Answers Quote by John August
“I just always remember myself as the teenager with questions about movies and screenwriting. I would hope that there was somebody out there who would answer those questions, and so, if I can take a few minutes to do it, I will. It's not threatening for us. We're not being stalked, so it's easier.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast "Scriptnotes", Episode 123, 2019
The speaker reflects on his youthful curiosity about film and writing, and his willingness to help others by sharing knowledge without feeling threatened.
In simple terms: He wants to answer questions about movies and screenwriting for others.
Key Takeaway
Share knowledge openly and support curious minds.
Themes
learning
mentorship
film
community
Mood
encouraging
supportive
Type
advice
inspirational
When to use this quote
- film students
- online Q&A
- workshop panels
- mentor meetings
Key Concepts
screenwriting
curiosity
peer support
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we create safe spaces for creative inquiry?
- What barriers stop people from seeking mentorship?
A Different Perspective
Not everyone may feel comfortable asking questions publicly.
![“And how deeply do I let business considerations affect [screenwriting] choices that might otherwise be more or less esthetic? . . . Do I choose the upbeat rather than the downer ending because I know it will score better at the preview? Can the idea be sold in a single sentence? Can it compete…” quote by Edward Zwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/972/edward-zwick-24586_aliens_and-how-deeply-do-i-let-business-conside_302984.jpg)
![“All these teachers and [screenwriting] books mean you see movies that have been worked over by more committees wielding more rules, that all originality and authorship is lost. That's why you're seeing superstars like Brad Pitt in THE FIGHT CLUB and Tom Cruise in MAGNOLIA. They're desperately…” quote by Paul Schrader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e40/paul-schrader-14587_authorship_all-these-teachers-and-screenwriting-boo_176880.jpg)
![“Preacher is a great frustration because I thought it was done, and then it got put in the press notes for the [Frankenweenie] junket and everyone started asking about it again. Preacher could be filmed, at any point. It's sort of ready to go, but it's lacking a green light. At some point, that…” quote by John August](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/03d/john-august-24608_asking_preacher-is-a-great-frustration-because_489394.jpg)
![“Josh [Friedman] and I have been friends for years, and he said, "Hey, if you ever want to do a TV show, I can take it over and run it," and I was like, "Yes!" He's always been so busy that I never dared to ask that, but it just worked out, time wise, that this was the season where we could…” quote by John August](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/294/john-august-24608_asks_josh-friedman-and-i-have-been-friends-fo_1478978.jpg)
