Big Fish script
Newmarket Press will be publishing a paperback version of the BIG FISH screenplay in February. It will be loaded with extras, including photos, production notes, and intros by Daniel Wallace and John.
In the meantime, you can download a .pdf version of the final shooting script here. Print it out on three-hole paper, and you’ll have exactly the same script we shot — and exactly the same the script you could buy for $10 bootlegged in Times Square.
If you read it and feel so inclined, by all means send a comment.
Articles
December 23rd, 2003 at 9:44 am
John:
Excellent. I am glad to see more screenwriters posting their stuff on the web. Your site is beautifully done and an incredibly useful resource for writers.
BTW, the link http://www.johnaugust.com/news/news.html is broken.
December 23rd, 2003 at 9:50 am
I just read your script for Big Fish. It is such a great and unusual story. Thank you for helping to bring a movie like this to the screen. It is unusual to find such a creative and wonderfully endearing story such as this one. It was very touching and I am excited to see the movie when it comes out. Thank you.
December 23rd, 2003 at 6:00 pm
Hi John,
Ever since GO, you’ve been an inspiration to me. BIG FISH transported me, moved me. I can only hope that I’ll ever reach your level of writing. I think I’m getting there. I’ve been writing everyday, and love every minute of it. Maybe one day I can call you a colleague. : ) One question: was that courier font you used for the script? It looked a little different.
Thanks for your hard work, and for this website. IT ROCKS.
December 23rd, 2003 at 8:16 pm
Don — thanks for the note on the broken link. It’s fixed now.
Eric — the script is in Courier, but it’s Apple’s Courier rather than Courier Final Draft (which I hate). I used to use a face called Courier Ragged, which looked a little more typewriter-y, but it’s not so happy with the OS X.
December 23rd, 2003 at 10:03 pm
Mr. August — thanks a lot for posting the Big Fish script. I’m a big fan of yours and only recently discovered your site (as did, no doubt, many others — posting the script will surely up awareness.)
Not much more to say, I just wanted to thank you for work, and also for making some of it available online.
Since you had the plot for GO2, is there any chance you’ll write it? Sure, the profit wasn’t Charlie’s Angels,’ but neither would the budget be….. Just asking.
Thanks.
December 23rd, 2003 at 10:03 pm
John,
You are a prince among peasants. I thought GO was awesome, just watched it the other day on video, for the first time. The vegas stuff and the Katie Holme’s storyline were the best! But anyway, why are you a prince? For being one of the few professional screenwriters willing to post a script for one of their upcoming movies (I’m thinking you’re the only one actually for a current production). I’m a screenwriter myself, and when I get produced, at least eventually, I’ll have it in my contract that I have the right to post scripts online for any fans who may want to read them. Thanks for Big Fish, can’t wait to read it and see it!! I’m sure Tim did a good job with it. It just finished downloading, so see ya. I’ll post again after reading.
Sincerely,
Freddie
December 24th, 2003 at 12:05 am
Mr. August,
It’s three in the morning. I had every intention of going to bed earlier tonight, but I couldn’t take myself away from the “Big Fish” screenplay. Thank you so much for putting it online for everyone to read. It’s outstanding, and I can’t wait to see the movie.
And now I REALLY can’t wait to see how you handle “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Any chance we’ll be able to get a look at that too?
Thanks again,
Ryan
December 24th, 2003 at 12:38 am
John, as long as there’s benevolent souls like you putting your screenplays online, and sites like mine (www.script-o-rama.com) and other good folk (Simply Scripts/All Movie Scripts) hooking up the masses for free, we can put that Times Square guy out of business.
Then he’ll be forced to take up a more legitimate business, like selling bootleg DVDs or firecrackers.
December 24th, 2003 at 12:04 pm
The real thing, formatted as a PDF file, to read is to see.
It is very important for me to have the closest work created by an artist that was produced into such an amazing movie. Drafts are nice, but when it comes to margin numbering for true scenarization process… the text feels like magic, precious and almost essential.
In BIG FISH’s case, a paragraph is worth a thousand pictures.
Thank’s.
December 24th, 2003 at 12:40 pm
I just want to quickly thank you for allowing us access to this truly inspiring screenplay. I myself am an interactive / motion designer but find inspiration in just about every form of self expression. You really are doing a service to the entire art community by posting your work. Thank you again, I couldn’t put it down!
December 27th, 2003 at 7:47 am
Hi John,
Is it true that you ghostwrote Jane Hamsher’s book “Killer Instinct” back when you were working as a peon for her and Don Murphy?
Just curious.
Big Hugs,
Pete
December 27th, 2003 at 9:06 am
Pete — No, I didn’t write “Killer Instinct.” Or read it.
December 27th, 2003 at 9:18 pm
Mr. August,
During the process of adaptation from book to screenplay, how do you decide whether you want to stay true to the original manuscript or turn it into something amazingly unexpected?
It seems like you’ve done a bit of both with Big Fish.
January 1st, 2004 at 4:17 pm
Mr. August, my compliments to you on your Big Fish screenplay. It was truly outstanding. I wanted you to know that I had an opportunity to appear as an extra in the filming here in Montgomery, AL. I was in a supermarket scene with Jesica Lange and other cast members. However, I did see the film on Christmas day here and unfortunately my scene did not make the final print. It was a great experience, however, and the movie was fantastic. Any chance my scene and any others that were cut might appear in the DVD?
January 4th, 2004 at 10:38 am
Mr. August,
Uniquely, when comparing this comment to the others, it is different in that I saw the movie and then followed it up by stumbling upon your website and link to the script. I have yet to read the script in its entirety, although when my printer was spewing out the pages, I’d read bits and pieces and that brought me right to the visual scenes I observed in the movie. The movie was super story-telling and a screenwriting masterpiece. Oh, and yes, it brought me to tears during the final 10 minutes in the theater. I needed a good cry! Thank you and can I have your email address so we may begin to dialogue? I’d appreciate that.
January 5th, 2004 at 6:27 pm
I loved this film, and I loved the screenplay!
I was wondering if it would be possible to read an earlier draft of the script. It would be fantastic to compare the first draft with the shooting script to see what changed in the adaptation process. Is the first draft available anywhere?
Will the Newmarket Press version of the screenplay be the shooting script?
Bob
January 8th, 2004 at 6:08 pm
Great script, can’t wait for the movie coming out tomorrow!
January 11th, 2004 at 2:03 am
Mr. August
I love this film I do believe its one of tims best. Your script is absolutely amazing. I’ve seen the movie 3 times already and I still just keep on crying every time I see it. I’ll be seeing it again next week.
You have earned yourself a great new fan and can’t wait for you to have another screenplay so I may see more of your amazing work.
I’d love it if I could get a signed script. Ok maybe not the whole script. Maybe just the first page and I could print out the rest. Let me know and I’ll do anything to get it.
Sincerely a fan forever
Patrick St.Jean
January 13th, 2004 at 4:18 pm
Mr. August,
I love this screenplay. To me it captures the mood and feel of the book, and adds a lot as well. It fleshes the book by Daniel Wallace out into the 3rd and more real dimension and makes it more heartfelt. The word flow is wonderful and even though it has lots of voice overs it still keeps going smoothly. I saw the movie this weekend. It was fantastic! Tim Burton’s style and this screenplay make a perfect combination. Big Fish should sweep out all of the Oscars this year!
January 13th, 2004 at 8:28 pm
Mr. August,
Fabulous last name, btw. I just saw Big Fish. I don’t want to say anything ordinary and usual like that it was “enchanting.” But I think it deserves and will get much recognition. I mean, just look at all the comments other writers are posting!
January 16th, 2004 at 8:21 am
First, thanks for letting us neophytes gaze into your world. I have read a lot of scripts for the management company I work for (most bad) and I try to read all the good ones I can get my hands on. This is a good one. I can’t remember ever getting choked up while reading… sure, in the theatre, but rarely just the words. “She neatens his hair. Holds his hand. As she kisses his ringers, she tweaks her chin with them – his signature move.” Perfect and beautiful. I can’t wait to see it this weekend.
In the words of the immortal Bon Jovi,
Keep the faith,
Dave
January 17th, 2004 at 4:01 pm
This script is truly amazing! It is the first real original movie to come around in a long time. John is truly a genius screenwriter! Congrats on having such a fantasic hit and I hope for more to come. Good luck for the Golden Globes!
January 18th, 2004 at 10:43 am
John,
Congratulations from Boulder! Several of us went to see Big Fish last night in town. It was shown in the “big” theatre in The Village. The story was marvelous. I loved it! It was funny, touching and thought provoking. You are one year older than my son Randy Redd who also went to Fairview. I know your Mom and just e-mailed her also. I am a member of a Boulder/Denver writing group CASAWG, Colorado Assembly of Screenwriters and Actors, Writer’s Group. We most cordially invite you to visit us sometime. I’m going to download the script and bring it to the meeting tonight. Thank you so much for making it available. It would be fabulous if you could drop in on one of our meetings! Again, our most sincere congratulations on a wonderful piece of writing!
Kathy
January 24th, 2004 at 3:24 pm
Loved Big Fish, surprised to see a website, on writing, with so much information; articles, guides. It’s inspirational.
It was nice meeting you at the Gala in Palm Springs as well, you are a very articulate individual. Sam says hello, as well.
April 4th, 2004 at 3:36 am
Mr. August,
I’m downloading the script just now. But I’ve seen Big Fish 3 times already. It’s a beautiful, wonderful movie, and you, with your great script, have a lot to do with all that goodness.
I’m from Argentina and I’m submitting this piece of information as an excuse for my poor English.
Thank you for Big Fish.
April 13th, 2004 at 10:31 pm
Sorry, I want to ask where can I download the original book “big fish A Story of Mythic Proportions”?
April 15th, 2004 at 4:17 pm
Steven: The novelist, Daniel Wallace, really can’t afford to give away his books for free. But it’s quite reasonably priced on Amazon, and is even available in your local bookstore.
May 10th, 2004 at 10:25 pm
THANK YOU for bringing the world Big Fish!!! Writers deserve much more credit, so I wanted to do my part by sending you thanks! The story was obviously beautiful, and what really amazed me about your script was its energy-every line had a “charge”-either moving the story forward or bringing forth some wonderful emotion,…or laughter, or just plain sheer delight. Not one sleeper line in the whole film-I’ve never seen anything like it! Thanks again!
p.s. If you or another writer is looking for an idea, check out a place called New Harmony, IN. I’m not from there and I have no interest in telling you this except that it’s an interesting place and I’d like to see a movie about it. It would be an interesting piece of history, and the town has kind of a Witness (the movie) feel to it. Thanks again for Big Fish and for all of your other great works!
June 18th, 2004 at 10:32 pm
Mr. August,
I am a student in Peking University, China.
I like the story of “big fish” very much. It moved me deeply. I want to download the script of it. But it seems that the URL of the pdf file here is invalid. It’s not available for me. Could you check out the problem or send the script to my Email-box GSL101@163.com, please?
Thank you!
June 21st, 2004 at 3:59 am
Hey Justin. If that link doesn’t work. Go here
http://www.script-o-rama.com/snazzy/table.html
that site has got just about all the greatest scripts around. Go down the page to ‘B’ and click on the link. That might work