John August

Transcribed

How Much Progress?

Episode - 570

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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:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 11-3-22 The transcript for this episode can now be found here.

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:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 11-2-22 The transcript for this episode can now be found here.

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:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 11-1-22 The transcript for this episode can be found here.

No Stars, Please

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig discuss movie and television stars. When do you want to cast a huge star, and when is it not a good idea? From big names in small parts to new names in big parts, they try to calculate how much fame a role requires.

We follow up on the editing process and share advice on staying nimble. We also answer listener questions on recorded pitches, writing left behind, and time management with multiple contracts.

In our bonus segment for premium members, we play a round of Two Truths and a Lie to test our deception skills.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 10-31-22 The transcript for this episode can be found here.