Scriptnotes Podcast

Screenwriters John August (Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and Craig Mazin (Chernobyl, The Last of Us) have been co-hosting Scriptnotes since 2011, and it remains the gold standard for screenwriting podcasts. The two have an easy rapport that makes even technical discussions about story structure, copyright law, and work-for-hire agreements genuinely entertaining. They are not just talking heads either. Both are actively working in Hollywood, which means their commentary on industry trends comes from firsthand experience rather than speculation. Recent episodes have covered turning news stories into movies, the oral nature of screenwriting versus prose, and what makes an effective comparison when pitching. They regularly bring on filmmakers and showrunners for deeper craft discussions, like a recent episode with Joachim Trier on character introductions. With over 725 episodes and a 4.8-star rating from 2,400 listeners, the show has built an enormous archive of screenwriting wisdom. Even if you write prose fiction rather than screenplays, the craft discussions about structure, character, and dialogue translate directly. Mazin in particular has a gift for articulating why certain storytelling choices work and others fall apart. The weekly schedule means there is always something fresh in your feed, and the show's massive back catalog is organized well enough that you can find episodes on nearly any specific screenwriting topic you need.