John August

Comics

Where Movies Come From

Episode - 359

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Adaptation, Comics, Film Industry, Follow Up, Genres, News, Producers, Rights and Copyright, Scriptnotes, Transcribed, WGA, Writing Process

John and Craig welcome Liz Hannah (screenwriter of The Post) to explore where movies come from, be it real life, storytelling social media sites, or all-powerful comic book IP. How do these story sources affect the writer’s relationship with the material and with the audience?

We also follow up on the meaning of “Jackman Shot” and answer listener questions about using accents to indicate foreign language, where low-budget holiday movies fit into a blossoming writing career and the responsibilities of adapting the work of someone with a questionable moral legacy.

Links:

* Thanks for joining us, [Liz Hannah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liz_Hannah)! Liz’s film, [The Post](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Post_(film)), was a Best Picture nominee.
* [Fred Jackman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Jackman), [cinematographer/writer/director/special effects hero](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0413164/), is the apparent namesake of the Jackman shot.
* [How Wattpad is Rewriting the Rules of Hollywood](http://www.vulture.com/2018/07/how-wattpad-is-rewriting-the-rules-of-hollywood.html), by Chris Lee writing for Vulture
* [Hunting the Con Queen of Hollywood: Who’s the “Crazy Evil Genius” Behind a Global Racket?](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/hunting-con-queen-hollywood-1125932), by Scott Johnson writing for the Hollywood Reporter
* [Comic Book Shake-Up: DMG Entertainment Acquires Valiant ](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/valiant-acquired-by-dmg-entertainment-comic-book-shake-up-1078980), by Borys Kit for The Hollywood Reporter
* [Valkyrie](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6n3hRZmgxU), [Schindler’s List](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdRGC-w9syA) and [The Death of Stalin](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukJ5dMYx2no) are examples of how one can handle the indication of foreign language.
* [Who We Are and How We Got Here: Ancient DNA and the New Science of the Human Past](https://www.amazon.com/Who-Are-How-Got-Here/dp/110187032X) by David Reich
* [GamePigeon](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gamepigeon/id1124197642?mt=8)
* [Overlooked](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/obituaries/overlooked.html) by the New York Times adds obituaries for remarkable people that were overlooked in their time, like Bette Nesmith Graham who invented liquid paper.
* [The Scriptnotes Listeners’ Guide!](http://johnaugust.com/guide)
* [The USB drives!](https://store.johnaugust.com/collections/frontpage/products/scriptnotes-300-episode-usb-flash-drive)
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [Craig Mazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [Liz Hannah](https://twitter.com/itslizhannah) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Find past episodes](http://scriptnotes.net/)
* [Scriptnotes Digital Seasons](https://store.johnaugust.com/) are also now available!
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Larry Douziech ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_359_v2.mp3).

**UPDATE 7-23-18:** The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2018/scriptnotes-ep-359-where-movies-come-from-transcript).

This Title is an Example of Exposition

Comics, Film Industry, Follow Up, How-To, Scriptnotes, Story and Plot, Sundance, Words on the page, Writing Process

John and Craig debate and defend one of the most-maligned elements of screenwriting: Exposition. How do you tell an audience what they need to know without being labeled a hack? We offer tips for getting viewers up to speed without them realizing they’re getting fed exposition.

We also follow up on screenplay competitions, the psychology of toxic fandom, fridging as a trope, and the market for lesbian love stories.

Links:

* [Michael Arndt](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1578335/)’s thoughts on [Endings](http://www.pandemoniuminc.com/endings-video) (and [Beginnings](http://www.pandemoniuminc.com/beginnings-video))
* Midnight blue typewriter Scriptnotes [t-shirts](https://cottonbureau.com/products/scriptnotes-midnight-blue) are back on Cotton Bureau for a limited time!
* [“Fridging”](https://www.vox.com/2018/5/24/17384064/deadpool-vanessa-fridging-women-refrigerators-comics-trope) is the [trope](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/StuffedIntoTheFridge) of violence against women motivating a male protagonist’s plot.
* [These seven lesbian movies](http://gomag.com/article/7-lesbian-movies-hitting-the-big-screen-in-2018/) are coming out in 2018.
* This exposition scene in [Aliens](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGY5nVIOytY) does it right.
* [American Animals](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKvPVvy2Kn8), written and directed by Bart Layton
* Isoland 2: Ashes of Time for [iOS](https://itunes.apple.com/US/app/id1320750997?mt=8) and [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lilithgame.isoland2.gpen)
* [The Scriptnotes Listeners’ Guide!](http://johnaugust.com/guide)
* [The USB drives!](https://store.johnaugust.com/collections/frontpage/products/scriptnotes-300-episode-usb-flash-drive)
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [Craig Mazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Find past episodes](http://scriptnotes.net/)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Timothy Vajda ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_357.mp3).

**UPDATE 7-10-18:** The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2018/scriptnotes-ep-357-this-title-is-an-example-of-exposition-transcript).

Not Worth Winning

Comics, Film Industry, News, Producers, Rights and Copyright, Scriptnotes, Story and Plot, Transcribed, Videogames, WGA, Writing Process

In light of the dust-up over Coverfly, John and Craig discuss why most screenwriting contests are essentially useless and should be avoided.

We then look at destructive fandom and ponder how today’s entitled enthusiasts might have responded to the classics.

Plus we answer listener questions about the “gutters” between scenes, whether an employer owns your idea, what the business of big talent-led production companies looks like, and how to maintain momentum after your first sale.

Links:

* Coverfly’s [response](https://www.coverfly.com/an-open-letter-to-our-community-1/) to accusations in a now-deleted blog post. [Here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Screenwriting/comments/8o85nt/about_that_coverfly_scam_blogpost_doing_the_rounds/)’s a conversation on the Screenwriting Reddit page about it.
* In 2015’s Episode 191 [The Deal with Scripped.com](http://johnaugust.com/2015/scriptnotes-ep-191-the-deal-with-scripped-com-transcript), we invited John Rhodes from ScreenCraft and Guy Goldstein from WriterDuet to investigate a data management crisis with Scripped.com.
* [Toxic Fandom Is Killing ‘Star Wars’](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/solo-box-office-results-kelly-marie-tran-harassment-show-star-wars-has-a-fan-problem-1118898) by Marc Bernardin for the Hollywood Reporter
* Slate’s [Decoder Ring podcast](http://www.slate.com/articles/podcasts/decoder_ring/2018/06/decoder_ring_explores_how_a_conspiracy_theory_about_a_gay_sherlock_holmes.html) covers the Johnlock Conspiracy.
* [Apple has made a deal with the WGA](https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/apple-signs-writers-guild-contract-programming-1202836232/)
* Evan in Philadephia recommends Scott McCloud’s [Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art](http://www.amazon.com/dp/006097625X/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) for a great explanation of “gutters.”
* [JJ Abrams’](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._J._Abrams) [Bad Robot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_Robot_Productions) is an example of a big production company led by a creative.
* [The worst sex in the world is anglerfish sex, and now there’s finally video](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2018/03/23/the-worst-sex-in-the-world-is-anglerfish-sex-and-now-theres-finally-video/?utm_term=.b7ad03e910b0) by Avi Selk for the Washington Post. This (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=51&v=Lsmxs0uDXMo)’s upsetting animation shows what the process would look like for humans.
* Bethesda’s [Starfield](https://www.polygon.com/e3/2018/6/10/17434018/starfield-trailer-bethesda-e3-2018-pc-xbox-ps4) has been announced
* [The Scriptnotes Listeners’ Guide!](http://johnaugust.com/guide)
* [The USB drives!](https://store.johnaugust.com/collections/frontpage/products/scriptnotes-300-episode-usb-flash-drive)
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [Craig Mazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Find past episodes](http://scriptnotes.net/)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Jeff Mooney ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_355.mp3).

**UPDATE 6-26-18:** The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2018/scriptnotes-ep-355-not-worth-winning-transcript).

The Summer Superhero Spectacular

Comics, Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed

John and Craig are joined by the writers of the some of the biggest superhero movies to talk about why these characters resonate. Andrea Berloff looks for the primal essence of Conan. Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely discuss the challenge of bringing Captain America to a global audience. David Goyer talks about keeping Batman grounded even while Superman flies. Then the whole panel gets busy rebooting randomly-assigned superheroes.

Then it’s time for the Three Page Challenge, with special guest judge Susannah Grant joining us to look at three entrants with scripts ranging from singers to zombies to yes, superheroes.

This episode was produced as a benefit for the Writers Guild Foundation, whose programs support writer education.

Links:

* [The Writers Guild Foundation](http://wgfoundation.org)
* [Andrea Berloff](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0075696/) on IMDb, and [Deadline’s Conan announcement](http://www.deadline.com/2013/10/legend-of-conan-lands-andrea-berloff-to-script-arnold-schwarzenegger-epic-reprise/)
* [Christopher Markus](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1321655/) & [Stephen McFeely](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1321656/) on IMDb, and [their interview on LA Times Hero Complex](http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/captain-america-winter-soldier-writers-revel-in-marvel-universe/#/0)
* [David Goyer](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0333060/) on IMDb, and [his BAFTA Screenwriters Lecture](http://www.bafta.org/film/features/david-s-goyer-delivers-his-bafta-screenwriters-lecture,3931,BA.html)
* [David Goyer’s arms](http://cdn.wegotthiscovered.com/wp-content/uploads/13049.jpg)
* [Spider-Man](http://marvel.wikia.com/Spider-Man), [Hulk](http://marvel.wikia.com/Hulk), [Martian Manhunter](http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Martian_Manhunter), [Wonder Woman](http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Wonder_Woman), [Lex Luthor](http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Lex_Luthor) and [Storm](http://marvel.wikia.com/Ororo_Munroe_(Earth-616))
* [Susannah Grant](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0335666/) on IMDb, and a [feature on her from Salon](http://www.salon.com/2000/04/13/grant/)
* The three [Three Page Challenge entries](http://johnaugust.com/umbrage), and [all 57 that were submitted](http://johnaugust.com/threepagelive)
* [Intro/Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Scriptnotes editor Matthew Chilelli ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_144.m4a) | [mp3](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_144.mp3).

**UPDATE 5-23-14:** The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2014/scriptnotes-ep-144-the-summer-superhero-spectacular-transcript).