Podcast

writing

521: Storytelling & Identity with Ryan Maldonado (Part 3 of 3): On Code-switching, Photographing Living Rooms, and Growing up Not-Rich in Miami

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SHOW NOTES

In this three-part series, Ethan sits down with his screenwriter friends to do a deep dive into the creative process, the power of storytelling, and how identity plays a role in both. In Episode 3, Ethan is joined by screenwriter Ryan Maldonado, known for his work on AMC’s Parish, Hulu’s Death and Other Details, Amazon’s Hunters, Chicago PD, FBI, and Grey’s Anatomy.

Ryan and Ethan talk about, among other things: 

  • Ryan’s origin story, how he identifies, and how he became a storyteller

  • What Ryan’s writing process is like and what it’s like working on a TV show

  • How Ryan shows up in characters that may seem very different from who he is 

  • What he feels Hollywood is doing well in terms of representing diverse voices, and where there’s still work to be done

  • Advice to students going through the personal statement writing process

  • And more. 

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Ryan Maldonado is a writer and producer who currently serves as Executive Producer and Co-Showrunner of AMC’s crime series Parish, starring Giancarlo Esposito. His previous credits include Hulu’s upcoming Death and Other Details (starring Mandy Patinkin) and Amazon’s Hunters (starring Al Pacino). Before moving to Los Angeles to complete his MFA at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, Ryan worked as a reporter for The Detroit Free Press, St. Petersburg Times and Variety. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter.

We hope you enjoy!

Play-by-Play

  • 2:00 - Ryan’s origin story and what it was like growing up in Miami in the '80s

  • 11:18 - When did Ryan start writing?

  • 15:10 - How has Ryan’s interest in writing shifted over the years?

  • 19:47 - Where does “Ryan” show up in his writing and storytelling?

  • 26:12 - How might personal experiences influence writing, especially in TV dramas? 

  • 33:00 - What is Ryan’s writing process like?

  • 38:50 - What is it like working on a TV show? 

  • 44:56 - What lessons from film school still apply to Ryan’s work today? 

  • 54:33 - How has representation in Hollywood improved? What still needs work? 

  • 59:23 - What are some roles Ryan identifies with and how have these manifested in his life?

  • 1:08:56 - What advice would you give to students working on their personal statements for college? 

  • 1:18:49 - Wrap up and closing thoughts

Resources

 

520: Storytelling & Identity with Whit Anderson (Part 2 of 3): Beating Writer’s Block, Writing RomComs and Space Operas, and Female Representation in Hollywood

Listen Here

SHOW NOTES

In this three-part series, Ethan sits down with his screenwriter friends to do a deep dive into the creative process, the power of storytelling, and how identity plays a role in both. In Episode 2, Ethan is joined by screenwriter Whit Anderson, known for her work on Daredevil, The Twilight Zone, and Ozark. 

Whit and Ethan talk about, among other things: 

  • How a life-changing illness inspired one of her screenplays

  • The cultural role that storytellers and screenwriters play

  • Whit’s approach to writing, including the use of visuals and detailed outlines

  • The challenges of working in a male-dominated industry

  • And more

Content warning: In our conversation we talk briefly about suicidal ideation — both in the context of a movie Whit is working on but also in the context of the illness she experienced. 

Whit Anderson has written both original and adapted content for HBO, Showtime, NBC, Warner Brothers, Paramount, Stars, Netflix, and Sky UK. She’s also worked on such shows as Daredevil, The Twilight Zone, and Ozark, as well as on screenplays for her original film Players, and the Netflix hit, Damsel. Most recently for Netflix she wrote a feature script for the epic space opera Empress and she’s currently in development with Paramount Studios, George Clooney’s company Smokehouse, Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap, and Jude Law’s Riff Raff, among others. 

And, like Ethan, Whit studied Theater at Northwestern University.

We hope you enjoy. 

Play-by-Play

  • 1:47 - When did Whit realize she was a storyteller?

  • 3:48 - How has her storytelling shifted over the years?

  • 5:56 - How has Whit’s identity and experiences influenced her writing? 

  • 11:30 - Where does “Whit” show up in her stories?

  • 17:47 - How does Whit decide what to write about next? 

  • 22:00 - What is Whit’s writing process like?

  • 23:14 - How does music influence Whit’s writing? 

  • 28:15 - What does a typical week look like when working on a project? 

  • 31:30 - How does Whit work through writer’s block or moments of feeling uninspired? 

  • 35:12 - What is something Whit wants to share about screenwriting?

  • 47:58 - What has Whit learned about being a writer since starting? 

  • 56:00 - What change would Whit like to see in Hollywood? 

  • 1:05:01 - If Whit could do college again, what might she do differently?

  • 1:09:23 - What upcoming projects is Whit excited to work on?

  • 1:11:14 - Wrap up and closing thoughts

Resources