John and Craig wring their hands and ask, how do you make sure the person you’re hiring isn’t a monster? They look at best practices for vetting colleagues, sussing out problematic people, and managing your own emotions when you’re the person with power.

We also discuss writing for non-native English speakers, using three examples to illustrate the importance of syntax, musicality and authenticity. But first, we answer listener questions on giving notes and kids playing D&D.

In our bonus segment for premium members, we spill the kool-aid on our fears and fascinations with cults.

Links:

Strands from the New York Times
Anatomy of a Fall – Clip
Past Lives by Celine Song
Irma Vep – Clip
Is This Hollywood’s #MeanToo Moment? by David Mack for Slate
How to play Dungeons and Dragons for kids
RuPaul Doesn’t See How That’s Any of Your Business by Ronan Farrow for The New Yorker
Recursion – Glitch Games
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Craig Mazin on Threads and Instagram
John August on Threads, Instagram and Twitter
John on Mastodon
Outro by Eric Pearson (send us yours!)
Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli.

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode here.

635 - Is This Person Going to Ruin Everything?

Scriptnotes Podcast

635 - Is This Person Going to Ruin Everything?