John August

Transcribed

A Cheap Cut of Meat Soaked in Butter (Encore)

Episode - 161

Go to Archive

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig invite Aline Brosh McKenna back to celebrate the third anniversary of Scriptnotes. It’s a jam-packed, glass-and-a-half of wine, listener-favorite episode.

They look at ways to breathe new life into scenes and characters that aren’t working, box office journalism and how Hollywood is always dying, scene geography, and the role of emotional intelligence (or EQ) in a writer’s career.

In our bonus segment for premium members, we have original outtakes from the episode where we look at what changed in the world in our first three years on air, make predictions for what’s to come, re-invent Spanx, and of course talk about D&D.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

Is TV Better Now?

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig wonder, how has TV changed in the last ten years? They compare what’s better and worse, the tradeoffs between quality and quantity, how curation is changing, the pros and cons of shorter seasons, and what this all means for writers and viewers.

We also look forward to our time at the Austin Film Festival, offer paths for writers to keep their health insurance, follow up on Three Page Challenge selections that actually got made, and answer listener questions on adapting a screenplay into an audio drama and payment for work after a script is turned in.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig looks at what makes a damn fine cup of coffee.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 10-17-25: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

Short Films and Existential Threats

News, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig discuss short films: what makes a great short, when should you make one, and what should you realistically expect out of it? We also update our predictions on whether the career of “screenwriter” can survive potential global catastrophes.

We then answer listener questions on staff writer wages and using URLs in a script.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig talk intermissions and why more movies should have them.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 10-15-25: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

Places, Everyone

News, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John welcomes back Liz Hannah (The Post, The Girl from Plainville) to discuss how to construct and communicate setting in a script. They talk about the balance between establishing a sense of space while avoiding the beginner’s mistake of over-blocking.

We also follow up on accountability groups, last looks, and French composers. Then, we answer listener questions on revisions and getting your Hollywood Card revoked.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Liz consider how to explain screenwriting to your kids (and others).

LINKS:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 10-15-25: The transcript for this episode can be found here.