The Script Lab Podcast: John August Talks Highland 2.5 Software, ALADDIN and His Upcoming GREASE Prequel

John August is such a prolific writer, I’m sure you’ve seen at least one of his films. Most recently, he co-wrote the live-action version of Disney’s Aladdin, but has also had a long-time collaboration with director Tim Burton, penning such films as Frankenweenie, Corpse Bride and Big Fish. His upcoming film Summer Nights is the hotly anticipated prequel to the beloved musical Grease. 

Download the screenplay for BIG FISH here for free.

I caught up with August at his launch party in Hollywood for Highland 2.5, a brand new version of the screenwriting software he developed himself (check out my detailed review here). In the podcast, we discuss what’s new in the software, the challenges he faced turning Aladdin’s animated characters into three-dimensional human beings, and his relationship with the enigmatic Tim Burton. 

Also, if you missed my recent podcast with James Vanderbilt, writer of the Netflix action-comedy Murder Mystery, take a listen. Vanderbilt shares the one book all screenwriters must read and why white space on the page is your friend. 

But here’s what John August is up to…   

Listen to the podcast below.

Download the screenplay for FRANKENWEENIE  here for free.

Shanee Edwards graduated from UCLA Film School with an MFA in Screenwriting and is currently the film critic for SheKnows.com. She recently won the Next MacGyver television writing competition to create a TV show about a female engineer. Her pilot, Ada and the Machine, is currently in development with America Ferrera’s Take Fountain Productions. You can follow her on Twitter: @ShaneeEdwards

Photo credit: Aladdin

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