John and Craig revisit ghosts of Christmas past in our Holiday Live Show 2018. They’re joined by Pamela Ribon (Ralph Breaks the Internet, Smurfs: The Lost Village), Phil Lord and Chris Miller (Into the Spiderverse, The Lego Movie), Zoanne Clack (Grey’s Anatomy) and Cherry Chevapravatdumrong (Family Guy, The Orville) to discuss writing animated features, breaking […]
Scriptnotes
John and Craig welcome writer/producer/playwright Jack Thorne (The Aeronauts, Wonder, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) to take a look at making television in the UK and what writers on both sides of the pond can learn from one another. We discuss disability on and behind screen and tackle listener questions on writing with chronic […]
John and Craig examine how writers balance the needs of each scene while keeping the entire story in mind. Then it’s another a round of the Three Page Challenge, where we look at scenes submitted by our listeners. We offer advice for gimmicky reveals, honest character reactions, and consistent POV. Also this week: open writing […]
John and Craig define and discuss important terms for writers: backends, profits, scales, floors, ceilings, and minimums. They trace the flow of money from WGA contracts to residuals and the downstream impact on animation writers. They also take a look at characters ‘finding themselves’ and harsh writing advice. Follow up includes Korean grammar, holiday movies, […]
John and Craig celebrate the holidays by releasing a special premium episode on the 1988 Christmas classic: DIE HARD. Die Hard created a new template for action movies, heroes, and villains, establishing tropes still seen in theaters. They discuss both structure and story to examine what screenwriters can take away from this film and why […]
John invites some favorite guests on to answer a single question about their current projects. Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay explain how they moved the second season of The Mysterious Benedict Society from Canada to California. Aline Brosh McKenna talks about the challenges of directing a feature versus running a TV series. Data scientist Stephen […]
John and Craig invite investigative reporter Zeke Faux (Bloomberg) for a new round of How Would This Be A Movie. They cover stories ranging from the secret history of sushi to fake Scottish rappers. Zeke shares what it’s like to option an article to Hollywood and tricks for getting noticed by producers. In follow-up, we […]
John and Craig coach writers through the final laps of a screenplay. They revisit conversations on how to plan for a successful conclusion, navigate the second half of Act Two (joined by Aline!), and cross the finish line with the perfect final moment. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Megana talk about […]
John and Craig offer guidance on how to navigate an industry built on embellishment, vamping, and saving face. Did you really love that movie? Have you even started that rewrite? In many cases, the truth matters less than your confident delivery. We also answer listener questions on story consultants, how to describe a puffin call, […]
John and Craig check character blindspots, looking at how ‘over-security’ drives characters to humor and heartbreak. We also discuss natural structure: how certain events (weddings, sports, school) can create narrative scaffolding. The death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust has the industry talking about safety. Craig explains the protocols for guns on […]
John and Craig talk action! They examine iconic scenes in classic movies to illustrate the relationship between intensity and density on the page. We also host a Three Page Challenge: Spooky Edition, our segment that invites listeners to submit writing samples for critique. This week we’re specifically looking at thrilling and chilling scenes. We follow […]
John and Craig discuss how the screenplay guides production — not just in what happens, but how it feels. They look at how the words on the page steer and inspire other departments, starting with the very first hires. We also cover getting in over your head and what it’s like to have no visual […]
John and Craig discuss the art of planning and forgetting. How do you stay present in a scene when you know where the story is going? The guys offer tips for making sure your characters are driving the story — but on roads you built. We answer listener questions on setting the mood, manager requests, […]
John and Craig brainstorm How Would This Be A Movie, looking at articles featuring kangaroo feuds in Australia, squatters in the Hamptons, and ghost historians in Palestine. Plus a romance between the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion. We also cover the potential IATSE strike, Tudum Day, and managing money. In our bonus segment for […]
This week, we revisit some of our favorite conversations with TV writers, including Mindy Kaling (The Mindy Project), Alison McDonald (American Dad!), Ryan Knighton (In the Dark), Aline Brosh McKenna and Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend). They share their philosophies and practical advice for writing television. We talk about getting staffed, the first day in a […]
Editor and critic Julia Turner puts John and Craig in the hot seat to review the past ten years of Scriptnotes. They cover the original mission, behind scenes fights, notable guests, and their biggest regrets. We also predict what we think the next ten years will bring and share a Scriptnotes love story. In our […]
John welcomes back writer/performer Ashley Nicole Black (A Black Lady Sketch Show, Ted Lasso, The Amber Ruffin Show) to prove good things come in twos. They dive into her two Emmy nominations, joining a show in its second season, and the opportunities of both writing and acting in a series. We follow up on the […]