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John welcomes writer-producers Dailyn Rodriguez (Queen of the South, Ugly Betty) and Chad Gomez Creasey (NCIS: New Orleans, Castle) to talk about writing network dramas and production during a pandemic.

We answer listener questions on act breaks, politics on tv, and sustainable story engines.

Finally, in our bonus segment for premium members we discuss ‘ambient television’ and our favorite comfort-shows.

Links:

• Beowulf: A New Translation by Maria Dahvana Headley
• WGA Health Plans
• Calida Garcia Rawles
• “Emily in Paris” and the Rise of Ambient TV for the New Yorker by Kyle Chayka
• Dailyn Rodriguez on Twitter
• Chad Gomez Creasey on Twitter
• Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
• John August on Twitter
• Craig Mazin on Twitter
• John on Instagram
• Outro by Alex Winder (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 12-9-20 The transcript for this episode can now be found here.

John and Craig explore quiet scenes of reflection and why these calm moments between big set pieces are so meaningful to characters and viewers.

We also help a writer figure out how to pitch to his agent and answer listener questions.

Finally, in our bonus segment for premium members, we talk about dogs.

Links:

• YALL Write John’s panel is on Friday, November 13th at 3pm ET/12pm PT
• Drew Champion and Archibald’s Next Big Thing
• Money: The True Story of a Made-Up Thing by Jacob Goldstein
• The Origin of Capitalism: A Longer View by Ellen Meiksins Wood
• Debt – The First 5,000 years by David Graeber
• Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
• John August on Twitter
• Craig Mazin on Twitter
• John on Instagram
• Outro by Peter Hoopes (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 11-6-2020 The transcript for this episode can now be found here.

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
• Madonna to direct biopic, Diablo Cody to write.
• Blogpost on Loglines
• Write in to ask@johnaugust.com share advice on finding legal representation.
• ASL Gloss Breakdown
• Save Democracy Itself! Fundraiser
• Chris Stein on Twitter
• Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
• John August on Twitter
• Craig Mazin on Twitter
• John on Instagram
• Outro by Michael Karman (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 10.15.20 The transcript for this episode can now be found here.