We're beyond excited to share this week's episode of the pod because we finally set it up....and got to chat with Claire Scanlon, the director of Isabel's fav Netflix romcom, Set It Up!! We discuss the making of Set It Up and Claire's journey to becoming a director and editor for shows such as The Office, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and The Good Place. Claire shares sooo many fun stories from the set of Set It Up, so if you also love the movie, you're gonna love listening to Claire's memories! We also got to discuss chemistry between actors (spoiler alert: someone else was originally meant to play Harper!!) and hear all about Claire's upcoming adaptation of the hit book, The Love Hypothesis!
About Claire: Claire Scanlon directs single cam comedies for both network and cable. She started her career editing documentaries for PBS and the Discovery Channel. After supervising post and producing Last Comic Standing, she joined The Office in its fifth season. After directing The Office, Claire transitioned over to directing full time in 2013.
Claire’s IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0768957/bio/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
Follow Claire on Instagram: @clairescanlon
Feel free to email us: whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com
Our new Bluesky account: whenisabelmetaviva.bsky.social
Instagram: @whenisabelmetaviva
Follow Isabel on Instagram: Isabel_k_t
Follow Aviva on Instagram and BlueSky: @avivapeltin
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella
This is a fun episode of the pod as we chat with Susannah, a matchmaker and screenwriter, about dating and...well, writing about it! Susannah is a professional matchmaker, so we discussed the recent fake romcom, Materialists, and shared all our hottest takes! Susannah also shares about her journey in screenwriting, her experiences in the Green Room Fellowship, and her thoughts on the challenges of creative processes and the future of matchmaking in a digital age.
Follow Susannah on Instagram: @supstend
Green Room Table Read: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nwsg-green-room-table-read-tickets-1774635445389?aff=eemailordconf&ref=eemailordconf&utm_campaign=order_confirm&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite&utm_term=viewevent
Susannah's Blog: https://www.tellyfish.com/
48-Hour Film Project: https://www.48hourfilm.com/seattle/horror
Feel free to email us: whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com
Our new Bluesky account: whenisabelmetaviva.bsky.social
Instagram: @whenisabelmetaviva
Follow Isabel on Instagram: Isabel_k_t
Follow Aviva on Instagram and BlueSky: @avivapeltin
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella
This week on the pod, we are joined by another screenwriting Twitter friend, Paulina Ward! We had such a cute chat about our shared experiences in the screenwriting world, the challenges of trying to be authentic with our creative expressions on social media, and Paulina teaches us all about audio dramas!
Follow Paulina on Instagram: @princesspaulinaaa
Paulina's Production Company: www.zaspaproductions.com
Feel free to email us: whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com
Our new Bluesky account: whenisabelmetaviva.bsky.social
Instagram: @whenisabelmetaviva
Follow Isabel on Instagram: @Isabel_k_t
Follow Aviva on Instagram and BlueSky: @avivapeltin
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella
Welcome to the first table read on the pod! This episode features a unique table read format. We are joined by 6 professional actors who read for the characters in Isabel's romcom fan fiction script, 'Dating Zac Efron'.
Logline: Actor Zac efron tries to use tinder but gets no swipes because people think his account is a catfish. When he calls Tinder customer support for help, the customer service agent inadvertently falls in love with him.
Starring:
Zac Efron, Cody, Random Guy At Beach, Random Guy At Concert
Liz
Abigail, TV Reporter, Anna Kendrick, Female Reporter, Casting Agent #2, Studio Executive #1
Natalie, Girls #1 & #2, Other Woman On Show, Blonde Girl, Another Girl, Mexican Girl, Goth Woman, Crying Woman, Casting Agent #1, Studio Executive #2
Taylor Lautner, Adam Devine, Dave Franco, Nev Schulman, Manager, Security Guard
Robert Pattinson, Timothy, Male Reporter, Zac's Agent, Seth Rogen, Max & Door Person
Cashier, Sexy Gym Girl, Customer, Random Co-worker Fan, Talk Show Host, Woman On Show, Casting Agent #2, Random Driver, Director, Salesperson, Random Girl, Taylor Lautner's Wife
@anthonyzambito
@mclorio
@hannahmhines
@avrafriedman
@catmanscotters
@omarelactor
Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4Y3u6F9rKHyj9YSQfxYpAJ?si=f62126c256ac4287
Feel free to email us: whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com
Our new Bluesky account: whenisabelmetaviva.bsky.social
Instagram: @whenisabelmetaviva
Follow Isabel on Instagram: Isabel_k_t
Follow Aviva on Instagram and BlueSky: @avivapeltin
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella
Welcome back to another episode of the pod! We are so excited to share this interview we did with Sofia Alvarez!! Sofia joins us to share her journey from playwright to screenwriter, discussing her work on adaptations like 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' and 'Along for the Ride.' We chat about the intricacies of character development, the importance of the editing process, and of course, our shared passion for romantic comedies!!
About Sofia:
Sofia Alvarez is a playwright and screenwriter. Her television credits include MAN SEEKING WOMAN (upcoming, FXX) and the first season of SIRENS (USA). Her plays include Between Us Chickens (SCR, EST LA), Life Drawing, The Fish Bowl, NYLON, Friend Art and Corpse Pose. She is a member of the Ars Nova Playgroup and Primary Stages Dorothy Streslin New American Writer’s Group. Her work has been seen at South Coast Rep, Primary Stages, Ars Nova, Rattlestick, EST LA, IAMA and the Amoralists Theater Co. She is an alumna of Bennington College and the Juilliard School’s Lila Acheson Wallace American Playwrights Program. Sofia Alvarez is known for To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (2020), To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018) and Along for the Ride (2022).
Follow Sofia on Instagram: @abirdabroad
Follow Sofia on Substack: https://substack.com/@seabirdflight
Feel free to email us: whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com
Our new Bluesky account: whenisabelmetaviva.bsky.social
Instagram: @whenisabelmetaviva
Follow Isabel on Instagram: Isabel_k_t
Follow Aviva on Instagram and BlueSky: @avivapeltin
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella
A special episode of the pod is releasing on 10.18.25, which happens to be Zac Efron's birthday!!
Isabel & Aviva are joined by 6 actors for a table read of Isabel's romcom fan fiction script (you know, the one that led to our Twitter meet cute?) titled, "Dating Zac Efron!"
Logline: Actor Zac efron tries to use tinder but gets no swipes because people think his account is a catfish. When he calls Tinder customer support for help, the customer service agent inadvertently falls in love with him.
Subscribe to be notified when the episode releases on Saturday!
This week on the pod, we chat with Instagram screenwriting influencer, writer, and actor, Julia Yorks! We loved this lil chat with Julia getting to hear about her journey from being a child actor to becoming a successful screenwriter. We chat about the importance of social media in storytelling, the challenges of navigating the industry, and the need for more representation in rom-coms, especially for those of us in the mid-30s age bracket!
About Julia:
Julia Yorks was born in New Hope, PA. At an early age, she began landing roles on commercials, TV shows, and films, such as "Late Night With Conan O'Brien," "Unbreakable," "Hack," and "The Happening." Julia also started writing at the age of nine, creating a guide book to her hometown called, "The Kids Guide to New Hope." Years later, Julia chronicled her experience writing the book in an edition of the popular "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series. Julia attended the prestigious Lawrenceville School and Northwestern University before graduating from University of Southern California. Soon after, she landed the role of "Chrissy Farrior" in Chris McQuarrie's "Jack Reacher." On the writing side of things, Jula worked as a script coordinator before being promoted to staff writer on DreamWorks/Netflix's "The Adventures of Puss in Boots." Julia was also on the staff of "Trolls: The Beat Goes On," and wrote freelance episodes of Activision Blizzard's "Skylanders Academy," as well as a yet-to-be-announced series for Hasbro. Julia is in development with Freeform on an original project.
Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliayorks
Follow Julia on X: @juliayorks
Follow Julia on TikTok: @juliayorks
Work with Julia: https://stan.store/juliayorks
Feel free to email us: whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com
Our new Bluesky account: whenisabelmetaviva.bsky.social
Instagram: @whenisabelmetaviva
Follow Isabel on Instagram: Isabel_k_t
Follow Aviva on Instagram and BlueSky: @avivapeltin
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella
Christmas came early for us on the pod because in this episode, we chat with Rebecca Ewing, who co-wrote our favorite holiday romcom on Netflix, "Love Hard!" Rebecca shares her journey from being a literary agent to a successful screenwriter...Love Hard was the first script she ever wrote so, she's legit!!
This is our longest chat ever because we just had so much fun talking to Rebecca and hearing some behind the scene stories of the making of Love Hard! Our chat also discusses the roles of agents and managers, the art of querying, and the challenges of writing authentic stories in a saturated market. We honestly think you're going to love this chat...every 110 minutes of it!
Watch the Love Hard Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3boMRfx6cjE
Feel free to email us: whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com
Our new Bluesky account: whenisabelmetaviva.bsky.social
Instagram: @whenisabelmetaviva
Follow Isabel on Instagram: Isabel_k_t
Follow Aviva on Instagram and BlueSky: @avivapeltin
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella
We're back...and we're FREAKING OUT because in this episode, we interview Heather Hach Hearne, the screenwriter of Freaky Friday!!! Heather shares her experiences in Hollywood writing Freaky Friday, What to Expect When You're Expecting, and gives her thoughts on the sequel, Freakier Friday, now in theaters! So yeah...we're still freaking out about it!!
Heather Hach Hearne is a screenwriter (Freaky Friday and What to Expect When You're Expecting) and a Tony-nominated and Olivier-winning librettist for Legally Blonde: The Musical. She just adapted Allison Winn Scotch's novel Time of my Life for Sony. She is also the author of the YA novel Freaky Monday with Mary Rodgers.
Buy her book, "The Trouble With Drowning" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Drowning-Heather-Hach-ebook/dp/B0CJLYCVBY?ref_=ast_author_mpb
Follow Heather on Instagram: @heatherhachhearne
Feel free to email us: whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com
Our new Bluesky account: whenisabelmetaviva.bsky.social
Instagram: @whenisabelmetaviva
Follow Isabel on Instagram: Isabel_k_t
Follow Aviva on Instagram and BlueSky: @avivapeltin
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella
Aviva and Isabel kick off the second episode of season five by discussing their recent LA trip during which they finally met IRL!!! We talk about our WB studio tour, our podcast meetup, visiting some romcom filming locations...and we went to a comedy show!! We had a blast! We also spent a solid ten minutes discussing the romdram 'My Oxford Year.'
We loved this chat because we talk about how our lil screenwriting romcom community and support means to us!
Feel free to email us: whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com
Our new Bluesky account: whenisabelmetaviva.bsky.social
Instagram: @whenisabelmetaviva
Follow Isabel on Instagram: Isabel_k_t
Follow Aviva on Instagram and BlueSky: @avivapeltin
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella
It's a new season already!! In this episode of the pod, we discuss our first ever IRL meeting in LA! We then chat with Music Editor Lesley Langs and discuss the importance of music in film, the creative process, and the value of networking within the industry. Bring back the movie soundtrack, especially for romcomz!!
Lesley's IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0486676/
Lesley's work: https://tapestrybrewingfilm.com/
Feel free to email us: whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com
Our new Bluesky account: whenisabelmetaviva.bsky.social Instagram: @whenisabelmetaviva
Follow Isabel on Instagram: Isabel_k_t
Follow Aviva on Instagram and BlueSky: @avivapeltin
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella
Wow! We didn't realize this was the last episode of the pod for season 4, yet here we are! In this episode, we reflect on our journey through the podcast and welcome Kari O'Hara, a creative executive at Lean Machine, to the pod! We got to discuss Kari's path into the production industry, the roles of producers and showrunners, and our favorite topic...the current state of rom-coms!
Follow Kari on Instagram: @kari_charlie
Follow Lean Machine on Instagram: @leanmachineteam
Lean Machine's website: https://leanmachine.productions/
Feel free to email us: whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com
Our new Bluesky account: whenisabelmetaviva.bsky.social
Instagram: @whenisabelmetaviva
Follow Isabel on Instagram: Isabel_k_t
Follow Aviva on Instagram and BlueSky: @avivapeltin
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella
This week on the pod, we are joined by writer Shaina Steinberg, who wrote BRIDE HARD, now in theaters! We spoke with Shaina a few days after her MOVIE PREMIERE and got to hear all about her experience seeing her first movie being made! In this episode, we also discuss the challenges of the film industry, the importance of persistence, networking, and the impact of the WGA strike on job availability. Shaina shares her experiences in writing and rewriting, the differences between film and TV, and the significance of collaboration in the creative process.
About Shaina: Originally from Chicago, Shaina Steinberg graduated from Vassar College with a BA in English Literature. During and after college, she traveled extensively, including living abroad in Scotland and working in Colorado as a horse wrangler. She received her master’s degree from New York University where she studied the representation of war in art and literature, culminating in a thesis on photojournalism and the Vietnam anti-war movement.
Shaina began her career working on Malcolm In The Middle, before joining the WB show Everwood. At the end of the series, she moved on to Cold Case, Bionic Woman and the Starz show Spartacus. She also wrote two episodes of Chase for NBC.
Additionally, Shaina has developed pitches, pilots and features with companies such as Temple Hill, Endgame Entertainment, Fremantle, eOne, Blondie Girl, Josephson Entertainment and Alcon. She was named to the Young and Hungry List in 2013 and to the WriteHer List in 2017.
Shaina's website: https://www.shainasteinberg.com/
Bride Hard Showtimes: https://www.fandango.com/bride-hard-2025-240818/movie-overview
Feel free to email us: whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com
Our new Bluesky account: whenisabelmetaviva.bsky.social
Instagram: @whenisabelmetaviva
Follow Isabel on Instagram: Isabel_k_t
Follow Aviva on Instagram and BlueSky: @avivapeltin
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella
We're back with a chatty episode, just the two of us! Like old times! This episode is a good one filled with...tea! We share some updates on our personal writing journeys, our #romcom real-life moments, and discuss how our emotional states are influenced by planetary shifts - casual chit chat, you know?! We also discuss the importance of community and the pitfalls of scammers targeting writers!!
Feel free to email us: whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com
Our new Bluesky account: whenisabelmetaviva.bsky.social
Instagram: @whenisabelmetaviva
Follow Isabel on Instagram: Isabel_k_t
Follow Aviva on Instagram and BlueSky: @avivapeltin
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella
Writer Kim Horsnby joins us for this episode of the pod to explore the intricacies of screenwriting, the importance of community support, and the journey from novel writing to screenwriting. We chat about the challenges of breaking into the rom-com market, the power of manifestation, and the differences between writing novels and screenplays! Kim has always been super active on social media and started #ScreenPit on Twitter to help writers pitch their scripts - we think you'll love this fun chat!
Kim's Links:
Greek Retreat: https://thegoodwordwritersretreat.com/
Watch Braving Rapids - Streamer Links: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/braving-rapids
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHGA3O5O-l
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076067797418
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/kimhornsby
Feel free to email us: whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com
Our new Bluesky account: whenisabelmetaviva.bsky.social Instagram: @whenisabelmetaviva
Follow Isabel on Instagram: Isabel_k_t
Follow Aviva on Instagram and BlueSky: @avivapeltin
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella
In this episode, we get real deep and talk about heartbreak and how our perspectives on the romcom have evolved recently. Then, we interview the inspiring and fabulous Diane Drake, who wrote romcom hits, such as ONLY YOU and WHAT WOMEN WANT. Diane sold ONLY YOU for one million dollars in the 90s, no big deal, and WHAT WOMEN WANT is one of the highest-grossing romcoms of all time. **faints** She shares with us how she sold her first spec script, her thoughts on the golden age of romcoms, and what we can learn from her career. This chat was so special to us, and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to bask in her presence.
Diane's Website: https://dianedrake.com/
Feel free to email us: whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com
Our new Bluesky account: whenisabelmetaviva.bsky.social
Instagram: @whenisabelmetaviva
Follow Isabel on Instagram: Isabel_k_t
Follow Aviva on Instagram and BlueSky: @avivapeltin
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella
Welcome back to another episode of the pod! Filmmakers Heather Pilder Olson and Debra Pralle join us to discuss their pilot project, "A Broad Abroad," which they filmed in Italy! We loved hearing their insights on the challenges of international filmmaking, the importance of community in the creative process, their experiences with festival screenings, and their future plans for their pilot.
Follow @abroadabroadtvshow
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31726572/
Follow Debra on Instagram: @debra.pralle
Debra's Website: https://www.openwindowentertainment.com/
Follow Heather on Instagram: @hbowriteon
Heather's Website: http://www.heatherpilderolson.com/
Feel free to email us: whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com
Our new Bluesky account: whenisabelmetaviva.bsky.social
Instagram: @whenisabelmetaviva
Follow Isabel on Instagram: Isabel_k_t
Follow Aviva on Instagram and BlueSky: @avivapeltin
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella
In this episode of the pod, we're joined by Anisa Ashabi! Anisa shares her journey as a screenwriter and filmmaker, discussing her latest project, 'Finding Chaz.' Anisa shares her creative process, the challenges of casting and fundraising, and the dynamics of working with a director to make her script into a TV pilot! She's so inspiring and we're proud of her for making it happen!
Anisa' Instagram: @anisa_ashabi
Finding Chaz Instagram: @findingchazpilot
Anisa's Webiste: https://www.anisaashabi.com/
Feel free to email us: whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com
Our new Bluesky account: whenisabelmetaviva.bsky.social
Instagram: @whenisabelmetaviva
Follow Isabel on Instagram: Isabel_k_t
Follow Aviva on Instagram and BlueSky: @avivapeltin
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella
In this episode, we chat with Aviva's friend she met during an internship: Alex Cottle!
Alex shares her journey through the film and television industry, discussing her experiences in LA and New York, her passion for rom-coms, and the importance of queer representation in media. She offers valuable advice for aspiring filmmakers, emphasizing the need for motivation and the willingness to reach out for guidance. Alex also highlights her current projects, including a podcast and a feature film, while reflecting on her creative process and the significance of storytelling.
Alex's Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexcottle/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alexcottle.bsky.social
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-cottle-11771469/
Dinosaurs V Robots Films
https://dinosaursvrobots.com/
https://vimeo.com/1030099681 (Society for Paranormal Healing - full film)
Wish You Were Here
https://wywhpostcards.com/
https://www.instagram.com/wishyouwerehere_postcards/
The Introvert's Survival Guide
https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Introverts-Survival-Guide-Audiobook/B0CGFTVWCZ?source_code=BLGORWS0107160001
Hit Singles
https://www.audible.com/pd/Hit-Singles-Audiobook/B0DYGL75BF?qid=1742325147&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=FTXNFCQ3N2P9VZ3FV673&plink=SVhx7PjU3L9rwkq1&pageLoadId=AkoaEes2s14hrIqU&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1
Feel free to email us: whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com
Our new Bluesky account: whenisabelmetaviva.bsky.social
Instagram: @whenisabelmetaviva
Follow Isabel on Instagram: Isabel_k_t
Follow Aviva on Instagram and BlueSky: @avivapeltin
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella
In this episode, Isabel & Aviva chat with Australia-based Christine Luby, a seasoned film and TV director! Christine shares her journey into the world of directing the romcom and discusses the challenges of balancing personal and professional life, the importance of script development, and the nuances of filmmaking, including budgeting and collaboration! If you've ever wanted to direct your film, this is the episode for you!
Follow Christine on Instagram: @christinelubyFeel free to email us: whenisabelmetaviva@gmail.com
Our new Bluesky account: whenisabelmetaviva.bsky.social Instagram: @whenisabelmetaviva
Follow Isabel on Instagram: Isabel_k_t
Follow Aviva on Instagram and BlueSky: @avivapeltin
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/la-vita-bella
