He moved permanently to Los Angeles! And then the phone started ringing for Canadian jobs… Award-winning Canadian TV & feature writer-producer Wil Zmak is sure to win records for the longest commute!
Wil Zmak grew up in Toronto, and studied film at Toronto’s York University (around the same time Gray was there), as well as the Canadian Film Centre. Then, his wife’s career demanded a move to the US, and it was off to Los Angeles!
Now permanently planted in L.A., Wil was offered the first of many Canadian jobs, that would see him travel to Canada for several months at a time, flying home on weekends to be with his family. Since then, Wil has worked as a writer, producer, and story editor on several Canadian television series, including The Listener (CTV, FOX International), The Aladdin Project (CTV), Stone Undercover (Tom Stone – CBC / US syndication), Jinnah on Crime (CBC), and Being Erica (CBC).
Hear the fascinating story of how a conversation with director Paul Fox on the state of film storytelling resulted in Wil writing the script for the 2005 thriller The Dark Hours, which has won fifteen awards at international festivals, including seven for Best Feature.
Wil has also worked in development for both TV and features, and offers many helpful tips, including the best way to adapt novels to the screen; what adaptations can teach you about your original material; targeted networking; and why you shouldn’t limit yourself to the hero’s journey and commonly taught story structures.
Follow Wil Zmak on Twitter: @wilzmak
Buy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.
Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,000 TV writers. Find our previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com or on Gray’s YouTube channel.
First published March 27, 2011.
037 – Killer of Demons, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes Animation Writer Christopher Yost (mp3)
036 – Max & Ruby, Redakai Animation Writer David Dias (mp3)
035 – Death Valley, Ultradome Writer Mike Alber (mp3)
034 – Call Me Fitz Creator Sheri Elwood (mp3)
033 – The West Side, NoFilmSchool.com Creator Koo (mp3)
032 – Veronica Mars, Party Down Creator/Showrunner Rob Thomas (mp3)
031 – Parks and Recreation, Late Night with Conan O’Brien Writer Dan Goor (mp3)
030 – Reba, Popular, Call Me Fitz Writer Ari Posner (mp3)
029 – Elephant Bucks Author, Comedy Writer Sheldon Bull (mp3)
028 – 8 Simple Rules, Half & Half Writer Tamiko Brooks (mp3)
027 – Soul Food, Relative Stranger Writer Eric Haywood (mp3)
026 – Author & Story Career Consultant Jen Grisanti (mp3)
025 – Portlandia, Community Writer Karey Dornetto (mp3)
024 – The Cleveland Show, My Boys Writer Courtney Lilly (mp3)
023 – Shattered / Mr. Young Writer Jennica Harper (mp3)
022 – Psi Factor Writer Andrea Moodie (mp3)
021 – Producer/Author/Playwright Chad Gervich (mp3)
020 – Social Media & The Writer Round Table – Part 2 (mp3)
019 – Social Media & The Writer Round Table – Part 1 (mp3)
018 – Corey Miller, Writer of CSI: Miami & Body of Proof (mp3)
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Sackhoff Show
You Can’t Make This Up
Team Deakins
Prestige Junkie
Still Here Hollywood