Scriptnotes Podcast

John and Craig invite Aline Brosh McKenna back to celebrate the third anniversary of Scriptnotes. It’s a jam-packed, glass-and-a-half of wine, listener-favorite episode. They look at ways to breathe new life into scenes and characters that aren’t working, box office journalism and how Hollywood is always dying, scene geography, and the role of emotional intelligence (or EQ) in a writer’s career. In our bonus segment for premium members, we have original outtakes from the episode where we look at what changed in the world in our first three years on air, make predictions for what’s to come, re-invent Spanx, and of course talk about D&D. Links: * Going to the 2025 Austin Film Festival? Submit to our LIVE Three Page Challenge here! [https://johnaugust.com/threepage] * The original episode 161 [https://johnaugust.com/2014/a-cheap-cut-of-meat-soaked-in-butter] and its transcript [https://johnaugust.com/2014/scriptnotes-ep-161-a-cheap-cut-of-meat-soaked-in-butter-transcript] * Aline Brosh McKenna on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/abmck/] and IMDb [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0112459/] * Why do people throw tomatoes? [https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/why-do-people-throw-tomatoes.htm#pt1] from How Stuff Works * The Knowledge [http://the-knowledge.org/en-gb/] * Global Entry [https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry] * From 2014: Movies Have Worst Summer Since 1997 [http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/30/movies/movies-have-worst-summer-since-1997.html?_r=1] by Brooks Barnes * Mimeographs on Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimeograph] and eBay [http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xmimeograph&_nkw=mimeograph&_sacat=0] * Maguire Watch [http://everythingisterrible.blogspot.com/p/maguire-watch.html] on Everything is Terrible! * Filthy Scriptnotes episodes The Angeles Crest Fiasco [https://johnaugust.com/2014/the-angeles-crest-fiasco] and The Dirty Show [https://johnaugust.com/2015/the-dirty-show] * The Honourable Woman [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3021686/] * This Movie Will Require Dinosaurs [http://www.amazon.com/dp/0399167706/?tag=johnaugustcom-20] by C. W. Neill * N3TWORK [http://www.n3twork.com/] * Preorder 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/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 Robert Hutchison (send us yours! [http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed]) * This episode was originally produced by Stuart Friedel [https://stustustu.com/stustustu]. 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/161RBstandard.mp3].

John and Craig wonder, how has TV changed in the last ten years? They compare what’s better and worse, the tradeoffs between quality and quantity, how curation is changing, the pros and cons of shorter seasons, and what this all means for writers and viewers. We also look forward to our time at the Austin Film Festival, offer paths for writers to keep their health insurance, follow up on Three Page Challenge selections that actually got made, and answer listener questions on adapting a screenplay into an audio drama and payment for work after a script is turned in. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig looks at what makes a damn fine cup of coffee. Links: * Going to the Austin Film Festival this year? Submit for our LIVE Three Page Challenge here! [https://johnaugust.com/threepage] * Entertainment Community Fund Services & Programs [https://entertainmentcommunity.org/services-and-programs] * Signed editions of the Scriptnotes Book [https://premierecollectibles.com/scriptnotes?searchid=22663708&search_query=scriptnotes] * Destination: Earth [https://johnaugust.com/2025/destinationearthaudio.com] audio drama * Weekend Read [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/weekend-read-2/id1534798355] * Episode 163: Ghost [https://johnaugust.com/2014/scriptnotes-ep-163-ghost-transcript] * WGA Showrunner Training Program [https://www.wga.org/members/programs/showrunner-training] * Phantom Ink [https://resonym.com/game/phantom-ink/] * The House of Tesla [https://store.steampowered.com/app/2738230/The_House_of_Tesla/] * Preorder 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/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]) * 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/706standard.mp3].

John and Craig discuss short films: what makes a great short, when should you make one, and what should you realistically expect out of it? We also update our predictions on whether the career of “screenwriter” can survive potential global catastrophes. We then answer listener questions on staff writer wages and using URLs in a script. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig talk intermissions and why more movies should have them. Links: * Remembering Sundance Institute Founder, Robert Redford [https://www.sundance.org/redfordlegacy] * John’s post on Robert Redford [https://johnaugust.com/2025/robert-redford-rip] * Digital Dungeons and Dragons Die [https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/wild-earth-dice/the-one-dice] * Tally to vote for Scriptnotes Live Shows [https://tally.so/r/w22daV] * Scriptnotes Episode 334, Worst Case Scenarios, Transcript [https://johnaugust.com/2018/scriptnotes-ep-334-worst-case-scenarios-transcript] * Maccy App [https://maccy.app/] * DEVO Documentary on Netflix [https://www.netflix.com/title/82052197] * Megana Rao on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/get_raody/] and X [https://x.com/MeganaRao] * Preorder 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/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 Luke Davis (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/705standard.mp3].

John welcomes back Liz Hannah (The Post, The Girl from Plainville) to discuss how to construct and communicate setting in a script. They talk about the balance between establishing a sense of space while avoiding the beginner’s mistake of over-blocking. We also follow up on accountability groups, last looks, and French composers. Then, we answer listener questions on revisions and getting your Hollywood Card revoked. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Liz consider how to explain screenwriting to your kids (and others). LINKS: * Bob The Musical has a Director! [https://deadline.com/2025/09/disney-bob-the-musical-rudy-mancuso-1236512069/] * Download Weekend Read on the App Store [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/weekend-read-2/id1534798355] * Oxo Carbon Steel Pan [https://www.oxo.com/shop/kitchenware/utensil-sets/cookware/carbon-steel.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqjDksyy9DCAveKMkI1gVHFmIGPsZYfJMPEkSXW25X3MseVVhRu] * Dehv Candle Company [https://www.dehvcandleco.com/] * Apply for a student license for Highland Pro! [https://highland.pro/education/apply] * Interested in being our new UI/UX designer? More info here! [https://qapps.notion.site/quote-unquote-designer] * Preorder 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/clmazin/] * John August on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/johnaugust.bsky.social] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en] * Liz Hannah on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/itslizhannah/?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/704standard.mp3].

John and Craig ask, how do you keep your period films from being a boring history lesson? They offer ten tips to keep your setting from taking over your story, defining the scope of your research, and how to balance the reality of the era with what’s relevant to audiences today. We also follow up on navigating industry connections and answer three period-appropriate listener questions on transitions across time, accurate dialogue, and how to handle historical sensitivities on the page. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig get into some toil and trouble as they give their rankings of the most iconic witches. Links: * Apply for a student license for Highland Pro! [https://highland.pro/education/apply] * Interested in being our new UI/UX designer? More info here! [https://qapps.notion.site/quote-unquote-designer] * Mel Gibson rant at Joe Eszterhas caught on tape [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/apr/19/mel-gibson-rant-joe-eszterhas] by Ben Child for The Guardian * Episode 129: The One with the Guys from Final Draft [https://johnaugust.com/2014/scriptnotes-ep-129-the-one-with-the-guys-from-final-draft-transcript] * Episode 314: Unforgiven [https://johnaugust.com/2017/scriptnotes-ep-314-unforgiven-transcript] * Episode 674: The One vvith Robert Eggers [https://johnaugust.com/2025/scriptnotes-episode-674-the-one-vvith-robert-eggers-transcript] * Marielle Heller’s Episode 212 [https://johnaugust.com/2015/scriptnotes-ep-212-diary-of-a-first-time-director-transcript] and Episode 394 [https://johnaugust.com/2019/scriptnotes-ep-394-broken-buy-sympathetic] * Standard Thermal [https://www.standardthermal.com/] (And a summary by CEO Austin Vernon [https://austinvernon.substack.com/p/building-ultra-cheap-energy-storage]) * Panthalassa [https://youtube.com/shorts/ZHpjfaZh2CQ?si=I6zHTg-jN8iK_AOQ] * The Concept C Is the All-Electric Sports Car Kick-Starting Audi’s Design Future [https://www.wired.com/story/audis-concept-c-electric-sports-car-announced/] by Jason Barlow for Wired * Countdown on Amazon Prime Video [https://www.amazon.com/Countdown-Season-1/dp/B0DJ9MKHTZ] * Rank these iconic witches! [https://tiermaker.com/create/most-iconic-witch-18648745] * Preorder 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/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 Whit Morliss (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/703standard.mp3].