Scriptnotes Podcast

Author and Screenwriter

Scriptnotes Podcast is a general podcast hosted by Scriptnotes Podcast, with 500 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Scriptnotes Podcast hosts Scriptnotes Podcast, a general show with 500 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Scriptnotes Podcast

  One Room Movies

  Aug 18, 2026—

  John and Craig lock in on one-room movies. How does confinement change character behavior? What opportunities can a single location give you? Plus, they consider how much dithering a character should indulge. They also answer listener questions about “hyperlink cinema” and writing phone calls. In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John and Craig discuss outgrowing their own tastes. Links: Reddit thread about faster kettles Police Stalkers Ben Affleck/Matt Damon FIFA Project based on Houses of Deceit United Passions (FIFA movie) Dithering WhatIsIt Reddit Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters. Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our coordinator is Lauren Loesberg. Outro by Nick Moore ( send us yours! ). Email us at ask@johnaugust.com The post One Room Movies first appeared on John August .

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  Scriptnotes Podcast

  Wrapping It Up with Hacks

  Aug 11, 2026—

  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 the first three pages of a listener-submitted script and give honest feedback. In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John, Lucia and Paul talk about cameos. How do they happen? What’s the real deal behind the scenes? Links: You Can Just Do Things by Cate Hall State and Local Election Alliance @luciaaniellosetfits @paulwdowns Cherlato Gelato Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters. Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our Coordinator is Lauren Loesberg. Outro by Nick Moore ( send us yours! ). Email us at ask@johnaugust.com The post Wrapping It Up with Hacks first appeared on John August .

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  Scriptnotes Podcast

  How Would This Be a Crime?

  Aug 4, 202658 min

  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 of daydreaming for budding screenwriters. In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John and Craig discuss prediction markets. Bet you can guess how that goes. Episode Links: Paracosm Jerome Singer’s research on Daydreaming Bob Ross Freud’s 1908 essay “ Creative Writers and Day-Dreaming ” Michele Root-Bernstein’s study on childhood worldplay $500 Million Estate Dispute Luggage Tag Scheme Uncrewed Narco Subs Florida Cop Stalks Woman The 40-Year-Old Man-Child by Megan Garber Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters. Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our Coordinator is Lauren Loesberg. Outro by Gloom Canyon ( send us yours! ). Email us at ask@johnaugust.com. Download the full episode here . The post How Would This Be a Crime? first appeared on John August .

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  Scriptnotes Podcast

  Road Trip

  Jul 28, 2026—

  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 (versus screenplays) and the aesthetics of outlines and breakdowns. In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John and Craig talk about their own memorable road trips. Links: Wolf’s Belly Bronson Watermarker Pro Carl Rinsch Kathy Bates Scene from Rat Race John’s Wondery Podcast, “ Launch ” It’s 10pm Do You Know Where Your Children Are? Prop House Auctions Lords of Waterdeep Get your copy of The Scriptnotes Book and become a Scriptnotes Premium member today! For more content on the craft of writing check out Inneresting our weekly-ish newsletter about screenwriting and things that are interesting to screenwriters. Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our Coordinator is Lauren Loesberg. Outro by Matthew Chilelli ( send us yours! ). Email us at ask@johnaugust.com Download the full episode here . The post Road Trip first appeared on John August .

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  Scriptnotes Podcast

  The Invite with Rashida Jones and Will McCormack

  Jul 21, 202656 min

  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 adapting an adaptation and writing to the truth of relationships. In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, the four swap stories about saying goodbye to creative projects that never came to pass. Links: The People Upstairs (Sentimental) by Cesc Gay (Original Spanish version) Esther Perel Report from Out Making Games Simpsley The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne Worldpeace DMT Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription! Craig Mazin on Threads and Instagram John August on BlueSky , Threads , and Instagram Outro by Makeup and Vanity Set ( send us yours! ) Scriptnotes is produced by Meredith Stedman and edited by Matthew Chilelli . Our intern is Lauren Loesberg. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here . The post The Invite with Rashida Jones and Will McCormack first appeared on John August .

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Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

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