John August

QandA

Scriptnotes: Back to Austin with Rian Johnson and Kelly Marcel

Episode - 115

Go to Archive

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).

Solitude and getting stuff written

Psych 101, Television, Writing Process

American Psycho screenwriter Guinevere Turner doesn’t want to talk to you, [not when she’s writing](http://www.filmmakingstuff.com/screenwriting-advice/):

> For me, it’s about morning, quiet, solitude and no Internet to plug me into the cacophony until I have written something. Also about not having a conversation with anyone. Which might be why I am single. I have often woken up to a person next to me who says in a sleepy affectionate way “Hey – what are you up today?” and I answer but all I am thinking is “You killed it! It’s over! Now I can’t write today.”

Kelly Marcel said something similar at AFF. She wants to go straight from bed to writing, no words spoken except on the page. If that helps, try it.

Turner points out that writing for TV forces you to rethink your process:

> Working in TV was great for me though, because I learned to get over myself and just get the damn thing done. In film, you can lie on your chaise lounge with a Garbo-esque hand to the forehead and claim that you “Just don’t feel inspired today” and get away with it for a bit – in TV you either finish the script when you are told to, or you are fired. And there’s a line of people around the block who are ready to do your job.

I know and adore Turner from Outfest Labs, where we advise screenwriters on their scripts. She’s in fundraising mode for her next project, [Creeps](http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/creeps-a-darkly-comedic-feature-by-guinevere-turner), for which she’s offering a range of perks including notes sessions. She’s smart, tough and thoughtful, exactly the kind of person you’d want reading your script.

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).