Scriptnotes Podcast

After 146 days on the picket line, the WGA has reached a tentative deal with the AMPTP. John walks through the very exciting email that was sent out to members, outlining what it means, what happens next, and reflects on how far we’ve come. Links: Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses SAG-AFTRA Picket Schedule and Locations Strike Rules FAQ Find more about the 2023 WGA negotia...

John and Craig test out a dreamy thesis: that all fish out of water stories are either The Wizard of Oz or Splash. What are the differences? Are Splash movies funnier? And what are the hidden pitfalls of placing our characters in unfamiliar worlds? We also look at how Rotten Tomatoes works (and how it’s manipulated). But first, we follow up on physical media and lining up in size order before answ...

John and Drew talk about one of the best things writers can do to keep their skills sharp during the strike: reading. They discuss where to find scripts, what you can learn from other people’s writing, and what they’ve been working on while pencils are down. Links: Weekend Read 2 on the App Store Scriptslug.com Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses 2023 WGA Strike Rules Strike...

Live from New York, John talks with writers and actors about the differences between LA and NYC pickets, anxiety, and how joy can be a form of protest. Featuring Christopher Kyle and Wilson Cruz. Big thanks to everyone who talked with us! Links: East & NY Strike Resources Writers Guild of America East Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses 2023 WGA Strike Rules Strike Rules...

Cory Reeder interviews writers and performers at the joint WGA/SAG-AFTRA disability picket at Disney. Big thanks to Cory and everyone he spoke with! Links: WGAw Disabled Writers Committee SAG-AFTRA Diversity Committees SAG-AFTRA Empowering Performers with Disabilities on Set Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses 2023 WGA Strike Rules Strike Rules FAQ Picket Schedules and Locat...

John and Craig investigate our primal instincts and how they motivate our characters. Often referred to as the four F’s, these are the impulses hardwired into every animal in order to survive. But how do these base impulses guide a character’s behavior? And how can they be harnessed to make sure you don’t overcomplicate your character’s want? We also look at impermanence in our digital world and t...

John and Craig examine the foundation of every story: the premise. What is your story really about? What questions is it trying to answer? How does that differ from your logline? And what should writers do to make sure those things match up? We also follow up on AI copyright, physical media, Esperanto and lingua franca. We then answer listener questions on the usefulness of “Fade in,” what studios...

John and Craig look at how well-written dialogue is used to give characters a unique voice. Using clips from previous episodes they present a history of dialogue and its evolution, how it informs your actors, and how communicating an idea sometimes comes down to the smallest words our characters say. How can writers use dialogue to make their characters feel distinct and alive? What are tests for...

John and Craig welcome guests Quinta Brunson, Rachel Bloom and Natasha Lyonne to join them for a live benefit for Hollywood HEART. Since they cannot discuss the shows they’re currently working on (strike rules!) they instead reflect on the surprising paths of their careers, how acting has influenced them as writers and directors, and how much is learned at every step of production. We’re also join...

John and Craig ponder the nature of words and what gives them meaning. Using new information on how large language models function, they look at the dizzying amount of connections words can create with other words, between humans, and their profound effect on the nature of consciousness. We promise we’re not high. We also follow up on racist characters before answering listener questions on balanc...

The AMPTP has reached out to set a meeting with the WGA. What does this mean? How should we feel? And can John find a metaphor for it? Links: WGA Announcements: Discussion with AMPTP about Negotiations Scriptnotes LIVE! At Dynasty Typewriter Writing Is Our Home by WGA Negotiating Committee Co-Chair Chris Keyser Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses Updated picket hours and inf...

Craig hosts a solo episode presenting his general theory on screenwriting. He covers the central dramatic argument, the ‘why’ behind plot points, and of course, umbrage on common script diagrams. Good luck, and go torture your heroes! In our bonus segment for premium members, John Gatins (Flight, Real Steel) tells us about his history with HollywoodHEART, the charity behind our Scriptnotes LIVE sh...

John and Craig look at four tales of science, medicine and mayhem and ask, how would this be a movie? Stories include a catatonic woman who woke up after 20 years, a white supremacist transformed by MDMA, a drugged crypto lawyer, and an in-depth account of alien biology. But first we have a very special announcement: Scriptnotes LIVE is back! We also follow-up on recent episodes before Drew and Ha...

John welcomes Alison McDonald (Russian Doll, #BlackAF) and Ryan Knighton (In the Dark, Billions) to reveal the fundamentals and unspoken rules of working in a TV writers room. How did they get the job? How much should new writers talk? What should you wear? How much money do you make? And what’s for lunch? Our bonus segment is for everyone this week! John invites Ryan Knighton back to talk about t...

John and Craig question questions themselves. What’s really happening when a character asks a question? How many types of questions can be asked? What can questions tell us about our characters and the power dynamics within a scene? Are these leading questions or rhetorical questions? And will John and Craig answer them all? We also answer questions from listeners about turning a screenplay into a...

John and Craig welcome Aline Brosh McKenna to talk about the difficult journey through pages 70-90 of your feature. The end of the second act can drive even the most seasoned writers into an existential crisis, but together they offer their tips and tricks to navigating this difficult passage. We then talk about the importance of tone: what does tone feel like on the page? And how can it distingui...

Scriptnotes listeners Anton Breum in Copenhagen, Denmark and Pierre Puget in Cologne, Germany interview writers picketing in support of the WGA during the International Day of Solidarity, organized by Screenwriters Everywhere. Thank you to everyone who was interviewed and thank you Anton and Pierre! Links: Screenwriters Everywhere: International Day of Solidarity Pierre Puget is the co-host of the...

John and Craig host another round of the Three Page Challenge, selecting three listeners’ scripts for feedback on what’s working and common pitfalls to avoid. They offer insights into the tricky issues when cheating movement, formatting non-English dialogue, and the importance of logic in comedy. But first, we answer some long-gestating listener questions: What are strategies for writers to option...

The WGA’s international sister unions are coming together Wednesday, June 14 for international picketing, and John and Drew are excited. We discuss where these pickets are taking place and how to RSVP, then answer a listener question about FYC events. Links: Screenwriters Everywhere: International Day of Solidarity Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses 2023 WGA Strike Rules St...

John and Drew look at the results of SAG-AFTRA’s Strike Authorization Vote and the DGA’s tentative deal with the AMPTP, and what they mean for writers on strike. Links: SAG-AFTRA Members Approve Strike Authorization with 97.91% Yes Vote DGA Tentative Agreement Press Release Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses 2023 WGA Strike Rules Strike Rules FAQ Picket Schedules and Locati...

John and Craig take a detour to discuss side quests: those smaller tasks that can serve as the building blocks of a character’s journey. How do side quests differ from your hero’s primary goal? What’s the best way to use them? And how can writers make them meaningful? We then discuss the importance of failure to the artistic process. We also follow up on graphic design for writers, spacing out TV...

Megana, Drew and John discuss the best ways to talk about the WGA strike with family and non-industry friends. How much context do you need to give? How do you properly frame the AI issues? How do you calm down a nervous parent without setting unrealistic expectations? In other news, Weekend Read 2 is out! Drew and Megana have prepared hundreds of scripts and transcripts for your reading enjoyment...

As we reach our 600th episode, John and Craig welcome back writer and director Christopher McQuarrie (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Top Gun: Maverick, The Usual Suspects) to continue their decades-long argument on the future of the movies and the forces that power the entertainment industry. Together they lead a wide-ranging debate on the corporate lure of AI, cultivating movie stars...

Live from the picket line, John talks to members of The Animation Guild (TAG, IATSE local 839) marching in solidarity with with members of the WGA. They explain the issues writers in animation are facing, and why it’s so important for the the two unions to support one another. Guests include Stuart Friedel, Bill Wolkoff and Len Uhley. Thanks to everyone who talked with us! Links: The Animation Gui...

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: WGA Special Pickets WGA tip line: tips@wga.org Sean Graham at WGA: sgraham@wga.org Aziz Ansari’s ‘Good Fortune’ Su...