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Act One Podcast - Episode 50 - Special Episode featuring a panel discussion on the topic of "How to Give Notes to Screenwriters" with producer/creative executive Owen Shiflett, screenwriter Clare Sera, and screenwriter/producer Quinton Peeples.

Great storytelling thrives on great feedback. This class explores how to give notes that inspire, not deflate—how to challenge writers without crushing their voice. We’ll break down what makes notes useful, how to communicate them effectively, and how to turn criticism into creativity. This panel discussion was recorded on Tuesday, October 28th, 2025, as part of our Act One Producing and Entertainment Executive Program.

About our panelists:

OWEN SHIFLETT has been the SVP of Production and Development at both Blue Monday Productions and Content Superba. Prior to that, Owen held positions as VP of Development at Shudder and Sundance Now, where he oversaw the creation of original content for both platforms. Owen also served as the Head of Television at Parkes MacDonald and Director of Development at AMC Networks.

CLARE SERA has written in the family film genre for nearly every studio in Hollywood, including writing BLENDED, the Sandler/Barrymore family rom-com and SMALLFOOT, the animated family film. She has contributed to dozens of films, both animated and live action in this genre. She has written a screen adaptation of The Shadowmaker (by author Ron Hansen) for Goodman Pictures and is developing a feature take on the Nativity story for Southland Studios.

QUINTON PEEPLES has written multiple features for all the major networks and studios including Fox, NBC, ABC, Disney, Lionsgate and many others. He found his way to directing in 1995 when he shot his original screenplay “JOYRIDE” starring Tobey Maguire and Benicio DelToro. Quinton has worked on multiple shows as varied as “FLASHFORWARD,” “UNFORGETTABLE,” “THE LAST SHIP,” “11/22/63,” and Marvel’s “RUNAWAYS.” Most recently he ran the limited series “ECHOES” for Netflix.

The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

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Act One Podcast - Episode 49 - Special Episode featuring a case study from the 2025 Producing and Entertainment Executive Program on the new Lionsgate/MGM+ show, ROBIN HOOD, now streaming.

During the Act One Producing and Entertainment Executive Program, we occasionally offer case studies of projects for the students to watch and discuss with the filmmakers. Recorded on Saturday, November 8th, 2025, this interview with Showrunner John Glenn offers a fascinating look "behind the curtain” of the making of the new Lionsgate/MGM+ series, ROBIN HOOD.

John Glenn is an American screenwriter, producer, director, and showrunner with over 25 years of experience creating film and television at the highest level. He launched his career in 1999 when he sold his speculative screenplay Red World to Jerry Bruckheimer and Walt Disney Pictures. Since then, Glenn has written, sold, and produced original films and series for every major studio and network in Hollywood - including Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal, Fox, Sony, DreamWorks, and Disney, as well as ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX on the television side. His work also extends to MGM+, Lionsgate, and many more. His series Robin Hood for Lionsgate and MGM+, starring Sean Bean and Connie Nielson, premiered Nov. 2 and is currently streaming.

Throughout his career, Glenn has developed and sold dozens of high-concept projects, working closely with A-list directors, producers, and actors across both film and television. Known for his ability to craft character-driven stories within commercial genres, Glenn continues to serve as a trusted creative force in the industry, bridging the worlds of studio filmmaking and premium television.

The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

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Act One Podcast - Episode 48 - Interview with Directors Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes of the new film, DAVID.

From the songs of his mother’s heart to the whispers of a faithful God, David’s story begins in quiet devotion. When the giant Goliath rises to terrorize a nation, a young shepherd armed with only a sling, a few stones, and unshakable faith steps forward. Pursued by power and driven by purpose, his journey tests the limits of loyalty, love, and courage—culminating in a battle not just for a crown, but for the soul of a kingdom. Released by Angel Studios, DAVID is in theaters everywhere beginning December 19th, 2025.

Phil Cunningham’s passion for storytelling was ignited and fueled as a young boy growing up in the wild frontier of Zimbabwe, where day-to-day life was often interspersed with larger-than-life characters and fantastic stories. Phil was struck by the incredible power of stories to impact society and in particular the power of animation to cross race, culture, age and gender barriers better than any other medium. Over the last 25 years, Phil together with Jacqui, has built Sunrise Animation Studios in Cape Town, South Africa. The studio’s mission statement is “Inspire Through Story".

Brent Dawes has spent over two decades as the Creative Lead at Sunrise Animation Studios, where (among many other projects) he created the Jungle Beat series and directed Jungle Beat: The Movie, which Netflix acquired in 2021, where it ranked in the Top 10 movies across all genres in its first 3 weeks. Dawes is the writer and co director of the Young David Shorts and the David animated feature film.

Sunrise Animation Studios is a full-service animation studio based in Cape Town, South Africa. Founded by Phil and Jacqui Cunningham, Sunrise has a passion for quality storytelling, and a belief that film and TV are the most powerful mediums for story in the modern era. The company’s mission is to inspire, entertain and enchant audiences worldwide, providing the finest in family entertainment. Sunrise is the production partner for Jungle Beat, a series of high-quality animated short episodes that have become immensely popular worldwide, having been broadcast in over 180 countries and across a range of media platforms including TV, cinema and in-flight entertainment. The brand’s YouTube channel has over 11 Million subscribers and 5 Billion views. Sunrise were also the production provider for the hit animated feature Jungle Beat: The Movie, and the Jungle Beat 2 The Past sequel, released in 2024. Sunrise is also a world leader in sports mascot creation and branding, and partners here include The Welsh Rugby Union, Juventus Football Club, The English Rugby Football Union, and current world champions, South African Rugby. "Story" and "people" remain at the heart of everything the studio does.

The Act One Podcast provides insight and inspiration on the business and craft of Hollywood from a Christian perspective.

Support the show