Scriptnotes Podcast

Whatever happened to bit parts — the roles in which a character shows up only for one memorable scene? John and Craig discuss why these roles seem to have vanished, particularly in live action, and make a case for bringing them back.
They also cover listener questions, such as when to name your minor character, how to pitch with talent in the room, and what to do when you find out someone has already made your movie… and maybe done it better.
In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, we analyze the current political landscape but with a narrative spin. As midterms come to an end, it seems we're in for a very different storyline this season. John and Craig make predictions for what's to come.
Links:
Bit Part Video by Shane Anderson
My Short Film Flopped So Yours Won't Have To by Drew Marquardt
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 Brian Keffer (send us yours!)
Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

How do you answer the question, "What is your project about?"
Recorded live at the Austin Film Festival, John is joined by Scriptnotes all-stars Pamela Ribon and Phil Hay to talk about loglines, framing, and communicating the deeper message behind your project.
They also discuss working outside of the traditional studio system, including ways to find money for your film. Plus, we play a game with the audience.
Links:
One Act Film
WhatCable
Paradiso App
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.
Intro & Outro by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours!)
Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

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 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

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 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

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