John August

Three Page Challenge

Industry Software

Episode - 646

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Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed

John and Craig decode the current state of software in the film and television industry. With dozens of programs needed for every project, they look at why bad and outdated programs continue to have a hold on the industry, why it’s so hard to build something better, and how these programs find financial success in such a small and specialized market.

Then it’s another round of the Three Page Challenge, where they give their honest feedback on three listener-submitted scripts. They offer insights into quickly establishing information, those scenes that can be written but not filmed, the tricky dynamics of a meet-cute, and why broad comedy demands logic.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig explore the exciting possibilities that comes from playing D&D campaigns with no magic and other strict constraints.

Links:

* Follow along with our Three Page Challenge Selections: [PLANET B](https://johnaugust.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Planet-B-Three-Pages-Christopher-James.pdf) by Christopher James, [THE LONG HAUL](https://johnaugust.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/The-Long-Haul-by-Becca-Hurd-Three-Pages.pdf) by Becca Hurd, and [THE RIGHT TO PARTY](https://johnaugust.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/The-Right-To-Party-3-Pages.pdf) by Lucas McCutchen
* [Submit your script for our Three Page Challenge!](https://johnaugust.com/threepage)
* [David Zucker’s 15 Rules of Comedy](https://creativecreativity.com/2017/07/30/david-zuckers-15-rules-of-comedy/)
* [Space Cadet (2024)](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21469794/)
* [Movie Magic Scheduling](https://www.ep.com/movie-magic-scheduling/)
* [Scenechronize](https://www.ep.com/scenechronize/)
* [PIX](https://pix.online/)
* [Qtake](https://qtakehd.com/)
* [BOX](https://www.box.com/home)
* [Frame.io](https://frame.io/)
* [Evercast](https://www.evercast.us/)
* [Scripto](https://www.scripto.live/)
* [Fuzzlecheck](https://www.fuzzlecheck.de/)
* [Ripley](https://www.netflix.com/title/81678765) on Netflix
* [Watchmen – “This Extraordinary Being”](https://www.hbo.com/watchmen/season-1/6-this-extraordinary-being)
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Check out the Inneresting Newsletter](https://inneresting.substack.com/)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts) or [treat yourself to a premium subscription!](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/)
* Craig Mazin on [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@clmazin) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/clmazin/)
* John August on [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@johnaugust), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en) and [Twitter](https://twitter.com/johnaugust)
* [John on Mastodon](https://mastodon.art/@johnaugust)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Eric Pearson ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Drew Marquardt](https://www.drewmarquardt.com/) with help from [Jonathan Wigdortz](https://www.wiggy.rocks/). It is edited by [Matthew Chilelli](https://twitter.com/machelli).

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/646standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 7-15-24:** The transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2024/scriptnotes-episode-646-industry-software-transcript).

Cork Grease

Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed

John and Craig host another round of the Three Page Challenge, where they give their honest feedback on three listener-submitted scripts. They offer insights into using sound realistically, writing action that can be easily directed, finding subtext in dialogue, and navigating complex points of view.

But first, we dig into several tricky listener questions: How does a writing team discuss their individual work with their reps? When is it ok to say no to inclusive casting? And how do you break up with a producer?

In our bonus segment for premium members, we delve into tough questions and offer advice to our younger selves.

Links:

* [Weekend Read 2](https://quoteunquoteapps.com/weekendread/)
* [ROUTES](https://johnaugust.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ROUTES-three-page-challenge.pdf) by Colton W. Miller, [MEGHA GENESIS](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2023%2F09%2FMegha-Genesis-3-page-challenge.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=cb5c2802694bc33dab7ab90c86312f541b276f73dbbf856b40d410f14a3d959c) by Priti Trivedi, and [THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2023%2F12%2FThoughts-and-Prayers-2023-12-29-3PC.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=a7e4f2257027ed7a199f18d21648744ce3e1ebf5d818a06321afc61c095df938) by Eric Hunsley
* [Delve Deck](https://www.boredwalk.com/products/delve-deck-conversation-cards)
* [Zarak by Afghan Kitchen – Vancouver](https://www.zarakvancouver.com/)
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Check out the Inneresting Newsletter](https://inneresting.substack.com/)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts) or [treat yourself to a premium subscription!](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/)
* Craig Mazin on [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@clmazin) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/clmazin/)
* John August on [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@johnaugust), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en) and [Twitter](https://twitter.com/johnaugust)
* [John on Mastodon](https://mastodon.art/@johnaugust)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Matt Davis ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by [Matthew Chilelli](https://twitter.com/machelli).

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/629standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 2-26-24:** The transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2024/scriptnotes-episode-629-cork-grease-transcript).

Research Isn’t Cheating

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:

* [Has Anyone Ever Actually Tied a Damsel in Distress to a Railway Track?](https://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2019/01/has-anyone-ever-actually-tied-a-damsel-in-distress-to-a-railway-track/) by Karl Smallwood
* [Pirating the Oscars 2023: The Final Curtain Call](https://waxy.org/2023/03/pirating-the-oscars-2023-the-final-curtain-call/) by Andy Baio
* [Why Are All Action Heroes Named Jack, James, or John?](https://slate.com/culture/2023/03/john-wick-james-bond-action-heroes-j-names.html) by Demetria Glace for Slate
* Follow along with our Three Page Challenge Selections: [Flotsam](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2023%2F01%2FSam-Darcy_FLOTSAM_Three-Page-Challenge.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=0ef4e278ecbe1687ad1a36c0a96f0e3b01a8d282ed17845879114ca368c0cfcd) by Sam Darcy, [Sockfoot](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2022%2F12%2FSockfoot.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=bb72643a11a5d302f96bbc96947d57ffcd0f01f96147767cb10acca002f51e59) by Jesse Allard, and [Spark](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2022%2F12%2FSpark_ScriptNotes_ThreePageChallenge.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=2781befc01a890bfd2e53921356d178f96a1486a558300228375a8808edcf804) by Rachel Thomas
* [Pijja Palace](https://www.pijjapalace.com/)
* [how I found the ‘so no head’ vine road in 15 minutes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfdwjleF7nY) by RAINBOLT
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Check out the Inneresting Newsletter](https://inneresting.substack.com/)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts) or [treat yourself to a premium subscription!](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/)
* [Craig Mazin](https://www.instagram.com/clmazin/) on Instagram
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [John on Mastodon](https://mastodon.art/@johnaugust)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Richie Molyneux ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Drew Marquardt](https://www.instagram.com/marquardtam/) and edited by [Matthew Chilelli](https://twitter.com/machelli).

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/592standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 4-27-23:** The transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2023/scriptnotes-episode-592-only-one-of-us-can-be-the-hero-transcript).