A picture is worth a thousand words, but what is an idea worth? Shu and Sherm break down what makes an idea worth pursuing in your writing, they discuss the difference between high concept and low concept ideas, and they discuss a slap that somehow we all felt. You know the one. Listen now!

In this week’s episode, Shu and Sherm talk all about adaptations. They give you pointers on how to write a screenplay from existing source material and share their views on film and TV adaptations. Listen now!

This week, Shu and Sherm talk to a Development Executive. Anil Kurian, Head of Development for G-Unit Film & Television, joins The Diversity Hires to discuss the development process from the perspective of an executive and gives new writers tips for getting their work recognized.

Shu and Sherm discuss the craft of screenwriting in this week’s episode about scenes. They give you practical advice on how to improve your writing and craft great scenes. They also weigh in on a Twitter debate about nepotism and whether or not Hollywood is a meritocracy. Listen!

This week, Shu and Sherm talk about genre. They define the term and share their thoughts on how the use of genre affects storytelling. They also address the demand for livable wages by writers’ assistants. Listen now!

Tracey Scott Wilson, writer of the new Aretha Franklin Biopic, Respect, joins The Diversity Hires to discuss her career. From novels and plays to television and film, Tracey has conquered it all. She shares her journey and drops some knowledge for aspiring writers. Listen now!

This week, Shu and Sherm are joined by two of the creators of the Hollywood Inclusion Rider: Fanshen Cox and Kalpana Kotagal. They discuss what The Inclusion Rider is, why it’s necessary, and how it can improve diversity across the entertainment industry. Listen now!

Is this the last episode of The Diversity Hires?! Shu and Sherm talk about endings. What makes a good ending, why they are so hard to write, and why this will be the last episode of the podcast... at least for a little while. LISTEN NOW!

Shu and Sherm are back with another craft episode! This week, it’s all about Antagonists: what they are, why they’re necessary, and how to make them interesting. Listen now!

In this check-in episode, Shu and Sherm fill you in on what’s happening in their lives and careers as well as discuss the balance between work and home life. They answer some questions from listeners and give tips on how to manage your time. Listen now!

Shu and Sherm delve into the craft of screenwriting in this episode all about crafting your First Act. They talk inciting incidents, character choice, and everything else you need to know to make your first act bussin'. Listen now!

This week, Shu and Sherm break down when and why rewrites happen in addition to how they differ between television and movies. They share their experiences and dole out some advice on how to navigate both being rewritten and rewriting someone else's script.

In this week's episode, Shu and Sherm go through the ScreenCraft article “23 Reasons Why Your Script Was Rejected”. They give their opinion on this list and offer up some of their own advice about how to make your screenplay better. Listen now!

Melinda Hsu Taylor (Nancy Drew, Lost) joins Shu and Sherm as they continue to reflect on the tragic violence against Asian Americans. Melinda shares what drew her to writing and discusses her experience as a showrunner. Listen now!

This week, Phil Buiser (Shameless, Bates Motel) joins The Diversity Hires to discuss his career as a screenwriter and producer. Phil, Shu, and Sherm reflect on the recent uptick in hate crimes against Asian Americans and talk about the experiences that led Phil to pursue a career in the industry.

In this episode, Shu and Sherm take a deep dive into the McKinsey report on Black representation in film and television. They discuss everything from the barriers to entry for Black talent to the actionable steps that Hollywood can take to remedy the problem. Listen now!

Shu and Sherm vibe out with Vanessa Baden-Kelly (Animal Kingdom, Giants)! She talks about her transition from an actor to a screenwriter, her Nickelodeon days, her Emmy and so much more!