Scriptnotes Podcast (.mp3)

John and Craig offer a 101 on how movies make money at theaters, and why a 1948 Supreme Court case changed everything. Then we look at two recent disruptions to the standard model: Movie Pass and Soderbergh’s Logan Lucky. We also answer listener questions on waiting periods and creative rights. Links: The WGF 2nd Annual Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament is on Friday, October 20th Tuff Turf and...

Craig and John take a deep dive into 1992’s Unforgiven, looking at how the David Webb Peoples script works on the page and on the screen. In the links below, you’ll find the PDF of the script we’re using. It’s also available in Weekend Read. Links: Where to watch Unforgiven , and on IMDb and Wikipedia The Unforgiven script Weekend Read Past deep dives on The Addams Family , Ghost , Groundhog Day ,...

John and Craig look at four films from the past and discuss how we could make them today. Then we have more listener questions on internships and alternate jokes. Next week is a deep dive on Unforgiven, so get to watching if you haven’t seen it recently. Links: Triskaidekaphobia on Wikipedia Where to watch Unforgiven before next week’s deep dive You Get Me on Netflix Romancing the Ston...

Craig and John tackle a bunch of listener questions, along with follow-up on previous discussions. Are road trip movies just a series of coincidences? How do you start the second draft? Should you mention screenwriting awards in a query? Plus: a Redditor insists there is a secret password you have to write within a script for it to be purchased. After 311 episodes, the time has come. We reveal tha...

John and Craig welcome special guests Megan Amram (The Good Place), Tom Schnauz (Better Call Saul) and Matt Selman (The Simpsons) to talk about writing television, from staffing to breaking story to the challenge of short seasons. Then we try out two new segments: How Could This Be Funny and An Aubry Plaza Type. Do they work? It’s debatable! There is also a Q&A, which you can find as a bonus e...

Craig and John talk with Chris Keyser, one of the co-chairs of the WGA Negotiating Committee, to learn what gains were achieved in the most recent deal, and what work lies ahead. Warning: it’s a super-wonky episode that presumes you’re familiar with the basics outlined in episode 289. Links: Scriptnotes, 289: WGA Negotiations 101 Chris Keyser on IMDb , Wikipedia and Twitter , and on episode 138 Po...

John and Craig step up to the whiteboard to look at the story logic in our scripts, then examine how tricks and gimmicks can help keep scenes interesting. We also answer listener questions about paying experts for research help, and whether hiring a writing consultant ever makes sense. Links: Get your tickets now for the July 25th Scriptnotes Live Homecoming Show, with guests Liz Meriwether , Mega...

Craig and John discuss the concept of affordances — player expectations for what videogame characters can do — and how writers can apply these principles to their film and TV scripts. Teaching the audience to know what is and isn’t possible can be hard to do artfully, but often makes all the difference. Also this week: reducing sexism in screenplays, plus answers to listener questions...

John and Craig explore how story develops from a synthesis of character and plot, and why writers need to continually shift their frames of reference between “inside” and “outside” the experience of their heroes. We also tackle the idea of “you can’t teach funny” and what to do when you share a famous person’s name. The Scriptnotes Listeners’ Guide is out, and fantastic, and free! Plus we now have...

Craig and John take a look at what happens when the drama is behind the camera, and the difference between what’s reported and what’s really going on. We also offer some advice on what one should do, should they find themselves caught up in the crazy. Finally, we answer a listener question on writing for specific actors and the challenges/opportunities this presents. Links: The Mummy L...

Craig and John take on a new Three Page Challenge, looking at three listener scenes to see if they follow the exacting rules set by Screenwriters University. (Ahem.) We also answer listener questions on vintage screenplays, maturity, Smash Brothers and writing with a budget in mind. Links: Sony Won’t Release Clean Versions of Films if Directors Disapprove The History of the Screenplay Steve Zissis...

Craig and John look at how screenwriters describe locations, and how these choices impact production and the final product. Plus, we discuss how podcasts have become a new source of IP for adaptations. Finally, we address how to deal with the note to make your characters “more likeable.” Links: Screenwriters University Clean Movie Versions Homecoming Alex, Inc. Paris Circle Map Roman R...

Craig and John answer listener questions about writer agreements, videogame properties, and page one rewrites. How should a writer decide whether it’s better to keep revising an unmade project, or start on something new? We try to offer guidelines for when to buckle down and when to move on. Also, John coins a new term that will forever change film studies. Links: Scriptnotes Midnight Blue T-Shirt...

In a new installment of How Would This Be a Movie, John and Craig take a look at three stories in the news to discuss how to adapt them into award-winning movies. We also discuss why the studios are allowed to negotiate as one for the WGA contract. Midnight Blue Scriptnotes shirts are back up at Cotton Bureau for a short time, so don’t miss out. Link below. Links: Scriptnotes Midnight Blue T-Shirt...

Craig and John look at The Addams Family — not just the 1991 film and its sequel, but the property itself to see what lessons we can learn when adapting for the big screen. We also answer listener questions on what makes a scene work and writing pilots based on existing IP. Links: Addams Family TV Show Opening The Addams Family Official Trailer Addams Family Values Trailer The Moon And Me Ma...

Chris McQuarrie (THE USUAL SUSPECTS, VALKYRIE) joins us to talk through how he went from writing giant movies to directing them. We talk about the pitfalls directors face as they move from indie features to tentpoles, and the advice he gives them. Chris is currently, and conveniently, in Paris directing the next Mission: Impossible. Links: Chris McQuarrie Valkyrie Official Trailer Mission Impossib...

Craig and guest host Dana Fox welcome Rob McElhenney (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and Rian Johnson (Looper, Star Wars: The Last Jedi) to the live show at the Arclight. The four discuss breaking into Hollywood, handling rejection and sticking to your vision as a writer/director. We also answer audience questions on motivation and holding onto hope. Links: Rob McElhenney It’s Always Sun...

Craig and John take on a new round of Three Page Challenges. There’s a fat “Elvis,” a bounty hunter White Rabbit, and a guy locked in the trunk of a speeding Mustang. We also look at how characters move, and how screenwriters can use character movement to their benefit. Links: Three Pages by Ted Wilkes Three Pages by Gerald Decker Three Pages by Phillip Rogers Kent Handmade Moustache Comb A Large-...

Craig and John investigate the future of the 007 franchise, script-reading robots, and the realities of overhauling a movie in the editing room. We also look at another How Would This Be a Movie idea turning into reality. The live show at ArcLight is a week away and tickets are almost sold out. Get yours now! Links: Scriptnotes, Episode 214: Clerks and Recreation French Train Bros Scriptnotes, Epi...

John sits down with Damon Lindelof (Lost, The Leftovers) for a bonus-length discussion of all things TV. We focus on getting that first job, breaking story, and how writing rooms work. We also answer listener questions ranging from knowing when to let a pilot script die, to crediting original ideas. Finally, we talk about the notion of Idea Debt, and how to say goodbye to projects you’ll never com...

Malcolm Spellman returns to help us answer a bunch of listener questions, including the most important one: what’s Malcolm up to? (Warning! Adult language.) Along the way, topics include sex on screen, bad managers, and thanking the writer. Tickets for the live show are now sale! Visit Hollywood Heart to get yours. Links: Scriptnotes Live Show Tickets The Hatton Garden Job Patrick Lenton’s D...

Craig and John discuss chess, bad news, baseball, God, and screenwriting competitions. We also share exciting news about the live show, now scheduled for May 1st in Hollywood. Links: The Beverly Hills Screenplay Contest Adam Sternbergh’s Tweet Good Times – DAMN DAAAMN DAAAAAAMN Jonathan Coulton – All This Time Portal – ‘Still Alive’ Every Noise At Once John Augu...

A pernicious cold has stolen John’s voice, so he and Craig reach into the vault to unearth their conversation with screenwriter-turned-psychotherapist Dennis Palumbo, in which they discuss writer’s block, procrastination, partnerships and more. It’s a can’t-miss episode for aspiring writers and professionals alike. In fact, this was most-reviewed episode in the still-nascent Listeners’ Guide...

Special guest Irene Turner joins Craig and John for a new round of “How Would This Be a Movie?” In this episode, we look at Jake Halpern’s article on Canada-bound refugees, Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s moving personal ad for her husband, and the porn-filled saga of Prenda Law. Irene’s latest film, The Most Hated Woman in America, debuts March 24th on Netflix. Stay tuned after the closing credits for a b...

John and Craig answer listener questions about credits and casting, pilots and professional experience. Does Tom Ford really need his name on the poster twice? Kinda. It’s complicated. The live show with Rian Johnson has been postponed, likely to April. We’ll keep you posted. Links: Scriptnotes Listener Guide The Vanity Credit Turns 100 “The Cunning “American Bitch” Episode of “Girls””...