John August | Screenwriting Advice You’ll Actually Use | Mike Birbiglia’s Working It Out Podcast

Yeck yeah, great talk.

Craig Mazin on Working it Out, May 2023: "John August does the so-called vomit draft."

John August on Working it Out, May 2024: "I never do the vomit draft."

These guys know how to tell a story.

It's somewhat depressing that a gay version of the mainstream teen comedy like Bottoms, very common in the 80s-90s, now barely exists and is known as a marginal indie film.

Went to NYU Grad Film and I can say without hesitation is that what John August imparts in 10 minutes is more valuable than all of what NYU attempts to teach in the whole course of their joke of a program. What a talented, generous guy. Thank you.

The dide is the real deal. The 9s is such a mindblower for me.

One advice that I love and I think works for all sorts of creative ventures is: Intentionally limit your creative efforts to specific areas. It’s a great way to fight writer’s block and develop your craft. For example, if you are writing a joke, instead of writing an entirely new one, write alternative tags for a joke you love. If you are writing a story, borrow the characters you love and put them in a different setting. If you are writing a song, take a melody you love and write different lyrics to it. It’s an amazing exercise to get started and work on your craft since you have the original to compare it to.

There was a scene that had been cut out of the movie “Millions” that was added back in the DVD. I vaguely remember it was a scene between the little boy Damian talking to the imaginary nun. It was important to add it back.

2 of my favorite creators!

Love John August. Great conversationalist, and very generous with his knowledge. Hope to see Craig on as well

This was fantastic!!!