5AM StoryTalk
5AM StoryTalk
Podcast Description
A place to talk about stories in all their forms, the craft that goes into them, and the role art plays in our lives. Every week, host Cole Haddon (creator, NBC/Sky's "Dracula"/author, Psalms for the End of the World) chats with leading filmmakers, authors, comic book creators, and other intellectuals about art, culture, and a seminal artwork from their lives.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores a wide range of themes related to art and storytelling, including the role of art in society, the evolution of narrative forms, and the creative processes of artists. Specific episode examples include discussions about social justice in filmmaking with Mike Jackson, the importance of character exploration in Sophie Hyde's work, and the intersection of science and art in Dr. Anne Rimoin's episode.

Why does art matter in our chaotic world? Join screenwriter and novelist Cole Haddon for 5AM StoryTalk, a weekly deep dive into 21st century culture and global issues through the lens of storytelling.
Main episodes feature screenwriting deep dives, cultural analysis, and intimate conversations with artists and thought leaders like John August (Scriptnotes), Scott Derrickson (Doctor Strange), Dr. Kevin Hand (NASA), and Sen. Fatima Payman (Australian politician). Bonus eps offer craft and arts industry insights and “mini masterclasses’”breaking down seminal pieces of art from guests’ lives.
How do you forge a successful Hollywood career when every project you write or direct takes chances that could blow it up?
Filmmaker PAUL WEITZ looks back across a 30-year 'distressingly diverse' career that has gone from generation-defining sex comedy ('American Pie'), to Oscar-nominated drama ('About a Boy'), to creating genre-defying sci-fi TV ('Murderbot'). He’ll break down his secret origin, kamikaze approach to storytelling, and the creative machinery behind the upcoming 'Murderbot' Season 2 – all while pulling back the curtain on the actual mechanics of the screenwriting and directing crafts, navigating the unpredictable business of the studio system, and sustaining a fearless, long-haul career that actually pays off.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE: ”THE HEFTY NEIL STORY” from 'SCTV” (1977)
Paul returns to break down a seminal piece of art from his life — an iconic episode-long sketch from “SCTV” called “The Hefty Neil Story”, starring John Candy, Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, and many others. Hefty Neil helped define his sense of comedy!
UNLOCK THE BONUS AT SUBSTACK: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/paul-weitz-john-candy-sctv-hefty-neil-story
UNLOCK THE BONUS AT APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paul-weitz-breaks-down-the-hefty-neil-story-from-sctv/id1807437928?i=1000791050799
TIP JAR:
Not up for a paid subscription? You can also “buy me a coffee” here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing):
https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon
SOCIAL MEDIA:
5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/
Cole Haddon @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL:
CREDITS:
5AM StoryTalk acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.

Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
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