizing when it’s time to leave a job, the importance of self-care and building a real support system, and the danger of tying your dreams to someone else’s success. The conversation then shifts to her creative process—how she approaches writing “forced proximity” stories, and the journey of developing Deckhand, including testing it in front of audiences ahead of its Edinburgh run.  TIX FOR 50/50 COMEDY FESTIVAL MAY 3RD!! [https://dice.fm/event/925rnd-5050-comedy-3rd-may-brain-dead-studios-los-angeles-tickets] Grace's Insta (see upcoming show dates & more!) [https://www.instagram.com/graceguyfanclub/] DECKHAND SHOW [https://www.instagram.com/deckhandshow/] Books Mentioned: Artist's Way [https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252], Rick Rubin's Book [https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Act-Way-Being/dp/0593652886], Anne Lamont (Bird by Bird [https://www.amazon.com/Bird-Some-Instructions-Writing-Life/dp/0385480016], Good Writing [https://www.amazon.com/Good-Writing-Ways-Improve-Sentences/dp/B0FDK8M9J5])