Scriptnotes Podcast

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
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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.

John and Craig welcome writer and showrunner David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies, Ally McBeal) to look at his process for adapting books to TV, particularly with his latest series Margo's Got Money Troubles. They explore where to find your act breaks, crafting complicated tones, and when to trust the writer of the book.
We also look at how TV has changed over David's storied career, how he runs a writers room, creating story engines, the difference between writing for broadcast TV and streaming, and the one thing a TV show should never be.
In our bonus segment for premium members, David coaches John and Craig on how to survive a long running series.
Links:
David E. Kelley on IMDb
Margo's Got Money Troubles on AppleTV
Harvard Alcohol Project: Designated Driver
The Painful Truth About Long Covid by Alan Levinovitz for WIRED
Salmon
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 Nick Moore (send us yours!)
Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Our intern is Lauren Loesberg.
Email us at ask@johnaugust.com
You can download the episode here.