John August

Transcribed

Flashbacks

Episode - 557

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Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig take a look at flashbacks: reasons to incorporate them, how to manage nonlinear storylines, and when it’s too late include one.

We cover ‘Side Character Summer’ and three words that ruin a screenwriter’s day. We also answer listener questions on writing partner break-ups, managers, and remote rooms.

In our bonus segment for premium members, we look at the markers of adulthood.

Links:

* [Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp43OdtAAkM) reaching [number one on the pop charts](https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/kate-bush-reclaims-uk-chart-running-up-that-hill-1235104046/)
* Beyonce’s [Break My Soul](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjki-9Pthh0)
* [Side Character Summer](https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ce6zOHKqxgW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link) by Lolaokola on IG
* Jeremiah Lewis’s tweet @fringeblog [Ruin A Screenwriter’s Day in Three Words](https://twitter.com/fringeblog/status/1538582676076220419?s=21&t=sJtLfzZYwV9-3UIB4DF_IA)
* [Scriptnotes Ep. 10: Good Actors and Bad Writing Partners](https://johnaugust.com/2011/scriptnotes-ep-10-good-actors-and-bad-writing-partners-transcript)
* [Flashbacks and dreams](https://johnaugust.com/2003/flashbacks-and-dreams) on the blog
* [Reddit’s Cutaway Porn](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cutawayporn/)
* [Smart AoE](https://app.roll20.net/forum/post/10485883/script-smartaoe-graphical-interface-for-implementing-aoes-on-gridded-maps/?pagenum=1)
* [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 Sam Brady ([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/557standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 8-6-22** The transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2022/scriptnotes-episode-557-flashbacks-transcript).

Let’s Catch Up

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig are back together! They chat about the box office (it’s also back!), guns in Hollywood, writing credits, and follow up on what to call the [interstitial] page in a script.

We answer listener questions on imperfect story logic, writing authentically in a different language, and when it’s time to be a team player.

In our bonus segment for premium members, we talk about penmanship! Craig encounters the ultimate puzzle: John’s handwriting.

Links:

* Sign up for [updates on the Scriptnotes Book](https://scriptnotes.net/)
* [Box Office Balancing Test: How Many Tentpoles Can Share a Weekend?](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-balancing-test-how-many-tentpoles-can-share-a-weekend-1235166404/)
* [Judd Apatow, Shonda Rhimes and other Hollywood creators sign gun petition](https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/celebrity/judd-apatow-shonda-rhimes-hollywood-creators-sign-gun-petition-rcna33509)
* [Magic ARRI ViewFinder](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/magic-arri-viewfinder/id1347132361) on the App store!
* [Alex Hirsch’s Gravity Falls Tweet](https://twitter.com/_AlexHirsch/status/1537314312926003201)
* [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 Lachlan Marks ([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/556standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 7-3-22** The transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2022/scriptnotes-episode-556-lets-catch-up-transcript).

Marveling with Michael Waldron

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John invites Michael Waldron (Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Loki) to share his origin story and offer advice on how to make the most of film school/internship opportunities.

We discuss writing characters that cross the TV/film barrier and answer listener questions on preparing for success, looking for rejection, and how to track ideas.

In our bonus segment for premium members, we discuss what writers need to know about working in Atlanta.

Links:

* [Michael Waldron](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5642271/) on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/michaelwaldron?lang=en) and on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/fakemichaelwaldron/?hl=en)
* Donate blood with the Red Cross [#BloodforBreck](https://sleevesup.redcrossblood.org/campaign/blood-for-breck-the-breck-denny-memorial-blood-drive/)
* [“Prove to the World You’ve Lost Your Son”](https://slate.com/human-interest/2022/06/shooting-school-texas-uvalde-sandy-hook-conspiracy.html) by Elizabeth Williamson for Slate from [Sandy Hook: An American Tragedy and the Battle for Truth](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1524746576/?tag=slatmaga-20)
* [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 Ryan Gerberding ([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/555standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 8-4-22** The transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2022/scriptnotes-episode-555-marveling-with-michael-waldron-transcript).

Getting the Gang Back Together

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig offer guidance on wrangling groups of characters. This episode features a collection of craft topics that address how to build community on the page.

They cover how to introduce relationships, structure features with multiple protagonists, reasons to split up the group, and how to reunite characters.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Megana welcome our summer intern Drew Marquardt to discuss group dynamics in Stranger Things season four, part one. (Warning: conversation contains spoilers and unabashed Steve Harrington adoration.)

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 8-1-22 The transcript for this episode can now be found here.