John August

Transcribed

What script should you write?

Episode - 47

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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).

Mistakes development executives make

Challenge, Film Industry, QandA, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

Craig and John skip Comic-Con so they can discuss annoying and unproductive habits of development executives, along with advice for working with screenwriters.

The back half of the podcast is devoted to the first-ever three page challenge, in which we critique listeners’ samples and offer suggestions. If you have a chance to **read the samples** before listening to the podcast — they’re in the links below — you’ll get more out of it, but we try to summarize things so that it’s useful even without the text.

Let us know what you thought of this experiment (on Twitter [@johnaugust](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) and [@clmazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin)) so we’ll know whether to do a round two. We received more than 200 entries for the challenge — more than enough, so please don’t send any more. If we do another pass, we’ll pull from what we have.

Our thanks to everyone who wrote in, and especially to Ajay, J. Nicholas and Bryan for letting us talk about their stuff online.

Also discussed this week: standing desks, music theory, laptop speakers and inflated podcast numbers.

LINKS:

* Anthro Cart [Adjusta desk](http://www.anthro.com/computer-furniture.aspx?desk=fit-adjusta)
* Three pages by [Ajay Bhai](http://johnaugust.com/Assets/ajay_bhai_3pages.pdf)
* Three pages by [J. Nicholas Smith](http://johnaugust.com/Assets/jn_smith_3pages.pdf)
* Three pages by [Bryan DeGuire](http://johnaugust.com/Assets/deguire_3pages.pdf)
* [Hooktheory](http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/hooktheory/id533715898?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4) for iBooks
* [Hooktheory](http://www.hooktheory.com/) site
* [Audio Essentials](http://www.srslabs.com/store/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=51)
* INTRO: [Quincy, M.E.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXf4tV_aeDc) opening titles
* OUTRO: [Forrest Gump](http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/forrest-gump/id541953504?i=541953615) by Frank Ocean

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_46.m4a).

**UPDATE** 7-19-12: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2012/scriptnotes-ep-46-mistakes-development-executives-make-transcript).

Setting, perspective and terrible numbers

Challenge, Scriptnotes, Story and Plot, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed, WGA

It’s two parts craft and one part business as Craig and John discuss the alarming earnings report coming out of the WGA, plus a deeper look at setting and POV.

For feature screenwriters, it’s hard to find a silver lining in the [WGA’s report](http://www.wga.org/uploadedFiles/who_we_are/annual_reports/annualreport12.pdf) on 2011 earnings. Numbers are down significantly, both in total dollars and the number of writers earning anything at all.

2011 earnings chart

Of course, you don’t have to be employed to write a script, so we spend the rest of the show talking about two crucial aspects of screenwriting: choosing effective settings and deciding on POV.

Setting is both a macro and micro decision. Early on, you need to figure out where your movie takes place. Everything about your story will be impacted by the world you choose. Then as you write individual scenes, you look for environments that provide opportunities and challenges for your characters — and for the director. Film is a visual medium, so smart screenwriters consider what settings will suit a big screen.

Perspective, or POV, is about figuring out which characters have storytelling power in your movie. Which characters can anchor a scene without the hero? Which characters can do voiceover? The choices you make greatly effect audience expectation, so it’s worth thinking about at the very start.

Finally, we talk about the Three Page Challenge. On an upcoming podcast, we’ll be critiquing three pages (and only three pages!) from listeners’ scripts. If you want to participate, visit [johnaugust.com/threepage](http://johnaugust.com/threepage) for details.

LINKS:

* [2012 WGAW Annual Report to Writers](http://www.wga.org/subpage_whoweare.aspx?id=230)
* [Bridesmaids](http://www.bridesmaidsmovie.com/index.php)
* [The Shaggs](http://www.shaggs.com/)
* [PB2 Peanut Butter Powder](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002GJ9JWS/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) on Amazon
* [Cambridge Ivory Wirebound Notebook](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VIVX2M/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) on Amazon
* [The Scriptnotes Three Page Challenge](http://johnaugust.com/threepage)
* INTRO: [Lite Brite commercial](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Huat89z2WrA)
* OUTRO: [Super Mario Brothers on Classical Guitar](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3UTHj16ukM)

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_45.m4a).

**UPDATE** 7-12-12: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2012/scriptnotes-ep-45-setting-perspective-and-terrible-numbers-transcript).

Endings for beginners

Scriptnotes, Story and Plot, Transcribed

John and Craig look at how to write satisfying third acts. That doesn’t necessarily mean a happy ending, but rather one that feels earned.

If the first 10 pages of a script establish a contract between reader and writer — give me your undivided attention and I will make it worthwhile — the last 10 pages are where that contract is paid out. This is where screenwriters generally need to spend much more time, yet it’s often hurried and rushed.

Looking at the headlines, Craig fills us in on Hayden Christiansen’s lawsuit against USA Network’s Royal Pains and what it means for screenwriters. (Expect to be signing new forms.)

We also discuss a listener’s lament that studio execs have learned all the wrong lessons from the success of Avengers (and the failure of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter).

All this and vocal fry in the new installment of Scriptnotes.

LINKS:

* [Hayden Christensen Wins Big Victory Against USA Network in ‘Royal Pains’ Appeal](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/hayden-christensen-royal-pains-usa-lawsuit-342497)
* INTRO: [ABC’s 1976 Bicentennial Celebration](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tImKevSPH6Y)
* OUTRO: [Chet Atkins, Stars and Stripes Forever](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cyiq6lewgOk)

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_44.m4a).

**UPDATE** 7-6-12: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2012/scriptnotes-ep-44-endings-for-beginners-transcript).