Scriptnotes Podcast

In this compendium episode, John and Craig set their focus on directors — and how to work with them as a screenwriter. They look at the inner-workings of the writer-director relationship, etiquette on set, how to communicate notes from pre-production through post, and outline the qualities of the “perfect” director. We also offer advice to a first time director, looking at how to prep a project, how to run a set, working with actors, and how to inspire a crew to make the best movie possible. In our bonus segment for premium members, Drew joins John back in 2025 for advice about casting, and what to do when actors pass on your project. Links: * Episode 4 – Working with directors [https://johnaugust.com/2011/working-with-directors] * Episode 176 – Advice to a First-Time Director [https://johnaugust.com/2014/advice-to-a-first-time-director] * Scrappy [https://pontus.granstrom.me/scrappy/] * HyperCard [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HyperCard] * Mount Wilson Observatory [https://www.mtwilson.edu/] * John’s shorts God [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d314AWqNeM] and The Remnants [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQFv0Le2DyI] * Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! [https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast] * Check out the Inneresting Newsletter [https://blog.quoteunquoteapps.com/] * Become a Scriptnotes Premium member [https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/], or gift a subscription [https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts] * Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@ScriptnotesPodcast] * Craig Mazin on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/clmazin/] * John August on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/johnaugust.bsky.social] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en] * Outro [http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros] by Nick Moore (send us yours! [http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed]) * Segments produced by Stuart Friedel [https://stustustu.com/]. Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt [https://www.drewmarquardt.com/] and edited by Matthew Chilelli [https://www.matthewchilelli.com/]. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here [http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/696standard.mp3].

John and Craig welcome back Scott Frank (The Queen’s Gambit, Dept. Q) to offer their best advice to film students and the people who teach them. They look at ways to improve how we educate writers, and offer advice to an aspiring development executive. We also look at the intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivations of characters in Scott’s new series, Dept. Q, follow up on the decline of sex in movies, and ask, what genres of movies should people see at least one of? In our bonus segment for premium members, John, Craig and Scott take a broader view of education in America to see what they’ve learned and what they would change. Links: * Dept. Q [https://www.netflix.com/title/81487660] on Netflix * Scott Frank [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Frank] * Scott’s last time on Scriptnotes, Episode 476: The Other Senses [https://johnaugust.com/2020/the-other-senses] * Everyone Is Beautiful And No One Is Horny [https://bloodknife.com/everyone-beautiful-no-one-horny/] by RS Benedict for Blood Knife * Scriptnotes 639: Intrinsic Motivation [https://johnaugust.com/2024/intrinsic-motivation] * Antimemetics: Why Some Ideas Resist Spreading [https://darkforest.metalabel.com/antimemetics?variantId=1] by Nadia Asparouhova * Elmore Leonard’s Perfect Pitch [https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/07/07/elmore-leonards-perfect-pitch] by Anthony Lane for The New Yorker * Richard Price’s Street Life [https://www.newyorker.com/culture/persons-of-interest/richard-prices-street-life] by Kevin Lozano for The New Yorker * McDonald’s AI Hiring Bot Exposed Millions of Applicants’ Data to Hackers Who Tried the Password ‘123456’ [https://www.wired.com/story/mcdonalds-ai-hiring-chat-bot-paradoxai/] by Andy Greenberg for Wired * Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! [https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast] * Check out the Inneresting Newsletter [https://blog.quoteunquoteapps.com/] * Become a Scriptnotes Premium member [https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/], or gift a subscription [https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts] * Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@ScriptnotesPodcast] * Craig Mazin on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/clmazin/] * John August on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/johnaugust.bsky.social] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en] * Outro [http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros] by Nico Mansy (send us yours! [http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed]) * Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt [https://www.drewmarquardt.com/] and edited by Matthew Chilelli [https://www.matthewchilelli.com/]. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here [http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/695standard.mp3].

John welcomes back Dan Gregor and Doug Mand (Chip n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers, Pretty Smart) to ask, how do you revive a dead genre? Using their upcoming movie The Naked Gun, they look at why the spoof genre fell apart, the challenges of introducing it to a new generation, and why turning genre tropes into jokes will always resonate with an audience. We also look at other genres they don’t make anymore, follow up on Dogma 25, and answer listener questions on complicated rewrites and whether or not to hire a publicist. In our bonus segment for premium members, John, Doug and Dan look at the movies that Gen Z hasn’t seen (and whether they even need to). Links: * The Naked Gun [https://youtu.be/uLguU7WLreA] in theaters August 1st! * Dan Gregor [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2287168/] and Doug Mand [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3096061/] * Doug and Dan’s last time on the show, Episode 548: Made for Streamers [https://johnaugust.com/2022/movies-for-streamers] * Bottoms [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17527468/] and Dicks: The Musical [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7130916/] * Melodramas: Now, Voyager [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035140/], It Ends with Us [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10655524/], Spencer [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12536294/] * Sexual thrillers: Body Heat [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082089/], Jagged Edge [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089360/], (Bonus: Altered States [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080360/], Dead Ringers [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094964/]) * You Must Remember Thins: Erotic 80s [https://www.youmustrememberthispodcast.com/episodes/2022/7/11/erotic-80s-archive] * Lonesome Dove [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/256008.Lonesome_Dove] by Larry McMurtry * Adult Romantic Dramas: The English Patient [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116209/], Out of Africa [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089755/], Past Lives [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13238346/], Materialists [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30253473/] * Mid-Budget Adventure Films: Romancing the Stone [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088011/], The Lost City [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13320622/] * John’s Aladdin residuals [https://johnaugust.com/2021/feature-residuals-and-the-mystery-of-svod] * Breakthrough cholesterol treatment can cut levels by 69% after one dose [https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/new-cholesterol-treatment-could-be-revolutionary-verve] by Hatty Willmoth for BBC Science Focus * One dose of experimental drug nearly wipes out stealthy cholesterol in ‘remarkable’ trial [https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/one-dose-experimental-drug-nearly-wipes-stealthy-cholesterol-remarkabl-rcna198014] by Erika Edwards for NBC News * The Pentagon Disinformation That Fueled America’s UFO Mythology [https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/ufo-us-disinformation-45376f7e?reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink] by Joel Schectman and Aruna Viswanatha for WSJ * Calvin Kang on Ingstagram [https://www.instagram.com/cooklikeimbook/] * Weekend Read 2 [https://quoteunquoteapps.com/weekendread/] * Top movies that Gen Z have never watched revealed – including Oscar-winning classics [https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/32122187/top-movies-that-gen-z-have-never-watched/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] from The Sun UK * Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! [https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast] * Check out the Inneresting Newsletter [https://blog.quoteunquoteapps.com/] * Become a Scriptnotes Premium member [https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/], or gift a subscription [https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts] * Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@ScriptnotesPodcast] * Craig Mazin on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/clmazin/] * John August on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/johnaugust.bsky.social] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en] * Outro [http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros] by Ryan Gerberding (send us yours! [http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed]) * Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt [https://www.drewmarquardt.com/] and edited by Matthew Chilelli [https://www.matthewchilelli.com/]. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here [http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/694standard.mp3].

John and Craig plant the idea for setups that have the most satisfying payoffs. Different from exposition, setups introduce ideas and concepts to an audience, priming them for a later revelation. They look at the sleight of hand required to have your setups deftly planted, take root in your audience’s mind, and grow into something delightful. But first, we look at the new California tax credits, the 2025 WGA annual report, follow up on AI and VFX, postmodernism, and verticals. We also answer listener questions on music videos and outing yourself to potential employers. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig look at the New York Times’ new list of the 100 best movies of the 21st century. We all know Craig loves pitting movies against each other, so there’s definitely no umbrage here. Links: * The Best Movies of the 21st Century [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/movies/best-movies-21st-century.html] by NY Times * California lawmakers approve expanded $750-million film tax credit program [https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2025-06-27/california-lawmakers-approve-increased-funds-for-film-and-tv-production-incentives] by Samantha Masunaga for LA Times * WGA Annual Report [https://secure.wga.org/admin/api/connectedapps.cms.extensions/asset?id=23fc5131-fd82-46d4-ab0b-4ea4b066a538&languageId=1033] – employment and earnings [https://johnaugust.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/wga2025_a.png], residuals [https://johnaugust.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/WGA2025_b.png] * Michael Graves [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Graves] * How ReelShort CEO Joey Jia Used a Chinese Trend to Disrupt the U.S. Entertainment Industry [https://time.com/7173765/reelshort-crazy-maple-studio-joey-jia-interview/] by Chad De Guzman for Time Magazine * Sundance Labs [https://www.sundance.org/apply/] * Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSugSGCC12I] * DJ Snake, Lil Jon – Turn Down for What [https://youtu.be/HMUDVMiITOU?si=H7ij0Nt0FVQUtuVn] * Madonna – Vogue [https://youtu.be/GuJQSAiODqI?si=dFDmtofj54lPTrnk] * a-ha – Take On Me [https://youtu.be/djV11Xbc914?si=CMNE8u5usJR4_YOX] * Riz Ahmed – The Long Goodbye [https://youtu.be/Lzz50xENH4g?si=APUvb83vs46Rh78E] * Phil Collins – Don’t Lose My Number [https://youtu.be/B7Z-eUmR2bM?si=jILosB1FY2GAhk7k] * 30 minutes with a stranger [https://pudding.cool/2025/06/hello-stranger/] by Alvin Chang for The Pudding * Chris Perkins [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Perkins_(game_designer)] * Mike Birbiglia’s top ten movies of the 21st century [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/movies/votes-movies-21st-century.html?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email#mike-birbiglia] * Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! [https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast] * Check out the Inneresting Newsletter [https://blog.quoteunquoteapps.com/] * Become a Scriptnotes Premium member [https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/], or gift a subscription [https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts] * Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@ScriptnotesPodcast] * Craig Mazin on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/clmazin/] * John August on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/johnaugust.bsky.social] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en] * Outro [http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros] by Spencer Lackey (send us yours! [http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed]) * Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt [https://www.drewmarquardt.com/] and edited by Matthew Chilelli [https://www.matthewchilelli.com/]. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here [http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/693standard.mp3].

In this craft compendium, John and Craig take a look at everything you need to make your bad guys compelling, memorable, and the perfect antagonist for your story. Using some favorite villains as examples, they look at the importance of understanding their motivations and offer seven tips for making a villain unforgettable. We also take a look at lackeys, henchmen and making sure your evil organizations are believable. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig shift their focus to monsters, and why even though those scary creatures are dangerous, they’re not always the villain. Links: * Scriptnotes Episode 75 – Villains [https://johnaugust.com/2013/villains] * Scriptnotes Episode 590 – Anti-Villains [https://johnaugust.com/2023/anti-villains] * Scriptnotes Episode 465 – The Lackeys Know What They’re Doing [https://johnaugust.com/2020/the-lackeys-know-what-theyre-doing] * Scriptnotes Episode 257 – Flaws are Features [https://johnaugust.com/2016/flaws-are-features] * Every Villain is a Hero [http://johnaugust.com/2009/every-villain-is-a-hero] * Writing Better Bad Guys [http://johnaugust.com/2012/writing-better-bad-guys] * Screenwriting and the Problem of Evil [http://johnaugust.com/2010/screenwriting-and-the-problem-of-evil] * Mama [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2023587/] * The 1000 Deaths of Wile E. Coyote [https://thanksforlettingmeshare.substack.com/p/the-1000-deaths-of-wile-e-coyote] by T.B.D. * Why do good people do bad things? [https://ethics.org.au/good-people-bad-deeds/] by Daniel Effron * Why some people are willing to challenge behavior they see as wrong despite personal risk [https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/why-some-people-are-willing-to-challenge-bad-behavior-despite-personal-risk] by Catherine A. Sanderson * The Monsters Know What They’re Doing blog [https://www.themonstersknow.com/] and book [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-monsters-know-what-they-re-doing-combat-tactics-for-dungeon-masters-keith-ammann/12578264?ean=9781982122669&next=t&affiliate=511] * Austin Powers deleted scene, “Henchman’s Wife” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMyccwawFBE] * Redshirt [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/REDSHIRT] * 7 Tips for Creating Unforgettable Villains [http://writeremergency.com/villains] * How Christopher Nolan writes a movie [https://youtu.be/YYP8skwl4Lw?si=xSbV4pvyrMSPZUE9] on our YouTube! * Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! [https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast] * Check out the Inneresting Newsletter [https://blog.quoteunquoteapps.com/] * Become a Scriptnotes Premium member [https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/], or gift a subscription [https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts] * Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@ScriptnotesPodcast] * Craig Mazin on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/clmazin/] * John August on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/johnaugust.bsky.social] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en] * Outro [http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros] by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours! [http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed]) * Segments produced by Stuart Friedel [https://stustustu.com/], Megana Rao [https://www.instagram.com/get_raody/], and Drew Marquardt. * Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt [https://www.drewmarquardt.com/] and edited by Matthew Chilelli [https://www.matthewchilelli.com/]. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here [http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/692standard.mp3].