Scriptnotes Podcast

730 - A Frank Conversation About Screenwriting

John sits down with the Northwest Screenwriters Guild at an event to promote the Scriptnotes book, and ends up having a poignant conversation about how the career of screenwriting has changed, missteps John made throughout his career, and how his approach to screenwriting has evolved over time. He also answers questions on kicking bad writing habits, screenwriting careers outside of Hollywood, what to look for in the projects you choose, whether age matters in a screenwriting career, writing your calling card movie, the sidekick problem, and the real story behind the Prince of Persia movie. In our bonus segment for premium members, John has been hanging out with sketch writers for the last few weeks and is excited to share what he's learned about writing sketch comedy. Links: * Northwest Screenwriters Guild [https://www.northwestscreenwritersguild.com/] * Steven Soderbergh's Sex Lies and Videotape book [https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Lies-Videotape-Movie-Screenplay/dp/0060965266] * Our episode with KPop Demon Hunters writers Danya Jimenez & Hannah McMechan [https://johnaugust.com/2025/your-first-produced-film] * Notes on Notes [https://youtu.be/2HZisUeazwY?si=yrT1LGzN3yR5aRgj] * John's screenplay library [https://johnaugust.com/library] * Dennis Palumbo episodes, 99 – Psychotherapy for screenwriters [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWEnxU24H2k] and 676 – Writing while the World is on Fire [https://johnaugust.com/2025/writing-while-the-world-is-on-fire] * LA Material [https://lamaterial.com/] * Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book! [https://scriptnotesbook.com/] * 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] * Scriptnotes on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/scriptnotespodcast/] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@scriptnotespod] * 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]) * 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/730standard.mp3].

729 - Endings Compendium, Part II

In our first sequel compendium, John and Craig revisit four of their best segments dedicated to crafting a satisfying and emotional ending to your story. They look at rooting your ending in character, the function of the denouement, what makes a memorable farewell, how and why our endings can change, and how to bring everything full-circle. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and producer Drew continue a discussion that Drew Goddard started on character sides and the process of casting minor characters. Links: * Our first endings compendium, Episode 524 – The Home Stretch [https://johnaugust.com/2021/the-home-stretch] * A video essay of our farewell scenes discussion [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHoXc_ngaCA] with Aline Brosh McKenna * Episodes 44 – Endings for beginners [https://johnaugust.com/2012/endings-for-beginners], 366 – Tying Things Up [https://johnaugust.com/2018/tying-things-up], 648 – Farewell Scenes [https://johnaugust.com/2024/farewell-scenes], and 392 – The Final Moment [https://johnaugust.com/2019/the-final-moment] * Dan Harmon story circle [https://channel101.fandom.com/wiki/Story_Structure_101:_Super_Basic_Shit] * Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book! [https://scriptnotesbook.com/] * 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] * Scriptnotes on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/scriptnotespodcast/] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@scriptnotespod] * 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 Eric Pearson (send us yours! [http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed]) * Segments originally produced by Stuart Friedel [https://stustustu.com/], Megan McDonnell [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megan_McDonnell], Drew Marquardt and Megana Rao [https://www.instagram.com/get_raody/]. 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/729standard.mp3].

728 - Beats to Scenes with Drew Goddard

John welcomes back Drew Goddard (Project Hail Mary, High Potential) to ask, how do you turn the beats of your story into full scenes? Using Drew's script for The Martian, we look at how he translates moments in a book into scenes in a movie, the freedom Drew finds in a beat sheet, how beats are approached in a TV writers room, and his advice to a staff writer struggling with a draft. We also dig into Drew's process for adapting Project Hail Mary, choosing what to cut, and his eloquent defense of double-spacing in a screenplay. He's even kind enough to help answer listener questions on how to recharge your brain and how to indicate you wrote the most on a co-written script. In our bonus segment for premium members, Drew shares his outlook on the current TV landscape, including the big mistake he sees young writers make in their spec pilots. Links: * Project Hail Mary [https://www.amazon.com/salp/projecthailmary?hhf] | Trailer [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m08TxIsFTRI] * Drew Goddard on IMDb [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1206844/] * The Martian screenplay [https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/the-martian-2015.pdf?v=1729115029] * Twin Peaks: The Return – Part 8 [https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/video/yNfm6H8OC5_sgOg_lJ5CfbA5j4RivCde/] * Noah Kalina on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@kalinatime] and Substack [https://substack.com/@noahkalina] * A Manual for Cleaning Women [https://www.amazon.com/Manual-Cleaning-Women-Selected-Stories/dp/1250094739] by Lucia Berlin * Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book! [https://scriptnotesbook.com/] * 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] * Scriptnotes on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/scriptnotespodcast/] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@scriptnotespod] * 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]) * 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/728standard.mp3].

197 - How do bad movies get made? (Encore)

John and Craig revisit a favorite episode focused on a single topic: bad movies and how they happen. Using first-hand experience, they look at how bad ideas make it to the screen, how good ideas go wrong, and the range of patterns that end in terrible movies. We also make a list of our then-dream guests for the podcast (many of whom have now been on the show). And fast-forwarding to 2026, we announce an exciting new feature for Highland Pro. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Drew ditch the texts and emails and to pick up the phone and make a call. Links: * Highland Fling [https://blog.quoteunquoteapps.com/introducing-highland-fling/] has arrived! See it in action here [https://youtu.be/ENOmN1p7-ko] * CW Picks Up 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' As Hourlong Series [https://deadline.com/2015/05/crazy-ex-girlfriend-dc-legends-of-tomorrow-cordon-cw-series-1201422393/] by Nellie Andreeva for Deadline * Scriptnotes, Ep 179: The Conflict Episode [https://johnaugust.com/2015/scriptnotes-ep-179-the-conflict-episode-transcript] * John's Screencasts on Entering a scene [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRTbAOmL94Q], Writing better action [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPHIb1RweeI], and Writing better scene description [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4IXNOO_YkQ] * First Follower: Leadership Lessons from Dancing Guy [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW8amMCVAJQ] * Rob Schneider Is A Carrot [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uK2WMc9L8c] * Copyright, Exceptions, and Fair Use: Crash Course Intellectual Property [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_9O8J9skL0] * Fallout 4 [https://fallout.bethesda.net/en/games/fallout-4] * Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@ScriptnotesPodcast] * Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book! [https://scriptnotesbook.com/] * 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] * Scriptnotes on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/scriptnotespodcast/] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@scriptnotespod] * 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 Rajesh Naroth (send us yours! [http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed]) * This episode was originally produced by Stuart Friedel. 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/197RBstandard.mp3]. The transcript of this episode can be found here [http://johnaugust.com/2015/scriptnotes-ep-197-how-do-bad-movies-get-made-transcript].

727 - Free Work

John and Craig tackle the scourge of free work and offer strategies to avoid it. They look at established norms, potential remedies, the things that should work but often don't, and how writers should think about the time and effort they're putting in before getting paid. We also follow up on useful comps, AI coverage, what to do with our DVDs, and answer listener questions on pitching at an internship and a sensitive situation when naming an award. In our bonus segment for premium members, how do we write American law enforcement officers now that their jobs don't function the way they used to? Links: * Birdigo is now on iOS! [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/birdigo-word-game/id6756630305] * Weekend Read 2 [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/weekend-read-2/id1534798355] * Zathura [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0406375/] * Scarecrow Video donations [https://scarecrowvideo.org/donate] * H.R. Pufnstuf [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.R._Pufnstuf] * Disney Axed 'Star Wars' Sequel 'The Hunt for Ben Solo' Without Ever Asking About the Budget or Other Details [https://variety.com/2026/film/news/disney-hunt-for-ben-solo-budget-star-wars-soderbergh-1236666719/] by Zack Sharf for Variety * FlipBelt Classic Running Belt [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JF9DWWU?ref=ppxhzsearchconndtbfedasintitle_1&th=1] * The Wedding Party [https://www.secretcityadventures.com/the-wedding-party/vancouver?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=23273543705&utm_content=&utm_term=&gadid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23277772201&gbraid=0AAAAADfG7O2MeCiJHOjq4xLHlWpHt585N&gclid=CjwKCAiAzOXMBhASEiwAe14SaYa5vHyXiMIG2lRueSmFvGO6yJ1IvKLrLZdTWEtzP8VcrR-s7cTZNBoCjj8QAvD_BwE] by Secret City Vancouver * Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book! [https://scriptnotesbook.com/] * 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] * Scriptnotes on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/scriptnotespodcast/] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@scriptnotespod] * 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 Eric Pearson (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/727standard.mp3].