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Scriptnotes Podcast

John August and Craig Mazin
Screenwriting
Hollywood
Character Development
Film Industry
Chernobyl
Scriptnotes
Three Page Challenge
Big Fish
Moneyball
Scriptnotes Book
Artificial Intelligence
Billy Beane
Satan
Structure
Puzzle Box Storytelling
Severance
Storytelling
Brad Pitt
Clueless
Rosemary's Baby

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes40Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
TV & Film

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Artwork for Scriptnotes Podcast

Latest Episodes

John welcomes back Phil Hay (Destroyer, The Invitation) to ask, how do you get a movie made with independent financing? They look at how indie movies get made, where you get the money, deciding when to go indie, and whether streamers complicate the p... more

John and Craig welcome back Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) to explore the timely questions about art and human labor posed by her long-awaited sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2. We'll warn you now: Spoilers ahead!

We... more

John and Craig go back to the beginning to examine the mechanics of the flash-forward opening — or as it's known on this podcast, the "Stuart Special." They look at what makes a strong flash-forward, when to avoid them, and how to pay back the narrat... more

John and Craig welcome back Katie Dippold (Widow's Bay, Ghostbusters) to ask, what advice would you give to your younger self? They revisit the writers they used to be, offer specific guidance to each one, and demystify everything from "Why isn't a p... more

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Recent Guests

Katie Dippold
Writer known for The Heat, Ghostbusters, and Widow's Bay
Widow's Bay (AppleTV+/Apple TV)
Episode: 734 - A Box Full of Teeth
Ali Barthwell
Writer for Last Week Tonight; author; educator
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver; Second City; Columbia College Chicago
Episode: 733 - Learning Comedy
Haley Z. Boston
Writer and creator/showrunner of The Excellent, Something Very Bad is Going to Happen
The Excellent, Something Very Bad is Going to Happen
Episode: 732 - Something Very Bad is Going to Happen
Mike Johnston
Vice President of the Northwest Screenwriters Guild
Northwest Screenwriters Guild
Episode: 730 - A Frank Conversation About Screenwriting
Drew Goddard
Writer with credits including Cloverfield, Cabin in the Woods, The Martian, Daredevil, High Potential, and Project Hail Mary
Episode: 728 - Beats to Scenes with Drew Goddard
Natalie Musteata
Writer-director known for the short film 'Two People Exchanging Saliva'
Episode: 726 - So you've been nominated for an Oscar
Alexandre Singh
Writer-director known for the short film 'Two People Exchanging Saliva'
Episode: 726 - So you've been nominated for an Oscar
Joachim Trier
Writer and Director known for films like Louder Than Bombs and The Worst Person in the World
Film Industry
Episode: 724 - Introductions with Joachim Trier
Eva Victor
Writer, director, and star of the film 'Sorry, Baby'
Independent Filmmaker
Episode: 721 - Preparing to Direct (with Eva Victor)

Hosts

John August
Host of Scriptnotes, writer and producer with a long-running focus on screenwriting and industry topics
Craig Mazin
Co-host; writer-director known for major genre and streaming projects; discusses screenwriting, industry dynamics, and craft

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 4.5k ratings
  • I keep freaking falling for it

    I think they’re going to talk about something important related to craft, pitching, etc. and then I have to listen to thirty minutes of discussion about when to proofread an email.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Amuletmood
    United States5 months ago
  • Engaging and informative

    One of my four must-listen-weekly shows

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mat Everywhere
    Australia7 months ago
  • Film. Not politics.

    Was very excited for this podcast. Unfortunately the crazy swerve into how “truth social is a funny way to lie” was it for me. I’m not even a republican. It’s a toxic us vs them landscape and I won’t have any part of it.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    J. Rousal
    United States8 months ago
  • Always Inneresting

    I love these guys. They are enormously generous, critical of entities that harm or manipulate writers, and marry experience with theory. It does take time to find its rhythm and I really had to let Craig grow on me (mostly by just disagreeing with his articulation, not his feelings) but once that happened, the podcast became an easy daily fixture on my evening walks. The Dennis Palumbo and Aline Brosh McKenna episodes are particularly great and replay-able and I’m excited to buy the book when it... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Vishnu228
    United States10 months ago
  • My favorite podcast

    I’ve sampled a ton of podcasts over the last decade. I listen to only a few regularly. Though I am a writer, I’ve never pursued screen or scriptwriting - and don’t intend to. With that said, I love the “inside entertainment writing” that Craig and John give us weekly, the guests, the content, almost everything about it. The writing tips here are good for everyone. IMO, this is the best of them all.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MarinoCorps
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A few listeners wish for more balanced treatment of politics and faster pacing
Listeners appreciate the approachable, no-nonsense breakdowns of complex industry topics
Hosts deliver insider knowledge with engaging debates
Craft-focused and practical for writers
Guests and topics are diverse and highly relevant to screenwriters

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#83
United States/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#49
United Kingdom/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#95
Canada/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#73
Australia/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#75
France/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#230
Germany/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

735 - The Flashforward Fallback
Q: What makes a strong flash forward, and when should you use one?
A strong flash forward should have a clear purpose that adds to the story's frame, create a debt that will be paid off, and recontextualize what the audience already knows in a way that feels earned rather than purely gimmick.
734 - A Box Full of Teeth
Q: What advice would you give your younger self about pursuing a writing career?
Trust your own instincts, seek your people early, and don't be afraid to shift paths when something isn't right—your core skill of writing will carry you forward.
734 - A Box Full of Teeth
Q: What was the dynamic like with on-set writers during production?
Two writers were on set, enabling real-time feedback and continuity across guests directors, which helped capture moments while filming.
734 - A Box Full of Teeth
Q: How long did Katie have to build the room and how many weeks did you work on it?
They worked in a twenty-week room with a structured but flexible process, starting with a detailed outline and ongoing communication with Apple and producers to keep the tone consistent.
733 - Learning Comedy
Q: How should a writer handle a grounded opening when the movie will become broadly silly later?
The advice is to sprinkle hints of silliness early, so the audience accepts a bolder turn later; every early scene should hint at the larger tonal trajectory and make the eventual escalation feel earned.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Scriptnotes Podcast

What is Scriptnotes Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical, craft-forward discussion about screenwriting, filmmaking, and the business of entertainment. Episodes routinely unpack storytelling technique, structure, and character in film and TV, with deep dives into topics like time jumps, beats-to-scenes, endings, and navigating industry dynamics such as notes, writer rooms, and guild negotiations. Noteworthy are the guests—seasoned writers, directors, and showrunners—who share real-world experience, behind-the-scenes insights, and career lessons, making it a go-to for those aiming to break in or level up as writers, directors, or producers. The format blends rigorous technique with candid industry context, often elevating practical advice over theoretical discussion and featuring long-r... more

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How many listeners does Scriptnotes Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Scriptnotes Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Scriptnotes Podcast:

1. The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
2. The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast
3. The No Film School Podcast
4. The Business
5. The Town with Matthew Belloni

How many episodes of Scriptnotes Podcast are there?

Scriptnotes Podcast launched 15 years ago and published 40 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Scriptnotes Podcast?

Recent guests on Scriptnotes Podcast include:

1. Katie Dippold
2. Ali Barthwell
3. Haley Z. Boston
4. Mike Johnston
5. Drew Goddard
6. Natalie Musteata
7. Alexandre Singh
8. Joachim Trier

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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