John August

Film Industry

How to Not Be a Jerk

Episode - 209

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Film Industry, Follow Up, QandA, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

Craig and John look at best practices for screenwriters promoting their films, both in traditional media and online. We’re not subtweeting anyone, and neither should you.

Also this week: more on reshoots, Stretch Armstrong and selective editing of quotes in movie reviews.

Links:

You can download the episode here: AAC | mp3.

UPDATE 8-10-15: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

How descriptive audio works

Adaptation, Film Industry, Follow Up, How-To, QandA, Scriptnotes, Transcribed, WGA, Writing Process

John and Craig take a deep look at how descriptive audio for the blind works, with clips from Daredevil and an interview with a woman who does it for a living. It’s a fascinating form of writing, with many of the same challenges screenwriters face.

Also this week: Capitals, capitalization, the WGA financial numbers, and answers to a bunch of listener questions.

If you have a Scriptnotes t-shirt design, the deadline is August 11th. Click the link below for details.

Links:

You can download the episode here: AAC | mp3.

UPDATE 7-31-15: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

How descriptive narration gets written

Film Industry, Follow Up, Television

On this week’s episode of Scriptnotes, I wondered aloud how descriptive narration for the blind was written, and whether those writers consulted the screenplay.

Several listeners quickly pointed me to WGBH, and this FAQ:

Closed captions and descriptive narration are created as part of a movie’s post production process. Once a film has been finalized, a script and a copy of the film are provided to WGBH’s Los Angeles production office.

While the screenplay is a good starting place for captions, descriptive narration really depends on the finished work:

Descriptions are written by specially trained writers called describers.

A describer initially listens to the film without watching it, in order to approximate the experience of a person who has limited or no vision. The describer pays close attention to what is already communicated by the soundtrack. The describer uses specially designed computer software to map out the pauses in the movie and then crafts the most expressive and effective description possible in the space available.

After a script is written, it is edited and rechecked several times. The script is checked for timing, continuity, accuracy, and a natural flow. Professional narrators then read the script while watching and listening to the program.

Thanks to everyone who wrote in. We’ll try to arrange a conversation with a describer for a future episode.

Why movies have reshoots

Film Industry, Follow Up, Scriptnotes, Transcribed, WGA

Reshoots used to be a sign that something had gone horribly wrong. But not anymore. John and Craig look at the reasons why Hollywood movies often go back for additional photography, and how the writer is involved.

Also this week, arbitration esoterica about the “final shooting script,” descriptive text for the blind, and news about the Austin Film Festival. (We’re going.)

It’s been almost a year since the last round of Scriptnotes t-shirts. So let’s print some more. We likely have amazing artists among our listeners, so if you have a design for a shirt you want to see, follow the link below for details. (The deadline for submissions is August 11th.)

Links:

You can download the episode here: AAC | mp3.

UPDATE 7-24-15: The transcript of this episode can be found here.