On today’s episode, we welcome Bob Saenz, a working screenwriter and actor whose career quietly dismantles many of the myths surrounding Hollywood success. Bob has written big-budget studio projects, indie features, and multiple Hallmark movies, while also building a long acting career that includes Zodiac, Nash Bridges, and voice work as the iconic villain in the Syphon Filter video game series. What makes Bob’s journey compelling isn’t flash—it’s longevity, adaptability, and a deep respect for story.
Bob’s career began as an actor in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he spent years performing in theater before making a conscious decision to balance family life with creative ambition. Rather than chasing the traditional Los Angeles path, he built his career largely outside of LA, commuting when needed and proving that proximity matters far less than preparation. His years on Nash Bridges became what he calls “the Don Johnson film school,” where he absorbed everything he could about directing, cinematography, sound, and production by simply asking to learn.
That on-set education shaped Bob’s writing philosophy. He believes that the only thing that truly matters in a screenplay—especially a spec—is story. Not structure formulas. Not screenwriting “rules.” Story. He openly admits he’s never read a screenwriting book, instead learning by reading produced scripts, watching films, and studying what doesn’t work as much as what does. In his words, many scripts fail because writers force stories into rigid templates instead of letting the narrative breathe naturally.
One of Bob’s most defining moments came early in his writing career, when the first script he ever wrote was optioned by a studio. The sudden validation inflated his ego—something he now looks back on as a painful but necessary lesson. When the project ultimately fell apart, he gained perspective: most optioned scripts never get made, and success in Hollywood is rarely fast or permanent. That experience reshaped how he approached relationships, collaboration, and professionalism.
Bob’s willingness to break conventional rules eventually became his calling card. His script Extracurricular Activity intentionally defied standard storytelling expectations—the inciting incident occurs long before the movie begins, the protagonist isn’t clearly defined, and traditional character arcs are ignored. Instead of hurting him, that boldness got him noticed. The script later became a produced feature nearly two decades after it was written, proving that originality often has a longer shelf life than trend-chasing.
In addition to studio and indie work, Bob has carved out a successful niche writing Hallmark films. He explains that while the brand has clear guidelines, there’s still room for strong character work and emotional storytelling if you understand the sandbox you’re playing in. Hallmark didn’t limit his creativity—it rewarded his ability to tell compelling stories within defined boundaries, a skill many writers overlook.
Perhaps Bob’s most valuable insight is his perspective on networking. He rejects the idea of transactional relationships, emphasizing that real careers are built through genuine human connection. Networking, he says, isn’t about asking what someone can do for you—it’s about building trust over time. His career, sustained across decades, genres, and mediums, stands as proof that being easy to work with is just as important as being talented.
In the end, Bob Saenz represents the kind of career many writers aspire to but rarely hear about—one built not on hype, but on consistency, curiosity, and respect for the craft.
