In Advisor Studio sessions, film and television industry professionals share field experiences and insights into their specific areas of craft, including writing, directing, and producing for TV and film. 

In this exclusive Advisor Studio, screenwriter, director, author, and podcast host John August discusses key insights from his new book, Scriptnotes. 

Co-written with Craig Mazin (co-creator of the hit podcast of the same name), the book draws on more than one thousand hours of Scriptnotes podcast conversations, as well as Craig and John’s storied careers, to help readers begin, refine, and sell their own scripts. It features contributions from filmmakers such as Lulu Wang, Greta Gerwig, and Seth Rogen.

In this 60-minute session, August, a frequent advisor at the Sundance Institute Screenwriting Lab, shares indispensable industry insights through both an independent and studio lens. As the screenwriter of films such as Big Fish and Corpse Bride, August knows what it takes to write a successful script for the screen. He provides actionable tips on collaborating, pitching, and navigating the art of exposition. He also shares a few pearls of wisdom he’s learned from some of the talented guests on his show.

Whether you’re an aspiring screenwriter ready to launch your career or a seasoned professional seeking to gain new industry insights, this presentation will illuminate the path to a successful screenwriting career.

Topics include:

• How to determine if your idea is worth pursuing
• The importance of point of view in your writing
• How to approach conflict
• Screenwriting rules, and when it’s OK to break them
• Tips on structure
• Pitching dos and don’ts
• Persisting in the business and thriving as a writer
• The importance of writers helping writers