Hollywood executives think Gen Z isn't watching TV because of TikTok. They're wrong. In this episode, we break down the "Crisis of Authenticity" and why this is actually the Golden Age for indie filmmakers.

Episode 23:

We read a piece in The Ankler by Whitney Friedlander that’s causing panic in boardrooms: "Gen Z Is Huge; Their TV Shows Are Tiny." The industry blames attention spans, but we call it the Crisis of Authenticity. We break down why the "Hollywood Formula"—polished, committee-approved content—is failing, while messy, specific, and "niche" shows are the only things cutting through.

If you are a filmmaker, writer, or creator feeling discouraged by the industry—this episode is your proof that you don't need their permission anymore.

IN THIS EPISODE:

The Crisis: An analysis of why the "Hollywood Formula" is broken and why Gen Z is rejecting manufactured content.

The Insight: Why creative risk is the new currency and why "safe" bets are actually the most dangerous move studios can make.

The Solution: How indie creators are bypassing the system by building their own creative ecosystems (and why you should too).

FUEL YOUR CREATIVITY: Fuel your independence with Brain Juice Coffee: www.BrainJuiceCoffee.com

PROJECT UPDATE: We are currently organizing the table read for The Actress! Follow the journey as we move from script to production.

Chapters:

00:00 – The "Panic" in Hollywood

01:21 – Why Gen Z watches "Friends" but hates new sitcoms

06:22 – The Crisis of Authenticity (and "I Love LA")

11:16 – The Cancellation Problem: Why shows aren't given time to grow

14:50 – Are Executives using AI to test scripts?

17:27 – Building Your Own Ecosystem (Brain Juice Coffee)

19:01 – Deep Dive: How "Atlanta" broke every rule

23:23 – The Golden Age for Indie Filmmakers

28:07 – Living in Your Skin: The Rachel Sennott & Issa Rae model

30:20 – Conclusion: Take the Risk

Watch on Youtube:
https://youtu.be/XJCzVLS3ECg

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How do you take an idea that has been "incubating" for half a decade and finally turn it into a finished screenplay?

Today, Cobain and Taylor discuss the writing process behind their upcoming short film, The Actress. This isn't just about writing; it's about taking control in an industry built on rejection. We discuss the psychological impact of accomplishing, why we rewrote our antagonist, and the "momentum magic" that helped us bridge the gap between a vague idea and a shooting script.

Topics Covered:

• From "Idea Lottery" to finished draft: The "Fog to Form" method.
• The plot of The Actress: A horror-thriller satire on Hollywood rejection.
• How we used accountability and rituals to break writer's block.
  

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Chapters:

00:00 – Intro: Taking control of our own story

00:56 – SEGMENT 1: Something That Sparked Something (Fog into Form)

02:55 – Logline: What is "The Actress"?

05:08 – The Spark: How Bob Fosse inspired us in 2019

08:03 – Separating identity from rejection

15:08 – Building Sophia: Creating a character you understand

20:51 – Brain Juice Coffee: Creating Ritual

22:21 – SEGMENT 2: Creative Insight (Momentum is Magic)

24:20 – The "Secret Weapon": Accountability partners

31:26 – Troubleshooting: Rewriting the ending & the villain

40:12 – SEGMENT 3: Creator Check-In (How do you know it's good?)

43:51 – What's Next: The Table Read & Casting Call

Cobain & Taylor talk about their perfectionist hangups when it comes to creativity (& life) and ways in which they overcome perfectionism to let creativity flow.

Mentions & Recommendations:
The Artist Way: https://amzn.to/3TJRCFK
Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher, and Never Stop Learning (audible link): https://amzn.to/3xm4Voh