Scriptnotes Podcast

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

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
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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.

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.

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.

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.