John August

Film Industry

Scriptnotes: Back to Austin with Rian Johnson and Kelly Marcel

Episode - 115

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Directors, Film Industry, QandA, Scriptnotes, Story and Plot, Transcribed, Writing Process

Craig and John head to the Austin Film Festival for another live edition of Scriptnotes. Everything is bigger in Texas, including the crowd for this packed show featuring Looper writer/director Rian Johnson and Saving Mr. Banks screenwriter Kelly Marcel.

We talk about following up on success, the importance of trusted readers and the merits of specs for established writers. Then it’s the first-ever game of That’s One Way to Go, in which John and Craig have to incorporate asinine ideas into development projects. Selling out has never been more fun.

We had a great time at AFF, and the live show was definitely a highlight. Thanks to our hosts, our amazing guests and especially the terrific audience.

Links:

* The [20th Annual Austin Film Festival](http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/aff/live/)
* Rian Johnson [on IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0426059/) and his [blog](http://www.rcjohnso.com/) and [Twitter](https://twitter.com/rianjohnson)
* Kelly Marcel [on IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2813876/) and [Twitter](https://twitter.com/MissMarcel)
* [Saving Mr. Banks](http://movies.disney.com/saving-mr-banks) opens this December
* [The Black List](http://blcklst.com/)
* [Timecrimes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timecrimes) on Wikipedia
* [Letters of Note](http://www.lettersofnote.com/)
* The [Victorinox 40003 Wavy Edge Utility Knife with 4-3/4″ Blade](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I4RGG4/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) on Amazon
* [Fade In](http://www.fadeinpro.com/) and [Writer Duet](https://writerduet.com/) should collaborate
* [Primer](http://erbpfilm.com/film/primer), and [on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primer_(film))
* Craig [met Vince Gilligan](https://twitter.com/clmazin/status/394199517169319936/photo/1)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Scriptnotes listener Lawrence Fehler

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_115.m4a) | [mp3](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_115.mp3).

**UPDATE** 10-31-13: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-ep-115-scriptnotes-back-to-austin-with-rian-johnson-and-kelly-marcel-transcript).

Blockbusters

Film Industry, QandA, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

This week, John and Craig go big to look all things blockbuster. First, Anita Elberse’s new book Blockbusters argues that giant movies are a comparatively safe bet for Hollywood. Meanwhile, Gravity is the movie on everyone’s lips, but will we learn the right lessons, or just try to put more movie stars in space?

Speaking of big name actors, wow, some of them don’t seem to like being directed. Finally, we offer some advice on following up after general meetings. All this and slightly more in the 114th edition of Scriptnotes.

Links:

* Come see Scriptnotes live at the 2013 [Austin Film Festival](http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/)
* [The Atlantic](http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/10/the-big-business-of-big-hits-how-blockbusters-conquered-movies-tv-and-music/280298/) on Anita Elberse’s new book, Blockbusters, and the book [on Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0805094334/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* [Gravity](http://gravitymovie.warnerbros.com/) is in theaters now
* The relevant [Last Vegas interview excerpt](http://instagram.com/p/faO_XwGZ1W/)
* KnowYourMeme on [Morgan Freeman, Titty sprinkles](http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/people/morgan-freeman)
* IndieWire on [the Blade: Trinity lawsuit](http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/details-of-chaos-on-the-set-of-blade-trinity-indicate-production-was-troubled-from-the-start)
* Sundance Institute’s [feature film programs](http://www.sundance.org/programs/feature-film/)
* [Internet killed the Video Store: An Abandoned Industry](http://www.messynessychic.com/2012/09/06/internet-killed-the-video-store-an-abandoned-industry/) is John’s [One Cool Thing](http://johnaugust.com/onecoolthings)
* And [GTA V Mythbusters](http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVSZoKmDBr8UdW2MjaDo5uZ8ESO68Bdrk) is Craig’s [One Cool Thing](http://johnaugust.com/onecoolthings)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Scriptnotes listener Ashley Kotzur

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_114.m4a) | [mp3](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_114.mp3).

**UPDATE** 10-23-13: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-ep-114-blockbusters-transcript).

Not Safe for Children

Film Industry, Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge

Explicit language warning! Even the titles of this week’s Three Page Challenge entries are filthy, so John and Craig let the f-bombs fly. We also look at Diablo Cody’s useful list of things no one ever tells you about being a successful screenwriter.

Links:

* Diablo Cody’s [7 Things No One Tells You About Being a Top Screenwriter](http://www.vulture.com/2013/10/diablo-cody-7-lessons-of-being-a-screenwriter.html), from Vulture
* Join us for Scriptnotes Live at the [2013 Austin Film Festival](http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/)
* Three Pages by [David Liberman](http://johnaugust.com/Assets/DavidLiberman.pdf)
* Three Pages by [Billie Jean VK](http://johnaugust.com/Assets/BillieJeanVK.pdf)
* Three Pages by [Aviv Rubinstien & Derek Assaff](http://johnaugust.com/Assets/AvivRubinstienDerekAssaff.pdf)
* [Meaty: Essays by Samantha Irby](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0988480425/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) on Amazon
* [Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide monitor](http://nest.com/smoke-co-alarm/life-with-nest-protect/), and [on Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FN4EWAM/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Scriptnotes listener Alan Dague-Greene

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_113.m4a) | [mp3](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_113.mp3).

**UPDATE** 10-17-13: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-ep-113-not-safe-for-children-transcript).

Let me give you some advice

Film Industry, Indie, Producers, QandA, Random Advice, Scriptnotes, So-Called Experts, Story and Plot, Transcribed, Words on the page

Craig and John go back to basics with an all advice episode, looking at the Dear J.J. recommendations for Star Wars, Tony Gilroy’s advice to screenwriters and whatever’s up with Max Landis.

From there, they open the listener mailbag to answer questions ranging from mastering characters’ voices to indie financing.

Links:

* [4 Rules to Make Star Wars Great Again](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_joDNOpeWWo&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D_joDNOpeWWo&app=desktop)
* Clerks on [Death Star politics](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGOVbXF7Iog)
* Eddie Izzard on [the Death Star cantina](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ2yRTRlMFU)
* Tony Gilroy’s [Top 10 tips for writing a Hollywood blockbuster](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24348113)
* The New York Times on [Rethinking Gender Bias in Theater](http://theater.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/theater/24play.html?_r=1&)
* [Max Landis](http://shelbysells.com/2013/09/30/interview-series-max-landis/) on the Pillow Talk interview series
* Wikipedia on [Bitcoin mining](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitcoin_mining#Bitcoin_mining)
* John’s 2011 blog post on [Blue Valentine and adoption](http://johnaugust.com/2011/dear-cindy-in-blue-valentine)
* [WinesTilSoldOut](http://wtso.com/)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Scriptnotes listener The Face of Human Error

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_112.m4a) | [mp3](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_112.mp3).

**UPDATE** 10-10-13: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-ep-112-let-me-give-you-some-advice-transcript).