John August

Pitches

The Tentpoles of 2019

Episode - 167

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Film Industry, Follow Up, Genres, How-To, Pitches, Projects, Rights and Copyright, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

Craig and John discuss the 31 superhero movies slated for the next few years. Is it good business or a trainwreck in the making?

How do you move from a vague idea to an actual pitch? We talk about what you say when you’re in the room pitching on a project, and why passion trumps plot in most cases.

We also look at copyright and how the current system is broken for everyone.

Next week will be Craig-less, because we’re recording live at the Austin Film Festival with a bunch of amazing guests.

Links:

You can download the episode here: AAC | mp3.

UPDATE 11-4-14: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

To Chase or To Spec

Apps, Bronson, Directors, Film Industry, Pitches, QandA, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig discuss whether screenwriters are better off pursing writing assignments or working on their own material. They also look at the visual comedy of Edgar Wright, and The Shawshank Redemption’s 20th anniversary.

Links:

You can download the episode here: AAC | mp3.

UPDATE 6-7-14: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

We’d Like to Make an Offer

Film Industry, Follow Up, Pitches, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig discuss spec scripts, pitches and how it feels when your movie gets brutal reviews.

First up, an article by Margaret Heidenry in Vanity Fair tracks the history of spec script sales, going all the way back to Preston Sturges. We talk about the 90s bubble, and what’s changed.

Next, we discuss what a screenwriter needs to do in that last few hours before a pitch — including the drive over.

Finally, Craig talks about what it feels like when the movie you wrote does huge business, but you as the writer get singled out for harsh criticism.

In our One Cool Things, John admires Dungeon World, a newish RPG that radically simplifies the D&D mechanic, while Craig foresees the next big weight-loss drug.

LINKS:

You can download the episode here: AAC.

UPDATE 2-22-13: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

Producers and pitching

Follow Up, Pitches, Producers, QandA, Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed

What’s the difference between a reader and a producer? Much more than one high-profile online analyst seems to believe. John and Craig discuss what producers do, and how one plausibly gets started.

From there, we talk pitching. Beyond the plot points, you need to be able to show why you’re dying to write this story, and why you’d pay money to see it.

In follow-up, we talk about visas, HSX, and find out how often the screenwriter is actually mentioned in negative reviews vs. positive reviews.

The first-ever Live Scriptnotes is coming this October in Austin. Follow the link for more details.

And we’re opening back up submissions for the Three Page Challenge. Follow the link and follow the rules, please.

All this, and Craig takes umbrage at sweet tea, in the new Scriptnotes!

LINKS:

You can download the episode here: AAC.

UPDATE 9-20-12: The transcript of this episode can be found here.