John August

Transcribed

Opening Scenes

Episode - 493

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News, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig discuss the craft of constructing beginnings: what they consider when writing the first line of a script and how opening scenes have evolved with audience expectations.

We also investigate a question from former producer Stuart Friedel and dive into the history of foreign levies. We then make predictions on the future of movie-going by analyzing the history of megaplexes.

Finally, in our bonus segment for premium members we look at cliches versus conventions.

Links:

Email us at ask@dev.johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 3-26-2021 The transcript for this episode is now available here.

Gray Areas

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig wade into the murky ethical challenges screenwriters face in Hollywood: When do you speak out against a peer? How do you claim an idea? Should you accept money from shady sources? They share their own experiences navigating these questions.

We also follow up on female redemption arcs, NFTs, and joining the WGA. We answer listener questions on topics from ‘the director’s pass’ to creating personal websites.

Finally in our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig share their personal origin stories about the moment they decided to become screenwriters.

Links:

Email us at ask@dev.johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 3-20-2021 The transcript for this episode can now be found here.

The Deal with Deals

Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig talk about writer deals of various types, including a deep dive into new data published by the WGA on feature writer pay.

We also follow up on female redemption arcs and John shares his theory with Craig on how Disney will make its next trillion dollars.

Finally in our bonus segment for premium members, we wade into the discourse on writers tweeting about writing, and whether it’s okay to judge a line of dialogue.

Links:

Email us at ask@dev.johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 3-12-21 The transcript for this episode can now be found here.

Secrets and Lies

News, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John and Craig investigate the cyclical relationship between secrets and lies. They discuss character motivations for lying and how the tension of a secret can hold a story together. To illustrate the discussion, John invites Craig to solve our first-ever How Would This Be a Movie mystery, the Case of the Fatherless Child.

We also talk about the dreaded “why now?” note, the questionable wisdom of “you either have it or you don’t,” and whether we are team PRE-LAP.

Finally in the bonus segment for premium members, we discuss travel and our plans post-pandemic.

Links:

Email us at ask@dev.johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 3-11-21 The transcript for this episode can now be found here.