Some readers had questions they didn’t get to ask on the call-in show last night, so I answered them this morning.
Unanswered Questions from John August on Vimeo.
Just for quality comparison’s sake, here’s the same video through YouTube. (To be fair, you should click the HQ setting on the YouTube version.)
This site is run by screenwriter John August. Mostly, he answers reader-submitted questions about the craft, but occasionally he goes on tangents that run far afield of writing and filmmaking. You'll also find info on past, present and future projects.
On Twitter: @johnaugust
If you have a question about screenwriting or my movies that hasn't been answered, by all means ask. There are a few guidelines to follow.
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May 21st, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Thank you!!
I also have a question, at the end of a movie based on a true story, there is almost always those, “where are they now” moments, with the text that that explains “Jimmy went on to win seven more hotdog eating contests before dying of high cholesterol at the age of 17.” How do you get that on paper, I would love to see a quick screencast or example. Thanks!
Oh, and really, you are the best, this site is not only super informative, but incredibly motivating as well.
May 21st, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Thanks for following up with the Q&A.
But what I really want to know about is the punctuation artwork behind you… where did you find that? link?
May 21st, 2009 at 3:00 pm
John, is there a reason you’ve switched from Vimeo to Youtube? Is it the upload allowances? Just curious as to your preferences.
May 21st, 2009 at 3:20 pm
This is great. Thanks.
Like Matt, I would love to know more about the artwork on the wall.
May 21st, 2009 at 4:18 pm
@Matt and @Alex:
The artwork is from a catalog.
It’s leftover set dressing from The Nines.
May 21st, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Not sure if you are taking more questions. If so, I wondered if you would speak about ways to make character voices sound “different?”
Obviously, a gas station attendant in the sticks isn’t going to speak the same as a hairdresser from Brooklyn, and neither is going to speak like a frat boy or stockbroker — but mostly Main Characters in scripts live in the same “world,” and do sound alike, don’t they?
(OT — I already know you are nice because of the patience with which you handle this blog, but seeing you and hearing your voice really brings this “niceness” to the forefront. What is the matter with you? I always imagine Hollywood as a place of emotional brutality, you seem… unscathed… I’m impressed.)
May 21st, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Much thanks.
May 21st, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Heh. Tarantino and Cameron form the core of the screenplays on my bookshelf. I especially treasure “Terminator 2: The Book of the Film” by Applause since it includes annotations on why scenes were included or omitted, plus scenes from earlier drafts that show how the ideas evolved.
May 21st, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Man, it’s really discouraging and sad to me that in this day-and-age when our world is so small, we really must live in hollywood to ever have a script made into film. I suppose I should just chuck any ambitions now since LA will never happen for me.
Ironically, I was born and raised in LA, but it is just flat out too expensive and unrealistic for my family to move there on spec.
May 21st, 2009 at 9:27 pm
John,
Thanks for doing this. I really appreciate how you’re so willing to open up and be a resource for all of us. Your written answers are great but seeing you explain it is much better. Please keep it up.
May 21st, 2009 at 9:41 pm
A Point Break mention. Nice.
May 21st, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Man, Vimeo video looks aces compared to YouTube.
May 22nd, 2009 at 10:47 am
Question: Were you sitting courtside at the Laker game with Tom Cruise last night? Sorry if it’s one of those “I know that guy and I don’t look anything like him” situations. It went by pretty quick on TV.
May 22nd, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Talking about Point Break, flick’s playing at the Egyptian on june 7.
May 23rd, 2009 at 7:38 am
@Keith:
Nope. I apparently resemble every bald white guy aged 29-50.
May 23rd, 2009 at 5:13 pm
John, thanks for considering my question. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the subject.
May 24th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Re: “@Keith: Nope. I apparently resemble every bald white guy aged 29-50.”
Well, not so much Jason Statham.
But on the upside, also not so much Verne Troyer. :-)
Thanks again for another great post, John.
May 25th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Sorry once again we did not get to caller questions. We had one hour and they (blogtalkradio) cut you off right at the hour mark. Thanks again John.
Chris W.
May 25th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
If you can add to my last comment, I added the video embed…
http://www.screenwritersutopia.com/ScreenTalk/?p=189
June 8th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Stranger Than Fiction –
John’s probably correct above having to move to L.A. to have lasting screenwriting career, but you can launch a career wherever you are with a great script. (That’s the hard part.) In the past few years a couple writers from Minneapolis have launched careers while living and writing scripts in the Twin Cities. And both films each made over $100 million at the box office. So Diablo Cody (Juno) and Nick Schenk & Dave Johannson (Gran Torino) prove you can at least jump start your career by living and writing outside L.A. (Note: Cody and Schenk now both live in L.A.)
Scott W. Smith screenwritingfromiowa.wordpress.com