Moving from Presidential speechwriter to Hollywood screenwriter

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Podcasts Take Two

Feb 6, 2013

Listen • 10:20

Moving from Presidential speechwriter to Hollywood screenwriter

We talk to Marty Kaplan, who worked as a speechwriter for Walter Mondale before moving West, where he had a successful run as a writer and producer.

US President Barack Obama's main speechwriter Jon Favreau attends Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People gala at Jazz at the Lincoln Center in New York, May 5, 2009.

We talk to Marty Kaplan, who worked as a speechwriter for Walter Mondale before moving West, where he had a successful run as a writer and producer.

President Obama's favorite speechwriter, Jon Favreau, is leaving the White House on March 1. Some speculate that the 31-year-old will head to Hollywood to try his hand at writing for the movies.

There's a long tradition of political types becoming entertainment types. We talk to Marty Kaplan, who worked as a speechwriter for Walter Mondale before moving West, where he had a successful run as a writer and producer.

Correction: An earlier version of this story said Favreau was heading to Hollywood to try his hand at screenwriting. He has not formally announced his career plans after leaving the White House.