John August

Transcribed

Love, Aptaker & Berger

Episode - 345

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Adaptation, Film Industry, Los Angeles, Producers, Scriptnotes, Television, Transcribed

John and Craig welcome Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, the writing team that showruns This Is Us and just made history with Love, Simon.

We discuss their experience of breaking into the industry, writing with a partner, running a hit show, adapting YA novels for the screen, and the broccoli/marinara/pudding meals that got them here.

Links:

Email us at ask@dev.johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 4-16-18: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

Comedy Geometry

Film Industry, Follow Up, Producers, Scriptnotes, Story and Plot, Television, Transcribed, Travel, Writing Process

Craig welcomes Alec Berg, executive producer of two current HBO comedies (Barry and Silicon Valley), to discuss balancing productivity and creative energy, “comedy geometry,” and identifying as a craftsman rather than an artist.

We also answer listener questions about committing to a genre, the necessity of act breaks, and how much writers actually get to keep of their paycheck.

Links:

Email us at ask@dev.johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 4-11-18: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

The One with the Indie Producer

Film Industry, Indie, Producers, Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John welcomes independent producer Keith Calder to discuss what a producer actually does, how financing and distribution strategies have changed with streaming, and how to approach film festivals as a filmmaker.

We also answer a listener question about which career path to take after being laid-off: climb the Hollywood ladder or bootstrap and just make films.

Links:

Email us at ask@dev.johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 4-2-18: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

Getting Paid for It

Film Industry, Follow Up, Random Advice, Rights and Copyright, Scriptnotes, Transcribed, WGA

John and Craig delve into the business of screenwriting from money to managers to medical plans.

We answer listener questions about collecting unemployment, registering as a corporation, firing a rep, quitting your day job and handling the anxiety that comes with such an uncertain career path.

Links:

Email us at ask@dev.johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 3-27-18: The transcript of this episode can be found here.