What does it actually take to become a working television writer in Hollywood?

In this episode of NAACP+'s Inside the Industry, host Ariana Drummond sits down with writer and producer Chuck Hayward — whose credits include Ted Lasso, WandaVision, and Dear White People — for one of the most honest conversations we've had about the realities of building a writing career.

Chuck breaks down:

→ How TV writers actually get staffed on shows

→ The difference between a spec script and a pilot (and which one to write first)

→ What showrunners are really looking for when they read your script

→ How to handle notes without killing your creative vision

→ The mistakes that quietly stall careers — even for talented writers

→ Why the streaming bubble burst changed everything for writers

→ How to stay competitive when the industry is shrinking

Plus, Chuck shares the writing philosophy that drives everything he does: more Black weirdos on screen. And why writing authentically — not to the market— is the only strategy that actually works long term. Whether you're an aspiring writer, a creative trying to break in, or someone already in the industry looking to level up, this episode is your blueprint.

Host: Ariana Drummond, NAACP Director of Talent & Media Relations

Guest: Chuck Hayward — Ted Lasso, WandaVision, Dear White People

New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe so you never miss one.

Watch more Inside the Industry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnLI7v57zoc&list=PLaaTUaaxeh-IBd36D0P3FzFcu17Ij2S4T&pp=sAgC

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3iny4YTd9NfUBB51aWOpYr?si=8657ebed5b5049ed

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/naacp-inside-the-industry/id1894940807

Follow NAACP+: https://linktr.ee/NAACPPlus

#InsideTheIndustry #NAACPPlus #TVWriter #HowToBeAWriter#BreakingIntoHollywood #Screenwriting #TedLasso #WandaVision#BlackCreatives #EntertainmentIndustry #ChuckHayward #ArianaDrummond

• (00:00:00) - What it Really Takes to Become a Professional Writer
• (00:01:13) - Chuck's background and what sets him apart in the room
• (00:04:26) - What writers do beyond just writing
• (00:05:20) - How Show-runners assign episodes
• (00:06:44) - How many writers are in a room — and the diversity problem
• (00:07:14) - Passionate writer vs. Professional writer: What's the difference?
• (00:09:09) - Where Chuck's love of writing started
• (00:10:21) - Was There a defining moment that really, like, started you on
• (00:11:14) - The decisions that took him from aspiring to professional
• (00:12:12) - His Core Writing Ethos: More Black Weirdos
• (00:13:43) - The Career Ladder and where writers get stuck
• (00:16:40) - Specs vs. Pilots — Which should you write first?
• (00:21:09) - How to actually get staffed on a show
• (00:23:00) - Mistakes that quietly stall careers
• (00:26:16) - How to handle notes and rewrites like a pro
• (00:29:57) - How to stay competitive right now
• (00:33:53) - Where the industry is headed
• (00:38:04) - How rejection feels at his level — and how he keeps going
• (00:41:28) - A mistake he made and what he learned from it
• (00:45:44) - What makes a script hireable vs. just good
• (00:47:25) - How to know when you've found your voice
• (00:48:36) - The legacy Chuck wants to leave
• (00:49:38) - Real Talk or Industry Cap (game)
• (00:53:14) - Inside Your Industry Bag (game)

DeVon Franklin rose from intern to executive producer in Hollywood—but how did that actually happen?

In this episode of NAACP+ Inside the Industry, DeVon Franklin—producer behind films like "The Pursuit of Happyness," "Moneyball," and "The Karate Kid"—shares what it really takes to grow in this business, navigate opportunity, and build a career with purpose.

We'll cover topics such as:

- What it takes to stand out early in your career

- What ownership means in today’s entertainment industry

- Where the biggest opportunities are for creatives right now

From studio systems to independent production, this conversation breaks down what it takes to create and lead projects at the highest level of filmmaking.

About Devon Franklin:

Devon Franklin is a producer, author, and former studio executive at Columbia Pictures. His work spans major box office films, faith-based storytelling, and independent production, with a focus on purpose-driven content and long-term impact.

Subscribe to NAACP+ Inside the Industry for weekly conversations with leaders across film, television, and digital media.

Follow NAACP+ ITI: @naacpinsidetheindustry

Instagram: @naacpplus

YouTube: @naacpplus

• (00:00:00) - Sneak Peek into the Episode
• (00:01:00) - Episode Starts
• (00:01:35) - The Key to His Success
• (00:04:03) - Black Producer on Me and Tuscany
• (00:06:06) - Does it Feel Harder to Get Faith Based Films Greenlit?
• (00:09:29) - In the Elevator With Steven Spielberg
• (00:11:01) - Tyler Perry on His Cross-Discipline
• (00:13:44) - Black Storytellers: The Future of Creativity
• (00:16:04) - When Did You First Fall in Love with Film?
• (00:18:27) - The Artist's Service in Work
• (00:20:25) - Pastor Jefferson on Divorce Sisters
• (00:24:24) - Tom Holland on Shaping the Film Industry
• (00:26:44) - What A Producers Do
• (00:29:09) - Paul Feist on Heaven Is for Real Box Office Success
• (00:35:03) - Sony's Amy Pascal on Patience
• (00:37:38) - What Do Producers Need To Know To Become a Producers?
• (00:40:30) - What's The Hard Part of Making It in Hollywood?
• (00:42:09) - How to Manage Relationships
• (00:46:11) - What Draws You To a Project?
• (00:47:48) - Black Storytellers on the Future
• (00:50:05) - The Role of a Producers
• (00:52:07) - The Legacy of Steven Spielberg
• (00:54:21) - Inside Your Industry Bag
• (00:55:09) - Independent Producers: You Have to Know Somebody to Break In
• (00:59:13) - Devon Franklin on Talking To People

The making of a fashion powerhouse—how does a designer go from starting out to dressing Hollywood’s biggest stars?

Brandon Gray has built a brand that commands attention on the red carpet—from the NAACP Image Awards to the Oscars and the Met Gala. But behind those moments is a story of persistence, strategy, and learning how to build in an industry that rarely gives you a clear path.

In this episode of NAACP+ Inside the Industry, Brandon Gray breaks down how he turned House of Gray into a sought-after fashion brand, how he broke into the industry without connections, and what it really takes to build something that lasts in fashion.

We'll also cover:
- What it takes to dress high-profile clients
- How to turn talent into a real business
- How designers can stay relevant as fashion evolves

If you’re a designer, creative, or entrepreneur trying to build something of your own, this conversation gives you a real look at what it takes to go from starting out to becoming a recognized name.

About Brandon Gray:
Brandon Gray is the founder of House of Gray, a fashion brand known for dressing top talent at major events, including Colman Domingo, Tyler Perry, and Niecy Nash.

Subscribe to NAACP+ Inside the Industry for weekly conversations with leaders across film, television, fashion, and digital media.

Follow NAACP+ ITI: @naacpinsidetheindustry
Instagram: @naacpplus
Facebook: @naacpplus

• (00:00:00) - Sneak Peek at Brandon Gray
• (00:01:14) - Episode Start
• (00:01:35) - Designing for The Met Gala
• (00:03:15) - How Brandon Defines Fashion
• (00:05:26) - His Responsibility as a Black Designer
• (00:06:27) - How Fashion Became his Profession
• (00:09:04) - What Influences his Style
• (00:10:14) - Moving from Inglewood to Paris
• (00:14:52) - Gaining Confidence in Your Abilities
• (00:16:31) - How he Overcome Imposter Syndrome
• (00:16:50) - Navigating Access and Opportunity as you Elevate
• (00:18:17) - Stay Ready so you Don't Have to Get Ready
• (00:19:24) - Making it Through the Pandemic
• (00:25:46) - Why it's Important to Travel and Network
• (00:27:03) - Your Network is your Net-worth
• (00:29:39) - Connecting to your Audience through Social Media
• (00:31:21) - Mistakes to Avoid
• (00:33:10) - Originality vs Following Trends
• (00:36:26) - The Next Era of Fashion
• (00:37:59) - Habits you Need to Succeed in Fashion
• (00:39:36) - What Aspiring Designers Should Focus on Now
• (00:40:59) - What his Legacy Will Be
• (00:44:38) - 3 Tips to Break into Fashion
• (00:44:40) - Who you Dress Matters
• (00:45:38) - Nothing Changes Overnight
• (00:46:08) - Originality is Still a Thing
• (00:46:49) - Exposure doesn't Always Pay the Bills
• (00:48:30) - Realizing I didn't Want to be a Lawyer

How do you break into Hollywood without connections?

For most people, the biggest barrier to entering the entertainment industry isn’t talent—it’s access. So how do careers actually get started when you don’t know anyone?

In this episode of NAACP+ Inside the Industry, James Swoope—Partner at M88—breaks down how aspiring creatives can break into Hollywood, how talent managers identify potential, and how opportunities are built behind the scenes.

From building relationships to creating leverage without traditional access, this conversation reveals how careers gain traction in today’s entertainment industry.

We cover:

• How to break into Hollywood without connections
• How talent managers discover and develop talent
• How opportunities and deals get made
• How relationships create long-term leverage
• What aspiring creatives should focus on right now

If you’re trying to get into the entertainment industry—or build a career from the ground up—this is your starting point.

About James Swoope:

James Swoope is a Partner at M88, where he helps guide talent strategy, package projects, and build opportunities for clients across entertainment and sports.

Subscribe to NAACP+ Inside the Industry for weekly conversations with leaders across film, television, music, and digital media.

Follow NAACP+ ITI: @naacpinsidetheindustry
Instagram: @naacpplus
Facebook: @naacpplus

• (00:00:00) - Intro to James Swoope
• (00:00:42) - Episode Start
• (00:05:28) - The Moment He Knew Management Was His Path
• (00:12:30) - The Hardest Part Of Breaking Into This Industry
• (00:13:31) - How He Overcame Imposter Syndrome
• (00:15:20) - First Step to Becoming a Manager
• (00:18:16) - Defining What a Manager Does
• (00:20:36) - Misconceptions about What Managers Do
• (00:22:51) - One Mistake that Aspiring Managers Make
• (00:25:13) - A Hard Lesson James Swoope Learned
• (00:26:21) - Mental Health and Overcoming Burnout
• (00:29:35) - How to Stay Competitive Today in the Industry
• (00:32:25) - What James Swoope Looks for in a Client
• (00:34:55) - Tips on Breaking Into Entertainment Without Connections
• (00:37:32) - Game: Real Talk or Industry Cap
• (00:40:31) - One Decision That Changed Everything For James Swoope
• (00:42:54) - James Shares a Question for the Next Guest

Welcome to the vertical storytelling era.

But how do you actually break into vertical storytelling and short-form content right now?
Short-form content is reshaping the entertainment industry—and creating new opportunities for writers, producers, and creators looking to build in vertical storytelling.

In this episode of NAACP+ Inside the Industry, Wendy Calhoun—writer, showrunner, and co-executive producer behind Empire—shares how she built a powerhouse career across traditional television and the rapidly growing world of micro dramas.

We cover:

• Why vertical storytelling is growing across platforms
• How short-form content is changing audience behavior
• What makes micro dramas successful
• How to approach writing and producing for vertical content
• Where creators can find real opportunities right now

If you’re a writer, producer, or creative trying to understand how to get into vertical storytelling and short-form content, this conversation gives you a clear look at where the industry might be headed.

About Wendy Calhoun:
Wendy Calhoun is a writer, showrunner, and executive producer known for her work on Empire, and is now building projects in vertical storytelling and micro drama formats.

This episode explores vertical storytelling, short-form content, and micro dramas, and how these formats are changing the entertainment industry. If you’re interested in TV writing, digital storytelling, or building a career in film and television, this conversation breaks down how the industry is evolving.

Subscribe to NAACP+ Inside The Industry for weekly conversations with industry leaders across film, television, and digital media.

Follow NAACP+ ITI: @naacpinsidetheindustry
Instagram: @naacpplus
Facebook: @naacpplus

• (00:00:00) - Inside the Industry: Introductions
• (00:01:06) - Intro to Wendy Calhoun
• (00:07:44) - How Wendy got into storytelling
• (00:09:45) - Wendy on breaking through in her career
• (00:14:25) - Wendy on overcoming microaggressions
• (00:17:21) - Defining Micro Dramas and a Vertical Dramas
• (00:18:47) - How dopamine keeps us watching this content
• (00:20:22) - How Microdramas have changed the way we consume stories
• (00:23:23) - Shocking Microdrama statistics
• (00:25:29) - How you can get into Verticals now
• (00:30:39) - Why it's important to own your content
• (00:31:30) - The importance of authentic voices and representation
• (00:35:20) - How KPop Demon Hunters changed the game
• (00:38:34) - Why emerging creators today have the advantage
• (00:39:51) - Will AI change the way stories are made?
• (00:44:09) - Hollywood is trying to play catch up to YouTube
• (00:45:36) - What Creators should be doing right now to get into Verticals
• (00:48:39) - 3 tips for producing a Micro Drama or Vertical

What does it take to build a career in entertainment today?

NAACP+ Inside The Industry is a new original series exploring how film, television, music, fashion, and digital culture actually operate—through conversations with the professionals shaping the business.

Hosted by Ariana Drummond, a publicist with over 15 years of experience across multiple areas of the industry, the series connects the dots between creative work and the business behind it.

Each episode features real stories, practical insight, and the decisions that define long-term success across entertainment careers.

Guests include producers, executives, designers, and creatives working at the highest levels of the industry.

- New episodes drop weekly on NAACP+.

Follow NAACP+ ITI: @naacpinsidetheindustry
Instagram: @naacpplus
Facebook: @naacpplus

• (00:00:01) - Inside the Industry: How to Get Your Job