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Research Isn’t Cheating

Episode - 602

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June 13, 2023 Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed

John and Craig host another round of the Three Page Challenge, selecting three listeners’ scripts for feedback on what’s working and common pitfalls to avoid. They offer insights into the tricky issues when cheating movement, formatting non-English dialogue, and the importance of logic in comedy.

But first, we answer some long-gestating listener questions: What are strategies for writers to option IP on their own? Can you use your smart relative for dialogue? And how do you discuss co-creators of projects when meeting with a potential rep?

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig gloat about all the things they can get away with never having to do — everything from calculus to remembering their children’s phone numbers.

Links:

  • Weekend Read 2
  • SKULDUGGERY by Matthew W. Davis (with bonus puzzle map,) SCRAP by Tertius Kapp, and ANOTHER LIFE by Sarah Hu
  • The illusion of moral decline by Adam Mastroianni
  • No, No, Nanette: Hannah Gadsby, Trauma, and Comedy as Emotional Manipulation by Yasmin Nair
  • The Best Podcasts of 2023 (So Far) by Nicholas Quah for Vulture
  • Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
  • Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
  • Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription!
  • Craig Mazin on Instagram
  • John August on Twitter
  • John on Instagram
  • John on Mastodon
  • Outro by Jon Spurney (send us yours!)
  • Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our intern is Halley Lamberson.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 7-26-23: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

Sidecast: International Day of Picketing

June 9, 2023 Scriptnotes, Sidecast, WGA

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](https://www.wgacontract2023.org/take-action/screenwriters-everywhere-international-day-of-solidarity)
* [Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses](https://www.wgacontract2023.org/uploadedfiles/members/member_info/contract-2023/wga_proposals.pdf)
* [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/SC16standard.mp3).

Sidecast: SAG-AFTRA, DGA and What Comes Next

June 6, 2023 Scriptnotes, Sidecast, WGA

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](https://www.sagaftra.org/sag-aftra-members-approve-strike-authorization-9791-yes-vote)
* [DGA Tentative Agreement Press Release](https://www.dga.org/News/PressReleases/2023/230603-DGA-and-AMPTP-Reach-Tentative-Agreement.aspx)
* [Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses](https://www.wgacontract2023.org/uploadedfiles/members/member_info/contract-2023/wga_proposals.pdf)
* [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/SC15standard.mp3).

Side Quests

June 6, 2023 Scriptnotes, Transcribed

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 to the artistic process. We also follow up on graphic design for writers, spacing out TV episodes, and a Scriptnotes love story.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig put on their headsets to to talk about VR.

Links:

  • Do Your Worst, Or You Might Never Do Your Best by Bridget Webber
  • Why You Need to Fail TED Talk by Derek Sivers
  • Artists must be allowed to make bad work by Austin Kleon
  • The Museum of Failure
  • For Profit: A History of Corporations by William Magnuson
  • Kobo Libra 2
  • Nine Days on IMDb
  • Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
  • Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
  • Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription!
  • Craig Mazin on Instagram
  • John August on Twitter
  • John on Instagram
  • John on Mastodon
  • Outro by Daniel Green (send us yours!)
  • Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt with help from Chris Csont and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our intern is Halley Lamberson.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 7-5-23: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

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