Hey everyone. Welcome back to the screenwriting life. I'm Meg Lefove.

And I'm L'Orian McKenna and welcome to part one of our two-part conversation with

celebrated indie film producer Ted Hope.

Today we'll be talking about indie film development,

but stay tuned for our part two dropping next week

where we'll be chatting about the state of the business

and indie production. Ted is an award winning producer who is recognized as one of the most important champions of independent

film in our business.

Ted is co-founder of Good Machine This is That and Double Hope Films.

His credits include The Ice Storm, The Brothers McMillan,

American Splendor, in the bedroom, and happiness.

He parlaid his independent producing experience

into launching and co-running movies for Amazon studios,

but has now moved back into the indie space, maintaining a first look deal with the studio.

His most recent production, Cassandra, directed by Roger Ross Williams,

and starring Gail Garcia Bernal,

comes out this fall from Amazon Studios.

Hey Ted, welcome to the show.

I'm so honored to have you here. Thank you, Meg. Thank you, Lauren.

I was lucky enough years and years ago to be a mentor at the Sundance Producers Lab.

And I of course had heard of Ted Hope.

I was admirer from afar, but to sit at a table and watch his mind work

...