John August

Transcribed

Studio-Adjacent

Episode - 737

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Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John welcomes back Phil Hay (Destroyer, The Invitation) to ask, how do you get a movie made with independent financing? They look at how indie movies get made, where you get the money, deciding when to go indie, and whether streamers complicate the picture.

We also follow up on testing movies with focus groups and answer listener questions on how to navigate the editing room, daily routines, and what to do when your story has too many themes.

In our bonus segment for premium members, we look back on what Phil learned about D&D from his documentary The Dungeon Masters.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 6-5-26: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

The Devil You Know

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig welcome back Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) to explore the timely questions about art and human labor posed by her long-awaited sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2. We’ll warn you now: Spoilers ahead!

We also look at what AI knitting podcasts can tell us about the future of industrially-produced slop, and answer a listener question on how to approach the engine of a TV show.

In our bonus segment for premium members, what would a hypothetical Scriptnotes Screenplay Club look like? Aline weighs in to make sure the design is impeccable.

That’s all.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 5-28-26: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

The Flashforward Fallback

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig go back to the beginning to examine the mechanics of the flash-forward opening — or as it’s known on this podcast, the “Stuart Special.” They look at what makes a strong flash-forward, when to avoid them, and how to pay back the narrative debt they incur.

We also follow up on the Scriptnotes survey and answer a massive grab-bag blitz of listener questions including the potential pitfalls of child protagonists, “unfilmable” elements, and how to end a scene.

In our bonus segment for premium members, how do you socialize at Hollywood parties? We’ve made all the mistakes so you don’t have to.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 5-13-26: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

A Box Full of Teeth

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig welcome back Katie Dippold (Widow’s Bay, Ghostbusters) to ask, what advice would you give to your younger self? They revisit the writers they used to be, offer specific guidance to each one, and demystify everything from “Why isn’t a producer calling me back?” to “Should I join that sorority?”

Most importantly, we look at how Katie turned her former writing sample into the hilarious and spooky new show, Widow’s Bay. We also answer listener questions on calling out stolen ideas and how to pitch yourself when your past work doesn’t line up with your voice.

In our bonus segment for premium members, with the rise of AI, will there still be be movies and TV shows in ten or twenty years? Our best guesses lie just behind the paywall.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 5-7-26: The transcript of this episode can be found here