

Happier in Hollywood
The Onward Project
Veteran TV writers Liz Craft and Sarah Fain demystify Hollywood by making career and personal struggles universal. Friends since high school and writing partners for over 20 years, Liz and Sarah have survived and thrived in Tinseltown’s male-dominated entertainment industry, guided by blind optimism and a Midwestern work ethic. Along the way they've learned a lot about kicking ass, kissing ass, and office yoga.
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 28, 2019 • 29min
Ep. 133: The Care And Feeding Of Writers: A Thanksgiving Episode
Liz and Sarah offer tips to executives and producers who are giving notes to writers during the development process. Do be direct! Don’t be an asshole! In a hits-only Hits & Bombs segment, Liz and Sarah share the many things they’re thankful for — including their amazing listeners! This week’s Hollywood Hack is a Chinese Proverb: “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” Finally, they reveal their work hike Celebrity Sighting: Marissa Jarret Winokur. The Sheri + Nancy Show:https://thepillarlife.com/sheri-nancy-show/Marissa Jarret Winokur:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0935441/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 21, 2019 • 28min
Ep. 132: A Lightning Listener Question Episode
Liz and Sarah answer questions from the Happier In Hollywood Facebook Group — and they answer them fast! Do they ever feel like their kids deplete their creative energy? Do TV writers take ownership of specific characters? How does Sarah feel about Liz touring? If they hadn’t moved to Los Angeles, what would they be doing today? What was it like to work with Kurt Sutter? And, most importantly, how are they surviving without an assistant? These questions and so many more...Photo by Brandon Morgan on Unsplash To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 14, 2019 • 28min
Ep. 131: The Importance Of Mahjong
With development season at peak intensity, Liz and Sarah are putting their noses to the grindstone. What does that mean? They’re often giving up their precious nights and weekends — and accepting that they have to “just say no” to many social functions. Then in Take A Hike, Liz and Sarah talk about why there’s one activity they’re NOT giving up: their new monthly Mahjong game. They also answer a Mailbag question about how many scripts a writer should have under her belt before she makes the big move to Los Angeles. And this week’s Hollywood Hack will improve any presentation: if someone asks if you want to use a mic, the answer is ALWAYS yes. Mahjong:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahjong To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 8, 2019 • 31min
Bonus Episode: Liz and Sarah’s “American Beauties” Pitch
Liz and Sarah pitch “American Beauties,” a pilot script they sold (twice) to Fox. After the pitch, they critique their own work— and reveal what they would change if they were going to pitch the show today. Photo by Ameen Fahmy on Unsplash To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 7, 2019 • 33min
Ep. 130: How To Focus During Armageddon
Liz and Sarah give an update on their efforts to reject anxiety during development season. Then they strategize about how to stay focussed on work when it feels like they’re in the middle of Armageddon. Between the wild fires and the news, it’s all too much! The advice they get from Liz’s sister, Gretchen Rubin? Turn off phone notifications and schedule time to worry. In Take Two, listeners weigh in on the subject of how to create likable characters. Liz and Sarah’s favorite take away — it’s not important that a character be likable, as long as the audience understands why she’s doing what she’s doing. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from Liz’s recent touring: get a travel steamer. Finally, Liz and Sarah had another Hugo’s Celebrity Sighting: Mariel Hemingway. Gretchen Rubin:https://gretchenrubin.com/Travel steamer:https://www.amazon.com/iSteam-Steamer-Powerful-Handheld-Portable/dp/B072PY74HY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2ETJIKV214XMI&keywords=isteam+steamer+for+clothes&qid=1572998381&sprefix=Is+team+%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-3Hugo’s:https://www.hugosrestaurant.com/studio-city-menuMariel Hemingwayhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000446/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 31, 2019 • 27min
Ep. 129: Anxiety, We Reject You!
Liz and Sarah wish listeners a Happy Halloween and share a tip from The Whole 30’s Melissa Hartwig Urban about how to resist the temptation to eat candy. In From The Treadmill Desks Of, they talk about their decision to reject anxiety when it comes to the notes process during this development season. Their new anxiety mantra: “There is no space for you here.” Then Liz and Sarah answer a Mailbag question about how they keep their creative juices flowing even when they’re not feeling inspired. In Hits & Bombs, Liz gives a hit to the new (and final) season of the podcast StartUp. And they have a shared bomb — despite the best of intentions, they haven’t hiked in ages. Finally Sarah shares this week’s homegrown microgreen Hollywood Hack: Hamama.Melissa Hartwig Urban:https://whole30.com/about/Chef Chloe Coscarelli:https://chefchloe.com/#AmWritingPodcasthttps://amwritingpodcast.com/StartUp Podcasthttps://gimletmedia.com/shows/startupHamama:https://www.hamama.com/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 24, 2019 • 28min
Ep. 128: Conquering The Fear of New Things & The Warner Brothers Pitch Document
Liz and Sarah announce their upcoming Bonus Episode! They’re going to pitch American Beauties, a pilot script they sold (twice) to Fox. Then they discuss strategies for conquering the fear of new things. Sarah’s suggestion? Rip off the band aid NOW. In The Craft (and Fain) segment, Liz and Sarah discuss the ins and outs of the famous Warner Brothers pitch document. If you want a copy, email them at happierinhollywood@gmail.com. This week’s Hollywood Hack: use Instagram as a research tool. Finally, they had a celebrity sighting at Hugo’s Restaurant: Rizwan Manji.Fiona Nicholson:https://www.instagram.com/shetlandfi/?hl=enDr. Melissa Doft:https://doftplasticsurgery.com/Rizwan Manji:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0542492/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 17, 2019 • 30min
Ep. 127: Why “Enough Is Enough”
Liz and Sarah explain that even a “put” pilot isn’t a sure thing. Then they discuss why “enough is enough.” It’s tempting to over-write and over-speak, but don’t do it! Going on and on makes you look weak and unfocused. In their new segment, You’re The Boss, Liz and Sarah talk to author Morgan Simpson about his new book, What’s Running You? How to Become the Entrepreneur of Your Life. Morgan’s advice? Create your own Board of Directors. This week’s fashion Hollywood Hack: choose a signature designer.“Put” pilot :https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/abc-put-pilot-plastics-elizabeth-craft-sarah-fain-1203356105/What’s Running You? How to Become the Entrepreneur of Your Life:https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Running-You-Become-Entrepreneur-ebook/dp/B07Z2MQ4VZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=What’s+Running+You%3F&qid=1571177526&sr=8-1Veronica Beard:https://veronicabeard.com/?gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3JXtBRC8ARIsAEBHg4nuUyAHy-1XnHnp_ZbP2Dh4ighq8EvpinbdLNTu8OlkNhAbHpNweP4aAgR6EALw_wcBAnthropologie:https://www.anthropologie.com/?mrkgcl=694&mrkgadid=586468124&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_source=Google&utm_content=anthropologie_-_Exact&utm_term=anthropologie&utm_campaign=US_-_Brand_-_Top_Traffic&creative=378700693422&device=t&matchtype=e&network=g&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3JXtBRC8ARIsAEBHg4mTVpp9JeLvXX5p_XnpyAd1kpoCknGVy5Zi8v7e4q59PjfiJIDJ4AMaAgdGEALw_wcBPhoto by Jack Carter on Unsplash To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 10, 2019 • 34min
Ep. 126: Embracing Your Weird With Felicia Day
Liz and Sarah talk with actor, web series creator, and New York Times best-selling author, Felicia Day, about her new book Embrace Your Weird: Face Your Fears and Unleash Creativity. Liz and Sarah’s big take-away? They really need to be more playful. Then, in Take A Hike, they discuss why we should all be reacher-outers (in a not creepy way). This week’s Hollywood Hack is the perfect baby gift: affordable, customizable canvas tote bags. Finally, Liz has a Kardashian-adjacent Celebrity Sighting — Malika Haqq.Felicia Day:http://feliciaday.com/Amy Acker:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0009918/Dichen Lachman:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1901842/Kelley Wolf:https://www.flowbykelleywolf.com/Ryan Serhant:https://ryanserhant.com/LL Bean Boat and Tote Bags:https://www.llbean.com/llb/search/?freeText=Totes&qs=3091716_GOOGLE&Matchtype=e&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAjw5_DsBRBPEiwAIEDRWyH2GhiXsmebuqugWiC6EPKVo3M2U0umimGEJRomkR5ETYqNYJsv6RoCaakQAvD_BwELand’s End Tote Bags:https://www.landsend.com/shop/womens-canvas-totes-bags-travel/S-xfd-y5c-xls-xecMalika Haqq:https://www.eonline.com/news/1080468/why-khloe-kardashian-and-expectant-mom-malika-haqq-s-bond-is-now-tighter-than-everPhoto credit: Christina Ganolfo To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 3, 2019 • 33min
Ep. 125: Starting A Work Marathon, Ending A Heath Lull
Liz and Sarah share an email from a listener who gives a counterargument to their advice to “arrive early.” Then they announce their new development projects! They’ve sold two pilots — one to ABC and one to CBS. They discuss strategies to maintain their endurance for the months-long journey toward (hopefully) series pickups. In Take A Hike, Sarah reveals her health lull is over, and she’s diving headlong into a whole food, plant-based lifestyle. Sarah’s friend and real estate agent to the stars, Victoria Massengale, drops in to offer support and tips on how to transition into a new meat and dairy-free existence. This week’s Hollywood Hack: talk to the chef. Wonderland Sound and VIsion:https://www.wonderlandsoundandvision.com/aboutWhole-Food, Plant Based Diet:https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/plant-based-diet-guideThe Alzheimer’s Solution:https://teamsherzai.com/book/Victoria Massengale:https://www.victoriaandmichael.net/Chef Chloe Coscarelli:https://chefchloe.com/Sun Cafe:https://suncafe.com/Cafe Gratitude:https://www.cafegratitude.com/Gracias Madre:https://www.graciasmadre.co/Photo by Anna Pelzer on Unsplash To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


