John and Craig take a look at stories in the news -- and elsewhere -- to ask How Would This Be a Movie?
This week, we've got brine shrimp, Nazis, sympathetic kidnappers, and metaphysical paradoxes. What’s more, we've got a possible Nicole Perlman situation.
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Craig and Scriptnotes friend Derek Haas answer listener questions ranging from getting started in Hollywood to interviewing entertainment attorneys.
We also leave a message for a Scriptnotes listener to hear years in the future.
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John and Craig look at the newly-negotiated DGA deal, and what it portends for writers -- in particular, TV showrunners and those who want to direct.
Then Kelly Marcel joins us for a new round of the Three Page Challenge, where we look at 80’s cyberpunk, dollhead ghosts, and the whimsical delusions of a bored movie theater worker.
Because you demanded it, they’re printing an extra run of the 2016 Scriptnotes shirts. This is the last week to order, so get yours now.
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John welcomes Aline Brosh McKenna to the City of Lights, where they answer listener questions about cheating reality and bilingual characters.
They then invite a special guest on to talk about adaptation and autobiography. When writing about your own life, how much do you need to worry about portraying your friends and family?
Both of the 2016 Scriptnotes t-shirts are headed back to print — but only for two weeks! If you missed out the first time, make sure to get yours today.
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John and Craig ditch their jobs as screenwriters to play quackery sleuths, investigating the practice of homeopathy and what it can teach us about how narrative shapes belief.
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John and Craig discuss post-scriptum depression, that low feeling you sometimes get when finishing a screenplay.
We also look at some of the trends in the most recent Black List, and a protest over Boys Don't Cry which has one of us shaking his damn head.
Links:
Pardon My Titres: Bad Biology
John August on Twitter
Craig Mazin on Twitter
Outro by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours!)
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You can download the episode here.
John and Craig look at how heroes let us know what they're after, with or without a song.
We also answer listener questions about how much despair to feel when a movie similar to your spec is announced, getting staffed off of improv groups, and whether we're wrong about gurus. (We’re not.)
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John and Craig look at phrases that have been banned from comedy writing rooms, and more generally why making a list of what you will never do can help you figure out what you should do.
We also answer listener questions about character names, life rights and sticking to a genre.
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You can download the episode here.
Craig and John look at how writers, and screenwriters in particular, impact the way people think about things in the real world. From crime scenes to courtrooms to CPR, we simplify things for storytelling and leave audiences with skewed expectations.
In follow up, Craig invited Final Draft into his life (and office), actors' accents got analyzed, and more news came out about fake news.
We also be answer listener questions about LA neighborhoods and the gulf between getting read and getting paid.
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Writer-director Chris Sparling joins John and Craig to discuss his new film Mercy, and what it’s like to make a movie for Netflix. Then it’s another round of How Would This Be a Movie, with stories including ex-girlfriends, fake news, and permafrost ivory.
Plus we answer listener questions on cosplay, criticism and parallel structures.
Links:
Email us at [email protected]
You can download the episode here.