John August

Transcribed

Let’s talk about Nikki Finke

Episode - 93

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Directors, Film Industry, Resources, Scriptnotes, Software, Tools, Transcribed, Words on the page

John and Craig discuss the polarizing potentate of Deadline Hollywood Daily, then segue into what a healthy entertainment journalism ecosystem might look like.

From there, it’s a discussion of Amazon Studios’ new storyboarding software, which demos well but isn’t likely to change much. It’s a good jumping-off spot for talking about storyboarding in general.

Also this week: T-shirts! Live dates!

Official Scriptnotes t-shirts are available in Umbrage Orange and Rational Blue — but only until June 21st, so don’t delay. You can find them at store.johnaugust.com (or follow the link below).

Two live shows this summer! June 29th and July 25th, both in Los Angeles. Click the links for details.

LINKS:

You can download the episode here: AAC.

UPDATE 6-14-13: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

The Little Mermaid

Scriptnotes, Story and Plot, Transcribed

Craig and John spend an entire episode discussing and dissecting 1989’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, looking at both its structure and scene work.

The first of Disney’s modern animated musicals, The Little Mermaid established the template for how these films are supposed to work. While it’s not perfect, it’s an ideal film for looking at how heroes and villains articulate their goals, and how screenwriters quickly establish a world and its conflicts.

Join us as we discuss useless sharks, lovable dogs and possibly the best I Want song ever written. (And don’t underestimate the importance of body language.)

LINKS:

You can download the episode here: AAC.

UPDATE 6-10-13: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

Bechdel and Batman

Genres, Scriptnotes, Story and Plot, Transcribed

It’s a week of pondering other people’s opinions. First, Craig and John take a look at the Bechdel Test: is it a useful metric for screenwriters, or just meaningless checkbox-ticking?

From there, we dive into David Wong’s analysis of troubling superhero lessons. Are these just updated versions of the classic myths, or do they say something specific about modern times?

Finally, we heap praise on screenwriter Justin Marks’s article on what it’s like to be a working writer who is mostly unproduced.

LINKS:

You can download the episode here: AAC.

UPDATE 5-31-13: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

50 Random Questions

Follow Up, Los Angeles, Random Advice, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

As promised, John and Craig answer a bunch of listener questions on everything except screenwriting, on topics ranging from sex to science to sushi.

  • How can the universe be infinite, but expanding?
  • What’s it like being bald?
  • Do spouses need to have common interests?
  • Can someone become a morning person?
  • And what’s the secret to a close, comfortable shave?

We start with two things in the news: an update on the Zach Braff Kickstarter situation, and the attempt to unionize the writers of E!’s Fashion Police.

LINKS:

You can download the episode here: AAC.

UPDATE 5-24-13: The transcript of this episode can be found here.