John August

Transcribed

The Coyote Could Stop Any Time

Episode - 187

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Film Industry, Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed, WGA

John and Craig take a look at the self-imposed rules behind the Road Runner cartoons, and how limiting one’s choices is different than following dogma.

Then it’s time for three new entrants in the Three Page Challenge, each presenting a range of issues to discuss.

Also this week, the dismal diversity numbers that don’t need exaggerative charts and how even produced screenwriters often live with precarious finances.

Links:

You can download the episode here: AAC | mp3.

UPDATE 3-13-15: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

The Rules (or, the Paradox of the Outlier)

Apps, Film Industry, Follow Up, Formatting, News, Scriptnotes, So-Called Experts, Story and Plot, Transcribed, Words on the page, Writing Process

John and Craig discuss this year’s screenplay Oscar winners, including the success of Birdman’s outside-the-box approach and Graham Moore’s speech.

Craig asked Reddit’s r/screenwriting sub to collect a list of the so-called rules budding screenwriters are told to follow. From the rules of the page to the rules of the industry, John and Craig look at these commonly-cited rules one-by-one, discussing which ones have merit and which ones are better ignored.

All this, plus follow-up on Tess Gerritsen’s Gravity lawsuit.

Also, John has a new app in the App Store called Assembler. Find out more in the links below.

Links:

You can download the episode here: AAC | mp3.

UPDATE 3-10-15: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

Malcolm Spellman, a Study in Heat

Film Industry, Scriptnotes, Television, Transcribed

Screenwriter Malcolm Spellman joins Craig and John to talk about his big break, blown opportunities, and getting momentum back. Now part of the smash hit Empire, he talks about the changes and challenges African-American writers face both on the small screen and the big screen.

Also this episode, we look at a review that credits the director with the screenwriter’s work and the role trailers play in shaping audience expectation. Plus the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, the Three Investigators, SNL and literally losing your voice.

Trivia: “A Study in Heat” was the name of the sandwich Malcolm ate after recording this episode.

Links:

You can download the episode here: AAC | mp3.

UPDATE 2-25-15: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

Go Set a Spider-Man

Follow Up, News, QandA, Scriptnotes, Transcribed, WGA

From Harper Lee to Sony to the Wheel of Time, it was a big week for studios trying to hold onto intellectual property. John and Craig discuss why those deals take such strange turns, including 1:30 a.m. airings on cable.

In follow-up, we look at why the WGA isn’t directly involved in the Gravity lawsuit, and how Rebel Wilson was lucky she never ran afoul of Australia’s classifiers.

A listener writes in with a question about “a film by,” prompting one Craig rant. John returns the umbrage about award season, and how we keep our best filmmakers from actually making their next films.

The 200th episode of Scriptnotes is fast approaching, and we want your suggestions for what we should do. A live show? Something else? Tweet or email your thoughts.

Links:

You can download the episode here: AAC | mp3.

UPDATE 2-19-15: The transcript of this episode can be found here.