John August

Transcribed

Scriptnotes Live in LA

Episode - 571

Go to Archive

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

In our first live show since 2019, John and Craig welcome guests Joel Kim Booster (Fire Island), Ike Barinholtz (History of the World, part 2), Megan Ganz (Mythic Quest), and Aline Brosh McKenna (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend). They discuss writing scripted comedy vs. standup, representation, and the difficulties of being the boss.

They’re joined by The Manager We Told You to Fire, who has some choice words for the guys.

Megana asks audience questions on storyboarding, pet peeves, and advice/inspiration for aspiring writers.

Big thanks to our live audience, the staff of Dynasty Typewriter, and everyone at Hollywood Heart for putting the event together.

Links:

* Learn more and donate to [Hollywood Heart!](https://www.hollywoodheart.org/)
* [Joel Kim Booster](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5527841/) on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/ihatejoelkim) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ihatejoelkim/?hl=en)
* [Ike Barinholtz](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0054697/) on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/ikebarinholtz), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ikebarinholtz/), and [Celebrity Jeopardy!](https://www.instagram.com/p/CjwlUK4ITxt/)
* [Megan Ganz](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3836955) on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/meganganz) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/meganganz/)
* [Aline Brosh McKenna]() on [Twitter]() and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/abmck/)
* [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](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Matthew Chilelli ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Megana Rao](https://twitter.com/MeganaRao) 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/571.mp3).

**UPDATE 11-11-2022** the transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2022/scriptnotes-ep-571-scriptnotes-live-in-la-transcript).

How Much Progress?

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig welcome back Liz Alper (Day of the Dead, The Rookie) and Brittani Nichols (Abbott Elementary, A Black Lady Sketch Show) to discuss how much progress has been made on issues from #MeToo, #PayUpHollywood, and depictions of police on screen. We look at common threads between the movements, and the difficulty of maintaining momentum once the initial impetus has passed.

We also answer listener questions on how to deal with ethically complicated projects and why there’s still so much copaganda on television.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John tells Craig a real life fairy tale about ‘The Writer Who Left his Reps.’ It’s magical and full of hope.

Links:

* [Liz Alper](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3225554/) on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/lizalps)
* [Brittani Nichols](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4575382/) on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/BisHilarious)
* Buy Tickets for our first Live Show post-pandemic – [Dynasty Typewriter Livestream](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scriptnotes-live-tickets-412411342427?aff=ebdsoporgprofile) October 19 at 7:30pm PT
* Are you going to Austin Film Festival? Submit to the AFF [Three Page Challenge](https://johnaugust.com/threepage)!
* [List of Female Run Restaurants in Austin, TX](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wo4lV2vUacQb7QhcmBEkZD1jSz8k2HOjcAlLmnfyt1A/edit) from Melissa
* [Harvey Weinstein Paid Off Sexual Harassment Accusers for Decades](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/05/us/harvey-weinstein-harassment-allegations.html) by Jodi Kantor and Meghan Twohey and [Alyssa Milano’s Tweet](https://twitter.com/Alyssa_Milano/status/919659438700670976?s=20&t=k-vvSWG6CmgL6NbP3GeJ2A) and [From Aggressive Overtures to Sexual Assault: Harvey Weinstein’s Accusers Tell Their Stories](https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/from-aggressive-overtures-to-sexual-assault-harvey-weinsteins-accusers-tell-their-stories) by Ronan Farrow for The New Yorker
* [#MeToo, Five Years Later: Accusers Reflect](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/me-too-five-years-later-1235228665/) by THR Staff
* [#MeToo, Five Years Later: No One’s Fully Returned From “Cancellation”](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/metoo-five-years-later-cancellation-comebacks-1235228191/) by Gary Baum for THR
* [Check out the new survey results at the brand new #PAYUPHOLLYWOOD website](https://www.payuphollywood.com/)
* Read the [full update](https://johnaugust.com/2022/payuphollywood-progress-an-update-from-christian) from ‘Christian’
* [How 70 Years of Cop Shows Taught Us to Valorize the Police](https://www.vox.com/culture/22375412/police-show-procedurals-hollywood-history-dragnet-keystone-cops-brooklyn-nine-nine-wire-blue-bloods) by Constance Grady for Vox
* [Studio Response to Showrunners for Abortion Rights](https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/showrunners-group-studios-abortion-safety-variety-ad-1235381785/)
* [The Enduring Allure of Choose Your Own Adventure Books](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/09/19/the-enduring-allure-of-choose-your-own-adventure-books) by Leslie Jamison for The New Yorker
* [Why Your Hate Your Job](https://www.currentaffairs.org/2022/09/why-you-hate-your-job) by Aravind “Vinny” Byju
* Follow journalist [Cerise Castle](https://cerisecastle.me/) on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/cerisecastle)
* Checkout [Tallowtalk](https://www.instagram.com/tallowtalk/?hl=en) soaps on [Etsy!](https://www.etsy.com/shop/TallowTalkSoapCo)
* [Support the Writer Emergency Pack XL Campaign on Kickstarter](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/johnaugust/writer-emergency-pack-xl/posts)
* [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](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Holly Overton ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Megana Rao](https://twitter.com/MeganaRao) 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/570standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 11-3-22** The transcript for this episode can now be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2022/scriptnotes-ep-570-how-much-progress-transcript).

Inspiration vs. Motivation

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig compare the romanticism and reality of writing. They discuss why inspiration is overvalued, why ‘bad motivations’ aren’t necessarily bad, and the rare bliss that occurs when inspiration and motivation align.

We answer listener questions on act breaks, cover the phenomenon of show-runners as promotional vehicles, and John attempts to manifest a Van Halen movie.

And in our bonus segment for premium members, we talk creepy crawlies.

Links:

* [Starbucks Seam Life Hack](https://www.reddit.com/r/lifehacks/comments/16pvai/does_your_starbucks_cup_leak_sometimes_make_sure/)
* [John Scalzi’s Blogpost: Find the Time or Don’t](https://whatever.scalzi.com/2010/09/16/writing-find-the-time-or-dont/)
* [Happy The Last of Us Day!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBRRDpQ0yc0) Check out this trailer.
* [Whisper by Open AI](https://openai.com/blog/whisper/)
* [Tick Tock the Game](https://www.ticktockthegame.com)
* [Sign up for the Inneresting Newsletter](https://inneresting.substack.com/) for more writing resources!
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts) or [treat yourself to a premium subscription!](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/)
* [Craig Mazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by MCL Karman ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Megana Rao](https://twitter.com/MeganaRao) 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/569standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 11-2-22** The transcript for this episode can now be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2022/scriptnotes-ep-569-inspiration-vs-motivation-transcript).

Writing as Acting

News, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig analyze what lessons writers can learn from acting techniques (such as staying present) and working with actors (like staying open).

We also discuss writer retirement, how Craig’s “central dramatic argument” applies to TV, and the skill of cutting a character to save a scene.

In our bonus segment for premium members, we discuss The Future and what we owe it.

Links:

* [Writer Emergency Pack XL](https://writeremergency.com/) is funded! Support [here on Kickstarter!](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/johnaugust/writer-emergency-pack-xl)
* [Green Burial Council](https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/) and [Is California ready for ‘human composting’ as an alternative to casket burial, cremation?](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-06-30/is-california-ready-for-human-composting-as-alternative-to-casket-burial-cremation) by Anabel Sosa for the LA Times
* [John’s Blogpost on Fake Tears](https://johnaugust.com/2010/fake-tears)
* [Scriptnotes Episode 76: How screenwriters find their voice](https://johnaugust.com/2013/how-screenwriters-find-their-voice)
* [Scriptnotes Episode 403: How to Write A Movie](https://johnaugust.com/2019/how-to-write-a-movie)
* [Patton Oswalt on King of Queens](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA90rOwmkJ4)
* [Cut A Character Save A Scene](https://johnaugust.com/2010/cut-a-character-save-a-scene) on John’s Blog
* [Ants Outnumber Everything](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/09/19/ants-population-20-quadrillion/) by Dino Grandoni for the Washington Post
* [Why Question Words Start with Wh](https://www.reddit.com/r/etymology/comments/61ijtu/why_do_question_words_why_who_where_when_etc_all/) on Reddit
* [Bo Shim’s](https://twitter.com/byshim?lang=en) LA Food Guide: [Western Doma Noodles](https://www.yelp.com/biz/western-doma-noodles-los-angeles) hole-in-the-wall treasure, [MDK Noodles](https://www.yelp.com/biz/mdk-noodles-los-angeles?osq=mdk+noodles) in K-town, [Zzamong](https://zzamongrestaurant.com/) for Jjjangmyun, [KyoChon](https://kyochonus.iorderfoods.com/users/login) for fried chicken–especially the honey wings, [Aliya Lavaland](https://www.toasttab.com/aliya-lavaland-141-n-atlantic-blvd-ste-103/v3/?mode=fulfillment) for (lava) mooncakes, [Mandarin Noodle House](https://www.mandarinnoodlehouseca.com/) in Monterey Park
* [What We Owe the Future](https://whatweowethefuture.com/) by William Macaskill
* [Candy Corn Infused Vodka](https://www.kitchentreaty.com/candy-corn-infused-vodka/)
* [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](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Nico Mansy ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Megana Rao](https://twitter.com/MeganaRao) 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/568standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 11-1-22** The transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2022/scriptnotes-ep-568-writing-as-acting-transcript).