From Trollhunters to Star Trek: The Hageman Brothers Visit The Los Angeles Film School!
We were thrilled to host Kevin and Dan Hageman, the powerhouse writing and producing duo behind some of the most successful animated and live-action franchises in Hollywood, for an exclusive video interview and Q&A session! Presented by our Entertainment Business faculty, the event offered students and aspiring filmmakers an unprecedented look into the brothers’ incredible career journey.
Watch the full interview and Q&A with the Hageman Brothers now!
(Including the story of the worst note they ever got)
If you want to write for film or TV, you don’t want to miss the full video, but here are some of the key takeaways and pro tips the Hagemans shared.
The Launch: From Home Videos to Hollywood
Before they became superstars of script, The Hageman Brothers’ love for storytelling started young, with a video camera their dad bought for filming their non-existent sporting achievements. The pair quickly co-opted it for their own creative projects, sparking a lifelong partnership in entertainment, shooting sketch comedy and editing their own shorts in high school.
They shared candid details about their earliest days breaking into the industry, including those nerve-wracking first pitching experiences and the challenge of getting an agent. They emphasized the need to hustle:
“The people that are hungry for it are going to be the people who are going to push your work. So yeah, go start low, hungry and low.”
Pro Tips for Aspiring Writers
Write Your Passion
One of the most valuable pieces of advice they offered to students was to write from the heart, seeking out stories rooted in “wish fulfillment”—the kind of stories they genuinely love to watch themselves.
“Don’t try to write something that the town wants, write something that you want.”
The Power of Pitching (and Not Oversharing)
Getting an audience might feel like your chance to pour your whole vision out, but The Hageman Brothers say to pump the brakes. Their key pitching lesson? Don’t overshare.
“The more you give them, the more you give them not to like.”
Instead, focus on presenting your “only bangers”- your very best, most essential ideas – in a concise pitch to leave the room wanting more.
The Worst Note They Ever Got
They recounted a painful, early lesson in standing your ground when they were working on a prequel trilogy for The Wizard of Oz. After months of work, the producers insisted on one note that went against the core mythology of the character: the Wizard had to have magic.
“If the wizard has magic, we’re off the project.”
They stood their ground and were fired, but noted that while they wouldn’t have taken the note, they learned the value of being a collaborator – finding creative ways to steer a project without getting fired.
Collaboration and Creative Choices
The Magic of Working with Guillermo del Toro
The brothers spoke extensively about their experience as Co-Executive Producers and Showrunners on the Emmy-winning Netflix series Trollhunters and the film Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark with acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro.
They also touched on the importance of collaboration, not just with big names, but with the entire team. They noted that even with the rise of AI, human discernment and vision remain crucial.
“The tastemaker is the most important thing to get the AI to do something great.”
Film vs. TV
When comparing the two mediums, their answer was clear: they find writing for TV “so much more fun” than film, noting that in the TV space, writers are treated as the “captain of the ship.”
The Art of Saying “No”
The Hagemans discussed how they choose or reject projects, recalling approaches for highly conceptual ideas like a “Pez dispenser movie” or “whack-a-mole the movie.” Their rejection criteria are simple and instructive: “We have to want to watch it.” This commitment to their own interests is what led them to write the Golden Globe nominated The Croods: A New Age and Executive Produce Star Trek: Prodigy.
The Hagemans’ visit was an incredible experience, offering our students a direct line to the writers who helped create the story for Hotel Transylvania, co-created The LEGO Movie, and wrote/produced the hugely successful LEGO Ninjago series.
Ready to Write Your Own Hollywood Story?
The journey of the Hageman Brothers proves that passion, collaboration, and a mastery of the pitch are the keys to a successful career in entertainment.
If you dream of developing and producing major franchises, or honing your skills to become the next great screenwriter, explore the programs at The Los Angeles Film School!
Entertainment Business Degree: Learn the crucial business of pitching, producing, and managing creative projects.
Writing for Film and TV Degree: Master the craft of storytelling, from developing compelling characters to scripting a binge-worthy series.