John August poses for a portrait during the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo: Mark Mainz / Getty Images)

Talented young screenwriter John August made his film debut with "Go" (1999), Doug Liman's fast-paced follow-up to the successful independent "Swingers" (1997). Initially written to be a short film entitled "X", his script evolved over two years into the feature length "Go". A thrilling comic caper as sharp as it was exciting, August's clever screenplay featured three intertwined stories held together by surprisingly smart coincidences. This debut showcased his talent for penning smooth and credible dialogue, and setting up situations at once outrageous and strangely plausible. Sometimes billed as a "Pulp Fiction" for the younger set, and accused of being irresponsible in terms of the representation of drugs and sex, the energetic "Go" was mislabeled, often grouped in with the booming teen film resurgence because of its young and attractive cast, but still managed a strong box office showing. August's honest, optimistic, yet largely unglamorous depiction of rave life was an unabashed wild ride, his script served well by the cast's strong performances and Liman's vibrant direction. While enjoying the critical and popular success of "Go" (on which he also served as co-producer and second unit director), August was hard at work on several developing projects including adapting screenplays for the children's themed films "A Wrinkle In Time" and "How to Eat Fried Worms" as well as a feature remake of the popular television program "Fantasy Island". Also in the pipeline were "The Blue Streak" (1999), an action comedy starring Martin Lawrence and Luke Wilson, the script of which he contributed to, and the writer-producer's television series debut, the pilot for a promising politically themed ensemble drama "DC" (The WB).