John August

Transcribed

Writing while the World is on Fire (Encore)

Episode - 676

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Scriptnotes, Transcribed

How do you keep doing creative work when the world is falling apart around you? To sift through the despair and doubt, John welcomes back legendary Scriptnotes guest, writer-turned-psychotherapist Dennis Palumbo. They discuss the many feelings that catastrophic events can bring up in artists, the personal narratives that often inform those feelings, and how to keep moving forward when you feel like the band on the Titanic.

We also follow up on AI, and answer listener questions on competing with brain trusts and how to support a friend embroiled in controversy.

In our bonus segment for premium members, Dennis guides us through the best examples and worst mistakes of portraying therapists on screen.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

The original transcript for this episode can be found here.

Craig Takes Questions

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

This week, Craig answers listener questions about rewriting on set, AI coverage, when and how to kill off characters, sizing up producers, and more.

There’s also an extra-special guest appearance for this week’s One Cool Thing.

In the bonus segment for premium subscribers, Craig discusses how to be wrong—something he feels he knows all too well.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 07/17/26: Episode transcript can be found here.

The One with David E. Kelley

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig welcome writer and showrunner David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies, Ally McBeal) to look at his process for adapting books to TV, particularly with his latest series Margo’s Got Money Troubles. They explore where to find your act breaks, crafting complicated tones, and when to trust the writer of the book.

We also look at how TV has changed over David’s storied career, how he runs a writers room, creating story engines, the difference between writing for broadcast TV and streaming, and the one thing a TV show should never be.

In our bonus segment for premium members, David coaches John and Craig on how to survive a long running series.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

 UPDATE 6-10-26: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

Building Your Audience with Courtney Kemp

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John welcomes writer and showrunner Courtney Kemp (Power, Nemesis) to ask, how do you find an audience and build momentum on television? They look at how writers can match their voice to an underserved audience, the pitfalls of being boxed in by a niche, and what new writers can do to get people excited about their work.

We also chart how Courtney built her career from magazine writer to creating the television franchise Power, look at the exciting success of Obsession and Backrooms, and answer listener questions on talking to your reps about financial struggles, and how to find your project’s “why now?”

In our bonus segment for premium members, Courtney shot her new show Nemesis entirely in Los Angeles, and you can too!

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 6-5-26: The transcript for this episode can be found here.