John August

Transcribed

Writing About Mental Health and Addiction

Episode - 412

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News, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John moderates Breaking the Stigma, a panel on addiction and mental health with guests Gemma Baker (creator of CBS’s Mom), Dr. Corey Waller (specialist in pain, addiction and emergency medicine), Dr. Holly Daniels (specialist in eating disorders and mental health issues), and journalist Zachary Siegel.

We discuss how addiction and mental health issues are portrayed in film and TV, more authentic ways of telling these stories, and how writers and creators can take care of their own mental health.

Special thanks to our incredible panelists, plus Kate Folb, Marty Kaplan, and the entire team at Hollywood Health and Society!

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here

UPDATE 8-15-19: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

Setting it Up with Katie Silberman

News, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig welcome screenwriter Katie Silberman (Set It Up, Isn’t It Romantic and Booksmart) to discuss writing a two-hander, practicing dialogue, and how she got her start in Hollywood.

We also follow up on ‘liked, not love’ and answer listener questions on character development.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 8-10-19 The transcript of this episode can be found here.

Wikipedia Movies

News, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig host a new round of How Would This Be a Movie. Instead of three stories in the news, this time they tackle three articles from Wikipedia to look at what you get using just those facts versus using a more detailed article.

We also answer listener questions about real-life subjects, showing your work and applying the Mazin method to television.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 8-12-19: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

I Know You Are, But What Am I?

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig discuss whether and how heroes can understand themselves. Is self-awareness an intrinsic aspect of a character, or something they achieve over the course of the story? Both heroes and villains are often wrestling with their identity. We look at why it’s more difficult (and sometimes more rewarding) to explore these issues in screenwriting than prose fiction.

Then it’s time for another round of the Three Page Challenge, followed by listener questions about meddling actors and producers.

Thanks to everyone who submitted to the Three Page Challenge, especially our participants: Edith Rodriguez, Carolyn Getches, Hilary C. Gish, and Christine Hoang!

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 7-19-19 The transcript for this episode can be found here.