John August

Drew Marquardt

Sidecast: Location Picketing

Episode - SC12

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Scriptnotes, Sidecast, WGA

John returns from a parking lot in Koreatown to tell Drew all about his experiences picketing productions on location and how other writers can get involved. We also answer listener questions, look at upcoming themed pickets, and celebrate the gains we’ve made at neutral gates.

Links:

Email us at ask@dev.johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

Group Dynamics

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig work together to look at team movies and what writers need to be thinking about when they have more than one protagonist. From Charlie’s Angels to The Hangover and every Ocean in between, they break down how to create narrative drive and tension with so many characters, and how to bring them all together in the end.

We also take a look at a new study that compares releasing TV episodes weekly vs. the binge model before following up on tone meetings and TV movies. We then answer listener questions about pitch decks and using translations of public domain works.

In our bonus segment for premium members – Hey! Listen! – John and Craig discuss the best way to set yourself up when you start playing an RPG.

Links:

Email us at ask@dev.johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 6-20-23: The transcript for this episode can be found here.

Sidecast: A New SAV

Scriptnotes, Sidecast, WGA

The actors union has called for a Strike Authorization Vote ahead of their negotiations with the AMPTP. John and Drew look at what that means, and what impact it may have on the writers strike.

Links:

Email us at ask@dev.johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

The One with Vince Gilligan

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig sit down with legendary writer, director and showrunner Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) to discuss his prolific career and how to make great television. Vince leads us through how he develops a premise, balancing creative surprises with rigorous planning, and his advice for up-and-coming showrunners.

We also discuss re-writing features before following up on the old dancing prospector archetype — only to discover it’s a character Vince has a long personal history with.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John, Craig and Vince get tired of re-runs and ask, which old TV shows do they want to re-boot?

Links:

Email us at ask@dev.johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 5-30-23: The transcript for this episode can be found here.