John August

Three Page Challenge

Only One of Us Can Be the Hero

Episode - 592

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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).

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:

* [Marc Velez](https://deadline.com/2022/10/marc-velez-ucp-head-of-development-naketha-mattocks-universal-tv-svp-drama-1235136115/) on [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5677194/)
* [The Encyclopedists](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2022%2F10%2FThe-Encyclopedists-MXH-3p.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=95fb3359c1be84f6888812633600f586b8a38fef8118d40d897a43a07798da53) by Michael X. Heiligenstein
* [Call Me 7.14 Years Ago](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2022%2F10%2FCall_Me_7_14_Years_Ago_Three_Page.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=7cbf886b0e5c2ddb0343817294c00fccd7cfd708a397fbafda7e3c426a5b5e30) by Liliana Liu
* [The Untimely Demise of That Awful David Schwartzman](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2022%2F10%2FUntimely_Demise_v04_AFF_3_Page.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=398abcf7c2b4adb0526bc8542da5a43be1da1ed4ab3b13dbe0868ceec2d16cf2) by Rudi O’Meara
* Thank you to the [Austin Film Festival!]() and all our participants in the three page challenge.
* [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://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Jeff Graham ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Megana Rao](https://twitter.com/MeganaRao) 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/573standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 2-24-23** The transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2023/scriptnotes-episode-573-three-page-challenge-live-in-austin-transcript).

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:

* Our first post-pandemic liveshow will be on October 19, 2022 and tickets will be available to premium members on September 9!
* [Order your new Scriptnotes Shirt here!](https://cottonbureau.com/p/GXNTRN/shirt/jon-bon-jovi-of-podcasts#/15427431/tee-men-standard-tee-vintage-black-tri-blend-s)
* [Things I Think Are Awesome: Hunger Stones and Stability, Lynn Cherny’s substack](https://arnicas.substack.com/p/titaa-33-hunger-stones-and-stability?utm_source=email)
* [Made-Up Words Trick AI Text-To-Image Generators](https://www.discovermagazine.com/technology/made-up-words-trick-ai-text-to-image-generators) Discover Magazine
* [This Word Does Not Exist](https://www.thisworddoesnotexist.com)
* [@Dribnet’s Twitter Thread on Splaflut](https://twitter.com/dribnet/status/1531962064528211968)
* [MoviePass beta](https://www.moviepass.com/?utm_source=TestC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=OpenWaitlist)
* [MoviePass Will Work This Time*](https://slate.com/business/2022/08/moviepass-return-work-fail-who-is-to-say.html) Alex Kirshner writing for Slate
* [Netflix turns 25](https://deadline.com/2022/08/netflix-turns-25-cues-up-nostalgia-reel-for-its-red-envelope-days-1235101238/)
* [HBO Max Cynthia Littleton for Variety](https://variety.com/2022/biz/news/hbo-max-wb-discovery-content-remove-inventory-1235352588/)
* [Secret History of Mac Gaming](https://secrethistoryofmacgaming.com/)
* Happy Halpinmas [Mark Halpin’s Labor Day Puzzles](http://www.markhalpin.com/puzzles/puzzles.html)
* Three Page Challenge Selections: [Oculum by Larry Bambrick](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2022%2F08%2FThree-Page-Challenge-Oculum-.mmsw-1.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=e8e6e97eff07f94c5a12974353327fb756af4a6370d963e0ef46e036c05303f4), [We’re All Very Tired by Marissa Gawel](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2022%2F08%2FWere-All-Very-Tired_3-pages_Gawel.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=64231d152cf3527350dfb7dfd2a659bf00b1098aa0b9ffffda74956d5d7ea599), [Wake by Jordan Johnson](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2022%2F08%2FWake-Jordan-Johnson-Three-Page-Challenge.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=75024d61cf2881f09e4bdd879e8d98a0304b09972f1ab97aded91280d19997c6)
* [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://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Matthew Jordan ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Megana Rao](https://twitter.com/MeganaRao) 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/565standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 9-23-22** The transcript for this episode can now be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2022/scriptnotes-episode-565-sorry-to-splaflut-transcript).

Parentheses Would Help

News, Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge

John and Craig host a 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. This week we look at time jumps, reveals, and ticker-tape dialogue.

We follow up on confusing credits, then answer listener questions on narrative geography, professional development and when it’s okay to take your pitch somewhere else.

In our bonus segment for premium members, the guys share the secret to social media.

Links:

* [Ryan’s Elvis Question on Twitter](https://twitter.com/ryanbeardmusic/status/1527078914304053249?s=20&t=mxVqjmJlJB_h7npBbI0w8Q)
* Follow along with our Three Page Challenge Selections: [Tag – You’re It](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2022%2F05%2FTag-3-pages.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=8f19a8a60a86d95ebd750d8d808c7e0f41086178fa494e7a66c4dbe1303ca6d8) by Suw Charman-Anderson, [Halloween Party](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2022%2F05%2FHalloween-Party-first-three.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=1e53d05e5ac4750e18d1cce9b4ec22f64a7ed94e761e27be5ad312169555a61e) by Lucas Abreu & Zachary Arthur & Kyle Copier, [Belly Up](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2022%2F05%2FBELLY-UP-three-page-challenge.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=196cabefbb46451a9202a4b18c5fa5693fe28c48046c0a556434856eceb54b11) by Emme Harris
* [Blockbuster, the Party Game](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WMWNYNN?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FAJ764ZAMGTXGQZ1V9AB)
* [The Hanger Reflex](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7788272/#:~:text=The%20hanger%20reflex%20is%20a,the%20cause%20of%20this%20phenomenon)
* [Sara Schaefer Silence Video](https://twitter.com/saraschaefer1/status/1527385667583365133?s=20&t=Xs601W2CeWgx8WrXLbPCXQ)
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts) or [treat yourself to a premium subscription!](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/)
* [Craig Mazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Nico Mansy ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Megana Rao](https://twitter.com/MeganaRao) 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/552standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 02-14-22** The transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2023/scriptnotes-episode-552-parentheses-would-help-transcript).