John and Craig tackle the third question every development executive asks: “why now?” What makes an idea relevant to the moment? They offer ways writers can think about this early on in their process, including reframing it as “how now?” instead.

We then talk about reversals and look at how they work on the page, using a scene from Chernobyl. This week’s follow up includes discussions on abortion access, post-release editing, and the impact of cancelling an almost-finished movie.

In our bonus segment for premium members, the guys debate when to engage with stupid people and when it’s best to ignore them.

Links:

• Lots of exciting updates for premium members coming up, sign up for a membership here!
• WGA Health Plan covers travel for abortion-related expenses
• More Than 400 TV Showrunners Demand Netflix, Disney and More Offer Safety Protocols in Anti-Abortion States
• Batgirl Shelved
• Netflix Retroactively Editing Stranger Things
• The Falconer by Annie Kaempfer, watch here!
• Follow along with this discussion on reversals – Chernobyl scene here, full script here.
• Antlers Do What No Other Bones Can by Katherine J. Wu for The Atlantic
• House of DaVinci 3 video game
• Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
• Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
• Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription!
• Craig Mazin on Twitter
• John August on Twitter
• John on Instagram
• Outro by Nico Mansy (send us yours!)
• Scriptnotes is produced by Megana Rao and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

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You can download the episode here.