John August

Film Industry

Malcolm Spellman, a Study in Heat

Episode - 185

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Film Industry, Scriptnotes, Television, Transcribed

Screenwriter Malcolm Spellman joins Craig and John to talk about his big break, blown opportunities, and getting momentum back. Now part of the smash hit Empire, he talks about the changes and challenges African-American writers face both on the small screen and the big screen.

Also this episode, we look at a review that credits the director with the screenwriter’s work and the role trailers play in shaping audience expectation. Plus the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, the Three Investigators, SNL and literally losing your voice.

Trivia: “A Study in Heat” was the name of the sandwich Malcolm ate after recording this episode.

Links:

* Malcolm Spellman on [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1173259/) and [Twitter](https://twitter.com/malcolmspellman)
* Fantastic Negrito on [Billboard](http://www.billboard.com/charts/blues-albums/2015-02-28) and [Twitter](https://twitter.com/MusicNegrito)
* [The Robotard 8000](http://www.therobotard8000.com/Robotard_Main/Main.html) on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/therobotard8000)
* [‘Empire’ Revels in Diverse Dynamic in the Writers’ Room](http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/diversity-authenticity-key-to-assembling-writing-crew-for-foxs-empire-1201393872/) from Variety
* [Overstock.com Plans Streaming-Video Service](http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2015/01/20/overstock-com-plans-streaming-video-service/?mod=mktw) from The Wall Street Journal
* [Phillip Noyce To Direct ‘Warrior’ NBC Pilot](http://deadline.com/2015/02/phillip-noyce-direct-warrior-pilot-nbc-1201366425/) from Deadline
* [Writers Guild of America 2015 Showrunner Training Program](http://www.wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=1190)
* [JK Rowling’s story is a far better drama than it is a book](http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/the-casual-vacancy-bbc-tv-review-jk-rowlings-story-is-a-far-better-drama-than-it-is-a-book-10047499.html) from The Independent
* [The trailer is not the movie](https://thedissolve.com/news/4859-the-trailer-is-not-the-movie-in-fact-sometimes-the/) from The Dissolve
* [The Mysterious Case of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006CDQ6SE/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Marvin Heiferman and Carole Kismaric
* [Three Investigators](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Investigators) on Wikipedia
* The [SNL 40 app](http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/app)
* [Voice therapy vs speech therapy](http://www.fauquierent.net/voicetx.htm)
* [Get tickets now for Big Fish in Boston, where John will be doing a Q+A after the March 13 show](http://www.speakeasystage.com/big-fish/)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Scriptnotes listener Rajesh Naroth ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_185.m4a) | [mp3](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_185.mp3).

**UPDATE 2-25-15:** The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2015/scriptnotes-ep-185-malcolm-spellman-a-study-in-heat-transcript).

The Deal with the Gravity Lawsuit

Adaptation, Film Industry, News, Rights and Copyright, Scriptnotes, Transcribed, Writing Process

John and Craig do a deep dive on Tess Gerritsen’s lawsuit concerning Gravity, using the case as a way to talk about contracts, chain of title, adaptation and corporate ownership. Spoiler: It’s really complicated, but it’s really interesting too.

Both novelists and screenwriters will find a lot to discuss.

We also talk about editing while writing, and when it’s worth it to cut now versus later.

Links:

* [SAG, DGA & WGA Members Could Be Victims Of Anthem Hack](http://deadline.com/2015/02/sag-dga-wga-anthem-hack-cyber-attack-1201367324/), on Deadline
* [Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H83EUL2/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) on Amazon
* [Gravity: A Novel of Medical Suspense by Tess Gerritsen](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003WEA9P2/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) on Amazon
* [Warner Bros. Aims to Shoot Down Author’s Gravity Lawsuit](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/warner-bros-aims-shoot-down-715806), from The Hollywood Reporter
* [My Gravity lawsuit and how it affects every writer who sells to Hollywood](http://www.tessgerritsen.com/gravity-lawsuit-affects-every-writer-sells-hollywood/), from Tess Gerritsen’s blog
* [DP/30: Gravity, co-writer/director Alfonso Cuarón](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c2EQP5nIAA) on YouTube
* [Judge Morrow’s decision, dated January 30, 2015](https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/wb-gravity-lawsuit-order-wm.pdf)
* [The AI Revolution: The Road to Superintelligence](http://waitbutwhy.com/2015/01/artificial-intelligence-revolution-1.html) and [The AI Revolution: Our Immortality or Extinction](http://waitbutwhy.com/2015/01/artificial-intelligence-revolution-2.html), from Wait But Why
* [The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1451678185/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) on Amazon
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Scriptnotes editor Matthew Chilelli ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_183.m4a) | [mp3](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_183.mp3).

**UPDATE 2-17-15:** The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2015/scriptnotes-ep-183-the-deal-with-the-gravity-lawsuit-transcript).

The One with Rebel Wilson and Dan Savage

Film Industry, Follow Up, Scriptnotes, Television, Transcribed, Words on the page

John and Craig discuss exploding scripts and stock scenes. Then in the second half of the show, we welcome two very special guests.

Actress, writer and comedian Rebel Wilson joins us to talk about writing for television and Tall Poppy Syndrome.

Author and sex advice columnist Dan Savage tells us what he’d like to see Hollywood do better when in comes to sex on screen.

Both segments are out-takes from the much longer and much filthier Dirty Show available only on the premium feed. Our thanks to the 1,000 subscribers who made it possible, and to Rebel and Dan for joining us to talk about fish baskets, berets, anal sex and The Blue Lagoon.

Links:

* The Dirty Episode will soon be available to premium subscribers on [scriptnotes.net](http://scriptnotes.net/) and on the newly-updated Scriptnotes app for [iOS](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scriptnotes/id739117984?mt=8) and [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.johnaugust.android.scriptnotes&hl=en)
* Buffy the Vampire Slayer, S5E16, “The Body” on [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Body_%28Buffy_the_Vampire_Slayer%29) and [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/buffy-vampire-slayer-season/id370695714)
* [Bronson Watermarker PDF](http://quoteunquoteapps.com/bronson/)
* Rebel Wilson on [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2313103/), [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebel_Wilson) and [Twitter](https://twitter.com/rebelwilson)
* [Dan Savage](http://www.savagelovecast.com/) on [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Savage) and [Twitter](https://twitter.com/fakedansavage)
* [Be My Eyes](http://www.bemyeyes.org/)
* Alex Blumberg on [How to Create a Blockbuster Podcast](http://fourhourworkweek.com/2015/01/29/alex-blumberg/)
* [Slate’s Culture Gabfest raw, unfiltered, and unedited](http://www.slate.com/articles/podcasts/behind_the_scenes/2014/12/slate_s_culture_gabfest_raw_unfiltered_and_unedited.html)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Scriptnotes editor Matthew Chilelli ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_182.m4a) | [mp3](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_182.mp3).

**UPDATE 2-6-15:** The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2015/scriptnotes-ep-182-the-one-with-rebel-wilson-and-dan-savage-transcript).

INT. THE WOODS – NIGHT

Film Industry, Follow Up, QandA, Resources, Scriptnotes, So-Called Experts, Transcribed, WGA, Words on the page

John and Craig pick up loose ends, with follow-up on previous episodes about “friends,” conflict, improv, Kindles, and defibrillation.

Then it’s that Peter Bart episode, which is enough to cause a heart attack.

Finally, we get to some listener questions about referring to collective characters, INT/EXT, deaf assistants and ellipses.

Next week, we hope to have two episodes: a normal one and the NSFW dirty show for the premium feed.

Links:

* StartUp, #12: [Burnout](http://gimletmedia.com/episode/12-burnout/)
* [Weekend Read 1.5 now in beta, adds iPad and iCloud support](http://johnaugust.com/2015/weekend-read-1-5-now-in-beta-adds-ipad-and-icloud-support)
* [Screenplays on the Kindle, 2015 edition](http://johnaugust.com/2015/screenplays-on-the-kindle-2015-edition)
* WGA’s [FYI Listings: Ask the Expert](http://www.wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=165)
* [The Science & Entertainment Exchange](http://www.scienceandentertainmentexchange.org/)
* [Are Screenwriters Becoming Obsolete in Hollywood?](http://variety.com/2015/voices/opinion/hollywood-doesnt-seem-to-value-screenwriters-anymore-1201405150/)
* [What is the difference between an em-dash/double-hypen and an ellipsis?](http://screenwriting.io/what-is-the-difference-between-an-em-dashdouble-hypen-and-an-ellipsis/) on screenwriting.io
* [Lumino City](http://www.luminocitygame.com/), and [how it’s made](http://youtu.be/JO6t6H19CUk)
* [Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension: A Mathematician’s Journey Through Narcissistic Numbers, Optimal Dating Algorithms, at Least Two Kinds of Infinity, and More](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JD1LBBY/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Matt Parker
* [Flatland](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1623750318/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Edwin A. Abbott
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Scriptnotes listener Rajesh Naroth ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_181.m4a) | [mp3](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_181.mp3).

**UPDATE 1-29-15:** The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2015/scriptnotes-ep-181-int-the-woods-night-transcript).