JOHN AUGUST – screenwriter (Big Fish, Charlie’s Angels, and Corpse Bride), author (the Arlo Finch fantasy series), and co-host of the podcast ScriptNotes – returns for some more 5AM StoryTalk. In this bonus episode, we discuss a favorite piece of art from his life: the pilot episode of “MODERN FAMILY” (2009), written by Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan. How does a TV series predicated on kindness, diversity, and progress that premiered in the first year of Barack Obama's presidency hold up 16 years later with Donald Trump back in the White House?
This bonus episode was released half a year earlier than it became available on Spotify. To get access to all bonus episodes like this one upon initial release, become a paid subscriber to 5AM StoryTalk at Apple or Substack:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928
Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
Be sure to listen to the first part of my chat with John, too: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Lym9uQfTLryUBjNvpdVWg?si=2c0d814e69694538
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John and I will discuss (amongst other things):
· Why he believes this pilot is “well executed from the first frame”
· How the pilot evolved from its script
· How each of the three arms of the Pritchett family present “ways into the series” for different kinds of audiences
· The “social compact” the pilot establishes for the audience going forward
· The impact of “Modern Family” on support for same-sex marriage in the United States
· The handling of same-sex marriage and gay stereotypes in the pilot and series
· Would “Modern Family” get made in today’s media landscape and escalated culture war?
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A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.
TIP JAR
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LINKS
· 5AM StoryTalk newsletter (become a paid subscriber here to gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and podcast: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
· John August’s website / ScriptNotes: https://johnaugust.com/
· Read about “Modern Family” at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Family
· Watch the “Modern Family” trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyUNRWJg0P8
· Read the “Modern Family” pilot script: https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/modern-family-101-pilot-2009.pdf?v=1729114955
· Support the civil rights of all U.S. residents during this time of crisis by donating to the ACLU here: https://www.aclu.org/
· Support LGBTQ+ families by donating to Lambda Legal here: https://lambdalegal.org/
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5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com
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5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.
This podcast's music is by Cary Brothers.
