Children of Tendu
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- 49
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- Dernier épisode
- 27 Juil 2026
À propos du podcast
Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Emmy Award-winning writer/producer on "Lost" and creator of "The Middleman") and Jose Molina (writer/producer on "Sleepy Hollow," "Firefly," "Castle" and "Law & Order: SVU") share their hard-earned experiences, giving practical, straight-shooting advice on breaking into television and staying there!
Épisodes 49
Pitching in the New Normal - THINGS HAVE CHANGED!
The last time Jose and Javi talked about pitching it was 2019, and pitches were massive in-person affairs in which writers had to pitch six seasons and a movie... what has changed? EVERYTHING! In this …
Notes de l’épisode
The last time Jose and Javi talked about pitching it was 2019, and pitches were massive in-person affairs in which writers had to pitch six seasons and a movie... what has changed?
EVERYTHING!
In this scintillating hour full of the usual career-killing candor, the Children of Tendu explain how their pitching style has changed to match these wild and unpredictable new times, and - more importantly - what essentials have remained unchanged and why. It's the first third time that Jose and Javi have done a podcast about pitching, and things sure have changed!
ON WRITING. For the first time. Actually the second. Scratch that, the third.
Do Jose and Javi do anything other than grouse about the sorry state of the business? Yes! Occasionally they write... they even get PAID to write! But what's that even like? Not the gettng paid so much as the …
Notes de l’épisode
Do Jose and Javi do anything other than grouse about the sorry state of the business? Yes! Occasionally they write... they even get PAID to write! But what's that even like? Not the gettng paid so much as the actual sitting at the keyboard and banging it out. Well, for the first time since the last time, here are Jose and Javi discussing ther approach to the craft of writing, how it has changed since the last time they talked about it (SPOILERS: it has changed. A lot.) So dim the lights and chill the keyboard - Jose and Javi have some tea to spill about their relationship... TO THE PAGE!
THEY'RE BACK AND THEY'RE PISSED - PART TWO
It's the epic conclusion to the beginning of the first chapter in a new era of Tendu! Join Jose and Javi as they navigate the vicissitudes of television writing in the post strikes, post pandemic, post peak TV …
Notes de l’épisode
It's the epic conclusion to the beginning of the first chapter in a new era of Tendu! Join Jose and Javi as they navigate the vicissitudes of television writing in the post strikes, post pandemic, post peak TV era. It's a whole new world out there and Aladdin isn't around to whisk you off on his magic carpet and soothe you with his supple baritone... but you do have the Children of Tendu giving you the straight dope, calling 'em like they see 'em, and finding the occasional silver lining in an industry going through a major change!
THEY ARE BACK AND THEY ARE PISSED - PART ONE!
It has been three long years since the Children of Tendu graced the podcast-sphere, and the world of writing for television has changed enormously.. So, yeah, they're back, and they are PISSED! Yes, Jose and …
Notes de l’épisode
It has been three long years since the Children of Tendu graced the podcast-sphere, and the world of writing for television has changed enormously..
So, yeah, they're back, and they are PISSED!
Yes, Jose and Javi continue in their quest to give away all of their knowledge of television writing for free, yes, jose and Javi persist in being mentors and educators to the writing community at large... but make no mistake, the business has been disrupted, writing is a more precarious career than ever, and there are more, and many new, landmines and pitfalls on the road.
So they're back, and while there is much to be angry about the business, there is also much advice and information to be passed on - AND THE CHILDREN OF TENDU ARE BACK, BACK FROM THE FRONT LINES, TO BRING YOU THE FACTS, UP TO DATE, AND WITH THE USUAL CAREER-THREATENING CANDOR!
An Introduction to Javi's New Podcast - Multiplex Overthruster!
Hi there! Javi here, and no, I don't have a new episode of Children of Tendu - Jose and I are still figuring out the state of the business post pandemic, post strike, post streaming - but in the meantime, why …
Notes de l’épisode
Hi there! Javi here, and no, I don't have a new episode of Children of Tendu - Jose and I are still figuring out the state of the business post pandemic, post strike, post streaming - but in the meantime, why not sample my latest endeavor: Multiplex Overthruster! In this cinematic odyssey, I join Paul Alvarado Dykstra ( co-founder of Fantastic Fest) and the heroic and stalwart Producer Brad in revisiting the summer movies of our teenage years! We started with the summer of '82 - the year of E.T., Star Trek 2, The Thing, Poltergeist, and Blade Runner - and are now on our second season, the summer of '83! Kicking things off is a little independent film called "Return of the Jedi"... here's part one, listen, enjoy, subscribe - spread the word! Multiplex Overthruster - available wherever fine podcasts are... uh... available!
ON THE LINE - OUR BEST AND FINAL
A few days before the WGA made its historic deal with the AMPTP, Jose and Javi made one last trip to the line, this time at Universal Studios, to interview our sisters, brothers, and others in the guild who …
Notes de l’épisode
A few days before the WGA made its historic deal with the AMPTP, Jose and Javi made one last trip to the line, this time at Universal Studios, to interview our sisters, brothers, and others in the guild who bravely walked the lines to the triumphant end. Featuring interviews with established writers like Marc Bernardin, Julie and Shawna Benson, as well as our union representatives (who dropped amazing information on the organization of the strike... down to the black SUVs and secret WGA phones!) this is an amazing snapshot of the last days of a labor action that resulted in amazing gains for writers everywhere! SOLIDARITY!
Live From The Line Part Two: The Conversation Continues - CBS Radford
On a hot and noisy day, Jose and Javi set up shop on the strike line at CBS Radford and talk to WGA luminaries ranging from showrunners Julie Plec and Craig Silverstein to show creator Evan Bleiweiss and the …
Notes de l’épisode
On a hot and noisy day, Jose and Javi set up shop on the strike line at CBS Radford and talk to WGA luminaries ranging from showrunners Julie Plec and Craig Silverstein to show creator Evan Bleiweiss and the strike captains who keep out labor action safe and coordinated! If you are curious about how we organize, where the signs come from... or how to humanely run a writers room, you won't mind the horns blaring in the background!
LIVE FROM THE STRIKE LINE!
Taking their cues from Lucy Van Pelt, the Children of Tendu set up a booth on the strike line and took questions, gave advice, and even quizzed their betters about their methods and madness. Featuring …
Notes de l’épisode
Taking their cues from Lucy Van Pelt, the Children of Tendu set up a booth on the strike line and took questions, gave advice, and even quizzed their betters about their methods and madness. Featuring interviews with producers of "Elementary", the showrunner of "Queen of the South" as well as several amazing up and comers from shows including "Superman and Lois" and "Law & Order: SVU" this is a raw look at what's going on in the frontlines of the WGA strike, and a stark reminder of how much the craft of writing has changed, and why the strike matters!
The Leafblower Sessions: Part Two
In this extra special episode of the podcast, Jose and Javi take a deep, show-by-show dive into Javi's career, dissecting his experiences and distilling the lessons he has learned over the course of his …
Notes de l’épisode
In this extra special episode of the podcast, Jose and Javi take a deep, show-by-show dive into Javi's career, dissecting his experiences and distilling the lessons he has learned over the course of his decades-spanning adventures in TV!
The Leafblower Sessions, Part One
In this extra special episode of the podcast, Jose and Javi take a deep, show-by-show dive into Jose's career, dissecting his experiences and distilling the lessons he has learned over the course of his …
Notes de l’épisode
In this extra special episode of the podcast, Jose and Javi take a deep, show-by-show dive into Jose's career, dissecting his experiences and distilling the lessons he has learned over the course of his decades-spanning career!
How Is This Strike Different From The Last?
As veterans of the WGA strike of 2007 picketing in the strike of 2023, Jose and Javi break down the differences between the two labor actions. From the role of social media in the Guild's messaging, to the …
Notes de l’épisode
As veterans of the WGA strike of 2007 picketing in the strike of 2023, Jose and Javi break down the differences between the two labor actions. From the role of social media in the Guild's messaging, to the differences in the message itself, the rise of the #prewga cohort, and the decline of the auteur showrunner, Jose and Javi don't just break it down, but also use the differences in the two labor actions to explain how vital the current struggle is to the art and business of writing for media.
BAD HOMBRES: Writing while Latino/a/e/x
Being Latino/a/e/x in Trump's America is an increasingly precarious business. As white Puerto Ricans whith careers spanning over a quarter century, Javi and Jose have seen, heard, and experienced the pervasive …
Notes de l’épisode
Being Latino/a/e/x in Trump's America is an increasingly precarious business. As white Puerto Ricans whith careers spanning over a quarter century, Javi and Jose have seen, heard, and experienced the pervasive racism of the industry in many of its forms, while also benefitting from their own white privilege. In this unusually revealing episode, Jose and Javi dig deep into their lives and upbringing as colonial subjects of the United States to explore not just what it is like to be latino/a/e/x in Hollywood, but more specifically, what it means to be Puerto Rican and the many issues of race, class, and colonialism that entails.
TENDU.0 - Things We Lost In The Stream
Jose and Javi are back and older than ever! As the Writers Guild strikes for higher pay, job security, and reform in how writers are employed and compensated, Jose and Javi aren't just walking the picket line …
Notes de l’épisode
Jose and Javi are back and older than ever! As the Writers Guild strikes for higher pay, job security, and reform in how writers are employed and compensated, Jose and Javi aren't just walking the picket line but also breaking down the many changes in the industry that have lead to the current labor action. In the fifteen years since the dawn of the streaming age, the way television is made and consumed has changed enormously, and Jose and Javi have experienced those changes in real time... this is not the same business Jose and Javi came into at the start of their careers, and it isn't the same as when they began recording the Children of Tendu podcast... it's a new era, and Jose and Javi are here to tell you all about it!
Children of Tendu: On Writing
Remember when we said our previous episode would be our series finale? WE LIED. And we are back to prove it with a super sized episode where we answer YOUR questions about OUR process. How do we write? Why do …
Notes de l’épisode
Remember when we said our previous episode would be our series finale? WE LIED. And we are back to prove it with a super sized episode where we answer YOUR questions about OUR process. How do we write? Why do we write? Where do we write? (and it's not in the bathtub like Dalton Trumbo) All these questions and more! Answered right here! With our usual career-endangering candor!
IS THIS OUR SERIES FINALE?
Seven years ago, veteran television writer/producers Jose Molina and Javier Grillo-Marxuach set out to consign all their experience to a podcast and to give it away for free. One Golden Age of television, a …
Notes de l’épisode
Seven years ago, veteran television writer/producers Jose Molina and Javier Grillo-Marxuach set out to consign all their experience to a podcast and to give it away for free. One Golden Age of television, a pandemic, and several complete disruptions in the industry later, Jose and Javi look to the future and ponder the fate of the Children of Tendu Podcast... and more importantly, their own transition from wizened veterans to fellow travelers with newcomers in a rapidly changing world!
The Editorial Of Tendu
Most writers have very little idea of what goes on in an edit bay, and how to best manage the collaborative relationship between a TV writer/producer and the show's editor. To remedy this situation, Javi and …
Notes de l’épisode
Most writers have very little idea of what goes on in an edit bay, and how to best manage the collaborative relationship between a TV writer/producer and the show's editor. To remedy this situation, Javi and Jose have brought in one of the most prolific and acclaimed editors working today - Shawn Paper, whose credits include Parks and Rec, Veep, What We Do In The Shadows, Flight of the Conchords, and countless others - to discuss how writers and editors can, and should, be best friends!
The Directorate of Tendu
In this super-sized deep-dive, Jose and Javi interview Jeremiah Chechik - director not just of the pilot episode of Javi's show "The Middleman" but also TV shows including "Chuck", "Gossip Girl" …
Notes de l’épisode
In this super-sized deep-dive, Jose and Javi interview Jeremiah Chechik - director not just of the pilot episode of Javi's show "The Middleman" but also TV shows including "Chuck", "Gossip Girl", "Shadowhunters", "Helix", "The Bronx is Burning", "Burn Notice" - and, oh yeah, a couple of classic feature films including "Benny and Joon" and "Christmas Vacation".
Though the discussion is wide-ranging, the focus is on the relationship between the writer and director both in TV and features: how we collaborate, how we interact on and off the set, and how do we stay true to each our vision without trampling on the other's! This one's a must for all TV writers - because our work doesn't end at the keyboard, and directors can, and should, be our best friends!
THE CHILDREN OF TENDU MEET THE PRESIDENT OF THE WRITERS GUILD
The Writers Guild is currently engaged in a landmark labor action which has already changed the face of the entertainment industry. In this special episode, Jose and Javi have a lengthy and candid conversation …
Notes de l’épisode
The Writers Guild is currently engaged in a landmark labor action which has already changed the face of the entertainment industry. In this special episode, Jose and Javi have a lengthy and candid conversation with WGA President David A. Goodman about the how's and why's of the guild's goals and strategy as it seeks to redefine the role of agents and agencies in the business of representing writers.
Children of Tendu Live at the Writers Guild - The Fellowship of the Writers Room!
As part of their "Living in the Middle" sessions at the WGA, Javi and Jose host a talk about the writers room - what sort of personalities thrive in the collaborative creative environment that fuels the …
Notes de l’épisode
As part of their "Living in the Middle" sessions at the WGA, Javi and Jose host a talk about the writers room - what sort of personalities thrive in the collaborative creative environment that fuels the creation of TV narratives, and how does a writer find his or her voice among the talented many who make up a staff!
The Big Pitch - Part Two
In this the second part and conclusion of "The Big Pitch" Jose and javi discuss what happened after The Big Pitch... what networks heard The Big Pitch, who didn't and why? What was it like in the rooms where …
Notes de l’épisode
In this the second part and conclusion of "The Big Pitch" Jose and javi discuss what happened after The Big Pitch... what networks heard The Big Pitch, who didn't and why? What was it like in the rooms where they pitched? What sort of feedback did they get? Did anyone buy The Big Pitch? What was it like to develop a role playing game into a potential TV show... and, most importantly: did the rigors of working together after 24 years of friendship destroy Jose and Javi... or did it make them stronger?
THE BIG PITCH - PART ONE
Most TV writers do not hear a series being pitched until they are the ones doing the pitching. In this brand new episode, the Children of Tendu discuss the process by which they developed a pitch for a TV …
Notes de l’épisode
Most TV writers do not hear a series being pitched until they are the ones doing the pitching. In this brand new episode, the Children of Tendu discuss the process by which they developed a pitch for a TV adaptation of a popular role playing game... and they throw in the entire pitch for free! That's right, rather than just talk about pitching, Jose and Javi rehearsed their pitch live at the Writers Guild, and now you can hear it here!
Actors of Tendu!
In this special episode of the podcast, the Children of Tendu enlist guest stars Natalie Morales - star of Javi's show The Middleman - and Jason O'Mara - who starred in, and worked with Jose on, Terra Nova - to …
Notes de l’épisode
In this special episode of the podcast, the Children of Tendu enlist guest stars Natalie Morales - star of Javi's show The Middleman - and Jason O'Mara - who starred in, and worked with Jose on, Terra Nova - to discuss how actors and writers work together, and how this crucial creative relationship can be made better in the fast-paced and ever changing world of television. How do these series leads approach scripts when the arrive fresh off the printer? How do they deal with writers on and off the set? What do they wish writers would - or wouldn't - do on the page and off? Join Jose and Javi as two of their most famous collaborators drop their hard-earned wisdom and advice!
Agents of Tendu
There is one question. The ETERNAL question. The question that all who want to write in Hollywood ask themselves over and over again. How do I get an agent? In this very special episode, Jose's first agent …
Notes de l’épisode
There is one question. The ETERNAL question. The question that all who want to write in Hollywood ask themselves over and over again.
How do I get an agent?
In this very special episode, Jose's first agent, Matt Bedrosian not only answers the eternal question of "how do you get an agent?" but also gives a no-holds-barred look behind the scenes at a talent agency and answers some of the most pressing questions asked by writers, both repped and non-repped...
What do agents do?
Why don't they answer my calls?
What are they doing when they are not answering my calls? Why do you even need an agent?
But mostly, we talk about "how do you get an agent?"
Really. There's an answer.
The Union of Tendu
When a guy writes on shows ranging from "Family Guy" to "Futurama" and "The Golden Girls", you pay attention to what he has to say. When that same guy is also Vice President of the Writers Guild, you clean out …
Notes de l’épisode
When a guy writes on shows ranging from "Family Guy" to "Futurama" and "The Golden Girls", you pay attention to what he has to say. When that same guy is also Vice President of the Writers Guild, you clean out your ears, dust off your glasses, take out a pencil and a pad and take down some notes! In this candid, no-holds-barred conversation, Jose and Javi talk to David Goodman about his successes and struggles in comedy - animated and live action - and also have a lively discussion about the Writers Guild: what it does, who is in it and why, the strike of 2007 and how it affected working and neophyte writers alike, and why involvement with the union is crucial for all writers!
LIVE AT THE SAN DIEGO COMIC CON
In which Jose and Javi settle their Gladiator vs. Braveheart feud once and for all - in front of a live audience at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con! Putting that issue to rest with a sense of drama unseen since …
Notes de l’épisode
In which Jose and Javi settle their Gladiator vs. Braveheart feud once and for all - in front of a live audience at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con! Putting that issue to rest with a sense of drama unseen since the Roman Colisseum, Jose and Javi then answer audience questions about writing for television, breaking into the business, the art of the argument, collaborative storytelling and Role Playing Games, how new media is affecting the television staffing landscape, and many, many more topics!
The Comedy Stylings of Tendu
The Children of Tendu know drama... but they are not nearly as knowledgeable about the world of comedy... so to tell you how to break into comedy, what the work is like for writers there, and how to have a …
Notes de l’épisode
The Children of Tendu know drama... but they are not nearly as knowledgeable about the world of comedy... so to tell you how to break into comedy, what the work is like for writers there, and how to have a long, successful, and productive, career, Javi and Jose called in a team of experts: Steve Baldikoski and Bryan Behar - a writing team with twenty years in comedy who currently co-executive produce the hit Netflix series "Fuller House" - and Kate Spurgeon - who recently completed the Warne Bros. Writing Fellowship and is currently in her first writing gig, also on "Fuller House". In this very special episode, these amazing ambassadors from the comedy world drop some serious wisdom on the funny!
The Post-Production of Tendu
In the last two Children of Tendu podcasts, Jose and Javi walked you through Pre-Production and Production... now comes the Grand Finale: Post - AKA: "what happens after you have written your script and it has …
Notes de l’épisode
In the last two Children of Tendu podcasts, Jose and Javi walked you through Pre-Production and Production... now comes the Grand Finale: Post - AKA: "what happens after you have written your script and it has been filmed". In this supersized special episode, Javi and Jose describe not just the massive effort required to get a show from the camera to the air, but also describe the vast army of artists involved, and lay out a blueprint for writers to successfully work their way through the process the Tendu way!
The Production of Tendu - A Children of Tendu Special
The script is done. You have navigated the slings and arrows of pre-production. The cameras are rolling: what does the writer/producer do on the set? What are the pressures, politics, and practicalities of …
Notes de l’épisode
The script is done. You have navigated the slings and arrows of pre-production. The cameras are rolling: what does the writer/producer do on the set? What are the pressures, politics, and practicalities of filming an episode of television? And what are the common mistakes and missteps for new and experienced writers to avoid when they step foot in that mysterious maelstrom of activity known as "production"? Jose and Javi answer your questions, and question your answers in... The Production of Tendu!
The Preproduction of Tendu - A Children of Tendu Special!
In this special, super-sized, episode of the podcast, Jose and Javi break down what happens in that crucial time between the moment a television writer finishes writing a script and when the cameras roll …
Notes de l’épisode
In this special, super-sized, episode of the podcast, Jose and Javi break down what happens in that crucial time between the moment a television writer finishes writing a script and when the cameras roll... what is Pre-Production? What is the role of the writer/producer during this crucial process? How do all the pieces that go into making an episode of your television come together, and how do all the problems get solved - or don't - before your favorite show actually gets filmed? Tune in to this information-packed episode... and stay tuned for the cliffhanger ending, in which Jose and Javi promise to eventually cover... Post-Production!
TENDU EMERGENCY BROADCAST!
On Friday, May 13, the internet was abuzz with news of the pickups and cancellations of dozens of television shows -- feeling the nervy vibe, Jose and Javi took to Periscope to answer questions about pilot …
Notes de l’épisode
On Friday, May 13, the internet was abuzz with news of the pickups and cancellations of dozens of television shows -- feeling the nervy vibe, Jose and Javi took to Periscope to answer questions about pilot season, the upfronts, network ad sales, why some shows get cancelled -- and why others get picked up -- and if there's hope for your beloved but cancelled favorite (we're lookin' at you, Agent Carter) to find a new home after being kicked off the network nest! The thrills and confusion of pilot season was demystified during this hourlong live session... and now, here it is in podcast form!
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