John August

Transcribed

Random Advice 2020

Episode - 481

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News, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig welcome back writer/producer Nichelle Tramble (Truth Be Told, The Good Wife) to share wisdom on listener questions that are interesting but unrelated to screenwriting.

We discuss how to know if you’re marrying the right person, open relationships, and how to deal with being the ‘starter’ girlfriend. We also cover jealousy, laughter, the ethics of lying to the Red Cross, and disappointing Secret Santas.

Finally, in our bonus segment for premium members we discuss *that* Martin Shkreli article and how it would be a movie.

Links:

* [Donate to Dorm Key](https://lovebeyondlimits.org/), make sure to ear mark your contribution!
* [Sarah Silverman, Jesus is Magic](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0422528/)
* [Lying: Moral Choice in Public and Private Life](https://www.amazon.com/Lying-Moral-Choice-Public-Private/dp/0375705287) by Sissela Bok
* [Episode 403, How to Write a Movie in Spanish](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xHFkKvbdTnTSAg1M4vrk2al1cxf1A_DobMo7eUszpfk/edit) translated by Fernando Polanco
* [Death Saves](https://death-saves.com/collections/frontpage) merch
* [Notes on a Silencing: A Memoir](https://bookshop.org/books/notes-on-a-silencing-a-memoir/9780316491556) by Lacy Crawford
* [The Journalist and the Pharma Bro](https://www.elle.com/life-love/a35021224/martin-shkreli-christie-smythe-pharma-bro-journalist/) by Stephanie Clifford
* [Nichelle Tramble Spellman](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2838492/) and on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/tramblegirl/?hl=en)
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts)
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [Craig Mazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Heidi Lauren Duke ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by Megana Rao and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/481standardv2.mp3).

**UPDATE 1-7-21** The transcript for this episode can now be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2021/scriptnotes-episode-481-random-advice-2020-transcript).

The Wedding Episode

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

Craig and John talk movie weddings with special guest Aline Brosh McKenna. We look at the tropes, the challenges and the unique opportunities wedding scenes provide.

We also look at the agreement between the WGA and CAA, and answer listener questions about writing the weather and bombing a pitch.

And in our bonus segment for premium members, we discuss our post-vaccination hopes and plans.

Links:

* [CAA and WGA Agreement](https://deadline.com/2020/12/caa-wga-reach-deal-that-will-bring-writers-back-into-agency-fold-1234657859/)
* [Japanese Rent A Family on Twitter](https://twitter.com/HirokoTabuchi/status/1338703517465382912)
* [Japan’s Rent A Family Industry](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/04/30/japans-rent-a-family-industry) by Elif Bautman for the New Yorker
* [Crazy Rich Asians Script](https://www.scriptslug.com/assets/uploads/scripts/crazy-rich-asians-2018.pdf) script by Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim
* [Palm Springs](https://www.scriptslug.com/assets/uploads/scripts/palm-springs-2020.pdf) script written by Andy Siara (Story by Andy Siara and Max Barbakow)
* [The Farewell](https://www.scriptslug.com/assets/uploads/scripts/the-farewell-2019.pdf) script by Lulu Wang
* [Made in Heaven](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P75SHR6) on Amazon Prime
* [Simpsons Christmas Movie episode](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-simpsons-season-32-episode-10-review-a-springfield-summer-christmas-for-christmas/)
* [Lifetime’s Christmas Set Up](https://www.mylifetime.com/movies/the-christmas-setup)
* [Carote 8 Inch Nonstick Skillet Frying Pan Egg Skillet Omelet Pan](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0732NXYNS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
* [We Saw Scenery by Merill Markoe](https://www.amazon.com/We-Saw-Scenery-Diaries-Merrill/dp/1616209038/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XPZEDZMH4S35&dchild=1&keywords=merill+markoe&qid=1608160454&sprefix=merill+mark%2Cgarden%2C198&sr=8-1)
* [I Want to be Where the Normal People Are](https://www.amazon.com/Want-Where-Normal-People-Are/dp/1538745356/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=rachel+bloom&qid=1608160497&sr=8-1) by Rachel Bloom
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts)
* [Aline Brosh McKenna](https://twitter.com/alinebmckenna?lang=en) on Twitter
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [Craig Mazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Heidi Lauren Duke ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by Megana Rao and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/480standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 12-29-2020** The transcript for this episode can now be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2020/scriptnotes-episode-480-the-wedding-episode-transcript).

On Losing A Parent

News, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig talk about losing a parent on screen and in real life, with a look at the emotional journey and some practical advice for navigating the experience.

We also discuss updates to the Warner Bros announcement, tips for managing idea scraps, and answer listener questions about when to discuss paid versus spec writing and slow-to-respond producers.

In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, we talk power, including Craig’s controversial opinions on nuclear energy and the staggering price drops in solar.

Links:

* [Christopher Nolan Rips HBO Max as Worst Streaming Service Denounces Warner Bros Plan](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/christopher-nolan-rips-hbo-max-as-worst-streaming-service-denounces-warner-bros-plan) Kim Masters for THR
* [Did QuantumScape Just Solve a 40-Year-Old Battery Problem?](https://www.wired.com/story/quantumscape-solid-state-battery/#intcid=_wired-homepage-right-rail_35658516-6d30-45d5-a730-6073773577d4_popular4-1) by Daniel Oberhaus for Wired
* [Rose Glass](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/dec/09/saint-maud-leads-british-film-independent-film-award-nominations)
* [Beeple Everyday](https://www.beeple-crap.com/everydays) by Mike Winkelmann, a visual artist in South Carolina
* [The Cost of Solar has Dropped Spectacularly](https://ourworldindata.org/cheap-renewables-growth) by Max Roser
* [Geothermal energy is poised for a big breakthrough](https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2020/10/21/21515461/renewable-energy-geothermal-egs-ags-supercritical) by David Roberts
* [Craig vs Howard Dean](https://twitter.com/clmazin/status/1335086888919519232)
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [Craig Mazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Heidi Lauren Duke ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by Megana Rao and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/479standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 12-20-2020** The transcript for this episode can now be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2020/scriptnotes-episode-479-on-losing-a-parent-transcript).

One Hour Dramas

News, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John welcomes writer-producers Dailyn Rodriguez (Queen of the South, Ugly Betty) and Chad Gomez Creasey (NCIS: New Orleans, Castle) to talk about writing network dramas and production during a pandemic.

We answer listener questions on act breaks, politics on tv, and sustainable story engines.

Finally, in our bonus segment for premium members we discuss ‘ambient television’ and our favorite comfort-shows.

Links:

* [Beowulf: A New Translation](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MKNSL7Z/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1) by Maria Dahvana Headley
* [WGA Health Plans](https://wgaplans.org/health/healthfaqs.html)
* [Calida Garcia Rawles](https://www.calidagarciarawles.com/pressure/lck83elskowjitdujiq10wiulbu8tb)
* [“Emily in Paris” and the Rise of Ambient TV](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/emily-in-paris-and-the-rise-of-ambient-tv) for the New Yorker by Kyle Chayka
* [Dailyn Rodriguez](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1335519/) on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/dailynrod)
* [Chad Gomez Creasey](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1548657/) on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/chadgcreasey)
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [Craig Mazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Alex Winder ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by Megana Rao and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/478standard.mp3).

 

**UPDATE 12-9-20** The transcript for this episode can now be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2020/scriptnotes-episode-478-the-one-hour-drama-transcript).