Podcast · 53 episodes
Scriptnotes Podcast
by John August and Craig Mazin · English
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.
Latest episodes
754 - East of Eden with Zoe KazanZoe Kazan discusses adapting John Steinbeck’s East of Eden into a Netflix seven-part limited series, focusing on craft choices (dialogue, archetypes, actor-friendly writing, and showrunner…29 Sep 2026 · 54 min
753 - The One with Aaron SorkinAaron Sorkin’s screenwriting process and scene craft—especially “conflict choreography” (intention vs. obstacle), writing with energy, and disguising exposition.22 Sep 2026 · 1 h 7 min
752 - General MeetingsA “compendium” episode on general meetings for screenwriters—what they are, how they typically run, and how to succeed in them (including Zoom etiquette, what to say about yourself/projects, handling…15 Sep 2026 · 1 h 13 min
All episodes
754 - East of Eden with Zoe KazanZoe Kazan discusses adapting John Steinbeck’s East of Eden into a Netflix seven-part limited series, focusing on craft choices (dialogue, archetypes, actor-friendly writing, and showrunner…29 Sep 2026 · 54 min · 21 chapters
753 - The One with Aaron SorkinAaron Sorkin’s screenwriting process and scene craft—especially “conflict choreography” (intention vs. obstacle), writing with energy, and disguising exposition.22 Sep 2026 · 1 h 7 min · 31 chapters
752 - General MeetingsA “compendium” episode on general meetings for screenwriters—what they are, how they typically run, and how to succeed in them (including Zoom etiquette, what to say about yourself/projects, handling…15 Sep 2026 · 1 h 13 min · 27 chapters
751 - Assembling a Career with Erin GibsonHow to “assemble” a writing career when opportunities are unpredictable; building a consistent creative voice through varied jobs, staying vulnerable, and protecting set culture and actors.8 Sep 2026 · 1 h · 30 chapters
750 - QuinceañeraScript Notes’ 15th-anniversary “quinceañera” episode celebrating the show’s 2011 launch, revisiting early episode 1 advice, and answering listener questions about pitching rewrites, showing passage…1 Sep 2026 · 45 min · 18 chapters
749 - Famous People with Taffy Brodesser-AknerHow celebrity fame distorts reality and how writers should interview or collaborate with famous people without being starstruck, overly deferential, or indecent.25 Aug 2026 · 1 h 4 min · 30 chapters
748 - One Room MoviesMovies largely or entirely set in one location (often one room), plus “dithering” in scripts and real life; also covers surveillance tech (Flock cameras), FIFA/film projects, and listener questions…18 Aug 2026 · 1 h · 25 chapters
747 - Wrapping It Up with HacksEnding a TV series (Hacks) and the creative/practical work of “wrapping it up,” plus two reader script critiques in the Three-Page Challenge.11 Aug 2026 · 1 h 16 min · 38 chapters
746 - How Would This Be a Crime?The episode argues that successful screenwriters are “intentional daydreamers” who build detailed internal worlds (paracosms).4 Aug 2026 · 58 min · 22 chapters
745 - Road TripRoad trip movies as a storytelling structure, including narrative opportunities/challenges (episodic feel, “road trip moments,” relationship change, consequences) and practical economics (shooting…28 Jul 2026 · 1 h 2 min · 28 chapters
744 - The Invite with Rashida Jones and Will McCormackScript Notes episode with Rashida Jones and Will McCormack about their film The Invite, a chamber dramedy remake centered on sex, marriage, shame, ambition, therapy, gender roles, and the risk of…21 Jul 2026 · 56 min · 21 chapters
676 - Writing while the World is on Fire (Encore)How to keep writing when catastrophe feels constant (recorded during the LA fires), plus follow-up on AI in creative work, and advice on competing with “brain trusts” and speaking up for a friend in…14 Jul 2026 · 50 min · 24 chapters
743 - Thinking on Your Feet with Ryan CondalRyan Condal (co-creator/showrunner of House of the Dragon) discusses how he builds and runs a large writer’s room for a high-budget fantasy series, and how setting and character movement support…7 Jul 2026 · 1 h 9 min · 28 chapters
742 - Obsession with Curry BarkerScript Notes episode 742 interviews writer-director Curry Barker about his surprise blockbuster Obsession, focusing on storytelling craft, genre balance (comedy vs horror), and the filmmaking process…30 Jun 2026 · 1 h 6 min · 33 chapters
741 – Craig Takes QuestionsCraig Mazin and John August answer listener questions about writing and production craft, including rhubarb follow-ups, tone, rewriting on set, living away from home, underwriting vs scene length,…23 Jun 2026 · 49 min · 22 chapters
740 - On CompetenceCompetence in storytelling and real life, including “competence porn” vs “incompetence porn,” how confidence relates to competence, and how AI changes what we think competence looks like.16 Jun 2026 · 59 min · 23 chapters
739 - The One with David E. KelleyDavid E. Kelley discusses how he keeps long-running TV fresh, how adaptations work, and how episode “engines” differ across broadcast and streaming.9 Jun 2026 · 57 min · 22 chapters
738 - Building Your Audience with Courtney KempCourtney Kemp (creator of Nemesis and the Power franchise) discusses writing and showrunning across TV formats, staffing and production realities, pitching and development, and navigating streamer vs.2 Jun 2026 · 58 min · 24 chapters
737 - Studio-AdjacentStudio-adjacent filmmaking and audience testing. Phil Hay (subbing for Craig) discusses focus groups/test screenings, how “too fast” notes can reflect missing information, and how test results…26 May 2026 · 1 h · 27 chapters
736 - The Devil You KnowScript Notes episode featuring Aline Brosh McKenna discussing how The Devil Wears Prada 2 was conceived and pitched, why it landed now, and how it uses theme, pacing, and business/media satire; plus…19 May 2026 · 1 h 19 min · 39 chapters
735 - The Flashforward FallbackHow to use flash-forwards (“Stuart specials”) effectively in spec scripts; when to consider them vs avoid them; plus listener Q&A on time jumps, “unfilmable” notes, character agency/avoidance,…12 May 2026 · 1 h 3 min · 25 chapters
734 - A Box Full of TeethScript Notes episode 734 features writer Katie Dippold discussing her Apple TV horror-comedy series Widow’s Bay, including its logline (a New England island mayor tries to boost tourism but is warned…5 May 2026 · 1 h 2 min · 39 chapters
733 - Learning ComedyComedy education as a teachable skill—how to train improv and sketch writing, structure a showcase, and use techniques like blackouts; plus a discussion of WGA negotiating committee work and union…28 Apr 2026 · 1 h 1 min · 26 chapters
732 - Something Very Bad is Going to HappenHaley Z. Boston discusses Script Notes episode 732, centered on her Netflix horror series The Excellent.21 Apr 2026 · 45 min · 21 chapters