EPISODE · May 22, 2025 · 50 MIN
Screenwriter John August Wants to Make Things Happen ('Scriptnotes' - 'Big Fish' - 'Corpse Bride')
from 5AM StoryTalk · host Cole Haddon
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-modernListen at Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/05P29X6J7sCcMj1EvPMeA0?si=44c7fd6f6c2a4bf9Listen at Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-john-august-talks-the-modern-family-pilot/id1807437928?i=1000706747477Show 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 usLinks:· 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” trailerSUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'https://colehaddon.substack.com/You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLEhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” here: https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddonSOCIAL MEDIAFollow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/Cole Haddon @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/ColehaddonwashereEMAIL[email protected] 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/
What this episode covers
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-modernListen at Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/05P29X6J7sCcMj1EvPMeA0?si=44c7fd6f6c2a4bf9Listen at Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-john-august-talks-the-modern-family-pilot/id1807437928?i=1000706747477Show 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 usLinks:· 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” trailerSUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'https://colehaddon.substack.com/You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLEhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” here: https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddonSOCIAL MEDIAFollow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/Cole Haddon @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.com/ColehaddonwashereEMAIL[email protected] 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/
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Screenwriter John August Wants to Make Things Happen ('Scriptnotes' - 'Big Fish' - 'Corpse Bride')
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