Libsyn Directory

643 - Agents and Managers 101

Scriptnotes Podcast

In this compendium episode, John and Craig demystify the the relationship between writers and the people who represent them, looking at how to acquire, work with and (if necessary) fire your agents and managers. How do you get an agent or a manager? What are they looking for in a potential client? What frustrates them? How do you position yourself for success? And what should you be looking for in an agent? How should they treat their clients? What is in their job description? How do you navigate disagreements, and what are best practices for when you have to part ways? In our bonus segment...

642 - It’s Brutal Out Here

Scriptnotes Podcast

Why are things so rough in Hollywood right now? John and Craig look at the industry’s current contraction, its historical analogues, and offer suggestions for what might fix it. We also follow up on streaming ad breaks and New York accents, before answering listener questions on being paralyzed, whether it’s by your second draft or writing professional emails. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig wonder what to do with their digital lives once they’ve shuffled off this mortal coil, and how do you keep it from getting creepy? Links: by Daniel Bessner for Harpers...

641 - What Characters Know

Scriptnotes Podcast

on Prime Video or Craig Mazin on and John August on , and by Nica Brooke () Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .

640 - Can You Believe It?

Scriptnotes Podcast

John welcomes writer and comedian Alex Edelman to look at how he wrote his solo show Just For Us, and dig into the meaning of “write what you know.” They discuss finding your voice as a writer, developing your story with an audience, why Alex doesn’t write his shows down, and the sample that first got him staffed. We also answer listener questions on what to do when your manager doesn’t understand your comedy, and the value of characters speaking to themselves. In our bonus segment for premium members, John asks Alex, how do you set boundaries on material when you’re dating another...

639 - Intrinsic Motivation

Scriptnotes Podcast

John and Craig can’t help but look at intrinsic motivations — those specific internal drives that guide characters behavior. They discuss how to structure and expose that internal drive, the importance of an innate irritability, how it can stop your characters from becoming flat, and rewarding that intrinsic motivation with choice. But first, we follow up on AI training, blueprints and “important” movies. We also weigh in on a high-school senior’s college dilemma and answer a listener question on writing with your trailer in mind. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and...

638 - Lawyer Scenes

Scriptnotes Podcast

John and Craig lawyer up with criminal defense attorney Ken White (aka Popehat) to look at legal scenes in movies and TV, and separate the tropes from the truth. How do lawyers actually prepare a case? Will they meet a client in jail? Do they need to gather evidence themselves? And what happens when they go to trial? What are the rules for examining witnesses? How often do people represent themselves in court? And do judges really bang their gavel like that? In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig invite Ken to imagine traveling somewhere worse than prison — the beach....

637 - Love and Money

Scriptnotes Podcast

by Charlotte Cowles for The Cut by Angela Chen for the NYT by Matt Novak for Gizmodo by Emi Nietfeld for the NYT OSR’s and and and or Craig Mazin on and John August on , and by Tim Brown () Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .

636 - Whispering Loudly

Scriptnotes Podcast

John welcomes back Pamela Ribon (Nimona, My Year of Dicks) to quietly ask: what’s with all the whispering in movies these days? They discuss trends and techniques in voice and volume, picking the right moment to whisper, and the value of voices across decibel levels. We also revisit Pamela’s work on Moana to look at what you can learn from reading early drafts, ponder the threat of TikTok and YouTube, follow-up on vetting potential co-workers, and answer a listener question on writing animation. In our bonus segment for premium members, Pam shares all her star-studded stories from sitting...

635 - Is This Person Going to Ruin Everything?

Scriptnotes Podcast

John and Craig wring their hands and ask, how do you make sure the person you’re hiring isn’t a monster? They look at best practices for vetting colleagues, sussing out problematic people, and managing your own emotions when you’re the person with power. We also discuss writing for non-native English speakers, using three examples to illustrate the importance of syntax, musicality and authenticity. But first, we answer listener questions on giving notes and kids playing D&D. In our bonus segment for premium members, we spill the kool-aid on our fears and fascinations with cults....

634 - What If? Hollywood Edition

Scriptnotes Podcast

by Robert Cowley by Garrett O’Brien for the Saturday Evening Post on Wikipedia by Tim Ott for Biography by Jake Rossen for Mental Floss by Richard Newby for THR by Adam Rogers or Craig Mazin on and John August on , and by Zach Lo () Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .

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