John August

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How Do You Like Your Stakes?

Episode - 402

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Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig discuss stakes, how to create them and what that means for your character. They also talk a little about Aladdin, the Game of Thrones ending, and of course, the agency stuff.

Don’t forget to join us for our live show in Los Angeles on June 13th with special guests including Alec Berg (Barry, Silicon Valley), Rob McElhenney (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and Kourtney Kang (Fresh Off the Boat). Tickets are going fast!

Links:

* [Scriptnotes LIVE](https://theatre.acehotel.com/events/scriptnotes-live-podcast-taping-benefit-hollywood-heart/) Buy your tickets [here](https://www.axs.com/events/374457/scriptnotes-live-tickets?skin=acehotel)!
* Order your Scriptnotes 400 shirts, sweatshirts, and tanks [(Light)](https://cottonbureau.com/products/scriptnotes-400-light#/1506766/tee-men-standard-tee-heather-white-tri-blend-s) and [(Dark)](https://cottonbureau.com/products/scriptnotes-400-dark#/1506818/tee-men-standard-tee-vintage-black-tri-blend-s)!
* [Aladdin Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foyufD52aog) in theaters now!
* [How to Invent Everything](https://amzn.to/2W26TqC) by Ryan North
* [PANDA Magazine](http://www.pandamagazine.com/) by Foggy Brume
* [Find past episodes here](http://scriptnotes.net/), [Scriptnotes Digital Seasons](https://store.johnaugust.com/) are also now available!
* [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 Matthew Chilelli ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_402_how_do_you_like_your_stakes.mp3).

**UPDATE 5-30-19:** The transcript of this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2019/scriptnotes-ep-402-how-do-you-like-your-stakes-transcript).

On Aladdin

Projects

So, Aladdin opened this weekend. It’s the #1 movie in the world, and audiences seem to love it. I share writing credit, which surprises many people because I barely talk about it. Here’s the deal.

In September 2015, I was meeting with producers about a different project when they mentioned they were talking with Disney about doing a live-action version of Aladdin, following upon the success of Cinderella. On the spot, I pitched my take. The next week, I went in to pitch at Disney complete with art boards that cribbed heavily from Game of Thrones. It was a charmed process through multiple drafts.

And then it wasn’t.

From 2017 on, my relationship with the movie was me giving notes on cuts. It was frustrating to have my name on something I had no control over, so I didn’t talk about it much, and didn’t do any press.

Here’s the happy news: The movie that came out this week? **I honestly like it a lot.** It’s goofy and big-hearted in ways I’d feared would be lost. I’m glad that so many people around the world are digging it.

Every screenwriter mourns the movie that existed only in their mind, but in this case I’m really happy with the finished film as well. That doesn’t always happen. So I’m glad my wish came true.

You Got Verve

Pitch Session, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig introduce a new segment: The Scriptnotes Pitch Session! They listen to five listeners’ 90-second pitches and share their feedback on substance and style.

We also discuss the implications of Verve signing the WGA agreement and get special insight on an important creative decision in Chernobyl.

Join us for our live show in Los Angeles on June 13th with special guests including Alec Berg (Barry, Silicon Valley) and Rob McElhenney (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia). Tickets are going fast!

Links:

* [Scriptnotes LIVE](https://theatre.acehotel.com/events/scriptnotes-live-podcast-taping-benefit-hollywood-heart/) on June 13th at the Ace Hotel with Alec Berg, Rob McElhenney, buy your tickets [here](https://www.axs.com/events/374457/scriptnotes-live-tickets?skin=acehotel)!
* Order your Scriptnotes 400 shirts, sweatshirts, and tanks [(Light)](https://cottonbureau.com/products/scriptnotes-400-light#/1506766/tee-men-standard-tee-heather-white-tri-blend-s) and [(Dark)](https://cottonbureau.com/products/scriptnotes-400-dark#/1506818/tee-men-standard-tee-vintage-black-tri-blend-s)!
* WGA Start Button [Video](https://www.wga.org/contracts/enforcement/start-button)
* John August and Michele Mulroney discussing [Issues Affecting Screenwriters](https://www.wga.org/members/membership-information/agency-agreement/video-updates/agency-campaign-update-issues-affecting-screenwriters)
* [Verve Signs WGA’s Code of Conduct, Citing ‘Meaningful Dialogue’ With Clients](https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/verve-wga-code-of-conduct-sign-1203218082/)
* [WGA-Verve Code of Conduct Agreement](https://www.wga.org/uploadedfiles/members/member_info/agency_agreement/WGA_Verve_Code_of_Conduct_Franchise_Agreement_5-16-19.pdf)
* Pitch Session selections: Karen Welsh *You’re What?!*, Hayley Grgurich *Uncertain Texas*, Jake Arky *How to Make a Man*, Guy Patton *Sinnerweb*, Laura Beck *Hardcore Vegans*
* [Blueprint: The Evolutionary Origins of a Good Society](https://amzn.to/2Q7BA7q) by Nikolas Christakis
* Donate to [Chernobyl Children International](https://www.chernobyl-international.com/donate/)
* Watch [Chernobyl on HBO](https://www.hbo.com/chernobyl) and listen to [The Chernobyl Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-chernobyl-podcast/id1459712981) with Craig and Peter Sagal
* [Find past episodes here](http://scriptnotes.net/), [Scriptnotes Digital Seasons](https://store.johnaugust.com/) are also now available!
* Thank you to everyone who submitted to the pitch session! If you’d like to be considered in the next Pitch Session, submit your entry [here](https://johnaugust.com/pitch).
* [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 Jonathan Mann ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_401_you_got_verve.mp3).

**UPDATE 5-30-19:** The transcript of this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2019/scriptnotes-ep-401-you-got-verve-transcript).

Movies They Don’t Make Anymore

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig welcome back writer/director Chris McQuarrie (Valkyrie, Jack Reacher, the last two Mission: Impossibles) to celebrate the 400th episode with a new round of ‘This Kind of Movie.’

Given our success saving the romantic comedy, we focus on other movie genres that aren’t getting made anymore and discuss how to bring them back. From sports comedies to erotic thrillers, we examine the classics of each genre and find ways to approach making these films today.

Links:

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 5-24-19: The transcript of this episode can be found here.