John August

News

Tough Love vs. Self Care

Episode - 425

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News, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig discuss when writers should practice tough love vs. self-care. Inspired by Chuck Wendig’s blog post, they examine how real-world issues impact writers’ ability to get work done — but how they can also be used as an excuse for procrastination and laziness. They offer a checklist for helping decide whether it’s time to be harder or easier on yourself.

We also follow up on the Austin Film Festival, fan backlash, and show-runner tips for championing assistant pay, especially during the holiday season.

Links:

* The [Official Watchmen Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-official-watchmen-podcast/id1485052917) with Craig Mazin
* Susannah Grant on Creative Decisions behind [Unbelievable](https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a29093906/unbelievable-netflix-susannah-grant-interview/) Release
* Michael Greene [Holiday Bonus](https://twitter.com/andmichaelgreen/status/1067885775134441477?s=20) Twitter Thread
* Tough Love vs. Self Care:[Sharp Rock, Soft Pillow: The Balance Of Self-Care And Tough Love](http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2019/10/22/sharp-rock-soft-pillow-the-balance-of-self-care-and-tough-love/)
* [Chuck Wendig: Terrible Minds](http://terribleminds.com/ramble/)
* [One Page Dungeon](https://watabou.itch.io/one-page-dungeon) by watabou
* [Superhero Therapy](https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2019/10/superhero-therapy-im-batman/600475/)
* [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))

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_425_tough_love.mp3).

**UPDATE 11-8-2019** The transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2019/scriptnotes-ep-425-tough-love-vs-self-care-transcript).

Austin Film Festival 2019

News, Scriptnotes

Craig hosts Scriptnotes Live at The Austin Film Festival with guests Ayanna Floyd (The Chi, Empire), Liz Hannah (The Post, Mind Hunter), Nichelle Tramble (Truth Be Told, The Good Wife), Malcolm Spellman (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Empire), David Mandel (Veep, Curb Your Enthusiasm), David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (Game of Thrones). They discuss the power of television, writing for the binge model, and the value of telling stories you want to watch.

We also play a Craig and David Kwong puzzle on movie quotes and host a round of How Do You Follow THAT Up?

Huge thank you to all of our guests!

Links:

* [Ayanna Floyd](https://twitter.com/qu33nofdrama) on Twitter and [IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0283234/)
* [Liz Hannah](https://twitter.com/itslizhannah) on Twitter and [IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2176283/)
* [Nichelle Tramble Spellman](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2838492/) on IMDB
* [Malcolm Spellman](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1173259/) on IMDB
* [David Mandel](https://twitter.com/DavidHMandel) on Twitter and [IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0541635/)
* [David Benioff](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1125275/) on IMDB
* [D.B. Weiss](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1888967/) on IMDB
* [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))

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_424_aff.mp3).

**UPDATE 10-27-19** The transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2019/scriptnotes-424-austin-film-festival-transcript).

Casting a blind teenage actress

Directors, News, Projects

I’ve written a new movie that I’m planning to direct. It’s called The Shadows. It’s a thriller.

I wouldn’t normally announce something like this so far in advance, but casting is going to be a unique process that will require a major search.

The hero of the film is a 15-year-old girl named Abby. She’s stubborn, resourceful and anxious. She is also blind. I’m looking for a blind actress to play this role.

To learn more, you can read the [casting announcement](https://johnaugust.com/casting).

Ready to Write

News, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig tackle the question, “How do you know when you’re ready to write a given script?” They propose a list of details a writer should know before diving in, and look at why starting too soon can be a recipe for failure. (So can waiting too long.)

We also discuss the WGA’s “refusal to negotiate” myth and answer questions about rewrites vs polishes, and whether writing a bad script could put you on a Do Not Hire list.

Links:

* [Myth of No Negotiation](https://johnaugust.com/2019/the-myth-of-no-negotiation)
* Deadline’s “Exclusive” on [John’s Blogpost](https://deadline.com/2019/08/john-august-wga-long-slog-agency-deal-negotiations-1202662054/)
* [John Milton, Paradise Lost](https://www.dartmouth.edu/~milton/reading_room/pl/book_2/text.shtml)
* [Monsters Creatures: A Young Adventurer’s Guide](https://amzn.to/31xMkk7) by Jim Zub
* [Oreo Thins](https://www.oreo.com/Thins)
* [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))

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_413_ready_to_write.mp3)

**UPDATE 8-27-2019** The transcript of this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2019/scriptnotes-ep-413-ready-to-write).