John August

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Writer’s block and other romantic myths

Episode - 36

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QandA, Scriptnotes, Transcribed, Writing Process

John and Craig open the 36th Scriptnotes with a brief discussion about contracts, and then face writer’s block head on.

“Writer’s block” is an overused term. When a writer claims to be suffering from it, he is usually wrestling with some combination of three common problems: procrastination, perfectionism, and fear. “Writer’s block” is a romanticized catch-all that distracts from these real issues.

Screenwriters can use a range of techniques to get over the hump, from setting a kitchen timer, to breaking work down into manageable chunks, to writing in an order that makes sense for the way you work.

They then take two quick listener questions before closing out the episode with this week’s One Cool Thing (TM).

It’s Tuesday! So head over to Panda Express and get yourself a celebratory meal to enjoy with episode 36 of Scriptnotes.

LINKS:

* [Jajangmyeon](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jajangmyeon), Craig’s Korean noodles
* George Lucas, Seven Spielberg, and Lawrence Kasdan’s [Raiders Story Conference](http://mysterymanonfilm.blogspot.com/2009/03/raiders-story-conference.html)
* [Old Jews Telling Jokes](http://oldjewstellingjokes.com/)
* Charlie Seibel, [Giving a Bull an Enema](http://oldjewstellingjokes.com/post/22190142833) on OJTJ
* [iScore](http://iscorecentral.com/baseball/)
* INTRO: [Simon & Simon](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDhz_mVcVCQ) theme
* OUTRO: [Umbrellas](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9qF1W5xX8Q) by Fredo Viola

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_36.m4a).

**UPDATE** 5-9-12: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2012/scriptnotes-ep-36-writers-block-and-other-romantic-myths-transcript).

The Disney Dilemma

News, QandA, Scriptnotes

On the 35th episode of Scriptnotes, John and Craig discuss the small, currently leaderless world of Walt Disney Studios, along with its challenges and opportunities.

With so many of Disney’s distribution slots taken up by DreamWorks, Marvel, Pixar and Bruckheimer, whoever gets the job of chief probably won’t be making many movies on his or her own. Yet the Disney brand is one of the only ones that still means something to ticket-buyers, so finding a way to make Disney movies feels like a priority.

A discussion of Gregory Poirier’s recent article on misguided cost-cutting segues to a letter from a veteran Hollywood screenwriter frustrated by just how bad studio development has gotten. That’s followed by more listener questions:

* What distinguishes a well-developed character from a flat one?

* How should a recent college graduate from Colorado go about starting a screenwriting career?

* Where do pitches come from?

* How long should it take for your agent to return your call?

John extols his favorite site for sheet music, while Craig gets nostalgic for his first real computer, the Franklin Ace 1000.

All this and more on Scriptnotes: A podcast about parking, and things that are interesting to parkers.

LINKS:

* [John’s post](http://johnaugust.com/2012/how-cost-cutting-hurt-movies) on Gregory Poirier’s article
* Jason Robert Brown on copyright and [fighting with teenagers](http://www.jasonrobertbrown.com/weblog/2010/06/fighting_with_teenagers_a_copy.php)
* Musicnotes version of [Jar of Hearts](http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0085778&)
* Craig’s first computer, the [Franklin Ace 1000](http://www.vintage-computer.com/franklin.shtml)
* INTRO: [Wonderful World of Disney intro](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzj9vlWRUIw&feature=related)
* OUTRO: [HardChord DynaMix – Jar of Creep](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mub_xRooWAQ)

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_35.m4a).

**UPDATE** 5-4-12: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2012/scriptnotes-ep-35-the-disney-dilemma-transcript).

Umbrage Farms

Film Industry, Psych 101, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

Craig and John take a brief look at the misguided Girls backlash and complaints about nepotism in Hollywood, before segueing to a bigger discussion of spec scripts and positioning:

* What are “spec farms,” and how can you avoid them?

* What should you do if you and your reps/producers disagree about whether your script is ready to send out?

* Is it a good idea to post your script online?

* How should you introduce characters in an ensemble? How many is too many?

Todo esto y más en el 34° episodio de Scriptnotes.

LINKS:

* The Girls [nepotism poster](http://crushable.com/entertainment/girls-nepotism-poster-lena-dunham-allison-williams-891/)
* [The Robotard 8000](http://www.therobotard8000.com/)
* [The Nissan Leaf](http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/index#/leaf-electric-car/index)
* [Tesla’s Model S](http://www.teslamotors.com/models)
* Intro: [Spiderman y Sus Increibles Amigos](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eX3yWmwt7Q&feature=related) opening
* Outro: [Love is Real (Fred Falke Remix)](http://www.wired.com/underwire/2012/04/theophilus-london-love-is-real-remix/all/1) by Theophilus London

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_34.m4a).

**UPDATE** 4-26-12: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2012/scriptnotes-ep-34-umbrage-farms-transcript).

Professional screenwriting, and why no one really breaks in

News, QandA, Scriptnotes

Craig and John just have to talk about the double-barrel craziness of the Joe Eszterhas/Mel Gibson spat. How often do you have screenwriters lobbing incendiary accusations at movie stars?

Well, pretty often, actually. But almost never so publicly. And the already-certifiable, formerly-A-list-ness of it all makes it especially gossip-worthy, so forgive us if we go on for a while.

That settled, we follow up on the Amazon Studios deal and what it means for screenwriters not currently in the WGA. One listener calls Craig an idiot, which leads to a discussion about what “professional screenwriting” even means.

John wants aspiring screenwriters to stop using the term “breaking in,” because it doesn’t accurately reflect the early stages of a writer’s career. Meanwhile, Craig takes umbrage at the idea of “trust fund screenwriters.”

We end with some questions and answers:

* What is a screenwriter’s quote, and how does it get determined?

* How do international screenwriters get U.S. visas?

* Can animation writers get WGA coverage?

All this and more in the new Scriptnotes.

LINKS:

* Joe Eszterhas’ [letter to Mel Gibson](http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/joe-eszterhas-letter-mel-gibson-36949)
* Warner Bros. buys rights to Reddit creation [Rome Sweet Rome](http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118044449)
* [John’s rusted car](http://johnaugust.com/Assets/johns_car.jpg), 1990-1996
* Intro: [Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle TV cartoon intro](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i__2vabLGxY)
* Outro: [North Korean teens play “Take On Me”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBgMeunuviE)

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_33.m4a).

**UPDATE** 4-19-12: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2012/scriptnotes-ep-33-professional-screenwriting-and-why-no-one-really-breaks-in-transcript).