Scriptnotes: Difference between revisions

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'''Scriptnotes''' is a [[podcast]] about [[screenwriting]] and things that are interesting to screenwriters, hosted by [[John August]] and [[Craig Mazin]]. It is one of the most popular podcasts on iTunes, and is approaching its 250th episode.<ref>http://johnaugust.com/podcast</ref><ref>http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/scriptnotes-podcast/id462495496</ref>

The show's popularity can be put down to two main factors: its honesty about a profession rarely covered publicly, and the interplay between the two hosts.

While screenwriting is a well-known, seemingly glamorous profession, the reality is that only 1,500 people in the United States make a regular living from it, and almost all of them live in the hub of the movie industry in Los Angeles. There are a large number of services and paid-for events that purport to offer guidance and advice on how to become a screenwriter - services that the hosts are sharply critical of, decrying them as a waste of time and money. Likewise most scriptwriting contests. In contrast, John and Craig provide straight, no-nonsense advice and, on occasion, searingly honest appraisal of the industry and people's chances of "making it".

What could be a dull podcast is enlivened by the contrast in the two presenters' personalities, dry humor, and their willingness to challenge one another. John August, who largely writes fantasy movies, is unerringly polite and positive while Craig Mazin - a sharp-edged comedy writer - identifies himself as a grouch and someone people have to grow to like. They will often relate opposing viewpoints on screenwriting issues and then explore why they disagree, sometimes gently chiding the other. It makes for a highly listenable show.

==Recurring Segments==

===Three-page challenge===

Aspiring screenwriters are encouraged to send in three pages of their screenplay (- almost always the first three) - to be critiqued. The scripts vary widely in tone, style and genre. Links to the chosen screenplays for any given show (typically three are tackled in sequence)provided in the show notes so listeners can read them and then listen to their comments. Typically three are tackled in one show. Those that have had their screenplays subjected to John and Craig's critical eyes have typically thanked them from the feedback, which has ranged from congratulatory to despairing. The three-page challenge is a particularly useful segment for screenwriters as it provides sharp insights into unproduced screenplays,; lessons easily applied to your own project.

===One Cool Thing===