John August

Rights and Copyright

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Episode - 332

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Arlo Finch, Film Industry, Follow Up, Formatting, Rights and Copyright, Scriptnotes, Story and Plot, Weekend Read, WGA, Words on the page, Writing Process

John and Craig discuss suspense and its function in all genres, from thrillers to romcoms. They examine suspense of the known and of the unknown and the techniques available to construct it.

We also answer listeners questions about registering scripts with the WGA, how to overcome creative paralysis and unconventional sluglines.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 1-8-18: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

We Had the Same Idea

Citizenship, Film Industry, Follow Up, How-To, Producers, Random Advice, Rights and Copyright, Scriptnotes, Television, Transcribed

John and Craig offer advice to those who suspect their work has been stolen, providing a checklist to help determine if a claim has merit and suggestions for how to best proceed if it does.

We also answer listener questions about taxes on agent commission, being a conservative voice in a writers’ room, and using real celebrities as characters.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 1-2-18: The transcript of this episode can be found here

(Adjective) Soldier

Adaptation, Film Industry, Resources, Rights and Copyright, Scriptnotes, Transcribed, Web series, Writing Process

Craig and John open the overflowing listener mailbag to tackle questions on everything from montages to life rights to passive heroes. Plus, we have a definitive answer on whether to number minor characters. (Don’t.)

We also finally address a major controversy: Craig’s missing cover of “Killing the Blues” from Episode 109. It exists, and you can listen to it today.

The Scriptnotes 2017 Holiday Live Show will be December 7th in Hollywood. Mark your calendars! Tickets available soon.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 11-20-17: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

An Alliance with House Mazin

Follow Up, QandA, Rights and Copyright, Scriptnotes, Story and Plot, Television, Transcribed

It’s a craft episode, with Craig and John discussing allies and allegiances in film and television. Enemies are easy; friends are difficult. We talk through the types relationships characters find themselves in, and strategies for making the most of them.

(This episode has a lot of Game of Thrones geekery, but very few spoilers.)

Also this week, we discuss geographic accuracy, release forms, and showing snippets of plays within movies.

Links:

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 6-2-16: The transcript of this episode can be found here.