Scriptnotes Podcast

John August and Craig Mazin

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.

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S16 · E754
Tuesday · 53 min
754 - East of Eden with Zoe Kazan
John welcomes writer and actress Zoe Kazan (Ruby Sparks, The Big Sick, She Said) to talk about her sweeping and thorough reimagining of East of Eden, releasing on Netflix on October 1st. They discuss her approach to period piece dialogue, the process of adapting such an expansive novel, and the family history behind this particular project. Rich with biblical parallels, East of Eden is a perfect story for a discussion of archetypes. John invites Zoe to pull cards from the upcoming Character Creator Kit in a conversation about the iconic East of Eden antagonist, Cathy. In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John asks Zoe about her experience growing up with two screenwriter parents. Links: Writer Emergency Pack: Character Creator Kit why I can't stop thinking about Papua New Guinea by Daniel Frank Download the episode here! Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters. Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our coordinator is Lauren Loesberg. Outro by Adam Pineless (send us yours!) Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
S16 · E753
September 22 · 1 hr 6 min
753 - The One with Aaron Sorkin
Today, we welcome longtime fantasy guest, Aaron Sorkin (A Few Good Men, The West Wing, The Social Network) to talk through his writing process and tease his upcoming film, The Social Reckoning. Does Aaron Sorkin use outlines? Where does he begin? And does he have any more ideas? All these questions and more will be answered. John also presents a couple of Sorkin's own scenes as a case study on writing conflict. In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, we discuss Sorkin's projects that never got produced. Now you see it… now you don't. Links: The West Wing – Donna & Josh Conversation The Social Network – Do I have your full attention? Surf Dracula Download the episode here! Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters. Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our coordinator is Lauren Loesberg. Outro by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours!) Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
S16 · E752
September 15 · 1 hr 13 min
752 - General Meetings
Think of this as a crash course in general meetings. In this compendium, John, Craig and Scriptnotes intern, Lauren, mine previous episodes for advice on the bewildering "general." They aim to answer every question you've had about general meetings, over the years: What are they? What's discussed? And how do you get one? In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John and Craig swap stories about their best, worst, and first general meetings. Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters. Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our coordinator is Lauren Loesberg. Outro by Nick Moore (send us yours!) Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
S16 · E751
September 8 · 1 hr
751 - Assembling a Career with Erin Gibson
What if you zigged when you thought you should have zagged? As an actress, a writer, a showrunner, and a host, Erin Gibson's career has been unpredictable. But look closer and you see it's driven by consistent values, smart timing, and the universal currency of comedy. John seeks her insight on going with the flow. John and Erin answer listener questions about connecting with reps, sorting through your idea bank, and managing your emotions while writing. They also encourage listeners to praise colleagues and strangers. Just send the email! In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John talks to Erin about moving out of LA "before it was cool." Links: Attitudes! Podcast Gay of Thrones Feminasty Zach Cregger's "Elf Draft" Concept (11:43) Tuffy's Tug-O-War Dog Toy Agnes Pelton The Wax Child by Olga Ravn Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters. Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our coordinator is Lauren Loesberg. Outro by Matt Gillespie (send us yours!). Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
S15 · E750
September 1 · 45 min
750 - Quinceañera
The year was 2011. We had Occupy Wall Street, Hangover II, 50 Shades of Grey… and a podcast named Scriptnotes. On this episode, John and Craig celebrate their podcast Quinceañera, marking fifteen years together on mic. They reflect on their very first episode, the content and cultural moments that marked 2011, and everything that's changed since. In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John and Craig look forward fifteen years to make predictions on the year 2041. Links: Walgreens with Mom Playlist by Danny Carney First Blossom in the Orchard by John Stokes Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters. Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our coordinator is Lauren Loesberg. Outro by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours!). Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
S15 · E749
August 25 · 1 hr 4 min
749 - Famous People with Taffy Brodesser-Akner
John and Taffy sit down for a candid conversation surrounding fame, interacting with famous people, and the depiction of fame on screen. They also answer a listener question about cold email etiquette and the delicate art of asking for favors. In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, Taffy discusses the subject of her most recent "celebrity" profile: the controversial AI actress, Tilly Norwood. Links: Why on Earth Have I Seen the Same Broadway Show 13 Times? An Investigation. by Taffy Brodesser-Akner Joe Allen I Profile Celebrities for a Living. Nothing Prepared Me for Tilly Norwood. by Taffy Brodesser-Akner Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters. Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our coordinator is Lauren Loesberg. Outro by Timothy Lenko (send us yours!). Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
S15 · E748
August 18 · 1 hr
748 - One Room Movies
John and Craig lock in on one-room movies. How does confinement change character behavior? What opportunities can a single location give you? Plus, they consider how much dithering a character should indulge. They also answer listener questions about "hyperlink cinema" and writing phone calls. In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John and Craig discuss outgrowing their own tastes. Links: Reddit thread about faster kettles Police Stalkers Ben Affleck/Matt Damon FIFA Project based on Houses of Deceit United Passions (FIFA movie) Dithering WhatIsIt Reddit Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters. Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our coordinator is Lauren Loesberg. Outro by Nick Moore (send us yours!). Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
S15 · E747
August 11 · 1 hr 15 min
747 - Wrapping It Up with Hacks
John welcomes Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs to talk about the emotional and logistical process of closing out their five-season series, Hacks. Paul and Lucia also step up as guest readers for the Three Page Challenge, a segment where we look at the first three pages of a listener-submitted script and give honest feedback. In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John, Lucia and Paul talk about cameos. How do they happen? What's the real deal behind the scenes? Scripts: Dying to Love You You're Dead to Me Monster Law Links: You Can Just Do Things by Cate Hall State and Local Election Alliance @luciaaniellosetfits @paulwdowns Cherlato Gelato Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters. Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our Coordinator is Lauren Loesberg. Outro by Nick Moore (send us yours!). Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
S15 · E746
August 4 · 58 min
746 - How Would This Be a Crime?
In today's edition of "How Would This Be a Movie?" John and Craig convert felonies into films. Together, they take a few crime-related news stories and decide how they might be adapted for the screen. They also discuss paracosms and the importance of daydreaming for budding screenwriters. In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John and Craig discuss prediction markets. Bet you can guess how that goes. Episode Links: Paracosm Jerome Singer's research on Daydreaming Bob Ross Freud's 1908 essay "Creative Writers and Day-Dreaming" Michele Root-Bernstein's study on childhood worldplay $500 Million Estate Dispute Luggage Tag Scheme Uncrewed Narco Subs Florida Cop Stalks Woman The 40-Year-Old Man-Child by Megan Garber Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters. Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our Coordinator is Lauren Loesberg. Outro by Gloom Canyon (send us yours!). Email us at ask@johnaugust.com. Download the full episode here.
S15 · E745
July 28 · 1 hr 1 min
745 - Road Trip
Buckle up! John and Craig discuss the elements that make up a classic road movie. They cover the quintessential scenes, common pitfalls, and the economic quandaries you'll find in the genre. They also answer listener questions about editing novels (versus screenplays) and the aesthetics of outlines and breakdowns. In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John and Craig talk about their own memorable road trips. Links: Wolf's Belly Bronson Watermarker Pro Carl Rinsch Kathy Bates Scene from Rat Race John's Wondery Podcast, "Launch" It's 10pm Do You Know Where Your Children Are? Prop House Auctions Lords of Waterdeep Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters. Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our Coordinator is Lauren Loesberg. Outro by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours!). Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
S15 · E744
July 21 · 56 min
744 - The Invite with Rashida Jones and Will McCormack
John and Craig invite over Rashida Jones and Will McCormack to chat about their new film The Invite, out in theaters now. Rashida and Will divulge the origin story and dynamics of their own writing partnership, as well as discuss the process of adapting an adaptation and writing to the truth of relationships. In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, the four swap stories about saying goodbye to creative projects that never came to pass. Links: The People Upstairs (Sentimental) by Cesc Gay (Original Spanish version) Esther Perel Report from Out Making Games Simpsley The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne Worldpeace DMT 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 BlueSky, Threads, and Instagram Outro by Makeup and Vanity Set (send us yours!) Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our intern is Lauren Loesberg. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here.
S15 · E676
July 14 · 49 min
676 - Writing while the World is on Fire (Encore)
How do you keep doing creative work when the world is falling apart around you? To sift through the despair and doubt, John welcomes back legendary Scriptnotes guest, writer-turned-psychotherapist Dennis Palumbo. They discuss the many feelings that catastrophic events can bring up in artists, the personal narratives that often inform those feelings, and how to keep moving forward when you feel like the band on the Titanic. We also follow up on AI, and answer listener questions on competing with brain trusts and how to support a friend embroiled in controversy. In our bonus segment for premium members, Dennis guides us through the best examples and worst mistakes of portraying therapists on screen. Links: "Am I Just Fiddling While Rome Burns?" by Dennis Palumbo for Psychiatric Times Scriptnotes 99 – Psychotherapy for Screenwriters ShotDeck River Runner Global At the Existentialist Café by Sarah Bakewell 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 BlueSky, Threads, and Instagram Outro by Spencer Lackey (send us yours!) Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our intern is Lauren Loesberg. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here.
S15 · E743
July 7 · 1 hr 8 min
743 - Thinking on Your Feet with Ryan Condal
John and Craig sit down with Ryan Condal, showrunner of House of the Dragon, just as its third season airs. They dive into Ryan's late start in Hollywood, spec scripts, the anatomy of a writers room, and thinking as a product of movement. They also answer a listener question about the mechanics of writing a sequel. In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John, Craig and Ryan discuss perhaps the most popular fictional creatures ever: dragons! Links: I Solved My Mystery Fatigue with AI by Amy Deng Myst by Cyan, Rand Miller & Robyn Miller Dimhaven by Zadbox Entertainment NordVPN yU+co – Title sequence designers Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book! Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube Follow Scriptnotes on Instagram and TikTok John August on Bluesky and Instagram Outro by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours!) Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our intern is Lauren Loesberg. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here.
S15 · E742
June 30 · 1 hr 5 min
742 - Obsession with Curry Barker
John and Craig welcome Curry Barker, the writer-director behind this summer's surprise blockbuster, Obsession. It's a rom-com, a horror film and a great example of trusting your audience. We discuss Curry's roots, his writing process, learning from YouTube, as well as the pressure to follow up a hit. In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John and Craig pose the #1 most important question for all filmmakers to consider: What will the popcorn bucket be? Links: Aaron Sorkin Masterclass The Chair by Curry Barker Milk & Serial by Curry Barker Humans Veer Left by Rachel Nuwer (NY Times) The Case of the Golden Idol Members Only Jackets Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book! Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube Follow Scriptnotes on Instagram and TikTok John August on Bluesky and Instagram Outro by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours!) Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our intern is Lauren Loesberg. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here.
S15 · E741
June 23 · 49 min
741 – Craig Takes Questions
This week, Craig answers listener questions about rewriting on set, AI coverage, when and how to kill off characters, sizing up producers, and more. There's also an extra-special guest appearance for this week's One Cool Thing. In the bonus segment for premium subscribers, Craig discusses how to be wrong—something he feels he knows all too well. Links: "Widow's Bay" Games: Daddy's Home & Teeth "L.A. Law" Elevator Scene Ed Wood (1994) Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book! Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube Follow Scriptnotes on Instagram and TikTok John August on Bluesky and Instagram Outro by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours!) Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our intern is Lauren Loesberg. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here.
S15 · E740
June 16 · 59 min
740 - On Competence
Why is it so satisfying to watch a highly-skilled character complete their goals? And why can it be equally hilarious to watch an incompetent character bumble through a slew of screw-ups? In this episode, John and Craig discuss how to play with competence in your characters. We also say goodbye to our producer Drew Marquardt with a thoroughly embarrassing exit interview, and reveal our new producer. However, it's not really goodbye, because Drew will be staying on to work with John on an upcoming project (TBA). In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig deliberate on the question: Should you quit LOUDLY? Links: The attack on competence by Iris Meredith Scott Tenorman Must Die (South Park – Season 5, Episode 4) Bartosz Ciechanowski's Curves and Surfaces Rhubarb Breakfast Dessert by Melissa Clark Easiest Citrus Roasted Rhubarb by "Kate Cooks" Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book! Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube Follow Scriptnotes on Instagram and TikTok John August on Bluesky and Instagram Outro by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours!) Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our intern is Lauren Loesberg. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here.
S15 · E739
June 9 · 57 min
739 - The One with David E. Kelley
John and Craig welcome writer and showrunner David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies, Ally McBeal) to look at his process for adapting books to TV, particularly with his latest series Margo's Got Money Troubles. They explore where to find your act breaks, crafting complicated tones, and when to trust the writer of the book. We also look at how TV has changed over David's storied career, how he runs a writers room, creating story engines, the difference between writing for broadcast TV and streaming, and the one thing a TV show should never be. In our bonus segment for premium members, David coaches John and Craig on how to survive a long running series. Links: David E. Kelley on IMDb Margo's Got Money Troubles on AppleTV Harvard Alcohol Project: Designated Driver The Painful Truth About Long Covid by Alan Levinovitz for WIRED Salmon Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book! Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube Follow Scriptnotes on Instagram and TikTok John August on Bluesky and Instagram Outro by Nick Moore (send us yours!) Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our intern is Lauren Loesberg. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here.
S15 · E738
June 2 · 57 min
738 - Building Your Audience with Courtney Kemp
John welcomes writer and showrunner Courtney Kemp (Power, Nemesis) to ask, how do you find an audience and build momentum on television? They look at how writers can match their voice to an underserved audience, the pitfalls of being boxed in by a niche, and what new writers can do to get people excited about their work. We also chart how Courtney built her career from magazine writer to creating the television franchise Power, look at the exciting success of Obsession and Backrooms, and answer listener questions on talking to your reps about financial struggles, and how to find your project's "why now?" In our bonus segment for premium members, Courtney shot her new show Nemesis entirely in Los Angeles, and you can too! Links: Courtney Kemp on Instagram and Wikipedia Nemesis on Netflix 'Obsession' Makes History With Biggest Second-Weekend Spike in Modern Times by Pamela McClintock and Lexi Carson for The Hollywood Reporter The 'Pitt' Effect: A Scramble to Get Shows Back on Air Faster by Lesley Goldberg for Ankler Media Ryan Walker hotel reviews Star City Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book! Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube Follow Scriptnotes on Instagram and TikTok John August on Bluesky and Instagram Outro by Eric Pearson (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.
S15 · E737
May 26 · 1 hr
737 - Studio-Adjacent
John welcomes back Phil Hay (Destroyer, The Invitation) to ask, how do you get a movie made with independent financing? They look at how indie movies get made, where you get the money, deciding when to go indie, and whether streamers complicate the picture. We also follow up on testing movies with focus groups and answer listener questions on how to navigate the editing room, daily routines, and what to do when your story has too many themes. In our bonus segment for premium members, we look back on what Phil learned about D&D from his documentary The Dungeon Masters. Links: Phil Hay Scriptnotes Episode 244, Episode 377, and Episode 505 The Dungeon Masters The Answering Machine Meltdown from Swingers John's daily to-do template Pamela Ribon's One Act documentary Petey USA's The Yips KOXY College Radio Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book! Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube Follow Scriptnotes on Instagram and TikTok John August on Bluesky and Instagram Outro by Craig Good (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.
S15 · E736
May 19 · 1 hr 19 min
736 - The Devil You Know
John and Craig welcome back Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) to explore the timely questions about art and human labor posed by her long-awaited sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2. We'll warn you now: Spoilers ahead! We also look at what AI knitting podcasts can tell us about the future of industrially-produced slop, and answer a listener question on how to approach the engine of a TV show. In our bonus segment for premium members, what would a hypothetical Scriptnotes Screenplay Club look like? Aline weighs in to make sure the design is impeccable. That's all. Links: The Devil Wears Prada 2 Aline Brosh McKenna on Instagram and IMDb The Sheep Detectives Knitting Bullshit by Kate Davies Inception Point AI How many E's are in Seventeen? on YouTube Inserting yourself into Game of Thrones on Instagram One Move God Mode vertical by NetShort New York Times Issues Stern Warning to Its Freelance Writers About AI Use by Maggie Harrison Dupré for Futurism Jared Freid on TikTok The Feed Is Fake by Lane Brown for New York Magazine Indigo Girls Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book! Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube Follow Scriptnotes on Instagram and TikTok John August on Bluesky and Instagram Outro by Eric Pearson (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.

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