John August

Transcribed

No one makes those movies anymore

Episode - 204

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Film Industry, Follow Up, Scriptnotes, Transcribed, WGA

Craig and John look at why certain genres of movies — mid-budget thrillers, adult dramas and romantic comedies — aren’t getting made, and whether there’s any way to get them back.

We also look at Apple Music, and what streaming means for screenwriters. Finally, we chart the screenwriter’s job from pitch to premiere, and how few of those steps are actually paid.

Big news: we have brand-new USB drives with the entire Scriptnotes catalog available at store.johnaugust.com. Quantities are limited, so don’t delay.

Links:

You can download the episode here: AAC | mp3.

UPDATE 7-2-15: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

Nobody Eats Four Marshmallows

Film Industry, Follow Up, QandA, Scriptnotes, Transcribed, WGA, Writing Process

John and Craig take an in-depth look at turnaround and reversion, and how screenwriters get their scripts back from a studio.

We also look at the latest developments in the Gravity saga, and answer a bunch of leftover questions from the live 200th episode.

Links:

You can download the episode here: AAC | mp3.

UPDATE 6-25-15: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

Everyman vs. Superman

Film Industry, Follow Up, Scriptnotes, So-Called Experts, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed

From Wolverine to The Rock, male action heroes have literally gotten bigger over the last decade. Craig and John look at how that impacts story. Is there hope for the the ordinary man in an extraordinary situation? Will we ever get back to Kurt and Keanu?

Then it’s time for three new Three Page Challenges, with entries ranging from campus riots to suburban detectives.

Links:

You can download the episode here: AAC | mp3.

UPDATE 6-22-15: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

How would this be a movie?

How-To, News, Scriptnotes, Story and Plot, Transcribed

John and Craig look at three current news stories from a screenwriter’s perspective, discussing how each lends itself to becoming a movie.

Would FIFA’s Stepp Blatter make a better Coen Brothers hero or a Sorkin villain? Could the Large Hadron Collider lend itself to a romantic comedy? Is there even a movie to make about campus sexual politics and academic freedom?

Also discussed: the trap of “Do what you love.”

Links:

You can download the episode here: AAC | mp3.

UPDATE 6-12-15: The transcript of this episode can be found here.