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Talking to actors

Episode - 107

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September 10, 2013 How-To, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig discuss the difference between character intention and motivation, before segueing to conversations about working with actors and on-set writing.

We’ve released a new (and final) batch of seats for the live New York show on September 23rd, so [grab your tickets now](https://www.telecharge.com/Off-Broadway/Scriptnotes-Live-with-John-August/Overview?AID=OBW000996000&cm_mmc=Scriptnotes-Live-_-affiliate-_-web-_-OBW000996000&cm_mmca1=show_site&cm_mmca2=ADSTSR&cm_mmca3=130828) for a chance to see Craig and John sing on stage with special guest Andrew Lippa.

In other live-show news: we’re headed back to Austin! There will be two separate Scriptnotes panels at this year’s festival. Stay tuned for more details.

Links:

* [Shofars](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shofar) on Wikipedia
* [Submit your Three Pages now](http://johnaugust.com/threepage) and let us know you’ll be at the [2013 Austin Film Festival](http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/)
* [The William Shatner recording session](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfDHIqmUUMs)
* [Brother HL2230 Laser Printer](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004H1PB9I/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) on Amazon
* John and Dan Jinks on [KCRW’s The Business](http://www.kcrw.com/etc/programs/tb/tb130909john_august_and_dan_)
* [Writerduet.com](https://writerduet.com/) lets you collaborate in real-time
* Outro by Scriptnotes listener Kurt Kuenne

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_107.m4a) | [mp3](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_107.mp3).

**UPDATE** 9-12-13: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-ep-107-talking-to-actors-transcript).

One Cool Things

Almost every week on the Scriptnotes podcast, John and Craig share a One Cool Thing: something they like that they think you’ll like. This page provides an updated listing of all the cool things to date.

Some links go to products on Amazon. For those, we get a small affiliate payment, which helps pay for transcripts and hosting costs.

[372: No Writing Left Behind](http://johnaugust.com/2018/no-writing-left-behind)

* John [The Confidence Gap](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/01/well/family/confidence-gap-teen-girls-tips-parents.html) by Claire Shipman, Katty Kay and JillEllyn Riley for The New York Times.
* Craig [Youtube TV](https://tv.youtube.com/welcome/)

[371: Writing Memorable Dialogue](http://johnaugust.com/2018/writing-memorable-dialogue)

* John [You Might Be the Killer](https://nypost.com/2018/10/03/how-a-twitter-feed-morphed-into-a-syfy-movie/amp/?__twitter_impression=true), written by Brett Simmons and Thomas P. Vitale and directed by Simmons, born from this [Twitter thread](https://twitter.com/SamSykesSwears/status/890751932779839488) between Chuck Wendig and Sam Sykes.
* Craig [Evercast](https://www.evercast.us) allows Craig to be in the Chernobyl edit from home

[370: Two Things at the Same Time](http://johnaugust.com/2018/two-things-at-the-same-time)

* John Mark Rober’s video, [“How to Beat Any Escape Room”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwgaTYOx0RI&app=desktop)
* Craig iOS 12’s [password handoff feature](https://securityintelligence.com/12-new-ios-12-features-that-promise-to-enhance-enterprise-device-management/)

[369: What Is a Movie, Anyway](http://johnaugust.com/2018/what-is-a-movie-anyway)

* Craig Rusty Lake’s new game, [Paradox](https://store.steampowered.com/app/909090/Paradox_A_Rusty_Lake_Film/), with video of actual people
* Franklin [Roma](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKVYRtE-kXI), written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón
* John [Inneresting](http://johnaugust.com/2018/inneresting), a new John August newsletter. You can [subscribe here](https://johnaugust.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=2b0232538adf13e5b3e55b12f&id=aeb429a997).

[368: Advice for a New Staff Writer](http://johnaugust.com/2018/advice-for-a-new-staff-writer)

* John [Succession](https://www.hbo.com/succession?pid=googleadwords_int&c=Google%7CSearch%7CMKL%7CIQ_ID_-VQ16-c&camp=Google%7CSearch%7CMKL%7CIQ_ID_-VQ16-c) on HBO
* Ryan [Be My Eyes](https://www.bemyeyes.com) app
* Alison Improv classes for TV writers

[367: One Year Later](http://johnaugust.com/2018/one-year-later)

* John An [iPad stand](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XVFKYL5/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Craig [Awards Are Stupid](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u-dxn8IgQo), Jerry Seinfeld’s acceptance speech for his HBO Comedian Award

[366: Tying Things Up](http://johnaugust.com/2018/tying-things-up)

* John [Erin Gibson](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2407202/?ref_=nv_sr_1): [Throwing Shade](http://www.throwingshade.com/#tour) podcast, [Gay of Thrones](https://www.funnyordie.com/authors/gay-of-thrones), and her new book, [Feminasty: The Complicated Woman’s Guide to Surviving the Patriarchy Without Drinking Herself to Death.](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1455571865/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* John [Phoebe Waller-Bridge](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3564817/): [Killing Eve](http://www.bbcamerica.com/shows/killing-eve), [Fleabag](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KUE7P8K/ref=atv_feed_catalog), and she’s the [robot, L3-37, in Solo](https://www.indiewire.com/2018/05/solo-phoebe-waller-bridge-l3-37-star-wars-1201968300/)
* Craig [The Witcher 3: Blood And Wine DLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Witcher_3:_Wild_Hunt_%E2%80%93_Blood_and_Wine)

[365: Craig Hates Dummies](http://johnaugust.com/2018/craig-hates-dummies)

* John Flat track roller derby, like [Angel City Derby](http://angelcityderby.com)
* Craig [7 Billion Humans](https://tomorrowcorporation.com/7billionhumans)

[364: Netflix Killed the Video Store](http://johnaugust.com/2018/netflix-killed-the-video-store)

* John [My Life as a Goddess](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075RNFTTW/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1) by Guy Branum
* Kate [Tees-En-Scène](http://www.teesenscene.com) sells shirts that highlight and support female writer/directors.

[363: Best Popular Screenwriting Podcast](http://johnaugust.com/2018/best-popular-screenwriting-podcast)

* John [Antihero](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/antihero-digital-board-game/id1265355382?mt=80) game for iOS.
* Craig Mark Halpin’s [puzzles](http://www.markhalpin.com/puzzles/puzzles.html) for The Nation

[362: The One with Mindy Kaling](http://johnaugust.com/2018/the-one-with-mindy-kaling)

* John [The Visitors](https://www.thebroad.org/art/ragnar-kjartansson/the-visitors) by Ragnar Kjartansson at The Broad
* Mindy [The End of the Fucking World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_End_of_the_F***ing_World) and [Godless](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godless_(TV_series)) on Netflix

[361: From Indie to Action Comedy](http://johnaugust.com/2018/from-indie-to-action-comedy)

* John [Natalie Walker’s Twitter Auditions](https://twitter.com/nwalks/status/961448710151516160?s=12)
* Susanna [American Kingpin](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0143129023/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Nick Bilton
* David [Banvard’s Folly](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0312300336/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Paul Collins

[360: Relationships](http://johnaugust.com/2018/relationships)

* John [Images of America Book Series](https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/series/images-of-america-books?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5Izfyqis3AIVjeNkCh1gSANLEAAYASAAEgLEB_D_BwE&ef_id=W1EenwAABGOU1CD9:20180719232831:s), [Larchmont](https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Products/9781467134118) by Patricia Lombard, [African-Americans in Los Angeles](https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Products/9780738580944) by Karin L. Stanford
* Craig Lindsay Doran’s Ted Talk – [Saving the World vs. Kissing the Girl](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=752INSLlyf0)

[359: Where Movies Come From](http://johnaugust.com/2018/where-movies-come-from)

* John [Who We Are and How We Got Here: Ancient DNA and the New Science of the Human Past](https://www.amazon.com/Who-Are-How-Got-Here/dp/110187032X) by David Reich
* Craig [GamePigeon](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gamepigeon/id1124197642?mt=8)
* Liz [Overlooked](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/obituaries/overlooked.html), by the New York Times, adds obituaries for remarkable people that were overlooked in their time.

[358: Point of View](http://johnaugust.com/2018/point-of-view)

* John [Bubble](http://www.maximumfun.org/shows/bubble), a podcast by Jordan Morris
* Craig [Alleys](https://www.alleys.tw/), an immersive escape mobile game

[357: This Title is an Example of Exposition](http://johnaugust.com/2018/this-title-is-an-example-of-exposition)

* John [American Animals](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKvPVvy2Kn8), written and directed by Bart Layton
* Craig Isoland 2: Ashes of Time for [iOS](https://itunes.apple.com/US/app/id1320750997?mt=8) and [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lilithgame.isoland2.gpen)

[356: Writing Animated Movies](http://johnaugust.com/2018/writing-animated-movies)

* John [Climate Central](http://www.climatecentral.org) is an independent organization of leading scientists and journalists researching and reporting the facts about our changing climate and its impact on the public. It helps [localize reports](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/global-warming-now-brought-you-your-local-tv-weathercaster-n884831) of the effects of climate change.
* Linda [Shanghai Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean](https://www.shanghaidisneyresort.com/en/attractions/pirates-of-caribbean/) ride is amazing. This [POV video of the ride](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vIchXwRw7U) is definitely a spoiler.

[355: Not Worth Winning](http://johnaugust.com/2018/not-worth-winning)

* John [The worst sex in the world is anglerfish sex, and now there’s finally video](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2018/03/23/the-worst-sex-in-the-world-is-anglerfish-sex-and-now-theres-finally-video/?utm_term=.b7ad03e910b0) by Avi Selk for the Washington Post. This (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=51&v=Lsmxs0uDXMo)’s upsetting animation shows what the process would look like for humans.
* Craig Bethesda’s [Starfield](https://www.polygon.com/e3/2018/6/10/17434018/starfield-trailer-bethesda-e3-2018-pc-xbox-ps4) has been announced

[354: Upgrade](http://johnaugust.com/2018/upgrade)

* Craig Matthew Lillard’s company, Beadle & Grimm’s Pandemonium Warehouse, is releasing a luxury Dungeons and Dragons campaign called [Platinum Edition Dungeons & Dragons: Waterdeep: Dragon Heist](https://www.beadleandgrimms.com/platinum-edition/).
* Leigh [I’ll Be Gone in the Dark](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0062319787/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Michelle McNamara

[353: Bad Behavior](http://johnaugust.com/2018/bad-behavior)

* John [No Thanks!](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B013FAC4FK/?tag=johnaugustcom-20), a game by Thorsten Gimmler
* Craig [Faraway 3](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/faraway-3/id1336928392?mt=8), a puzzle game for iOS

[351: Full Circle](http://johnaugust.com/2018/full-circle)

* John [21 Things to Know Before Losing Your Gay Virginity](https://www.advocate.com/sexy-beast/2018/5/17/21-things-know-losing-your-gay-virginity#media-gallery-media-13) by Alexander Cheves
* Craig [Moodnotes](http://moodnotes.thriveport.com/) is an app that tracks your mood

[349: Putting Words on the Page](http://johnaugust.com/2018/putting-words-on-the-page)

* John [Welcome to Southern California](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-l13UMBlkM&app=desktop) includes a 1953 pronunciation of “Los Angeles”
* Craig [Less](https://www.amazon.com/Less-Winner-Pulitzer-Prize-Novel/dp/0316316121) by Andrew Sean Greer

[348: All About Family](http://johnaugust.com/2018/all-about-family)

* John [Choir!Choir!Choir!](http://choirchoirchoir.com/videos/) is a choir in Toronto that meets weekly for drop-in singing events.
* Craig [QTAKE Monitor](https://qtakehd.com/qtake-monitor/) is an app that lets you watch shots on set from your own device.

[347: Conflict of Interest](http://johnaugust.com/2018/conflict-of-interest)

* John Swedish company Svenska Biografteatern’s [footage of New York City](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aohXOpKtns0) as adjusted by Guy Jones
* Craig [Assassin’s Creed Origins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassin%27s_Creed_Origins)

[346: Changing the Defaults](http://johnaugust.com/2018/changing-the-defaults)

* John [Mothers of Sparta](http://www.amazon.com/dp/125013370X/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Dawn Davies
* Christina Female writer friends, like [Frances Marion](http://time.com/4186886/frances-marion/)

[345: Love, Aptaker & Berger](http://johnaugust.com/2018/love-aptaker-berger)

* Craig [Queer Qrosswords](http://queerqrosswords.com/) rewards your donation to an LBGTQ+ charity with crossword puzzles.
* John Taking Twitter off your phone while you’re on vacation
* Elizabeth Not being on one’s phone while waiting for someone
* Isaac [Headspace](https://www.headspace.com/) guided meditation app

[344: Comedy Geometry](http://johnaugust.com/2018/comedy-geometry)

* Craig [The Last of Sheila](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_of_Sheila) by Anthony Perkins and Stephen Sondheim, directed by Herbert Ross. Here’s the [trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPLgmD_RTLU).
* Alec [Sharing your wifi password](https://ios.gadgethacks.com/how-to/instantly-share-wi-fi-passwords-from-your-iphone-other-ios-11-devices-nearby-0177972/)

[343: The One with the Indie Producer](http://johnaugust.com/2018/the-one-with-the-indie-producer)

* John [LiarTown: The First Four Years 2013-2017](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1627310541/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Sean Tejaratchi.
* Keith [Eco-Cha Tea Club](http://teaclub.eco-cha.com/)

[342: Getting Paid for It](http://johnaugust.com/2018/getting-paid-for-it)

* John [Champions](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsobbyIvPn8) on [NBC](https://www.nbc.com/champions?nbc=1), created by Charlie Grandy and Mindy Kaling, directed by Michael Spiller
* Craig An ambiguously threatening advertisement for [British pork](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0wDjWOnHcY) from 1984

[341: Knowing vs. Discovering](http://johnaugust.com/2018/knowing-vs-discovering)

* John [Everybody Wants to Be Famous](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJQYRzAoErc) by Superorganism
* Craig [Alto’s Odyssey](http://www.altosodyssey.com/)

[340: What’s the Plan, Anyway?](http://johnaugust.com/2018/whats-the-plan-anyway)

* John What the Font? [site](https://www.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/) and [app](https://www.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/mobile/)
* Craig Weird Al Yankovic’s [Hamilton Polka](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v0c6smpHSk)

[339: Mostly Terrible People](http://johnaugust.com/2018/mostly-terrible-people)

* John [Bridge Constructor Portal](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bridge-constructor-portal/id1311353234?mt=8) and [A Very Fatal Murder](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/a-very-fatal-murder/id1333714430?mt=2)
* Craig [The Good Place](https://www.nbc.com/the-good-place?nbc=1) on NBC.

[338: We’re Back, Baby](http://johnaugust.com/2018/were-back-baby)

* John [“The Bittersweet Beauty of Adam Rippon”](https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2018/02/adam-rippon-gay-olympic-athletes/amp?__twitter_impression=true) by Richard Lawson for Vanity Fair
* Craig [The Room: Old Sins](http://www.fireproofgames.com/games/theroomoldsins)

[337: The One with Stephen Schiff](http://johnaugust.com/2018/the-one-with-stephen-schiff)

* John Bookstore staff recommendations, which led John to [The End We Start From](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0802126898/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Megan Hunter
* Stephen[Google Ngram Viewer](https://books.google.com/ngrams)

[334: Worst Case Scenarios](http://johnaugust.com/2018/worst-case-scenarios)

* John The [USS Callister](https://www.netflix.com/watch/80131567?trackId=13752289&tctx=0%2C0%2C00fdc079-caa8-4bf0-af0d-8bf24c098023-23694565) episode of [Black Mirror](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Mirror) written by Charlie Brooker & William Bridges
* Craig [Megan Ganz](https://twitter.com/meganganz)

[333: The End of the Beginning](http://johnaugust.com/2018/the-end-of-the-beginning)

* John [Bathe in my Milk](http://batheinmymilk.com) and the [NY Post article](https://nypost.com/2017/12/22/the-story-behind-creepy-as-hell-milk-bath-flyers/) about it
* Craig The [Apple Pencil](https://www.apple.com/apple-pencil/) works pretty well! You can use it with [Notability](http://gingerlabs.com/)

[332: Wait for It](http://johnaugust.com/2018/wait-for-it-2)

* John [Flipflop Solitaire](http://www.flipflopsolitaire.com) by Zach Gage, who also made [Really Bad Chess](http://www.reallybadchess.com)
* Craig Slate’s podcast, [Slow Burn](http://www.slate.com/articles/slate_plus/watergate.html)

[331: We Had the Same Idea](http://johnaugust.com/2017/we-had-the-same-idea)

* John [Google Maps’s Moat](https://www.justinobeirne.com/google-maps-moat) by Justin O’Beirne
* Craig [Nokia Thermo](https://health.nokia.com/us/en/thermo)

[328: Pitching Television, or Being a Passionate Widget](http://johnaugust.com/2017/pitching-television-or-being-a-passionate-widget)

* John The [Tangle Teezer](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001S261Q6/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) hair brush as recommended on Kevin Kelly’s [Cool Tools](http://kk.org/cooltools/)
* Craig [Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sleep-cycle-alarm-clock/id320606217?mt=8)

[327: Mergers and Breakups](http://johnaugust.com/2017/mergers-and-breakups)

* John [Merriam-Webster Time Traveler](https://www.merriam-webster.com/time-traveler/1969) will show you the words that were added in any given year, and the [Google n-gram viewer](https://books.google.com/ngrams/) graphs frequency of word use

[325: (Adjective) Soldier](http://johnaugust.com/2017/adjective-soldier)

* John The [Adelante Shoe Co.](https://adelanteshoes.com)
* Craig [South Park: The Fractured but Whole](https://southpark.ubisoft.com/game/en-us/home/), the video game.

[324: All of It Needs to Stop](http://johnaugust.com/2017/all-of-it-needs-to-stop)

* John An [interactive piece](http://graphics.wsj.com/hamilton/) about Hamilton’s rhyme schemes by Joel Eastwood and Erik Hinton
* Craig [Tens](http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPhone/TENS%21/news.asp?c=74488) dice game app

[322: The Post-Weinstein Era](http://johnaugust.com/2017/the-post-weinstein-era)

* John [Dropbox Version History](https://www.dropbox.com/help/security/version-history-overview) to recover documents
* Craig Rihanna [can’t wink](http://www.vulture.com/2016/08/can-rihanna-actually-wink-a-twitter-expose.html)
* Dara The [Disneyland Half Marathon](https://www.rundisney.com/super-heroes-half-marathon/)
* Daley The [CIA’s twitter account](https://twitter.com/cia) (feat. dogs)

[321: Getting Stuff Written](http://johnaugust.com/2017/getting-stuff-written)

* John [The Last Invention of Man: How AI might take over the world](http://nautil.us/issue/53/monsters/the-last-invention-of-man#comm) by Max Tegmark
* Grant [I’m Your Man: The Life of Leonard Cohen](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0061994987/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Sylvie Simmons

[320: Should You Give Up?](http://johnaugust.com/2017/should-you-give-up)

* John The BBC adds [Nigerian Pidgin](http://www.wired.co.uk/article/bbc-digital-pidgin-language-service)
* Craig Google’s [Pixel Buds,](https://www.engadget.com/2017/10/04/google-pixel-buds-translation-change-the-world/) or the real-life [Babel Fish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_races_and_species_in_The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy#Babel_fish)

[319: Movies Dodged a Bullet](http://johnaugust.com/2017/movies-dodged-a-bullet)

* John [Conversations with Friends](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0451499050/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Sally Rooney
* John [Meet Cute](https://vimeo.com/227138298) by Ben Smith, Directed by Ben Smith & Megan McDonnell

[318: Writing Other Things](http://johnaugust.com/2017/writing-other-things)

* John [Out on the Wire](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0385348436/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Jessica Abel
* Craig [Mark Halpin Puzzles](http://www.markhalpin.com/puzzles/puzzles.html)
* Aline [Insecure](http://www.hbo.com/insecure) on HBO

[317: First Day on the Job](http://johnaugust.com/2017/first-day-on-the-job)

* John [Sword Guys Are a Thing and I’ve Had Sex With All of Them](https://www.thecut.com/2017/08/sword-guys-are-a-thing-and-ive-had-sex-with-all-of-them.html)
* Craig [3,700-Year-Old Babylonian Stone Tablet Gets Translated, Changes History](http://www.distractify.com/omg/2017/08/28/13BnNP/babylonian-stone-tablet)

[316: Distracted Boyfriend Is All of Us](http://johnaugust.com/2017/distracted-boyfriend-is-all-of-us)

* John [The Living New Deal map](https://livingnewdeal.org/map/)
* Craig [The new 7,541-piece Lego Millennium Falcon is the biggest and most expensive set ever](https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/31/16234244/lego-star-wars-millennium-falcon-set-7541-pieces-800-dollars)

[315: Big Screens, Big Money](http://johnaugust.com/2017/big-screens-big-money)

* John [Party of One](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0804187983/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Dave Holmes
* Craig [Hellblade](http://www.hellblade.com/), and [on Steam](http://store.steampowered.com/agecheck/app/414340/)

[313: Well, It Worked in the 80s](http://johnaugust.com/2017/well-it-worked-in-the-80s)

* John [BuzzFeed News Trained A Computer To Search For Hidden Spy Planes. This Is What We Found.](https://www.buzzfeed.com/peteraldhous/hidden-spy-planes?utm_term=.dtAP3rMkDp#.hkG7aMKdQR)
* Craig [The Maze of Games](http://www.lonesharkgames.com/maze/) by Mike Selinker

[312: The Magic Word Is In This Episode](http://johnaugust.com/2017/the-magic-word-is-in-this-episode)

* John [Every Three Hours](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X_XY-vWzKs&feature=youtu.be) and [Mouth Time](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mouth-time-with-reductress/id1093619338?mt=2)
* Craig [The House of Da Vinci](http://www.thehouseofdavinci.com/)

[310: What’s in the WGA Deal](http://johnaugust.com/2017/whats-in-the-wga-deal)

* John [Poly Bridge](http://polybridge.drycactus.com/)
* Chris [Magpie Murders](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0062645226/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Anthony Horowitz

[309: Logic and Gimmickry](http://johnaugust.com/2017/logic-and-gimmickry)

* John [The LA Metro System](https://www.metro.net)
* Craig [Hyperloop One](https://hyperloop-one.com/) and its [successful first test](https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/12/15958224/hyperloop-one-first-full-system-test-devloop)

[308: Chekhov’s Ladder](http://johnaugust.com/2017/chekhovs-ladder)

* John [Domino Toppling](https://phys.org/news/2013-01-physicist-math-maximum-incremental-domino.html)
* Craig [Submachine Escape Room Game](http://www.mateuszskutnik.com/submachine/)

[307: Teaching Your Heroes to Drive](http://johnaugust.com/2017/teaching-your-heroes-to-drive)

* John [McMansion Hell](http://mcmansionhell.com/)
* John [Yoink](http://eternalstorms.at/yoink/Yoink_-_Simplify_and_Improve_Drag_and_Drop_on_your_Mac/Yoink_-_Simplify_drag_and_drop_on_your_Mac.html)
* Craig [Matt Gaffney’s Weekly Crossword Contest](http://xwordcontest.com/)

[306: DRAMA!](http://johnaugust.com/2017/drama)

* John [Computational Video Editing for Dialogue-Driven Scenes](http://graphics.stanford.edu/papers/roughcut/)
* Craig [Clear](https://www.clearme.com/home)

[305: Forever Young and Stupid](http://johnaugust.com/2017/forever-young-and-stupid)

* John [Sarah Silverman – A Speck of Dust](https://www.netflix.com/title/80133554?source=applesearch)
* Craig [Mark Gatiss](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0309693/)

[304: Location Is Where It’s At](http://johnaugust.com/2017/location-is-where-its-at)

* John [Paris Circle Map](http://metromap.fr/en)
* John [Roman Roads](http://sashat.me/2017/06/03/roman-roads/)
* Craig [Monument Valley 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW2KUxyq8Vg)
* Craig [Human Resource Machine](https://tomorrowcorporation.com/humanresourcemachine)

[303: 75% of Nothing](http://johnaugust.com/2017/75-of-nothing)

* John [Rebecca Solnit: The Loneliness Of Donald Trump](http://lithub.com/rebecca-solnit-the-loneliness-of-donald-trump/)
* Craig [Faraway Puzzle Escape](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/faraway-puzzle-escape/id1202839666?mt=8)

[302: Let’s Make Some Oscar Bait](http://johnaugust.com/2017/lets-make-some-oscar-bait)

* John [Dear Mr Darcy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekVdhO7P4Nw)

[301: The Addams Family](http://johnaugust.com/2017/the-addams-family)

* John [Master of None – Season 2 | Official Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGE-Mw-Yjsk)
* Craig [New Paint Colors Invented by Neural Network](http://lewisandquark.tumblr.com/post/160776374467/new-paint-colors-invented-by-neural-network)

[300: From Writer to Writer-Director](http://johnaugust.com/2017/from-writer-to-writer-director)

* John [AutoDraw](https://www.autodraw.com/)
* Chris [Zip Zap](http://www.kamibox.de/zipzap)
* Chris [Fidget Cube](https://thefidgetcube.co/?gclid=CjwKEAjwxurIBRDnt7P7rODiq0USJADwjt5Da6-oLQ0gMOen21lE4tKuCYRXxEeJL4lTGVx1pKASohoCcF3w_wcB)

[298: How Characters Move](http://johnaugust.com/2017/how-characters-move)

* John [A Large-Scale Analysis of Technical Support Scams](https://www.securitee.org/files/tss_ndss2017.pdf)
* Craig [Kent Handmade Moustache Comb](https://www.amazon.com/Kent-Beard-Moustache-Sawcut-Ounce/dp/B004K3J6H6)

[297: Getting the Details Wrong](http://johnaugust.com/2017/getting-the-details-wrong)

* John [Jonathan Coulton – All This Time](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvVNxqosZ7s)
* Craig [Every Noise At Once](http://everynoise.com/engenremap.html)

[296: Television with Damon Lindelof](http://johnaugust.com/2017/television-with-damon-lindelof)

* John [City Girl](https://thehairpin.com/sarah-ramos-explains-how-she-gave-life-to-city-girl-the-rom-com-she-wrote-at-12-years-old-addd405b56b0)
* Damon [Occupied](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QWC_DZj0HE)
* Damon [Only Child](http://www.maximumfun.org/dead-pilots-society/episode-2-only-child-written-john-hodgman)

[295: The Return of Malcolm](http://johnaugust.com/2017/the-return-of-malcolm)

* Craig [MLB The Show 17](http://theshow.com/)
* Malcolm [Fantastic Negrito](http://www.fantasticnegrito.com/)

[294: Getting the Details Wrong](http://johnaugust.com/2017/getting-the-details-wrong)

* John [Jonathan Coulton – All This Time](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvVNxqosZ7s)
* Craig [Every Noise At Once](http://everynoise.com/engenremap.html)

[293: Underground Railroad of Love](http://johnaugust.com/2017/underground-railroad-of-love )

* John [Couch to 5K](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/couch-to-5k-running-app-and-training-coach/id448474423?mt=8)
* John [5K to 10K](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/5k-to-10k/id526458735?mt=8)
* Craig [You Had Us At Hello](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/you-had-us-at-hello/id1215934253)
* Irene [I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a891D5_bGY4)

[292: Question Time](http://johnaugust.com/2017/question-time)

* John [“The Cunning “American Bitch” Episode of “Girls””](http://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-cunning-american-bitch-episode-of-girls)
* Craig [Stop](http://www.stop-fanatee.com/)

[291: California Cannibal Cults](http://johnaugust.com/2017/california-cannibal-cults)

* John [Beat The Boss 3-in-1 J8 phone](https://www.amazon.co.uk/J8-World-Smallest-Mobile-Phone/dp/604016994X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8)
* Craig [Jack Thorne](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2113666/)

[290: The Social Media Episode](http://johnaugust.com/2017/the-social-media-episode)

* John [Archive.org](https://archive.org/)
* John [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/March_7,_2017_ballot_measures_in_California)
* Craig [Rusty Lake: Roots](http://store.steampowered.com/app/532110/)

[289: WGA Negotiations 101](http://johnaugust.com/2017/wga-negotiations-101)

* John [Greece](http://www.visitgreece.gr/)
* Craig [Fran Bow](http://www.franbow.com/)

[288: Betty, Veronica and Craig](http://johnaugust.com/2017/betty-veronica-and-craig)

* John [Eurostar Snap](https://snap.eurostar.com/)
* Craig [Spare-A-Rose Campaign](https://lifeforachildusa.org/sparearose/)

[287: Hollywood is Always Dying](http://johnaugust.com/2017/hollywood-is-always-dying)

* John [Go IMDb Thread](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0139239/board/flat/99293237?p=1)
* Craig [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/)

[286: Script Doctors, Dialogue and Hacks](http://johnaugust.com/2017/script-doctors-dialogue-and-hacks)

* John [How to #StayOutraged Without Losing Your Mind](https://medium.com/the-coffeelicious/how-to-stayoutraged-without-losing-your-mind-fc0c41aa68f3)
* Craig [Women](https://www.womensmarch.com/)

[285: Sinbad and the Sea-Monkeys](http://johnaugust.com/2017/sinbad-and-the-sea-monkeysn)

* John [Young Thug – Wyclef Jean](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9L3j-lVLwk)
* Craig [Potassium Iodide](https://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/ki.asp)

[283: Director Disorientation](http://johnaugust.com/2017/director-disorientation)

* John [The Glossary of Happiness](http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/the-glossary-of-happiness)
* Craig [Search Party](http://www.tbs.com/shows/search-party.html)
* Kelly [Sony Contact Lenses](https://www.cnet.com/news/sony-patents-contact-lens-that-records-what-you-see/)

[282: The One from Paris](http://johnaugust.com/2017/the-one-from-paris)

* John [Weapons of Math Destruction](https://www.amazon.com/Weapons-Math-Destruction-Increases-Inequality/dp/0553418815)

[281: Holiday Homeopathy Spectacular](http://johnaugust.com/2016/holiday-homeopathy-spectacular)

* John [French Pharmacists](http://ouiinfrance.com/2014/06/12/differences-between-pharmacies-in-france-and-the-united-states/)
* Craig [Quackwatch](http://www.quackwatch.org/)

[280: Black List Boys Don’t Cry](http://johnaugust.com/2016/black-list-boys-dont-cry)

* John [TransferWise](https://transferwise.com/us/)
* Craig [Venmo](https://venmo.com/)

[279: What Do They Want?](http://johnaugust.com/2016/what-do-they-want)

* John [The Evolution of ‘Like’](http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2016/11/the-evolution-of-like/507614/)
* Craig [Brookstone App-Controlled Bluetooth Alarm Clock](https://www.amazon.com/TimeSmart-App-Controlled-Bluetooth-Alarm-Clock/dp/B014I7N5ES/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1481561313&sr=8-2&keywords=brookstone+alarm+clock&refinements=p_89%3ABrookstone)

[278: Revenge of the Clams](http://johnaugust.com/2016/revenge-of-the-clams)

* John [The Good Place on NBC](http://www.nbc.com/the-good-place/episodes)
* John Mike August on [Join Us in France](http://joinusinfrance.com/moving-to-france/)
* Craig [Watch Dogs 2 Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh9x4NqW0Dw)

[277: Fantasy and Reality](http://johnaugust.com/2016/fantasy-and-reality)

* John [Duolingo](https://www.duolingo.com/)
* Craig [How to carve a turkey](http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/carve-turkey)

[276: Mammoths of Mercy](http://johnaugust.com/2016/mammoths-of-mercy)

* John [Seasonal Flu Shot](http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/flushot.htm)
* Craig [USB-C](http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2478121,00.asp)
* Chris [Rise of the Boogeyman](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpv3GjagNe0)

[275: English is not Latin](http://johnaugust.com/2016/english-is-not-latin-2)

* John [Time Travel: A History by James Gleick](http://amzn.to/2enAeEb) on Amazon
* Craig [Maanasa Mendu](http://www.youngscientistchallenge.com/contests/entry/22923)

[274: Welcome to Gator Country](http://johnaugust.com/2016/welcome-to-gator-country)

* John [The Americans on FX](http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/the-americans/episodes)
* Craig [UGG Ascot Slippers](https://www.amazon.com/UGG-Australia-Ascot-Slippers-Chestnut/dp/B002LWNA5M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477930621&sr=8-1&keywords=ugg+men+slippers) on Amazon

[273: What is a Career in Screenwriting Like?](http://johnaugust.com/2016/what-is-a-career-in-screenwriting-like)

* John [Gil Elvgren’s Pin-Up Girls](http://www.amusingplanet.com/2011/04/gil-elvgrens-pin-up-girls-and-their.html)
* Craig [Erin Hallagan](https://twitter.com/erinhallagan) on Twitter

[271: Buckling Down](http://johnaugust.com/2016/buckling-down)

* John [Wikitravel](http://wikitravel.org/en/Main_Page)
* Craig [Writers Guild Foundation Poker](https://www.wgfoundation.org/screenwriting-events/texas-hold-em-poker-tournament/)

[270: John Lee Hancock](http://johnaugust.com/2016/john-lee-hancock)

* Craig [Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria](http://www.sciencealert.com/the-science-world-s-freaking-out-over-this-25-year-old-s-solution-to-antibiotic-resistance)

[269: Mystery Vs. Confusion](http://johnaugust.com/2016/mystery-vs-confusion)

* John [Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind](http://amzn.to/2d3iavK)
* Craig [Jeff Probst](http://www.jeffprobst.com/)

[268: (Sometimes) You Need a Montage](http://johnaugust.com/2016/sometimes-you-need-a-montage)

* John [Invasive by Chuck Wendig](http://amzn.to/2cpgsKn)
* Craig [The Marvel Symphonic Universe](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vfqkvwW2fs)

[267: Dig Two Graves](http://johnaugust.com/2016/dig-two-graves)

* John [How to Tell a Mother Her Child is Dead](http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/04/opinion/sunday/how-to-tell-a-mother-her-child-is-dead.html)
* Craig [Obduction](http://obduction.com/)

[266: Stranger Things and Other Things](http://johnaugust.com/2016/stranger-things-and-other-things)

* John [Angelo Badalamenti on writing “Laura Palmer’s Theme”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgXLEM8MhJo&app=desktop)
* Craig [HD 164595](http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/30/health/seti-signal-hd-164595-alien-civilization/)

[265: Sheep Crossing Roads](http://johnaugust.com/2016/sheep-crossing-roads)

* John [Sara Benincasa: Why Am I So Fat?](https://medium.com/@SaraJBenincasa/why-am-i-so-fat-91564fc3a0c7#.3jie47ls8)
* Craig [Nuka World! ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIneiOpuS2M)

[264: The One With the Agent](http://johnaugust.com/2016/the-one-with-the-agent)

* John [Dynasty: The Rise and Fall of the House of Caesar](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25731154-dynasty)
* Craig [Uppercut Deluxe Beard Balm](http://www.uppercutdeluxe.com/)

[263: Frequently Asked Questions about Screenwriting](http://johnaugust.com/2016/frequently-asked-questions-about-screenwriting)

* John[The Greenland Shark](http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/11/health/greenland-sharks-long-lives/index.html)
* Craig [The Suicide Molecule](https://scienceblog.com/486875/scientists-discover-key-identifier-suicide-risk/?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link&ICID=ref_fark)

[262: Tidy Screenwriting](http://johnaugust.com/2016/tidy-screenwriting)

* John[Difficult People](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/difficult-people/) on Rotten Tomatoes
* Craig [Severed](http://severedgame.com/)

[261: Don’t Think Twice](http://johnaugust.com/2016/dont-think-twice)

* Craig [FING](https://www.fingbox.io)
* Mike [Landmark Theatres](https://www.landmarktheatres.com/los-angeles/the-landmark)

[260: Anthrax, Amnesia and Atomic Veterans](http://johnaugust.com/2016/anthrax-amnesia-and-atomic-veterans)

* John [Phased](https://vimeo.com/173472729) by Joe Capra
* Craig [macOS Sierra](http://www.apple.com/macos/sierra-preview/)

[259: The Exit Interview](http://johnaugust.com/2016/the-exit-interview)

* John [My Dad Wrote a Porno](https://overcast.fm/+FQ0rlFek8)
* Craig [Do irrational numbers like pi disprove humanity being a simulation?](https://www.quora.com/Do-irrational-numbers-like-pi-disprove-humanity-being-a-simulation) on Quora
* Godwin [Pastor Evan Mawarire](https://twitter.com/pastorevanlive) on Twitter, and [#ThisFlag](https://twitter.com/hashtag/thisflag)
* Stuart Fiddler’s Bistro [chicken kabobs](https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/fiddlers-bistro-los-angeles?select=O5lDBWpGnHsPoGEcP69Qxw) and [red pepper dip](https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/fiddlers-bistro-los-angeles?select=0ASoVfJyY3ahUW_S2p3Uwg)

[258: Generic Trigger Warning](http://johnaugust.com/2016/generic-trigger-warning)

* John [Common MythConceptions](http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/common-mythconceptions-worlds-most-contagious-falsehoods/)
* Craig [Patrick Patterson](https://twitter.com/pdpatterson/status/750745376441954305) saved a life with [Be The Match](https://bethematch.org/)

[257: Flaws are features](http://johnaugust.com/2016/flaws-are-features)

* John [The Blackbird, from The Mill](http://www.themill.com/portfolio/3002/the-blackbird%C2%AE)
* Craig [Tanzania’s game changing giant helium field](http://www.newser.com/story/227284/game-changer-giant-helium-field-found-in-tanzania.html)

[256: Aaron Sorkin vs. Aristotle](http://johnaugust.com/2016/aaron-sorkin-vs-aristotle)

* John Steve Yedlin [On Color Science](http://www.yedlin.net/OnColorScience/)
* Craig [Codenames](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B014Q1XX9S/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[255: New and Old Hollywood](http://johnaugust.com/2016/new-and-old-hollywood)

* John TV Tropes on [Mary Sues](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MarySue), and [“Too Good To Be True”: 150 Years Of Mary Sue](http://www.merrycoz.org/papers/MARYSUE.xhtml) by Pat Pflieger
* Billy [The Last Tycoon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G98ZPQU/) pilot is available now on Amazon Prime Video

[254: The One with the Kates](http://johnaugust.com/2016/the-one-with-the-kates)

* John [Mini Metro](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mini-metro/id1047760200?mt=12) and [Human Resource Machine](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/human-resource-machine/id1005098334?mt=8)
* Craig [Sunspring](http://arstechnica.com/the-multiverse/2016/06/an-ai-wrote-this-movie-and-its-strangely-moving/?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link), a short film written by Benjamin
* Kate [Hunt for the Wilderpeople](http://wilderpeople.film/) is playing at [Arclight Hollywood starting June 23](https://www.arclightcinemas.com/movie/hunt-for-the-wilderpeople?lid=1001)
* Kate Cope St Collective’s Bjorn on [how to do blackface](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALudjI-8q-g)

[253: Television Economics for Dummies](http://johnaugust.com/2016/television-economics-for-dummies)

* John [Sex Criminals](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1632152436/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky, on Amazon
* Craig [Fallout 4’s Far Harbor DLC](http://store.steampowered.com/agecheck/app/435881/) on Steam
* Jonathan [Travel abroad!](http://www.state.gov/travel/)

[252: An Alliance with House Mazin](http://johnaugust.com/2016/an-alliance-with-house-mazin)

* John Vox’s [Rapping, deconstructed: The best rhymers of all time](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWveXdj6oZU) on YouTube
* Craig Martin Panchaud’s [Star Wars: A New Hope in infographic form](http://swanh.net/)

[251: They Won’t Even Read You](http://johnaugust.com/2016/they-wont-even-read-you)

* John [ABC’s 1979 Still The One TV stars promo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHvW_8W1_m8) on YouTube
* Craig [Lodge 12-inch cast iron skillet](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006JSUB/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) on Amazon, and [thekitchn.com on cast iron care](http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-season-a-cast-iron-skillet-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-107614)

[250: The One with the Austin Winner](http://johnaugust.com/2016/the-one-with-the-austin-winner)

* John [Hollywood jumps without CGI](http://www.avclub.com/article/gif-pre-cgi-superhero-jumps-proves-actors-are-just-236529)
* Craig [The Empty Cup Awards](http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2016/05/10/the_empty_cup_awards_are_here_to_raise_awareness_for_an_important_tv_issue.html)
* Amanda [Hamilton: The Revolution](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1455539740/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) on Amazon

[248: Pitching an Open Writing Assignment](http://johnaugust.com/2016/pitching-an-open-writing-assignment)

* John [Hands In Wheat](https://twitter.com/HandsInWheat) on Twitter, and [Women laughing alone with salad](http://womenlaughingalonewithsalad.tumblr.com/), [Women struggling to drink water](http://imgur.com/a/79OsM), and [Baby CMO](https://twitter.com/babycmo)
* Craig [Students Invented Gloves That Can Translate Sign Language Into Speech And Text](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/navid-azodi-and-thomas-pryor-signaloud-gloves-translate-american-sign-language-into-speech-text_us_571fb38ae4b0f309baeee06d)

[246: The One with the Idiot Teamster](http://johnaugust.com/2016/the-one-with-the-idiot-teamster)

* John [Thanks For Ruining Another Game Forever, Computers](http://blog.codinghorror.com/thanks-for-ruining-another-game-forever-computers/), by Jeff Atwood
* Craig [Film Dialogue from 2,000 screenplays, Broken Down by Gender and Age](http://polygraph.cool/films/), A Polygraph Joint
* Lorene Los Angeles Times on [Escape Rooms](http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-escape-room-boom-20160417-story.html), and [Escape Room LA](http://escaperoomla.com/)

[245: Outlines and Treatments](http://johnaugust.com/2016/outlines-and-treatments)

* John [Watch the performances from MCC’s Miscast 2016](http://www.playbill.com/article/video-recap-watch-the-performances-from-miscast-2016)
* Craig [Tesla Model 3](https://www.teslamotors.com/model3)

[244: The Invitation, and Requels](http://johnaugust.com/2016/the-invitation-and-requels)

* John William Powers on [The Difficult, Delicate Untangling of Our Parents’ Financial Lives](http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-difficult-delicate-untangling-of-our-parents-financial-lives-1459130770)
* Craig [The blood test that could change the way we diagnose concussions](http://www.morningticker.com/2016/03/breakthrough-miracle-blood-test-could-revolutionize-sports-injuries/)
* Phil [Vinyl Me, Please](http://vinylmeplease.com/)
* Matt [Ideal Cap Company](http://www.idealcapco.com/)

[242: No More Milk Money](http://johnaugust.com/2016/no-more-milk-money)

* John [Tresalto Drain Cleaning Snake](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B019O20C9I/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Craig Fast Company on [Ford’s GoPark app](http://www.fastcompany.com/3057930/ford-tests-data-driven-app-to-tell-you-where-to-park)
* Aline [American Crime Story: The People v O.J. Simpson](http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/the-people-v-oj-simpson-american-crime-story/episodes), episode 6: [Marcia, Marcia, Marcia](http://www.fxnetworks.com/video/639979587861), and [Parade’s brief interview with Sarah Paulson](http://parade.com/464993/jerylbrunner/sarah-paulson-on-playing-marcia-clark-in-the-people-v-o-j-simpson-american-crime-story/)

[241: Fan Fiction and Ghost Taxis](http://johnaugust.com/2016/fan-fiction-and-ghost-taxis)

* John [Ingrid Sundberg’s The Color Thesaurus](http://ingridsundberg.com/2014/02/04/the-color-thesaurus/), and [The Walk of Life Project](http://www.wolproject.com/)
* Craig [Hardcore Henry trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96EChBYVFhU)

[240: David Mamet and the producer pass](http://johnaugust.com/2016/david-mamet-and-the-producer-pass)

* John Brent Underwood looks at [what it takes to become a “best-selling author”](http://observer.com/2016/02/behind-the-scam-what-does-it-takes-to-be-a-bestselling-author-3-and-5-minutes/)
* Craig Father Ted [on Hulu](http://www.hulu.com/father-ted) and [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_Ted), and [Frank Kelly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Kelly)

[239: What is good writing?](http://johnaugust.com/2016/what-is-good-writing)

* John [Creatures avoiding planks](http://otoro.net/planks/)
* Craig AskMen on [beard oil](http://www.askmen.com/grooming/appearance/best-beard-oils-reviewed.html)

[238: The job of writer-producer](http://johnaugust.com/2016/the-job-of-writer-producer)

* John Modern Farmer on [Cow Tipping: Fake or Really Fake?](http://modernfarmer.com/2013/09/cow-tipping-myth-or-bullcrap/)
* Craig [Sky Guide](http://www.fifthstarlabs.com/#sky-guide)
* Dana [Spectra S1 breast pump, on Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DBKFFJM/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[237: Sexy But Doesn’t Know It](http://johnaugust.com/2016/sexy-but-doesnt-know-it)

* John [Christians Against Dinosaurs](http://www.christiansagainstdinosaurs.com/)
* Craig [mberry Miracle Fruit Tablets](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001LXYA5Q/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[236: Franchises and Final Draft](http://johnaugust.com/2016/franchises-and-final-draft)

* John [The Katering Show](http://thekateringshow.com/), and the Craig-recommended [third episode](http://thekateringshow.com/episodes/3-we-quit-sugar/)
* Craig Shut Up & Sit Down’s spoiler-free review of [Pandemic Legacy](http://www.shutupandsitdown.com/blog/post/spoiler-free-review-pandemic-legacy/)

[235: The one with Jason Bateman and the Game of Thrones guys](http://johnaugust.com/2016/the-one-with-jason-bateman-and-the-game-of-thrones-guys)

* John crysknife007’s [Ambient Scifi Sleep Sounds Playlist](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsO8fxO6PnRfGUc0Td1lFXVnnq_Jn455U) on YouTube
* Craig [Outlook](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-outlook-email-calendar/id951937596?mt=8) for iOS, and The Office Blog on [Outlook’s new look](https://blogs.office.com/2015/10/28/outlook-for-ios-and-android-gains-momentum-gets-new-look/)

[234: The Script Graveyard](http://johnaugust.com/2016/the-script-graveyard)

* John [Music Memos](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/music-memos/id1036437162?mt=8)
* Craig [Withings Thermo](https://www.withings.com/eu/en/products/thermo)

[233: Ocean’s 77](http://johnaugust.com/2016/oceans-77)

* John Priceonomics on [How Mickey Mouse Evades the Public Domain](http://priceonomics.com/how-mickey-mouse-evades-the-public-domain/)
* Craig [Do I Sound Gay?](http://www.doisoundgay.com/)

[232: Fun with Numbers](http://johnaugust.com/2016/fun-with-numbers)

* John [Ghost Streets of Los Angeles](http://www.bldgblog.com/2015/12/ghost-streets-of-los-angeles/) on BLDGBLOG
* Craig Vilmos Zsigmond on [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vilmos_Zsigmond), [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005936/) and [remembered in Variety](http://variety.com/2016/film/news/vilmos-zsigmond-dead-dies-cinematographer-1201670799/)

[231: Fun with Numbers](http://johnaugust.com/2016/room-spotlight-and-the-big-short)

* John [Compose Yourself](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W3SREPG/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Aline [The Hunting Ground](http://www.thehuntinggroundfilm.com/) on [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4185572/) and [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunting_Ground)
* Rawson [Tom Clancy’s The Division](http://tomclancy-thedivision.ubi.com/game/en-us/home/)

[229: Random Advice 2015](http://johnaugust.com/2015/random-advice-2015)

* John [How the Western Diet Has Derailed Our Evolution](http://nautil.us/issue/30/identity/how-the-western-diet-has-derailed-our-evolution)
* Craig Throw pillows on [Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=throw+pillows), [Pier 1](http://www.pier1.com/pillows-cushions/pillows/pillows,default,sc.html), [Overstock](http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Throw-Pillows/2011/subcat.html), [Target](http://www.target.com/c/throw-pillows-home-decor/-/N-5xttp) and [Google](https://www.google.com/search?q=throw+pillows&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS504US504&oq=throw+pillows&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i60.1095j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=91&ie=UTF-8)
* Chris [Sign up for Be The Match and save a life](https://bethematch.org/)

[228: Scriptnotes Holiday Show 2015](http://johnaugust.com/2015/scriptnotes-holiday-show-2015)

* John [KRUPS F23070 Egg Cooker](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005KIRS/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Craig [Kitchen Hacks: How Clever Cooks Get Things Done](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1940352002/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Riki Hamilton, the Original Broadway Cast Recording on [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hamilton-original-broadway/id1025210938) and on [Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B013JLBPGE/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Natasha [AlanMYang on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/alanmyang/)
* Malcolm [Postmates](https://postmates.com/) will deliver you stuff

[227: Feel the Nerd Burn](http://johnaugust.com/2015/feel-the-nerd-burn)

* John The Wall Street Journal on [How Cyndi Lauper Wrote Her First No. 1 Hit, ‘Time After Time’](http://www.wsj.com/articles/how-cyndi-lauper-wrote-her-first-no-1-hit-time-after-time-1448985798), and [Secret Hitler](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/maxtemkin/secret-hitler) is now on Kickstarter
* Craig [Amazon Prime Now](https://www.amazon.com/primenow) offers one hour delivery

[226: The Batman in the High Castle](http://johnaugust.com/2015/the-batman-in-the-high-castle)

* John [EcoLog 590D](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CnAPD39cUQ)
* Craig [Scriptnotes Outro from Episode 225, by Jon Spurney](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros)

[225: Only haters hate rom-coms](http://johnaugust.com/2015/only-haters-hate-rom-coms)

* John The New Yorker on [Nick Bostrom](http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/11/23/doomsday-invention-artificial-intelligence-nick-bostrom)
* Craig [Fallout 4](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B016E70408/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Tess [The Vista Theatre](http://www.vintagecinemas.com/vista/)

[224: Whiplash, on paper and on screen](http://johnaugust.com/2015/whiplash-on-paper-and-on-screen)

* John [what3words](http://what3words.com/)
* Craig [Sunnybrook doctor first to perform blood-brain barrier procedure using focused ultrasound waves](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/sunnybrook-doctor-first-to-perform-blood-brain-barrier-procedure-using-focused-ultrasound-waves/article27171384/)

[223: Confusing, Unlikable and On-The-Nose](http://johnaugust.com/2015/confusing-unlikable-and-on-the-nose)

* John Herman Melville’s Bartleby, the Scrivener [on Project Gutenberg](http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/11231), and the [interactive, annotated version from Slate](http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2015/10/herman_melville_s_bartleby_the_scrivener_an_interactive_annotated_text.html)
* Craig [The Room Three](http://www.fireproofgames.com/games/the-room-three-2) from Fireproof Games

[222: Live from Austin 2015](http://johnaugust.com/2015/live-from-austin-2015)

* John [Glif](http://www.studioneat.com/products/glif) tripod phone mount
* Craig [Thync](http://www.thync.com/)
* Nicole [Cosmonauts: Birth of the Space Age](http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/Plan_your_visit/exhibitions/cosmonauts.aspx) at the London Science Museum
* Steve The Man Who Planted Trees, on [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_Who_Planted_Trees_(film)) and [Netflix DVD](http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/The-Man-Who-Planted-Trees/70048862?strkid=1887480798_0_0&strackid=743041023553ef8f_0_srl&trkid=222336)

[221: Nobody Knows Anything (including what this quote means)](http://johnaugust.com/2015/nobody-knows-anything-including-what-this-quote-means)

* John [Tessy and Tab](http://www.tessyandtab.com/)
* Craig [BuzzFeed Crosswords](http://www.buzzfeed.com/tag/crosswords), and [logic-puzzles.org](http://www.logic-puzzles.org/)

[220: Writers Rooms, Taxes, and Fat Hamlet](http://johnaugust.com/2015/writers-rooms-taxes-and-fat-hamlet)

* John [Computer Show](http://computer.show/) with Adam Lisagor
* Craig [Tesla Autopilot First Ride: Almost as Good as a New York Driver](http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/car-technology/news/a27044/tesla-autopilot-first-ride-almost-as-good-as-a-new-york-driver/)

[219: The One Where Aline’s Show Debuts](http://johnaugust.com/2015/the-one-where-alines-show-debuts)

* John [Use gift cards from other countries to make purchases in foreign iTunes stores](http://www.elftronix.com/easy-method-make-us-itunes-purchase-from-any-country/)
* Craig [Games Magazine](http://gamesmagazine-online.com/)
* Aline [Bola Ogun](https://pro-labs.imdb.com/name/nm4459589/?ref_=sch_int), and the full cast and crew of [Crazy Ex-Girlfriend](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4094300/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm) on IMDb

[218: Features are different](http://johnaugust.com/2015/features-are-different)

* John [A24](http://a24films.com/), and Slate on [The Distributor as Auteur](http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2015/09/profile_of_the_independent_film_distributor_a24_the_company_behind_spring.html)
* Craig Hamilton, the Original Broadway Cast Recording on [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hamilton-original-broadway/id1025210938) and on [Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B013JLBPGE/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[217: Campaign statements and residual statements](http://johnaugust.com/2015/campaign-statements-and-residual-statements)

* John [Reaper Miniatures](https://www.reapermini.com/), and [Miniature Painting 101](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB0292071C3B38CAC) on YouTube
* Craig Melissa Mazin will be at the [Austin Film Festival 2015 Screenwriting Conference](https://austinfilmfestival.com/festivalandconference/conference/)

[216: Rewrites and Scheduling](http://johnaugust.com/2015/rewrites-and-scheduling)

* John [You’re the Worst](http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/youre-the-worst/episodes) on FXX, and [on Hulu](http://www.hulu.com/youre-the-worst)
* Craig [Escape Room LA](http://escaperoomla.com/)

[215: PG13: Blood, Boobs and Bullcrap](http://johnaugust.com/2015/pg13-blood-boobs-and-bullcrap)

* John [I Asked Atheists How They Find Meaning In A Purposeless Universe](http://www.buzzfeed.com/tomchivers/when-i-was-a-child-i-spake-as-a-child#.em1Y5xnxG5), from BuzzFeed
* Craig [Didi Gregorius making a name for himself with Yankees](http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/yankees/post/_/id/88945/didi-gregorius-making-a-name-for-himself-with-yankees) on ESPN.com, and Didi on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/DidiG18), [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didi_Gregorius) and [baseball-reference.com](http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gregodi01.shtml)

[214: Clerks and recreation](http://johnaugust.com/2015/clerks-and-recreation)

* John [Hell’s Club](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QajyNRnyPMs&feature=youtu.be), a mashup from AMDSFILMS
* Craig [Use Ice Cubes and Your Dryer to Steam Out Wrinkles](http://lifehacker.com/use-ice-cubes-and-your-dryer-to-steam-out-wrinkles-1551615442) on Lifehacker

[213: NDAs and other acronyms](http://johnaugust.com/2015/ndas-and-other-acronyms)

* John [Mr. Robot](http://www.usanetwork.com/mrrobot) on USA
* Craig [Dead Synchronicity](http://www.deadsynchronicity.com/en/home/)

[212: Diary of a First-Time Director](http://johnaugust.com/2015/diary-of-a-first-time-director)

* John [I’m Sorry I Didn’t Respond to Your Email, My Husband Coughed to Death Two Years Ago](https://medium.com/keep-learning-keep-growing/i-m-sorry-i-didn-t-respond-to-your-email-my-husband-coughed-to-death-two-years-ago-9e12c93c92fa) by Rachel Ward
* Craig [VHS Camcorder](http://rarevision.com/vhscam/)
* Marielle [The Wonder Weeks App](http://www.thewonderweeks.com/about-the-wonder-week-app/)

[211: The International Episode](http://johnaugust.com/2015/the-international-episode)

* John [Microsoft Translator](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-translator/id1018949559?mt=8) for iOS and Apple Watch
* Craig [XMarks Bookmark Sync](https://www.xmarks.com/)

[210: One-Handed Movie Heroes](http://johnaugust.com/2015/one-handed-movie-heroes)

* John [Logan Paul has conquered the internet, but he can’t figure out how to conquer the world](http://www.techinsider.io/vine-star-logan-paul-profile-2015-7) by Caroline Moss
* Craig [Thync](http://www.thync.com/)

[209: How to Not Be a Jerk](http://johnaugust.com/2015/how-to-not-be-a-jerk)

* John [Vacation, by the Textones](https://www.youtube.com/embed/GawVyj-XXrQ), and [Madonna’s Vogue, B-Roll and Outtakes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=anRNX_TUbPo&app=desktop)
* Craig [Smooth McGroove](https://www.youtube.com/user/SmoothMcGroove) on YouTube

[208: How descriptive audio works](http://johnaugust.com/2015/how-descriptive-audio-works)

* John [Bathsheba Sculptures](https://www.bathsheba.com/)
* Craig [MacID](http://macid.co/)

[207: Why movies have reshoots](http://johnaugust.com/2015/why-movies-have-reshoots)

* John [Let’s Talk about Genre, with Neil Gaiman and Kazuo Ishiguro](http://www.newstatesman.com/2015/05/neil-gaiman-kazuo-ishiguro-interview-literature-genre-machines-can-toil-they-can-t-imagine)
* Craig [Capitals](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/capitals-free-word-battle/id968456900?mt=8) for iOS, and [Bloom County](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloom_County) on Wikipedia and [Berkeley Breathed](https://www.facebook.com/berkeleybreathed) on Facebook

[206: Everything but the dialogue](http://johnaugust.com/2015/everything-but-the-dialogue)

* John [A World Without Work](http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/07/world-without-work/395294/) by Derek Thompson
* Craig [A World Without Work](http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/07/world-without-work/395294/) by Derek Thompson

[205: The One with Alec Berg](http://johnaugust.com/2015/the-one-with-alec-berg)

* John [Crenshaw/LAX Tunnel Boring Machine](https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLbkiTnRw5qna2lET4HkTFbIQ8EXEAoZhT&v=iN_bnsFrGBA)
* Craig [Rex Parker Does The NY Times Crossword Puzzle](http://rexwordpuzzle.blogspot.com/)

[204: No one makes those movies anymore](http://johnaugust.com/2015/no-one-makes-those-movies-anymore)

* John [Neil Gaiman’s advice for getting idea on paper](http://neil-gaiman.tumblr.com/post/107713982316/i-have-been-trying-to-write-for-a-while-now-i)
* Craig [Supreme Court Ruling Makes Same-Sex Marriage a Right Nationwide](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/27/us/supreme-court-same-sex-marriage.html)

[203: Nobody Eats Four Marshmallows](http://johnaugust.com/2015/nobody-eats-four-marshmallows)

* John [The “Some Guy” Anthem, by Jonathan Mann](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ird715k0t-g)
* Craig [Minecraft Hololens demo at E3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgakdcEzVwg&feature=youtu.be&t=2m25s)

[202: Everyman vs. Superman](http://johnaugust.com/2015/everyman-vs-superman)

* John [The Fallen of World War II](https://vimeo.com/128373915) by Neil Halloran, and [fallen.io](http://www.fallen.io/ww2/)
* Craig [CellarTracker](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cellartracker/id893759800?mt=8) for iOS

[201: How would this be a movie?](http://johnaugust.com/2015/how-would-this-be-a-movie)

* John [Traveling back into the past to trade for present gain](http://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2015/05/traveling-back-into-the-past-to-trade-for-present-gain.html) by Tyler Cowen
* Craig [Game of Thrones by Telltale Games](https://www.telltalegames.com/gameofthrones/)

[200: The 200th Episode Live Show](http://johnaugust.com/2015/the-200th-episode-live-show)

* John [Everybody Calm Down About Breastfeeding](http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/everybody-calm-down-about-breastfeeding/) on FiveThirtyEight
* Craig [Ultrasound Restores Memory to Mice with Alzheimer’s](http://www.popsci.com/ultrasound-restores-memory-mice-alzheimers) on Popular Science
* Aline The New York Times Magazine on [A 12-Hour Window for a Healthy Weight](http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/15/a-12-hour-window-for-a-healthy-weight/?_r=0), EaterLA on [Korean bone broth soups and where to get them in LA](http://la.eater.com/maps/bone-broth-korean-los-angeles-koreatown-map-guide), and [Han Bat Sul Lung Tang](http://www.yelp.com/biz/han-bat-sul-lung-tang-los-angeles) on Yelp

[199: Second Draft Doldrums](http://johnaugust.com/2015/second-draft-doldrums)

* John [Silicon Valley: Read every card on the Let Blaine Die SWOT board](http://www.ew.com/article/2015/05/15/silicon-valley-read-let-blaine-die-swot-board)
* Craig [Oxenfree from Night School Studio](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGwz4ovskx4)

[197: How do bad movies get made?](http://johnaugust.com/2015/how-do-bad-movies-get-made)

* John [Copyright, Exceptions, and Fair Use: Crash Course Intellectual Property](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_9O8J9skL0)
* Craig [Fallout 4 Rumor Puts Reveal at Bethesda’s E3 Conference](http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/05/07/fallout-4-rumor-puts-reveal-at-bethesdas-press-conference) on IGN

[196: The long and short of it](http://johnaugust.com/2015/the-long-and-short-of-it)

* John [The MacBook’s new trackpad will change the way you click](http://www.macworld.com/article/2895758/the-macbooks-new-trackpad-will-change-the-way-you-click.html) on Macworld
* Craig [Rocketbook: Cloud-Integrated Microwavable Notebook](https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/rocketbook-cloud-integrated-microwavable-notebook) on Indiegogo

[195: Writing for Hollywood without living there](http://johnaugust.com/2015/writing-for-hollywood-without-living-there)

* John [The For Dummies series](http://www.dummies.com/) and [Google AdWords for Dummies](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1118115619/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Craig [LootCrate](https://www.lootcrate.com/)
* Ryan [Lovage](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovage) on Wikipedia

[194: Poking the bear](http://johnaugust.com/2015/poking-the-bear)

* John [More on Internet Neologisms: Rage Quitting is a Thing](http://daily.jstor.org/more-on-internet-neologisms-rage-quitting-is-a-thing/) by Chi Luu
* Craig [Kano is a computer you build and code yourself](http://www.kano.me/kit)

[193: How writing credits work](http://johnaugust.com/2015/how-writing-credits-work)

* John [WGAw residuals look up](https://my.wgaw.org/home/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fhome%2fresiduals.aspx)
* Craig [RSVP here for the April 25 WGAw screenings of Ghost and Jacob’s Ladder, featuring a Q+A with Bruce Joel Rubin moderated by John August](http://www.wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=229)

[192: You can’t train a cobra to do that](http://johnaugust.com/2015/you-cant-train-a-cobra-to-do-that)

* John [Play Reimagining ‘Three’s Company’ Wins Case](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/02/theater/play-reimagining-threes-company-wins-case.html?smid=pl-share&_r=0&referrer=) from The New York Times
* Craig Forbes on [Duke’s Polio Virus Trial Against Glioblastoma](http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidkroll/2015/03/30/60-minutes-covers-dukes-polio-virus-clinical-trial-against-glioblastoma/)

[190: This Is Working](http://johnaugust.com/2015/this-is-working)

* John Lexicon Valley episode 56 asks, [Is “Try And” an Acceptable Substitute for “Try To”?](http://www.slate.com/articles/podcasts/lexicon_valley/2015/03/lexicon_valley_english_grammar_quirk_in_which_an_infinitive_morphs_into.html)
* Craig Reddit’s [r/writeresearch subreddit](http://www.reddit.com/r/writeresearch)
* Franklin Follow [@theblcklst](https://twitter.com/theblcklst) on Twitter for tomorrow’s announcement

[189: Uncluttered by Ignorance](http://johnaugust.com/2015/uncluttered-by-ignorance)

* John [u/temptotosssoon’s story of waking up and realizing he’d dreamt the past decade of his life](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/oc7rc/have_you_ever_felt_a_deep_personal_connection_to/c3g4ot3) on Reddit

[188: Midseason Finale](http://johnaugust.com/2015/midseason-finale)

* John [Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt](http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/80025384?locale=en-US) on Netflix, and FiveThirtyEight on [Draftback for Google Docs](http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/watch-me-write-this-article/)
* Craig Laughing Squid on [VeinViewer](http://laughingsquid.com/veinviewer-a-medical-system-that-projects-an-image-of-veins-on-skin-to-help-clinicians-insert-an-iv/)

[187: The Coyote Could Stop Any Time](http://johnaugust.com/2015/the-coyote-could-stop-any-time)

* John Vox’s video on [Why Kevin Spacey’s accent in House of Cards sounds off](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgCeH3xovDw)
* Craig [Enigma Variations contest](http://www.chem.umn.edu/groups/baranygp/puzzles/enigma/index.html)

[186: The Rules (or, the Paradox of the Outlier)](http://johnaugust.com/2015/the-rules-or-the-paradox-of-the-outlier)

* John [My Cyborg Ear: How a Surgeon and Titanium Cured My Lifelong Deafness](http://gizmodo.com/my-cyborg-ear-how-a-surgeon-and-titanium-cured-my-life-1601254003) by Adam Clark Estes, and [Mike Tyson Mysteries](http://www.adultswim.com/videos/mike-tyson-mysteries/) on adult swim
* Craig [I’m no fool with a bicycle](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LmORiZfEJU)

[185: Malcolm Spellman, a Study in Heat](http://johnaugust.com/2015/malcolm-spellman-a-study-in-heat)

* John [The Mysterious Case of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006CDQ6SE/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Marvin Heiferman and Carole Kismaric
* Craig The [SNL 40 app](http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/app)
* Malcolm [Voice therapy vs speech therapy](http://www.fauquierent.net/voicetx.htm)

[184: Go Set a Spider-Man](http://johnaugust.com/2015/go-set-a-spider-man)

* John [Broad City on Comedy Central](http://www.cc.com/shows/broad-city) and [Hulu](http://www.hulu.com/broad-city)
* Craig [Fantastic Negrito](http://www.fantasticnegrito.com/), Winner of [NPR’s 2015 Tiny Desk Concert Contest](http://www.npr.org/2015/02/12/385540871/meet-the-winner-of-our-tiny-desk-concert-contest)

[183: The Deal with the Gravity Lawsuit](http://johnaugust.com/2015/the-deal-with-the-gravity-lawsuit)

* John [The AI Revolution: The Road to Superintelligence](http://waitbutwhy.com/2015/01/artificial-intelligence-revolution-1.html) and [The AI Revolution: Our Immortality or Extinction](http://waitbutwhy.com/2015/01/artificial-intelligence-revolution-2.html), from Wait But Why
* Craig [The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1451678185/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[182: The One with Rebel Wilson and Dan Savage](http://johnaugust.com/2015/the-one-with-rebel-wilson-and-dan-savage)

* John Alex Blumberg on [How to Create a Blockbuster Podcast](http://fourhourworkweek.com/2015/01/29/alex-blumberg/)
* Craig [Be My Eyes](http://www.bemyeyes.org/)

[181: INT. THE WOODS – NIGHT](http://johnaugust.com/2015/int-the-woods-night)

* John [Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension: A Mathematician’s Journey Through Narcissistic Numbers, Optimal Dating Algorithms, at Least Two Kinds of Infinity, and More](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JD1LBBY/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Matt Parker
* Craig [Lumino City](http://www.luminocitygame.com/), and [how it’s made](http://youtu.be/JO6t6H19CUk)

[180: Bad Teachers, Good Advice and the Default Male](http://johnaugust.com/2015/bad-teachers-good-advice-and-the-default-male)

* John [Evernote Scannable](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/evernote-scannable/id883338188?mt=8)
* Aline [The Comeback](http://www.hbo.com/the-comeback#/) on HBO, and [Jason Hall in WGAw’s Written By](http://www.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=239550#{“issue_id”:239550,”page”:12})

[179: The Conflict Episode](http://johnaugust.com/2015/the-conflict-episode)

* John [Spoiled Brats: Stories](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I828AYK/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Simon Rich
* Craig [Sansaire](http://sansaire.com/) home sous-vide macine

[178: Doing, not thinking](http://johnaugust.com/2015/doing-not-thinking)

* John [D20 Critical Hit Mini Cake Pan](http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/1cd7/?srp=5) and [Death Star Ice Mold](http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f0b6/?srp=3) on Think Geek, and [Smarf L’Héroïque](http://shirt.woot.com/offers/Smarf%20L’H%C3%A9ro%C3%AFque?ref=cnt_ctlg_dgn_2) on Shirt.Woot
* Craig [Vitamin D3](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0032BH76O/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[177: Cutting Pages and Fixing Holes](http://johnaugust.com/2014/cutting-pages-and-fixing-holes)

* John Craig [The Year of Outrage](http://www.slate.com/articles/life/culturebox/2014/12/the_year_of_outrage_2014_everything_you_were_angry_about_on_social_media.html)

[176: Advice to a First-Time Director](http://johnaugust.com/2014/advice-to-a-first-time-director)

* John [Interesting Ball](http://vimeo.com/110808221) by [DANIELS](http://www.danieldaniel.us/)
* Craig [Skype Translator](http://www.skype.com/en/translator-preview/)

[174: Hacks, Transference and Where to Begin](http://johnaugust.com/2014/hacks-transference-and-where-to-begin)

* John [Endless Alphabet](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/endless-alphabet/id591626572?mt=8) on the iTunes Store
* Craig [Google ReCAPTCHA](http://www.wired.com/2014/12/google-one-click-recaptcha/) from Wired

[173: The Perfect Reader](http://johnaugust.com/2014/the-perfect-reader)

* John [A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night](http://www.analilyamirpour.com/#!untitled/c13ay) by Ana Lily Amirpour
* Craig [Bread Stuffing with Bacon, Apples, Sage, and Caramelized Onions](http://heatherhomemade.com/2011/11/bread-stuffing-bacon-apples-sage-caramelized-onions/) from [The New Best Recipe](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0936184744/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[172: Franz Kafka’s brother, and the perfect agent](http://johnaugust.com/2014/franz-kafkas-brother-and-the-perfect-agent)

* John [High Maintenance](http://www.helpingyoumaintain.com/), and on [Vimeo](https://vimeo.com/ondemand/highmaintenance) and [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Maintenance_(web_series))
* Craig [The Worst Line in Scriptwriting History](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIt0VY7Yg2w) from [Mortal Kombat: Annihilation](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0046F0AVE/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[171: Finishing a script, and the Perfect Studio Executive](http://johnaugust.com/2014/finishing-a-script-and-the-perfect-studio-executive)

* John [Transparent](http://www.amazon.com/Pilot-HD/dp/B00I3MNF6S) on Amazon Prime
* Craig [Heritage turkeys](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heritage_turkey) on Wikipedia, and the [Heritage Turkey Foundation](http://heritageturkeyfoundation.org)

[170: Lotteries, lightning strikes and twist endings](http://johnaugust.com/2014/lotteries-lightning-strikes-and-twist-endings)

* John [Tim and Susan Have Matching Handguns](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgrjhtbQlOQ) by Joe Callander
* Craig [Too Many Cooks](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrGrOK8oZG8) by Casper Kelly, and [his interview in Entertainment Weekly](http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/11/07/adult-swim-too-many-cooks/)

[169: Descending Into Darkness](http://johnaugust.com/2014/descending-into-darkness)

* John [Aesop’s Fables in Google Fonts](http://femmebot.github.io/google-type/)
* Craig [Family Sharing](https://www.apple.com/ios/whats-new/family-sharing/) on iOS 8

[168: Austin Forever](http://johnaugust.com/2014/austin-forever)

* John [Serial](http://serialpodcast.org/) is a new podcast from the creators of This American Life
* Susannah [Birdman](http://www.foxsearchlight.com/birdman/) is in theaters now

[167: The Tentpoles of 2019](http://johnaugust.com/2014/the-tentpoles-of-2019)

* John [Dragonbox](http://www.dragonboxapp.com/) secretly teaches algebra to your children
* Craig [Does Lockheed Martin really have a breakthrough fusion machine?](http://www.technologyreview.com/news/531836/does-lockheed-martin-really-have-a-breakthrough-fusion-machine/)

[166: Critics, Characters and Business Affairs](http://johnaugust.com/2014/critics-characters-and-business-affairs)

* John [Indie Game: The Movie](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008DGRG28/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Craig Jalopnik [on the Tesla Model S P85D](http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/will-the-tesla-model-s-p85d-be-the-best-overall-car-you-1644727868)

[165: Toxic Perfection Syndrome](http://johnaugust.com/2014/toxic-perfection-syndrome)

* John [Blade Buddy](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NIPQ0VW/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Craig [Drone delivery has begun](http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/dhl-drone-start-making-deliveries-german-island/)

[164: Guardians of the Galaxy’s Nicole Perlman](http://johnaugust.com/2014/guardians-of-the-galaxys-nicole-perlman)

* John Steven Soderbergh’s [silent, black and white Raiders of the Lost Ark](http://extension765.com/sdr/18-raiders), and Star Wars Episodes [1: Jedi Party](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSCm8yAxBr8), [2: The Friend Zone](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI8aSJBC9u0) and [3: Revenge of Middle Management](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itkl7cHcX_E) recut and re-voiced by Auralnauts
* Craig [Two-step verification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-step_verification) is the seatbelt of the digital world
* Nicole [The Science and Entertainment Exchange](http://www.scienceandentertainmentexchange.org/) connects scientists with entertainment industry professionals

[162: Luck, sequels and bus money](http://johnaugust.com/2014/luck-sequels-and-bus-money)

* John [Every Insanely Mystifying Paradox in Physics: A Complete List](http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/pickover/physics-paradoxes.html)
* Craig [Gillette Fusion ProGlide with FlexBall](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J2APFMW/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[161: A Cheap Cut of Meat Soaked in Butter](http://johnaugust.com/2014/a-cheap-cut-of-meat-soaked-in-butter)

* John [This Movie Will Require Dinosaurs](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0399167706/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by C. W. Neill, and details on the [September 15th live read](https://www.facebook.com/events/560093127430494/)
* Craig [N3TWORK](http://www.n3twork.com/) is the first personal TV network
* Aline [The Honourable Woman](http://www.sundance.tv/series/the-honorable-woman) on Sundance.tv

[160: A Screenwriter’s Guide to the End of the World](http://johnaugust.com/2014/a-screenwriters-guide-to-the-end-of-the-world)

* John [Waze](https://www.waze.com/) gets you there with real-time help
* Craig [Boxed Water](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E7J9YH0/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) is better

[159: The Mystery of the Disappearing Articles](http://johnaugust.com/2014/the-mystery-of-the-disappearing-articles)

* John Please Like Me on [ABC](http://www.abc.net.au/tv/pleaselikeme/), [Pivot](http://www.pivot.tv/shows/please-like-me), and [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/please-like-me-season-1/id671267950)
* Craig Fix that thing with [Sugru](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008MIRQUE/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[158: Putting a price on it](http://johnaugust.com/2014/putting-a-price-on-it)

* John The Anonymous Production Assistant’s Crew Call Podcast [with guest Stuart Friedel](http://www.anonymousproductionassistant.com/2014/07/31/personal-assistant-stuart-friedel/)
* Craig [Robin Williams’s obituary](http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/12/movies/robin-williams-oscar-winning-comedian-dies-at-63.html?_r=0) from The New York Times, the [National Suicide Prevention Lifeline](http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/) and [National Alliance on Mental Illness](http://www.nami.org/)

[157: Threshers, Mergers and the Top Two Boxes](http://johnaugust.com/2014/threshers-mergers-and-the-top-two-boxes)

* John [How Jesus Became God](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0061778184/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Bart D. Ehrman
* Craig [A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder](http://www.agentlemansguidebroadway.com/)

[155: Two Writers, One Script](http://johnaugust.com/2014/two-writers-one-script)

* John [What Writers Can Learn From Goodnight Moon](http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/07/19/what-writers-can-learn-from-good-night-moon/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0) by Aimee Bender
* Craig [The Total Film-Maker, by Jerry Lewis](http://cinearchive.org/post/72674722317/the-total-film-maker-jerry-lewis-book-on) on cinearchive.org

[154: Making Things Better by Making Things Worse](http://johnaugust.com/2014/making-things-better-by-making-things-worse)

* John [The Answer to the Riddle is Me](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1907595163/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by David Stuart MacLean
* Craig [In Dreams Begin Responsibilities and Other Stories](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0811206807/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Delmore Schwartz

[153: Selling without selling out](http://johnaugust.com/2014/selling-without-selling-out)

* John The Fermi paradox on [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermi_paradox), [Wait But Why](http://waitbutwhy.com/2014/05/fermi-paradox.html) and [Praxtime](http://praxtime.com/2013/11/25/sagan-syndrome-pay-heed-to-biologists-about-et/)
* Craig David Kwong at TED2014: [Two nerdy obsessions meet — and it’s magic](http://www.ted.com/talks/david_kwong_two_nerdy_obsessions_meet_and_it_s_magic)

[152: The Rocky Shoals (pages 70-90)](http://johnaugust.com/2014/the-rocky-shoals-pages-70-90)

* John [They Came Together](https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/they-came-together/id874702783) and [Mutual Friends](https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/mutual-friends/id886662265) are available now on iTunes
* Aline [Bandolier](http://www.bandolierstyle.com/) hands free crossbody iPhone accessory

[151: Secrets and Lies](http://johnaugust.com/2014/secrets-and-lies)

* John [How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594205221/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Jordan Ellenberg
* Craig [@SavedYouAClick](https://twitter.com/SavedYouAClick) on Twitter

[150: Yes, screenwriting is actually writing](http://johnaugust.com/2014/yes-screenwriting-is-actually-writing)

* John James Ward Byrkit’s [Coherence](http://coherencethemovie.com/)
* Craig [Quackwatch](http://www.quackwatch.com/) is your guide to quackery, health fraud, and intelligent decisions

[148: From Debussy to VOD](http://johnaugust.com/2014/from-debussy-to-vod)

* John Introducing [Swift](https://developer.apple.com/swift/)
* Craig [Life Is](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001I54XMC/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) from Zorba

[147: To Chase or To Spec](http://johnaugust.com/2014/to-chase-or-to-spec)

* John [A Guerilla Filmmaker’s Guide to After Effects](http://www.fxphd.com/store/fast-forward-a-guerrilla-filmmakers-guide-to-after-effects/)
* Craig [The New York Times Crossword](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-new-york-times-crossword/id307569751?mt=8) for iOS

[146: Wet Hot American Podcast](http://johnaugust.com/2014/wet-hot-american-podcast)

* John [Hopscotch](https://www.gethopscotch.com/), a coding for kids app for iOS
* Craig [Black List Live! reading of Stephany Folsom’s 1969: A Space Odyssey, or How Kubrick Learned to Stop Worrying and Land on the Moon](http://filmguide.lafilmfest.com/tixSYS/2014/xslguide/eventnote.php?notepg=1&EventNumber=9107&utm_content=buffer89d0e&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer) on June 14th, part of the LA Film Fest
* David [Voice Dream](http://www.voicedream.com/), a text to speech app for iOS

[143: Photoplays and archetypes](http://johnaugust.com/2014/photoplays-and-archetypes)

* John [WorkEZ Executive Laptop Stand](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B9HGHPU/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Craig [Sometimes You Die](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sometimes-you-die/id822701037?mt=8) for iOS

[141: Uncomfortable Ambiguity, or Nobody Wants Me at their Orgy](http://johnaugust.com/2014/uncomfortable-ambiguity-or-nobody-wants-me-at-their-orgy)

* John [Under the Skin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Under_the_Skin_(2013_film)) on Wikipedia
* Craig CarboLite [nutrition facts on MyFitnessPal](http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/calories/carbolite-frozen-yogurt-467427) and Yelp on [where to find it in Los Angeles](http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=carbolite&find_loc=Los+Angeles%2C+CA)

[140: Falling back in love with your script](http://johnaugust.com/2014/falling-back-in-love-with-your-script)

* John [Monument Valley](http://www.monumentvalleygame.com/) is available now for iOS, and soon for Android
* Craig [Nomad](http://www.hellonomad.com/), makers of Charge Key (and Charge Card)

[139: The Crossover Episode](http://johnaugust.com/2014/the-crossover-episode)

* John [Alternative Movie Posters: Film Art from the Underground](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0764345664/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Matthew Chojnacki
* Craig Fight jet lag with [Entrain](http://entrain.math.lsa.umich.edu/)
* Ben [Sex Criminals](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1607069466/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Matt Fraction

[138: The Deal with the Deal](http://johnaugust.com/2014/the-deal-with-the-deal)

* John [The Way to Go](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594204683/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Kate Ascher
* Craig Lilly Onakuramara on [the Pitch Perfect wiki](http://pitch-perfect.wikia.com/wiki/Lilly_Onakuramara), and [a YouTube compilation of some of her best moments](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdG6v7gkxm4))

[137: Draw Your Own Werewolf](http://johnaugust.com/2014/draw-your-own-werewolf)

* John [Slack](https://slack.com/)
* Craig [Caffeine](http://lightheadsw.com/caffeine/) for OSX

[136: Ghosts Laughing at Jokes](http://johnaugust.com/2014/ghosts-laughing-at-jokes)

* John [BioLite Woodburning Camp Stove](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BQHET9O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BQHET9O&linkCode=as2&tag=johnaugustcom-20) and the [BioLite KettlePot](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FYX4TW8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00FYX4TW8&linkCode=as2&tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Craig [Lost Treasures of Infocom](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lost-treasures-of-infocom/id577626745?mt=8) for iOS

[135: World-building](http://johnaugust.com/2014/world-building)

* John [Fiasco](http://www.bullypulpitgames.com/games/fiasco/) by Jason Morningstar
* Craig [Airmail](http://airmailapp.com/) for OSX

[134: So Many Questions](http://johnaugust.com/2014/so-many-questions)

* John [Floppy Music (Tainted Love)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nOMX3deeW6Q)
* Craig [Spritz for speed-reading](http://www.spritzinc.com/#)

[132: The Contract between Writers and Readers](http://johnaugust.com/2014/the-contract-between-writers-and-readers)

* John [Threes!](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/threes!/id779157948?mt=8) on the App Store
* Craig The [XStat syringe](http://www.revmedx.com/#!xstat-dressing/c2500) by RevMedx

[131: Procrastination and Pageorexia](http://johnaugust.com/2014/procrastination-and-pageorexia)

* John [The Fog Horn](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-fog-horn/id778971478?mt=8), and Ellen Page’s [coming out speech](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hlCEIUATzg) at HRC’s Time to Thrive conference
* Craig Wallace Matthews on [Derek Jeter announcing 2014 will be his final season](http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/yankees/post/_/id/68961/for-once-jeter-can-savor-the-moment), and Jeter’s career on [Baseball-Reference.com](http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jeterde01.shtml)

[130: Period Space](http://johnaugust.com/2014/period-space)

* John [One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0385351836/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by B. J. Novak
* Craig [SuperCook.com](http://supercook.com/) tells you recipes to cook with what you have on hand

[129: The One with the Guys from Final Draft](http://johnaugust.com/2014/the-one-with-the-guys-from-final-draft)

* John [Ciclavia](http://www.ciclavia.org)
* Craig [@chuckpalahniuk](https://twitter.com/chuckpalahniuk)

[127: Women and Pilots](http://johnaugust.com/2014/women-and-pilots)

* John Organize your brain with [WorkFlowy](https://workflowy.com/)
* Craig [Shakespeare](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/shakespeare/id285035416?mt=8) for iPhone and iPad
* Carolyn [The Orphan Master’s Son](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0812982622/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Adam Johnson

[126: Punching the Salty Ocean](http://johnaugust.com/2014/punching-the-salty-ocean)

* John [Debt: The First 5,000 Years](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1612191290/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by David Graeber, and [Hyperbole and a Half](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1451666179/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Allie Brosh
* Craig [Global Entry](http://www.globalentry.gov/) is worth your time

[125: Egoless Screenwriting](http://johnaugust.com/2014/egoless-screenwriting)

* John Lego [Mindstorms](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CWER3XY/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) and [Crazy Action Contraptions](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1591747694/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Craig [her](http://www.herthemovie.com/#/home) is in theaters now

[122: Young Billionaire’s Guide to Hollywood](http://johnaugust.com/2013/young-billionaires-guide-to-hollywood)

* John [Skitch](http://evernote.com/skitch/) and [Evernote](http://evernote.com/) are great together
* Craig [The Room Two](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-room-two/id667362389) is available now

[121: My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend’s Screenwriter](http://johnaugust.com/2013/my-girlfriends-boyfriends-screenwriter)

* John Download the Scriptnotes app now for [iOS](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scriptnotes/id739117984?mt=8) and [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.johnaugust.android.scriptnotes) devices
* Craig [Singtrix](http://www.singtrix.com/) home karaoke
* Mike [The Fault in Our Stars](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0525478817/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by John Green

[120: Let’s talk about coverage](http://johnaugust.com/2013/lets-talk-about-coverage)

* John [Screenflow](http://www.telestream.net/screenflow/) for Mac, and John’s video and post on [why he likes writing in Fountain](http://johnaugust.com/2013/why-i-like-writing-in-fountain)
* Craig [Writers in Treatment](http://www.writersintreatment.org/)

[119: Positive Moviegoing](http://johnaugust.com/2013/positive-moviegoing)

* John [Shady Characters: The Secret Life of Punctuation, Symbols, and Other Typographical Marks](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0393064425/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Keith Houston
* Craig [Scroobius Pip](http://scroobiuspip.co.uk/) and [You Will See Me](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OS4W3OCESY)
* Aline The [TreadDesk](http://asoft11239.accrisoft.com/treaddesk/)

[118: Time Travel with Richard Kelly](http://johnaugust.com/2013/time-travel-with-richard-kelly)

* John [Hotel Tonight](http://www.hoteltonight.com/)
* Craig [Coin](https://onlycoin.com/) for all your cards
* Richard [The Science and Entertainment Exchange](http://www.scienceandentertainmentexchange.org)

[117: Not Just Dialogue](http://johnaugust.com/2013/not-just-dialogue)

* John [Knock to Unlock](http://www.knocktounlock.com/) lets you unlock your Mac by knocking your iPhone
* Craig [Register as an organ donor](http://www.organdonor.gov/index.html) today. And [register for the Be The Match bone marrow database](http://bethematch.org/), too.

[116: Damsels in distress](http://johnaugust.com/2013/damsels-in-distress)

* John [Planet Money podcast](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/npr-planet-money-podcast/id290783428?mt=2)
* Craig [John August](http://johnaugust.com/)

[115: Back to Austin with Rian Johnson and Kelly Marcel](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-back-to-austin-with-rian-johnson-and-kelly-marcel)

* John The [Victorinox 40003 Wavy Edge Utility Knife with 4-3/4″ Blade](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I4RGG4/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Craig [Fade In](http://www.fadeinpro.com/) and [Writer Duet](https://writerduet.com/) should collaborate
* Rian [Timecrimes](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001FOPOD8/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Kelly [Letters of Note](http://www.lettersofnote.com/)

[114: Blockbusters](http://johnaugust.com/2013/blockbusters)

* John [Internet killed the Video Store: An Abandoned Industry](http://www.messynessychic.com/2012/09/06/internet-killed-the-video-store-an-abandoned-industry/)
* Craig [GTA V Mythbusters](http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVSZoKmDBr8UdW2MjaDo5uZ8ESO68Bdrk)

[113: Not Safe for Children](http://johnaugust.com/2013/not-safe-for-children)

* John [Meaty: Essays by Samantha Irby](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0988480425/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Craig [Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide monitor](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FN4EWAM/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[112: Let me give you some advice](http://johnaugust.com/2013/let-me-give-you-some-advice)

* John John’s 2011 blog post on [Blue Valentine and adoption](http://johnaugust.com/2011/dear-cindy-in-blue-valentine)
* Craig [WinesTilSoldOut](http://wtso.com/)

[111: What’s Next](http://johnaugust.com/2013/whats-next)

* John [Box](http://www.botndolly.com/box) by Bot & Dolly
* Craig Big Fish’s [Ryan Andes](http://ryanandes.com/), and [on Twitter @AndesRyan](https://twitter.com/AndesRyan)

[109: Scriptnotes Live from New York](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-live-from-new-york)

* John [Bid now](https://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/371106) for a Big Fish backstage tour with John and Andrew (and support a Los Angeles public school)
* Craig [Let us know](mailto:ask@johnaugust.com) if you’re in Vienna and willing to meet up with Craig
* Andrew [Recette](http://recettenyc.com/) restaurant

[108: Are two screens better than one?](http://johnaugust.com/2013/are-two-screens-better-than-one)

* John [Shakespeare with its original pronounciation](http://kottke.org/13/09/shakespeare-with-its-original-pronounciation)
* Craig [Tim Minchin’s Storm](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhGuXCuDb1U)

[107: Talking to actors](http://johnaugust.com/2013/talking-to-actors)

* John John and Dan Jinks on [KCRW’s The Business](http://www.kcrw.com/etc/programs/tb/tb130909john_august_and_dan_)
* Craig [Writerduet.com](https://writerduet.com/) lets you collaborate in real-time

[106: Two ENTJs walk into a bar (and fix it)](http://johnaugust.com/2013/two-entjs-walk-into-a-bar-and-fix-it)

* John [One Cool Things](http://johnaugust.com/onecoolthings) from Scriptnotes
* Craig [Slow Ass Jolene](http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2013/08/slowed-down-dolly-parton.html)

[105: Adventures in semi-colons](http://johnaugust.com/2013/adventures-in-semi-colons)

* John Matthew Butterick’s [Practical Typography](http://practicaltypography.com/)
* Craig [Gone Home](http://thefullbrightcompany.com/gonehome/), from the Fullbright Company

[104: Ender’s Game, one-hours and alt-jokes](http://johnaugust.com/2013/enders-game-one-hours-and-alt-jokes)

* John [Portlandia](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0089AJDYM/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Craig [Microsoft Sculpt](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CYX54C0/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) ergonomic keyboard

[103: Disaster Porn, and Spelling Things Out](http://johnaugust.com/2013/disaster-porn-and-spelling-things-out)

* John Use discount code SCRIPT for a deal on select [Big Fish on Broadway tickets](http://www.bigfishthemusical.com/)
* Craig David Kwong’s [crossword puzzle magic](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1VPUZDr-fY)

[102: Hits, misses and hedge funds](http://johnaugust.com/2013/hits-misses-and-hedge-funds)

* John [The Spectacular Now](http://spectacularnowmovie.com/)
* Craig [Coravin](http://www.coravin.com/) lets you enjoy your wine without ever pulling the cork

[100: Scriptnotes, the 100th episode](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-100th-episode)

* John The classic [Pilot G2](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GAOTSW/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) and the brand new erasable [Pilot Frixion](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009QYH644/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Aline [Makers: Women Who Make America](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BCV3JWW/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Rawson [Scriptnotes](http://johnaugust.com/podcast): A podcast about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters

[99: Psychotherapy for screenwriters](http://johnaugust.com/2013/psychotherapy-for-screenwriters)

* John [The Imposter](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008IG09FO/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Craig [Paper Karma](https://www.paperkarma.com/) helps you control your mailbox
* Dennis [The Secret in Their Eyes](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036TGSJE/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[98: Long movies, producer credits and price-fixing](http://johnaugust.com/2013/long-movies-producer-credits-and-price-fixing)

* John [Velib](http://en.velib.paris.fr/) bike sharing in Paris
* Craig Tesla [battery swap](http://www.teslamotors.com/batteryswap) is worth watching

[97: Is 15 the new 30?](http://johnaugust.com/2013/is-15-the-new-30)

* John [The Hero’s Journey](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZxs_jGN7Pg&feature=player_embedded) by Glove and Boots
* Craig [Popehat.com](http://www.popehat.com/) and their [posts on Prenda Law](http://www.popehat.com/tag/prenda-law/)

[95: Notes on the death of the film industry](http://johnaugust.com/2013/notes-on-the-death-of-the-film-industry)

* John [Feedbin](https://feedbin.me/): A fast, simple RSS feed reader
* Craig [Cicada Mania](http://www.cicadamania.com/) is dedicated to cicadas

[94: 10 Questions, 10 Answers](http://johnaugust.com/2013/10-questions-10-answers)

* John [Mission Log Podcast](http://www.missionlogpodcast.com/discovereddocuments/)’s archive of discovered Star Trek documents is fantastic
* Craig [Fitbit One](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0095PZHPE/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[93: Let’s talk about Nikki Finke](http://johnaugust.com/2013/lets-talk-about-nikki-finke)

* John [Kingdom Rush Frontiers](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kingdom-rush-frontiers-hd/id598581619?mt=8)
* Craig [f.lux](http://justgetflux.com/) adjusts your displays for the time of day

[91: Bechdel and Batman](http://johnaugust.com/2013/bechdel-and-batman)

* John Wikipedia’s [list of common misconceptions](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_common_misconceptions)
* Craig Esha Khare’s [twenty-second phone charger](http://in.news.yahoo.com/indian-girl-invents-device-charge-phone-20-seconds-153130999.html) (via [Ryan Conroy](https://twitter.com/RyConTiki/status/337409509569994752))

[89: Writing effective transitions](http://johnaugust.com/2013/writing-effective-transitions)

* John [Scandal Revealed episode 221](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/scandal-revealed/id566120824) featuring Matt Byrne, Chad & Dara Creasey are on [Mistresses](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D63HTX4/?tag=johnaugustcom-20), [The Hollywood Reporter Comedy Class of 2013](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/john-hamburg-dana-fox-449162)’s writeup on Dana Fox (and John Hamburg), Rawson Thurber’s [We’re the Millers](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BEIYN3M/?tag=johnaugustcom-20), and new dad [Sean Smith](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1091301/) on IMDb
* Craig The Los Angeles Times on [Studios donating film set materials to Habitat for Humanity](http://articles.latimes.com/2013/may/08/business/la-fi-ct-onlocation-habitat-20130508), and Joe Nienalt and Daniel Vang’s [will-read-your-script fundraiser](http://heartwalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1044247&supid=227801200) for the American Heart Association

[88: Ugly children and cigarettes](http://johnaugust.com/2013/ugly-children-and-cigarettes)

* John [FilmCraft Screenwriting](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0240824865/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Tim Grierson on Amazon

[87: Moving On is not Giving Up](http://johnaugust.com/2013/moving-on-is-not-giving-up)

* John [Stag’s Leap](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0375712259/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Sharon Olds
* Craig [ITER](http://www.iter.org/): The way to new energy

[86: Taking notes](http://johnaugust.com/2013/taking-notes)

* John [Internet K-Hole](http://internetkhole.blogspot.com/2013/01/dead.html?zx=87aad0c98be70c6c) (Warning: NSFW!)
* Craig [Slacker Radio](http://www.slacker.com/)

[85: Another Time and Place](http://johnaugust.com/2013/another-time-and-place)

* John [Ulysses III](http://www.ulyssesapp.com/) for Mac
* Craig That Mitchell and Webb Look [BBC Two site](http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0092s71) and [on Hulu](http://www.hulu.com/that-mitchell-and-webb-look)

[84: First sale and funny on the page](http://johnaugust.com/2013/first-sale-and-funny-on-the-page)

* John Jonas Maxwell’s [tips for singing the national anthem](http://www.jonasmaxwell.com/pages/index.cfm?pg=298)
* Craig [BioShock Infinite](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003O6E6NE/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) on Amazon.com

[83: A city born of fire](http://johnaugust.com/2013/a-city-born-of-fire)

* John Lifehacker Australia on [using multiple audio inputs and outputs in OSX](http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2012/08/how-to-use-multiple-audio-inputs-and-outputs-in-mac-os-x/)
* Craig The life-saving [Animal Specialty Group](http://www.asgvets.com/)
* Derek [Chicago City Pass](http://www.citypass.com/chicago) is worthwhile

[82: God doesn’t need addresses](http://johnaugust.com/2013/god-doesnt-need-addresses)

* John [Big Data: A Revolution That Will Transform How We Live, Work, and Think](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0544002695/?tag=johnaugustcom-20), by Viktor Mayer-Schonberger & Kenneth Cukier
* Craig The [Tesla Motors Forum](http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/forumdisplay.php/47-Tesla-Motors-Forum) and the very helpful [FlasherZ](http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/member.php/9819-FlasherZ)

[81: Veronica Mars Attacks](http://johnaugust.com/2013/veronica-mars-attacks)

* John [StageWrite for iPad](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stagewrite-for-ipad/id504168392?mt=8) at the Mac App Store
* Craig Give a loan and change a life with [Kiva](http://www.kiva.org/start)

[80: Rhythm and Blues](http://johnaugust.com/2013/rhythm-and-blues)

* John [Unfinished Scripts](https://twitter.com/UnfinishedS)
* Craig Play [EyeWire](http://eyewire.org/) and help map the brain

[79: Rigorous, structured daydreaming](http://johnaugust.com/2013/rigorous-structured-daydreaming)

* John [Waking Mars](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/waking-mars/id462397814?mt=8) for iOS
* Craig Homeland on [Amazon Instant](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008QTV3X0/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) and [Blu-ray](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LAJ17M/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[78: The Germans have a word for it](http://johnaugust.com/2013/the-germans-have-a-word-for-it)

* John [AppleTV](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007I5JT4S/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[77: We’d Like to Make an Offer](http://johnaugust.com/2013/wed-like-to-make-an-offer)

* John [Dungeon World RPG](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0988639408/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Craig [Canker sore drug helps mice lose weight without diet, exercise](http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/10/health/mice-weight-loss-drug/index.html)

[75: Villains](http://johnaugust.com/2013/villains)

* John [Gone Girl](http://www.amazon.com/dp/030758836X/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Gillian Flynn
* Craig [Easton-Bell Sports unveils pitcher’s helmet](http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22297882/27795470)

[74: Three-Hole Punchdrunk](http://johnaugust.com/2013/three-hole-punchdrunk)

* John Casting director [Pat Moran](http://www.thecredits.org/2013/01/the-queen-of-casting-meet-emmy-award-winning-baltimore-legend-pat-moran/) from The Credits

[72: People still buy movies](http://johnaugust.com/2013/people-still-buy-movies)

* John Starred changes
* Craig Tesla [Model S](http://www.teslamotors.com/models)

[71: Unless they pay you, the answer is no](http://johnaugust.com/2013/unless-they-pay-you-the-answer-is-no)

* John [Coffeescript](http://coffeescript.org)
* Craig [Poutine](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine) on Wikipedia

[69: Eggnog and Dreadlock Santa](http://johnaugust.com/2012/eggnog-and-dreadlock-santa)

* John [Karateka](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/karateka/id560927460?mt=8) for iOS, and [Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0374214913/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Craig Seth Rudetsky’s [Seth TV](http://www.sethtv.com/) and [Seth on Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seth_Rudetsky)

[67: The air duct of backstory](http://johnaugust.com/2012/the-air-duct-of-backstory)

* John [Soulver](http://www.acqualia.com/soulver/) helps you solve on iOS and OSX
* Craig [Scanadu](http://www.scanadu.com/)

[66: One-step deals, and how to read a script](http://johnaugust.com/2012/one-step-deals-and-how-to-read-a-script)

* Craig Don’s cancer blog, [Let’s Radiate Don](http://radiatedon.com/)

[65: The Next 117 Pages](http://johnaugust.com/2012/the-next-117-pages)

* John [Ticket to Ride](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ticket-to-ride/id432504470?mt=8) for iOS
* Craig [Brining](http://www.cookingforengineers.com/article/70/Brining) on Cooking for Engineers

[63: The Mystery of the Js](http://johnaugust.com/2012/mystery-of-the-j)

* John [Reach Gum Care Soft Woven Mint Floss](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003O34OL6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003O34OL6&linkCode=as2&tag=johnaugustcom-20), the best floss in the world

[62: We’re all Disney princesses now](http://johnaugust.com/2012/were-all-disney-princesses-now)

* John [Letterpress](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/letterpress-word-game/id526619424?mt=8) game for iOS
* Craig [Red Cross](https://www.redcross.org/donate/index.jsp?donateStep=2&itemId=prod10002&utm_source=Disney_DayofGiving&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=Sandy) donations to Hurricane Sandy relief

[61: Alt-universe panels](http://johnaugust.com/2012/alt-universe-panels)

* John [What If?](http://what-if.xkcd.com/) from xkcd

[60: The Black List, and a stack of scenes](http://johnaugust.com/2012/the-black-list-and-a-stack-of-scenes)

* John [screenwriting.io](http://screenwriting.io/)
* Craig [Austin Film Festival](http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/)
* Aline [The Man Repeller](http://www.manrepeller.com) blog

[59: Plot holes, and the myth of perseveraversity](http://johnaugust.com/2012/plot-holes-and-the-myth-of-perseveraversity)

* John [Kindle Paperwhite](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007OZNZG0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007OZNZG0&linkCode=as2&tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Craig [Nogales, Arizona](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nogales,_Arizona) on Wikipedia

[58: Writing your very first screenplay](http://johnaugust.com/2012/writing-your-very-first-screenplay)

* John [Moom](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/moom/id419330170?mt=12) for Mac
* Craig [The Room](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-room/id552039496?mt=8) for iOS

[57: What is a movie idea?](http://johnaugust.com/2012/what-is-a-movie-idea)

* John Jordan Mechner’s [The Last Express](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-last-express/id508049561?mt=8) for iOS

[56: Gorilla City and the Kingdom of Toads](http://johnaugust.com/2012/gorilla-city-and-the-kingdom-of-toads)

* John [NewerTech Voyager Q Quad Interface Dock](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026S7HP0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0026S7HP0&linkCode=as2&tag=johnaugustcom-20) and [WD Green 2TB hard drives](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VFJ9MK/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[55: Producers and pitching](http://johnaugust.com/2012/producers-and-pitching)

* John [Tejava](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CY0RRAK/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) iced tea

[54: Eight Reasonable Questions about Screenwriting](http://johnaugust.com/2012/eight-reasonable-questions-about-screenwriting)

* John HealthMap [Vaccine Finder](http://flushot.healthmap.org/)
* Craig [The Words](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009H3LN8Y/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[53: Action is more than just gunfights and car chases](http://johnaugust.com/2012/action)

* John [Sleepwalk With Me](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009B8YZ9Y/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[52: Grammar, guns and butter](http://johnaugust.com/2012/grammar-guns-butter)

* John [Trailer for Derek Haas’s The Right Hand](http://vimeo.com/47316693), and [the book itself](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0316198463/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Craig Gizmodo on [the simplex algorithm](http://gizmodo.com/5934150/the-algorithm-that-controls-your-life)

[51: Dashes, ellipses and underground monsters](http://johnaugust.com/2012/dashes-ellipses-and-underground-monsters)

* John [Los Angeles Public Library](http://www.lapl.org/)

[50: How to Not Be Fat](http://johnaugust.com/2012/how-to-not-be-fat)

* John [Jambox](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004E10KI8/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Craig [Big Jambox](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006AXRR3Y/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[49: Losing sleep over critics](http://johnaugust.com/2012/losing-sleep-over-critic)

* John [AquaNotes](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003W09LTQ/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Craig [Inrix](http://www.inrixtraffic.com/) traffic app

[48: Craig dreams of sushi](http://johnaugust.com/2012/craig-dreams-of-sushi)

* John [PRI’s The World in Words](http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pris-world-world-in-words/id279833390) podcast
* Craig [Jiro Dreams of Sushi](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007UW9VWO/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[47: What script should you write?](http://johnaugust.com/2012/what-script-should-you-write)

* John Google’s [Nexus 7](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DVFLJDS/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) tablet
* Craig [Joyetech 510](http://www.joyetech.com/product/510.php) and [Johnson Creek](http://www.johnsoncreeksmokejuice.com/) Smoke Juice

[46: Mistakes development executives make](http://johnaugust.com/2012/mistakes-development-executives-make)

* John [Hooktheory](http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/hooktheory/id533715898?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4) for iBooks
* Craig [Audio Essentials](http://www.srslabs.com/store/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=51)

[45: Setting, perspective and terrible numbers](http://johnaugust.com/2012/setting-perspective-and-terrible-numbers)

* John [Cambridge Ivory Wirebound Notebook](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VIVX2M/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* Craig [PB2 Peanut Butter Powder](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002GJ9JWS/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[43: Pen Names and Divine Intervention](http://johnaugust.com/2012/pen-names-and-divine-intervention)

* John [ScanCafe](http://www.scancafe.com/)
* Craig [The Baseball Codes: Beanballs, Sign Stealing, and Bench-Clearing Brawls](http://www.amazon.com/dp/030727862X/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) by Jason Turbow

[42: Verbs are what’s happening](http://johnaugust.com/2012/verbs-are-whats-happening)

* John [NYC Subway by Embark](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nyc-subway-by-embark-new-york/id450991137?mt=8), the transit app for iOS
* Craig [MacBook Pro with Retina Display](http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/)

[41: Getting to page one](http://johnaugust.com/2012/getting-to-page-one)

* John [Stencyl](http://www.stencyl.com/)
* Craig [Flight](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnVNNR6CEOE) trailer, and [on Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AFEXRME/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)

[40: Death and feedback](http://johnaugust.com/2012/death-and-feedback)

* John [UC Verde Buffalo Grass](http://ucverdebuffalograss.com/)

[39: Littlest Plot Shop](http://johnaugust.com/2012/littlest-plot-shop)

* John [Key Ring Thing](http://keyringthing.com) puts all your bar codes on one card
* Craig Joe Nienalt and Daniel Vang’s [Will-Read-Your-Script Fundraiser](http://messageboard.donedealpro.com/boards/showthread.php?t=67391) for the American Heart Association

[37: Let’s talk about dialogue](http://johnaugust.com/2012/dialogue)

* John [Ski Safari](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ski-safari/id503092422?mt=8)
* Craig [1Password](https://agilebits.com/onepassword)

[36: Writer’s block and other romantic myths](http://johnaugust.com/2012/writers-block-and-other-romantic-myths)

* John [Old Jews Telling Jokes](http://oldjewstellingjokes.com/)
* Craig [iScore](http://iscorecentral.com/baseball/)

[35: The Disney Dilemma](http://johnaugust.com/2012/the-disney-dilemma)

* John Musicnotes version of [Jar of Hearts](http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0085778&)
* Craig Craig’s first computer, the [Franklin Ace 1000](http://www.vintage-computer.com/franklin.shtml)

Scriptnotes, Ep 105: Adventures in semi-colons — Transcript

August 28, 2013 Scriptnotes Transcript

The original post for this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2013/adventures-in-semi-colons).

**John August:** Hello and welcome. My name is John August.

**Craig Mazin:** Hello! My name is Craig Mazin.

**John:** And this is Episode 105 of Scriptnotes, a podcast about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters.

Yeah, I really miss Moviefone guy.

**Craig:** Moviefone guy was awesome. He was enthusiastic about anything, didn’t matter what. “You have selected Care Bears at 9:40am.”

**John:** [laughs] I think if someone is going to a Care Bears movie at 9:40pm, it’s really troubling. That’s an example — I haven’t even thought about Moviefone, but an example of like technology replacing something. Like who would use Moviefone now?

**Craig:** Moviefone, there must be a word for technology that in and of itself was revolutionary but only occupied a very thin wedge of time before it washed away by even more revolutionary technology.

**John:** Revolutionary obsolescence. So, that tiniest little sliver of time which was very, very important. You had actually sent me a long time ago the David Fincher directed You Will commercials.

**Craig:** Nice.

**John:** Which we’ll find a link to those. They’re so amazing. So, basically this is 1993, I think. AT&T hired David Fincher to direct these commercials about like how in the future these amazing things will happen and AT&T will be the company that will provide them for you.

And the truth is AT&T didn’t really provide almost any of the stuff that they say in the commercials, but a lot of it is almost exactly right. And so like video calling, except they’re using a phone booth and it’s like, what? Or you’ll send a fax from the beach and it’s like, well, you’ll send email; that’s better than a fax.

**Craig:** Right. You’ll send a PDF.

**John:** And I love seeing a young Jenna Elfman tucking her baby into bed on the little video phone.

**Craig:** That’s right. Normally futurists get it completely wrong. In this case they were spot on.

**John:** They were spot on except that David Fincher foresaw a future in which everyone was living inside Blade Runner. And it didn’t happen quite that way.

**Craig:** No. Turns out we just don’t want that.

**John:** No. It turns out we basically want to stare at our iPhones the whole day.

**Craig:** Right.

**John:** But we’re not going to do that right now because we have a lot to talk about.

**Craig:** So much.

**John:** We’re going to do three Three Page Challenges today. But first off we need to like not bury the lead and there is going to be a New York City live show coming up.

**Craig:** Ah yeah!

**John:** There were legends and rumors about it on the last podcast, but it’s actually really happening now.

**Craig:** I’m going back home, to my hometown. We’re gonna do it!

**John:** [laughs] It’ll be Monday, September 23, at 8pm. It’s going to be at the New World Stages on 50th. It’s just amazing that it’s actually all worked out. And so I think we’re going to be selling tickets starting tomorrow. So, if you’re listening to this podcast on the day it comes out, on Tuesday, I think on that Wednesday we’ll be selling tickets.

But, if not, then Craig or I will tweet about it. And so you will see like, ooh, this is the date that they’re actually selling tickets.

**Craig:** Where could we get the tickets?

**John:** You can follow the link that will be on johnaugust.com that will take you to the right place. And so we’ll have the actual click-through code to do that. It’s a Telecharge theater, so we have to sell them through Telecharge. So, tickets are actually $10 rather than the $5 I would love them to be, which was LA, but it’s also New York, so everything is more expensive.

**Craig:** Right.

**John:** But for your $10 you’re not only getting me, and Craig, and a live show, and sort of the other surprises that come with that; you’re getting actually Andrew Lippa who is the lyricist and composer for Big Fish who I’ve been talking about on the podcast for forever. And there will be a piano there, so I think there’s going to be some singing.

**Craig:** Ahh!

**John:** I think Craig is going to have to do some singing.

**Craig:** [sings] I don’t have to.

**John:** It’s always been rumored that Craig will sing on the show and this time it’ll happen.

**Craig:** Well, just, I mean, if I’m going to be on a Broadway stage.

**John:** Yes.

**Craig:** A Broadway-ish stage.

**John:** Did I tell you what stage we’re actually going to be on?

**Craig:** You mentioned that this is the stage where people here songs like, “Everyone’s a little racist, today.”

**John:** Well, see, that’s the amazing thing. So, we’re in this theater complex that is also hosting Avenue Q, a pretty amazing show. Peter and the Starcatcher, another show I love. But, those shows actually have shows that night, so we couldn’t be on one of their stages, so we needed to find a stage that was going to be available on Monday at 8pm. And it turns out to be Gazillion Bubble Show.

**Craig:** Ooh, I don’t know the Gazillion Bubble Show.

**John:** The Gazillion Bubble Show is a popular family entertainment that is designed for people with young kids who should not be going to a show at 8pm. The people who should be going to a show at 8pm on Monday September 23 are screenwriters and people who are interested in things that screenwriters are interested in.

**Craig:** Great. I am super excited. Just so excited. I really am. I mean, it’s a big deal to see my peeps and your peeps. Hopefully given that it’s a city of 14 billion people on a small island, that people will show up.

**John:** Yeah, you’re exaggerating a little bit, but I think people will be able to come. Los Angeles we sold out in four minutes. I really don’t think we’re going to sell out in four minutes, but I would say that it would be useful to follow Craig or I on Twitter so that we can tell you if there’s something, there’s a reason to move quickly on tickets, because we just don’t know. We have no idea how many people are coming to that show.

**Craig:** If we sold out in LA in four minutes, I think it’s fair to say that we might sell out in New York in eight minutes.

**John:** I would hope that just for everyone wanting to be able to come that everyone can come who wants to come, but I do want people to be able to come who want to see it. Plus Andrew Lippa has like a bunch of people who want to see him for Broadway reasons, so that’s going to create seat competition too.

**Craig:** I would like to make one request: No weirdos.

**John:** Yeah. No weirdos.

**Craig:** Yeah, you know what I mean, I don’t mean quirky. I mean, if people just don’t like you, don’t come.

**John:** So, there won’t be a bar in our actual facility, but there will be a cash bar down the hallway. And so you can go and hang out and see people who saw Avenue Q at the same time, too. And so we’ll go down there and it’ll be fun.

**Craig:** Neat.

**John:** Like all things, it will be tighter and more packed because it’s New York City, but it should be a good time.

**Craig:** Tighter and more packed. More expensive. The usual.

**John:** Usually. Sometimes.

**Craig:** More Jewish.

**John:** Speaking of things that are small and packed full of value, those USB Scriptnotes drives — I’m desperate for segues at all points. That’s really a defining characteristic. I’m always looking for the segue to get me out of this talking competition.

**Craig:** I gave you one. I said more Jewish. There’s so many ways you could have gone with that.

**John:** How could I go from Jewish to a USB drive, Craig Mazin?

**Craig:** So, for those of you looking to save money or perhaps if you’re looking for a good deal… — Oh, you can’t do that; that’s racist.

**John:** I can’t do that.

**Craig:** But you know what? [sings] Everyone’s a little bit racist, today.

**John:** If you’re being specifically anti-Semitic, is that racist in general?

**Craig:** It is. Because, the Jewish people are both people of religion and they are also an ethnic group.

**John:** Okay.

**Craig:** Yes.

**John:** And I can’t argue with you because you’re Jewish.

**Craig:** Yeah, that’s right. Ha!

**John:** Trump card thrown.

**Craig:** Finally! It’s the upside. Uh…

**John:** So, can you hear the sirens on my side?

**Craig:** You bet. Oh, and it feels good, man. It feels good.

**John:** Yeah. I’m above a fire station here, which has usually actually not been so bad at all, except for all the tourists who want to like get their photo taken in front of the New York Fire Station. It’s like, I kind of get it, but at the same time, get out of my way.

**Craig:** Right. Well, you are officially becoming a New Yorker.

**John:** Yeah. That’s really what it has come down to is I’m annoyed by all these things. I think I may have already told this on the podcast but for someone who doesn’t live in New York, I live in New York a lot now. And I remember thinking when I was here for rehearsals this last time, “Who should I vote for for mayor?” And then I realized, oh, I don’t live here.

**Craig:** Yeah. You can’t vote.

**John:** I can’t vote. But what I will do, and can do, is tell you that the USB drives that hold the first 100 episodes of Scriptnotes, a bunch of people bought them which is fantastic and we’re so glad you bought them. They’re being made now. And they will be in the mail soon. We hope to get them out the door this coming week. I don’t know that we’re going to quite hit that date, but they’ll be coming out really soon.

And so after we said this is the cutoff and we’re not making any more of them, we really aren’t going to make any more of them, but we made enough that I think we’re going to have some left over. So, at a certain point we’ll reopen the store and sell some more of those ones, because I know that people keep joining the show late and the USB drives are a helpful way for people to catch up on 100 episodes of Craig.

**Craig:** Yeah. Of awesomeness. Sheer awesome.

**John:** Of awesomeness.

**Craig:** Pure awesome.

**John:** You had news, too. Is that correct?

**Craig:** Yeah, a little housekeeping of my own. Last podcast we were discussing the Olympics in one of our little side trips. And I mentioned that the Olympics were started in Greece, cradle of civilization. How strange then that they should be taking place in Russia where they’re strangely being uncivilized towards our LGBT — am I leaving one out? LGBT, yeah, that group.

**John:** That’s the group.

**Craig:** Friends. And Lexi Alexander, a Twitter follower of ours, pointed out in fact I was an ignoramus, [laughs] because while the games did, of course, originate in Greece, when they originated they were religious in nature. They were for men only. The men competed in the nude. And women were barred from watching. And if, in fact, they were caught watching they were put to death.

So, on the one hand, yes, Lexi is absolutely correct — my view that the Olympics were somehow borne of enlightened civilization. No, they were not. On the other hand, the Olympics are even gayer than I thought.

**John:** Yeah, they’re gayer and more horrible than you ever thought. [Crosstalk]

**Craig:** [laughs] Exactly. So, really, Russia, if you want to be true to the Olympic spirit, which was borne from nude men wrestling, I don’t know, rethink your dumb decisions.

**John:** Oh Russia.

**Craig:** Oh Russia!

**John:** But it’s not like we can even point to like this is a time where Russia was fantastic and like go back to that time. No, there have been problems kind of from the start.

**Craig:** Yeah. They’re consistently wrong about stuff. Consistently.

**John:** Yeah. I feel like the US has had some really good strong golden periods where you could point to significant flaws and sort of how some stuff was working, but the overall spirit was really good, like, “Oh, that’s a promising country.” And rarely can you say, “Wow, Russia is where I really want to be.”

**Craig:** They haven’t had their Golden Age, have they? [laughs] It’s been one awful situation after another. And vodka seems to make the pain go away.

**John:** Yeah. I think it was a Simpsons line. “Oh alcohol. The cause of and solution to most of life’s problems.”

**Craig:** “All of life’s problems.” Yeah.

**John:** All of those problems.

**Craig:** In Russia [crosstalk].

**John:** Today we have — did you have more to do business, or can we get to the Three Page Challenges?

**Craig:** Should I come up with something? Nah, whatever. Let’s do it. Let’s just go ahead and let’s do it.

**John:** Stuart did us right this week. And I thought we have interesting things to talk about.

**Craig:** We do.

**John:** So, should we start with Oblivion?

**Craig:** Why not?

**John:** Or Bury My Heart? Let’s start with Oblivion.

**Craig:** Do you want to summarize, or shall I?

**John:** I will summarize this one.

**Craig:** Very good.

**John:** This is An Oblivion Prolonged. It’s by Keith Alan Eiler. As always, we need to thank, and I feel like sometimes we don’t — this has gotten to be so routine that we’re not acknowledging and thanking people for their bravery and courage in sending in these three pages of their scripts to us.

**Craig:** Indeed.

**John:** Because that’s really kind of amazing that they’re trusting that we’re going to talk about their work on the air and hopefully get productive feedback, but also let the whole rest of the world see what they wrote. Anyway, so thank you Keith for sending this in.

So, story starts, exterior the Mars Space Station. And so this is a space station that is above the planet, but we’re actually inside a psychologist’s office. And Dr. Anderson is doing a consultation and a meeting with a guy named David Troxler, who is 40. And they’re talking about Troxler’s relationship with his wife and just other difficulties on the station. And clearly something is going not great but not terribly. They wouldn’t want to end up like Perkins.

And so Perkins is actually a guy we see running frantically down the space station hallway. We’re watching him from the security camera’s point of view. He’s dressed in pajama bottoms. Like, he’s freaking out.

We’re also meeting some other people on the space station, Jake Martell, who is watching this footage, and Perkins is talking about himself and sort of what he did in the past. “It’s weird just to be watching, seeing it all outside myself through different eyes.” It’s basically near the end of one of their rotations on the station and it’s clearly time to consider whether to re-up or not re-up. And that is about as much as we know of the situation on the station at the end of page three.

**Craig:** I detected that you were struggling a bit to summarize this. [laughs]

**John:** Yes, you did. It’s not just because I read it this morning and now we’re late at night.

**Craig:** No.

**John:** It was hard to grab onto specific memorable story details from these three pages.

**Craig:** Yeah. There was, actually all three of the Three Pages that we’re going to discuss today tied back somewhat neatly to our discussion last week about confusing the audience and finding that line between mystery and confusion. And here I think we fall pretty rapidly into confusion territory.

On the one hand I commend our author, Keith, for being ambitious here in the way he’s presenting this. And it is an interesting situation. We’re looking at a space station and then when we go inside the space station we see that there’s a therapy session going on. It reminded me a little bit of the opening scene of Blade Runner where the replicant is being interviewed and it was somewhat disturbing.

But a couple of things sort of jumped out that kept stopping me. A small thing — we don’t use “pre-lap” generally in feature films. We use “off-screen” usually.

**John:** I use pre-lap all the time.

**Craig:** Oh, you say pre-lap? It’s the first time I’ve seen it in a script, but that’s fine. Then it’s a choice. It’s no big deal.

Dr. Anderson, I mean, and the descriptions of things are interesting and well written. I thought the dialogue was interesting. But I couldn’t quite follow what was going on here in this discussion. It seems that Troxler is having issues with his wife, Ellen. He refers to the Kepler problem, which Dr. Anderson doesn’t understand, nor did I.

**John:** Yeah.

**Craig:** Dr. Anderson is uncomfortable. I’m not sure why. He brings it back to a discussion of the wife. Troxler, “a smirk briefly plays on Troxler’s lips, then fades.” Not sure why. And then Dr. Anderson starts talking about a conversation that he’s had with Troxler’s wife, which also sort of surprised me because generally therapists don’t do that.

Bu then Troxler sort of laughs at the thought that she’s starting to lose it. And now Dr. Anderson is comfortable and now all the weirdness has gone away. I’m not sure why. And then they refer to Perkins. When we go to Perkins, what we’re seeing actually is a video of Perkins freaking out. And then we reveal that he’s in a sick bay room with Jake Martell, possibly a doctor, I’m not sure, or an assistant or so forth. And he’s watching this video with Perkins and Perkins is talking about, “I guess I won’t be joining you out there.

He says, “I bet it turns out to be a latchup with that five series.” I just don’t know what’s happening or what’s going on.

So, by the end of page three I was confused both by the circumstances, I was confused by some of the in jokes that I think I was supposed to get but didn’t. And I was confused mostly about the emotional state of a bunch of these people. So, I’m not sure what to think.

I mean, it could be that by page four through eight everything clicks in and I get it. But, I don’t know, what about you.

**John:** So, yes, clearly I share a lot of your concern that I had a hard time knowing what was going on. And our mutual friend, Rawson Thurber, he has this term which I trot out every once and awhile, is “obscurity for death,” which is like I don’t understand what’s happening and sometimes I worry that this writer is using our confusion as sort of like a smokescreen so we think that more is happening than is really happening.

Some basics, some fundamental things I was confused about, which is just from a writing perspective: how big is this space station? If you’re going to show us an exterior of the spaces station, give us a sense of size and scale because after these three pages I don’t know if there’s 100 people on the station or 1,000 or ten. And so I have a very limited sense of what this is.

I’m thinking it’s a pretty big space station if they have a separate psychologist’s office. And if someone has like — one of them has like a living room. So, it’s like, well, if you’re big enough to have — or Troxler has a dining room. If you’re in a station that is big enough that you actually have a dining room, like not a dining hall, but a private dining room, that’s a pretty big thing.

I didn’t have a good sense of what kind of world I was in. And that was frustrating to me.

All that said, this guy could be Shane Carruth. This guy could be a guy who makes Primer or Upstream Color, both of which are like really hard to follow at the start, but are actually genius.

**Craig:** Right.

**John:** And so I want to fully acknowledge that this could be just terrific and it’s just very hard to follow in this Three Page little sample.

Looking at some specific things on the page, though. First off, Craig is right, and pre-lap is not the right word for Troxler on page one. Pre-lap is if a person is going to start talking before the cut, and it’s sort of important that they’re talking before the cut. But that would mean that he would have to be the first person talking after the cut, and that’s not happening here. So, it’s really off-screen is what you’d want there.

**Craig:** Yeah.

**John:** “EXT. MARS SPACE STATION — SPACE.” Eh, we’re in space twice. To me, I say you can get rid of the day and night kind of thing when you’re in space. You’re in space.

Let’s look at the very first sentence: “We see a faintly lit space station over the desolate surface of Mars.” Well, here’s a case where we don’t need “we see.” It’s just, “A faintly lit space station over the desolate surface of Mars.” We need no subject. We need no verb. Just give us that fragment because that’s what we need. It’s just sort of the noun phrase explaining what this is.

**Craig:** And also say “The faintly lit.” It’s a small thing, but if you’ve established that Mars Space Station exists in the slug line, then I would go to “the.”

**John:** Yeah, “the.” Or, you might just give us space and then reveal. Like, why don’t you be a little bit more cinematic in that very first moment of like how you’re showing what this is? And give us a sense of the size, because right now I don’t know what I’m looking at. And that’s frustrating for the reader who is starting this thing.

**Craig:** Right.

**John:** We may title this episode Adventures in Semi-Colons, because semi-colons prop up as a problem here.

**Craig:** Yeah, I noticed this.

**John:** The same first paragraph. “Round and round, never stopping; providing artificial gravity to its inhabitants.” Okay, a semi-colon is almost never the right choice. They’re a very powerful tool but they’re almost never kind of the right thing you want to use, especially in screenwriting.

First off, it’s not even the right grammatical form here because that should be an independent phrase after the semi-colon.

**Craig:** Two independent clauses. The second somehow commenting on the first.

**John:** Yes. That’s not happening here.

**Craig:** No.

**John:** A comma would work here.

**Craig:** Or a dash, or an ellipses.

**John:** Yes. Or, most cases where I’ve seen people try to join thoughts together with a semi-colon, a period would have been a much better friend. Screenwriting is about short sentences. So, keep those sentences short.

We’re inside the psychologist’s office. “This is a practical square room with tile carpeting, plain walls, and an airtight hatch for an entrance.” That’s D&D description. That’s very much like, you know, you’ve entered into a 40 foot by 40 foot room with a pit on the far side. It’s not painting the world in a special way. And so this is not a terrific way to start a block.

**Craig:** I agree. But, I’ll also qualify the criticism a little bit by saying this may be the style of this movie. In other words, this movie may be a kind of very antiseptic, cold sort of thing.

If you notice — Keith, I assume this is intentional. I hope it is, otherwise I’m angry — Keith is constantly commenting on the colors of things.

So, I just wonder if this is part of the vibe. Because everyone seems sort of oddly Valiumed and even the descriptions of the rooms are Valiumed. So, maybe that’s part of the style of it. But, I agree, and unfortunately it makes for a very challenging first three pages.

**John:** It does. And I haven’t read the script for Moon. I really liked the movie Moon. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the very first pages of Moon kind of felt like this, because it’s just like people plotting through a normal routine.

**Craig:** Right.

**John:** But then again you have to be able to get people to read page four. And so there’s always that issue. I agree with you on the Kepler problem. It’s really a challenge when you’re starting off a movie by referring to someone who is not even on screen and like are we supposed to get it, are we not supposed to get it? Now I’m confused. Should I be looking back ahead to see if I’ve missed something? That’s a frustration is when you’re referring to something we have no idea of what you’re actually taking about. And then when the character is in the world, or ambiguous about how they’re responding to it, it’s not going to be your best friend.

On a general character sense, I have a hard time believing this doctor/patient relationship. Now, maybe it actually all makes sense. Maybe there’s a really good reason why these things are this way. And later on in the film I will understand what was actually happening, but in the moment I saw it I didn’t believe it. And so much of screenwriting is maintaining the reader’s trust. And that being confident in the writer’s ability to get me to the next point. Like my placing my faith in you is merited and when I don’t believe this thing that seems like it’s a psychologist/patient relationship, then I’m a little suspicious as I go onto the next page, and the next page.

**Craig:** Yeah. This is a tough one. It may be mumblecore in space. And it may be awesome, like you said. These are challenging pages. They’re challenging to the reader. That’s not always a bad thing, but I would say I guess to Keith hopefully that was your intention. Because if it wasn’t, then we have a problem. If it was, well, you’re there. And then you understand that you’ve made your bed a certain way and you’re going to lie in it. And some people are going to be into it and some people are just going to check out and it’s not going to be for them.

But as long as this is what you intended, I would have to say you’ve achieved it.

**John:** Yeah. One thing I actually really liked, on page three, was I really Perkins’ line, “I bet it turns out to be latchup with that five series.” That’s the kind of, like, it’s something that’s out there in the world I sort of believe that they’re talking about. It’s when characters talk about football and I don’t really know what they’re talking about, but I believe they know what they’re talking about. So, like “latchup” is a strange word, but I believe it’s a word that exists in their world.

I’d much rather have that kind of, like I don’t know what they’re talking about, because I believe they know what they’re talking about, than referencing some character who is not there and I need to start thinking about them.

**Craig:** You know, it’s funny. I know what you mean, but I didn’t like it here because it felt a little precious, it felt a little forced. Look at me, I’m using lingo that they don’t understand, especially because even what he was saying, to me this was the part where the dialogue got a little chunky. “Guess I won’t be joining you out there tonight, Jake.”

That’s just not a very good line.

**John:** No, it’s not.

**Craig:** And then, “I bet it turns out to be…” Why are you saying what you bet it turns out to be? You’re not joining him out there. You’re upset. You just watched yourself freaking out. It seemed like a weird moment to do that. But, you know, then again, this is… — Clearly there’s a very specific tone here and this is one of those areas where I don’t want to criticize something because I might not like the movie, because other people might love it.

This isn’t a question of the writing that much. It’s just the tone. So, I do know that the “dining room/kitchen area is basic white, but with pale red, blue and yellow accents to give it some color.” That better be intentional. Keith, just let us know that the color thing is something you’re doing on purpose.

**John:** Yeah. I would hope so.

**Craig:** I mean, different colored jumpsuits and everything has a color.

**John:** Aren’t you always — I think I’m just now by default suspicious of anything set in a space/science-fiction thing that’s all going to be some kind of weird dream. This is called An Oblivion Prolonged, but then I saw Oblivion and it’s like I went through that whole movie like, okay, well I’m going to figure out what the twist of this is because there’s clearly a twist, and clearly people are like not talking about something they should be talking about.

I think we need to do something about that. I feel like we need to stop making that movie or figure out a way to get around that.

**Craig:** Moratorium on scary nightmarish space stations. Well, I mean, it’s a good analogy for alienation and existential dread.

**John:** And the police state, I guess, too.

**Craig:** Yeah.

**John:** The sense of constant surveillance.

**Craig:** Yeah. Hell is other people. I mean, yeah, there’s something useful about it, but you’re right, we have seen it and it can verge on pretentious occasionally, hurtling over the line into full pretentiousness. But hopefully this works out.

**John:** Cool. Let’s do Bury My Heart next.

**Craig:** Bury My Heart, written by Minhal Baig. I’m hoping I’m pronouncing that right. Minhal Baig.

**John:** That’s how I would do it.

**Craig:** Okay. Fantastic. So, we open, we’re inside a hotel room. Someone is changing their clothes inside, but we just hear that, and we’re looking at stacks of cash piled inside of an open briefcase as well as a gun and bullets. Then we move away from there. Now we’re outside of a strip club at the same time. A black Mercedes is parked across the street from the strip club as its closing up and the performers are leaving.

Inside the car we meet Max in his 40s. He’s a stoic type. And he’s looking in his rearview mirror, watching women passing by. And here comes Rachel, 20s, texting. She sees the car, stops, and then keeps moving. And then a different girl, also in 20s, a little sloppy and drunk perhaps, leans over the open passenger window and basically sort of propositions Max.

He asks her to get in the car. She sits down. He gives her a black duffle bag. She opens it up and it is full of cash. $50,000 to be precise. She wants to know what’s the catch, why is he giving her this money. He takes out a gun, puts her hands around it, puts the gun against his chest, and essentially is asking her to kill him. She’s scared, leaves, and he seems upset about that.

And this is Bury My Heart. Minhal Baig.

**John:** Bury My Heart. So, let’s talk about — before we get into the specifics of the writing, let’s talk about if this were the first three minutes of a movie, that’s interesting. I mean, I’m curious what his deal is. I didn’t necessarily believe how it happened here, but I think that provocative act of like trying to get a stranger to kill you in the start of your movie is interesting.

So, I think it’s an interesting way to start a story. Is it the right way to start your story? Who knows. But I thought it was an interesting way to start the story.

**Craig:** Right.

**John:** I had a hard time reading these three pages and sort of getting the through thread of what was important, what was not important. And I think the specific words on the page were not helping Minhal to create this provocative image. Because I got confused a lot and had to sort of keep backtracking to make sure I was actually following what I was supposed to be following.

**Craig:** Yeah.

**John:** Let’s dig in on that. Right from the very start. We’re in a hotel room. “An empty bedroom, but clearly lived-in. The light from the bathroom streams in.” So, if you’re in a hotel room, are you in a bedroom? Well, it’s a bedroom if there’s a separate sort of room, but then it’s a more fancy thing. Like weirdly bedroom right in the first sentence through me. Because you think of a bedroom being in a house or a bigger place, but it’s just an empty room if we’re in a hotel room.

Or just be in hotel room and then we don’t have to say anything more in that first sentence.

**Craig:** Right.

**John:** The second block stopped me, too. “There is the sound of someone changing their clothes inside.” We’re in the bathroom. “There is the sound of someone changing their clothes inside.” I don’t know what that sounds like.

**Craig:** I don’t know what it sounds like, either. I’m not sure, inside what? Inside the bathroom?

**John:** Inside the bathroom. “The light from the bathroom streams in. There is the sound of someone changing their clothes inside.” But it didn’t —

**Craig:** No. We could hear zippers. We can hear, maybe, you know, or shuffling around, the sound of somebody shuffling around in the bathroom.

**John:** Then we go to “EXT. STRIP CLUB — SAME.” But is it really the same? I think it’s actually meant to be later that night. I think it’s meant to be that same night.

**Craig:** Well, that’s the thing. I was already really super confused because I’m not sure why we even watched this bedroom — not bedroom — hotel room scene.

**John:** Yup. Well, I don’t know either because, so, in this bedroom we see stacks of cash piled inside an open briefcase.

**Craig:** But, no, but it’s not. Because he gives her a duffle bag later. I actually went back to check. It seems like there are two things of cash. So, already I’m just puzzled. And not in a good way.

**John:** Not in a fascinated way.

**Craig:** Right. Grumpy.

**John:** As we get to the strip club, “As the club closes up, its PERFORMERS file out and AD-LIB good-byes to each other. The bouncers lock up.” Well that’s just under-written. First off, the performers, like performers — I had to think, like, oh, we’re at a strip club, so it’s not like Cirque du Soleil. If they’re strippers then say their strippers, or dancers. Performers felt like a weird word for that.

I think asking for ad-libs in the second block of stuff is not ideal. And so if it’s meant to be small chat, whatever, but just don’t say the word ad-lib because I feel like —

**Craig:** I’ve never written “ad-lib” in 18 years.

**John:** Yeah. I think ad-lib is not your friend. It’s certainly not your friend on page one.

**Craig:** No.

**John:** So, some line from somebody. Like just let us know who is important. Or, if nobody is important just let them file out and don’t sort of give them non-words to say right there.

**Craig:** Yeah.

**John:** “MAX, 40s, having mastered cold, emotionless reservation, sits at the wheel.” I don’t know what reservation is. If it’s meant to give us a sense that I guess he’s reserved, but reserved isn’t really reservation. They’re not really the same word.

**Craig:** And, also, he’s mastered it? I don’t even know what that means. Meaning that — we’ll never know that. I guess the point is you can just as easily say, “Max, 40, sits at the wheel, grim, or flat affect, or cold, distant.” But I just hate this sort of like, oh, here’s a backstory that we haven’t earned.

**John:** I mean, just like he’s Ryan Gosling in Drive, but older. I’m of the school that I’m fine cheating a line of description on an important character the first time we meet them because it — someone who’s watching a movie gets to see an actual real person there and gets to make their generalizations about them through that. Because we don’t have an actual person in front of us, I’m okay cheating a line of dialogue that gives you a little bit more than you could actually see or hear. I’m fine with that.

But this didn’t do it for me.

And, the next block we have our adventure in semi-colon there. “From his rearview mirror, he sees a few DRUNKEN WOMEN pass by; one talks loudly on her phone, another walks in a helpless zigzag on the sidewalk.” That semi-colon should be a period. There’s no reason to — the second clause is not commenting on the first clause. They’re separate thoughts.

**Craig:** Also, we’re writing movies, so we don’t say things like, “from his rearview mirror he sees…” We say, “In the rearview mirror, drunken women pass by. Max eyes them.” Or, “Max checks his rearview mirror. In the mirror…” Make it visual. Let’s not get prosy about this sort of thing.

Also, I should also add, shooting things in a rearview mirror is annoying. It’s not just annoying to shoot, because you’re now spending time lining up extras to hit a mirror reflection, it’s also annoying for the audience because a rearview mirror is tiny. A lot of times they’ll take the rearview mirror out of the car anyway because when they’re shooting through the front they don’t want a rearview mirror in front of people’s faces. So, just be aware of that, also. Imagine this in your mind and imagine an audience watching it.

**John:** Yeah. The bigger challenge we have sort of in this page is like Minhal needs is INT/EXT Car, because basically we’re moving back and forth from perspective of being inside the car and watching what’s outside the car. You can make the argument like once we’re inside the car we stay inside the car, once we’re outside the car we stay outside the car. I think INT/EXT Car would be more helpful for him, where he’s actually split the scene header. You describe we’re going to be moving freely back and forth inside and outside the car, especially because on page two someone comes up to the window.

And right now he has it as “INT. CAR — CONTINUOUS.” But really that girl has come up to the car and is outside the car. That is your friend is INT/EXT Car.

**Craig:** Right. He jumps to “EXT. CAR — CONTINUOUS.”

**John:** Yeah.

**Craig:** I can’t let you go past, “RACHEL, 20s, fresh-faced, sharp and prurient.”

**John:** I circled prurient, too.

**Craig:** Prurient is the wrong word, sir. You do not mean prurient.

**John:** What do you think he meant? Do you think he meant prudent?

**Craig:** I do not know. I know that he didn’t mean prurient because that’s impossible based on what she’s — so prurient means sort of sexually licentious.

**John:** And I don’t think of a person being prurient.

**Craig:** No. It’s an attitude.

**John:** Thoughts being prurient thoughts.

**Craig:** Right. Prurient attitude, prurient thoughts, prurient display. But she’s texting on her phone. There’s nothing prurient about it. I just think he doesn’t know —

**John:** [laughs] You don’t know what she’s texting. She’s texting some really dirty stuff on her phone.

**Craig:** It’s not the right word. It can’t possibly be the right word. Again, all this happening in the rearview mirror.

And, of course, Rachel — who is called out in all caps, so she’s somebody that we’re supposed to care about — just is texting, stops, she’s caught like a dear in the headlights, but he’s looking at her in the rearview mirror so she’s behind the car.

Really, just I’m so confused.

**John:** She’s caught in the taillights, Craig.

**Craig:** [laughs] She’s caught in the taillights, I just… — And then she moves on, so I guess she, what does that even mean? Why? What is she caught by? She’s just behind a car. There’s nothing to catch her attention at all.

**John:** Yeah. So, I get what Minhal is going for here, it’s just it’s hard to follow on the page. Essentially, like, so she recognizes that car, she recognizes who must be in that car, and goes the other way. But that’s not what we actually got on the paper here. And that’s not good.

**Craig:** No. And we need to shift to her perspective for that. We’re not going to see that from his perspective of her. We need to see her approaching the car, see something off with it, stop —

**John:** Stops. React.

**Craig:** And then move away in fear.

**John:** And you know what would really help us know that Rachel is an important character is if she said something to anybody in these first couple of paragraphs.

**Craig:** Yes.

**John:** Because she clearly just left this club, so let her say something to somebody so we actually establish like, oh, she’s an important character who has a voice and is not like all the other people who are here. But then it’s frustrating because the one who actually is doing the work in this next scene is just called “Girl.”

**Craig:** Girl.

**John:** And it’s like, but she has lines? And so really if a character has more than two lines they should never just be generic. They should never be girl.

**Craig:** Yeah.

**John:** For many reasons. First, like for reader’s clarity, this is an important enough character that this person should have a name. But also think about casting this person. Like, “Oh, I’m going up for Girl.” It’s like, well that sounds like you’re an extra, but no, you actually need someone who can act in this moment because it’s going to be a weird thing where like this guy is giving you money to kill him.

This isn’t an extra. This isn’t somebody you’re spending a week trying to cast. And you’re not going to find the right person by trying to go after Girl.

**Craig:** And my impression was that she’s a prostitute and she’s getting into a car with a man because she presumes he’s out there looking for a hooker. They have a sort of interesting chitchat.

**John:** I agree.

**Craig:** Although she seems a little oblivious to the fact that he’s creep, which generally isn’t — hookers are sort of good at noticing creepy.

**John:** Good radar.

**Craig:** Yeah, because they deal with this sort of thing all the time.

**John:** But, not this girl because she is “full of youthful sloppiness.”

**Craig:** Ah-ha.

**John:** That’s her line of description.

**Craig:** By the way, all kidding aside, Minhal might have intended that she’s not a hooker and that in fact she’s just a girl who is sort of interested in this guy in a car. But I have no reason to believe that. I mean, he’s in his 40s and she’s in her 20s and it’s night outside of a strip club and he’s alone, grimly, in a car.

So, one way or another this stuff isn’t matching up, and I’m not sure which is intended.

**John:** Yeah. So, what you’re referring to on page two, which is actually my favorite part of the whole thing, is she’s looking at the empty passenger seat and she says, “That taken?” He unlocks the door for her in reply. She opens the door and sits down next to him.

Great. That was an interesting way to get her into the car. And so I liked that moment. I wished the whole thing had moments like that because that would be awesome.

And I didn’t buy, on page three, I liked it up until the point where there’s the gun. “He takes out his gun and clasps her hands around it.” And she says, “Gunplay, huh? I like that.”

**Craig:** No she doesn’t. She’s scared out of her mind. First of all —

**John:** Who would say that?

**Craig:** Before he pulls out the gun, where a normal person would start peeing, he puts a bag on her lap. And her, “What’s this?” That’s all. This is a weird guy you’ve never met and he’s put a black duffel bag on your lap and her response is, “What’s this?”

**John:** You were expecting that there would be a head inside, weren’t you? Weren’t you expecting body parts inside?

**Craig:** Well, no matter what I’m expecting, I don’t think the girl would say anything at all. I think she would be puzzled. And I think then Max would say, “It’s yours. Open it.” And now she would be concerned. But maybe I should open it because I’m scared, and she opens it, and there’s all this money. And I don’t think she would say, “Jesus Christ, there must be like,” I mean, she’s like, “Good golly gee.”

No, I don’t think she’s going to say anything here. This is an example of a scene where you really have to think about the notion of who’s in charge of the scene, who’s driving it, who has power, who is afraid, who is not. Because this is potentially good stuff here, but she’s just yapping away throughout the whole thing here.

And then when she finally gets to “Gunplay, huh? I like that,” we’re like, well, this is not a human.

**John:** Yeah. So, let’s envision together the scene I kind of think that Minhal set out to write, which could be actually really kind of cool. And I think that would actually start with there’s a guy parked outside a strip club, women are coming out, at the end of the night they’re doing their normal stuff. Probably a little chitchat between them in a way that’s actually meaningful so we have some sense of who they are, a little bit of the reality of the world.

One woman knows not to go to that car and goes the other way, but another girl who we’ve established a little bit before she got to the car does go to the car. And in that car something like this scene happens where this guy puts the gun to his chest and basically wants to die.

**Craig:** Yeah. If I were doing a quick rewrite I would actually not start with the car at all. I would start with the strip club, it’s closing, and strippers are coming out. And I would give them little bits of bye-bye dialogue. And I would be following Rachel, who is the person we’re supposed to care about. And I would have her walking and texting. And then I would have her stop and notice the back of a car parked there on its own. And then something about that, she turns and walks the other way, a little frightened.

Then, I would show another girl, one of the other girls who is chitchatting or smoking or something, seeing that car, and sort of walking over to it curiously. And that’s when we would meet Max.

**John:** Yeah. I agree with you. I think it’s a much better way. Because your characters are taking you to the source of danger and you’re not splitting your focus. You’re focusing on one thing and letting that thing that you’re focusing on carry you to the next thing.

**Craig:** Right. And it’s just also a way for, when we have — let’s rename girl. Let’s call her —

**John:** Veronica.

**Craig:** Veronica. Veronica, by seeing the car, and seeing the man, and making a choice to walk over, tells me a ton about Veronica. Before she ever opens her mouth I know that she’s smart, calculating, a hooker, making a decision about a guy, could probably use the money, weighing things and, “Eh, screw it, let’s do it.” But, this is a business transaction for her. The other way is just some girl I don’t know who goes, “Hey Mister. What you doing out here?” [laughs] Well who the hell are you? And why?

So, multiple issues here for Minhal. But, you’re right, the story bones here are promising. So, I think Minhal, man or woman, not sure, either way, Minhal, you have a good idea here for how to open a movie, which is a man propositioning a hooker not for sex but to kill him. And that’s an interesting mystery to start with, why, and all the rest of it.

Not so sure that the plan is very well thought through. I’m not sure what hooker would actually go along with it. But that aside, the issues that we have really are issues of structuring and introduction and revelation and staging.

**John:** I agree.

Let’s go onto our third one for today which is from Brie Williams. We don’t have a title but we know it’s from Brie Williams. So, Brie Williams, thank you for sending it through.

I’ll synopsize here.

We start exterior of Tolly’s BBQ Drive-Thru. And there’s a big plastic pig and a car is there to place an order apparently. And the woman’s voice inside says, “Two rapes and a murder.” And the drive-thru speaker person is confused. “Can you repeat?” “And grand theft auto.”

And then we actually come around to see that Claiborne is the person inside. It says, “BUNNY CLAIBORNE (40s), dark flyaway curls and a white button-down shirt.” And she’s on a car speaker phone. So, she’s talking about two rapes and a murder. She’s not trying to order two rapes and a murder. She’s talking about a grand theft auto charge and talking stuff down. Making some jokes. And then she finally orders a small rib bucket.

In the car she’s actually gotten the BBQ, she’s gotten it on her shirt, she’s gotten it on her bra. She’s like taking the shirt off as she’s going through apparently to work, which is at the exterior of the Harris County Criminal Courthouse where we find her. Establishing shots where we get then to a voiceover which is really truly a pre-lap, where she talks through the defense of her client.

And she makes the point that this guy is clearly squirmy and not a guy you’d want to have around, but just not being the kind of guy you want to have around doesn’t make — is not a reason to send someone to the death house.

Leaving that Claiborne has conversations with a guy named Lonnie, the armed guard, about his wife and her skin disease. And that’s the end of our three pages.

Craig, what did you think?

**Craig:** Well, this was trying to be interesting and it was trying to be funny and I’m afraid I wasn’t very interested and I didn’t laugh.

Now, I want to talk about some of the mistakes that I think happened sort of tonally and some structural mistakes, because I have no idea where this is going to go, but not a big fan here.

Some issues right off the top. I had a real, real problem with the first page, just figuring out what the hell was going on. And once I understood what was going on, it would still be very difficult to actually execute. The idea is that we’re opening on the drive-thru window speaker and we’re hearing Claiborne and then in parenthesis underneath, (OS — from inside car), which is a no-no, “Two rapes and a murder.” And the drive-thru speaker says, “Excuse me? Two apple pies?”

That was, I felt good at that moment. [laughs] I thought, okay, that’s actually quite clever. I like where this is so far. And then it went kind of downhill because then we go inside the car, we meet Bunny Claiborne, the drive-thru speaker is inside her car now saying, “Could you repeat?” Then a phone voice says, “And grand theft auto.” And I’m like, wait, oh, and now she’s on the phone. She’s having a discussion with this guy on the phone.

Her discussion, her character is revealed in this little paragraph, and I’m going to read it: “Oh please, the grand theft charge is bullshit. He moved the car to transport the body. It’s not like he killed her for the car. I mean, have you seen the car? (laughing),” on the same line. “It’s a fucking Dodge Dart.”

Now, am I supposed to hate her? [laughs] Because I hate her now. I find this to be false bravado. It’s very put-offish. And so I’m finding her icky. And also, frankly, the staging of this, again, doesn’t work because people don’t do this.

If they pull up to a window they put the person on hold. They say, “Hold on one sec.” Blah, blah, blah, and a blah, blah, blah, and then they go back to their conversation. They don’t keep talking while the drive-thru speaker guy is talking. It just doesn’t work. I didn’t buy it.

Now we’re heading down, we’re in her car, we do a bit of physical business where she’s unbuttoning her shirt because it’s got BBQ stains on it. She’s swerving around. Okay, so she’s a bit of a mess, I get it. And then we get to the courthouse and over an exterior shot establishing the courtyard plaza of Harris County we have this endless pre-lap.

**John:** Yeah.

**Craig:** Generally speaking, you get a sentence in. This has three sentences, the second of which is quite long. So, you have an eight-line long dialogue brick that is meant to be read off-screen.

And then we go inside and we have her delivering the rest of this speech, which frankly I didn’t find very good. I wasn’t — I thought she was making a point that wasn’t particularly sharp. And what was concerning to me was that clearly the movie means for us to believe that this is a sharp, smart argument that she’s making. But all she’s really saying is, “He’s a squiggly guy, but it’s your job to look at the evidence.” You’ll see that everything the prosecution has presented doesn’t amount to capital murder, it amounts to Zacharia Lee is a bad guy.

Now, but surely they presented something else. [laughs] It couldn’t just be that. This is not a great defense she’s mounting. And then people laugh at her line, “Being squiggly.” It just seems like everybody is kind of broad and goofy here. And we finish with this conversation where we spend half of our precious page three chitchatting with Lonnie the armed guard, even though she’s walking on her out, they have this eight-line long exchange that doesn’t particularly go anywhere.

And we do have a — you will point out the completely incorrect semi-colon on the third line as well, but I just couldn’t get a handle on this. What about you?

**John:** Craig, I don’t know how many Three Page Challenges we’ve done — maybe 60 do you think?

**Craig:** A lot, yeah.

**John:** A lot. I’ve never heard you be more wrong about three pages.

**Craig:** [laughs]

**John:** In the entire history of our podcast. If this were a video podcast people would see me being dumbfounded at your responses.

**Craig:** Really? Exciting!

**John:** Yes. I thought these were incredibly promising pages. And so all the technical things you pointed out are actually true. And so parentheticals don’t belong within the block of things. And parentheticals with character names belong up on the line with the character name. Those are simple, basic things that Brie should know and embrace and it will take her five minutes to internalize and she’ll never make those mistakes again.

I thought the first bit was funny. Not like hilariously funny, but here’s what it was: It was funny in exactly the kind of way of like a Kyra Sedgwick TBS show kind of way, where she’s like a tough Texas defense attorney who has a messed up personal life. And I thought for what that was, and I got what that vibe was, I thought it was actually a pretty good job. And so the squiggly thing that you thought was terrible, I actually marked, I wrote in my little erasable pen I wrote, “Terrific. I really liked it.” Except I scratched that “Scattered LAUGHTER in the courtroom,” because it’s not true and it shouldn’t be there.

**Craig:** Right.

**John:** Because it’s not there. It should be cut.

And, I agree with you, again, about sort of, this felt like a walking into the courtroom conversation rather than a walking out of the courtroom conversation. Because if you’re leaving a building you’re not going to have a long conversation with somebody.

**Craig:** No.

**John:** But if you’re going through security and have to like put your stuff through the bag stuff.

**Craig:** Right. You’re slowly dealing with the nonsense of putting your crap through the thing.

**John:** Then four-eighths of a page on that I totally believe if its helping establish what this is. I thought like here’s the dialogue in this:

CLAIBORNE

How’s the wife, Lonnie?

LONNIE

Got the shingles.

CLAIBORNE

Sorry to hear it.

LONNIE

Skin’s all scaly-like.

CLAIBORNE

Tell her to feel better for me, all right?

LONNIE

You ever seen a gila monster? That’s kinda what it’s like.

CLAIBORNE

No, I never have.

Claiborne gives a wave of her hand and pushes out...

I get what she’s going for there. It’s just like that guy who’s like over-engaging, over-sharing information. This feels like it’s a comedy/drama designed for TNT. That’s what I was getting out of this, or an adaptation of one of those detective novels that I would never read.

**Craig:** Okay. [laughs] I…

**John:** You disagree?

**Craig:** I do.

**John:** Which is fine.

**Craig:** I’m sorry. And, l mean, listen Brie, the good news is that you got one of us here for sure. I get sent things like this a lot. There is something off about the way the character is being presented. It doesn’t — it feels a little forced. It feels a little fakey somehow. There is a fake brassiness to it.

I mean, I could see Melissa McCarthy playing Claiborne, but not like this. Yeah…

**John:** Yeah. I think this is like Erin Brockovich as a defense kind of attorney, or that kind of idea. And that’s a reasonable idea. It’s not going to be to Craig Mazin’s taste. But, I thought —

**Craig:** Which we all know is horrendous. [laughs]. I mean, look, yeah, I don’t know. The technical issues that I have, that you have as well, and those are all technical issues, really my issue is I just didn’t like it. And that’s not really, I mean, in the end that’s not why we do these. So, I have to say, Brie, not everybody will like it. Or maybe just I won’t. [laughs] No.

**John:** Because here’s the thing: I bet if we read the rest of this script, and I’m really curious now at this point whether it’s designed as a one-hour or designed as a feature, because I could see either way out of these three pages what’s going to happen here. But my hunch is that if it’s all this quality and actually has a story with a structure, if she can really tell a tale with this character, not just like have this character enter into situations, I suspect it will interesting. Doesn’t mean that it gets made, but it has some kind of voice to it which was nice.

**Craig:** Yeah, I agree with you. There is a clear voice here and I actually think that this could be — I could like this, actually.

**John:** Also, my hunch is given the obvious technical mistakes here that Brie may be new to screenwriting and may be learning sort of how it all works.

**Craig:** And also to be fair to Brie, I sort of write things like this, vaguely like this, so sometimes I think — we rarely get this kind of sort of R-rated character-driven comedy kind of thing for Three Pages, so I may just be harder on it because —

**John:** It’s in your ballpark.

**Craig:** Maybe because I’m hard on myself, so when I read things and I go, okay, well, there’s no way that she would be having this discussion while the drive-thru speaker guy was there. That’s psychotic. Nobody does that. So, then I’m just grumpy about that and I’m not really paying attention to the fact that actually you could probably fix that very, very easily.

**John:** Yeah. And I think when I was listening to your critiques I was like, well yes, but those are really easy things to fix. And so it doesn’t mean that they’re not actual problems, because you’re not wrong about sort of these technical things, but they were in no way the deal killers that they were for me that they were for you.

**Craig:** Yeah, it may be that I just get fussier about this kind of screenplay stuff.

**John:** I get it.

**Craig:** Sorry Brie.

**John:** I hope Brie knows that one of us loves her.

**Craig:** I do. [laughs] Yeah. I do.

**John:** [laughs] It is time for One Cool Things. I’ll start.

This is a book that’s structured as a website. So, you can either look at it as like an e-book or you can look at it as just a website that you go to. Regardless, I think it’s worth literally almost everybody going to.

It’s called Practical Typography. It is by this guy named Matthew Butterick who is a typeface designer. And this website/book advertises itself as typography in ten minutes. Basically if you just read this little page, it will take you ten minutes to read, you will do a much better job than 90 percent of people who work with type because it has very simple guidelines for like do this, don’t do that, really straight forward things about like this is how long a line of text should be. And if it’s going to be longer than this it’s going to be very hard to read, which is absolutely true, and so much of what we do in print and on the web would be improved if everyone just followed some of these guidelines.

So, it is a simple website that you can go to, click right through, and follow the links. And I think everyone will benefit from it.

**Craig:** Neat.

**John:** Neat.

**Craig:** My One Cool Thing this week was a recommendation from one of our Twitter followers and it’s a game called Gone Home. It’s by an independent game company called the Fullbright Company, I believe, and not only is it a good game, and it’s available for — it’s not a mobile game. It’s for PC or for Mac. And I think it costs $20.

And it’s a game that you could probably play in two or three hours. Theoretically you could blow throw it in an hour if you want. Very simple set up. You are a girl who is coming home from a trip overseas to your family’s new home that they just moved into and no one is there.

And you start to move through the house and it is creepy and scary, but I will tell you the following things without spoiling anything. It’s never what you think it’s about until sort of two-thirds of the way when you realize what it’s about. There is no shooting. It is a discovery. The game is a discovery. And it’s beautifully done. Beautifully done.

And it struck me when I finished playing it that for the first time I thought to myself there could be a real future in this as just a genre. The genre of a story, like an episode of television, or a movie that you walk through and discover as a game.

Because we’ve always struggled with the notion of interactive movies, or interactive entertainment because it’s authorial. We’re presenting a story to a passive audience. And I believe that. And similarly games struggle with it, sort of famously BioShock, the existence of BioShock is to provide a commentary on how you who play games think you’re engaging in an interactive narrative. You’re really on rails being forced to do what the game demands you to do.

What this really surprised me with was its ability to just let you, in your own way, experience a story. Let you walk around and find it and uncover it like a detective, almost like if you’d imagine piecing together… — And, you know, naturally it’s contained in a house. But, I thought, you know, I could see people actually making movies like this where you walk through the movie on your own.

And so I was very inspired by it. I thought it was really well done. And if you have twenty bucks lying around and feel like trying this game out, please do. It’s called Gone Home and we’ll throw a link on for you.

**John:** Fantastic. Now, Craig, while you’re in New York City for the live Scriptnotes taping, have you already seen Sleep No More?

**Craig:** Last time I was in New York I tried to go see Sleep No More and it was sold out, so I’ve made — I’ve got to figure out what night I’m going to go, what night I’m free when I’m there and jump on tickets early, because, yes, it’s life-changing from everyone’s review.

**John:** Your description of Gone Home really reminds me of Sleep No More in the sense that you are just wandering through a space and you can sort of construct the story that you want to construct based on what you discover. And you can open books, and read things, and piece together what’s really, well, maybe what’s really going on. These scenes will just sort of like drift through and you can see them. I think you will dig it.

**Craig:** Awesome. Yeah. I’m going to go for sure.

**John:** Great. So, recaps and reminders for this episode. There will be a live Scriptnotes on September 23 at 8pm here in New York. Tickets will be going on sale probably tomorrow. We’re positing this on Tuesday, so they should be up for sale on Wednesday. But follow me, I’m @johnaugust on Twitter, or Craig, who is @clmazin on Twitter, and if there are differences or new details we will tell you about them on that.

If you have a question that you would like us to address on the show, you can write to ask@johnaugust.com and Stuart will filter it appropriately. If you have a Three Page Challenge of your own that you would like to submit there are instructions for how to file a Three Page Challenge. Go to johnaugust.com/threepage, all spelled out, and you’ll see the instructions there. There is boilerplate language we ask you to put on there so you will not sue us and not be angry if we don’t get to your submission, or don’t like your submission, or whatever.

But, that’s it, I think. Craig, thank you for another fun podcast.

**Craig:** Thank you. See you next time.

**John:** All right, bye.

**Craig:** Bye.

LINKS:

* David Fincher’s 1993 AT&T [You Will ads](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TZb0avfQme8), and on [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Will)
* Follow [@johnaugust](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) and [@clmazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) for Live from New York details
* [Andrew Lippa](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Lippa) on Wikipedia
* Screenwriting.io on [pre-laps](http://screenwriting.io/what-is-a-pre-lap/)
* The Oatmeal on [semicolons](http://theoatmeal.com/comics/semicolon)
* Three Pages by [Keith Alan Eiler](http://johnaugust.com/Assets/KeithAlanEiler.pdf)
* Three Pages by [Minhal Baig](http://johnaugust.com/Assets/MinhalBaig.pdf)
* Three Pages by [Brie Williams](http://johnaugust.com/Assets/BrieWilliams.pdf)
* Matthew Butterick’s [Practical Typography](http://practicaltypography.com/)
* [Gone Home](http://thefullbrightcompany.com/gonehome/), from the Fullbright Company
* [Sleep No More](http://sleepnomorenyc.com/)
* Outro by Scriptnotes listener Stephen Moore

Adventures in semi-colons

August 27, 2013 Scriptnotes, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed

John and Craig tackle three new entries in the Three Page Challenge, ranging from space drama to killer hookers to brassy defense attorneys. Along the way, they find some awkward scene description and a few misused semi-colons.

The live NYC Scriptnotes show, the one Craig and John said might happen? It will happen: September 23rd at 8pm at New World Stages on 50th. They’ll be joined by John’s Big Fish collaborator, Andrew Lippa. Ticket info will be available soon, so keep checking back in.

LINKS:

* David Fincher’s 1993 AT&T [You Will ads](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TZb0avfQme8), and on [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Will)
* Follow [@johnaugust](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) and [@clmazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) for Live from New York details
* [Andrew Lippa](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Lippa) on Wikipedia
* Screenwriting.io on [pre-laps](http://screenwriting.io/what-is-a-pre-lap/)
* The Oatmeal on [semicolons](http://theoatmeal.com/comics/semicolon)
* Three Pages by [Keith Alan Eiler](http://johnaugust.com/Assets/KeithAlanEiler.pdf)
* Three Pages by [Minhal Baig](http://johnaugust.com/Assets/MinhalBaig.pdf)
* Three Pages by [Brie Williams](http://johnaugust.com/Assets/BrieWilliams.pdf)
* Matthew Butterick’s [Practical Typography](http://practicaltypography.com/)
* [Gone Home](http://thefullbrightcompany.com/gonehome/), from the Fullbright Company
* [Sleep No More](http://sleepnomorenyc.com/)
* Outro by Scriptnotes listener Stephen Moore

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_105.m4a) | [mp3](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_105.mp3).

**UPDATE** 8-28-13: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-ep-105-adventures-in-semi-colons-transcript).

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