John August

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Firing a manager, and trying new software

Episode - 7

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Scriptnotes, Software, Transcribed

John and Craig answer a listener’s question about whether (and how) to ditch an ineffective manager, then discuss daily work habits, hardware and software.

Other topics include Lion’s reversed scrolling, stalking strangers on Google, and why there will likely never be a Final Draft Pro.

If you’re enjoying the podcast, you might consider giving us a [hefty number of stars](http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/scriptnotes-podcast/id462495496) over on iTunes. I suspect most subscribers are coming to us through johnaugust.com, but a few more reader testimonials on iTunes might convince a few more potential listeners to tune in.

If you have a question you’d like me and Craig to tackle, [drop us an email](http://johnaugust.com/ask-a-question).

Links:

* [Final Draft](http://www.finaldraft.com/)
* [Movie Magic Screenwriter](http://www.screenplay.com/p-29-movie-magic-screenwriter-6.aspx)
* [Scrivener](http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php)
* [Fade In](http://www.fadeinpro.com/)
* Intro: [Dark Castle intro](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCkbp4wurW0)
* Outro: [Veronica Maggio – Mitt Hjärta Blöder](http://itunes.apple.com/se/album/satan-i-gatan-bonus-version/id432085361)

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_07.m4a).

UPDATE 10-19-11: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2011/scriptnotes-ep-7-firing-a-manager-and-trying-new-software-transcript).

How kids become screenwriters

Scriptnotes, Television, Transcribed

John and Craig look at the new fall shows and how little kids become screenwriters, with discussion of D&D, Malcolm Gladwell and daisy-wheel printers.

For this installment, I wanted to focus on how people become screenwriters. Not “how to” — there are countless terrible books on that. Rather, what is it that calls people to such an atypical career, one that you can’t necessarily practice as a child or learn all at once in college?

Links:

* ABC’s [Once Upon a Time](http://abc.go.com/shows/once-upon-a-time)
* NBC’s [Grimm](http://www.nbc.com/grimm/)
* CW’s [Ringer](http://www.cwtv.com/shows/ringer) and its non-credible [boat scene](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAmIOPW_1Ow)
* Fox’s [New Girl](http://www.fox.com/new-girl/)
* [Dungeons and Dragons, 4th Edition](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editions_of_Dungeons_%26_Dragons#Dungeons_.26_Dragons_4th_edition)
* John Rogers’s great [D&D comics](https://shop.idwpublishing.com/dungeons-and-dragons-1-5-subscription.html)
* The [Marvel Super Heroes RPG](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Super_Heroes_(role-playing_game))
* [Daisy wheel printers](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisy_wheel_printer)
* Intro: [NBC Fall Promo, 1980](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-00NHiBMXL0)
* Outro: [Russian Unicorn](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjaZNYSt7o0) by BLS

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_06.m4a).

UPDATE 10-11-11: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2011/scriptnotes-ep-6-how-kids-become-screenwriters-transcript).

WGA, copyright and musicals

Scriptnotes, Transcribed, WGA

In episode five of Scriptnotes, Craig and I dive deep into the esoterica of the WGA, copyright and separated rights as prelude to a discussion of two ongoing lawsuits: Jessica Bendinger vs. the Bring It On musical and Harlan Ellison vs. In Time.

Most installments of the podcast are very back-and-forth, but this is a case where Craig simply knows a lot more than I do, and can explain it better, so I shut up and let Professor Mazin do the talking.

The truth is, most screenwriters never need to worry about the vagaries of copyright and labor law that make our professions possible — the same way cinematographers don’t need to know the exact chemical formulations of developing baths, and gaffers don’t worry about the overall power grid for Southern California.

But it’s still good to be *aware* of the issues affecting your part of the industry, because small disruptions can ultimately have big consequences. In particular, I’m worried that a string of copyright-infringement cases could lead to situations analogous to the patent warfare happening in technology.

Links:

* [WGA election results](http://www.wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=4730)
* [Facts about the flu shot](http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm)
* [Jessica Bendinger and Bring It On](http://articles.latimes.com/2011/sep/16/entertainment/la-et-bring-it-on-flap-20110916) (LA Times)
* [Harlan Ellison and In Time](http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/09/harlan-ellison-in-time-law-suit-harlequin.html)
* [Harlan Ellison’s filed complaint](http://www.scribd.com/doc/65128834/Kilimanjaro-Corp-v-New-Regency) on Scribd
* Intro: [Opening titles to Voyagers](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2rz7bMeDTA)
* Outro: [If You’ve Got the Money I’ve Got the Time](http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/if-youve-got-money-ive-got/id193890268?i=193891011) as performed by Willie Nelson (on iTunes)

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_05.m4a).

UPDATE 9-28-11: The transcript of this episode can be found [here](http://johnaugust.com/2011/scriptnotes-ep-5-wga-copyright-and-musicals-transcript).

Working with directors

Directors, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

In episode four of Scriptnotes, Craig and I discuss migraines, kidney stones and zombie apocalypse preparations before we segue to the main topic: how screenwriters work with directors, from the first meeting to on-set etiquette to giving notes in post.

Screenwriters and directors often come at a project from different directions. The writer is trying to explain the movie he’s already written; the director is trying to explore the movie he’s planning to make.

By understanding what a director wants and needs, you stand the best chance of getting your movie on screen in a way that satisfies both of you.

Links:

You can download the episode here: AAC.

UPDATE 9-24-11: The transcript of this episode can be found here.