Jack Epps had a hand in writing some very big hit movies in the 80s (Top Gun, Legal Eagles, The Secret of My Succe$s, Turner & Hooch) but getting those hits involved taking quite a few swings and dealing with quite a few misses. Jack talks about the tenacity and discipline it takes to be a screenwriter, including setting a high standard for your own work and the knowledge, going in, that your first draft is probably gonna suck. And that's okay. We also delve into the dynamic of writing with a partner, how television has seen a resurgence, and there's an Ethel Merman reference. (You have to listen.)

Jack is now teaching his craft at the USC School of Cinematic Arts and his forthcoming book Screenwriting is Rewriting will cover similar ground and will be required reading for anyone who wants to know what it really takes to get your amazing movie (or TV) idea into shape for mass consumption. (Hint: your butt is involved. You have to listen.)

Also, hello to fellow podcasters and attendees of the 2015 Los Angeles Podcast Festival - thanks for checking us out here in the MonkeyCage.  Enjoy!  -LM

Jack Epps had a hand in writing some very big hit movies in the 80s (Top Gun, Legal Eagles, The Secret of My Succe$s, Turner &amp; Hooch) but getting those hits involved taking quite a few swings and dealing with quite a few misses. Jack talks about the tenacity and discipline it takes to be a screenwriter, including setting a high standard for your own work and the knowledge, going in, that your first draft is probably gonna suck. And that's okay. We also delve into the dynamic of writing with a partner, how television has seen a resurgence, and there's an Ethel Merman reference. (You have to listen.)Jack is now teaching his craft at the USC School of Cinematic Arts and his forthcoming book Screenwriting is Rewriting will cover similar ground and will be required reading for anyone who wants to know what it really takes to get your amazing movie (or TV) idea into shape for mass consumption. (Hint: your butt is involved. You have to listen.)Also, hello to fellow podcasters and attendees of the 2015 Los Angeles Podcast Festival - thanks for checking us out here in the MonkeyCage.&nbsp; Enjoy!&nbsp; -LM

Long-time broadcaster, sometime writer, wannabe director, occasional actor, more-than-occasional voice actor, part-time banjo tuner and former tuna canner Larry Morgan has managed to spend his entire career in radio and other media somehow not pissing people off. So after years of being told to "not talk so much" and "keep it short" he decide to Talk More and Go Longer with some of those people. Having a natural curiosity for others who are creative and how they got to where they are (obviously fueled by professional jealousy) and honing in on the events, people, films, TV shows and books that drove them to create - presented in a snarky, monkey-like way - is what this podcast is all about. Live - laugh - learn - throw a little feces with us and be an honorary Monkey as we bring the snark and go on this historic, ground-breaking audio journey. (Really, it's not that big a deal, but it should be fun.) -Larry Morgan

Established creative types from all forms of media - film, TV, radio, writing, internet, etc. - bring the snark every week.

SnarkMonkey

Long-time broadcaster, sometime writer, wannabe director, occasional actor, 
more-than-occasional voice actor, part-time banjo tuner and former tuna 
canner Larry Morgan has managed to spend his entire career in radio and other 
media somehow not pissing people off. So after years of being told to "not 
talk so much" and "keep it short" he decide to Talk More and Go Longer with 
some of those people. Having a natural curiosity for others who are creative 
and how they got to where they are (obviously fueled by professional 
jealousy) and honing in on the events, people, films, TV shows and books that 
drove them to create - presented in a snarky, monkey-like way - is what this 
podcast is all about. Live - laugh - learn - throw a little feces with us and 
be an honorary Monkey as we bring the snark and go on this historic, 
ground-breaking audio journey. (Really, it's not that big a deal, but it 
should be fun.) -Larry Morgan

Screenwriter, professor and all-around good guy Jack Epps, Jr. talks about co-writing Top Gun, why screenwriting is rewriting and how Ethel Merman was a big influence. (Okay...that last one's a stretch.) Listen and learn...

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