John August

Three Page Challenge

Research Isn’t Cheating

Episode - 602

Go to Archive

Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed

John and Craig host another round of the Three Page Challenge, selecting three listeners’ scripts for feedback on what’s working and common pitfalls to avoid. They offer insights into the tricky issues when cheating movement, formatting non-English dialogue, and the importance of logic in comedy.

But first, we answer some long-gestating listener questions: What are strategies for writers to option IP on their own? Can you use your smart relative for dialogue? And how do you discuss co-creators of projects when meeting with a potential rep?

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig gloat about all the things they can get away with never having to do — everything from calculus to remembering their children’s phone numbers.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 7-26-23: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

Only One of Us Can Be the Hero

Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed

John and Craig host another round of the Three Page Challenge where they look at listener pages and offer feedback on what’s working and how to avoid common pitfalls. They discuss writing gore, finding your tone, and introducing a character’s problem.

We also follow up on villains, pirates and European script consultants. We then ponder a long-nagging question: why do all action heroes have names that begin with J?

In our bonus segment for premium members, we talk about our experiences with anesthesia and how people are knocked out in The Last of Us.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 4-27-23: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

Three Page Challenge Live in Austin

Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge

John invites NBC Executive Marc Velez, SVP, Head of Development at UCP, on for an in-person round of the Three Page Challenge, our segment where we look at listener-submitted pages and offer honest feedback, at the Austin Film Festival.

We’re joined live the writers who add context and pitch their vision for each project. From near-future sci-fi to a familiar Hollywood horror story, John and Marc offer advice on how to craft a compelling opening.

In our bonus segment for premium members, we answer listener questions on noisiness, specs, and preparing other pitch materials.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 2-24-23 The transcript for this episode can be found here.

Sorry to Splaflut

Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed

John and Craig host a round of the Three Page Challenge, a segment where they offer feedback on listeners’ scripts. This week they discuss the whiplash of cutting too quickly, captivating title pages, and V.O. narration that actually works.

We also cover the return of MoviePass, 25 years of Netflix, and AI generated language.

In our bonus segment for premium members, we discuss senior year.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 9-23-22 The transcript for this episode can now be found here.