John August

Transcribed

Watch Your Tone

Episode - 720

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Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John welcomes back Susanna Fogel and David Iserson (The Spy Who Dumped Me) to steal their secrets on creating an original tone in their new series PONIES. They look at how the writers room was built to match their sensibilities, using characters to anchor the audience, and what it takes to sell and produce an original period TV series in 2026.

We also talk about the pros and cons of filming in Budapest, and answer listener questions on trusting your judgement, recognizing your talent, differentiating character voices, and whether spec pilots are out of fashion.

In our bonus segment for premium members, Susanna and David look at how our taste develops, including what we can learn about taste from The Beatles.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 2-5-26: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

When Good Enough Isn’t Enough

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig consider all the words they have to write and ask, how do you know when something deserves your best effort? They offer a useful rubric for deciding when something is worth perfecting, and when over-optimization is a waste of time.

We also follow up on compulsive writing habits, industry euphemisms, back issues, and the impact and legacy of the WGA’s 2019 agency negotiations.

In our bonus segment for premium members, it’s a new year! John looks back at things he accomplished in 2025 and his goals for 2026, while Craig sighs and gestures in the direction of The Last of Us.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 1-22-26: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

No Worries if Not

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig circle back on all the euphemisms and stock phrases that float around Hollywood. Using some favorite examples, they attempt to define and demystify the current industry-speak so everyone is looped in when we come up for air after the holidays.

We also wrap-up 2025 with a look at Scriptnotes by the numbers, check-in on Disney’s deal with OpenAI, follow up on that director who scammed Netflix out of $11 million, and answer listener questions on the guilds’ involvement in video podcasts and reps who won’t send out co-written scripts.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig navigate how to deal with difficult collaborators.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 1-21-26: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

The Screenwriting Life: The Craft Lessons That Matter Most

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

In a Christmas crossover event, John and Craig join Meg LeFauve (Inside Out) and Lorien McKenna (Tab Time) on their podcast, The Screenwriting Life.

We talk about why rigid structure can miss the point, how theme emerges from character, what fear and denial really look like on the page, and how writers can survive rejection without letting it define them.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John breaks Drew’s heart with his lovely memories of Rob & Michele Reiner.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 1-2-26: The transcript for this episode can be found here.