Scriptnotes Podcast

John August and Craig Mazin
  • 4.8 (2.3K)
  • TV & FILM
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Scriptnotes Podcast

Screenwriters John August and Craig Mazin discuss screenwriting and related topics in the film and television industry, everything from getting stuff written to the vagaries of copyright and work-for-hire law.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    271 - Buckling Down (Encore)

    John and Craig are on opposite sides of the world this week, so they’re revisiting an episode from 2016 to look at the many psychological barriers facing writers tackling big projects, and offer practical strategies for actually getting the work done. They also discuss the then-upcoming election (same as it ever was), and answer a listener question about how autism spectrum disorder might impact a screenwriting career. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Drew reflect on what’s changed in the eight years since this episode last aired, and then like all conversations in 2024, they just start talking about Moo Deng. Links: Episode 271: Buckling Down – Transcript Inevitable Foundation Forest, Snowstorm and Howling Wind ambiance tracks Julia Roberts To Star In Feature Film About PTA Mom Framed For Drug Possession by Nellie Andreeva for Deadline Here’s How to Finish That F*ing Book, You Monster by Chuck Wendig Wikitravel The Writers Guild Foundation Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription! Craig Mazin on Threads and Instagram John August on Threads, Instagram, Twitter and Mastodon Outro by Pedro Aguilera (send us yours!) This episode was originally produced by Godwin Jabangwe. Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here.

    1h 2m

  2. SEP 24

    659 - Big Money Movies with Marielle Heller

    John welcomes back Marielle Heller (Can You Ever Forgive Me?, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood) to look at three stories of real people with too much money and ask, How Would This Be a Movie? Stories include strategies for dating Leonardo DiCaprio, the rise-fall-rise of inventor Palmer Luckey, and a council built to give away a fortune. We also go feral over Marielle’s new movie Nightbitch, as she shares the joys of adapting something that feels personal and her tricks to directing dogs and children. But first, we take a look at a new study on which movies studios are developing, and share exciting news for those joining us at the Austin Film Festival. In our bonus segment for premium members, Marielle and John remember the terror, nerves and euphoria of premiering your movie at film festivals. Links: Nightbitch | Official Trailer Marielle Heller Highland Pro Austin launch party – sign up here! MacGruber on Peacock Hollywood’s 10 Percent Problem by Matt Belloni at Puck Dating a Celebrity – Thread by bo.predko American Vulcan by Jeremy Stern for Tablet How to Give Away a Fortune by Joshua Yaffa for The New Yorker You Get to Be Fulfilled Now by Teresa Jusino Bird Milk & Mosquito Bones by Priyanka Mattoo Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription! Craig Mazin on Threads and Instagram John August on Threads, Instagram, Twitter and Mastodon Outro by Spencer Lackey (send us yours!) Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here.

    54 min

  3. SEP 17

    99 - Psychotherapy for Screenwriters (Encore)

    John and Craig revisit their legendary conversation with screenwriter-turned-psychotherapist Dennis Palumbo to discuss writer’s block, procrastination, partnerships and more. It’s a can’t-miss episode for aspiring writers and professionals alike. In our bonus segment for premium members, we travel back to episode 425 where John and Craig debate when to practice self care or tough love, and how to evaluate when each of them are helpful. Links: Dennis Palumbo Written by Magazine Dennis’s books on Goodreads Impostor Syndrome on Wikipedia The Imposter Paper Karma helps you control your mailbox The Secret in Their Eyes Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription! Craig Mazin on Threads and Instagram John August on Threads, Instagram, Twitter and Mastodon Outro by Stuart Friedel (send us yours!) This episode was originally produced by Stuart Friedel. Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here. The original transcript for this episode can be found here.

    1h 0m

  4. SEP 10

    658 - Advice Show

    John and Craig open the mailbag to answer a swath of listener questions that make Craig’s blood boil. They offer insights and umbrage on when you can turn down projects early in your career, picking the right day job, maintaining visibility when you’re taken off a project, the next steps after a successful short, when NDA’s are necessary, and how to credit unpublished source material. We also say goodbye to green envelopes as we celebrate the arrival of direct deposit residuals, and follow up on AI training and GitHub for screenplays. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig abandon their superciliousness look at the English words they kind of know but are too chicken to actually ever use. Links: Move Over Green Envelopes, WGA Rolls Out Direct Deposits For Residuals by Peter White for Deadline WGA Screen Credits Manual CDC Recommends Updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines for Fall/Winter Virus Season Hide posts on Threads Baldur’s Gate 3 Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription! Craig Mazin on Threads and Instagram John August on Threads, Instagram, Twitter and Mastodon Outro by Nick Moore (send us yours!) Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here.

    59 min

  5. SEP 3

    657 - Deadpool with Ryan Reynolds

    John and Craig welcome back Ryan Reynolds for an in-depth look at his creative process bringing the character of Deadpool to the screen. As co-writer, producer and star of the Deadpool franchise, Ryan leads us through his first introduction to the character, the rough journey getting to greenlight, and the challenges presented by an often-faceless protagonist. Along the way, they talk tone and dialogue, collaboration and rule-breaking, respect and irreverence, and the importance of listening to the movie. Ryan also has some writing questions for John and Craig. In our bonus segment for premium members, we look at Ryan’s flair for marketing and the creative freedom he’s found in advertising. Links: Ryan Reynolds on Instagram, TikTok and X Deadpool & Wolverine He’s So Annoying by Jesse David Fox for Vulture Buster Keaton – The Art of the Gag by Every Frame a Painting TCM – Turner Classic Movies Ryan Reynolds Guest Programmer | TCM via YouTube How The Onion is saving itself from the digital media death spiral by Nilay Patel for The Verge Vancouver, BC Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription! Craig Mazin on Threads and Instagram John August on Threads, Instagram, Twitter and Mastodon Outro by Tim Englehard (send us yours!) Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here.

    1h 18m

  6. AUG 27

    656 - Halogencore

    John welcomes journalist/screenwriter Max Read to look at the emerging sub-genre “halogencore” – stories of corporate malfeasance that are less about uncovering corruption as they are about characters learning to ignore it. They look at the evolution of the sub-genre, how these movies function, and why it’s important to define genres at all. We also explore the current state of independent journalism and freelance writing, and follow up on Hallmark movies and playwrights turned screenwriters. The new Highland (including support for iOS) is now in beta — Sign up in the link below! In our bonus segment for premium members, does it feel like time has sped up this summer? Like, even more than usual? John and Max slow it down and find the silver linings of an accelerated world. Links: Beta test the new Highland – sign up here! Max Read’s newsletter READ MAX Shiva Baby and Good Luck to You, Leo Grande How many Hallmark Christmas movies are there?! by Stephen Follows The Read Max ‘Halogencore’ Guide Max Read’s Halogencore list on Letterboxd Where Are You Now? by Sara Schaefer Billy Strings – Dust in a Baggie In Ascension by Martin MacInnes Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription! Craig Mazin on Threads and Instagram John August on Threads, Instagram, Twitter and Mastodon Outro by Tim Brown (send us yours!) Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here.

    56 min

  7. AUG 20

    655 - Conflict and Stakes Compendium

    In this compendium episode, John and Craig look at two of the most fundamental building blocks of compelling stories – conflict and stakes. We define six forms of conflict common in movies, and explore ways to sustain conflict within a scene and throughout a story. We also look for ways to find the root of your character’s stakes, pick the right stakes for the world around them, and the importance of making everything personal. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig look at Whiplash and how it finds conflict at the perfect tempo. Links: John’s Video Game Job Posting Episode 179 – The Conflict Episode Episode 402 – How Do You Like Your Stakes? Snowpiercer – Left or Right by Every Frame a Painting on YouTube Star Trek: The Next Generation In 40 Hours by Max Temkin Harris’ or Harris’s? Apostrophe row divides grammar nerds from The Guardian The Heights Deli & Bottle Shop Cheerios Veggie Blends Special K Zero Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription! Craig Mazin on Threads and Instagram John August on Threads, Instagram, Twitter and Mastodon Outro by Tim Brown (send us yours!) Segments originally produced by Stuart Friedel and Megana Rao. Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here.

    1h 3m

  8. AUG 13

    654 - How to Watch Bad Movies

    John and Craig stand waist-deep in rotten tomatoes and ask, what can we learn from bad movies? Resisting the urge to walk out, they explore ways to evaluate a movie’s problems, interrogate your taste, and turn a real stinker into an opportunity to grow as a writer. We also follow up on Lifetime movies, colored pages and AI screenwriting, and answer listener questions on weirdo characters and the validity of a ghostwriter. In our bonus segment for premium members, when is it okay to bail on something you no longer enjoy? We look at when to bounce on books, friendships and more. Links: WGAW Good and Welfare Emergency Assistance Loans AI Screenwriter job posting Pageant of the Masters Pageant of the Masters Brings Art to Life from the Wall Street Journal on YouTube Arrested Development – The Living Classics Severance on Apple TV+ Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription! Craig Mazin on Threads and Instagram John August on Threads, Instagram, Twitter and Mastodon Outro by Pascui Rivas (send us yours!) Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here.

    54 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
2,334 Ratings

About

Screenwriters John August and Craig Mazin discuss screenwriting and related topics in the film and television industry, everything from getting stuff written to the vagaries of copyright and work-for-hire law.

Information

  • Creator
    John August and Craig Mazin
  • Years Active
    2011 - 2024
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020
  • Show Website
    Scriptnotes Podcast

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