How to Make TV Writers Happy with Netflix's Sienna Lorraine

How to Make TV Writers Happy with Netflix's Sienna Lorraine

Author: Hassiem June 10, 2025 Duration: 35:40
What really happens behind the scenes of your favorite shows? In this episode, host Hassiem Muhammad sits down with Sienna Lorraine, a writer’s assistant at Lionsgate who has worked on Netflix’s No Good Deed, The Upshaws, Survival of the Thickest, and STARZ’s Power Book III: Raising Kanan. Currently working on Origins—a spinoff of a spinoff in the Power universe—Sienna gives us an unfiltered, inside look into the world of Hollywood writers’ rooms. Together, they discuss: What a writer’s room actually is (and why it's such a magical space) The real-life trajectory of a writer in Hollywood Whether assistants get creative input (and how Sienna’s jokes made it to air) Why actors don’t always get the full script for auditions The increasing value of multi-hyphenate artists (writer-actors, actor-producers) How collaboration and respect between departments make better art Whether you’re an actor curious about how sides are created, or a storyteller looking to break into TV writing, this candid conversation is full of insight, laughs, and inspiration. 📌 Bonus: Sienna shares her dream of leaving a legacy for other Black creatives—and how she’s actively working toward it.

The Actor's Instrument: Tools for the Long Game with Hassiem Muhammad is a conversation for anyone who has ever stepped onto a stage or in front of a camera and wondered what comes next. Hosted by actor Hassiem Muhammad, this podcast operates on the belief that a lasting career is built not on a single role, but on a deep understanding of the craft and the business that surrounds it. Each episode features honest discussions with the people who shape the industry-working casting directors, veteran actors from Hollywood and Broadway, and other behind-the-scenes professionals. The focus here is on practical wisdom and the nuanced realities of building a life in the arts, moving beyond simple inspiration to actionable strategies. You'll hear about navigating auditions, the importance of personal resilience, and how to cultivate the professional relationships that sustain a career over decades. This isn't about quick fixes; it's about developing the tools for the long haul. Tune in for a candid look at the work that happens between the roles, designed to help actors at any stage demystify their path forward and build something enduring.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

The Actor's Instrument: Tools for the Long Game with Hassiem Muhammad
Podcast Episodes
Burn the Bridge If You Have To | Arti Ishak on Changing the Industry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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In this episode of The Actor’s Instrument: Tools for the Long Game, Hassiem Muhammad sits down with Arti Ishak—actor, director, writer, and producer—for a candid conversation about challenging the status quo in the enter…
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Hassiem Muhammad sits down with actor and headshot photographer Kayvon Esmaili to unpack how branding shapes casting decisions. They explore what makes a headshot effective, common mistakes actors make, and why clarity i…
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What does the rise of AI mean for audiobook narrators and voice actors? In this episode of The Actor’s Instrument, Hassiem Muhammad sits down with actor, director, and audiobook narrator Andy Paris to explore the evolvin…
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Actor and producer JB Chen joins The Actor’s Instrument to discuss how independent films create new opportunities for actors—and why creatives shouldn’t wait for permission to build momentum in their careers. JB shares h…
Create The Career You Want as an Actor | Michael Silberblatt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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In this episode of The Actor’s Instrument: Tools for the Long Game, Hassiem Muhammad sits down with actor Michael Silberblatt for a direct and empowering conversation about ownership, initiative, and building a sustainab…
August Wilson, AI, and the Future of Theater | Tim Douglas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:56
Award-winning director Timothy Douglas, a key collaborator and interpreter of August Wilson’s work, joins Hassiem Muhammad to discuss acting, rehearsal, and the future of storytelling in the age of artificial intelligenc…
Why Actors Don’t Book (Even When They’re Talented) | Ugo Chukwu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:23
Host Hassiem Muhammad talks with actor Ugo Chukwu about preparation, patience, and what it truly means to be ready when opportunity arrives. This conversation explores consistency in training, confidence during slow peri…