The WGA’s international sister unions are coming together Wednesday, June 14 for international picketing, and John and Drew are excited. We discuss where these pickets are taking place and how to RSVP, then answer a listener question about FYC events. Links: Screenwriters Everywhere: International Day of Solidarity Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses […]

John and Drew look at the results of SAG-AFTRA’s Strike Authorization Vote and the DGA’s tentative deal with the AMPTP, and what they mean for writers on strike. Links: SAG-AFTRA Members Approve Strike Authorization with 97.91% Yes Vote DGA Tentative Agreement Press Release Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses 2023 WGA Strike Rules […]

John and Craig take a detour to discuss side quests: those smaller tasks that can serve as the building blocks of a character’s journey. How do side quests differ from your hero’s primary goal? What’s the best way to use them? And how can writers make them meaningful? We then discuss the importance of failure […]

Megana, Drew and John discuss the best ways to talk about the WGA strike with family and non-industry friends. How much context do you need to give? How do you properly frame the AI issues? How do you calm down a nervous parent without setting unrealistic expectations? In other news, Weekend Read 2 is out! […]

As we reach our 600th episode, John and Craig welcome back writer and director Christopher McQuarrie (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Top Gun: Maverick, The Usual Suspects) to continue their decades-long argument on the future of the movies and the forces that power the entertainment industry. Together they lead a wide-ranging debate on the corporate […]

Live from the picket line, John talks to members of The Animation Guild (TAG, IATSE local 839) marching in solidarity with with members of the WGA. They explain the issues writers in animation are facing, and why it’s so important for the the two unions to support one another. Guests include Stuart Friedel, Bill Wolkoff […]

John returns from a parking lot in Koreatown to tell Drew all about his experiences picketing productions on location and how other writers can get involved. We also answer listener questions, look at upcoming themed pickets, and celebrate the gains we’ve made at neutral gates. Links: WGA Special Pickets WGA tip line: tips@wga.org Sean Graham […]

John and Craig work together to look at team movies and what writers need to be thinking about when they have more than one protagonist. From Charlie’s Angels to The Hangover and every Ocean in between, they break down how to create narrative drive and tension with so many characters, and how to bring them […]

The actors union has called for a Strike Authorization Vote ahead of their negotiations with the AMPTP. John and Drew look at what that means, and what impact it may have on the writers strike. Links: SAG-AFTRA Strike Authorization Vote Lukas Gage audition video by Lukas Gage on Twitter Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and […]

John and Craig sit down with legendary writer, director and showrunner Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) to discuss his prolific career and how to make great television. Vince leads us through how he develops a premise, balancing creative surprises with rigorous planning, and his advice for up-and-coming showrunners. We also discuss re-writing features […]

John and Megana Rao return from the picket line to ask, what’s the deal with neutral gates? Using the Teamsters as a guide, we look at the rules that govern neutral gates, why we have them, their history, and how they can guide our best practices for picketing as we enter the third week of […]

After a week on the picket line, John and Drew meet up to highlight listeners they’ve met, which productions have been shut down, what to expect from the upcoming DGA negotiations, and what non-WGA members can do to support striking writers. We then answer questions to help listeners navigate the strike rules. Are writers are […]

John and Craig dive into our overflowing mailbag to answer a wide range of listener questions. They discuss ageism in the industry, the realities of overall deals, clunky character backstories, and creating the relationship you want with your manager. We also explore the history of a Disney Channel Original Movie, the realities of panning for […]

John is joined by Megana Rao to give us a first-hand account of last night’s WGA member meeting at the Shrine auditorium in Los Angeles. Links: Megana Rao on Twitter Sarah Schaefer on the proposed “day rate.” Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses 2023 WGA Strike Rules Strike Rules FAQ Picket Schedules and […]

John and Drew talk with writers on the picket line outside of CBS Studios in LA, who tell us what they’re currently not writing, what’s changed since the 2007 strike, and why this strike is so important to them. Guests include WGA board member Zoe Marshall and previous Scriptnotes guest Megan Amram. Thanks to everyone […]

Just after midnight, the WGA officially went on strike. John explains what happened in the negotiating room and sets his sights on the picket line. Where do the negotiations stand? What are the next steps for WGA members? Links: WGA Strike Announcement Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses 2023 WGA Strike Rules Strike […]

In preparation for episode 600, John revisits our first two episodes with Christopher McQuarrie (Top Gun: Maverick, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, The Usual Suspects) to marvel at his wisdom and enjoy his ongoing feud with Craig. We chart his course from writer to writer-director, his process of rescuing a movie in crisis, the storytelling opportunities […]

John and Drew discuss the newly-released WGA 2023 Strike Rules and how guilds across the industry are showing support for the WGA. We then answer listener questions about what writers – union and non-union – can do during a strike. Are any meetings are ok to take? Can you sign with a manager? And what […]

John and Craig talk to an audience of development executives about the experience of getting notes as a writer. They cover the do’s and don’ts of giving notes, ways to motivate writers towards a creative vision, and why these conversations kick in a writer’s fight or flight response. We take questions from the audience and […]

John welcomes Danielle Sanchez-Witzel (Up Here, The Carmichael Show) to discuss the state of modern TV writing and answer crafty questions from our overflowing mailbag. How do you structure a limited series? How do you take inspiration from an idea without ripping it off? And how do you know if your story really needs that […]