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When we turned in the first draft of the Scriptnotes book in late 2023, it was over 600 pages long. Over the following two years, we continually edited it down until it was only the very best stuff — but in order to do so, we had to make some painful cuts.

One was a 13-page chapter that felt essential, but didn’t quite fit anywhere: “Getting Stuff Written.”

• How do you move from “wanting to write” to actually producing pages?
• When should you start writing, and how do you know you’re ready?
• What actually is writer’s block?
• How do you keep momentum?
• How do you balance tough love and self-care on any given day?

We were sad no one would get to read it. And then we realized: BONUS CHAPTER!

For the past few months, we’ve been encouraging listeners who preorder the book to send us their receipts. Last Friday, we sent them something back — the “Getting Stuff Written” chapter, fully edited and typeset. The response has been overwhelming.

Ian writes:

I’m sorry to tell you this…But you guys obviously messed up big time!

This bonus chapter is absolutely incredible. It’s practical, empathetic, thoughtful, and succinct. It’s also exactly the message I needed at the stage that I’m at right now.

I can’t imagine how the poor souls that did not pre-order the book will get by without this chapter.

Perhaps I should just be grateful that I am part of a small cohort that has been so fortunate to receive this gem of wisdom.

Tania writes:

Wooho! Excellent chapter.

“Perfectionism is protectionism” is gold.

Tom writes:

That was an amazing read. Thank you guys! If that’s what you’re leaving OUT of the book? My god, I can’t wait to read what’s in it ❤️

Scott writes:

Oh, my. If you took out that chapter, I can’t wait to see the ones you left in.

That said, I urge you to find a way to distribute that chapter widely. It’s as good as Craig’s ‘How to Write a Movie’ episode in terms of straightforward, overall writing advice. It’s exactly the sort of thing I need to hear. I imagine others need it, too.

Scott’s right. Once the book is out, we’ll share that chapter more widely.

If you’d like to read it TODAY, send your pre-order receipt to ask@johnaugust.com. Drew will send you the bonus chapter.

We hope you like it, and can’t wait for you to hold the full book in your hands (in less than a month). Preorder here!

For our live Three Page Challenge segment at the Austin Film Festival, we look at three entries submitted by attendees.

Download the PDFs here if you want to read along!

Tall Poppies by Becca Hurd

High North by Teddy Johnson

Ancient Grains by Michael Warnecke

Robert Redford built a remarkable career as an actor and a director, but most industry folk would agree his greatest achievement was creating the Sundance Institute. That’s the organization he co-founded in 1981 which runs the annual Sundance Film Festival. It’s no hyperbole to say that Sundance transformed the American independent film landscape, bringing attention and prestige to films (and filmmakers) that might otherwise go unnoticed.

But while the festival is the public face of Sundance, I believe the less-seen work of the Sundance screenwriter and director labs is an equally important legacy. Under the direction of Michelle Satter and her team, the labs bring together seasoned advisors with emerging filmmakers to work on their next films. I’ve had the privilege of serving as a Sundance advisor since 2000.

Pre-pandemic, the labs happened on-site at Redford’s gorgeous Sundance Resort in Utah. If Redford wasn’t off shooting something, he’d come to morning meetings, listening and offering suggestions. That’s where I met him. Given our handful of interactions, I can’t say I have any particular insight about him, but I greatly admired how he was able to build an organization that operated so well without his direct supervision. He chose great people and let them do great work. It’s a lesson more founders could learn.

I was sad to hear of Redford’s passing today, but I have no worries about its impact on the remarkable institution he envisioned. That’s a legacy to admire — not just what you accomplish in your life, but the good work that can continue long after you’re gone. May he rest in peace.