John August

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Grammar, guns and butter

Episode - 52

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QandA, Scriptnotes, Transcribed, Words on the page

Craig and John celebrate one year of the podcast by going H.A.M. on the passive voice, the present progressive and other reductive nonsense rules.

While you should feel free to split infinitives, we’d strongly recommend you avoid the 100+ lines of really bad dialogue you’ll hear far too often in movies. Thanks to Go Into the Story for compiling these.

After that, it’s time for six listener questions, on topics ranging from spec scripts 101, overseas copyright, to following up after a chance meeting.

All this and more on the first anniversary episode of Scriptnotes.

LINKS:

* [Passive voice](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_voice)
* [Present progressive](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuous_and_progressive_aspects)
* [Clichéd dialogue](http://gointothestory.blcklst.com/2012/03/definitive-list-of-cliched-dialogue-3.html) from Go Into the Story
* [Throwing Shade](http://www.throwingshade.com/) podcast
* [Build & Analyze](http://5by5.tv/buildanalyze) podcst
* [5by5](http://5by5.tv/) podcast network
* Slate’s [Political Gabfest](http://www.slate.com/articles/podcasts/gabfest.html)
* [Nerdist Writer’s Panel](http://www.nerdist.com/podcast/nerdist-writers-panel/)
* Trailer for [The Right Hand](http://vimeo.com/47316693), a new book by Derek Haas
* Gizmodo on [the simplex algorithm](http://gizmodo.com/5934150/the-algorithm-that-controls-your-life)
* Audio-Technica [AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Microphone](http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/a0933a662b5ed0e2/index.html)
* INTRO: [CBS Special Presentation](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W9V9SZPHAY)
* OUTRO: [Oh My Dayum acoustic cover](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfbQ4gww7aI)

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_52.m4a).

**UPDATE** 8-30-12: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2012/scriptnotes-ep-52-grammar-guns-and-butter-transcript).

Dashes, ellipses and underground monsters

QandA, Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed, Words on the page

John and Craig answer four listener questions, on topics ranging from scene headers to ticket sales. And which is better for an aspiring screenwriter: a low-level job at a major agency, or a steady 9-to-5 job that allows time to write?

Then it’s another round of the Three Page Challenge, with three new samples submitted by brave listeners. Our ongoing thanks to everyone who sent in pages. We have plenty — you don’t need to send more.

LINKS:

* Three pages by [Terrance Mulloy](http://johnaugust.com/Assets/TerranceMulloy.pdf)
* Three pages by [Mario DiPesa](http://johnaugust.com/Assets/MarioDiPesa.pdf)
* Three pages by [Andrew Lauwasser](http://johnaugust.com/Assets/AndrewLauwasser.pdf)
* [2012 box office YTD](http://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/?view2=ytdcompare&view=releasedate&p=.htm)
* [The Anarchist Cookbook](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0962303208/?tag=johnaugustcom-20), by William Powell
* [New Dorp Library](http://www.nypl.org/locations/new-dorp)
* [Meadows Library](http://boulderlibrary.org/locations/meadows.html)
* INTRO: [Scooby’s All Star Laff-a-Lympics](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ecjl9KCPiNk)
* [Killing the Blues](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgmbQnp_Sbk), performed by John Prine

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_51.m4a).

**UPDATE** 8-24-12: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2012/scriptnotes-ep-51-dashes-ellipses-and-underground-monsters-transcript).

The Somewhat Healthy Screenwriter

Follow Up, Random Advice, Scriptnotes, Transcribed, WGA

Screenwriters are often not the healthiest folk. We do our work at computers, surrounded by snacks, so it’s no surprise many of us get fat. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Screenwriters are often not the healthiest folk. We do our work at computers, surrounded by snacks, so it’s no surprise many of us are not our fittest. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We’re not doctors or nutritionists, but we’re relatively healthy members of a cohort that is relatively unhealthy, so our advice might point you in useful directions.

We also discuss the upcoming WGA Board elections, sumo wrestlers, head tits, Jaclyn Smith and secret e-smoking.

All this in more in the new Scriptnotes.

LINKS:

* [Conehead leads to sumo rule change](http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1290&dat=19940713&id=mlRUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=W44DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6580,6135447)
* [Jaclyn Smith](http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/03/05/us-smith-idUSTRE52424720090305) at the premiere of Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle
* [Frankenweenie](http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/disney/frankenweenie/) trailer is cute
* [CDC: Pretty Much Everyone is Fat](http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/08/cdc-everyone-fat/), from Wired
* [P90X](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TG8D6I/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000TG8D6I&linkCode=as2&tag=johnaugustcom-20) DVD set on Amazon
* [The 4-Hour Body](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/030746363X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=030746363X&linkCode=as2&tag=johnaugustcom-20), by Tim Ferriss on Amazon
* [Jambox](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004E10KI8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004E10KI8&linkCode=as2&tag=johnaugustcom-20) wireless speaker on Amazon
* [Big Jambox](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006AXRR3Y/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006AXRR3Y&linkCode=as2&tag=johnaugustcom-20) wireless speaker on Amazon
* INTRO: [Fat Albert opening theme](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WT-fxBNKs8)
* OUTRO: [Baby Got Back](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ZK68X8/?tag=johnaugustcom-20), covered by Jonathan Coulton

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_50.m4a).

**UPDATE** 8-17-12: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2012/scriptnotes-ep-50-the-somewhat-healthy-screenwriter-transcript).

Losing sleep over critics

Follow Up, QandA, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig talk critics, and how trying to anticipate their reviews can cause paralysis.

It’s funny how the screenwriter only seems to get mentioned in negative reviews. Well, not funny, actually. Frustrating. And possibly statistically verifiable, so listen in if you’re looking for a research project.

Also this week: Craig’s insomnia, traffic apps, bake-offs done better, and capitalizing on a big star attachment. Plus fun things you can do in the shower!

All this and more in this slightly-delayed Scriptnotes!

LINKS:

* [AquaNotes](http://www.myaquanotes.com/)
* [Inrix](http://www.inrixtraffic.com/) traffic app
* INTRO: [Good Times opening titles](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFKHg5CP7pk)
* OUTRO: [Cars](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qlUFKFHNIU), NIN featuring Gary Numan

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_49.m4a).

**UPDATE** 8-14-12: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2012/scriptnotes-ep-49-losing-sleep-over-critics-transcript).