• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

John August

  • Arlo Finch
  • Scriptnotes
  • Library
  • Store
  • About

Rules and Plans

Episode - 385

Go to Archive

Listen on

  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • RSS
  • YouTube

January 29, 2019 Scriptnotes

John and Craig discuss when and how to break screenplay orthodoxy, from experimental formatting to narrative misdirects. They also examine why it’s important that your characters create, communicate, and break plans.

We also address follow up from our Raiders of the Lost Ark deep dive, and respond to questions about shared and international writing credits.

Links:

  • The Seattle Live Show is on February 6th!
  • You can now preorder Arlo Finch in the Lake of the Moon or come to the launch event on February 9th.
  • Submit entries for The Scriptnotes Pitch Session here.
  • Bear spray is not stronger than pepper spray
  • Domain Name Pricing Game
  • D&D Beyond
  • T-shirts are available here! We’ve got new designs, including Colored Revisions and Highland.
  • John August on Twitter
  • Craig Mazin on Twitter
  • John on Instagram
  • Find past episodes
  • Scriptnotes Digital Seasons are also now available!
  • Outro by James Llonch and Jim Bond (send us yours!)

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

Related Posts

  1. Scriptnotes, Ep 162: Luck, sequels and bus money — Transcript
  2. Scriptnotes, Ep 200: The 200th Episode Live Show — Transcript
  3. Scriptnotes, Ep 186: The Rules (or, the Paradox of the Outlier) — Transcript

Primary Sidebar

Each week, screenwriters John August and Craig Mazin discuss screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters, everything from the craft to the business to the best ways to get yourself writing.

The most recent 20 episodes are available for free on this site and Apple Podcasts. The entire 750+ episode back catalog, plus bonus content and episodes, are available to Premium Subscribers.

Where to Find It

  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • RSS

Scriptnotes Premium

  •   Bonus segments and episodes
  •   Early access to events
  •   750+ episode back catalog
  •   Use your favorite podcast player.

Join now

Scriptnotes Shirts

Every Scriptnotes shirt is available on-demand from Cotton Bureau. 14 designs and counting.

These high-quality tees are super soft and available in all sizes, including children’s and hoodies.

Browse the catalog

© 2026 John August — All Rights Reserved.