The Official Podcast from Roadmap Writers, a screenwriting education and training platform for people looking for a guided path to professional success writing for Film and TV. Our programs are hosted by working industry executives and are designed to empower writers with actionable tools and insights to elevate their craft and cultivate relationships with industry professionals.
Hosted by Gabriel Theis, G.T. Cruz, and Nicole Betz, The Human First Podcast interviews figures in the film and television industry on their personal and professional journeys.
Happy Halloween, writers! Today, we're talking all things horror with writer and development exec Preston Fassel. A novelist, screenwriter, and journalist, Preston has worked in the horror space for the past 15 years. After publishing cult novels such as Our Lady in the Inferno and writing for Fangoria, Preston is now a produced screenwriter and Director of Development for Little Spark Films, a genre studio based in Texas.We chat with Preston about why he loves working in the horror space, his journey from author to development exec, and the spookiest thing of all: red flags.About:Roadmap Writers is a screenwriting education and training platform for people looking for a guided path to professional success writing for film and tv. Our programs are hosted by working industry executives and are designed to empower writers with actionable tools and insights to elevate their craft and cultivate relationships with industry professionals. Founded in 2016, by Joey Tuccio and Dorian Connelley, Roadmap has helped over 500 writers sign with representation, while countless others have gotten staffed on tv shows, had their scripts optioned, or sold their scripts.Read about Little Spark Films: https://variety.com/2026/film/news/little-spark-films-expand-genre-studio-1236661776/Follow Preston: https://www.instagram.com/pafassel/Follow Little Spark Films: https://www.instagram.com/littlesparkfilms/ Follow Roadmap Writers:Twitter - @roadmapwriters Instagram - @roadmapwriters LinkedIn - @roadmapwriters Follow Gabriel Theis:Twitter - @gabe_theis Instagram - @gabriel.theis.16Follow G.T. Cruz: Twitter - @journeyman_gt Instagram - @journeyman_gt Follow Jaime Kawamoto:Instagram - @jaimekawamoto
29 Sept 2026
From Seminfinalist to Signed Writer | Andy Compton
Back in 2021, Andy Compton placed as a semifinalist in the Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship... twice. After that, Roadmap helped him get signed to Epicenter, where he now has several projects in development, including being attached to direct his drama script, BELLYACHE.
In this episode, we reminisce with Andy about the days of Screenwriting Twitter, chat about his journey after getting signed, and about independent filmmaking vs. writing for the market.
The Social Screenwriter's Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-social-screenwriters-podcast/id1595635550
Andy's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@andycompton
About:Roadmap Writers is a screenwriting education and training platform for people looking for a guided path to professional success writing for film and tv. Our programs are hosted by working industry executives and are designed to empower writers with actionable tools and insights to elevate their craft and cultivate relationships with industry professionals. Founded in 2016, by Joey Tuccio and Dorian Connelley, Roadmap has helped over 500 writers sign with representation, while countless others have gotten staffed on tv shows, had their scripts optioned, or sold their scripts.Follow Roadmap Writers:Twitter - @roadmapwriters Instagram - @roadmapwriters LinkedIn - @roadmapwriters Follow Gabriel Theis:Twitter - @gabe_theis Instagram - @gabriel.theis.16Follow G.T. Cruz: Twitter - @journeyman_gt Instagram - @journeyman_gt Follow Jaime Kawamoto:Instagram - @jaimekawamoto
29 Jul 2026
The Writer's Room Survival Guide | Niceole Levy
If you wanna know how to make it in the writer's room, our next guest literally wrote the book on it. Niceole Levy is a prolific television writer with credits on Marvel's Cloak & Dagger, Apple TV's The Banker, S.W.A.T., and more. She's also the author of The Writers’ Room Survival Guide. We chat with Niceole about her tips on being a staff writer, her prolific career in television, and fomenting professional relationships.
Buy Niceole's Book Here: https://www.amazon.com/Writers-Room-Survival-Guide-Screw/dp/1615933468
About:
Roadmap Writers is a screenwriting education and training platform for people looking for a guided path to professional success writing for film and tv. Our programs are hosted by working industry executives and are designed to empower writers with actionable tools and insights to elevate their craft and cultivate relationships with industry professionals. Founded in 2016, by Joey Tuccio and Dorian Connelley, Roadmap has helped over 490 writers sign with representation, while countless others have gotten staffed on tv shows, had their scripts optioned, or sold their scripts.
Follow Roadmap Writers:
Twitter - @roadmapwriters
Instagram - @roadmapwriters
LinkedIn - @roadmapwriters
Follow Gabriel Theis:
Twitter - @gabe_theis
Instagram - @gabriel.theis.16
Follow G.T. Cruz:
Twitter - @journeyman_gt
Instagram - @journeyman_gt
Follow Nicole Betz:
Twitter - @tomhanksishot
Instagram - @tomhanksishot
9 Jun 2026
Writers Rooms & True Crime | Gregory Locklear
Today, we're chatting with TV writer Gregory Locklear on his journey from starting on Netflix's Marco Polo series to working on some of the most acclaimed true crime television in the last few years, particularly Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy. We also look back on the previous WGA strikes and Gregory's experiences as both a Queer and as an active member of the f Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.
Plus, a round of questions with manager Chris Coggins of Heroes & Villains: https://hvemgmt.com
About:
Roadmap Writers is a screenwriting education and training platform for people looking for a guided path to professional success writing for film and tv. Our programs are hosted by working industry executives and are designed to empower writers with actionable tools and insights to elevate their craft and cultivate relationships with industry professionals. Founded in 2016, by Joey Tuccio and Dorian Connelley, Roadmap has helped over 510 writers sign with representation, while countless others have gotten staffed on tv shows, had their scripts optioned, or sold their scripts.
Follow Roadmap Writers:
Twitter - @roadmapwriters
Instagram - @roadmapwriters
LinkedIn - @roadmapwriters
Follow Gabriel Theis:
Twitter - @gabe_theis
Instagram - @gabriel.theis.16
Follow G.T. Cruz: Twitter - @journeyman_gt
Instagram - @journeyman_gt
Follow Nicole Betz:Twitter - @tomhanksishot
Instagram - @tomhanksishot
14 Apr 2026
Selling Pilots, Avoiding Burnout, and Teaching Screenwriters | Tawnya Bhattacharya (Bel Air, The Night Shift, The Client List)
When we first recorded this episode, screenwriter Tawnya Bhattacharya (Bel Air, The Night Shift, The Client List) had sold a pilot to ABC with her writing partner, Ali Levanthol. Then, right before this episode aired, Tawnya and Ali sold another pilot to Hulu. In this episode, we chat with Tawnya about her prolific screenwriting career, how she sold her pilot(s), the ways in which she avoids burnout, and the great work she does at Script Anatomy.Read more about Tawnya's pilots:https://deadline.com/2025/08/abc-developing-legal-drama-the-advocate-1236495452/https://deadline.com/2026/04/hulu-development-the-one-that-got-away-with-murder-1236784725/Script Anatomy: https://scriptanatomy.com/Follow Tawnya:Instagram - @tawnyabhattacharyaAbout:Roadmap Writers is a screenwriting education and training platform for people looking for a guided path to professional success writing for film and tv. Our programs are hosted by working industry executives and are designed to empower writers with actionable tools and insights to elevate their craft and cultivate relationships with industry professionals. Founded in 2016, by Joey Tuccio and Dorian Connelley, Roadmap has helped over 490 writers sign with representation, while countless others have gotten staffed on tv shows, had their scripts optioned, or sold their scripts.Follow Roadmap Writers:Twitter - @roadmapwriters Instagram - @roadmapwriters LinkedIn - @roadmapwriters Follow Gabriel Theis:Twitter - @gabe_theis Instagram - @gabriel.theis.16Follow G.T. Cruz: Twitter - @journeyman_gt Instagram - @journeyman_gt Follow Nicole Betz:Twitter - @tomhanksishot Instagram - @tomhanksishot
22 Feb 2026
Dude, Where's My Catharsis? | Phil Stark (Dude, Where's My Car? That '70s Show, South Park)
Join us as we chat with Phil Stark, screenwriter-turned-licensed-therapist. After getting success early on in his career by working on That '70s Show and writing the hit comedy Dude, Where's My Car? Phil transitioned into psychology, he specializes in helping creatives navigate issues like burnout and writer's block.We chat with Phil about his career as a screenwriter, pivoting into psychology, and his thoughts on the overall state of comedy. Phil Stark's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/philstarkPhil's Retrospective on Dude, Where's My Car? https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/dude-wheres-my-car-25-years-later-phil-stark-1236442369/#screenwriting #podcast #That70sShowAbout:Roadmap Writers is a screenwriting education and training platform for people looking for a guided path to professional success writing for film and tv. Our programs are hosted by working industry executives and are designed to empower writers with actionable tools and insights to elevate their craft and cultivate relationships with industry professionals. Founded in 2016, by Joey Tuccio and Dorian Connelley, Roadmap has helped over 490 writers sign with representation, while countless others have gotten staffed on tv shows, had their scripts optioned, or sold their scripts.Follow Roadmap Writers:Twitter - @roadmapwriters Instagram - @roadmapwriters LinkedIn - @roadmapwriters Follow Gabriel Theis:Twitter - @gabe_theis Instagram - @gabriel.theis.16Follow G.T. Cruz: Twitter - @journeyman_gt Instagram - @journeyman_gt Follow Nicole Betz:Twitter - @tomhanksishot Instagram - @tomhanksishot
15 Jan 2026
From Spec Script To Showrunner | Robia Rashid (Atypical, HIMYM, Will & Grace)
Join us for a conversation with the incredible Robia Rashid. After working as a staff writer on hit shows like HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, WILL & GRACE, and THE GOLDBERGS, Robia created the critically-acclaimed Netflix show ATYPICAL, which was lauded for its nuanced and sensitive portrayal of neurodivergence. This episode, we chatted with Robia about her prolific screenwriting career, taking on the responsibility of representing the neurodivergent community through ATYPICAL, and what's changed in Writers Room Culture. Oh, and Calvin & Hobbes.
#screenwriting #podcast #netflix #himym
About: Roadmap Writers is a screenwriting education and training platform for people looking for a guided path to professional success writing for film and tv. Our programs are hosted by working industry executives and are designed to empower writers with actionable tools and insights to elevate their craft and cultivate relationships with industry professionals. Founded in 2016, by Joey Tuccio and Dorian Connelley, Roadmap has helped over 490 writers sign with representation, while countless others have gotten staffed on tv shows, had their scripts optioned, or sold their scripts.Follow Roadmap Writers:Twitter - @roadmapwriters Instagram - @roadmapwriters LinkedIn - @roadmapwriters Follow Gabriel Theis:Twitter - @gabe_theis Instagram - @gabriel.theis.16Follow G.T. Cruz: Twitter - @journeyman_gt Instagram - @journeyman_gt Follow Nicole Betz:Twitter - @tomhanksishot Instagram - @tomhanksishot
16 Dec 2025
Navigating The World of Verticals (ft. Dalya Guérin)
Verticals. They're soapy, bite-sized content for apps and other digital platforms. They're also turning the entertainment industry on their head. As film and television productions continue to relocate outside of Hollywood, Verticals are employing more and more professionals. They've even been recognized by entertainment unions like the WGA. So today, we're chatting with Dalya Guérin. She's a screenwriter and director whose been working regularly on Vertical sets. Join us as we talk with her about why Verticals have taken off, how their sets differ from traditional productions, and their creative potential.#screenwriting #podcast #roadmapwritersFollow Dalya:Instagram - @dmg80Twitter - @dalyaguerinCheck out her website here: https://www.dalyaguerin.com/About:Roadmap Writers is a screenwriting education and training platform for people looking for a guided path to professional success writing for film and tv. Our programs are hosted by working industry executives and are designed to empower writers with actionable tools and insights to elevate their craft and cultivate relationships with industry professionals. Founded in 2016, by Joey Tuccio and Dorian Connelley, Roadmap has helped over 480 writers sign with representation, while countless others have gotten staffed on tv shows, had their scripts optioned, or sold their scripts.Follow Roadmap Writers:Twitter - @roadmapwriters Instagram - @roadmapwriters LinkedIn - @roadmapwriters Follow Gabriel Theis:Twitter - @gabe_theis Instagram - @gabriel.theis.16Follow G.T. Cruz: Twitter - @journeyman_gt Instagram - @journeyman_gt Follow Nicole Betz:Twitter - @tomhanksishot Instagram - @tomhanksishot
17 Nov 2025
Getting Your Directorial Debut Produced | Roy Hsu
Welcome to Episode One of Human First, the official podcast from Roadmap Writers! Co-hosted by Gabriel Theis, G.T. Cruz, and Nicole Betz, our first guest is Roy Hsu, a Seattle-based writer and director who's producing a romantic-comedy with a producing team he met through Roadmap Writers.#screenwriting #podcast #roadmapwritersRead the announcement of Roy's film here:https://deadline.com/2025/05/arden-cho-margaret-cho-to-star-cheap-af-1236391552/About:Roadmap Writers is a screenwriting education and training platform for people looking for a guided path to professional success writing for film and tv. Our programs are hosted by working industry executives and are designed to empower writers with actionable tools and insights to elevate their craft and cultivate relationships with industry professionals. Founded in 2016, by Joey Tuccio and Dorian Connelley, Roadmap has helped over 480 writers sign with representation, while countless others have gotten staffed on tv shows, had their scripts optioned, or sold their scripts.Follow Roadmap Writers:Twitter - @roadmapwriters Instagram - @roadmapwriters Follow Gabriel Theis:Twitter - @gabe_theis Instagram - @gabriel.theis.16Follow G.T. Cruz: Twitter - @journeyman_gt Instagram - @journeyman_gt Follow Nicole Betz:Twitter - @tomhanksishot Instagram - @tomhanksishot
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6 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
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