John August

Transcribed

Halfway There

Episode - 534

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Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig look at midpoints, the murky middle of the movie, and why writers shouldn’t overthink them.

We follow up on script formatting, firing your reps, screenplay “rules,” and how Sisyphus can achieve happiness. We answer listener questions on omitted scenes and imaginative children.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig debate the ethics and issues surrounding NFTs.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 3-1-22 You can find the transcript for this episode here.

We See and We Hear

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig rant about prohibitive screenwriting advice and declare their allegiance to the “we see/we hear” convention. They analyze scripts from this year’s awards season to argue good story trumps all else.

We also answer questions on screenplay fundamentals from parantheticals, action lines to script length.

In our bonus segment for premium members, we consider: what is the screenwriting equivalent of boot camp?

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 2-2-2022 The transcript for this episode can be found here.

Mistakes of Yes

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig consider the choices writers and characters make based on fear, flattery, or FOMO. They offer guidance on how to make authentic choices and discern between want vs. being wanted.

We also look at reshoots, both what they mean for production and the final story. We tackle listener questions on agents attending meetings, bad outlines, and unsupportive partners.

In our bonus segment for premium members, we discuss how to discuss movies at a party.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 1-31-22 The transcript for this episode can be found here.

Scene to Scene

News, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig welcome the new year by discussing the art of transitions. They go beyond screenplay-specific terms to examine the psychology of moving through story beats.

We cover the history of screenplays, the different ways to think about a scene, and how to create a punchline for each scene.

In our bonus segment for premium members, we talk about transitioning out of conversations in person and on the phone.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 2-2-2022 The transcript for this episode can now be found here.