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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

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Scriptnotes Podcast

Latest Episodes

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

How do you keep doing creative work when the world is falling apart around you? To sift through the despair and doubt, John welcomes back legendary Scriptnotes guest, writer-turned-psychotherapist Dennis Palumbo. They discuss the many feelings that c... more

John and Craig sit down with Ryan Condal, showrunner of House of the Dragon, just as its third season airs.

They dive into Ryan's late start in Hollywood, spec scripts, the anatomy of a writers room, and thinking as a product of movement. They also... more

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Recent Guests

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
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
David E. Kelley
Creator of numerous TV series; Emmy-winning writer-producer
Margo's Got Money Troubles; Goliath; The Lincoln Lawyer; etc.
Episode: 739 - The One with David E. Kelley
Courtney Kemp
Creator of Power; showrunner and writer
Power Universe (Starz/Power); Nemesis
Episode: 738 - Building Your Audience with Courtney Kemp
Phil Hay
Filmmaker and screenwriter, frequent collaborator with Matt Manfredi
Studio/Independent Films
Episode: 737 - Studio-Adjacent

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
  • 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
    France2 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 States10 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 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
#120
United States/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#36
United Kingdom/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#70
Canada/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#102
Australia/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#104
Germany/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#201
France/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
742 - Obsession with Curry Barker
Q: How do you balance horror and comedy in Obsession?
He explains that humor arises naturally from character discomfort and the realism of reactions, with the realization that audiences respond to relatable fear and longing. The duo emphasizes that the comedy should not undercut the horror, but instead coexist to enhance tension and emotional truth.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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 Town with Matthew Belloni
5. The Business

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. Rashida Jones
2. Will McCormack
3. Ryan Condal
4. Curry Barker
5. Amy August
6. Meredith Stedman
7. David E. Kelley
8. Courtney Kemp

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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