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
Trust Your Gut with Mamma Mia’s Caro Daye Attayek [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:40
Broadway star Caro Daye Attayek joins host Hassiem Muhammad on The Actor’s Instrument to share her inspiring journey from Elon University to her Broadway debut in Mamma Mia! (Revival). In this episode, Caro opens up abou…
From UPS Driver to Dexter Resurrection With Darius Jordan Lee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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In this episode of The Actor’s Instrument: Tools for the Long Game, host Hassiem Muhammad sits down with actor Darius Jordan Lee (Dexter: Resurrection, The Last OG, Power Book II, Will Trent, Ain’t Too Proud on Broadway)…
Should I Get an MFA Degree? With Godfather of Harlem’s Devin Kessler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:53
Should you get an MFA in acting—or not? 🎭 Actor Devin Kessler (Godfather of Harlem, A24’s Crystal Lake) joins host Hassiem Muhammad on The Actor’s Instrument to talk about her path from UNC School of the Arts to NYU’s MF…
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In this episode, host Hassiem Muhammad sits down with Jason Thinger of the Jim Carnahan Casting Office — the powerhouse behind Broadway hits like Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Merr…
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Duration: 32:18
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No More Slow Seasons with Talent Manager ChiChi Anyanwu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:41
Want to book more roles, grow your network, and work with top reps? Talent manager ChiChi Anyanwu shares insider tips on agents vs. managers, networking, and staying proactive so you can stand out in Broadway, film, and…
Season 4, a Distribution Deal, and Tools for the Long Game [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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We’re kicking off Season 4 with a huge announcement: The Actor’s Instrument has officially joined the Next Chapter Podcasts network! Next Chapter is a theater-centric podcast platform with over 10 million downloads — and…
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Duration: 39:10
Welcome back to another season of The Actor’s Instrument. In the season premiere, host Hassiem Muhammad sits down with 2025 Tony Award winner Francis Jue (Yellow Face, Pacific Overtures, Thoroughly Modern Millie) for a d…
10 Traits of Highly Successful Actors — Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:44
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The Importance of Self-Promotion: A Content Creation Compilation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:09
As we gear up for some exciting changes to the show (announcement coming in just two weeks!), we’re continuing our anniversary celebration with another powerful compilation episode—this time focused on self-promotion and…