John and Craig welcome back writer/director Rian Johnson (Glass Onion, Knives Out, Star Wars: The Last Jedi) to discuss the difference between developing a mystery vs. designing a story. Rian shares how his writing process begins with structure and how the needs of the story inform the tone of his films.

We then test ChatGPT, the AI chatbot that’s been thrilling and terrifying screenwriters, to assess how worried we should be for the future of the profession. We also answer questions on variable frame rate and politics on set.

In our bonus segment for premium members, we dive into theories and spoilers for Glass Onion. Don’t listen until you’ve watched the movie!

Links:

• Glass Onion on Netflix, December 23, 2022!
• Sign up for a Scriptnotes Premium Membership! use the PROMO CODE: ONION for four months free on your Scriptnotes annual membership. (Valid through 1/15/23)
• pronounce-qatar.html">The 2022 World Cup is being hosted in Qatar, which, as everyone knows, is pronounced… by Sarah Lyall for NYT
• Eben Bolter’s Tweet on Variable Frame Rate
• ChatGPT
• On Airline Mapping by Daniel Huffman
• LEGO Star Wars: The Phantom Limb short film by Legg Animations, score by our own Matthew Chilelli!
• cons.xyz/event/comic-con-experience-ccxp-sao-paulo-brazil/">Comic Con Experience — CCP in São Paulo, Brazil
• John Dixon Carr mystery novels including Hag’s Nook and The Mad Hatter
• Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!
• Check out the Inneresting Newsletter
• Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription or treat yourself to a premium subscription! – use promo code ONION
• Craig Mazin on Twitter
• John August on Twitter
• John on Instagram
• Outro by Matthew Chilelli (send us yours!)
• Scriptnotes is produced by Megana Rao and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.