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Hilary Van Hoose

Freelance Journalist

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Hilary Van Hoose

Available to write articles about the entertainment industry, education, disability, gender, politics, health, food, travel, lifestyle, and film/TV reviews.

Recent articles published in Script Magazine, Animation Magazine, Pipeline Artists Magazine, and The Valley Star. Older articles published in USA Today College, Uloop, UCSC Abroad, and others.

M.F.A. from USC (University of Southern California)
B.A. from UCSC (University of California Santa Cruz)
2024 Hollywood Foreign Press Association Fellowship winner.

Journalist and Copy Editor

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Published Articles

With so many representation firsts from the last decade, including Doc McStuffins, Pablo, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, Spirit Rangers and Molly of Denali, animation still has a long way to go before inclusion becomes the norm rather than a novelty. If you’re one of the increasing numbers of creators seeking to uplift diverse talent and bolster authenticity in storytelling, who should you talk to? What practices are effective? Let’s ask the experts!

Inclusion in Animation: The Next Chapter

With so many representation firsts from the last decade, including Doc McStuffins, Pablo, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, Spirit Rangers and Molly of Denali, animation still has a long way to go before inclusion becomes the norm rather than a novelty. If you’re one of the increasing numbers of creators seeking to uplift diverse talent and bolster authenticity in storytelling, who should you talk to? What practices are effective? Let’s ask the experts!

Image of a hand touching grass

Why “Touch Grass” is Actually Great Advice for Screenwriters

Logging off and regularly venturing out into the real world has many benefits for screenwriters, and not just for their health either!

Hollywood Films Written By and About Women - Part 1

Hollywood Films Written By and About Women - Part 1

This is the first of a three-part series in which I'm going to talk about noteworthy female-led feature films that were written or co-written by women with 10 films, spanning from the Silent Era until the end of Hollywood's Golden Age in the late 1940s.

Hands holding a screenplay.

Every Screenwriter Has Their Own Format

On social media, the drama du jour is very often over whether or not to bold slug lines, whether adding transitions is passé or even "offensive to directors," and so on. Which rules should you follow, or ignore?

Air quality map of Los Angeles county

Studies Say Cleaner Air Leads to Better Grades

Poor classroom air quality leads to lower attendance, a decline in grades, and a higher risk of illness.

A woman eating popcorn at the movies.

Why Do We Watch Movies? Why Do We Write Scripts?

Is there one universal reason why we watch movies and TV? Here are at least five!

Actress performing on a stage in a Victorian gown next to a candelabra

Acting Exercises Writers Can Use to Flesh Out Their Characters

There are a whole host of things that can cause writer's block, but your characters don't have to be one of them.

Hands holding a cell phone

Where Do Most People Go to Find News, and Why?

Finding accurate and trustworthy news is more important than ever.

Woman with flame-hair holds her fist aloft while shouting in solidarity

Hollywood Creatives Fundraising for Strike Funds: Where to Find Help if You Need It

Hollywood's creatives are finding some, well, creative ways to raise money for strike funds.

A flower made of book pages

How I Prepared to Write My First Novel

So many people say it’s all about having existing intellectual property (IP) nowadays—that people will only option a screenplay if it’s based on a book or other proven product that has a ready-made audience. If you’re a screenwriter who’s trying to learn how to write books, you’ve got a lot of company for exactly this reason.

Student dragging a ball and chain labeled "student loans"

Predatory Financial Aid Reinforces Systemic Classism

The majority of graduate students have to finance their education through unfair lending options.

At a time when one third of Americans are living with a disability, and when those numbers are on the rise due to long-COVID, film studios and television networks continue to eschew disability representation for both employees and content.

The Most Underrepresented Type of Diversity in Media: Disability

People with disabilities are not seeing themselves on the big screen, on television, or in the rooms where the writers of mass media are employed.

Upheld fist clenching a pen defiantly.

Ways to Be Productive During a Strike (Without Risk of Scabbing)

Here are some ways that you can proactively improve your craft and your career during the strike—without the slightest risk of scabbing.

Hollywood Films Written By and About Women - Part 2

Hollywood Films Written By and About Women - Part 2

Ready for 10 more womanly wonders from cinema history? This time we're starting at the demise of the Golden Age and running clear into the 1980s.

Hollywood Films Written by and About Women - Part 3

Hollywood Films Written by and About Women - Part 3

10 films y and about women from the modern era.

A Gallup poll reports that women still take on the majority of household roles despite a recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showing that women comprise the majority of the American workforce.

How Deeply Are Our Views on Gender Equity Shaped by Our Fathers' Everyday Actions?

Sons and daughters seeing their fathers perform household duties might prove to be the key for each younger generation closing gender-based inequality gaps both at the office and at home — but we are not there yet.

Any screenwriter can become a research powerhouse. You just need a few basic skills and resources, and a little practice using them.

Becoming a Writing Research Powerhouse

Any screenwriter can become a research powerhouse. You just need a few basic skills and resources, and a little practice using them.

A $1000 per month price tag for insulin forces millions of Americans with Diabetes to ration the medication that keeps them alive, and many die trying. (Photo by Hilary Van Hoose/Special to the Star)

Big Pharma, Insulin Prices and Elections

The 2020 presidential elections thrust insulin prices into the spotlight. Here is why 2022 voters need to track this issue.

A robotic hand types on a keyboard

Valley College Uses ID System to Battle Enrollment Bots

The LACCD requires new students at its nine campuses to verify their identity in order to enroll in classes.

From Aliens with Super Powers to People With Special Skills to … Vampires?

What is a Superhero?

With so many superhero shows and movies out now, what is a superhero, really? Are vampire, spy, space alien, and wizard stories all just sub-genres within the superhero genre?

Image of a blank page in a blank room.

10 End-of-Year Lists All Screenwriters Should Make

Here are 10 lists you can make to help supercharge your productivity in 2023 as a screenwriter.

Filmmakers Brad Bird and Damon Lindelof took a risk in a landscape of remakes and sequels by creating a retro-futuristic blockbuster with a heartfelt original story. Despite not being a box office success, it paid off in more important ways.

“Tomorrowland:” The most important movie you've probably never seen

If the pandemic has caused endless doom scrolling, now might be the perfect time to watch a story about relighting the spark of optimism.

Early November is when many deadlines for study abroad program applications come about, and it can be a daunting task to choose amongst hundreds or thousands of programs. Since I went through the process and am now successfully studying abroad in Paris, I’m hoping it will be helpful to walk you through the process by which I narrowed down my choices and selected my program.

Life as a Parisian Débutante: How to Choose a Study Abroad Program

It’s that time of year again. No, not the holidays. It’s study abroad application time! Here's a guide to get you started.

If your office has you feeling creatively stifled, anxious, or just kind of blah, there's actually quite a lot you can do about it.

Writer's Block? Your Workspace May Be the Cause

If your office has you feeling creatively stifled, anxious, or just kind of blah, there's actually quite a lot you can do about it.

How To Be an A+ Online Student in 10 Easy Steps

How To Be an A+ Online Student in 10 Easy Steps

Many students are likely nervous to try this unfamiliar format. Having taken nearly all of my first 2 years of GEs online, however, I’m here to tell you that online classes are just dandy if you know how to deal with them.

Media

Appearances

Examples of my public speaking and acting as an anchor or correspondent for a TV news program.

Media Appearances

Media Appearances

Media Appearances

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How Disabled Writers Are Changing the Landscape of the Entertainment Industry

How Disabled Writers Are Changing the Landscape of the Entertainment Industry

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Journalism Reel

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Baby Boomers: Back to College

Baby Boomers: Back to College

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