Scriptnotes Podcast (.mp3)

John and Craig reprise their roles as development execs in “How Would This Be a Movie?” Looking at four true crime stories, the duo discuss what makes a great screenplay idea, and conversely, which stories work better as a serialized TV drama. We also attempt to brighten the spirits of aspiring writers living outside of LA, New York and London, sharing the experiences of Scriptnotes listeners acro...

John and Craig dive into Netflix’s Stranger Things, discussing how macro writing decisions contributed to the show’s success. (There are inevitably some spoilers, so if you haven’t seen it yet, you can skip from the start of that segment to the next one, which begins at 41:22.) We also look at the upcoming WGA election and the candidates. Next week, we will be doing a new installment o...

John and Craig discuss obstacles, those things your characters hate but desperately need. We also follow up on the great Peter Dodd episode and answer listener questions on writing action, anecdotes as IP and other topics. Links: Scriptnotes, 264: The One With the Agent The 100 Most Frequently Asked Questions about Screenwriting Rawson Thurber on IMDB Aaron Sorkin’s Masterclass Gone Girl Scr...

Craig and John speak with agent Peter Dodd about what he looks for in a writer client, and how he sees the relationships between writers and agents and managers and executives. We ask all the questions: How does he find new writers? Do competitions matter? How about query letters? And once he has a script in his hands, how much does he read before he knows if wants to sign the writer as a client?...

John and Craig introduce “The 100 Most Frequently Asked Questions about Screenwriting,” a curation of questions from screenwriting.io. We also take on the Three Page Challenge, with stories from Sinaloa, Mexico to the mind of Mark Twain. Links: Gen Con True Dungeon The Katering Show Download The 100 Most Frequently Asked Questions about Screenwriting Three Pages by Salvador Medina Three Pages by L...

John and Craig apply the principles of Marie Kondo’s “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” to screenwriting. How can screenwriters learn to let go of beloved scenes, characters, and entire scripts? We also answer listener questions, including the recent plagiarism ruling in favor of John Carpenter in a French court. Links: Escape Room Don’t Think Twice on Rotten Tomatoes Escape Room The Li...

Craig and guest host Mike Birbiglia discuss Mike’s new film, Don’t Think Twice, a comedy about life as an improv performer. The two explore the current state of independent film and the challenges facing aspiring filmmakers. Craig and Mike also answer listener questions, including one on assassinating a fictional president. Links: Don’t Think Twice on Rotten Tomatoes Angela Duckworth New Yor...

John and Craig implore screenwriters to think twice before using the phrase “begs the question.” We know it’s a losing battle, but if we learned anything from 300, sometimes those are still worth having. We then dive into one of our favorite features, How Would This Be a Movie, looking at listener-suggested stories about anthrax, amnesia and atomic veterans. Links: Arlo Finch on TUMBLR...

Matt Selman (EP of The Simpsons) sits down with Scriptnotes favorites Aline Brosh McKenna and Rawson Marshall Thurber to discuss what went down in the season finale. Links: Listen to Episode 259 Matt Selman Aline Brosh McKenna Rawson Marshall Thurber Stuart Friedel  on Twitter Godwin Jabangwe  on Twitter Order your 250-Episode Scriptnotes USB here Pitch your John August/Craig Mazin script to Matt...

In the season finale of Scriptnotes, John and Craig reveal big changes to the podcast. After five years, a much-loved supporting character is leaving the show. We look back at his time with us, what he learned and what he’ll take with him to his new screenwriting adventures. Meanwhile, one of the hosts is leaving Los Angeles entirely. We discuss what’s taking him to a different time zone and the i...

John and Craig take a look at three new entries in the Three Page Challenge, with scripts tackling kidnapping, dystopia and parkour hackers. We look at both how the writing works on the page, and what the writers seem to be trying to say. We also answer listener questions about the increased visibility of characters with disabilities on screen, and the differences between the two WGAs. Links: Subm...

Craig and John look at unforgettable villains, screenwriter billions, and a parallel world with two Nathan Fillions. (The last part is not true.) We also dig into more about magical dad transformation comedies and why there isn’t a female equivalent. Links: Sundance Feature Film Programs The James Patterson MasterClass Nine Lives trailer on YouTube Scriptnotes, 75: Villains 7 Tips for Creating Unf...

John and Craig consider a new master class in screenwriting taught by Aaron Sorkin, and a very old Greek word (anagnorisis) championed by Aristotle. Both are useful! Then it’s a look at what we mean by “originality,” including a very useful litmus test provided by Lindsay Doran. Reminder that the 250-epsiode Scriptnotes USB drives are now available. Find the link below. Links: Scriptnotes, 255: Ne...

With credits ranging from Captain Phillips to The Hunger Games, plus several stints in WGA contract negotiations, Billy Ray knows as much as any screenwriter about the realities of working writers and the turmoil in the industry. He joins us to talk about his new Amazon pilot, The Last Tycoon, which charts the behind-the-scenes drama at a 1930s Hollywood studio. From there, we look at how much peo...

John and Craig welcome Kate McLennan and Kate McCartney, the Australian creator/stars of The Katering Show (a previous One Cool Thing). We discuss the process and economics of making a web series, signing with a US agency, and trying to figure out what comes next. Thanks to our Scriptnotes fans on both sides of the world for making this meet-up happen. Links: The Katering Show Kate McLennan and Ka...

Jonathan Groff — the Black-ish writer/producer, not the actor — joins John and Craig to explain the new vocabulary of television and why companies are all about ownership. Then it’s another round of How Would This Be a Movie (or an episode of network comedy). We tackle Peter Thiel, Swiss banks, psychotic sheep, and absent-minded grampas. Our track record of predicting which of these id...

It’s a craft episode, with Craig and John discussing allies and allegiances in film and television. Enemies are easy; friends are difficult. We talk through the types relationships characters find themselves in, and strategies for making the most of them. (This episode has a lot of Game of Thrones geekery, but very few spoilers.) Also this week, we discuss geographic accuracy, release forms, and s...

John and Craig look at how the push to increase diversity in TV writing rooms impacts writers looking to staff for the first time. Fan outrage over the death of a gay character — and the trope it perpetuates — has prompted an online pledge for writers. But is it a good idea? (Not really.) We also take a look at three new entries in the Three Page Challenge, with visits to Koreatown, Si...

Remember the live show in Austin, when we promised we’d read one lucky listener’s script and talk about it on the air? This is that episode. John and Craig talk with Amanda Morad about her pilot script Betty Bureau, offering praise, suggestions and a few next steps. You can read Amanda’s script in the links below. We also answer a few short and simple questions about rights and clearances. Links:...

John talks with Rachel Bloom and Aline Brosh McKenna, co-creators of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, about how they pitched and wrote their critically-acclaimed show. We focus on the ways they introduced recurring characters in the pilot, and how casting influenced the series. Given recent controversy over casting of Asian roles, our discussion of the Josh Chan character feels particularly relevant. This epi...

John and Craig discuss open writing assignments, and how to best pitch to producers and studios looking to hire a writer for a specific property. Most of the work happens before you set foot in the room, so proper planning is essential. Then we take a look at the controversy over white actors playing roles that could have gone to Asian actors, and how screenwriters can (and can’t) improve the situ...

John and Craig welcome writer-director Lorene Scafaria to talk about her new movie The Meddler and some of the unique challenges faced by female directors. She joins us as we play a new round of How Would This Be a Movie, tackling global hums, killer grannies and airport conspiracies. We also discuss movies that are often used as shorthand in Hollywood, from Raiders to Die Hard to Midnight Run. (B...

John and Craig look at the non-screenplay things screenwriters end up writing, most notably outlines and treatments. We discuss some of the ones we’ve written (with examples), and offer advice on writing your own. Also, how do you deal with sudden success? And what should a writer-director say when talking to a Very Famous Actress about starring in his movie? Our live conversation with Lawre...

Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi join us to talk about their new movie The Invitation, and what’s it’s like to go from writing tentpole action films (like Clash of the Titans) to comedies (like Ride Along) to chamber-drama thrillers. While we have them with us, we talk about the new term “requel” — which is not quite a reboot, not quite a sequel. Is it really a new sub-genre or just a helpful way of exp...

With John and Craig both on spring break, it’s a clip show this week. We discuss why movie heroes are rarely ambivalent, why villains are so appealing, and why movies with two primary characters require careful attention. We’re trying to make plans for the future of the show, and could use your help! Please take a minute to answer our three-question poll to let us know how you’d like to hear both...