John August

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The Journey, the Destination, and Movie Lego

Episode - 529

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Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig examine how writers balance the needs of each scene while keeping the entire story in mind. Then it’s another a round of the Three Page Challenge, where we look at scenes submitted by our listeners. We offer advice for gimmicky reveals, honest character reactions, and consistent POV.

Also this week: open writing assignments, and a checklist of what writers need to know before pursuing one.

In our bonus segment for premium members, what to do when you get bored with what you’re writing. Is that a sign to bail or buckle down?

Links:

* [WGA Introduces Project Page](https://www.wga.org/members/employment-resources/wgaw-project-page) check out the [pdf here.](https://www.wga.org/uploadedfiles/members/employment_resources/project_page.pdf)
* Follow along with our Three Page Challenges: [Firebird by Benjamin Blattberg](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2021%2F10%2FFirebird_Blattberg.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=556a9ba8ce27120b3c1bc15354f2475bb9653a4390ca621d0313ab308900f6d7), [The Drawing by Todd William Knack](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2021%2F12%2FTHE_DRAWING_THREE_PAGE_TODD_KNAAK.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=0fbb734235ffa2d759d7216cf09e4e7efb43e4b7704ce05acac5793d98fde112), [Perdition by Terry Rietta](https://johnaugust.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NEWperdition-3-page-challenge.pdf), [Ten Million by Helen Sedwick](https://johnaugust.com/index.php?gf-download=2021%2F10%2FSedwick.Ten-Million.First-Three-Pages.10242021.pdf&form-id=1&field-id=4&hash=fba5fbccc4a5c81f9ed4bf3d075884e6b3544c52008ef870d4b4cf762f39213a)
* [Nite Ize SlapLit LED Slap Wrap](https://amzn.to/3oGhd4e)
* [The New 16 inch MacBook Pro](https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro-14-and-16/?afid=p238%7CslVe23VBZ-dc_mtid_1870765e38482_pcrid_567634252511_pgrid_101595807247_&cid=aos-us-kwgo-mac–slid—product-)
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts) or [treat yourself to a premium subscription!](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/) You can now listen to Scriptnotes Premium on Spotify!
* [Craig Mazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Ryan Gerberding ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Megana Rao](https://twitter.com/MeganaRao) 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/529standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 1-19-21** The transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2022/scriptnotes-episode-529-the-journey-the-destination-and-movie-lego-transcript).

M is for Minimum

Scriptnotes, Transcribed, WGA

John and Craig define and discuss important terms for writers: backends, profits, scales, floors, ceilings, and minimums. They trace the flow of money from WGA contracts to residuals and the downstream impact on animation writers.

They also take a look at characters ‘finding themselves’ and harsh writing advice. Follow up includes Korean grammar, holiday movies, the phrase ‘fake it till you make it’ and whether you should introduce yourself as a writer.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig analyze why movie dialogue has become harder to understand.

Links:

* [Endeavor sells its content side CJ Entertainment](https://labusinessjournal.com/news/2021/nov/29/endeavor-sells-content-studio-south-korean-media-c/)
* [WGA Health Fund](https://www.wgaplans.org/health/healthfaqs.html) now eligible for infertility treatments.
* [For tips on understanding your contract, check out episode 407](https://johnaugust.com/2019/scriptnotes-ep-407-understanding-your-feature-contract-transcript)
* [A writer who moved off the grid and hates it](https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/love-humor/remote-cabin-write/) advice by Blair Braverman
* [Have You Considered Accountancy? How to Start Writing (and When to Stop): Advice for Writers By Wisława Szymborska (Edited and translated from Polish by Clare Cavanagh)](https://literaryreview.co.uk/have-you-considered-accountancy) review by Joanna Kavenna
* [The Game Master’s Book of Non-Player Characters](https://www.amazon.com/Game-Masters-Book-Non-Player-Characters/dp/1948174804) by Jeff Ashworth
* [Canary Mail](https://canarymail.io/) email service for MacOS and iOS
* [Why Movie Dialogue is so Hard to Understand](https://www.slashfilm.com/673162/heres-why-movie-dialogue-has-gotten-more-difficult-to-understand-and-three-ways-to-fix-it/?fbclid=IwAR3ClhGA3-F33lfL1MXxML90-rrSH8Tt2vARyijsSFKEsZL-3D5vrJO6i-g#) by Ben Pearson for Slashfilm
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts) or [treat yourself to a premium subscription!](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/)
* [Craig Mazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Timothy Vajda ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Megana Rao](https://twitter.com/MeganaRao) 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/528standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 1-5-21** The transcript for this episode can now be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2022/scriptnotes-episode-528-m-is-for-minimum-transcript).

Way Too Interested in Supply Chains

Scriptnotes

John joins Gavin Purcell’s Way Too Interested Podcast to discuss supply chain management and the current issues posed by the pandemic. Expert and reporter, Peter S. Goodman, joins to explain the history of global shipping, current trade policies, and our way out of the supply chain crisis.

John and Gavin also discuss seeking inspiration, creative work, and the early internet.

Links:

* [Way Too Interested Podcast](https://waytoointerested.com/)
* [Writer Emergency Pack](https://www.writeremergency.com/) on [JohnAugust.com](https://store.johnaugust.com/collections/frontpage/products/writer-emergency-pack-single-deck) and on [Amazon!](https://www.amazon.com/Writer-Emergency-Pack/dp/B00R6ZLIOY)
* [Writer Emergency Survival Guide – New!](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09J66SL8Y/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_glt_fabc_CF67JQ1BS64BRCR92M9A?linkCode=ml1&tag=ja-fb-20)
* [Gavin Purcell](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2212001/) and on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/gavinpurcell)
* [Peter S. Goodman](https://www.nytimes.com/by/peter-s-goodman) and on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/petersgoodman?lang=en)
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts) or [treat yourself to a premium subscription!](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/)
* [Craig Mazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Megana Rao](https://twitter.com/MeganaRao) 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/extra527.mp3).

Die Hard

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig celebrate the holidays by releasing a special premium episode on the 1988 Christmas classic: DIE HARD.

Die Hard created a new template for action movies, heroes, and villains, establishing tropes still seen in theaters. They discuss both structure and story to examine what screenwriters can take away from this film and why many have failed to replicate its success.

In our super-size bonus segment for premium members, John interviews DIE HARD screenwriter Steven E. de Souza, who shares credit with Jeb Stuart. Steven reveals how he choreographed action scenes using the building’s blueprints, why the story switches POV, and how improv added realism to the film’s marriage dynamics. It’s a great lesson in why a screenwriter’s job doesn’t stop when turning in the draft.

Links:

* Read the DIE HARD script on [Weekend Read](https://quoteunquoteapps.com/weekendread/) or [online here](https://www.scriptslug.com/assets/scripts/die-hard-1988.pdf).
* [Feminist Analysis of Die Hard](https://anotherangrywoman.com/2016/12/18/making-fists-with-your-toes-towards-a-feminist-analysis-of-die-hard/)
* [Movies That Made Us](https://www.netflix.com/title/80990849) on Netflix, check out the Die Hard episode on S1!
* Sign up for [premium here](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/).
* [Steven E. de Souza](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0211823/) on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/stevenedesouza)
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [Craig Mazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Andy Roninson ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Megana Rao](https://twitter.com/MeganaRao) 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/527standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 12-1-21** The transcript for this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2021/scriptnotes-episode-527-diehard-transcript).