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Scriptnotes Podcast

Scriptnotes Podcast

John August and Craig Mazin

Screenwriters John August and Craig Mazin discuss screenwriting and related topics in the film and television industry, everything from getting stuff written to the vagaries of copyright and work-for-hire law.

653 - 758 - Revisiting The Dropout

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653 - 758 - Revisiting The Dropout
What are storytellers' responsibilities when it comes to real-life figures? How much fiction can you blend with fact?
You Can See Everything is the latest film exploring Elizabeth Holmes, the fascinating and singular Theranos founder. In light of its cultural moment, this week we revisit episode 546, where John is joined by Liz Meriwether and Liz Hannah to discuss their own Liz Holmes series, The Dropout, starring Amanda Seyfried.
No spoilers in the main show, but in our mega-bonus segment for premium subscribers, John, Craig, Drew, Meredith and Lauren have a spoiler-filled roundtable discussion of their You Can See Everything experiences. Unsurprisingly, Craig has strong opinions.
Download the episode here!
Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium membertoday! 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
Tue, 27 Oct 2026 - 1h 30min
652 - 757 - Nerding Out on Story with Andrew Stanton
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.
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 membertoday! 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
Tue, 20 Oct 2026 - 54min
651 - 756 - Archetypes
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?
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
Tue, 13 Oct 2026 - 53min
650 - 755 - Directing Your Writing
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.
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
Tue, 06 Oct 2026 - 1h 28min
649 - 754 - East of Eden with Zoe Kazan
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.
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
Tue, 29 Sep 2026 - 53min
648 - 753 - The One with Aaron Sorkin
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.
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
Tue, 22 Sep 2026 - 1h 06min
647 - 752 - General Meetings
Think of this as a crash course in general meetings.
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
Tue, 15 Sep 2026 - 1h 13min
646 - 751 - Assembling a Career with Erin Gibson
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.
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
Tue, 08 Sep 2026 - 1h 00min
645 - 750 - Quinceañera
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.
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
Tue, 01 Sep 2026 - 45min
644 - 749 - Famous People with Taffy Brodesser-Akner
John and Taffy sit down for a candid conversation surrounding fame, interacting with famous people, and the depiction of fame on screen.
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
Tue, 25 Aug 2026 - 1h 04min
643 - 748 - One Room Movies
John and Craig lock in on one-room movies. How does confinement change character behavior? What opportunities can a single location give you?
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
Tue, 18 Aug 2026 - 1h 00min
642 - 747 - Wrapping It Up with Hacks
John welcomes Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs to talk about the emotional and logistical process of closing out their five-season series, Hacks.
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
Tue, 11 Aug 2026 - 1h 15min
641 - 746 - How Would This Be a Crime?
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.
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.
Tue, 04 Aug 2026 - 58min
640 - 745 - Road Trip
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.
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
Tue, 28 Jul 2026 - 1h 01min
639 - 744 - The Invite with Rashida Jones and Will McCormack
John and Craig invite over Rashida Jones and Will McCormack to chat about their new film The Invite, out in theaters now.
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 Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription! 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.
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 - 56min
638 - 676 - Writing while the World is on Fire (Encore)
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.
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 Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription! 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.
Tue, 14 Jul 2026 - 49min
637 - 743 - Thinking on Your Feet with Ryan Condal
John and Craig sit down with Ryan Condal, showrunner of House of the Dragon, just as its third season airs.
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 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.
Tue, 07 Jul 2026 - 1h 08min
636 - 742 - Obsession with Curry Barker
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.
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.
Tue, 30 Jun 2026 - 1h 05min
635 - 741 – Craig Takes Questions
This week, Craig answers listener questions about rewriting on set, AI coverage, when and how to kill off characters, sizing up producers, and more.
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) 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.
Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 49min
634 - 740 - On Competence
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.
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.
Tue, 16 Jun 2026 - 59min

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