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.

Links:

• Weekend Read 2
• Megana Rao on Twitter
• Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses
• 2023 WGA Strike Rules
• Strike Rules FAQ
• Picket Schedules and Locations
• Find more about the 2023 WGA negotiations here at WGAContract2023.org
• John on Twitter, Instagram and Mastodon
• Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

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 Guild
• WGA Special Pickets
• Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses
• 2023 WGA Strike Rules
• Strike Rules FAQ
• Picket Schedules and Locations
• Find more about the 2023 WGA negotiations here at WGAContract2023.org
• John on Twitter, Instagram and Mastodon
• Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

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’ Suspends Production by Samantha Bergeson for IndieWire
• ‘Duster’, From J.J. Abrams & LaToya Morgan, Suspends Production In New Mexico by Peter White for Deadline
• Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses
• 2023 WGA Strike Rules
• Strike Rules FAQ
• Picket Schedules and Locations
• Find more about the 2023 WGA negotiations here at WGAContract2023.org
• John on Twitter, Instagram and Mastodon
• Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

John and Craig work together to look at team movies and what writers need to be thinking about when they have more than one protagonist. From Charlie’s Angels to The Hangover and every Ocean in between, they break down how to create narrative drive and tension with so many characters, and how to bring them all together in the end.

We also take a look at a new study that compares releasing TV episodes weekly vs. the binge model before following up on tone meetings and TV movies. We then answer listener questions about pitch decks and using translations of public domain works.

In our bonus segment for premium members – Hey! Listen! – John and Craig discuss the best way to set yourself up when you start playing an RPG.

Links:

• Study: Both Binge, Episodic Release Models Have Their Benefits, but Have to Be Deployed Strategically by Matt Tamanini
• Patton Oswalt stands still for an entire scene
• The Hanson Brothers in Slap Shot
• The Center for Transyouth Health and Development
• Holedown
• Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
• Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
• Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription!
• Craig Mazin on Instagram
• John August on Twitter
• John on Instagram
• John on Mastodon
• Outro by Duke (send us yours!)
• Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

The actors union has called for a Strike Authorization Vote ahead of their negotiations with the AMPTP. John and Drew look at what that means, and what impact it may have on the writers strike.

Links:

• SAG-AFTRA Strike Authorization Vote
• Lukas Gage audition video by Lukas Gage on Twitter
• Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses
• 2023 WGA Strike Rules
• Strike Rules FAQ
• Picket Schedules and Locations
• Find more about the 2023 WGA negotiations here at WGAContract2023.org
• John on Twitter, Instagram and Mastodon
• Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

John and Craig sit down with legendary writer, director and showrunner Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) to discuss his prolific career and how to make great television. Vince leads us through how he develops a premise, balancing creative surprises with rigorous planning, and his advice for up-and-coming showrunners.

We also discuss re-writing features before following up on the old dancing prospector archetype — only to discover it’s a character Vince has a long personal history with.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John, Craig and Vince get tired of re-runs and ask, which old TV shows do they want to re-boot?

Links:

• Vince Gilligan on IMDb
• Vince Gilligan plays a prospector on Community (S5 E9)
• Walter Houston’s dance in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
• Dracula’s Kung-Fu Theatre
• Alien Tape
• Today Years Old on Twitter
• Robot Puppet Sings “A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton by Ben Howard on YouTube
• Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
• Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
• Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription!
• Craig Mazin on Instagram
• John August on Twitter
• John on Instagram
• John on Mastodon
• Outro by Matt Davis (send us yours!)
• Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

John and Megana Rao return from the picket line to ask, what’s the deal with neutral gates? Using the Teamsters as a guide, we look at the rules that govern neutral gates, why we have them, their history, and how they can guide our best practices for picketing as we enter the third week of the strike.

Links:

• Teamsters local 399 FAQ
• Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses
• 2023 WGA Strike Rules
• Strike Rules FAQ
• Picket Schedules and Locations
• Find more about the 2023 WGA negotiations here at WGAContract2023.org
• John on Twitter, Instagram and Mastodon
• Megana Rao on Twitter
• Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

John and Craig dive into our overflowing mailbag to answer a wide range of listener questions. They discuss ageism in the industry, the realities of overall deals, clunky character backstories, and creating the relationship you want with your manager.

We also explore the history of a Disney Channel Original Movie, the realities of panning for gold, and who deals with your stuff after you die.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig reach through time to find their dream Scriptnotes guests.

Links:

• The biggest new moneymaking scheme for Hollywood stars? Doing nothing by Arwa Mahdawi for The Guardian
• Rollo Tomasi scene
• L.A. Confidential screenplay by Brian Helgeland & Curtis Hanson
• Not All Robots by Mark Russell and Mike Deodato Jr.
• TSA Precheck
• NEXUS Program for US Citizens and Canadian Citizens.
• Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
• Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
• Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription!
• Craig Mazin on Instagram
• John August on Twitter
• John on Instagram
• John on Mastodon
• Outro by Nora Beyer (send us yours!)
• Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

John and Drew talk with writers on the picket line outside of CBS Studios in LA, who tell us what they’re currently not writing, what’s changed since the 2007 strike, and why this strike is so important to them.

Guests include WGA board member Zoe Marshall and previous Scriptnotes guest Megan Amram. Thanks to everyone who talked to us!

Links:

• WGA Strike Announcement
• Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses
• 2023 WGA Strike Rules
• Strike Rules FAQ
• Picket Schedules and Locations
• RSVP for WGA member meetings in Los Angeles and New York.
• Find more about the 2023 WGA negotiations here at WGAContract2023.org
• John on Twitter, Instagram and Mastodon
• Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

Just after midnight, the WGA officially went on strike. John explains what happened in the negotiating room and sets his sights on the picket line. Where do the negotiations stand? What are the next steps for WGA members?

Links:

• WGA Strike Announcement
• Summary of Negotiations: WGA proposals and AMPTP responses
• 2023 WGA Strike Rules
• Strike Rules FAQ
• Picket Schedules and Locations
• RSVP for WGA member meetings in Los Angeles and New York.
• Find more about the 2023 WGA negotiations here at WGAContract2023.org
• John on Twitter, Instagram and Mastodon
• Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

In preparation for episode 600, John revisits our first two episodes with Christopher McQuarrie (Top Gun: Maverick, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, The Usual Suspects) to marvel at his wisdom and enjoy his ongoing feud with Craig.

We chart his course from writer to writer-director, his process of rescuing a movie in crisis, the storytelling opportunities on TV, and what the future holds for young filmmakers.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John, Craig and Chris conduct a post-mortem on what killed the Spoof Movie – surely there must be a reason? (Of course there’s a reason, and don’t call us Shirley.)

Links:

• Original Chris McQuarrie episodes 300 and 400
• Chris McQuarrie on IMDb
• Chris McQuarrie on Instagram
• Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
• Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
• Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription!
• Craig Mazin on Instagram
• John August on Twitter
• John on Instagram
• John on Mastodon
• Outro by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours!)
• Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt (from episodes originally produced by Megana Rao and Godwin Jabangwe), and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

John and Drew discuss the newly-released WGA 2023 Strike Rules and how guilds across the industry are showing support for the WGA.

We then answer listener questions about what writers – union and non-union – can do during a strike. Are any meetings are ok to take? Can you sign with a manager? And what if your optioned material is sold?

Links:

• WGA Sends Out Strike Rules To Members As Potential Hollywood Labor Shutdown Looms Next Week by Dominic Patten and David Robb for Deadline
• Teamsters Statement on Writers Guild of America Negotiations
• DGA Statement of Support for WGA in Contract Negotiations
• IATSE President Issues Statement of Support for Writers as Strike Deadline Approaches
• SAG-AFTRA Statement in Support of WGA Negotiations
• Find more about the 2023 WGA negotiations here at WGAContract2023.org
• John on Twitter, Instagram and Mastodon
• Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

John and Craig talk to an audience of development executives about the experience of getting notes as a writer. They cover the do’s and don’ts of giving notes, ways to motivate writers towards a creative vision, and why these conversations kick in a writer’s fight or flight response.

We take questions from the audience and discuss ‘the bad pitch,’ likable characters, and how to stay friends with a writer after a breakup.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John offers his notes on Drew’s film school thesis as they discuss getting your first movie made.

Links:

• Episode 399, Notes on Notes
• Episode 99, Psychotheraphy for Screenwriters
• Episode 394, Broken but Sympathetic with Mari Heller
• Scriptnotes Listeners’ Guide
• Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
• Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
• Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription!
• Craig Mazin on Instagram
• John August on Twitter
• John on Instagram
• John on Mastodon
• Outro by Mackey Landry (send us yours!)
• Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt (this episode was originally produced by Megana Rao), and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

In this mini-episode, John and Drew discuss the results of the Strike Authorization Vote, and what’s next for negotiations.

We also answer a listener question asking how preWGA writers can show support during a possible strike.

Links:

• Strike Authorization Results
• Find more about the 2023 WGA negotiations here at WGAContract2023.org
• John on Twitter, Instagram and Mastodon
• Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

John and Craig look at another set of incredible news stories and ask, How Would This Be a Movie? Stories include an AI love service, an inventor with good intentions who doomed our planet, a fake Aretha Franklin, and a multi-million dollar nut heist.

We also follow up on heroic names and answer listener questions about researching your story.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig lie awake and wonder — what happens to our work after we die?

Links:

• The Man of Your Dreams by Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz for The Cut
• The Brilliant Inventor Who Made Two of History’s Biggest Mistakes by Steven Johnson for The New York Times Magazine
• Pennsylvania Woman Who Disappeared in 1992 Is Found Alive in Puerto Rico by Eduardo Medina for the New York Times
• The Counterfeit Queen of Soul by Jeff Maysh for Smithsonian
• The Curious Case of the Disappearing Nuts by Peter Vigneron for Outside
• A History Professor Takes On Hollywood by Katherine Rosman for the New York Times
• This Isn’t Going to End Well: The True Story of a Man I Thought I Knew by Daniel Wallace
• Posthumously by Daniel Wallace
• The Last of Us: Soundtrack From the Series by David Fleming & Gustavo Santaolalla
• Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
• Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
• Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription!
• Craig Mazin on Instagram
• John August on Twitter
• John on Instagram
• John on Mastodon
• Outro by Orpheus (send us yours!)
• Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

Writer and director Richard LaGravenese joins Craig for an in-depth analysis of his 1994 comedy classic screenplay, THE REF. Together, Craig and Richard dig into the rules of farce, making hyper-verbal characters work, and the difference between a main character and a protagonist.

We also discuss how to write compelling monologues, engineering a character’s catharsis, and why coffee really is better with cake.

In our bonus segment for premium members, Craig and Richard discuss why it’s often so hard for men to make – and keep – close friends.

Links:

• The Ref on YouTube, Amazon and IMDb
• Richard LaGravenese on IMDb
• The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry
• The Ref’s Opening Scene
• Puzzled Pint’s Code Sheet
• Levain Bakery
• Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
• Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
• Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription!
• Craig Mazin on Instagram
• John August on Twitter
• John on Instagram
• John on Mastodon
• Outro by Matt Davis (send us yours!)
• Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.