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💬 Weekly Question: The Oscars are almost here - so, what were your favorite films of 2025?
The 98th Academy Awards are this weekend (March 15th).
3 hrs ago
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Cole Haddon
7
8
1
Why You Shouldn't Trust Hollywood Agents
They're not all bad, but let's talk about their institutional inability to be honest with clients (with one hell of an example from my own career)
Mar 11
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Cole Haddon
12
3
12:11
The F*cked Up Amount of Work It Takes to (Not) Sell Something in Hollywood Today
Or: that time a studio told me to spec a TV pilot for it even though I had an A-list actor attached to the project
Mar 10
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Cole Haddon
29
9
9
14:24
☕ 5AM StoryTalk Monthly Arts Seminar – March 2026
An ongoing group for paid supporters of this newsletter to discuss (with me and each other) the arts, craft and business, and the challenges they’re…
Mar 8
13
6
3
💬 Weekly Question: Do artists have a responsibility to confront the darkness of our time?
Almost two years ago, I shared this article at 5AM StoryTalk - “How to Make Art That Confronts the Darkness (Or Not)”. In it, I asked 25 artists from…
Mar 7
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27
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Bonus Episode: Riki Lindhome Talks 'A Chorus Line'
The actress, musician, comedian, screenwriter - seriously, WTF can't she do?! - reveals the musical that set her entire artistic journey in motion
Mar 5
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Cole Haddon
8
2
7
23:39
5AM CoffeeTalk: March 2026
A monthly rundown about my life as a professional artist, art lover, and human being trying to survive the 21st century - good and bad, glorious and…
Mar 4
23
15
6
Comedian Riki Lindhome on the Freedom of No Opportunities
From Garfunkel and Oates to her new one-person musical 'Dead Inside', the prolific multi-hyphenate discusses turning desperation into innovation and…
Mar 3
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Cole Haddon
8
2
8
56:54
February 2026
💬 Weekly Question: What film defined your 'coming of age'?
Eighteen months ago, I asked my readers what album defined their coming of age. Well, this week, I’m going to ask that question again from the cinematic…
Feb 28
28
38
4
Anatomy of 'The Code': Why I Walked Away from My Dream TV Project
Screenwriters can learn a lot from my take on Greta Garbo’s war with the architect of the Hays Code—and what went wrong thanks to my reps
Feb 26
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Cole Haddon
31
7
12
5AM RealTalk Feb. 24 | 'Hustle Culture Is Killing Me'
On the itinerary today: 'I can't do this anymore' • 80-hour work weeks • 'Marty Supreme'
Feb 24
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Cole Haddon
29
16
9
15:56
💬 Weekly Question: What artwork radicalized you?
Weekly questions’ comment sections are left open for one week.
Feb 21
24
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