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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 Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs to talk about the emotional and logistical process of closing out their five-season series, Hacks.

Paul and Lucia also step up as guest readers for the Three Page Challenge, a segment where we look at t... more

In today's edition of "How Would This Be a Movie?" John and Craig convert felonies into films. Together, they take a few crime-related news stories and decide how they might be adapted for the screen.

They also discuss paracosms and the importance ... more

Buckle up! John and Craig discuss the elements that make up a classic road movie. They cover the quintessential scenes, common pitfalls, and the economic quandaries you'll find in the genre.

They also answer listener questions about editing novels ... more

John and Craig invite over Rashida Jones and Will McCormack to chat about their new film The Invite, out in theaters now.

Rashida and Will divulge the origin story and dynamics of their own writing partnership, as well as discuss the process of ada... more

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Recent Guests

Paul W. Downs
Co-creator and writer/producer behind Hacks
Hacks / They're saying it
Episode: 747 - Wrapping It Up with Hacks
Lucia Aniello
Co-creator and writer/producer behind Hacks
Hacks / Broad City
Episode: 747 - Wrapping It Up with Hacks
Rashida Jones
Actress and writer collaborating on The Invite
The Invite team
Episode: 744 - The Invite with Rashida Jones and Will McCormack
Will McCormack
Screenwriter and actor collaborating on The Invite
The Invite team
Episode: 744 - The Invite with Rashida Jones and Will McCormack
Dennis Palumbo
Writer-turned-psychotherapist who deals with creative anxiety and trauma
Private practice, author
Episode: 676 - Writing while the World is on Fire (Encore)
Ryan Condal
Co-creator and showrunner of House of the Dragon
HBO
Episode: 743 - Thinking on Your Feet with Ryan Condal
Curry Barker
Writer-director of Obsession
Episode: 742 - Obsession with Curry Barker
Amy August
Guest; daughter of John August; contributor on one cool thing segment
Scriptnotes
Episode: 741 – Craig Takes Questions
Meredith Stedman
Producer with background in podcasting (True crime/horror)
USC Peter Stark Program / Producer on Scriptnotes
Episode: 740 - On Competence

Hosts

John August
Host of Scriptnotes; discusses screenwriting topics; long-running industry-focused conversations.
Craig Mazin
Co-host of Scriptnotes; discusses screenwriting topics; lead discussions on scope and industry shifts.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 4.5k ratings
  • From a French fan <3

    I love u guys! Listening to your podcast from Paris, France 😊 You’re inspiring me every week. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NKTS
    France3 months ago
  • 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 States7 months ago
  • Engaging and informative

    One of my four must-listen-weekly shows

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mat Everywhere
    Australia9 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate practical craft tips and candid industry critiques.
Some episodes spark political disagreements or polarized reactions but remain highly valued for expertise.
High-quality guests and deep dives into showrunning and writing.
Engaging and informative; a must-listen for craft and industry insight.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#71
United States/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#37
United Kingdom/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#40
Canada/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#33
Italy/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#44
France/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#59
Australia/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

745 - Road Trip
Q: Hi there. What editing routine do you follow when working on a novel versus a script, and how do you measure progress during editing?
Editing a novel is about chapter-by-chapter restructuring and measuring progress by revising chunks; a daily word count is less meaningful. For script-related projects, progress often comes from focused work on episodes or scenes and balancing narrative beats. The key is to iterate with a sense of momentum and to read aloud or test the pacing to catch parts that drag.
744 - The Invite with Rashida Jones and Will McCormack
Q: What was the rehearsal process like and how did it influence the final script?
We did a five-day workshop before filming, rewriting in real time with actors and director input, which allowed ideas to emerge in the room and be woven into the draft on the fly.
744 - The Invite with Rashida Jones and Will McCormack
Q: How did you approach adapting the Spanish original and what changes did you decide were essential?
We kept the core questions about love and honesty but changed the ending to make the piano moment pivotal, giving the characters a path forward that felt earned and emotionally grounded.
676 - Writing while the World is on Fire (Encore)
Q: What advice do you have for someone starting to write again after a fire or other profound loss?
Write about what you feel right now, explore what's preventing you, and then examine the meanings you attach to that barrier, including questions about relevance and self-worth.
742 - Obsession with Curry Barker
Q: What practical steps did you take to move from script to screen?
Barker recounts working with a producer to secure funding, the role of test screenings to understand audience perception, and the decision-making process around a necessary reshoot to clarify Bear's motivation. He also highlights the value of collaboration with a writing partner and a close creative circle.

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?

Two veteran screenwriters dissect craft and the film/TV industry through actionable tips, real-world storytelling examples, and candid conversations with practitioners. Episodes span character-driven storytelling, collaboration in writer's rooms, adaptation, production logistics, and the evolving influence of AI and streaming on writing careers. Notable strengths include a consistent, practical approach to screenwriting, deep industry context, and thoughtful guest selections from showrunning to indie filmmaking, making it a go-to for aspiring writers and professionals seeking unvarnished insight into the craft and business.

A standout feature is the long-running, dialog-driven format that blends craft pedagogy with behind-the-scenes produc... 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 No Film School Podcast
3. The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast
4. Team Deakins
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.

How do I contact Scriptnotes Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on Scriptnotes Podcast?

Recent guests on Scriptnotes Podcast include:

1. Paul W. Downs
2. Lucia Aniello
3. Rashida Jones
4. Will McCormack
5. Dennis Palumbo
6. Ryan Condal
7. Curry Barker
8. Amy August

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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