John August

Transcribed

Structure, and How to Enjoy a Movie

Episode - 673

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Scriptnotes, Transcribed

Structure is the fundamental skeleton of every story ever told, so why does it flummox so many writers? John and Craig outline what structure really is, ways to find it in your story, and how to keep it from tying your brain in knots.

We also look at ways to find nuance in our appreciation of movies, follow up on erotic fiction, and answer listener questions on how to work with a director and point of view shots.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig measure the helpfulness of their wearable body monitors.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 2-4-25: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

The Best/Worst it Will Ever Be

HWTBAM, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig look at three extraordinary news stories and ask, How Would this be a Movie? Stories include the United Healthcare CEO assassination, a small town’s process for licensing fortune tellers, and a harrowing I.V.F. mixup.

We also follow up on AI, Flightplan’s source material, Craig’s Belfast accent, and answer a listener question on the order of surnames for writing partners.

In our bonus segment for premium members: Hey Alexa, play John and Craig’s conversation about home automation. I don’t think she heard– HEY ALEXA, PLAY JOHN AND CRAIG’S CONVERSATION ABOUT HOME AUTOMATION.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 1-15-25: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

They Ate Our Scripts

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

Many of the biggest AI models have been trained on film and TV dialogue, and writers are furious. John and Craig explore the legal, ethical and philosophical implications of this revelation, our emotional reactions to it, and offer strategies for picking the right hills to die on.

But first, we follow up on the definition of horror vs. thriller, generational narcissism, and young people’s ambition. We also answer listener questions on when to bail on a script and how to approach your first contract.

In our bonus segment for premium members, we dig into the philosophical implications of Craig believing we live in a simulation, and whether that necessarily implies a creator. Woah, man.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 1-8-25: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

Holiday Live Show 2024

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig welcome Brian Jordan Alvarez & Stephanie Koenig (English Teacher) and Jac Schaeffer (Agatha All Along, WandaVision) to join them for a live holiday benefit for Hollywood HEART. They discuss constructing Agatha All Along from blue sky to the Witches’ Road, “protagonizing” a villain, breaking in through YouTube and maintaining a working relationship with your best friend.

We also play a new game, the Christmas Song Three Word Challenge, with former Scriptnotes producers Megan McDonnell (Dark Matter, The Marvels) and Megana Rao (Unstable).

In our bonus segment for premium members, we answer an all-star round of audience questions in maybe the best Q&A we’ve ever had.

Thanks to our fantastic audience, everyone at Dynasty Typewriter, and Hollywood HEART for putting the event together.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 1-7-25: The transcript for this episode can be found here.