John August

Transcribed

The Somewhat Healthy Screenwriter

Episode - 50

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Follow Up, Random Advice, Scriptnotes, Transcribed, WGA

Screenwriters are often not the healthiest folk. We do our work at computers, surrounded by snacks, so it’s no surprise many of us get fat. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Screenwriters are often not the healthiest folk. We do our work at computers, surrounded by snacks, so it’s no surprise many of us are not our fittest. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We’re not doctors or nutritionists, but we’re relatively healthy members of a cohort that is relatively unhealthy, so our advice might point you in useful directions.

We also discuss the upcoming WGA Board elections, sumo wrestlers, head tits, Jaclyn Smith and secret e-smoking.

All this in more in the new Scriptnotes.

LINKS:

* [Conehead leads to sumo rule change](http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1290&dat=19940713&id=mlRUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=W44DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6580,6135447)
* [Jaclyn Smith](http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/03/05/us-smith-idUSTRE52424720090305) at the premiere of Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle
* [Frankenweenie](http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/disney/frankenweenie/) trailer is cute
* [CDC: Pretty Much Everyone is Fat](http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/08/cdc-everyone-fat/), from Wired
* [P90X](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TG8D6I/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000TG8D6I&linkCode=as2&tag=johnaugustcom-20) DVD set on Amazon
* [The 4-Hour Body](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/030746363X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=030746363X&linkCode=as2&tag=johnaugustcom-20), by Tim Ferriss on Amazon
* [Jambox](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004E10KI8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004E10KI8&linkCode=as2&tag=johnaugustcom-20) wireless speaker on Amazon
* [Big Jambox](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006AXRR3Y/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006AXRR3Y&linkCode=as2&tag=johnaugustcom-20) wireless speaker on Amazon
* INTRO: [Fat Albert opening theme](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WT-fxBNKs8)
* OUTRO: [Baby Got Back](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ZK68X8/?tag=johnaugustcom-20), covered by Jonathan Coulton

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_50.m4a).

**UPDATE** 8-17-12: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2012/scriptnotes-ep-50-the-somewhat-healthy-screenwriter-transcript).

Losing sleep over critics

Follow Up, QandA, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig talk critics, and how trying to anticipate their reviews can cause paralysis.

It’s funny how the screenwriter only seems to get mentioned in negative reviews. Well, not funny, actually. Frustrating. And possibly statistically verifiable, so listen in if you’re looking for a research project.

Also this week: Craig’s insomnia, traffic apps, bake-offs done better, and capitalizing on a big star attachment. Plus fun things you can do in the shower!

All this and more in this slightly-delayed Scriptnotes!

LINKS:

* [AquaNotes](http://www.myaquanotes.com/)
* [Inrix](http://www.inrixtraffic.com/) traffic app
* INTRO: [Good Times opening titles](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFKHg5CP7pk)
* OUTRO: [Cars](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qlUFKFHNIU), NIN featuring Gary Numan

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_49.m4a).

**UPDATE** 8-14-12: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2012/scriptnotes-ep-49-losing-sleep-over-critics-transcript).

Craig dreams of sushi

Challenge, Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed, WGA

Craig and John look at the results of the WGA screenwriter survey, which found widespread reports of bake-offs, prewriting and other shenanigans.

If there’s any solace to be found, it’s that *it’s not just you.* Things are frustrating for the vast majority of screenwriters.

After some follow-up discussion about the low percentage of women screenwriters, we get to the meat of this week’s podcast: round two of the Three Page Challenge, in which we look at the first three pages of listener-submitted samples. If you have a chance, read the PDFs ahead of time. You can find them in the links.

Big thanks to Sarah Nerboso, Jesse Grce and Austin Reynolds for inviting us to talk about their work on-air.

Also discussed this week: groin injuries, Japanese documentaries, earworms, and John’s feel-free-to-use motto: “Ikea: For Now, It’s Fine.”

LINKS:

* [P90X](http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/p90x.do)
* [What Happens Next: A History of American Screenwriting](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0307393887/?tag=johnaugustcom-20), by Marc Norman
* [WGA’s Summary of 2011 Survey Results](http://www.latimes.com/media/acrobat/2012-07/71296881-24182601.pdf), from the LA Times
* Three pages by [Sarah Nerboso](http://johnaugust.com/Assets/sarah_nerboso.pdf)
* Three pages by [Austin Reynolds](http://johnaugust.com/Assets/austin_reynolds.pdf)
* Three pages by [Jesse Grce](http://johnaugust.com/Assets/jesse_grce.pdf)
* [Jiro Dreams of Sushi](http://www.magpictures.com/jirodreamsofsushi/)
* [PRI’s The World in Words](http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pris-world-world-in-words/id279833390) podcast
* INTRO: [Hallmark cards, 1981](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgiZmdJocdc&feature=relmfu)
* OUTRO: [Part of Your World](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vkb5nbqPoE) by Darren Criss

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_48.m4a).

**UPDATE** 8-2-12: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2012/scriptnotes-ep-48-craig-dreams-of-sushi-transcript).

What script should you write?

QandA, Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed

Craig and John tackle a question screenwriters ask themselves at every stage in their careers: of all things I *could* write, which thing *should* I write?

For working screenwriters, these questions are complicated by rights and money and personalities. But for the aspiring screenwriter, the choice is just as daunting. A screenplay is a huge undertaking, involving months or years of work. Each script carries an opportunity cost: choosing to write this project means not writing something else, or at the very least pushing it further back.

While the variables are different in every case, John and Craig offer some framework for answering the question.

Also this week, John discusses the death of Richard Zanuck, who produced three of his movies. From listener questions, we look at pitch-fests, illegal acts, and shows about your buddies.

And in cool things, Craig talks e-cigarettes while John has mixed opinions on the Nexus 7.

LINKS:

* [Richard Zanuck, 1934 – 2012](http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul/14/local/la-me-richard-zanuck-20120714), Los Angeles Times obit
* [Joyetech 510](http://www.joyetech.com/product/510.php)
* [Johnson Creek](http://www.johnsoncreeksmokejuice.com/) Smoke Juice
* Google’s [Nexus 7](http://www.google.com/nexus/#/7) tablet
* INTRO: [Classic 1960’s Dr. Pepper commercial](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1gZkf_-UyI&feature=related)
* OUTRO: [Cigarettes, Whiskey, and Wild Wild Women](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEcj83zljOY) by Jim Croce

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_47.m4a).

**UPDATE** 7-26-12: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2012/scriptnotes-ep-47-what-script-should-you-write-transcript).