John August

Transcribed

Let’s talk about dialogue

Episode - 37

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QandA, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

Screenwriters can learn story and structure, but the ability to create real, tangible characters is more elusive — and ultimately more important.

The best gauge of good writing is whether a screenplay’s characters feel distinct and alive. A lot of that comes from how the characters speak: what they say and how they say it.

John and Craig offer some tests to see if your screenplay’s dialogue works:

* Could you take one character’s words and have another say them?
* Can you picture a specific actor speaking each character’s lines? Or, even better, are there actors you *can’t* picture saying them?
* Do the characters all sound like you, the writer? Or do they have distinct voices?

This week’s listener questions include recycling material, writing large-group action scenes, and possible novels. Craig then rants about the evils of Zynga and the wonder of 1Password.

How do you do an imitation of Denzel Washington? Find out on episode 37 of Scriptnotes.

LINKS:

* Jay Mohr’s [Mohr Stories](http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mohr-stories-smodcast.com/id448795390)
* Jane Espenson (and Douglas Petrie) on the [Nerdist Writers Panel](http://www.nerdist.com/2012/05/nerdist-writers-panel-37-jane-espenson-and-douglas-petrie/)
* Derek Haas’s [Popcorn Fiction](http://www.mulhollandbooks.com/popcornfiction/)
* [Lightning in a Bottle](http://www.mulhollandbooks.com/popcornfiction/stories/Lightning_in_a_Bottle_by_Craig_Mazin.html) by Craig Mazin, on Popcorn Fiction
* [Snake People](http://www.mulhollandbooks.com/popcornfiction/stories/Snake_People_by_John_August.html) by John August, on Popcorn Fiction
* [1Password](https://agilebits.com/onepassword)
* [Ski Safari](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ski-safari/id503092422?mt=8)
* INTRO: [Misfits of Science](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT6pJyuyez8) stereo remix by Stiks1969
* OUTRO: [No Frills Love (Extended Dance Remix)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjCSQGlNCbU) by Jennifer Holiday

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_37.m4a).

**UPDATE** 5-18-12: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2012/scriptnotes-ep-37-lets-talk-about-dialogue-transcript).

Writer’s block and other romantic myths

QandA, Scriptnotes, Transcribed, Writing Process

John and Craig open the 36th Scriptnotes with a brief discussion about contracts, and then face writer’s block head on.

“Writer’s block” is an overused term. When a writer claims to be suffering from it, he is usually wrestling with some combination of three common problems: procrastination, perfectionism, and fear. “Writer’s block” is a romanticized catch-all that distracts from these real issues.

Screenwriters can use a range of techniques to get over the hump, from setting a kitchen timer, to breaking work down into manageable chunks, to writing in an order that makes sense for the way you work.

They then take two quick listener questions before closing out the episode with this week’s One Cool Thing (TM).

It’s Tuesday! So head over to Panda Express and get yourself a celebratory meal to enjoy with episode 36 of Scriptnotes.

LINKS:

* [Jajangmyeon](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jajangmyeon), Craig’s Korean noodles
* George Lucas, Seven Spielberg, and Lawrence Kasdan’s [Raiders Story Conference](http://mysterymanonfilm.blogspot.com/2009/03/raiders-story-conference.html)
* [Old Jews Telling Jokes](http://oldjewstellingjokes.com/)
* Charlie Seibel, [Giving a Bull an Enema](http://oldjewstellingjokes.com/post/22190142833) on OJTJ
* [iScore](http://iscorecentral.com/baseball/)
* INTRO: [Simon & Simon](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDhz_mVcVCQ) theme
* OUTRO: [Umbrellas](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9qF1W5xX8Q) by Fredo Viola

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_36.m4a).

**UPDATE** 5-9-12: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2012/scriptnotes-ep-36-writers-block-and-other-romantic-myths-transcript).

Umbrage Farms

Film Industry, Psych 101, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

Craig and John take a brief look at the misguided Girls backlash and complaints about nepotism in Hollywood, before segueing to a bigger discussion of spec scripts and positioning:

* What are “spec farms,” and how can you avoid them?

* What should you do if you and your reps/producers disagree about whether your script is ready to send out?

* Is it a good idea to post your script online?

* How should you introduce characters in an ensemble? How many is too many?

Todo esto y más en el 34° episodio de Scriptnotes.

LINKS:

* The Girls [nepotism poster](http://crushable.com/entertainment/girls-nepotism-poster-lena-dunham-allison-williams-891/)
* [The Robotard 8000](http://www.therobotard8000.com/)
* [The Nissan Leaf](http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/index#/leaf-electric-car/index)
* [Tesla’s Model S](http://www.teslamotors.com/models)
* Intro: [Spiderman y Sus Increibles Amigos](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eX3yWmwt7Q&feature=related) opening
* Outro: [Love is Real (Fred Falke Remix)](http://www.wired.com/underwire/2012/04/theophilus-london-love-is-real-remix/all/1) by Theophilus London

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_34.m4a).

**UPDATE** 4-26-12: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2012/scriptnotes-ep-34-umbrage-farms-transcript).

All Apologies

QandA, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

Craig and John take a look at Toph Eggers’s apology, which segues to a discussion of apologies in general and laugh tracks.

The bulk of the episode is spent on listener questions:

* After making a spec sale, what should a writing team do next?

* When handing in a rewrite, should you preface your changes in an email?

* How do you handle file-keeping with multiple projects and drafts?

* What is a “spec script auction?”

* What do you do when your manager keeps pushing you to write things you’re not interested in?

* How do you format verse (like Shakespeare) when it’s used as dialogue?

* What do you do when your scene has 23 characters in it?

All this and more in this week’s Scriptnotes.

LINKS:

* [Big Bang Theory without Laughter](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmLQaTcViOA)
* [Once, the Broadway musical](http://oncemusical.com/)
* Martin Scorsese’s Casino
* Intro: [Bewitched opening](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o73ka8pbbE)
* Outro: [South Australia](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFrXUDWBIpU&feature=related) performed by Fisherman’s Friends

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_31.m4a).

**UPDATE** 4-5-12: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2012/scriptnotes-ep-31-all-apologies-transcript).