• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

John August

  • Arlo Finch
  • Scriptnotes
  • Library
  • Store
  • About

Transcribed

Advice Show

Episode - 658

Go to Archive

September 10, 2024 Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig open the mailbag to answer a swath of listener questions that make Craig’s blood boil. They offer insights and umbrage on when you can turn down projects early in your career, picking the right day job, maintaining visibility when you’re taken off a project, the next steps after a successful short, when NDA’s are necessary, and how to credit unpublished source material.

We also say goodbye to green envelopes as we celebrate the arrival of direct deposit residuals, and follow up on AI training and GitHub for screenplays.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig abandon their superciliousness look at the English words they kind of know but are too chicken to actually ever use.

Links:

* [Move Over Green Envelopes, WGA Rolls Out Direct Deposits For Residuals](https://deadline.com/2024/08/wgaw-direct-deposits-residuals-1236050438/) by Peter White for Deadline
* [WGA Screen Credits Manual](https://www.wga.org/uploadedfiles/credits/manuals/screenscredits_manual10.pdf)
* [CDC Recommends Updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines for Fall/Winter Virus Season](https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s-t0627-vaccine-recommendations.html)
* [Hide posts on Threads](https://www.facebook.com/help/instagram/171172755868764)
* [Baldur’s Gate 3](https://baldursgate3.game/)
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Check out the Inneresting Newsletter](https://inneresting.substack.com/)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts) or [treat yourself to a premium subscription!](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/)
* Craig Mazin on [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@clmazin) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/clmazin/)
* John August on [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@johnaugust), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) and [Mastodon](https://mastodon.art/@johnaugust)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Nick Moore ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by [Matthew Chilelli](https://twitter.com/machelli).

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/658standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 11-15-23:** The transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2024/scriptnotes-episode-658-advice-show-transcript).

Deadpool with Ryan Reynolds

September 3, 2024 Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig welcome back Ryan Reynolds for an in-depth look at his creative process bringing the character of Deadpool to the screen.

As co-writer, producer and star of the Deadpool franchise, Ryan leads us through his first introduction to the character, the rough journey getting to greenlight, and the challenges presented by an often-faceless protagonist. Along the way, they talk tone and dialogue, collaboration and rule-breaking, respect and irreverence, and the importance of listening to the movie. Ryan also has some writing questions for John and Craig.

In our bonus segment for premium members, we look at Ryan’s flair for marketing and the creative freedom he’s found in advertising.

Links:

* Ryan Reynolds on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/vancityreynolds/), [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@vancityreynolds?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc) and [X](https://x.com/VancityReynolds)
* [Deadpool & Wolverine](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6263850/)
* [He’s So Annoying](https://www.vulture.com/article/deadpool-ryan-reynolds-greatest-annoying-actor.html) by Jesse David Fox for Vulture
* [Buster Keaton – The Art of the Gag](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWEjxkkB8Xs) by [Every Frame a Painting](https://www.youtube.com/user/everyframeapainting)
* [TCM – Turner Classic Movies](https://www.tcm.com/)
* [Ryan Reynolds Guest Programmer | TCM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeJdTeeVQBQ) via YouTube
* [How The Onion is saving itself from the digital media death spiral](https://www.theverge.com/24225592/the-onion-new-owners-print-newspaper-digital-media-gawker-ben-collins-decoder-interview) by Nilay Patel for The Verge
* [Vancouver, BC](https://www.destinationvancouver.com/)
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Check out the Inneresting Newsletter](https://inneresting.substack.com/)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts) or [treat yourself to a premium subscription!](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/)
* Craig Mazin on [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@clmazin) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/clmazin/)
* John August on [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@johnaugust), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) and [Mastodon](https://mastodon.art/@johnaugust)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Tim Englehard ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by [Matthew Chilelli](https://twitter.com/machelli).

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/657standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 11-14-24:** The transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2024/scriptnotes-episode-657-deadpool-with-ryan-reynolds-transcript).

Conflict and Stakes Compendium

August 20, 2024 Scriptnotes, Transcribed

In this compendium episode, John and Craig look at two of the most fundamental building blocks of compelling stories – conflict and stakes.

We define six forms of conflict common in movies, and explore ways to sustain conflict within a scene and throughout a story. We also look for ways to find the root of your character’s stakes, pick the right stakes for the world around them, and the importance of making everything personal.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig look at Whiplash and how it finds conflict at the perfect tempo.

Links:

  • John’s Video Game Job Posting
  • Episode 179 – The Conflict Episode
  • Episode 402 – How Do You Like Your Stakes?
  • Snowpiercer – Left or Right by Every Frame a Painting on YouTube
  • Star Trek: The Next Generation In 40 Hours by Max Temkin
  • Harris’ or Harris’s? Apostrophe row divides grammar nerds from The Guardian
  • The Heights Deli & Bottle Shop
  • Cheerios Veggie Blends
  • Special K Zero
  • Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
  • Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
  • Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription!
  • Craig Mazin on Threads and Instagram
  • John August on Threads, Instagram, Twitter and Mastodon
  • Outro by Tim Brown (send us yours!)
  • Segments originally produced by Stuart Friedel and Megana Rao. Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 10-21-24: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

How to Watch Bad Movies

August 13, 2024 Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig stand waist-deep in rotten tomatoes and ask, what can we learn from bad movies? Resisting the urge to walk out, they explore ways to evaluate a movie’s problems, interrogate your taste, and turn a real stinker into an opportunity to grow as a writer.

We also follow up on Lifetime movies, colored pages and AI screenwriting, and answer listener questions on weirdo characters and the validity of a ghostwriter.

In our bonus segment for premium members, when is it okay to bail on something you no longer enjoy? We look at when to bounce on books, friendships and more.

Links:

* [WGAW Good and Welfare Emergency Assistance Loans](https://www.wga.org/members/finances/good-welfare-emergency-assistance-loans)
* [AI Screenwriter job posting](https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3987023540/)
* [Pageant of the Masters](https://www.foapom.com/)
* [Pageant of the Masters Brings Art to Life](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6fg95StXm0) from the Wall Street Journal on YouTube
* [Arrested Development – The Living Classics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9-zi-qKg8I)
* [Severance](https://tv.apple.com/us/show/severance/umc.cmc.1srk2goyh2q2zdxcx605w8vtx) on Apple TV+
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Check out the Inneresting Newsletter](https://inneresting.substack.com/)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts) or [treat yourself to a premium subscription!](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/)
* Craig Mazin on [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@clmazin) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/clmazin/)
* John August on [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@johnaugust), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) and [Mastodon](https://mastodon.art/@johnaugust)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Pascui Rivas ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by [Matthew Chilelli](https://twitter.com/machelli).

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/654standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 10-7-24:** The transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2024/scriptnotes-episode-654-how-to-watch-bad-movies-transcript).

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Newsletter

Inneresting Logo A Quote-Unquote Newsletter about Writing
Read Now

Explore

Projects

  • Aladdin (1)
  • Arlo Finch (27)
  • Big Fish (88)
  • Birdigo (2)
  • Charlie (39)
  • Charlie's Angels (16)
  • Chosen (2)
  • Corpse Bride (9)
  • Dead Projects (18)
  • Frankenweenie (10)
  • Go (29)
  • Karateka (4)
  • Monsterpocalypse (3)
  • One Hit Kill (6)
  • Ops (6)
  • Preacher (2)
  • Prince of Persia (13)
  • Shazam (6)
  • Snake People (6)
  • Tarzan (5)
  • The Nines (118)
  • The Remnants (12)
  • The Variant (22)

Apps

  • Bronson (14)
  • FDX Reader (11)
  • Fountain (32)
  • Highland (73)
  • Less IMDb (4)
  • Weekend Read (64)

Recommended Reading

  • First Person (87)
  • Geek Alert (151)
  • WGA (162)
  • Workspace (19)

Screenwriting Q&A

  • Adaptation (65)
  • Directors (90)
  • Education (49)
  • Film Industry (490)
  • Formatting (128)
  • Genres (89)
  • Glossary (6)
  • Pitches (29)
  • Producers (59)
  • Psych 101 (118)
  • Rights and Copyright (96)
  • So-Called Experts (47)
  • Story and Plot (170)
  • Television (165)
  • Treatments (21)
  • Words on the page (237)
  • Writing Process (177)

More screenwriting Q&A at screenwriting.io

© 2026 John August — All Rights Reserved.