John and Craig examine the foundation of every story: the premise. What is your story *really* about? What questions is it trying to answer? How does that differ from your logline? And what should writers do to make sure those things match up? We also follow up on AI copyright, physical media, Esperanto and lingua […]
John and Drew inspect the Federal Trade Commission’s proposed merger guidelines and why they’re important for everybody – not just writers – to read and comment on. Links: * [FTC and DOJ Seek Comment on Draft Merger Guidelines](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/07/ftc-doj-seek-comment-draft-merger-guidelines) by the Federal Trade Commission * [Publicly Comment on the FTC Draft Merger Guidelines](https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/FTC-2023-0043-0001) * [WGA Template […]
John and Craig look at how well-written dialogue is used to give characters a unique voice. Using clips from previous episodes they present a history of dialogue and its evolution, how it informs your actors, and how communicating an idea sometimes comes down to the smallest words our characters say. How can writers use dialogue […]
With union elections on the horizon, John and Drew present an overview of the voting process and governing structures of the WGA, DGA and SAG-AFTRA. Links: * [SAG-AFTRA 2023 Elections and Voter Guides](https://www.sagaftra.org/about/governance/2023-sag-aftra-elections) * [SAG-AFTRA Governance](https://www.sagaftra.org/about/governance/) * [DGA Leadership](https://www.dga.org/The-Guild/Leaders.aspx?Filter=Board%20of%20Directors) * [WGAw 2023 Elections](https://elections.wga.org/) * [WGAe 2023 Elections](https://www.wgaeast.org/council-elections/2023-election/) * Find more about the 2023 WGA negotiations […]
John and Craig welcome guests Quinta Brunson, Rachel Bloom and Natasha Lyonne to join them for a live benefit for Hollywood HEART. Since they cannot discuss the shows they’re currently working on (strike rules!) they instead reflect on the surprising paths of their careers, how acting has influenced them as writers and directors, and how […]
On the 100th day of striking against the AMPTP, John heads to the picket line to speak with writers about what they’ve learned, how they’re feeling, and what has changed. Thanks to everyone who talked to us! Links: * [2023 WGA Writer’s Strike Gallery](https://jwhendricks.pixieset.com/) by [J. W. Hendricks](https://jwhendricks.me/) * [Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and […]
John and Craig ponder the nature of words and what gives them meaning. Using new information on how large language models function, they look at the dizzying amount of connections words can create with other words, between humans, and their profound effect on the nature of consciousness. We promise we’re not high. We also follow […]
The AMPTP has reached out to set a meeting with the WGA. What does this mean? How should we feel? And can John find a metaphor for it? Links: * [WGA Announcements: Discussion with AMPTP about Negotiations](https://www.wgacontract2023.org/announcements/discussion-with-amptp-about-negotiations) * [Scriptnotes LIVE! At Dynasty Typewriter](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scriptnotes-live-tickets-674019238687) * [Writing Is Our Home](https://www.wgacontract2023.org/videos/writing-is-our-home) by WGA Negotiating Committee Co-Chair Chris Keyser […]
Craig hosts a solo episode presenting his general theory on screenwriting. He covers the central dramatic argument, the ‘why’ behind plot points, and of course, umbrage on common script diagrams. Good luck, and go torture your heroes! In our bonus segment for premium members, John Gatins (Flight, Real Steel) tells us about his history with […]
John has opinions on the AMPTP’s new assertion that the studios are bearing all the risk when it comes to making a movie or a series, and therefore should be receiving all the reward. Links: * [AMPTP response to SAG-AFTRA](https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AMPTPSAG-AFTRA-Chart.pdf) * [‘Idiots’: Wall Street Analysts Unload on Hollywood](https://theankler.com/p/idiots-wall-street-analysts-unload?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share) by Claire Atkinson for The Ankler * […]
John welcomes back Pamela Ribon (My Year of Dicks, Moana) to talk about how to fit the right characters to your story. We know story comes from characters, but often an idea starts with a world, so how do writers find the right characters to build their story around? We also talk about writing for […]
John and Drew take a look at SAG-AFTRA’s summary of negotiations to see what was asked for, what was offered, and what writers need to know. They also share insights on SAG-AFTRA’s new captain system. Links: * [SAG-AFTRA Summary of Negotiations](https://www.sagaftra.org/files/sa_documents/SAG-AFTRA_Negotiations_Status_7_13_23.pdf) * [SAG-AFTRA Strike Information Portal](https://www.sagaftrastrike.org/) * [kate bond’s thread](https://twitter.com/LadyKateBond/status/1680681140087304192) on Twitter * [Summary of […]
John and Craig look at four tales of science, medicine and mayhem and ask, how would this be a movie? Stories include a catatonic woman who woke up after 20 years, a white supremacist transformed by MDMA, a drugged crypto lawyer, and an in-depth account of alien biology. But first we have a very special […]
On the first day of the the SAG-AFTRA strike, actors and writers on the picket lines tell us why this strike is so important to them and what advice they have for first-time picketers. Featuring Jim Rash and SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee members Nicole Cyrille and Joseph Melendez. Thanks to everyone who talked to us! Links: […]
SAG-AFTRA, the union that represents all the film and television actors in the US, has announced that their members are going on strike. John and Drew look at what that means, what to expect, and how it will impact the ongoing writers strike. Links: * [SAG-AFTRA Strike Notice to Members](https://www.sagaftra.org/files/sa_documents/Strike%20Notice%20to%20Members.pdf) * [A Message from the […]
John welcomes Alison McDonald (Russian Doll, #BlackAF) and Ryan Knighton (In the Dark, Billions) to reveal the fundamentals and unspoken rules of working in a TV writers room. How did they get the job? How much should new writers talk? What should you wear? How much money do you make? And what’s for lunch? Our […]
A lot of people have been singled out as either heroes or villains of this writer’s strike, but does any individual deserve that title? John and Drew look at these narratives, the motivations behind them, and celebrate their own personal heroes of the strike. Links: * [David Zaslav Article Taken Down By GQ After Warner […]
John and Craig question questions themselves. What’s really happening when a character asks a question? How many types of questions can be asked? What can questions tell us about our characters and the power dynamics within a scene? Are these leading questions or rhetorical questions? And will John and Craig answer them all? We also […]
John and Craig welcome Akela Cooper (M3GAN, Malignant) to help offer guidance to billionaires looking to put their money in the safest place they can: the film and television industry. The trio looks at the upsides of investing in productions, which business models already exist and what we can learn from the independent television studios […]
With that hot summer sun comes new picketing hours from the WGA. John and Drew take a look at the new schedule and answer a listener question about YouTube content. Links: * [Updated picket hours and information](https://www.wgacontract2023.org/strike/picket-schedules-and-locations#west) * [Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle – Griffith Observatory Scene](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF-tPvPAqhQ) * [NDA with Dave Wiskus – What the Writers […]