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There is No Conspiracy

Episode - 512

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August 17, 2021 Scriptnotes

John and Craig host another round of the Three Page Challenge, analyzing a range of listener submissions from scripts set in rural Japan to Manhattan strip clubs. They discuss establishing setting, grounding big characters, and introducing narration.

We also take a look at the lecture scene: how it can fall flat and tips for making it work. Then we answer a listener question on whether writers have an ethical responsibility to stop writing conspiracy theory stories.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John invites writer/comedian Sara Schaefer (The Schaefer Shakedown) to discuss her three steps for selling your TV show.

Links:

  • Courtney Kemp’s Deal at Netflix
  • Trey Parker and Matt Stone of South Park Deal
  • Hello Sunshine Sale
  • Frankenweenie
  • Trickster: Night of the Kitsune by Hiroshi Mori
  • Martha by Caroline O’Riordan
  • The Many Lives of Newton Thomas by Sean Frost
  • Collection of TV Scripts
  • Circulous Game
  • Sara Schaefer’s Twitter Clip
  • Schaefer Shakedown
  • Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
  • Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription!
  • John August on Twitter
  • John on Instagram
  • Outro by Andrew Hart (send us yours!)
  • Scriptnotes is produced by Megana Rao and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 8-20-21 The transcript for this episode can be found here.

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