John August

Three Page Challenge

Three Page Zoom

Episode - 447

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News, Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed

John and Craig host another Scriptnotes Livestream Show with special guest Dana Fox (Isn’t It Romantic, Couples Retreat). They discuss her new show, Home Before Dark, and her thoughts on why creating a feeling is so important to developing television shows.

Then we hold a Three Page Challenge and we invite each of our four participants on to discuss their script after we deliver feedback. We cover how to write momentum into action descriptions, ‘overwhelmers’ in a scene, and creating fantastical worlds.

Huge thank you to Dana for joining us, and a big thanks to all of our Three Page Challenge winners for their submissions!

Links:

* [Home Before Dark](https://tv.apple.com/us/show/home-before-dark/umc.cmc.5yqy2wv4w7l0v4x5mn3le8l1y)
* [It Takes Our Village Campaign](https://www.gofundme.com/f/ittakesourvillage)
* [Hampton](https://johnaugust.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/AliImranZaidi.Hampton-Hampton.pdf) by Ali Imran Zaidi
* [Sunbeam](https://johnaugust.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Heidi-Lewis-THE-SUNBEAM.pdf) by Heidi Lewis
* [Nights Never Over](https://johnaugust.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/James-Llonch-Carry-On.pdf) by Jim Llonch
* [Find Him](https://johnaugust.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Dylan-Guerra-FIND-HIM.pdf) by Dylan Guerra
* Sign up for Scriptnotes Premium [here](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/).
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [Craig Mazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by James Llonch ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by Megana Rao and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/447.mp3).

**UPDATE 4-21-2020** The transcript for this episode can now be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2020/scriptnotes-ep-447-three-page-zoom-transcript).

Ambition and Anxiety

Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed

John and Craig discuss the difference between ambition and anxiety, and how writers can find a balance. We also follow up on agency developments and a new study that shows the live-action Aladdin is good for your health.

Then we host another round of the Three Page Challenge, this time focusing on establishing the setting. Thank you to all of our participants, especially Janelle B. Gatchalian, Alex Beattie, and Linda Yardley.

And for our Premium Members, John and Craig express their views on gift bags, and in particular coffee mugs.

Special thanks to Bo Shim and Jacq Lesko.

Links:

* Sign up for premium [here](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/)
* Arlo Finch in the Kingdom of Shadows Launch Event: February 9, 2pm at Chevalier’s on Larchmont
* [Gersh Signs Agency Agreement](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gersh-reaches-agreement-wga-1270717)
* [Aladdin Will Save Your Life](https://geektyrant.com/news/study-finds-that-going-to-the-movies-is-as-good-for-your-heart-as-going-to-the-gym)
* Download Highland 2 [here](https://quoteunquoteapps.com/highland-2/), professors and students interested in the free student edition, email brand@johnaugust.com
* [Download Weekend Read to read Academy Award nominated scripts](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/weekend-read/id502725173)
* [Knives Out](https://lionsgate.brightspotcdn.com/fb/14/23cd58a147afbb5c758ecb3dff0a/knivesout-final.pdf) by Rian Johnson
* [Bruja](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2019%2F12%2FBRUJA_3_pgs_Janelle_Gatchalian_120519.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=23db0ab6b106842be40d09efa18690e1dcbe452deb65689c35adbebb303cdb7b) by Janelle B. Gatchalian
* [Night of Game](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2020%2F01%2FNight-of-Game.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=9db58af47aec65a547f110c777baf296a31b29383b246df72c88b0abf04c3a35) by Alex Beattie
* [Upward Mobility](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2020%2F01%2FScriptnotesUM.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=ac2859f1a8bf18c18229be6012dc782fc4b4fcc279a8a44a17974472e3847aae) by Linda Minella Yardley (Story by Carol Gold Lande and Linda Minella Yardley)
* [House of Da Vinci](https://www.bluebraingames.com/the-house-of-da-vinci-2)
* [How America Uses its Land](https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2018-us-land-use/?sref=q8seIhDd)
* [Sweetgreen Composting](https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/story/2020-01-15/sweetgreen-green-image)
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [Craig Mazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Jemma Moran ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by Megana Rao and edited by Matthew Chilelli

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/434st.mp3).

**UPDATE 1-28-2020** The transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2020/scriptnotes-ep-434-ambition-and-anxiety).

The New One with Mike Birbiglia

Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed

John and Craig welcome back writer/comedian Mike Birbiglia (Sleepwalk with Me, My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend) to discuss his one-man show “The New One.” When writing about yourself, how much has to be true? What responsibilities do you have to friends and loved ones?

Then it’s a new round of the Three Page Challenge, where we look at the first three pages in listeners’ scripts. We also address Akiva Schaffer’s concerns on movie screeners and try our first-ever bonus segment after the credits.

Links:

* Three Page Challenge – [F.T.S. by Danielle Motley](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2019%2F11%2FEpisode-One-Menstrual-Pain.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=ff25d83a46dbde00a8e57c144f97dc4ebcd29551f03484526afc619c3977504e)
* Three Page Challenge – [Dunked by John Bickerstaff](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2019%2F11%2FDunked_Bickerstaff_3pgs.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=54450e8466882607a7d62150309b7b46843e61db6a177f55108ff987e4a31ee5)
* Buy tickets to our live show with guests Kevin Feige, Lorene Scafaria, Shoshannah Stern, and Josh Feldman on December 12th at the LA Film School [here](https://www.wgfoundation.org/events/all/2019/12/12/the-scriptnotes-holiday-live-show).
* Join us or livestream the [Assistant Townhall](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/town-hall-for-hollywood-assistants-with-payuphollywood-scriptnotes-yea-tickets-80803941765) this Sunday, November 24th
* [Spleeter](https://waxy.org/2019/11/fast-and-free-music-separation-with-deezers-machine-learning-library/) open source music separation library
* [Brains Sweep Themselves Clean Of Toxins During Sleep](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/10/18/236211811/brains-sweep-themselves-clean-of-toxins-during-sleep) by Jon Hamilton
* [Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1501144324/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_-zZ0DbSMA1Y3X) by Matthew Walker
* Support local! [Books are Magic](https://www.booksaremagic.net/)
* [Mike Birbiglia](https://twitter.com/birbigs) on Twitter
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [Craig Mazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* Scriptnotes is produced by Megana Rao and edited by Matthew Chilelli
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Matthew Chilelli ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_427_the_new_one.mp3).

**UPDATE 12-1-19:** The transcript of this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2019/scriptnotes-ep-427-the-new-one-with-mike-birbiglia-transcript).

Getting Staffed

Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed, WGA

John and Craig proudly welcome back former Scriptnotes producer Megan McDonnell to tell her journey from film student to getting staffed on her first television show.

We then review a batch of Three Page Challenge submissions, covering how to keep your audience engaged, build tension, and earn interesting characters. Plus, follow up on the WGA and recent Bones ruling.

Thank you to our Three Page Challenge participants, and special thanks to Megan McDonnell for all of your work on Scriptnotes!

Links:

* [The Bones Decision](https://deadline.com/2019/02/bones-award-profits-lawsuit-emily-deschanel-david-boreanaz-fox-appeal-1202564758/)
* [The Peter Stark Program](https://cinema.usc.edu/producing/)
* Three Pages by [Christopher Cramer](https://johnaugust.com/Assets/3WGCramer.pdf)
* Three Pages by [David Koutsouridis](https://johnaugust.com/Assets/Am-I-a-Man-Yet-3-page.pdf)
* Three Pages by [Carrie Wong and Herman Ming](https://johnaugust.com/Assets/Chow-Three-Pages.pdf)
* [Megan’s Desk Setup](https://johnaugust.com/Assets/Vertical_Monitor.png)
* [Light Up Phone Charger](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075WSSFV8/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
* [Russian doll](https://www.netflix.com/title/80211627) starring Natasha Lyonne
* Submit to the Three Page Challenge [here](https://johnaugust.com/threepage)
* Submit to the Pitch Session [here](https://johnaugust.com/pitch)
* T-shirts are available [here](https://cottonbureau.com/people/john-august-1)! We’ve got new designs, including [Colored Revisions](https://cottonbureau.com/products/colored-revisions), [Karateka](https://cottonbureau.com/products/karateka), and [Highland2](https://cottonbureau.com/products/highland2).
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [Craig Mazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Find past episodes](http://scriptnotes.net/)
* [Scriptnotes Digital Seasons](https://store.johnaugust.com/) are also now available!
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) The Stuart Special by James Llonch & Jim Bond ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/Scriptnotes_Ep_390_Getting_Staffed.mp3).

**UPDATE 3-8-19:** The transcript of this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2019/scriptnotes-ep-390-getting-staffed-transcript).