John August

Writing Process

Scriptnotes Holiday Spectacular

Episode - 123

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Film Industry, Producers, Scriptnotes, Story and Plot, Transcribed, Writing Process

‘Twas the Holiday Scriptnotes and at our behest,
Craig and John were joined by our six favorite guests.

“Now Kelly! Now Lindsay! Now Richard and Rawson!
On Aline and on Franklin! (Whose Black List is awesome.)”

They talk characters’ wants, trends good and bad,
And what’s to be done when a “yes” is had.

So open your eggnog, set your volume just right,
Happy Scriptnotes to all, and to all a good night.

Recorded live on December 19th, 2013 at the LA Film School as a benefit for the Writers Guild Foundation.

Links:

You can download the episode here: AAC | mp3.

UPDATE 12-30-13: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend’s Screenwriter

Adaptation, Apps, Scriptnotes, Transcribed, Writing Process

Writer/director/actor/comedian Mike Birbiglia joins John and Craig to talk about writing for yourself, and how his one-man shows have translated into his films Sleepwalk With Me and My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend. We talk movies and television, stand-up and screenplays, and the upside of failure.

In other news, there’s now an official app for Scriptnotes, available for iOS and Android. If you like your current setup, keep doing what you’re doing, because nothing has changed. The last 20 episodes will always be free. The app allows you listen to the back 100 episodes for a monthly subscription.

LINKS

You can download the episode here: AAC | mp3.

UPDATE 12-12-13: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

Positive Moviegoing

Film Industry, Scriptnotes, Story and Plot, Television, Transcribed, Writing Process

Aline Brosh McKenna joins John and Craig to discuss watching movies with an open mind and why it’s important to befriend other writers.

Also this week: what to do when your outline collapses and a look at going broke in your 50s.

The Scriptnotes Live Holiday Show on December 19th is technically sold out, but there’s a chance seats will open up, so keep an eye on Twitter.

LINKS:

You can download the episode here: AAC | mp3.

UPDATE 12-1-13: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

Scriptnotes: Back to Austin with Rian Johnson and Kelly Marcel

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:

You can download the episode here: AAC | mp3.

UPDATE 10-31-13: The transcript of this episode can be found here.