Rephonic
Artwork for Scriptnotes Podcast

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

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

John welcomes five-time Emmy-winning writer Ali Barthwell (Last Week Tonight) to ask, can writers learn to be funny? Drawing from her time as a teacher at The Second City, they look at what writers can learn from sketch and improv, and how to reliabl... more

John welcomes writer/showrunner Haley Z. Boston for a post-mortem on her terrifying new series, Something Very Bad is Going to Happen. They look at how the series evolved from initial idea through production, her experience as a first-time showrunner... more

John and Craig flip the idea of motivation on its head and ask, what are your characters running from? Using examples across film and TV, they look at the psychological underpinnings of discomfort, and how to use avoidance as a driving force of chara... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

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 and screenwriter known for contributing to discussions on screenwriting and industry insight.
Craig Mazin
Co-host and acclaimed writer and producer, recognized for his expertise in screenwriting.

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 States4 months ago
  • Engaging and informative

    One of my four must-listen-weekly shows

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mat Everywhere
    Australia6 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 States7 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 States9 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 States10 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the practical and insightful advice provided on screenwriting, making it essential for those interested in the craft.
Feedback often mentions the show's ability to make complex screenwriting concepts accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience.
The hosts are known for their engaging chemistry and unique balance between serious discussions and light-hearted anecdotes.
Some reviews indicate that debates surrounding political issues can take away from the podcast's main focus on screenwriting, leading to mixed feelings among certain listeners.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#79
United States/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#42
United Kingdom/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#72
Canada/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#49
Australia/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#130
Germany/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#139
France/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
733 - Learning Comedy
Q: What early scenes in a comedy should do to prepare the audience for the movie?
Ali and John emphasize that opening scenes must establish tone, world rules, and character with enough clarity so the audience is onboard for the kind of comedy they're about to experience; if needed, you can trim or reposition those scenes to better cue the audience for the film's turn.

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?

This podcast features in-depth conversations on screenwriting and the intricacies of the film and television industries. The hosts, experienced screenwriters, explore a wide variety of topics, including character development, narrative structure, the impact of awards on careers, and the dynamics of collaboration in filmmaking. Episodes often consist of interviews with accomplished guests such as writers, directors, and other industry professionals, providing valuable insights into the creative process and practical advice for aspiring writers. Themes often reflect on the evolving landscape of Hollywood, touching on issues of authenticity, storytelling complexity, and the business aspects of screen production.

What sets this podcast apart i... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Scriptnotes Podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Scriptnotes Podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Scriptnotes Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Scriptnotes Podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Scriptnotes Podcast, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Scriptnotes Podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Scriptnotes Podcast, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Scriptnotes Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Scriptnotes Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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. Script Apart with Al Horner
3. The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast
4. The No Film School Podcast
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.

How do I contact Scriptnotes Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Scriptnotes Podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Scriptnotes Podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Scriptnotes Podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Scriptnotes Podcast. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days