John August

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The Conflict Episode, Rebroadcast

Episode - 179

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News, Scriptnotes

Craig and John discuss conflict — why it’s bad in real life but essential in screenwriting. We define six forms of conflict common in movies, then look at ways to sustain conflict within a scene and throughout a story.

We also look briefly at Whiplash, both the conflict between its two main characters and the controversy over whether it should be considered an original or an adapted screenplay.

Finally, in our bonus segment for premium members we discuss our relationships with the teachers in our lives.

This episode originally aired on January 13, 2015 [here](https://johnaugust.com/2015/the-conflict-episode).

Links:

* [Academy & WGA At Odds Over ‘Whiplash’ Screenplay](http://deadline.com/2015/01/academy-and-wga-at-odds-over-acclaimed-whiplash-screenplay-will-it-hurt-oscar-chances-1201341846/) on Deadline
* [Snowpiercer: Left or Right](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X05TDsoSg2Y) on YouTube
* [Star Trek: The Next Generation In 40 Hours](https://medium.com/@MaxTemkin/star-trek-the-next-generation-in-40-hours-c4a6762cbd3) by Max Temkin
* [Weekend Read now has 21 award season scripts](http://johnaugust.com/2015/weekend-read-for-your-consideration) (and counting)
* [Sous-vide cooking](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sous-vide) on Wikipedia
* [Sansaire](http://sansaire.com/) home sous-vide macine
* [Slow-poached eggs](http://momofukufor2.com/2010/01/slow-poached-eggs/) from Momofuku
* [Spoiled Brats: Stories](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I828AYK/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Simon Rich, and its short story [Gifted](http://nypost.com/2014/12/28/in-book-excerpt-ex-snl-writer-takes-aim-at-proud-nyc-parents/)
* [Rate us on iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/scriptnotes-podcast/id462495496?mt=2) and help new listeners find Scriptnotes
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [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 Jason Young ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by Megana Rao and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/179standard.mp3).

Loglines Are For Other People

News, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig tackle loglines: what they are, how people write them, and why screenwriters shouldn’t worry all that much about them.

We also discuss updates on the WGA agency deal and listener questions on lawyers, options, and ASL.

Finally, in our bonus segment for premium members, we discuss gaming consoles.

Links:

* [CAA Signed Deal](https://deadline.com/2020/09/caa-in-deal-with-wga-1234576395/)
* [Madonna to direct biopic, Diablo Cody to write.](https://variety.com/2020/film/news/madonna-to-direct-her-biopic-co-written-by-diablo-cody-for-universal-1234770633/)
* [Blogpost on Loglines](https://johnaugust.com/2020/loglines)
* Write in to ask@johnaugust.com share advice on finding legal representation.
* [ASL Gloss Breakdown](https://www.slideshare.net/MsAmyLC/glossing-in-asl-what-is-it-eight-examples)
* [Save Democracy Itself! Fundraiser](https://secure.actblue.com/donate/tie-breaker-candidate-fund-1)
* [Chris Stein](https://twitter.com/chrissteinplays) on Twitter
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [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 Michael Karman ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by Megana Rao and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/469standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 10.15.20** The transcript for this episode can now be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2020/scriptnotes-ep-469-loglines-are-for-other-people-transcript).

Another Word for Euphemism

News, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig talk about the words we use when referring to people or groups of people — and why those words keep changing. Nic Novicki of the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge joins us to discuss writing inclusive storylines and characters.

We also discuss single-use characters, WGA elections, and follow up on listener questions.

In our bonus segment for premium members, we tackle the question: “If the standards for breaking into the screenwriting industry are so high, why are so many BAD movies made?”

Links:

* [Range Media](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/after-agency-exodus-top-reps-unveil-new-firm-range-media-partners)
* [WGA Elections](https://secure.wga.org/the-guild/about-us/officers-board-members/elections)
* [Easterseals](https://disabilityfilmchallenge.com/) Disability Film Challenge
* [Euphemisms are like underwear: best changed frequently](https://aeon.co/essays/euphemisms-are-like-underwear-best-changed-frequently)
* [One Hit Kill Game](https://www.onehitkillgame.com)
* [DM’s Guide to Roll 20](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa3qqbMuNy-r-ZvH7UiX_OyW03ymY6axK)
* [Get Ready for a Feeding Frenzy Over the NRA’s Corpse](https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/09/nra-lawsuit-gun-rights-movement-successor.html)
* [Whale Fall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whale_fall)
* [Champagne Bottle Stopper](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UZ4BJKQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
* [Clint Ford Twitter Thread](https://twitter.com/actualclintford/status/1292853003838525443?s=21)
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Nic Novicki](https://twitter.com/nicnovicki?lang=en) on Twitter
* [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 Michael Karman ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by Megana Rao and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/467standard.mp3).

 

**UPDATE 9-10-20** The transcript for this episode can now be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2020/scriptnotes-episode-467-another-word-for-euphemism-transcript).

Questions! Or You’ve Got Moxie

News, Scriptnotes

John and Craig tackle their overflowing mailbag to answer some long-delayed listener questions on subtext, divorce, set decoration, and more!

We also follow up on news about management companies and how this affects writers.

Finally, in our bonus segment for premium members, we’ll talk about headshots and our experiences getting our photos taken.

Links:

* [Pete Micelli/Steve Cohen Management Launch Adds WME’s Rich Cook, UTA’s Roussos, Fox, Mckinnies, Moorhead To CAA’s Whigham, Sullivan, Bugliari, Cooper](https://deadline.com/2020/08/pete-micelli-caa-agents-jack-whigham-mick-sullivan-david-bugliari-michael-cooper-new-production-mangement-venture-1203021172/)
* [The Great Agency Exodus: Top Reps Flee the Majors As Management Civil War Looms](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/the-great-agency-exodus-top-reps-flee-the-majors-as-management-civil-war-looms)
* [After Agency Exodus, New Firm Pitches Investors On Star-Driven Production “Cash Cow” (Exclusive)](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/after-agency-exodus-new-firm-pitches-investors-on-star-driven-production-cash-cow)
* [Batman Teaser](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blN6BrhVKyU)
* [Mike Selinker on Twitter](https://twitter.com/mikeselinker/status/1297590513730650112)
* [Zionor Swim Goggles](https://amzn.to/2EFZghH)
* [Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything](https://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/tashas-cauldron-everything)
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [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 Rajesh Naroth ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by Megana Rao and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/466standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 9-8-20** The transcript for this episode can now be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2020/scriptnotes-episode-466-questions-or-youve-got-moxie-transcript).