John August

News

Rebroadcast, Ep 180: Bad Teachers, Good Advice and the Default Male

News

In this rebroadcast, Aline Brosh McKenna joins John and Craig to discuss how movies featuring good mentors (Dead Poet’s Society, To Sir with Love) differ from films with bad mentors (Whiplash, The Devil Wears Prada). It’s not just that the teachers are bad guys; rather, the stories are structured completely differently.

We also discuss the “default male problem,” especially how it relates to comedy and the cleanest version of a joke. John asks Craig and Aline about some ethical quandaries he’s been facing, ranging from awards voting to who is a “friend.”

And in our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig have a dialogue on dialogue. They discuss the process of developing the Scriptnotes book and the differences between how we speak/write/write speech.

Links:

* Sign up for updates and sample chapters on the Scriptnotes Book [here](https://scriptnotes.net/)!
* [Aline Brosh McKenna](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0112459/) on episodes [60](http://johnaugust.com/2012/the-black-list-and-a-stack-of-scenes), [76](http://johnaugust.com/2013/how-screenwriters-find-their-voice), [100](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-100th-episode), [101](http://johnaugust.com/2013/101-qa-from-the-live-show), [119](http://johnaugust.com/2013/positive-moviegoing), [123](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-holiday-spectacular), [124](http://johnaugust.com/2013/qa-from-the-holiday-spectacular) [152](http://johnaugust.com/2014/the-rocky-shoals-pages-70-90), [161](http://johnaugust.com/2014/a-cheap-cut-of-meat-soaked-in-butter), and [175](http://johnaugust.com/2014/twelve-days-of-scriptnotes)
* [Raphael Bob-Waksberg Breaks Down Comedy’s “Default Male” Problem](https://www.vulture.com/2015/01/bojack-horseman-creator-raphael-bob-waksberg-breaks-down-comedys-default-male-problem.html)
* [Writers on Writing: Simon Kinberg](https://store.johnaugust.com/products/scriptnotes-season-4) available in season four.
* Read the Whiplash screenplay [on Weekend Read](http://johnaugust.com/2015/weekend-read-for-your-consideration)
* [Evernote Scannable](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/evernote-scannable/id883338188?mt=8)
* [The Comeback](http://www.hbo.com/the-comeback#/) on HBO
* [Jason Hall in WGAw’s Written By](http://www.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=239550#{“issue_id”:239550,”page”:12})
* [Ryan Reynolds](https://twitter.com/VancityReynolds) is now on Twitter
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts) or [treat yourself to a premium subscription!](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/)
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [Aline Brosh Mckenna](https://twitter.com/alinebmckenna) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Rajesh Naroth ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Megana Rao](https://twitter.com/MeganaRao) and edited by [Matthew Chilelli](https://twitter.com/machelli).

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/180rebroadcaststandard.mp3).

Writing a Script in (insert number) Days

Episode - 504

Go to Archive

News, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig discuss what comes after you land a movie deal–writing the script by a certain date. They offer tips, strategies, and calculations for budgeting time to deliver a draft.

We also consider the statute of limitations on spoiler warnings and follow up on child prodigies, movie theaters and free will. Our listener questions this week include POV in a two hander and how to get out of a nightmare development trap.

Finally, in our bonus segment for premium members John and Craig share their views on UFOs and extraterrestrial life. Spoiler: it’s all a simulation.

Links:

* [Alamo Drafthouse out of Bankruptcy](https://deadline.com/2021/06/alamo-drafthouse-completes-sale-out-of-bankruptcy-five-new-theaters-box-office-revives-1234767261/)
* [Speculation that AMC may buy our beloved Arclight](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2021-06-01/amc-eyes-arclight-theaters-but-what-about-cinerama)
* [Warner Brothers Discovery Logo](https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/warner-bros-discovery-logo-mocked-1234985685/)
* [CAA Sells wiip](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2021-06-01/caa-sells-majority-stake-in-production-firm-to-south-koreas-jtbc-studios-co)
* [Screen Compensation Guide for Streaming Services](https://www.wga.org/members/employment-resources/writers-deal-hub/screen-compensation-guide-for-streaming-services)
* [Screen Deal Tips](https://www.wga.org/members/employment-resources/writers-deal-hub/screen-deal-tips)
* [32 year old passes for 19 for TV contract](https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/17/arts/tv-writer-32-passed-for-19-bloom-is-off-her-contract.html)
* [Jacob Kaplan-Moss on estimating software development](https://jacobian.org/2021/may/25/my-estimation-technique/)
* [Bo Burnham’s Inside](https://www.netflix.com/title/81289483)
* [Jack Plotnick’s Disney Made a Tiki Room](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9-5lxa9Hm8&list=PLAxvenXhNoAfDoleh_wZ1PLuva0rVwMuW&index=2)
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts) or [treat yourself to a premium subscription!](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/)
* [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)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Eric Pearson ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Megana Rao](https://twitter.com/MeganaRao) and edited by [Matthew Chilelli](https://twitter.com/machelli).

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/504standardv2.mp3).

**UPDATE 6-11-21** The transcript for this episode can now be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2021/scriptnotes-episode-504-writing-a-script-in-insert-number-days-transcript).

When You’re Given the Character

News, Scriptnotes

John welcomes writer/showrunner Dana Fox (Cruella, Home Before Dark, Isn’t it Romantic), writer/director Jac Schaeffer (WandaVision, Black Widow, Timer), and filmmaker/producer Lance Oppenheim (Some Kind of Heaven) to discuss characters you don’t control. From classic villains, comic book heroes, to real life subjects, we take a look at creating narratives around established characters.

We introduce a new segment on the trades called “Didja see in Deadline…” and answer listener questions on writing at work.

Finally in our bonus segment for premium members, we discuss naps! Dana Fox shares her recipe for the perfect nap and tips for getting better sleep.

Links:

* Watch Cruella on [Disney+](https://www.disneyplus.com/movies/cruella/2GJTZuO8I01c)
* [Home Before Dark](https://tv.apple.com/us/show/home-before-dark/umc.cmc.5yqy2wv4w7l0v4x5mn3le8l1y) Season 2 on Apple TV June 11th
* WandaVision on [Disney+](https://www.disneyplus.com/series/wandavision/4SrN28ZjDLwH)
* Some Kind of Heaven on [Hulu](https://www.hulu.com/watch/dbb0e05a-537d-4169-8a00-624ec21e35bd)
* Didja see in Deadline about [Timothée Chalamet To Play Willy Wonka In New Origin Tale](https://deadline.com/2021/05/timothee-chalamet-willy-wonka-warner-bros-1234762658/), [Kevin Spacey Will Return To Film In Franco Nero’s ‘The Man Who Drew God’](https://deadline.com/2021/05/kevin-spacey-film-return-franco-nero-luomo-che-disegno-dio-vanessa-redgrave-1234762630/), [‘F9’ Star John Cena Apologizes — In Mandarin — To China Over Calling Taiwan A Country](https://deadline.com/2021/05/f9-john-cena-apology-mandarin-china-taiwan-1234763680/), [Amazon Confirms It’s Buying MGM For $8.45 Billion](https://deadline.com/2021/05/amazon-to-buy-mgm-for-8-45-billion-merger-1234764306/), [Army of the Dead, Tig Notaro shot all her scenes alone.](https://deadline.com/2021/05/army-of-the-dead-zack-deborah-snyder-recasting-chris-delia-tig-notaro-1234762457/)
* [Dana Fox](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1401416/) on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/inthehenhouse)
* [Jac Schaeffer](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2356614/)
* [Lance Oppenheim](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4565262/) on [the web](https://www.lanceoppenheim.com/)
* [Slate’s Working podcast dialect coach Samara Bay](https://slate.com/podcasts/working/2021/05/dialect-coach-samara-bay)
* [You’re Wrong About Podcast – Exxon Valdez Oil Spill](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/halloween-re-release-the-exxon-valdez-oil-spill/id1380008439?i=1000496779604)
* Dana’s nap app [Positive Pregnancy with Andrew Johnson](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/positive-pregnancy-with-aj/id349477846)
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts) or [treat yourself to a premium subscription!](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/)
* [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)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Matthew Chilelli ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Megana Rao](https://twitter.com/MeganaRao) and edited by [Matthew Chilelli](https://twitter.com/machelli).

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/503standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 6-5-21** The transcript for this episode can be found here [here](https://johnaugust.com/2021/scriptnotes-episode-503-when-youre-given-the-character-transcript).

Free Will (Or, It’s Okay to Not Be a Screenwriter)

News, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig discuss the concept of free will, specifically how it relates to fictional characters. They outline the tightrope screenwriters walk balancing characters with agency against obstacles that feel true.

We also talk about decisions screenwriters face in their careers and why it’s okay (and difficult) to change paths. We answer listener questions about optioned scripts and child screenwriting prodigies.

Finally, in our bonus segment for premium members we discuss AP exams. Warning: Craig has umbrage.

Links:

* [The Scriptnotes Index](https://johnaugust.com/scriptnotes-index)
* [Scriptnotes Guest List](https://johnaugust.com/scriptnotes-guest-index)
* Help us update the [Scriptnotes Wikipedia page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scriptnotes)
* [Seth Rogan on Productivity](https://www.insider.com/why-seth-rogen-and-wife-do-not-want-children-2021-5)
* [The clockwork universe: is free will an illusion?](https://www.theguardian.com/profile/oliverburkeman) by Oliver Burkeman
* [Hacks with Jean Smart](https://play.hbomax.com/series/urn:hbo:series:GYIBToQrPdotpNQEAAAEa) on HBO Max
* [Girls 5eva](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/girls5eva) on Peacock
* [Horses are pretty because horses are pretty](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYZOlwsMGFA&feature=youtu.be) sketch on child-director prodigy
* [Deepl Translator](https://www.deepl.com/translator)
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts) or [treat yourself to a premium subscription!](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/)
* [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)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Matthew Chilelli ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Megana Rao](https://twitter.com/MeganaRao) and edited by [Matthew Chilelli](https://twitter.com/machelli).

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/502standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 6-4-21** The transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2022/scriptnotes-episode-502-free-will-or-its-okay-to-not-be-a-screenwriter-transcript).