Rephonic
Artwork for Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss

Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss

Noah Evslin and Dan Rutstein
Hollywood
Scriptation
Failure
On Call
Screenwriting
Journey To Bethlehem
Rejection
Crime Drama
Music Production
Amazon
Television Industry
Comedy
TV Writing
Wolf Entertainment
Procedural Shows
Hollywood Strikes
Entertainment Industry
Success
Writing Process
Christmas Musicals

Behind the glitz and glamor, Hollywood can be brutal. For every success, there are many more rejections and failures. Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss explores that world and each week a new guest will talk about dealing with rejection, failure and adversity in the entertainment industry. Writer Noah Evslin and podcaster Dan Rutstein ask the questions.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes159Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsArtsTV & Film

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss

Latest Episodes

A true fairytale today as we talk to Craig Gerber, creator of Disney princess shows galore.

He tells us his fascinating tale of fairies that led him to create Sofia the First while stuck in a traffic jam, the joy of working at Disney and presentatio... more

We welcome the dynamic writing duo of Ian Deitchman and Kristin Robinson to the show.

We talk about celebrating wins together, the mechanics of a writing pair and their new show It’s Not Like That.

They tell us why they have a shared inbox, being m... more

What a nice man!

We have Thom Harp on the show to talk movies, pitches and being nice.

We talk persistence, writing what you know and getting the best out of your team.

Thom describes the frustrations of years of pushing, how he made the most of t... more

We have the impressive Courtney Lilly on the show.

He talks about the state of Hollywood, being in the same storm but a different boat and the luck it takes to succeed.

We hear about his start as a journalist, showrunning on a show created by someo... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Scriptnotes Podcast
Scriptnotes PodcastJohn August and Craig Mazin
It Happened In Hollywood
It Happened In HollywoodThe Hollywood Reporter
BEST MOVIES NEVER MADE
BEST MOVIES NEVER MADEStephen Scarlata & Josh Miller

Recent Guests

Craig Gerber
TV writer and show creator known for Sofia the First, Elena of Avalor, Firebuds
Disney
Episode: Take 154 - Showrunner and Creator Craig Gerber, Sofia the First, Elena of Avalor
Kristin Robinson
TV writer, showrunner, co-creator of It's Not Like That
Wonder Project / It's Not Like That
Episode: Take 153 - Showrunners and Writers Kristin Robinson and Ian Deitchman, It’s Not Like That
Ian Deitchman
TV writer, showrunner, co-creator of It's Not Like That
Wonder Project / It's Not Like That
Episode: Take 153 - Showrunners and Writers Kristin Robinson and Ian Deitchman, It’s Not Like That
Thom Harp
Screenwriter, director, and producer
Worked on Home Delivery, The Donor Party
Episode: Take 152 - Writer, producer, director Thom Harp, Home Delivery, The Donor Party
Courtney Lilly
Longtime TV writer, producer, and showrunner
Black-ish, Mixed-ish, Grown-ish
Episode: Take 151 - Showrunner, Writer Courtney Lilly, Black-ish, Everyone Hates Chris
David Zucker
Writer, Director, and Producer known for Airplane!, The Naked Gun franchise
ZAZ writing/directing team
Episode: Take 150 - Writer, Director David Zucker - Airplane, Top Secret, The Naked Gun
Gary Whitta
Writer known for Rogue One, The Book of Eli, Star Wars Rebels; creator of See You in Hell
Writer, See You in Hell (audio drama)
Episode: Take 149 - Writer Gary Whitta, Rogue One, See you in Hell
Craig Thomas
Co-creator of How I Met Your Mother; author of That's Not How It Happened
How I Met Your Mother; HarperCollins (publisher)
Episode: Take 148 - Showrunner and Novelist Craig Thomas, How I Met Your Mother and That’s Not How It Happened
Nick Verso
TV writer, series creator, screenwriter, and TV and film director
Creator of Invisible Boys and Crazy Fun Park, Director of Boys in the Trees
Episode: Take 146 - Director, Producer, Writer Nick Verso, Boys in the Trees, Invisible Boys

Hosts

Noah Evslin
Host focused on extracting candid insights about failure and perseverance in Hollywood; long-time writer and industry professional.
Dan Rutstein
Co-host known for probing questions and steering interviews with guests from the entertainment industry.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 105 ratings
  • Great interviews

    I was late finding this podcast but love it. The old episodes don’t feel outdated like some movie industry podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    M_P_Carter
    United Statesa year ago
  • Amazing

    I love these interviews. Have listened to almost every single one. These guys are great and they ask all the best questions and get the true stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jeffd1375
    United States2 years ago
  • Truly Worth Every Minute

    What a smart, clever approach the business of Hollywood. Noah and Dan are terrific hosts who do a fanastic job of teasing our reply meaningful stuff from hard-working guests. For writers, listening to these tales of stumbles and failure will help normalize our perspective on this industry and even inspire. Dan and Noah have tapped into a much needed set of stories‹.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rbripley
    United States4 years ago
  • MVSP: Most Valuable Screenwriting Podcast

    There are a lot of (great!) podcasts out there about screenwriting, but none presents a more clear-eyed vision of the pitfalls inherent in this industry as this one does. Noah and Dan have a charming relationship, with Noah constantly covering for Dan’s lack of knowledge and expertise, a fact obscured by Dan’s winning accent which gives the appearance of erudition. But the guests are the true heroes here, many rehashing deeply painful moments from their professional and artistic paths, so aspire... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    gbnypat
    United States4 years ago
  • The Story of My Life

    As someone who has worked as a movie and TV writer for the better part of two decades, this podcast is as close as it gets to living the life of a writer in Hollywood. With their insightful questions and ability to really listen, Noah and Dan have a way of getting their amazing guests to talk not only about their greatest successes, but to be open and vulnerable about their biggest failures. This business is a marathon, not a sprint. There are so many ups and downs. This podcast lets the rest of... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Magnificenthack
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Hosts' dynamic is often highlighted as a strength, though one review notes a negative experience with a host.
Interview quality and candor are consistently praised, with guests sharing vulnerable lessons.
Listeners appreciate practical, real-world insights over hype and polish.

Top TV & Film Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Take 148 - Showrunner and Novelist Craig Thomas, How I Met Your Mother and That’s Not How It Happened
Q: What would be your single piece of advice to someone writing a novel after years in TV?
Write the thing you have spent your life researching; let the personal, hard, long-term journey drive the material so the book reflects something deeply felt and authentic.
Take 148 - Showrunner and Novelist Craig Thomas, How I Met Your Mother and That’s Not How It Happened
Q: Has the book been optioned into a movie to become even more meta?
As of now it has not been optioned, but he would be open to it and believes the meta-layer of a book about a movie about a life could be an interesting challenge if the right fit emerges.
Take 151 - Showrunner, Writer Courtney Lilly, Black-ish, Everyone Hates Chris
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to somebody wanting to join the business as a screenwriter, what would it be?
Read voraciously and broadly, especially fiction, to understand human behavior and emotion, because great writing comes from deep inside the characters and experiences you observe. Don't chase trends; chase mastery of putting one word after another to captivate an audience.
Take 152 - Writer, producer, director Thom Harp, Home Delivery, The Donor Party
Q: Why did you choose to come on our podcast, given that we're probably not going to be asking you about all your successes?
To share the real, hard-won paths writers take, including the ups and downs, so aspiring writers understand there are many routes to success beyond a single breakthrough, and to illustrate how persistence, collaboration, and leveraging small wins can build momentum over years.
Take 149 - Writer Gary Whitta, Rogue One, See you in Hell
Q: How did you handle the decision of whether to pitch to studios or to go independent with crowdfunding, and what factors influenced that choice?
I realized there was no easy path through traditional gates, so I chose independence to preserve control, start small, and build an audience. If the pilot proves viable over a set period, crowdfunding becomes the most realistic expansion route, as it aligns funding with demonstrated demand rather than speculative pitches.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss

What is Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Listeners are drawn to candid, behind-the-scenes stories from writers, showrunners, and filmmakers about the brutal realities of breaking into and sustaining a career in Hollywood. Episodes repeatedly emphasize rejection, perseverance, and the craft of writing under pressure, with guests sharing early near-m misses, long development arcs, and pivots that led to breakout projects. The show often highlights mentorship, collaboration, room dynamics, and the evolving industry landscape, making it a practical listen for aspiring writers, producers, and creatives seeking resilience and actionable insights. A notable strength is the range of highly experienced guests who reveal both failures and the strategies that turned them into lasting success... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss:

1. Scriptnotes Podcast
2. The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
3. It Happened In Hollywood
4. The Business
5. BEST MOVIES NEVER MADE

How many episodes of Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss are there?

Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss launched 6 years ago and published 159 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss?

Recent guests on Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss include:

1. Craig Gerber
2. Kristin Robinson
3. Ian Deitchman
4. Thom Harp
5. Courtney Lilly
6. David Zucker
7. Gary Whitta
8. Craig Thomas

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days