Cole Haddon

‘The most bitter news’: Iran reels as more than 100 children reportedly killed in school bombing The building appears to be among many devastated in Trump’s ‘major combat operations’ as long expected attacks arrive

Nothing says, "We're here to liberate you" like blowing up people's kids.

From the making of ELVIRA: MISTRESS OF THE DARK (1988): Cassandra Peterson, one of the most iconic horror hosts of all time, prepares to be burned alive during her one of two films based on her character.

Photographer unknown.

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

Why do dream TV projects fall apart? 🎬

Screenwriters can learn a lot both from this breakdown of my take on Greta Garbo’s war over the Hays Code—which had Lasse Hallström attached to direct—AND what ultimately went wrong with the project thanks to my reps.

A cautionary tale for screenwriters...

Max Landis, Whose Career Imploded During #MeToo, Returns with ‘G.I. Joe’ Movie at Paramount (Exclusive) At the same time, Danny McBride will also be writing a separate 'G.I. Joe' script.

This headline goes a long way to make him sound like the victim of wokeness rather than a guy who was repeatedly accused of sexual assault and emotional torture and even bragged about the latter in an interview once.

Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer, 1955.

Photograph by Philippe Halsman.

“If there's specific resistance to women making movies, I just choose to ignore that as an obstacle for two reasons: I can't change my gender, and I refuse to stop making movies.” — Kathryn Bigelow

Producers Erica Lee and Blye Pagon Faust on the Future of Hollywood ('John Wick' - 'Spotlight' - 'Sicario' - 'LulaRich') Podcast Episode · 5AM StoryTalk · May 29, 2025 · 52m

10 years ago today, SPOTLIGHT won Best Picture at the Oscars. But could the film get made in 2026?

Its producer, Blye Pagon Faust, answers that question on the 5AM StoryTalk Podcast.

This one's a fun one because it's a three-way chat with another friend of mine, producer Erica Lee (JOHN WICK).

I observed in a podcast episode this past week that I'm starting to feel like my whole life is just a series of cautionary tales.

I’ve just discovered illustrator Stephen Andrade’s design work…and it’s so much fun. Here are some brilliant pulp-style magazine covers drawing upon Hollywood for inspiration.

Clint Eastwood in his North Hollywood hotel bed, CA, 1958.

Photograph by John R. Hamilton.

“Success is dangerous. One begins to copy oneself, and to copy oneself is more dangerous than to copy others. It leads to sterility.” — Pablo Picasso

YouTube video by 5AM StoryTalk with Cole Haddon How the Rage Against the Machine Classic 'Killing in the Name' Inspired Sen. Fatima Payman

It’s the song that changed everything. 🤫🔥

Senator Fatima Payman reveals a new dimension to her decision to leave Labor. Most know the story, but they don't know the soundtrack: RATM’s ‘Killing in the Name.’

Listen the rest of the 5AM StoryTalk ep 🎧: colehaddon.substack.com/p/fatima-pay...

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

Why do dream TV projects fall apart? 🎬

Screenwriters can learn a lot both from this breakdown of my take on Greta Garbo’s war over the Hays Code—which had Lasse Hallström attached to direct—AND what ultimately went wrong with the project thanks to my reps.

A cautionary tale for screenwriters...

Meryl Streep, 1975.

Photograph by Duane Michals.

“Art is risk made visible.” — Arno Rafael Minkkinen

'Sun and Shade', 1952.

Photograph by Roy DeCarava (American).

YouTube video by 5AM StoryTalk with Cole Haddon The personal tragedy John August hid inside BIG FISH.

Scriptnotes co-host @johnaugust.bsky.social reveals the personal tragedy he hid inside his most beloved screenplay - BIG FISH.

Essential listening for anyone turning pain into art.

🎧 Listen to the whole 5AM StoryTalk episode here: pod.link/1807437928/e...

Judy Garland during the closing night performance of her Judy Comes Back show at the Palace in New York City, 1952.

Photograph by Milton H. Greene.

“People sometimes ask me, ‘Did you really have these experiences?’ I laugh, Are you crazy? I'd be dead. I'd be dead fifty times. I don't write directly from my own experience so much as an emotional understanding of it.” — Louise Erdrich

From the making of DON’T LOOK NOW (1973): Donald Sutherland, Julie Christie, and Nicolas Roeg prepare for the scene in which they are told their son has had an accident back in England.

Photograph by Pierluigi Praturlon.

It's dire...but also hopeful. The point I reached has led to dramatic changes I'm already feeling in my life.

"I can’t do this anymore." ⚡️

In the latest 5AM REALTALK, I’m getting uncomfortable about the "hustle curse," 80-hour work weeks, and how the gig economy is killing the creative life. Something has to change...

🎧 Listen: pod.link/1807437928/e...

📺 Watch: youtu.be/T9YKBloJIJQ

Louis Armstrong, Paris, 1965.

Hervé Gloaguen.

“Commerce has become the most important thing in the film industry. Hollywood is an industry, it's not an art form, therefore they have to address the bottom line. But in a way, it's sad when you get a remake, isn't it?” — Ridley Scott

Girl, You’ll Be a F*cking Woman Soon Is it really that shocking that so many Americans are suddenly okay with what's in the Epstein Files? Let’s consider the country's history - from foundational values to pop culture - to understand why

Is it really that shocking that so many Americans are suddenly okay with what's in the Epstein Files? Let’s consider the country's history — from foundational values to pop culture — to understand why its citizens aren’t dragging billionaires and its president into the street right now.

It's one of those films you watch and go, "Oooooh, that's where X, Y, and Z got all that?!"

What's your problem with lady tambourine players? Ladies can play the tambourine just as well as men can.

Where I’m writing today: The Corner Boutique Coffee Bar (Gisborne, Victoria - Australia).

An incredibly chill, warm vibe with lots of green outside to compliment the brick and wood inside. Perfect place to work through story issues. Enjoyed the mushroom & gruyere pie, too.

If you’ve never seen VANISHING POINT (1971), do yourself a favor and check it out. It’s one of those films that filmmakers love and reference endlessly. This is an original poster it, which I conceptually appreciate…but I don’t think does the flick justice. Does it rev your engine?

YouTube video by 5AM StoryTalk with Cole Haddon The Price of Defiance | Sen. Fatima Payman on Gaza, Labor & Free Speech in Australia #auspol #gaza

5AM StoryTalk is now available with video at YouTube, where you can also watch this episode with Sen. Fatima Payman!