Random Advice

Getting Paid for It

Episode - 342

March 20, 2018 Film Industry, Follow Up, Random Advice, Rights and Copyright, Scriptnotes, Transcribed, WGA

John and Craig delve into the business of screenwriting from money to managers to medical plans.

We answer listener questions about collecting unemployment, registering as a corporation, firing a rep, quitting your day job and handling the anxiety that comes with such an uncertain career path.

Links:

Alto’s Odyssey
An ambiguously threatening advertisement for British pork from 1984
Champions on NBC, created by Charlie Grandy and Mindy Kaling, directed by Michael Spiller
The Scriptnotes Listeners’ Guide!
The USB drives!
John August on Twitter
Craig Mazin on Twitter
John on Instagram
Find past episodes
Outro by Rajesh Naroth (send us yours!)

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 3-27-18: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

We Had the Same Idea

December 26, 2017 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:

Firelight, the How Could This Be A Movie that is, indeed, a movie
Amazon’s deal for The Lord of the Rings TV rights
Amanda Hess’ Twitter response to Sarah Sahim’s accusation of plagiarism
Nokia Thermo
Google Maps’s Moat by Justin O’Beirne
The Scriptnotes Listeners’ Guide!
The USB drives!
John August on Twitter
Craig Mazin on Twitter
John on Instagram
Find past episodes
Outro by Matthew Chilleli and the Children’s Bell Choir of Akita (send us yours!)

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

Five-Star Podnerships

December 12, 2017 Adaptation, Film Industry, News, QandA, Random Advice, Scriptnotes, Television, Transcribed

John and Craig discuss showrunning, remaking existing IP, staffing, and fan behavior with Julie Plec (Vampire Diaries, The Originals), Michael Green (Bladerunner 2049, American Gods, Murder on the Orient Express, Logan), and Justin Marks (Jungle Book, Counterpart).

In light of the big Fox/Disney merger, we contemplate which other podcasts we should consider teaming with to preserve our market share and bottom line. We also take a look at some questionable five-star reviews.

Recorded with a live audience at LA Film School as a benefit for the Writers Guild Foundation. Huge thanks to everyone who came and supported the show.

Links:

Show slides, in case you want to follow along at home.
Pod Save America
S Town
Dirty John to listen to or read
Missing Richard Simmons
Julie Plec on IMDb
Michael Green on IMDb
Justin Marks on IMDb and check out his new show Counterpart
The Scriptnotes Listeners’ Guide!
The USB drives!
Julie Plec, Michael Green and Justin Marks on Twitter
John August on Twitter
Craig Mazin on Twitter
John on Instagram
Find past episodes
Intro by Jon Spurney and Outro by Andy Roninson (send us yours!)

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 12-18-17: The transcript of this episode can be found here

The Post-Weinstein Era

October 24, 2017 Citizenship, Film Industry, News, Random Advice, Scriptnotes, Television, Transcribed, WGA

John and Craig welcome Daley Haggar and Dara Resnik to examine the potential impacts of the Harvey Weinstein revelations on Hollywood.

What should have been done? And what should happen next to foster a safer, saner and more inclusive industry culture?

We also explore gender dynamics in a television writers room, discuss ways to address power imbalances and learn what it means to dial something in on the “Penis Phone.”

Links:

Scriptnotes T-shirts are here! We’ve got Classic (in light and dark mode), the Umbrage Strikes Back, and Umbrage & Reason.
We’ll be at the Austin Film Festival for our Live Show and Three Page Challenge.
If you encounter a late night submission packet that seems iffy, you can email them to contracts@wga.org.
Daley Haggar’s “Why I’m Snitching on Hollywood Sexism” for Lenny Letter.
Dara Resnik and Gillian Boher’s “Don’t be so sure Harvey Weinstein is going away for good” for The Washington Post.
Here is some information about Harvey and Bob Weinstein who founded Miramax and The Weinstein Company, for reference.
“Harvey Weinstein Paid Off Sexual Harassment Accusers for Decades” by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey for The New York Times, and Harvey Weinstein’s official response.
“From Aggressive Overtures to Sexual Assault: Harvey Weinstein’s Accusers Tell Their Stories” by Ronan Farrow for The New Yorker.
“Harvey Weinstein Is Fired After Sexual Harassment Reports” by Megan Twohey for the New York Times.
“‘Beautiful Girls’ Scribe Scott Rosenberg On A Complicated Legacy With Harvey Weinstein”
The case of Lyle v. Warner Brothers (aka the Friends lawsuit) and the Supreme Court’s dismissal
The last Disneyland Half Marathon (at least for a while)!
The CIA’s twitter account (feat. dogs).
Rihanna can’t wink.
And Mariah Carey doesn’t dance.
The Scriptnotes Listeners’ Guide!
The USB drives!
Daley Haggar on Twitter
Dara Resnik on Twitter
John August on Twitter
Craig Mazin on Twitter
John on Instagram
Find past episodes
Outro by Matthew Chilleli (send us yours!)

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 10-31-17: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

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