Joe Lazarov is well known as the producing director of the popular GOSSIP GIRL TV series in New York and more recently a producer of POWER on the Starz Network. He was fortunate to begin his career in television working on Emmy award winning series A YEAR IN THE LIFE, CHINA BEACH and NORTHERN EXPOSURE. Joe continues to be a sought after producer having recently finished the spinoff ONCE UPON A TIME IN WONDERLAND for ABC, 5 seasons of GOSSIP GIRL, TOUCHING EVIL, PSYCH, INVASION, NCIS, and LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT. In 2008, Joe began a new phase of his career with his directorial debut of Gossip Girl with the emotional episode where Chuck Bass buries his father and subsequently directed 8 more episodes. Upon Joe’s return to Los Angeles from the Gossip Girl set, he directed several episodes of the stunt filled series NINE LIVES OF CHLOE KING. Joe followed up that effort with a fun romp in HART OF DIXIE and thriller episodes of THE LYING GAME and TWISTED. Joe currently commutes between Brooklyn and Los Angeles where he lives with his wife of 20 years, 13 year old daughter, and two standard poodles.
Be sure to visit his shownotes page at http://88cupsoftea.com/podcast/joelazarov/
This episode is proudly sponsored by SCRIVENER. Click on the link for your special 20% off discount code that's available specially for our storyteller tribe!
Be sure to head over to Leah's shownotes page for more info and the links to the book and resources she mentions at 88cupsoftea.com/podcast/leahmeyerhoff
Leah Meyerhoff is an award winning filmmaker whose debut narrative feature I BELIEVE IN UNICORNS was released theatrically in 2015 after premiering at SXSW, winning the Grand Jury Prize at the Atlanta Film Festival and additional awards from Woodstock Film Festival, Nashville Film Festival, First Time Fest, Tribeca Film Institute, IFP, NYU and the Adrienne Shelly Foundation. Meyerhoff’s previous work has screened in over 200 film festivals and aired on IFC, PBS, LOGO and MTV. She is a fellow of the IFP Emerging Narrative Labs, IFP Narrative Finishing Labs, Tribeca All Access Labs, and the Emerging Visions program at the New York Film Festival. Meyerhoff is also the founder of Film Fatales, a female filmmaker collective based in New York with over a dozen local chapters around the world. She holds a BA in Art-Semiotics from Brown University and an MFA in Directing from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
This episode is proudly sponsored by SCRIVENER. Click on the link for your special 20% off discount code that's available specially for our storyteller tribe!
I absolutely love this chat with award-winning author Juliette Fay, she is so much fun and a blast to talk shop with. This episode is a must for authors and novelists, and especially for those who are balancing a writing career with a family. Juliette discusses (more like dishes) all her writing tips and career advice for novelists and authors with humor and expertise– I hope you’ll really enjoy this chat and find it as valuable as I did!
“The most successful writing really comes from what you love.” -Juliette Fay
“Luck comes for those who put themselves in luck’s way.” -Juliette Fay
Learn more about Juliette and the books & resources she recommends over at her shownote's page by clicking here: 88cupsoftea.com/podcast/juliettefay
Lewaa Nasserdeen is an award-winning filmmaker whose career spans film, television, and documentary. Currently writing for the upcoming ABC comedy ‘The Real O’Neals’ starring Martha Plimpton. Lewaa’s additional credits include the hit comedy series ‘The Goldbergs’ as well as the haunting feature film ‘Baby Blues’ (2008). Selected to take part in the prestigious 2014 Disney/ABC Writing Program, Lewaa has also been a story editor on the critically acclaimed series “X-Weighted” (Discovery) and the gritty, real-life documentary “The Rig” (OLN).
“Be kind to everyone because no one wants to work with an asshole.” - Lewaa Nasserdeen
BE SURE TO VISIT LEWAA'S SHOW NOTES PAGE FOR THE BOOKS & RESOURCES HE RECOMMENDS AND MUCH MORE: 88CUPSOFTEA.COM/LEWAANASSERDEEN
It means so much to me to be able to share my interviews with you. Ratings and reviews on my podcast’s iTunes page helps a LOT in helping me to spread the word about the podcast. The more ratings and reviews I receive, the more you’re helping with the ranking of my show. That means there’s a higher chance of my podcast being found and subscribed to. Please leave me honest feedback as I read every single one and want to know how I can make improvements and continue delivering awesome content.
Thank you so much in advance for leaving me a review and rating!
This episode is proudly sponsored by SCRIVENER. Click on the link for your special 20% off discount code that's available specially for our storyteller tribe!
“I always start (my novels) with what I call the punch-in-the-gut, which is an idea that has a really powerful emotional resonance for me. I always start with ‘Oh my God, and what happens next?'” - Tess Gerritsen
I’m so thrilled to have Tess Gerritsen on 88 CUPS OF TEA today! I’ve been a huge fan of Tess’ work since reading her very first thriller novel HARVEST, her debut on the New York Times bestseller list. She has written 26 novels with over 30 million copies sold worldwide. Tess also went on to create the RIZZOLI & ISLES book series that inspired the hit TNT television series. Our chat left me on an absolute high with adrenaline and Tess shared a ton of actionable tips and advice. I’m so excited for you to apply her knowledge towards your own writing careers!
Internationally bestselling author Tess Gerritsen took an unusual route to a writing career. A graduate of Stanford University, Tess went on to medical school at the University of California, San Francisco, where she was awarded her M.D.
While on maternity leave from her work as a physician, she began to write fiction. In 1987, her first novel was published. Call After Midnight, a romantic thriller, was followed by eight more romantic suspense novels. She also wrote a screenplay, “Adrift,” which aired as a 1993 CBS Movie of the Week starring Kate Jackson.
Tess’s first medical thriller, Harvest, was released in hardcover in 1996, and it marked her debut on the New York Times bestseller list. Her 26 novels include Gravity, The Surgeon, Vanish, The Bone Garden, The Silent Girl, Die Again, and Playing with Fire (Oct 2015). Translated into 40 languages, her books have been #1 bestsellers abroad and top-three bestsellers in the US. More than 30 million copies have been sold around the world.
She received the Nero Wolfe Award (for Vanish) and the Rita Award (for The Surgeon) and was a finalist for the Edgar award (for Vanish.)
Her series of novels featuring homicide detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles inspired the hit TNT television series “Rizzoli & Isles,” starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander.
Critics around the world have praised her novels as “Pulse-pounding fun” (Philadelphia Inquirer), and “Scary and brilliant” (Toronto Globe and Mail). Publishers Weekly has dubbed her “the medical suspense queen.”
Now retired from medicine, she writes full time. She lives in Maine.
“If I see (my first draft) on screen, I want to edit it. It stops me cold. I use unlined typing paper. I can’t have lines on it because I feel like it inhibits my creativity. 25 books, and it’s been pen and paper.”
Be sure to visit Tess' shownotes page! 88cupsoftea.com/podcast/tessgerritsen/
It means so much to me to be able to share my interviews with you. Ratings and reviews on my podcast’s iTunes page helps a LOT in helping me to spread the word about the podcast. The more ratings and reviews I receive, the more you’re helping with the ranking of my show. That means there’s a higher chance of my podcast being found and subscribed to. Please leave me honest feedback as I read every single one and want to know how I can make improvements and continue delivering awesome content. Thank you so much in advance for leaving me a review and rating!
“It takes a lot of trial and error, and endless, tireless effort in the face of rejection.” -Joe Nussbaum
Today’s guest is director-writer Joe Nussbaum, whose work can be seen in movies and on television worldwide. He’s the very first director I had the wonderful opportunity to work with after moving to Los Angeles! Joe’s interview is incredibly eye-opening on the realities of what it takes to be a working director and writer. Joe’s no-frills perspective is especially motivating for budding filmmakers looking for guidance with their career. Joe’s episode is an absolute must– you’ll walk away with so much more knowledge and preparedness about the industry as a filmmaker.
“If someone says write 10 jokes, write 100.”
“If you really want to make stuff, then you really need to make stuff.”
Since making the acclaimed short film “George Lucas in Love” in 1999, Joe Nussbaum has been working as a director and writer in movies, television, and commercials. He’s directed the features SLEEPOVER (2004), AMERICAN PIE PRESENTS: THE NAKED MILE (2006), SYDNEY WHITE (2007), and Disney’s PROM (2011) along with episodes of television for MTV, ABC, FOX, ABC Family, and Amazon, including multiple episodes of the acclaimed series “Awkward” on which he was also a writer. Additionally on the writing side, Nussbaum has written feature scripts for Warner Bros., Fox, New Regency, Alcon, Walden, and GK Films. In 2015, the first ever TV pilot that Nussbaum directed, “Just Add Magic” was picked up to series by Amazon and Joe is currently directing more episodes and executive producing season one.
Be sure to check out Joe's shownotes page at http://88cupsoftea.com/podcast/joenussbaum/
It means so much to me to be able to share my interviews with you. Ratings and reviews on my podcast’s iTunes page helps a LOT in helping me to spread the word about the podcast. The more ratings and reviews I receive, the more you’re helping with the ranking of my show. That means there’s a higher chance of my podcast being found and subscribed to. Please leave me honest feedback as I read every single one and want to know how I can make improvements and continue delivering awesome content.
Thank you so much in advance for leaving me a review and rating!
This episode is proudly sponsored by SCRIVENER. Click on the link for your special 20% off discount code that's available specially for our storyteller tribe!
Wow. You definitely want to check out Colleen’s episode. I absolutely loved chatting with her about work and life– from how she got representation, to the tricky discussion about networking, to balancing work and family. As you’ll hear, she’s an incredibly kind and generous person with so much wisdom to share. I walked away from the interview feeling so fired up and ready to take on the world. I’m thrilled to share her episode with you, you’ll love all her takeaways!
“When you’re giving someone a script to read, make sure its really great. And not just good.”
“Telling stories is about taking your experience from life & putting them down on paper wherever you are.”
Colleen McGuinness has written for numerous television shows, including NBC’s Emmy-winning comedy 30 Rock. As a writer-producer on the show, she shared in the show’s 2013 Emmy nomination, as well as its 2013 and 2014 WGA nominations and 2014 PGA nomination. A Harvard graduate, McGuinness is the creator of the comedy pilot Lonelyville, executive produced by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, which is currently in development at Universal Television. She has also written a number of studio and independent film scripts. McGuinness’s latest project is a comedy pilot for F/X, which is executive produced by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.
“Go where it’s warm.”
Be sure to check out Tess' shownotes page for the links to her recommended books! http://88cupsoftea.com/podcast/colleenmcguinness/
This episode is proudly sponsored by SCRIVENER. Click on the link for your special 20% off discount code that's available specially for our storyteller tribe!
“You can not let the world divorce you from your passions.” -Katie Wech
Katie Wech received her MFA in Screenwriting from the USC School of Cinema-Television and began her career in television as an assistant on the first season of Fox’s PRISON BREAK. A year later, she sold her first feature script to Jerry Weintraub for WARNER BROTHERS. In 2011, her black-list nominated feature script PROM was released by Disney. Since then, she has written and produced many hours of cable and network television, including the CW’s SECRET CIRCLE, ABC’s ONCE UPON A TIME IN WONDERLAND, and CBS’sVEGAS. She is currently a producer on the hit TNT series, RIZZOLI & ISLES.
Be sure to check out Katie's shownotes page at 88cupsoftea.com/podcast/katiewech
Hello Fellow Storytellers! I can’t believe the podcast has finally launched!
This is my introduction episode where I talk a little bit about me and how 88 CUPS OF TEA came to be. It’s a personal reflection over the last few years and what’s led me to where I am today. This episode was recorded in an unscriptedfree-form style: Just me, you, and the mic.
Fun Fact: The original recording for this episode was over an hour long. A huge heartfelt thanks to my music producer, Micky Shiloah, for whittling this guy down to 17 minutes and 29 seconds. (Can’t wait for you guys to check out my intro and outro music he created for the interview episodes– always gets my head bopping along!)
Brand new episodes of interviews with inspiring and successful guests will be published every Monday and Thursday. We’ve got a really amazing line-up ofinternational bestselling novelists, award-winning filmmakers, and writers anddirectors of popular TV shows like 30 ROCK, LAW & ORDER: SVU, GOSSIP GIRL, and many more.
Yin Chang is an actor-turned-podcast-host, a #1 Amazon bestselling co-author, short film producer, and writer. She was born and raised in New York and currently resides in Los Angeles.
Yin is the creator and host of 88 CUPS OF TEA, a podcast show dedicated towards helping storytellers move forward in their careers. Yin interviews bestselling authors, and successful directors, screenwriters, and producers. Yin asks engaging questions where her inspiring guests discuss how they created opportunities for their careers, allowing listeners to apply actionable steps towards their own. Through the podcast, Yin creates a tribe, a safe space, for storytellers to learn and feel empowered, inspired, and motivated.
As an actor, Yin made her feature film debut in Walt Disney’s PROM. She is most recognized for her work in three seasons of CW’s GOSSIP GIRL, a TV show hailed by New York Magazine as, “The greatest teen drama of all time.” Yin has also made numerous appearances on major TV shows and starred in THE BLING RING. Learn more about Yin’s work as an actor here.