John August

This week’s Scriptnotes with Aaron Sorkin is one of my favorites. In the bonus segment, we discuss his never-made Houdini musical.

I just finished Wolf's Belly by @johnaugust.bsky.social and Simon Estrada. It's amazing, a must read! I can picture this turned into a really killer animated film some day.

If you're looking for a magical kids book series written by someone cool, @johnaugust.bsky.social has a fantastic series called ARLO FINCH. They're fun and funny and I've read them all! bookshop.org/p/books/arlo...

No matter how many times I encounter it, I always forget what a huge difference color correction makes.

Nithya now ~7K behind for L.A. Mayor. At this rate she should pass Pratt tomorrow or Monday.

@johnaugust.bsky.social heating the pan up in oven before reheating pizza in it is amazing. How I’ve never done this before I have no idea.

1. Hey folks: My pal (and recent Oscar nominee!) Pamela Ribon is making a documentary on Texas' UIL One Act Play competition, where teens compete statewide for theatrical glory. She's hoping for donations for post-production work and @scalzifamily.foundation is matching funds. www.oneactfilm.com

I’m getting so much Substack spam. First from politicians, now from investment gurus. Substack needs to add a button beyond “unsubscribe."

Some people say we don’t build beautiful things anymore and, like, lol. Motherfuckers, we built this:

no one is doing it like jd vance, a loser across three continents in a single weekend

Maybe go outside and look at actual birds? Just for a few minutes. birdigogame.com will still be there.

Incredible.

This is my favorite download of 2026.

WGA folks, check your email for details about the 2026 MBA.

It’s wild we use Roman numerals for anything. “It’s a number, but you have to think about it!"

I keep thinking about the politically agnostic people in Minneapolis who were radicalized by ICE’s presence and began actively protesting them. I wonder if putting ICE in transient places, where Americans from all over can see their aggressive (and often illegal) actions, may just backfire.

This week’s Scriptnotes has Drew Goddard talking about Project Hail Mary. I love the movie (10/10) and our conversation about turning beats into actual scenes. Premium episode out now. Regular episode tomorrow.

The “shield” is intolerable here as well. “Parents tried to shield their children from water. Instead they died of dehydration.” That’s what the @nytimes.com headline here says. Both “shield” and “instead” appallingly reinforce anti-vax attitudes and frames.

v early in Mamdani’s term in office but hard to escape conclusion that he’s causing a lot of snowfall

Birdigo, our acclaimed Wordle-meets-Balatro game, is out today on the App Store! No ads. Just pudgy birds. @gameteam6.com apps.apple.com/us/app/birdi...

Melrose and La Brea is just a river right now.

Done. This might be my new favourite book on writing. Maybe only tied with @stephenking.bsky.social’s. Very honest, very straightforward, and very practical. It’s about the job and not about dreaming of the job title. Thanks @johnaugust.bsky.social and @clmazin.bsky.social

The concept of “lying under oath” is up for grabs right now. All the Trump SCOTUS judges did it about Roe. Kennedy did it to get his post. If one of these fuckers isn’t prosecuted it will be crystal clear that there are zero repercussions for doing so, and everyone will lie forever.

"Gambling should be something you have to hide from your wife and children. It should not be an activity that Kevin Hart begs you to do at every commercial break.” www.thatsmarvelousnewsletter.com/170-gamblers... @joshgondelman.bsky.social

turns out when Bezos suggested "democracy dies in darkness" it was a goal, not a slogan

Melania director Brett Ratner was pictured cozying up to Jeffrey Epstein in newly released photos published by the Department of Justice.

Birdigo is *50%* off during the Steam Winter Sale, now until Jan 5th! store.steampowered.com/app/3264170/ This Wordle-meets-Balatro cozy word game was created by @johnaugust.bsky.social & @toboggan.work and plays great on a Steam Deck ❄️

I grew up in Boulder. My Scout Explorer post met in this exact building at NCAR, home to the most science-y science nerds in the Rockies. What a stupid timeline we’re in.

@johnaugust.bsky.social arrived earlier in the month. Saving to read it over the festive break (and read the bonus chapter too!) looks awesome and so clean inside. Lots of white space!

Rob Reiner was funny and gregarious, just like you’d expect. Michele Reiner always insisted on one conversation at a time around a dinner table so everyone could participate. Such a tragedy. All my sympathy to their family.

The Scriptnotes book outsold this!

Every part of this is bonkers. The intro is bonkers. The transition to his health is bonkers. The mention that other presidents didn't need cognitive exams is bonkers. The claim that this screening test is somehow hard is bonkers. The idea that criticism of him is treason is bonkers. All of it.

Spoke with Ritesh Mehta about my writing process, both for movies and the Scriptnotes book. filmmakermagazine.com/132575-inter...

@johnaugust.bsky.social @clmazin.bsky.social the best birthday present ever for this Sadge! ✍️ 💻 🎈 #scriptsky @blcklstd.bsky.social

Number 6 is a big one

It’s here. It’s orange. And it’s glorious! The greatest ever podcast now in book form. Can’t wait to read it! @johnaugust.bsky.social @clmazin.bsky.social #scriptnotes #scriptsky

Instant add to my 2025 holiday gift list for tech/creatively oriented folks: the great new Scriptnotes book by @johnaugust.bsky.social and @clmazin.bsky.social, hosts of the best screenwriting podcast going (AND top screenwriters themselves- a rare combo!) You can pick it up at scriptnotesbook.com

It’s HERE!! Brilliant 🤘😎🤘 #Scriptnotes @johnaugust.bsky.social @clmazin.bsky.social

I see he’s moved on from the couch