Alle afleveringen
20 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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757 - Nerding Out on Story with Andrew Stanton
20 oktober 2026 · 54 min
John and Craig welcome a long-awaited guest: Andrew Stanton, writer-director behind many beloved Pixar films including Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc., WALL-E, and the Toy Story franchise. Lees meer
They talk about making sequels, Andrew's approach to storytelling, and the ways that Pixar shook up the typical Disney formula. (For example, Pixar's take on villains.)
In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, the three discuss directing other people's writing, as well as working in TV versus features.
Links:
Andrew Stanton's 2012 TED Talk
Cool Hand Luke
How many shots are in the average movie today? by Stephen Follows
Download the episode here!
Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters.
Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our coordinator is Lauren Loesberg.
Outro by Nick Moore (send us yours!)
Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
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756 - Archetypes
13 oktober 2026 · 54 min
Since the dawn of storytelling, there have been archetypes. What aspects of archetypes are actually useful for writers? And how do we move beyond tropes to create complex characters? Lees meer
Pick a card, any card! John and Craig play around with the upcoming Creator Character Kit. They draw archetype cards and imagine multifaceted characters that embody those qualities.
In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig talk home cinema hardware: screens and projectors.
Links:
Character Creator Kit
L.A. World's "The One Street that Explains LA"
Download the episode here!
Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters.
Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our coordinator is Lauren Loesberg.
Outro by Nick Moore (send us yours!)
Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
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755 - Directing Your Writing
6 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 28 min
What changes when you take off your writer hat and put on your director hat? In this compendium episode, John, Craig, and Scriptnotes coordinator Lauren Loesberg review directing advice previously given on the podcast. Lees meer
John and Craig offer Lauren pointers on directing her next project. They also answer a listener question about directing actors "on the page."
In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, we discuss film festivals. Why would writers go? And what can you expect to get out of the experience?
Links:
Three Page Challenge
Fruit Fly by Josh Silver
Mailbox Toluca Lake
Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn
Download the episode here!
Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters.
Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our coordinator is Lauren Loesberg.
Outro by Nick Moore (send us yours!)
Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
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754 - East of Eden with Zoe Kazan
29 september 2026 · 54 min
John welcomes writer and actress Zoe Kazan (Ruby Sparks, The Big Sick, She Said) to talk about her sweeping and thorough reimagining of East of Eden, releasing on Netflix on October 1st. They discuss her approach to period piece dialogue, the process of adapting such an expansive novel, and the family history behind this particular project. Lees meer
Rich with biblical parallels, East of Eden is a perfect story for a discussion of archetypes. John invites Zoe to pull cards from the upcoming Character Creator Kit in a conversation about the iconic East of Eden antagonist, Cathy.
In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John asks Zoe about her experience growing up with two screenwriter parents.
Links:
Writer Emergency Pack: Character Creator Kit
why I can't stop thinking about Papua New Guinea by Daniel Frank
Download the episode here!
Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters.
Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our coordinator is Lauren Loesberg.
Outro by Adam Pineless (send us yours!)
Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
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753 - The One with Aaron Sorkin
22 september 2026 · 1 uur 7 min
Today, we welcome longtime fantasy guest, Aaron Sorkin (A Few Good Men, The West Wing, The Social Network) to talk through his writing process and tease his upcoming film, The Social Reckoning. Lees meer
Does Aaron Sorkin use outlines? Where does he begin? And does he have any more ideas? All these questions and more will be answered. John also presents a couple of Sorkin's own scenes as a case study on writing conflict.
In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, we discuss Sorkin's projects that never got produced. Now you see it… now you don't.
Links:
The West Wing – Donna & Josh Conversation
The Social Network – Do I have your full attention?
Surf Dracula
Download the episode here!
Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters.
Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our coordinator is Lauren Loesberg.
Outro by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours!)
Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
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752 - General Meetings
15 september 2026 · 1 uur 13 min
Think of this as a crash course in general meetings. Lees meer
In this compendium, John, Craig and Scriptnotes intern, Lauren, mine previous episodes for advice on the bewildering "general." They aim to answer every question you've had about general meetings, over the years: What are they? What's discussed? And how do you get one?
In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John and Craig swap stories about their best, worst, and first general meetings.
Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters.
Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our coordinator is Lauren Loesberg.
Outro by Nick Moore (send us yours!)
Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
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751 - Assembling a Career with Erin Gibson
8 september 2026 · 1 uur
What if you zigged when you thought you should have zagged? As an actress, a writer, a showrunner, and a host, Erin Gibson's career has been unpredictable. But look closer and you see it's driven by consistent values, smart timing, and the universal currency of comedy. John seeks her insight on going with the flow. Lees meer
John and Erin answer listener questions about connecting with reps, sorting through your idea bank, and managing your emotions while writing. They also encourage listeners to praise colleagues and strangers. Just send the email!
In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John talks to Erin about moving out of LA "before it was cool."
Links:
Attitudes! Podcast
Gay of Thrones
Feminasty
Zach Cregger's "Elf Draft" Concept (11:43)
Tuffy's Tug-O-War Dog Toy
Agnes Pelton
The Wax Child by Olga Ravn
Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters.
Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our coordinator is Lauren Loesberg.
Outro by Matt Gillespie (send us yours!).
Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
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750 - Quinceañera
1 september 2026 · 45 min
The year was 2011. We had Occupy Wall Street, Hangover II, 50 Shades of Grey… and a podcast named Scriptnotes. On this episode, John and Craig celebrate their podcast Quinceañera, marking fifteen years together on mic. Lees meer
They reflect on their very first episode, the content and cultural moments that marked 2011, and everything that's changed since.
In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John and Craig look forward fifteen years to make predictions on the year 2041.
Links:
Walgreens with Mom Playlist by Danny Carney
First Blossom in the Orchard by John Stokes
Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters.
Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our coordinator is Lauren Loesberg.
Outro by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours!).
Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
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749 - Famous People with Taffy Brodesser-Akner
25 augustus 2026 · 1 uur 4 min
John and Taffy sit down for a candid conversation surrounding fame, interacting with famous people, and the depiction of fame on screen. Lees meer
They also answer a listener question about cold email etiquette and the delicate art of asking for favors.
In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, Taffy discusses the subject of her most recent "celebrity" profile: the controversial AI actress, Tilly Norwood.
Links:
Why on Earth Have I Seen the Same Broadway Show 13 Times? An Investigation. by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
Joe Allen
I Profile Celebrities for a Living. Nothing Prepared Me for Tilly Norwood. by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters.
Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our coordinator is Lauren Loesberg.
Outro by Timothy Lenko (send us yours!).
Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
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748 - One Room Movies
18 augustus 2026 · 1 uur
John and Craig lock in on one-room movies. How does confinement change character behavior? What opportunities can a single location give you? Lees meer
Plus, they consider how much dithering a character should indulge. They also answer listener questions about "hyperlink cinema" and writing phone calls.
In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John and Craig discuss outgrowing their own tastes.
Links:
Reddit thread about faster kettles
Police Stalkers
Ben Affleck/Matt Damon FIFA Project based on Houses of Deceit
United Passions (FIFA movie)
Dithering
WhatIsIt Reddit
Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters.
Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our coordinator is Lauren Loesberg.
Outro by Nick Moore (send us yours!).Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
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747 - Wrapping It Up with Hacks
11 augustus 2026 · 1 uur 16 min
John welcomes Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs to talk about the emotional and logistical process of closing out their five-season series, Hacks. Lees meer
Paul and Lucia also step up as guest readers for the Three Page Challenge, a segment where we look at the first three pages of a listener-submitted script and give honest feedback.
In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John, Lucia and Paul talk about cameos. How do they happen? What's the real deal behind the scenes?
Scripts:
Dying to Love You
You're Dead to Me
Monster Law
Links:
You Can Just Do Things by Cate Hall
State and Local Election Alliance
@luciaaniellosetfits
@paulwdowns
Cherlato Gelato
Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters.
Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our Coordinator is Lauren Loesberg.
Outro by Nick Moore (send us yours!).Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
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746 - How Would This Be a Crime?
4 augustus 2026 · 58 min
In today's edition of "How Would This Be a Movie?" John and Craig convert felonies into films. Together, they take a few crime-related news stories and decide how they might be adapted for the screen. Lees meer
They also discuss paracosms and the importance of daydreaming for budding screenwriters.
In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John and Craig discuss prediction markets. Bet you can guess how that goes.
Episode Links:
Paracosm
Jerome Singer's research on Daydreaming
Bob Ross
Freud's 1908 essay "Creative Writers and Day-Dreaming"
Michele Root-Bernstein's study on childhood worldplay
$500 Million Estate Dispute
Luggage Tag Scheme
Uncrewed Narco Subs
Florida Cop Stalks Woman
The 40-Year-Old Man-Child by Megan Garber
Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters.
Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our Coordinator is Lauren Loesberg.
Outro by Gloom Canyon (send us yours!).Email us at ask@johnaugust.com.
Download the full episode here.
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745 - Road Trip
28 juli 2026 · 1 uur 2 min
Buckle up! John and Craig discuss the elements that make up a classic road movie. They cover the quintessential scenes, common pitfalls, and the economic quandaries you'll find in the genre. Lees meer
They also answer listener questions about editing novels (versus screenplays) and the aesthetics of outlines and breakdowns.
In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John and Craig talk about their own memorable road trips.
Links:
Wolf's Belly
Bronson Watermarker Pro
Carl Rinsch
Kathy Bates Scene from Rat Race
John's Wondery Podcast, "Launch"
It's 10pm Do You Know Where Your Children Are?
Prop House Auctions
Lords of Waterdeep
Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters.
Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our Coordinator is Lauren Loesberg. Outro by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours!).
Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
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744 - The Invite with Rashida Jones and Will McCormack
21 juli 2026 · 56 min
John and Craig invite over Rashida Jones and Will McCormack to chat about their new film The Invite, out in theaters now. Lees meer
Rashida and Will divulge the origin story and dynamics of their own writing partnership, as well as discuss the process of adapting an adaptation and writing to the truth of relationships.
In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, the four swap stories about saying goodbye to creative projects that never came to pass.
Links:
The People Upstairs (Sentimental) by Cesc Gay (Original Spanish version)
Esther Perel
Report from Out Making Games
Simpsley
The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne
Worldpeace DMT
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Craig Mazin on Threads and Instagram
John August on BlueSky, Threads, and Instagram
Outro by Makeup and Vanity Set (send us yours!)
Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our intern is Lauren Loesberg.
Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
You can download the episode here.
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676 - Writing while the World is on Fire (Encore)
14 juli 2026 · 50 min
How do you keep doing creative work when the world is falling apart around you? To sift through the despair and doubt, John welcomes back legendary Scriptnotes guest, writer-turned-psychotherapist Dennis Palumbo. They discuss the many feelings that catastrophic events can bring up in artists, the personal narratives that often inform those feelings, and how to keep moving forward when you feel like the band on the Titanic. Lees meer
We also follow up on AI, and answer listener questions on competing with brain trusts and how to support a friend embroiled in controversy.
In our bonus segment for premium members, Dennis guides us through the best examples and worst mistakes of portraying therapists on screen.
Links:
"Am I Just Fiddling While Rome Burns?" by Dennis Palumbo for Psychiatric Times
Scriptnotes 99 – Psychotherapy for Screenwriters
ShotDeck
River Runner Global
At the Existentialist Café by Sarah Bakewell
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Craig Mazin on Threads and Instagram
John August on BlueSky, Threads, and Instagram
Outro by Spencer Lackey (send us yours!)
Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our intern is Lauren Loesberg.
Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
You can download the episode here.
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743 - Thinking on Your Feet with Ryan Condal
7 juli 2026 · 1 uur 9 min
John and Craig sit down with Ryan Condal, showrunner of House of the Dragon, just as its third season airs. Lees meer
They dive into Ryan's late start in Hollywood, spec scripts, the anatomy of a writers room, and thinking as a product of movement. They also answer a listener question about the mechanics of writing a sequel.
In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John, Craig and Ryan discuss perhaps the most popular fictional creatures ever: dragons!
Links:
I Solved My Mystery Fatigue with AI by Amy Deng
Myst by Cyan, Rand Miller & Robyn Miller
Dimhaven by Zadbox Entertainment
NordVPN
yU+co – Title sequence designers
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Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription
Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube
Follow Scriptnotes on Instagram and TikTok
John August on Bluesky and Instagram
Outro by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours!)
Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our intern is Lauren Loesberg.
Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
You can download the episode here.
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742 - Obsession with Curry Barker
30 juni 2026 · 1 uur 6 min
John and Craig welcome Curry Barker, the writer-director behind this summer's surprise blockbuster, Obsession. It's a rom-com, a horror film and a great example of trusting your audience. Lees meer
We discuss Curry's roots, his writing process, learning from YouTube, as well as the pressure to follow up a hit.
In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John and Craig pose the #1 most important question for all filmmakers to consider: What will the popcorn bucket be?
Links:
Aaron Sorkin Masterclass
The Chair by Curry Barker
Milk & Serial by Curry Barker
Humans Veer Left by Rachel Nuwer (NY Times)
The Case of the Golden Idol
Members Only Jackets
Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book!
Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription
Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube
Follow Scriptnotes on Instagram and TikTok
John August on Bluesky and Instagram
Outro by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours!)
Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our intern is Lauren Loesberg.
Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
You can download the episode here.
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741 – Craig Takes Questions
23 juni 2026 · 49 min
This week, Craig answers listener questions about rewriting on set, AI coverage, when and how to kill off characters, sizing up producers, and more. Lees meer
There's also an extra-special guest appearance for this week's One Cool Thing.
In the bonus segment for premium subscribers, Craig discusses how to be wrong—something he feels he knows all too well.
Links:
"Widow's Bay" Games: Daddy's Home & Teeth
"L.A. Law" Elevator Scene
Ed Wood (1994)
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Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription
Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube
Follow Scriptnotes on Instagram and TikTok
John August on Bluesky and Instagram
Outro by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours!)
Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our intern is Lauren Loesberg.
Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
You can download the episode here.
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740 - On Competence
16 juni 2026 · 59 min
Why is it so satisfying to watch a highly-skilled character complete their goals? And why can it be equally hilarious to watch an incompetent character bumble through a slew of screw-ups? In this episode, John and Craig discuss how to play with competence in your characters. Lees meer
We also say goodbye to our producer Drew Marquardt with a thoroughly embarrassing exit interview, and reveal our new producer. However, it's not really goodbye, because Drew will be staying on to work with John on an upcoming project (TBA).
In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig deliberate on the question: Should you quit LOUDLY?
Links:
The attack on competence by Iris Meredith
Scott Tenorman Must Die (South Park – Season 5, Episode 4)
Bartosz Ciechanowski's Curves and Surfaces
Rhubarb Breakfast Dessert by Melissa Clark
Easiest Citrus Roasted Rhubarb by "Kate Cooks"
Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book!
Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription
Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube
Follow Scriptnotes on Instagram and TikTok
John August on Bluesky and Instagram
Outro by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours!)
Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our intern is Lauren Loesberg.
Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
You can download the episode here.
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739 - The One with David E. Kelley
9 juni 2026 · 57 min
John and Craig welcome writer and showrunner David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies, Ally McBeal) to look at his process for adapting books to TV, particularly with his latest series Margo's Got Money Troubles. They explore where to find your act breaks, crafting complicated tones, and when to trust the writer of the book. Lees meer
We also look at how TV has changed over David's storied career, how he runs a writers room, creating story engines, the difference between writing for broadcast TV and streaming, and the one thing a TV show should never be.
In our bonus segment for premium members, David coaches John and Craig on how to survive a long running series.
Links:
David E. Kelley on IMDb
Margo's Got Money Troubles on AppleTV
Harvard Alcohol Project: Designated Driver
The Painful Truth About Long Covid by Alan Levinovitz for WIRED
Salmon
Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book!
Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription
Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube
Follow Scriptnotes on Instagram and TikTok
John August on Bluesky and Instagram
Outro by Nick Moore (send us yours!)
Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our intern is Lauren Loesberg.
Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
You can download the episode here.