John August

QandA

Pitching Television, or Being a Passionate Widget

Episode - 328

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Citizenship, Film Industry, Follow Up, Pitches, Resources, Scriptnotes, Television, Transcribed, WGA, Writing Process

John and Craig share their insight into pitching for television. How is it different that pitching features? How do express your passion for the project? How do you avoid being a Willy Loman pitching to a Willy Loman? (Sometimes you don’t.)

We also follow-up on the conversation about sexual harassment, with a focus on how men, bosses, and unions can work to make a safer, more comfortable workplace for everyone.

Reminder that the Scriptnotes Holiday Live Show is this Thursday in Hollywood. Ticket link below.

Links:

Email us at ask@dev.johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 12-13-17: The transcript of this episode can be found here

Mergers and Breakups

Film Industry, Los Angeles, Scriptnotes, Transcribed, Words on the page

John and Craig explore the possibilities and consequences of Disney’s potential purchase of Fox film and television studios. What might prevent the sale? What does each side stand to gain? To lose? What could it mean for writers?

Then, it’s another installment of “This Kind of Scene,” in which we dissect the mechanics of an effective breakup scene by looking at Casablanca, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, (500) Days of Summer, Love and Basketball, Brokeback Mountain and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

The Scriptnotes live holiday show is December 7th in Hollywood, with special guest writer-producers Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries), Michael Green (American Gods) and Justin Marks (Counterpart). Ticket link below.

Links:

Email us at ask@dev.johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 11-29-17: The transcript of this episode can be found here

Austin 2017 Three Page Challenge

Challenge, Film Industry, Formatting, Scriptnotes, Television, Three Page Challenge, Transcribed, Words, Words on the page, Writing Process

John and Craig review four Three-Page Challenge entries with the help of Daniela Garcia-Brcek (Literary Manager at Circle of Confusion) and Cullen Conly (Literary Agent at ICM). We then invite the writers up to discuss the notes.

It’s not just craft, though. Our special guests give us a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of representation. What do agents and managers look for when they read (or “look at”) scripts? How important is a logline? Who reads queries? Daniela and Cullen tell us the unvarnished truth.

Thanks to the Austin Film Festival for hosting us and to our brave participants!

Links:

Email us at ask@dev.johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 11-29-17: The transcript of this episode can be found here.

(Adjective) Soldier

Adaptation, Film Industry, Resources, Rights and Copyright, Scriptnotes, Transcribed, Web series, Writing Process

Craig and John open the overflowing listener mailbag to tackle questions on everything from montages to life rights to passive heroes. Plus, we have a definitive answer on whether to number minor characters. (Don’t.)

We also finally address a major controversy: Craig’s missing cover of “Killing the Blues” from Episode 109. It exists, and you can listen to it today.

The Scriptnotes 2017 Holiday Live Show will be December 7th in Hollywood. Mark your calendars! Tickets available soon.

Links:

Email us at ask@dev.johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

UPDATE 11-20-17: The transcript of this episode can be found here.