524: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - ERIC DEAN SEATON

524: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - ERIC DEAN SEATON

Author: Hilliard Guess June 30, 2025 Duration: 1:48:36

In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host writer/dir/prod Fia Perera sit down for a 2 hour, in-depth conversation with writer/director/executive producer ERIC DEAN SEATON!


Highlights: Working his way up as an AD, getting his first episodic directors gig, sustaining a long career, directors get hired for what you've already done, creating a graphic novel an producing the award-winning short, fake it til you make it and we open it up to a room full of filmmakers who "ASK US ANYTHING!"


More about Eric:
With a Daytime Emmy nomination and three NAACP Image Award wins, Eric Dean Seaton stands out as one of the most dynamic and versatile storytellers in television, seamlessly crossing genres and styles.


In the dramatic realm, Seaton has directed and executive produced the pilot and series Average Joe. His episodic work includes episodes of Will Trent, High Potential, The Cleaning Lady, Superman and Lois, Batwoman, Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl, The Flash and All American: Homecoming.


In the world of single-camera comedies, he has contributed to hits like Modern Family, Black-ish, The Goldbergs, American Housewife, Life in Pieces, and Grown-ish. 


In multi-camera productions, Seaton has taken on pilots for Family Reunion, The Prince of Peoria, Raven’s Home, Mighty Med, and Kickin’ It. Additionally, his work in variety includes helming the beloved sketch shows All That and So Random making him one of the very few directors to have successfully navigated every style of narrative television.

In addition to his work behind the camera, Seaton is the creator, writer, and publisher of the critically acclaimed graphic novel series Legend of the Mantamaji, and its sequel, Legend of the Mantamaji: Bloodlines. He also directed the accompanying multiple award-winning Legend of the Mantamaji: Live Action Short.

Subscribe, like, follow, share & 5-star review!

Our Motto: “Keep it GAME all day!"

WWW.SCREENWRITERSRANTROOM.COM

For information, Merch (NEW T-SHIRTS/HOODIES), and all things Rant Room!

https://screenwriters-rant-room.printify.me/products

EMAIL:
ScreenwritersRantRoom@gmail.com
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
@Hilliard Guess on all social media
@Hilliardguess.bsky.social
IG: @ScreenwritersRantRoom

Guests:
@Ericdeanseaton
@theglobalactivista

WE ARE NOW OPEN TO SPONSORSHIPS AND BRANDING OPPORTUNITIES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ :
Screenwritersrantroom@gmail.com


Step inside a space where the polished veneer of Hollywood gets stripped away, replaced by the raw, unfiltered conversations happening behind the scenes. Screenwriters' Rant Room is guided by Hilliard Guess, a working WGA writer, director, and producer whose own path includes a role as Director of Development and now executive producing an Amazon series. He brings that grounded, insider perspective to every episode. Rather than rehearsed interviews, you’ll hear the kind of frank talk that happens after a long day on set or in a writers’ room. Hilliard sits down with guests or engages with rotating co-hosts, and together they drop what he aptly calls "industry bombs"-those unvarnished truths, frustrating anecdotes, and hard-won insights about writing, producing, and surviving in TV and film. The tone is as hilarious as it is candid, making the complex machinery of entertainment feel human and relatable. This isn't a lecture on structure; it's a living, breathing, and often laughing chronicle of the creative grind. For anyone curious about the real stories behind the screen, this podcast offers a front-row seat to the rants, revelations, and camaraderie that define a life in storytelling.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Screenwriters' Rant Room
Podcast Episodes
522: SHOWRUNNER LATOYA MORGAN [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01:28
In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host writer/producer Deonte Staats sit down for a two hour, nothing but game conversation with Showrunner/Co-Creator of the new MAX hit series DUSTER!Highlights: LaToya’s time in th…
521: CO-EP STACEY EVANS MORGAN [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:10:12
In this Season Finale episode, Hilliard and guest co-host, comedy writer Myles Warden sat down for a super fun, 2-hour episode with CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER STACEY EVANS MORGAN!We talk about Stacey’s amazing journey from as…
520: SHOWRUNNER AARON RAHSAAN THOMAS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:06:57
In this episode, Hilliard & guest co-host Saeed Crumpler sat down with one of our favorite repeating guests AARON RAHSAAN THOMAS, acclaimed TV, Film writer/producer/ creator/co-showrunner of S.W.A.T., who began his caree…
519: SHOWRUNNER GLEN MAZZARA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:55:26
In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-host TV/Film writer Saeed Crumpler sat down with big bro Showrunner GLEN MAZZARA (Crash, Damien, The Walking Dead, Hawthorne, Extraction to list a few)!HIGHLIGHTS: The WGA's new TV…
518: CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER VINCENT BROWN [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:53
In this episode, Hilliard and comedy writer Myles Warden sat down for a super fun conversation with Co-Executive Producer VINCENT BROWN.Vincent recently wrapped up as co-executive producer for the FOX animated series HOU…
517: STACIE GREENWELL - STAR ON CROSS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:10
In this episode, Hilliard and guest co-hosts (actor/filmmaker) Shawn Carter Peterson and (actor/filmmaker) Iona Morris Jackson sat down with STACIE GREENWELL who plays the role of Detective Shawna D Lackner, one of the s…
516: SURVIVING THE MEETING GAUNTLET [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:02
In this episode, Hilliard and Writer on the Verge, Rich Scott, sit down for an impromptu conversation about writer, showrunner and executive meetings -- over talking, mentorship, perception, nurturing relationships, bein…
515: TV STAFFING MEETINGS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:22
In this episode, Hilliard does his very first Bottle Episode by himself covering TV STAFFING MEETINGS!He talks about how it all works, the General, the Staffing Breakdowns, mandates, themes, mimicking your script to the…
514: SHOWRUNNER - BEN WATKINS (PART 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:46
"CREATING CROSS"Hilliard and guest co-hosts actor/filmmaker Johnny Ray Gill and actor/filmmaker Denzel Whitaker chop it up in a dope, 2-part episode with showrunner BEN WATKINS, writer-creator of the NAACP Image Award Wi…
513: SHOWRUNNER - BEN WATKINS (PART 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:46
On an all new episode, Hilliard and guest co-hosts actor/filmmaker Johnny Ray Gill and actor/filmmaker Denzel Whitaker chop it up in a dope, 2-part episode with showrunner BEN WATKINS, writer-creator of the NAACP Image A…