Scriptnotes Podcast

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 catastrophic events can bring up in artists, the personal narratives that often inform those feelings, and how to keep moving forward when you feel like the band on the Titanic.
We also follow up on AI, and answer listener questions on competing with brain trusts and how to support a friend embroiled in controversy.
In our bonus segment for premium members, Dennis guides us through the best examples and worst mistakes of portraying therapists on screen.
Links:
"Am I Just Fiddling While Rome Burns?" by Dennis Palumbo for Psychiatric Times
Scriptnotes 99 – Psychotherapy for Screenwriters
ShotDeck
River Runner Global
At the Existentialist Café by Sarah Bakewell
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Craig Mazin on Threads and Instagram
John August on BlueSky, Threads, and Instagram
Outro by Spencer Lackey (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.

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 answer a listener question about the mechanics of writing a sequel.
In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John, Craig and Ryan discuss perhaps the most popular fictional creatures ever: dragons!
Links:
I Solved My Mystery Fatigue with AI by Amy Deng
Myst by Cyan, Rand Miller & Robyn Miller
Dimhaven by Zadbox Entertainment
NordVPN
yU+co – Title sequence designers
Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book!
Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription
Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube
Follow Scriptnotes on Instagram and TikTok
John August on Bluesky and Instagram
Outro by Matthew Chilelli (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.

John and Craig welcome Curry Barker, the writer-director behind this summer's surprise blockbuster, Obsession. It's a rom-com, a horror film and a great example of trusting your audience.
We discuss Curry's roots, his writing process, learning from YouTube, as well as the pressure to follow up a hit.
In our bonus segment for premium subscribers, John and Craig pose the #1 most important question for all filmmakers to consider: What will the popcorn bucket be?
Links:
Aaron Sorkin Masterclass
The Chair by Curry Barker
Milk & Serial by Curry Barker
Humans Veer Left by Rachel Nuwer (NY Times)
The Case of the Golden Idol
Members Only Jackets
Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book!
Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription
Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube
Follow Scriptnotes on Instagram and TikTok
John August on Bluesky and Instagram
Outro by Matthew Chilelli (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.

This week, Craig answers listener questions about rewriting on set, AI coverage, when and how to kill off characters, sizing up producers, and more.
There's also an extra-special guest appearance for this week's One Cool Thing.
In the bonus segment for premium subscribers, Craig discusses how to be wrong—something he feels he knows all too well.
Links:
"Widow's Bay" Games: Daddy's Home & Teeth
"L.A. Law" Elevator Scene
Ed Wood (1994)
Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book!
Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription
Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube
Follow Scriptnotes on Instagram and TikTok
John August on Bluesky and Instagram
Outro by Matthew Chilelli (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.

Why is it so satisfying to watch a highly-skilled character complete their goals? And why can it be equally hilarious to watch an incompetent character bumble through a slew of screw-ups? In this episode, John and Craig discuss how to play with competence in your characters.
We also say goodbye to our producer Drew Marquardt with a thoroughly embarrassing exit interview, and reveal our new producer. However, it's not really goodbye, because Drew will be staying on to work with John on an upcoming project (TBA).
In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig deliberate on the question: Should you quit LOUDLY?
Links:
* The attack on competence by Iris Meredith
* Scott Tenorman Must Die (South Park – Season 5, Episode 4)
* Bartosz Ciechanowski's Curves and Surfaces
* Rhubarb Breakfast Dessert by Melissa Clark
* Easiest Citrus Roasted Rhubarb by "Kate Cooks"
* Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book!
* Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
* Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
* Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription
* Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube
* Follow Scriptnotes on Instagram and TikTok
* John August on Bluesky and Instagram
* Outro by Matthew Chilelli (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.