On this episode of the WriterFest Podcast, my guest is actor and author Matthew Del Negro. Probably best known for his acting roles on shows like The Sopranos, City on a Hill, Scandal, BIG in France, The West Wing, Goliath—and feature films like Hot Pursuit and Wind River-- Matthew Del Negro is also a terrific writer. His new book is 10,000 Nos, How to Overcome Rejection on Your Way to Your Yes. (He has a terrific podcast you should check out too.)
Matt’s all about art as you’re about to hear—so writers, you’re gonna love this. And if you’re someone who has to face doubt, rejection, obstacles, stay tuned to be inspired and impressed.
We discussed all this and more:
10,000 Nos: How to Overcome Rejection on Your Way to Your Yes(Wiley 2020)
Chris Messina
Kevin Bacon
Lorraine Bracco
Malcom Gladwell’s Outliers
Scandal
How the book happened.
How sports impacted him
“Nobody walks on the hill.”
“Keep ‘em choppin’…”
Intimacy in writing and “vulnerability hangover” (Brene Brown)
Advice for actors
David Manet
Aaron Sorkin
What Matthew loves to see in a screenplay.
Andy Mogul and Jared Paul, Huge in France
Billy Joel’s and Elton John’s storytelling
Brave New World by Aldus Huxley
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
Screenplay by Sid Field
Save the Catby Blake Snyder
The Hero’s Journey by Joseph Campbell
Iron John by Robert Bly
The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri
Making Movies by Sidney Lumet
Matthew Del Negro has built an impressive career playing a wide range of roles in features, television, and theater, including major roles on The Sopranos, The West Wing, Scandal The United States of Tara, Amazon’s Goliath, and Netflix’s Huge in France. He can currently be seen opposite Kevin Bacon on Showtime’s City on a Hill. He launched his popular podcast 10,000 Nos in 2017.
