Scriptnotes Podcast 718 - No Worries if Not
Dec 30, 2025
John and Craig dissect Hollywood's euphemisms, revealing the real meanings behind phrases like 'playing phone tag' and 'getting ducks in a row.' They analyze Disney’s intriguing deal with OpenAI and recap the shocking Netflix scam case. The hosts share insights on the evolving nature of video podcasts and outline strategies for writers navigating tricky collaborations. Plus, they celebrate 2025 by sharing impressive audience stats and highlight Charlie XCX's modern Substack as an innovative artist platform.
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The 'It's Over' Exit That Clears Rooms
- Derek habitually ends gatherings abruptly with "It's over," which everyone respects and clears the room.
- John and Craig admire the clean-break leadership that prevents lingering social drag.
Buyers Want Scalable Story Engines
- Notes like "project's too small" or "needs more of an engine" point to market fit and serializability concerns.
- Buyers seek scalable hooks and long-run story engines, not narrow slice-of-life premises.
'Male Entry Points' Masks Demographic Targeting
- "Male entry points" is studio code for adding male characters to broaden appeal and streaming thumbnails often reflect those choices.
- John and Craig criticize the phrase as dehumanizing and advise saying audience-demographic goals plainly.