David Grae - From Spec Scripts to Executive Producer of Madam Secretary

David Grae is a Writer and Executive Producer of Television. He's written for Joan of Arcadia, Without a Trace, Gilmore Girls, Castle, and Madam Secretary. At the latter, he moved up to Executive Producer of the 6 season show. He was second in command to Creator and Show runner, Barbara Hall. He started off writing spec scripts and directing his Off-Off-Off Broadway play 'Moose Mating' in NYC, before directing the play in LA. He invested $25k of his own money to put up the production, an investment that paid off. In this episode, we talk about: • Meeting his Best Friend and Mentor in the business, Barbara Hall • Investing $25k of his own money of his play 'Moose Mating' in LA • Advice for writers on how to approach meetings for Television • #1 thing he wants from writers in his writer's room • Working on the final season of Gilmore Girls without Amy Sherman Palladino • Why he really came into his own as a writer on Castle • What are his greatest strengths as EP • How was it casting Madam Secretary where there are such diverse languages and ethnicities represented • How do you move up in the writers room (contribute more, leader in the room) • What does he think of casting Actors with little to no credits • How aware did he have to be of ratings on a Network show • How much preparation goes into a meeting for an already established show Resources: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1205551/ Great Interview with David Grae: https://www.writingclasses.com/toolbox/author-q-a/david-grae Recommendation: If you like this Episode, check out Episode 1.11 with TV Writer Matt Witten (Pretty Little Liars, Medium, House, Law & Order) Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Mentors on the Mic Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle