The ISA Podcast

Christina Richardson didn't wait around for a greenlight. She wrote, directed, and independently produced two seasons of a scripted vertical series. Then Fox Creator Studios came to her.

Amber's life is in free-fall. Her Muslim mother is dying, she's broke, her relationships are a mess, and the one thing that might save her is an inheritance... But with knotted strings attached.
Are you ready for the Table Read My Screenplay experience? Submit your script at https://tablereadmyscreenplay.com/
Written by Amber Nelson & Mokotsi Rukundo
Randall Winston - Director
Dan Samiljan - Producer
Molly Kasch - Producer & Narrator
Layla Mohammadi - AMBER WILSON
Pantea Ommi - FIZZEH SHIRAZEE
Peter Schiavelli - BRODY, FRANKENSTEIN
Siena Goines - NADIA, GIRL 2 , TRACK MATE 2, PSYCHIC, SUSAN
Thora Birch - LAURA, WOMEN'S COACH, MIRIAM
Jamie Rezanour - NASREEN, CAROL
Patrick Finerty - CHARLIE, IMAM, DAD
Maria Paris - FATIMA, KEBAB-CASHIER, CASTING DIRECTOR, ATTRACTIVE WOMAN
Johnny Alonso - LAWRENCE WILSON, DIRECTOR
Peder Lindell - EVAN, DANNY, BOY, KARAOKE M.C.
Nick Holmes - CASTING ASSISTANT, FRAT BOY, SECURITY GUARD, BARTENDER
Mecca Morgan White - SUNSHINE, GIRL 1, TRACK MATE 3
Scott Markus - Videographer, Editor
Chris Ekstein - Cinematographer

What if your greatest career opportunity came from simply following what fascinates you? In this interview,  Scott Markus sits down with Evan Lovett, creator of the wildly popular "LA in a Minute" series to explore how a passion project evolved into a career.
Evan shares the unexpected origin of 'LA in a Minute," how curiosity became his greatest creative asset, and why authenticity, consistency, and genuine enthusiasm are more important than chasing algorithms or trends.
Whether you're a filmmaker, writer, content creator, or entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with practical advice for turning an idea into a career.
In this conversation, we discuss:
• How "LA in a Minute" began as a project for his son
• Why consistency matters more than perfection
• Finding your audience in today's creator economy
• Handling criticism, comments, and social media pressure
• Preserving the history and culture of Los Angeles
• Why authentic storytelling always wins
Evan also shares his thoughts on filming in Los Angeles, celebrates the neighborhoods that make the city unique, and explains why there's never a shortage of stories waiting to be told. If you've ever dreamed of building something around what you love, this conversation is for you.
Check out "LA in a Minute" here: https://www.youtube.com/@lainaminute 
"LA in a Minute" videos mentioned in this conversation: 
The Day the Trolleys Stopped in Los Angeles: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2moorZXTb1A
Boyle Heights Fire: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/luVZ_bkJcsE
Murals on Banks: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7RtEwTb2rsU

Every independent filmmaker dreams of making that first feature, but what does it actually take? In this episode of How Movies Get Made, Scott Markus sits down with writer-director Shane Andries to discuss the making of his debut feature, "Mattress Mack," based on the true story of Houston businessman Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale. Shane shares the entire journey, from discovering the emotional heart of the story to years of fundraising, assembling producing partners, shooting a period film on an independent budget, and overcoming the unexpected challenges that nearly shut production down before cameras even rolled. If you're an aspiring filmmaker or screenwriter, this conversation is packed with practical advice about financing, directing, rewriting, collaboration, and simply refusing to quit.

What makes a screenplay truly powerful? In this interview, screenwriter Renn Tan (Slamdance winner for The Gift of Rain) shares how deeply personal experiences, identity, isolation, and "conditional love," shape unforgettable stories.
From growing up navigating multiple cultures and identities to finding their voice in Hollywood, Renn breaks down how writers can transform pain into authentic, emotionally resonant scripts that connect with audiences.
This conversation goes beyond inspiration, it's packed with practical insight on:
 - Turning lived experience into compelling characters
 - Handling feedback (even when it hurts)
 - Choosing the right screenwriting competitions
 - Networking without feeling fake
 - What the industry is really looking for right now
If you've ever struggled with finding your voice or writing something honest, this is a must-watch.
Topics Covered:
Personal storytelling, screenwriting craft, writing from trauma, identity in storytelling, film festivals, Slamdance, feedback, networking, breaking into the film industry.
Renn Tan (https://www.networkisa.org/profile/renn-tan) speaks six languages, but not their mother tongue. Growing up LGBTQ+ in a Muslim country means, of course, they write about conditional love. Across genres, their stories feature characters whose identities directly conflict with their environment.
Renn is a graduate of USC's Screenwriting MFA program. Their work has won Best Feature Screenplay at Slamdance and the Dallas International Film Festival, and was one of the top three scripts selected for the ISA Diversity Initiative. They are excited to be one of ISA's Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2026.