987. Master Adapter
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “987. Master Adapter” inside PodZeus.
In this episode of On The Page, host Pilar Alessandra interviews acclaimed screenwriter Jeremy Slater, known for his work on major genre franchises like Mortal Kombat 2, The Umbrella Academy, and Moon Knight. Slater shares his journey from a young fan of 90s blockbuster cinema to a go-to writer for large-scale mythology-driven stories. He discusses the creative process behind Mortal Kombat 2, emphasizing the delicate balance between honoring deep fan lore and making the film accessible to casual viewers. A key theme is the importance of emotional storytelling over fan service, with Slater revealing how he trimmed a 170-page draft down to 95 pages to focus on character arcs and audience engagement. He also breaks down the value of roundtables and 'bake-offs' in Hollywood, advocating for writers to always think from the audience’s perspective—asking what they want, what they expect, and how to surprise them. Slater reflects on his career evolution, from low-budget horror to mainstream franchises, stressing the need to prove versatility and break out of industry pigeonholing. He closes with excitement about directing his first feature, a horror film called Summoner, marking a new chapter in his creative journey.
Always write from the audience’s perspective—ask what they want, expect, and how to surprise them.
Balance fan service with accessibility: honor the lore but don’t overwhelm casual viewers with exposition.
Trim your script ruthlessly—cut anything not serving the core emotional journey, even if it’s a great scene.
Use roundtables and bake-offs as opportunities to contribute ideas, not just absorb them.
Prove your range: if you want to break out of a genre box, write something ambitious that showcases your versatility.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Birth of a Script and the Writer’s Block
Pilar opens the episode with a personal anecdote about a script she hasn’t finished, setting the tone for the episode’s focus on overcoming creative blocks and the journey of writing.
Introducing Jeremy Slater: Genre Mastermind
Pilar introduces Jeremy Slater, highlighting his impressive career across major franchises like Mortal Kombat, The Umbrella Academy, Moon Knight, and The Exorcist adaptation.
The Mortal Kombat 2 Journey: From Roundtable to Lead Writer
“It was the easiest and fastest yes I had ever said because I would, I've never had the opportunity to work in a space like this before.”
Balancing Fan Lore and General Audience Appeal
“We're not contradicting things in the game, but we're also not leaning into elements of the mythology that are going to be off-putting to kind of the casual fans.”
The Art of Editing: Cutting for Emotional Impact
“Anything that's not serving that particular goal, even if it's a great scene between great actors, kind of gets thrown by the wayside.”
“The audience wants to be surprised. They want to be delighted. And they want to have their time respected.”
“I've always just had that like, God, if I could do that, if I could give people that same experience. I could die a happy man.”
“It was the easiest and fastest yes I had ever said because I would, I've never had the opportunity to work in a space like this before.”
Host
Guest
Jeremy Slater
person
Mortal Kombat 2
media
Pilar Alessandra
person
The Umbrella Academy
other
On The Page
media
Moon Knight
other
The Exorcist
other
Jurassic Park
media
Jaws
media
The Matrix
media
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “987. Master Adapter” inside PodZeus.
Start discovering podcast insights today
Start with a 7-day trial and explore a growing catalog of popular podcasts. No credit card required.
No credit card required • 7-day trial • Cancel anytime