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Transcribed

The Premise

Episode - 610

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August 29, 2023 Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig examine the foundation of every story: the premise. What is your story really about? What questions is it trying to answer? How does that differ from your logline? And what should writers do to make sure those things match up?

We also follow up on AI copyright, physical media, Esperanto and lingua franca. We then answer listener questions on the usefulness of “Fade in,” what studios actually do, and whether or not to put spec scripts on your website.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig reminisce about the highs and lows of going back to school.

Links:

  • AI-Created Art Isn’t Copyrightable, Judge Says in Ruling That Could Give Hollywood Studios Pause by Winston Cho for The Hollywood Reporter
  • Thaler v. Perlmutter
  • The Mandalorian, Loki, And WandaVision Are Getting Limited Edition 4K And Blu-Ray Releases by Ryan Scott for Slash Film
  • Lingua franca
  • Where Story Begins – Premise by Michael Tabb for Script Magazine
  • The premise, or what’s the point? by John August
  • We Need to See More Parents Having Abortions in Film and Television by Danielle Campoamor for Marie Claire
  • Dungeons & Dragons: Trials of Tempus
  • Highland 2
  • Writer Emergency Pack XL
  • Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
  • Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
  • Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription!
  • Craig Mazin on Threads and Instagram
  • John August on Threads, Instagram and Twitter
  • John on Mastodon
  • Outro by Adam Pineless (send us yours!)
  • Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and is edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 9-18-22: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

Dialogue and Character Voice

August 22, 2023 Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig look at how well-written dialogue is used to give characters a unique voice. Using clips from previous episodes they present a history of dialogue and its evolution, how it informs your actors, and how communicating an idea sometimes comes down to the smallest words our characters say.

How can writers use dialogue to make their characters feel distinct and alive? What are tests for character voice? What can memorizing dialogue can teach us about writing it? And how do you keep all your characters active (and your actors happy) in group scenes?

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig stay on-topic to look at the pros and cons of dual dialogue.

Links:

  • Scriptnotes Episode 37 – Let’s talk about dialogue
  • Scriptnotes Episode 286 – Script Doctors, Dialogue and Hacks
  • Scriptnotes Episode 371 – Writing Memorable Dialogue
  • Highland 2
  • Writer Emergency Pack XL
  • Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
  • Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
  • Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription!
  • Craig Mazin on Threads and Instagram
  • John August on Threads, Instagram and Twitter
  • John on Mastodon
  • Outro by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours!)
  • Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt, featuring segments originally produced by Stuart Friedel, Godwin Jabangwe, Megan McDonnell and Megana Rao. It is edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 09-06-23: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

Scriptnotes LIVE! at Dynasty Typewriter in LA

August 15, 2023 Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig welcome guests Quinta Brunson, Rachel Bloom and Natasha Lyonne to join them for a live benefit for Hollywood HEART. Since they cannot discuss the shows they’re currently working on (strike rules!) they instead reflect on the surprising paths of their careers, how acting has influenced them as writers and directors, and how much is learned at every step of production.

We’re also joined by AMPTP spokesperson Nancy Sullivan to discuss our concerns with the ongoing strike, what she enjoys about her job, and why she finds it so fulfilling!

Big thanks to our live audience, the staff of Dynasty Typewriter, and everyone at Hollywood Heart for putting the event together.

Links:

  • HollywoodHEART
  • Quinta Brunson on IMDb and Instagram
  • Rachel Bloom on IMDb and Instagram
  • Natasha Lyonne on IMDb and Instagram
  • Quinta Brunson’s The Girl Who’s Never Been on a Nice Date
  • Quinta Brunson on BuzzFeed
  • Rachel Bloom: Death, Let Me Do My Show at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, New York City
  • Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
  • Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
  • Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription!
  • Craig Mazin on Threads and Instagram
  • John August on Threads, Instagram and Twitter
  • John on Mastodon
  • Outro by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours!)
  • Our ASL interpreter was Elliott Aronson
  • Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 09-06-23: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

In the Beginning Was the Word

August 8, 2023 Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig ponder the nature of words and what gives them meaning. Using new information on how large language models function, they look at the dizzying amount of connections words can create with other words, between humans, and their profound effect on the nature of consciousness. We promise we’re not high.

We also follow up on racist characters before answering listener questions on balancing deadlines with an artistic process and our ideal press junket questions.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig reflect on the impact left on them by the art and life of Sinéad O’Conner.

Links:

  • Scriptnotes LIVE! at Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles benefitting HollywoodHEART
  • Weekend Read 2, now available on MacOS.
  • Large language models, explained with a minimum of math and jargon by Timothy B Lee and Sean Trott
  • Word Vectors
  • Decrypto
  • Matt Gaffney’s Weekly Crossword Contest
  • This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
  • Sinéad O’Connor – Troy (Live At The Dominion Theatre, 1988)
  • Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
  • Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
  • Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription!
  • Craig Mazin on Threads and Instagram
  • John August on Threads, Instagram and Twitter
  • John on Mastodon
  • Outro by Jake Weisblat (send us yours!)
  • Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 8-14-23: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

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