John August

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Dialogue and Character Voice

Episode - 609

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Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig look at how well-written dialogue is used to give characters a unique voice. Using clips from previous episodes they present a history of dialogue and its evolution, how it informs your actors, and how communicating an idea sometimes comes down to the smallest words our characters say.

How can writers use dialogue to make their characters feel distinct and alive? What are tests for character voice? What can memorizing dialogue can teach us about writing it? And how do you keep all your characters active (and your actors happy) in group scenes?

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig stay on-topic to look at the pros and cons of dual dialogue.

Links:

* [Scriptnotes Episode 37 – Let’s talk about dialogue](https://johnaugust.com/2012/dialogue)
* [Scriptnotes Episode 286 – Script Doctors, Dialogue and Hacks](https://johnaugust.com/2017/script-doctors-dialogue-and-hacks)
* [Scriptnotes Episode 371 – Writing Memorable Dialogue](https://johnaugust.com/2018/writing-memorable-dialogue)
* [Highland 2](https://quoteunquoteapps.com/highland-2/)
* [Writer Emergency Pack XL](https://store.johnaugust.com/collections/frontpage/products/writer-emergency-pack-xl)
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Check out the Inneresting Newsletter](https://inneresting.substack.com/)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts) or [treat yourself to a premium subscription!](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/)
* Craig Mazin on [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@clmazin) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/clmazin/)
* John August on [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@johnaugust), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en) and [Twitter](https://twitter.com/johnaugust)
* [John on Mastodon](https://mastodon.art/@johnaugust)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Matthew Chilelli ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt, featuring segments originally produced by Stuart Friedel, Godwin Jabangwe, Megan McDonnell and Megana Rao. It is edited by [Matthew Chilelli](https://twitter.com/machelli).

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/609standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 09-06-23:** The transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2023/scriptnotes-episode-609-dialogue-and-character-voice-transcript).

Sidecast: Elections

Scriptnotes, Sidecast, WGA

With union elections on the horizon, John and Drew present an overview of the voting process and governing structures of the WGA, DGA and SAG-AFTRA.

Links:

* [SAG-AFTRA 2023 Elections and Voter Guides](https://www.sagaftra.org/about/governance/2023-sag-aftra-elections)
* [SAG-AFTRA Governance](https://www.sagaftra.org/about/governance/)
* [DGA Leadership](https://www.dga.org/The-Guild/Leaders.aspx?Filter=Board%20of%20Directors)
* [WGAw 2023 Elections](https://elections.wga.org/)
* [WGAe 2023 Elections](https://www.wgaeast.org/council-elections/2023-election/)
* Find more about the 2023 WGA negotiations [here at WGAContract2023.org](https://www.wgacontract2023.org/)
* John on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/johnaugust), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en) and [Mastodon](https://mastodon.art/@johnaugust)
* Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/SC27standard.mp3).

Sidecast: 100 Days

Scriptnotes, Sidecast, WGA

On the 100th day of striking against the AMPTP, John heads to the picket line to speak with writers about what they’ve learned, how they’re feeling, and what has changed.

Thanks to everyone who talked to us!

Links:

* [2023 WGA Writer’s Strike Gallery](https://jwhendricks.pixieset.com/) by [J. W. Hendricks](https://jwhendricks.me/)
* [Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses](https://www.wgacontract2023.org/uploadedfiles/members/member_info/contract-2023/wga_proposals.pdf)
* [Updated picket hours and information](https://www.wgacontract2023.org/strike/picket-schedules-and-locations#west)
* [2023 WGA Strike Rules](https://www.wgacontract2023.org/strike/strike-rules)
* [Strike Rules FAQ](https://www.wgacontract2023.org/strike/strike-rules-faq)
* [Picket Schedules and Locations](https://www.wgacontract2023.org/strike/picket-schedules-and-locations)
* Find more about the 2023 WGA negotiations [here at WGAContract2023.org](https://www.wgacontract2023.org/)
* John on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/johnaugust), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en) and [Mastodon](https://mastodon.art/@johnaugust)
* Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/SC26standard.mp3).

In the Beginning Was the Word

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig ponder the nature of words and what gives them meaning. Using new information on how large language models function, they look at the dizzying amount of connections words can create with other words, between humans, and their profound effect on the nature of consciousness. We promise we’re not high.

We also follow up on racist characters before answering listener questions on balancing deadlines with an artistic process and our ideal press junket questions.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig reflect on the impact left on them by the art and life of Sinéad O’Conner.

Links:

* [Scriptnotes LIVE! at Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scriptnotes-live-tickets-674019238687) benefitting [HollywoodHEART](https://www.hollywoodheart.org/)
* [Weekend Read 2](https://quoteunquoteapps.com/weekendread/), now available on [MacOS](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/weekend-read-2/id1534798355).
* [Large language models, explained with a minimum of math and jargon](https://www.understandingai.org/p/large-language-models-explained-with) by Timothy B Lee and Sean Trott
* [Word Vectors](http://vectors.nlpl.eu/explore/embeddings/en/MOD_enwiki_upos_skipgram_300_2_2021/cat_NOUN/)
* [Decrypto](https://www.decrypto.info/)
* [Matt Gaffney’s Weekly Crossword Contest](https://xwordcontest.com/)
* [This Is How You Lose the Time War](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/This-Is-How-You-Lose-the-Time-War/Amal-El-Mohtar/9781534430990) by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
* [Sinéad O’Connor – Troy (Live At The Dominion Theatre, 1988)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lV21J75vFE)
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Check out the Inneresting Newsletter](https://inneresting.substack.com/)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts) or [treat yourself to a premium subscription!](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/)
* Craig Mazin on [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@clmazin) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/clmazin/)
* John August on [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@johnaugust), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en) and [Twitter](https://twitter.com/johnaugust)
* [John on Mastodon](https://mastodon.art/@johnaugust)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Jake Weisblat ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by [Matthew Chilelli](https://twitter.com/machelli).

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/607standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 8-14-23:** The transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2023/scriptnotes-episode-607-in-the-beginning-was-the-word-transcript).