Scriptnotes Podcast
Screenwriters John August and Craig Mazin discuss screenwriting and related topics in the film and television industry, everything from getting stuff written to the vagaries of copyright and work-for-hire law.
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665 - What Can You Even Do?
11/12/2024
665 - What Can You Even Do?
John and Craig explore character agency in everything from scenes to entire series. They look at what agency looks like on the page, which characters should have agency, and what to do when you feel your characters sleepwalking through the plot. We also strategize ways to move forward after the recent US election, and answer listener questions on writing sign language, screenwriting software for the blind, and how writing credits work when your TV series gets turned into a movie. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig escape to a world where where the story is always on rails — Disneyland! Links: by James Fallows for WIRED by Matthew White by Ken White on Netflix by Charlie Wood for WIRED or Craig Mazin on and John August on , , and by Nick Moore () Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt, and is edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .
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664 - Hollywood Got Old
11/05/2024
664 - Hollywood Got Old
John and Craig look at how writers (and other humans) handle the anxiety of uncertainty, from election nights to green lights. We’ll talk through strategies for navigating situations where your circle of concern doesn’t match your circle of control. Then we travel back to the 1980s and 90s, when many studios were run by ambitious strivers in their late 20s and early 30s. As the decades have passed, the players in these positions have held onto their posts, leaving the next generation stuck mid-ladder. We discuss what impact the aging of Hollywood has had on its output, and where the new guard might find an opening. We also ask, is development wage theft? And answer listener questions on reusing material written for a different project, and the cost-plus model of production. And in our bonus topic for premium members, what aspects of pandemic life have we incorporated into our daily routines? Links: by Mia Gallupo for the Hollywood Reporter by Elaine Low for The Ankler on Netflix or Craig Mazin on and John August on , , and by Nick Moore () Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt, with special help this week from Chris Csont and Megana Rao. It is edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .
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663 - Live in Austin 2024
10/29/2024
663 - Live in Austin 2024
John and Craig make their triumphant return to the Austin Film Festival for a wild night full of Emmy winning writers. They welcome Shōgun co-creators Rachel Kondo & Justin Marks to look at their process for structuring a series-long adaptation, keeping translations eloquent and accurate, and writing together as a married couple. We then welcome Susan Soon He Stanton (Succession, Dead Ringers) and Megan Amram (The Good Place, Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin) to discuss staffing on shows and crafting jokes. We also invite two audience members to play a new game: IMDB Sweeney Todd. In our bonus segment for premium members, the panel answers audience questions on adaptations, a crossover with Succession and The Good Place, entering Hollywood from outside the U.S., and navigating Hollywood’s current contraction. Links: and by Gavan Daws or Craig Mazin on and John August on , , and by Matthew Chilelli () Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt, with special help this week from Chris Csont and Megana Rao. It is edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .
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662 - 20 Questions (2024 Edition)
10/22/2024
662 - 20 Questions (2024 Edition)
John and Craig answer twenty listener questions on craft, career, and the future of the industry. Questions include: How do you correct well wishes you haven’t earned? What kind of relationship should you have with the person who created your source material? How do you keep your reps invested? What’s going on with that Stereophonic lawsuit? And are writers retreats helpful or a total waste of time? In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig celebrate the new D&D Player’s Handbook by looking back through every edition since 1978. Like the handbook, it gets less dense as it goes. Links: by Ted Chiang for The New Yorker on Netflix or Craig Mazin on and John August on , , and by Nick Moore () Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .
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661 - Screenwriting is a Poorly Defined Problem
10/15/2024
661 - Screenwriting is a Poorly Defined Problem
Why is screenwriting so difficult, even for the smartest people? John and Craig look at the relationship between intelligence and wisdom, the kinds of problems writers attempt to solve, and the unmeasurable skills that screenwriters need to succeed. Then it’s another round of the Three Page Challenge, where they give their honest feedback on three listener-submitted scripts. We also follow up on Moneyball, green envelopes, shorts, script coordinating, and what Craig means by writers being “calculating.” In our bonus segment for premium members, how do you talk about movies and TV shows without spoiling them? John and Craig reason out how to dance around the twist that the two leads are actually the same perso– oh, shoot! Links: on YouTube by Adam Mastroianni by J Wheeler White, by John and Mark DiStefano, and by Yeong-Jay Lee or Craig Mazin on and John August on , , and by Nick Moore () Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .
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660 - Moneyball
10/08/2024
660 - Moneyball
on IMDb by Taffy Brodesser-Akner or Craig Mazin on and John August on , , and by Spencer Lackey () Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .
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271 - Buckling Down (Encore)
10/01/2024
271 - Buckling Down (Encore)
John and Craig are on opposite sides of the world this week, so they’re revisiting an episode from 2016 to look at the many psychological barriers facing writers tackling big projects, and offer practical strategies for actually getting the work done. They also discuss the then-upcoming election (same as it ever was), and answer a listener question about how autism spectrum disorder might impact a screenwriting career. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Drew reflect on what’s changed in the eight years since this episode last aired, and then like all conversations in 2024, they just start talking about Moo Deng. Links: , and ambiance tracks by Nellie Andreeva for Deadline by Chuck Wendig or Craig Mazin on and John August on , , and by Pedro Aguilera () This episode was originally produced by Godwin Jabangwe. Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .
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659 - Big Money Movies with Marielle Heller
09/24/2024
659 - Big Money Movies with Marielle Heller
John welcomes back Marielle Heller (Can You Ever Forgive Me?, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood) to look at three stories of real people with too much money and ask, How Would This Be a Movie? Stories include strategies for dating Leonardo DiCaprio, the rise-fall-rise of inventor Palmer Luckey, and a council built to give away a fortune. We also go feral over Marielle’s new movie Nightbitch, as she shares the joys of adapting something that feels personal and her tricks to directing dogs and children. But first, we take a look at a new study on which movies studios are developing, and share exciting news for those joining us at the Austin Film Festival. In our bonus segment for premium members, Marielle and John remember the terror, nerves and euphoria of premiering your movie at film festivals. Links: by Matt Belloni at Puck by Jeremy Stern for Tablet by Joshua Yaffa for The New Yorker by Teresa Jusino by Priyanka Mattoo or Craig Mazin on and John August on , , and by Spencer Lackey () Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .
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99 - Psychotherapy for Screenwriters (Encore)
09/17/2024
99 - Psychotherapy for Screenwriters (Encore)
John and Craig revisit their legendary conversation with screenwriter-turned-psychotherapist Dennis Palumbo to discuss writer’s block, procrastination, partnerships and more. It’s a can’t-miss episode for aspiring writers and professionals alike. In our bonus segment for premium members, we travel back to episode 425 where John and Craig debate when to practice self care or tough love, and how to evaluate when each of them are helpful. Links: on Wikipedia helps you control your mailbox or Craig Mazin on and John August on , , and by Stuart Friedel () This episode was originally produced by . Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode . The original transcript for this episode can be found .
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658 - Advice Show
09/10/2024
658 - Advice Show
John and Craig open the mailbag to answer a swath of listener questions that make Craig’s blood boil. They offer insights and umbrage on when you can turn down projects early in your career, picking the right day job, maintaining visibility when you’re taken off a project, the next steps after a successful short, when NDA’s are necessary, and how to credit unpublished source material. We also say goodbye to green envelopes as we celebrate the arrival of direct deposit residuals, and follow up on AI training and GitHub for screenplays. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig abandon their superciliousness look at the English words they kind of know but are too chicken to actually ever use. Links: by Peter White for Deadline or Craig Mazin on and John August on , , and by Nick Moore () Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .
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657 - Deadpool with Ryan Reynolds
09/03/2024
657 - Deadpool with Ryan Reynolds
John and Craig welcome back Ryan Reynolds for an in-depth look at his creative process bringing the character of Deadpool to the screen. As co-writer, producer and star of the Deadpool franchise, Ryan leads us through his first introduction to the character, the rough journey getting to greenlight, and the challenges presented by an often-faceless protagonist. Along the way, they talk tone and dialogue, collaboration and rule-breaking, respect and irreverence, and the importance of listening to the movie. Ryan also has some writing questions for John and Craig. In our bonus segment for premium members, we look at Ryan’s flair for marketing and the creative freedom he’s found in advertising. Links: Ryan Reynolds on , and by Jesse David Fox for Vulture by via YouTube by Nilay Patel for The Verge or Craig Mazin on and John August on , , and by Tim Englehard () Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .
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656 - Halogencore
08/27/2024
656 - Halogencore
and by Stephen Follows on Letterboxd by Sara Schaefer by Martin MacInnes 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 .
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655 - Conflict and Stakes Compendium
08/20/2024
655 - Conflict and Stakes Compendium
by Every Frame a Painting on YouTube by Max Temkin from The Guardian or Craig Mazin on and John August on , , and by Tim Brown () Segments originally produced by Stuart Friedel and Megana Rao. Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .
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654 - How to Watch Bad Movies
08/13/2024
654 - How to Watch Bad Movies
John and Craig stand waist-deep in rotten tomatoes and ask, what can we learn from bad movies? Resisting the urge to walk out, they explore ways to evaluate a movie’s problems, interrogate your taste, and turn a real stinker into an opportunity to grow as a writer. We also follow up on Lifetime movies, colored pages and AI screenwriting, and answer listener questions on weirdo characters and the validity of a ghostwriter. In our bonus segment for premium members, when is it okay to bail on something you no longer enjoy? We look at when to bounce on books, friendships and more. Links: from the Wall Street Journal on YouTube on Apple TV+ or Craig Mazin on and John August on , , and by Pascui Rivas () Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .
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653 - Multi-Cam Comedies and WGA Dollars
08/06/2024
653 - Multi-Cam Comedies and WGA Dollars
John welcomes writer-director Betsy Thomas (Superior Donuts, Superstore) to finally discuss writing multi-camera sitcoms. Using famous sitcom scripts as guides, they look at how multi-cam sets itself apart through its unique formatting and production, how it utilizes blocking, its surprising limitations in post, and the live studio audience. But Betsy is more than just a talented creative – she’s also the secretary-treasurer of the WGA West. Who better to lead us through the WGA annual report and look at writer income and residuals in the wake of the strike? We also follow up on gains for writing teams and un-locked pages, and answer listener questions on flashbacks, punctation, and untrustworthy producers. In our bonus segment for premium members, Betsy explains to John and Megana what makes golf such a wonderful sport. Links: Betsy Thomas on and Megana Rao on and by Gene Maddus for Variety by Glen and Les Charles by Dan Rubin by David Crane & Marta Kauffman by Mary HK Choi for The Cut on Netflix (hooray Megana Rao!) on Netflix or Craig Mazin on and John August on , , and by Matthew Chilelli () Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt, with help this week by Megana Rao. It is edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .
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652 - Rituals
07/30/2024
652 - Rituals
John and Craig welcome back Megana Rao to look at rituals and what they can tell us about our characters. But what are characters doing deliberately, and what is just routine? They separate routines from rites, and how both can help deepen our understanding of characters and the threats that face them. We also follow up on un-locking pages, industry software and health insurance for writing teams, before answering a listener question on transitioning from writing plays to writing movies. In our bonus segment for premium members, John, Craig and Megana talk about coming-of-age rituals, and Craig reveals the theme of his Bar Mitzvah (it’s even nerdier than you think). Links: from Writer Emergency Pack by Taffy Brodesser-Akner on HBO/Max or Craig Mazin on and John August on , , and by Nick Moore () Scriptnotes is produced by with help this week by Megana Rao. It is edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .
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651 - The Live Edit
07/23/2024
651 - The Live Edit
John and Craig finally become writing partners and edit the opening to one chapter of the upcoming Scriptnotes book live on-air. They wrestle with word choices, adapting the phrasing of a spoken conversation and finding a unified voice as they pass the keyboard back and forth. We also catch up Craig on what he’s missed since he’s been away, follow up on #payuphollywood, and answer a host of listener questions on personal stories, backstories, sharing credit, Lifetime movies, and disliking your protagonist. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig deal out their favorite card games. Links: and by Max Bearak for the New York Times or Craig Mazin on and John August on , , and by Tim Englehard () Scriptnotes is produced by and edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .
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650 - Overwritten
07/16/2024
650 - Overwritten
John welcomes back Mike Schur (The Good Place, Parks and Recreation) to ask, how do you fix an overwritten script? They discuss ways to rebuild scenes and restore muddy characters that have become burdened by too many notes, all while making sure your script retains its voice. We also look at the new IATSE deal with the AMPTP, the WGA’s back-pay settlement with CBS, Skydance purchasing Paramount, and follow-up on our idea of keeping pages un-locked. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Mike listen to the AI generated songs named in the RIAA’s current lawsuit and wonder, did they really steal from copyrighted material? (The answer is yes.) Links: on by Dade Hayes for Deadline by Cynthia Littleton for Variety by Andy Weir by Todd May or Craig Mazin on and John August on , and by Vance Lovett () Scriptnotes is produced by with help from . It is edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .
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76 - How screenwriters find their voice (Encore)
07/09/2024
76 - How screenwriters find their voice (Encore)
John and Craig welcome Aline Brosh McKenna to look at what writers mean by a “voice,” and how it develops. Some screenwriters’ voice develops long before their craft, leading people to label them as “promising” even though the scripts themselves are a mess. Other writers get all the technical stuff right from the start, but have a hard time finding something distinctive about how they write. From there, we segue into one of the most contentious Three Page Challenges we’ve ever done, with wildly split opinions. In our bonus segment for premium members, John the Eagle Scout gives Drew practical advice for wilderness camping in 2024. Links: on on Wikipedia Three pages by Three pages by Three pages by or Craig Mazin on and John August on , and by Matthew Chilleli () This episode was originally produced by . Scriptnotes is produced by and is edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .
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649 - The Comedic Premise with Simon Rich
07/02/2024
649 - The Comedic Premise with Simon Rich
John welcomes Simon Rich (Man Seeking Woman, Miracle Workers) to look at how he crafts a comedic premise. Using his work on SNL, his time writing Inside Out at Pixar and his plethora of short stories, they look at how he develops a funny idea into a story with narrative and emotional punch. We also follow up on the Harry Potter TV series, and answer listener questions on the downsides of writing in other mediums and adapting your screenplay into a novel. In our bonus segment for premium members, how do you get your work into magazines? Simon walks through his experience, from rejection letters to being published in the New Yorker. Links: by sketch by Douglas Botting or Craig Mazin on and John August on , and by Nico Mansy () Scriptnotes is produced by with help from . It is edited by . Email us at [email protected] You can download the episode .
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