The incredible screenwriter and actress Julia Yorks joins Erin on the pod today. Julia's impressive accolades include writing the film 1UP for BuzzFeed/Lionsgate, working with Peacock and DreamWorks on several productions, and writing animated episodes for Hulu. Acting-wise she was most recently featured in an episode of Law and Order!

Julia’s tale of navigating how to work in the film industry (i.e. if you can’t get in through the door try a window) is super inspiring! One of the double-edged sword realities of the film industry is there is no one path, so truly anything can happen. Her biggest tip here is persistence. Keep chipping away, and you will grasp the thing you want.

Julia’s experience starting out her acting career in Los Angeles until relocating to New York City is a true insider's breakdown of what it's like to “make it” in each place. One thing COVID taught everyone in the film industry is that you don’t have to be in L.A. anymore to make your mark. Julia goes on to offer hot takes on the recent 6-month WGA and SAG-AFTRA union strikes and the overall impact they had on her career and the industry.

During the writers’ strike, she pivoted, or rather broadened her writing skillset and passion, to include screenwriting. The essence of screenwriting is helping brands tell stories and problem-solving, which Julia is oh-so good at doing. In the spirit of transparency, one of Julia’s core values, she shares how she works with agents, managers, lawyers, and bookkeepers. Super juicy!

All New Yorkers have a quintessential living-in-NYC story and Julia’s is *chef’s kiss.* Picture this: she’s at the MET for the screening of Geroge Clooney’s latest film, wearing TJ Maxx’s chicest all-black comfy ensemble, runs into Anna Wintour, crashes the after-party at the Polo Bar and… well you’ll have to listen to find out!

Episode Outline:

1:40 Intro

1:41 Acting in Law & Order

4:35 Making $$ in Screenwriting

6:02 Background Q&A

9:08 Breaking into the film industry

14:30 Dealing with rejection

16:50 Networking & schmoozing

20:35 Biz of Professional Screenwriting

23:20 Agents vs. Managers

23:47 Joining the WGA (union)

26:12 Fighting Imposter Syndrome