Today I'm joined by screenwriter, author, and ScriptNotes co-host JOHN AUGUST (Go, Big Fish, Corpse Bride, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and many more). John is one of the most influential screenwriters of the 21st century, educating scores of people around the globe about the medium for 14 years now, so it is with no small sense of pride that I welcome him to my own podcast this week to talk his life, his craft, and the power of cinema.
A bonus episode is also available. In it, John discusses a favorite piece of art from his life – the pilot episode of “Modern Family” (2009).
Listen at Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-john-august-talks-modern
Listen at Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/05P29X6J7sCcMj1EvPMeA0?si=44c7fd6f6c2a4bf9
Listen at Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-john-august-talks-the-modern-family-pilot/id1807437928?i=1000706747477
Show notes:
John and I discuss the following (amongst many other things):
· Dead screenwriters from Hollywood’s past John would love to have on Scriptnotes if he got behind the controls of the TARDIS
· His relationship to screenwriting form, from its origins to William Goldman, to his own work and thoughts on attempts to subvert it
· The difficulties of the industry, including a traumatic early experience that drove him to a nervous breakdown
· Experiences and strategies that have shaped his career, touching upon how he chooses projects
· The story behind Big Fish, how his father's death influenced it, and the enduring emotional resonance it holds across different formats and audiences
· Whether Hollywood storytelling still has the power to unite us
Links:
· John August’s website / Scriptnotes
· Watch the Big Fish trailer
· Read the script for Big Fish here
· Read about John’s Arlo Finch book series here
· John and I discuss When Harry Met Sally. I reference my own interrogation of it, which you can read here
· John references Scriptnotes an episode discussing action writing with Christina Hodson
· John references the Oppenheimer screenplay, which you can read my thoughts about here. In it, you’ll find a link to the Scriptnotes episode where Christopher Nolan discusses his work on the script
· John and I discuss my experiences with abuse in Hollywood, which you can read about here
· Watch the “Modern Family” trailer
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5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.
This podcast's music is by Cary Brothers. https://www.carybrothers.com/
