#182: Morgan Cooper — Creative Audacity & Creating Your Own Opportunities, Making Bel-Air, Turning a Viral Short Film Into a Series, Producing with Will Smith & Writing Picture Books

episode

Previously titled “#182: Morgan Cooper — Bel-Air, Creative Audacity, Turning a Viral Short Film Into a Series, Producing with Will Smith” — renamed by the publisher on Aug 2, 2026

London Writers' Salon not yet transcribed

▲ 0

Transcript

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet Upvotes decide what gets transcribed next — 0 so far. Sign in to upvote

recent transcribed audio

Booked out doesn't mean you're ready for an associate OD 23 min · 23 Sep 2026 · The Optometry Success Podcast

Trump Talks S**t at the U.N., Rebrands AI as "Superintelligence" & Praises Mamdani | Tom Morello 31 min · 23 Sep 2026 · The Daily Show: Ears Edition

Tiktok talk to politicians following m9 crash 15 min · 23 Sep 2026 · Today with David McCullagh

Oil Expert: We Can’t Predict Iran Anymore 33 min · 23 Sep 2026 · Prof G Markets

What the U.S. Can Learn from Canada's Safety Net + The Real Cost of Private Schools and Clubs 44 min · 23 Sep 2026 · The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

NPR News: 09-23-2026 4AM EDT 5 min · 23 Sep 2026 · NPR News Now

Report any issue

Source

Recorded22 Feb 2026

Publisherfeeds.simplecast.com ↗

Handlerec:16036028

Show notes

Writer and director Morgan Cooper on turning a self-funded Bel-Air short into a series, building creative audacity before opportunity arrives, and staying resourceful across drafts, collaboration, and a children’s picture book.You'll learn:Why “imperfect action” can be a practical antidote to creative paralysis, especially early in your craft.How he found a compelling dramatic lens by stripping away sitcom expectations and focusing on character archetypes and real-world stakes.What it can look like to invest commercial income back into self-initiated work to build a body of proof.Why “waiting for permission” often hides fear, and how starting anyway can change what’s possible.Why the “angle” of your idea matters, and how recalibrating it can be the difference between a draft that stalls and a draft that lands.How identifying the “big question” of a story can give your scenes direction and your revisions momentum.Simple ways to keep the creative channel open using a notes app, project scrap bins, and a journaling method that functions like index cards.How collaboration becomes part of the craft when you treat writing as iterative perspective-building, not a solitary performance.What writing a picture book can teach about economy, structure, and building an arc inside tight page limits.How designing a kid-led mission around resourcefulness can create momentum and emotional payoff in short form.Resources & Links:📄Interview TranscriptCooper’s original Bel-Air concept trailerBel-Air on PeacockThe College Dropout - Kanye WestKind of Blue - Miles DavisI Can Make A Movie! Geneva Bowers - Illustrator and ArtistHair love - Matthew A. CherryFilm LondonMediatrust.org - Mentoring OpportunitiesDancing Ledge Productions - Mentoring OpportunitiesAbout Morgan Cooper:Morgan Stevenson Cooper is a Los Angeles-based writer and director and the creative force behind Bel-Air, the dramatic reimagining of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air that grew out of his self-released short film in March 2019. After the film drew widespread attention, Will Smith and Westbrook Studios came on board as collaborators, and the series premiered in February 2022, with Cooper serving as creator, director, co-writer, and executive producer. He is a two-time Tribeca X winner for U Shoot Videos? and Pay Day, and is developing BLKCOFFEE as writer, director, and executive producer. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related