3rd & Fairfax: The WGAW Podcast - 2020
3rd & Fairfax, the official podcast of the Writers Guild of America West, features information and updates about the Guild and interviews with top writers.
Want to listen to an episode on the go? Or start again where you left off? Subscribe to the podcast using the links below. Got a comment or question? Send an email to the podcast.
Executive Producers: Brian Gary and Steve Trautmann
Hosts: Aaron Fullerton, Brian Gary, Josephine Green Zhang, Hilliard Guess, Jon Gutierrez, Christopher Kubasik, Luciano Saber, Monique Sorgen, Steve Trautmann, Moon Zappa
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DECEMBER 23, 2020
Ep. 221 – Jon Raymond & Kelly Reichardt
Host Christopher Kubasik interviews screenwriters Jon Raymond & Kelly Reichardt (director) about making their film, First Cow, a Western fable about the balance between friendship and capitalism set in 1820s Northwest.
DECEMBER 17, 2020
Ep. 220 – David E. Talbert
In the spirit of the season, host Gary Goldstein speaks with screenwriter-director David E. Talbert (Almost Christmas, Baggage Claim, First Sunday) about creating his Netflix holiday film, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, and the power of inclusion and representation.
DECEMBER 10, 2020
Ep. 219 – Kevin J. Hynes
Host Luciano Saber speaks with TV writer Kevin J. Hynes (Dirty John, Perry Mason, Scorpion) about writing crime dramas, his creative process, and career.
DECEMBER 3, 2020
Ep. 218 – Clea Duvall
Host Moon Zappa talks with screenwriter-director-actress Clea Duvall (The Handmaid’s Tale, Veep, The Intervention) about her LGBTQ+ holiday romantic comedy, Happiest Season, and making the transition from in front of to behind the camera.
NOVEMBER 24, 2020
Ep. 217 – Scott Frank
Host Luciano Saber talks with The Queen’s Gambit co-creator-showrunner-writer-director Scott Frank (Godless, Logan) about adapting Walter Tevis’ novel. The Queen's Gambit is Netflix’s most-watched scripted limited series to date and explores the true cost of genius via a young chess prodigy's coming-of-age story.
NOVEMBER 19, 2020
Ep. 216 – Andy Siara
Host Moon Zappa speaks with screenwriter Andy Siara (Lodge 49) about Hulu’s time-loop rom-com Palm Springs—What would you do if you had to relive the same day over and over again?
NOVEMBER 12, 2020
Ep. 215 – Chris Matheson & Ed Solomon
Host Monique Sorgen speaks with Bill & Ted Face the Music screenwriters Chris Matheson & Ed Solomon about what it takes to update a comedy franchise and deliver laughs in 2020.
NOVEMBER 6, 2020
Ep. 214 – Julie Taymor
Host Moon Zappa speaks with visionary writer-director Julie Taymor (Across the Universe, Broadway’s The Lion King) about her latest film, The Glorias, a “female buddy road picture” chronicling the journey of feminist hero Gloria Steinem.
OCTOBER 29, 2020
Ep. 213 – Mary Laws
Just in time for Halloween: Host Christopher Kubasik speaks with Writers Guild Award-winning writer Mary Laws (Succession, Preacher), creator-showrunner-EP of Hulu’s new horror-drama anthology series Monsterland, exploring the monsters within us all.
OCTOBER 22, 2020
Ep. 212 – Aaron Guzikowski
Brian interviews Aaron Guzikowski (Prisoners, The Red Road) the creator and showrunner of the HBO Max series Raised by Wolves.
OCTOBER 15, 2020
Ep. 211 – Billy Ray
Just in time for the 2020 election: Host Luciano Saber speaks with screenwriter-director Billy Ray (Richard Jewell, Captain Phillips) about his Showtime political drama miniseries, The Comey Rule, detailing the relationship between former FBI Director James Comey and President Trump, and why he’s drawn to real-life stories, where truth is more compelling than fiction.
OCTOBER 8, 2020
Ep. 210 – Scott Gimple & Matthew Negrete
Host Hilliard Guess speaks with Scott Gimple (The Walking Dead, Flash Forward) & Matthew Negrete (The Walking Dead, White Collar), developers/showrunners of AMC’s series The Walking Dead: World Beyond, the latest spin-off of TV’s hit zombie franchise, about exploring a new narrative that follows the first generation raised in a surviving civilization of the post-apocalyptic world.
OCTOBER 1, 2020
Ep. 209 – Andrew Hinderaker
Host Moon Zappa speaks with Away creator-writer Andrew Hinderaker (Penny Dreadful, Pure Genius, The Path) about Netflix’s new series that chronicles an international space crew as they embark on a mission to Mars, and how people from different cultures can come together and make sacrifices to achieve the extraordinary.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
Ep. 208 – Miranda July
Brian talks with writer, director, actor, and author Miranda July (Me and You and Everyone We Know, The Future) about her new feature film Kajillionaire, alongside her multifaceted career in the arts.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020
Ep. 207 – Brett Goldstein
Host Moon Zappa speaks with British writer-actor-producer Brett Goldstein, who co-stars/writes on AppleTV+’s new series Ted Lasso, and is co-creator-EP of AMC’s upcoming series Soulmates.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2020
Ep. 206 – Eliza Hittman
Host Christopher Kubasik talks with screenwriter-director Eliza Hittman (It Felt Like Love, Beach Rats) about her latest film, Never Rarely Sometimes Always, independent filmmaking, and why she’s drawn to the exploration and representation of youth.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2020
Ep. 205 – Sam Boyd
Steve talks with Sam Boyd (In A Relationship) about his career and new HBO Max series Love Life.
AUGUST 27, 2020
Ep. 204 – Stefani Robinson
Host Josephine Green Zhang speaks with Emmy-nominated and Writers Guild Award-winning writer Stefani Robinson (What We Do in the Shadows, Atlanta) about her journey from agency assistant to writers’ room, creating roles you want to see onscreen, and why “the writer has all the power.”
AUGUST 20, 2020
Ep. 203 – David Wiener
Host Brian Gary speaks with Brave New World developer-showrunner David Wiener (Homecoming, Fear the Walking Dead) about adapting Aldous Huxley’s classic sci-fi novel for brave new streaming platform Peacock and why the new series’ themes are more relevant than ever.
AUGUST 13, 2020
Ep. 201 – Ramy Youssef
Host Josephine Green Zhang talks with Golden Globe-winning and Emmy-nominated Ramy co-creator-star-writer Ramy Youssef about his journey from stand-up to streamer, as the second season of his Hulu series shifts from an aspirational to transformational focus.
AUGUST 6, 2020
Ep. 201 – Veena Sud
Host Moon Zappa talks with Emmy and Writers Guild Award-nominated writer Veena Sud (Seven Seconds, The Killing, Cold Case) about writing and directing the Quibi thriller series, The Stranger, and creating compelling content for mobile platforms.
JULY 30, 2020
Ep. 200 – Alice Wu
Host Josephine Green Zhang speaks with screenwriter-director Alice Wu (Saving Face) about her latest Netflix film, The Half of It, which explores the Asian American/LGBTQ+ experience—something all too rare in U.S. cinema.
JULY 23, 2020
Ep. 199 – Marc Maurino
Host Hilliard Guess speaks with #FreeRayShawn creator-writer-EP Marc Maurino about adapting his feature screenplay focusing on a young black Iraq War vet for Quibi’s platform—and how social media can affect criminal justice in this technological age.
JULY 16, 2020
Ep. 198 – Josh Thomas
Host Moon Zappa talks with Everything's Gonna Be Okay creator-star Josh Thomas (Please Like Me) about telling stories that explore authentic LGBTQ+ portrayals, teen queer sexuality, and autism on the acclaimed Freeform comedy series.
JULY 9, 2020
Ep. 197 – Robin Thede
Host Hilliard Guess talks with A Black Lady Sketch Show creator-showrunner Robin Thede (The Rundown with Robin Thede, The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore) about her ground-breaking HBO comedy series and the importance of valuing diverse voices.
JULY 3, 2020
Ep. 196 – Derek Cianfrance
Host Moon Zappa speaks with screenwriter-director Derek Cianfrance (The Light Between Oceans, The Place Beyond the Pines) about adapting Wally Lamb’s novel for the HBO limited drama series I Know This Much Is True and more.
JUNE 25, 2020
Ep. 195 – Lauren Iungerich & Eddie Gonzalez & Jeremy Haft
Host Hilliard Guess speaks with On My Block creators Lauren Iungerich & Eddie Gonzalez & Jeremy Haft about their hit Netflix series depicting a diverse group of young teens in L.A. and the value and impact of portraying the lives of those who’ve been marginalized and underrepresented on screen.
JUNE 18, 2020
Ep. 194 – Ian Brennan
Host Moon Zappa speaks with series co-creator Ian Brennan (The Politician, Scream Queens, Glee) about Netflix’s alt-history limited series Hollywood and how rewriting the past may impact the future.
JUNE 15, 2020
Ep. 193 – Liz Tigelaar
Host Aaron Fullerton talks with Little Fires Everywhere developer-showrunner-EP Liz Tigelaar (Casual, Bates Motel, Nashville) about adapting Celeste Ng’s novel for Hulu’s drama series.
JUNE 10, 2020
Ep. 192 – Lauren Schmidt Hissrich
Host Christopher Kubasik speaks with The Witcher creator/showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich (Umbrella Academy, Marvel’s The Defenders, The West Wing) about her hit Netflix fantasy series, writing career, and creative process.
MAY 28, 2020
Ep. 191 – Greg Daniels
Monique Sorgen talks with Greg Daniels (The Office, Parks and Recreation, The Simpsons) about his writing, TV, his career and his two new shows, Upload and Space Force.
MAY 22, 2020
Ep. 190 – Hank Steinberg
Host Christopher Kubasik speaks with creator-showrunner-executive producer Hank Steinberg (The Last Ship, Without a Trace) about his latest series, ABC’s legal drama For Life, inspired by Isaac Wright, Jr., who was imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit.
MAY 14, 2020
Ep. 189 – Lee Eisenberg
Host Monique Sorgen talks to Little America co-developer-EP-writer Lee Eisenberg (Good Boys, Hello Ladies, The Office) about AppleTV+’s diverse anthology series that tells immigrant stories, making the specific universal.
MAY 7, 2020
Ep. 188 – Alan Trezza
Host Moon Unit Zappa speaks with screenwriter Alan Trezza (Burying the Ex) about his new ’80s-inspired heavy metal horror film, We Summon the Darkness.
MAY 5, 2020
Ep. 187 – The Actors Fund
Past WGAW President and The Actors Fund Board member Chris Keyser (Party of Five, The Society) speaks with The Actors Fund’s Western Region Director Keith McNutt to offer useful information and vital resources to aid and support creative professionals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
MAY 1, 2020
Ep. 186 – Dana Fox
Host Josephine Green Zhang speaks with Home Before Dark co-creator/co-showrunner Dana Fox (Ben & Kate, Isn’t It Romantic?, How to Be Single) about the new AppleTV+ family-friendly mystery-thriller inspired by real-life young investigative journalist Hilde Lysiak.
APRIL 27, 2020
Ep. 185 – Employment Attorney Jennifer Kramer
Brian speaks with employment attorney Jennifer Kramer to answer questions about unemployment benefits and resources for writers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Links mentioned in this episode:
APRIL 23, 2020
Ep. 184 – Janine Sherman Barrois, Nicole Jefferson Asher, and Elle Johnson
Hosts Hilliard Guess and Christopher Derrick interview Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker writers Janine Sherman Barrois (Claws, Criminal Minds, ER), Nicole Jefferson Asher (Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart, Love Beats Rhymes), and Elle Johnson (Bosch, The Glades, The Fosters) to discover how they brought this empowering true tale to life as a Netflix limited series.
APRIL 9, 2020
Ep. 183 – Lucy Alibar
Moon Zappa speaks with screenwriter Lucy Alibar (Beasts of the Southern Wild) about her latest film, Troop Zero, currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
MARCH 26, 2020
Ep. 182 – Matt Sazama & Burk Sharpless
Host Christopher Kubasik speaks with Lost in Space developers/EPs-screenwriters Matt Sazama & Burk Sharpless (Dracula Untold, Gods of Egypt, The Last Witch Hunter) about Netflix’s family sci-fi adventure series that was recently renewed for a third and final season set to premiere in 2021.
MARCH 13, 2020
Ep. 181 – Leigh Whannell
Host Christopher Kubasik speaks with screenwriter-director Leigh Whannell (Saw, Insidious, Upgrade) about his terrifying new reimagining of The Invisible Man in the #MeToo era and what it takes to scare audiences from page to screen.
FEBRUARY 28, 2020
Ep. 180 – Destin Daniel Cretton & Andrew Lanham
Brian interviews screenwriters Destin Daniel Cretton (director) & Andrew Lanham (The Glass Castle, The Shack) about their recent feature collaboration based on the true story, Just Mercy.
FEBRUARY 6, 2020
Ep. 179 – Beyond Words 2020
Missed WGAW & WGF’s recent Beyond Words 2020 special event? Hear Writers Guild Awards-nominated screenwriters share how they wrote their acclaimed films, featuring Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig, Steven Zaillian, Rian Johnson, Lauren Greenfield, Micah Fitzerman-Blue & Noah Harpster, Susanna Fogel and Katie Silberman, Scott Silver, and Mark Jonathan Harris.
JANUARY 30, 2020
Ep. 178 – Noah Baumbach
Monique Sorgen speaks with screenwriter-director Noah Baumbach (The Meyerowitz Stories, Frances Ha, Greenberg) about his 2020 Writers Guild Award-nominated Netflix film, Marriage Story, creative process, and career.
JANUARY 23, 2020
Ep. 177 – Susannah Grant
Moon Zappa talks with screenwriter Susannah Grant (Erin Brockovich, 28 Days), about her career and the Netflix series Unbelievable.
JANUARY 18, 2020
Ep. 176 – Krysty Wilson-Cairns
Moon Zappa talks with the co-writer of 1917, Krysty Wilson-Cairns (Penny Dreadful), about her career, the awards-nominated film she co-wrote with director Sam Mendes, and her affinity for World War I.
Spoiler Alert
About 30 minutes in there are spoilers, and Krysty does give a warning just before the reveal.
JANUARY 16, 2020
Ep. 175 – Angelina Burnett & Shawn Ryan on Political Action
WGAW leaders Angelina Burnett and Shawn Ryan join 3rd & Fairfax for a special conversation on writers’ political and bargaining power.
JANUARY 10, 2020
Ep. 174 – Kit Steinkellner
Josephine Green Zhang talks to Kit Steinkellner (Z: The Beginning of Everything), creator of the new Facebook Watch series Sorry For Your Loss.