The Writers Hangout

Sometimes the most terrifying Hollywood stories happen off-screen.
Spooky Season continues on The Writers Hangout as Sandy and Terry dive into the bizarre life and gruesome death of horror filmmaker and screenwriter Al Adamson.
Working on the fringes of Hollywood during the golden age of drive-ins, exploitation cinema, and grindhouse films, Adamson carved out a career making low-budget horror movies that became cult classics.
But the most shocking story of all wasn't one he wrote or directed. In 1995, Adamson met a horrifying end so gruesome and disturbing it could have been ripped straight from the pages of one of his own screenplays.
Join Sandy and Terry as they explore the wild world of B-movie filmmaking, the darker side of Hollywood, and the chilling true-crime story behind a filmmaker whose final chapter was stranger—and scarier—than fiction.
Lights, camera... murder!
The Writers Hangout is sponsored by the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. 

📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment please contact us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com 
The 2019 documentary discussed in the episode:
BLOOD & FLESH: THE REEL LIFE & GHASTLY DEATH OF AL ADAMSON
http://vudu.com/content/movies/details/Blood-Flesh-The-Reel-Life-Ghastly-Death-of-Al-Adamson/1325672

The Poltergeist Curse: Fact, Fiction, or Freaky Coincidence?
Rewind Episode: Was Poltergeist really cursed? Or is Hollywood's most infamous horror legend simply a series of tragic coincidences?
In this spine-chilling episode of The Writers Hangout, Sandy and Terry revisit Poltergeist, one of America's most beloved horror films, and explore the eerie stories, mysterious deaths, and strange on-set happenings that have haunted the movie's legacy for decades.
Released by MGM on June 4, 1982, and written by Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais, and Mark Victor, Poltergeist terrified audiences and became a horror classic. But the scares didn't stop when the cameras stopped rolling.
Rumors of a curse began circulating, fueled by the filmmakers' use of real human skeletons in an unforgettable scene and the tragic deaths of several people associated with the franchise. Could there really be something supernatural behind the so-called Poltergeist Curse?
And we have a special guest who was actually there!
Writer and actor Michael McManus, who played next-door neighbor Ben Tuthill in the original Poltergeist, joins us to share his firsthand experiences and reveal what really happened behind the scenes.
Join us as we separate Hollywood legend from reality and investigate whether Poltergeist deserves its reputation as one of the most cursed films in movie history.
They're heeeere… and they've got stories to tell!
The Writers Hangout is sponsored by the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards.
Executive Producers Kristin Overn/Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. 

📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment please contact us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com 

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PAGE International Screenwriting Awards
Hollywood's favorite screenwriting contest and one of the industry's top sources for discovering new writing talent.

What makes a screenplay truly unforgettable? Is it the plot, the dialogue, or the relationships that keep audiences emotionally invested until the very last scene?
In Part Two of our conversation with Michael Weiss, author of Beyond the Hero: Relationship-Driven Screenwriting and the Secret to Hollywood's Greatest Scripts, we dive deeper into the art of storytelling and discover how focusing on relationships can transform an ordinary screenplay into something extraordinary.
Using examples from beloved films such as CODA, The Hangover, The Big Sick, The Devil Wears Prada, La La Land, and The Bad News Bears, Michael reveals how Hollywood's most memorable stories are often driven by the relationships between characters rather than the hero's journey alone.
In this episode, we explore:
·       The midpoint breakthrough: Why the middle of your screenplay is the perfect opportunity to shake things up and force your characters to confront the need for change.
·       Making every scene count: How to use the South Park creators' famous "But/Therefore" storytelling technique to keep your story moving forward.
·       Writing distinctive dialogue: Why a character's attitude, rather than accents or catchphrases, is the secret to creating an authentic voice.
·       Creating tension without shouting: How quiet conversations and conflicting desires can be just as dramatic as explosive arguments.
·       The first-draft dilemma: Why writers shouldn't get stuck searching for the perfect line of dialogue when they could be moving their story forward.
·       The magic of sparkle moments: How to create earned, emotionally satisfying scenes that make audiences cheer for your characters.
·       The Act Two sucker punch: Why one devastating setback can set the stage for an unforgettable third act.
·       Writing satisfying endings: How a character can fail to achieve their goal and still experience a meaningful victory.
·       Rewriting your screenplay: The three essential places Michael recommends examining first: the beginning, the midpoint, and the ending.
Haven't heard Part One? We recommend listening to the first half of our conversation with Michael Weiss before diving into this episode. Together, these two conversations offer a fresh look at how relationships can become the emotional engine of a great screenplay.
Learn more about Michael Weiss and his book:https://michaeldweiss.com
But... Therefore..." Matt Stone and Trey Parker (South Park) Plotting Advice
https://youtube.com/watch?v=j9jEg9uiLOU
Beyond the Hero is available through major booksellers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Keep writing. The world needs your stories!
The Writers Hangout is sponsored by the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. 

📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment please contact us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com

What if the secret to writing a great screenplay isn't your hero's journey, but the relationship that drives the story?
This week on The Writers Hangout, Sandy welcomes screenwriter, author, and award-winning instructor Michael Weiss for a fascinating conversation that just might change the way you approach your next screenplay.
Michael's screenwriting credits include Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Scorpion King 2, Jarhead 2, and The Butterfly Effect 3. He's also taught screenwriting at UCLA Extension, where he received the Distinguished Instructor Award, and at Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.
His book, Beyond the Hero: Relationship-Driven Screenwriting and the Secret to Hollywood's Greatest Scripts, challenges one of Hollywood's most familiar storytelling approaches: the hero's journey.
Michael believes that behind many of Hollywood's greatest films is something even more powerful than a compelling protagonist: a core relationship between two characters whose lives become intertwined.
And he's here to show us how understanding that relationship can help writers create stronger characters, build emotional stakes, and finally get past those dreaded middle pages of a screenplay.
In this episode, Sandy and Michael explore:
Beyond the Hero's Journey: Why the relationship between two characters may be the real secret behind Hollywood's greatest screenplays.
Creating Unforgettable Characters: Does your protagonist need to be likable, or is being interesting enough?
The Power of Messy Characters: Why flaws, bad decisions, and complicated relationships make characters worth watching.
Life-or-Death Stakes: How to make even ordinary, everyday problems feel extraordinary on screen.
Tools, Not Rules: Why Michael believes screenwriting techniques should encourage creativity rather than restrict it.
The Seven Spices of Screenwriting: The essential ingredients every writer should consider before starting a screenplay.
Getting Unstuck: Practical advice for writers who have a great idea but can't seem to get their screenplay finished.
Learning from Great Movies: What films like The Devil Wears Prada, CODA, Oppenheimer, Goodfellas, and Inside Out can teach us about character relationships and storytelling.
Michael also shares valuable advice about outlining, writing compelling dialogue, creating meaningful conflict, and making every scene count.
Whether you're writing your first screenplay, rewriting your tenth, or simply love discovering what makes great movies work, this conversation is packed with practical advice and fresh perspectives on storytelling.
And there's so much great information that we're making this a two-part episode!
So grab your notebook, writers. You're going to want to remember this one.
About Michael Weiss
Michael Weiss is a professional screenwriter, author, and educator whose work includes major studio films and sequels. Drawing on his experience as a screenwriter, development executive, and instructor, Michael developed his relationship-driven approach to storytelling to help writers create more compelling and emotionally engaging screenplays.
His book, Beyond the Hero: Relationship-Driven Screenwriting and the Secret to Hollywood's Greatest Scripts, offers practical tools for screenwriters at every stage of their careers.
Don't miss Part Two of this conversation on The Writers Hangout!
GREAT OPPORTUNITY!!!!!  Michael is giving a lecture on Saturday, Oct 17th, 10 am-12 pm PT via Zoom through UCLA Extension. It is free and open to the public, but it's filling up. https://www.uclaextension.edu/writing/screenwriting/course/beyond-hero-screenwriting-script-72626
The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. 

📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment please contact us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com

Grab a blanket, pour something warm, and settle in! This week, The Writers Hangout revisits a favorite episode, celebrating five wonderfully cozy fall films: Stepmom, The Family Stone, Mystic Pizza, When Harry Met Sally, and Baby Boom.
From Nora Ephron dialogue and Julia Roberts in Central Park to Diane Keaton in Vermont, we’re talking great writing, memorable performances, gorgeous fall foliage, oversized sweaters, and plenty of movie nostalgia.
Plus, Sandy reveals which films earn the coveted five-out-of-five pumpkin rating — and gives a special shout-out to the ultimate fall comfort show, Gilmore Girls.
Happy fall, writers! 🍁🎬
The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.
Executive Producer Kristin Overn
Executive Producer Sandy Adomaitis
Producer Terry Sampson
Music by Ethan Stoller

👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. 

📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast

💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment please contact us @thewritershangoutpodcast@gmail.com