SHU AND SHERM SHOOT THE SHIT ABOUT SCREENWRITING.
Two professional screenwriters living and working in LA discuss the craft, culture and business of writing for Film and TV from a decidedly Black point-of-view.
Featured Episodes
BONUS Episode: The Realest World (feat. Zahir McGhee)
Welcome to the first bonus episode of The Diversity Hires! This is an extension of our last episode with Zahir McGhee. We wanted to share the behind-the-scenes banter with you all in its unedited format. We hope you like it!
Episode 009: Charm City Kings and Shondaland! (feat. Zahir McGhee)
Welcome to Shondaland! Long-time Shondaland Writer-Producer Zahir McGhee joins The Diversity Hires to drop mad screenwriting gems. And the GSWOAT discusses his brand new, critically acclaimed feature, Charm City Kings, available on HBO Max! Need we say more? Listen to this banger of an episode now!
Episode 008: Kickin’ It with Kay Oyegun
Do Black characters have to be written by Black people? What does it take to be a successful writer? What is an "overall deal" and why is it important? The Diversity Hires are joined by Kay Oyegun— writer on Queen Sugar and This Is Us— and together, they have the answers.
Episode 007: Vomit Drafts and Rapper Notes
Should music stars write and direct? What do you do when a mediocre rapper gives you script notes? What is a “vomit draft”? Is writing reaaalllyy rewriting? Find out this and more in this week’s episode!
Episode 006: Pitching (part 2)
Sherm and Shu get into pitching part two! Can you write a story that is outside of your experience? What should you do if you feel uncomfortable in a writer’s room? Does pitching attire matter? Find out in this week’s episode!
Episode 005: Pitching (part 1)
What is pitching? Why does pitching require so much work? Is spec writing overhyped? Are brads overhyped? The Diversity Hires have the answers to this and so much more in this week's episode!
Episode 004: Deliberate Acts of Flyness (feat. Jamund Washington)
In this week's episode, Shu and Sherm talk to Jamund Washington about boycotts, atypical writer's rooms, how to finance your Indie film and more! Jamund is the producer of the HBO series, Random Acts of Flyness.
Episode 003: The Emmys and Social Justice (feat. August K. Burton)
In this week's episode, Shu and Sherm discuss the nominations for the 2020 Emmy Awards and give their thoughts on various social issues of the current times. They also introduce the podcast's producer, August K. Burton.
Episode 002: "Struggle Stories" and Passion Projects (feat. Gina Atwater)
Gina Atwater joins The Diversity Hires as the first guest of the podcast! Gina was a writer on HBO's Westworld and was a personal assistant to J.J. Abrams.
Episode 001 - What Is a “Diversity Hire”?
Welcome to the first episode of The Diversity Hires!!! In this episode, Shu and Sherm explain what a "diversity hire" is and offers insight into their experiences in the industry.
Shu and Sherm finish what they started! Part Two of the Screenwriter Commandments. Finally! Listen now!
Shu and Sherm are setting truth in stone. Part One of the Screenwriter Commandments. Thou shalt write, write, write every day! and more... Listen now!
We're back and better than ever! In this episode, Shu and Sherm reflect on a Wall Street Journal article criticizing the elite Master’s programs that leave its students with crippling debt-- including the film program at their alma mater, Columbia University. Plus, they answer some fan questions. Listen now!
Wutang: An American Saga, The Boondocks, Everybody Hates Chris, American Gods, My Wife and Kids, Tiger, the list goes on and on. From comedies to comic books, dramas, horrors and everything in between, Rodney Barnes has done it, and done it well. Listen now to hear the legend speak!