ICYMI: SSN’s Top Stories For 8/18 – 8/22/14

When the Town Shuts Down in August, Where Do All the People Go?

SSN indulges in some travel porn and takes a look at some of the top vacation spots from Italy to Paris to Canada. (SSN)

Assistants Guide To Surviving August Downtime in L.A.

There of plenty of ways you can spend your time while the boss is away. Here are a few suggestions. (SSN)

10 Notes from the Trenches of Development Hell Exposed by Working Writers

In honor of all the writers who have sat across a conference table while someone tells them to “just make it funnier,” we talked to 10 anonymous feature and TV writers about the worst notes they’ve received, the issues they see with some studio & network notes – and the most ridiculous mandates they’ve had to endure. (SSN)

Box Office Insight: Sin City: A Dame to Kill For & Other Sequels that Were a Long Time Coming

Do all long-coming sequels do worse than the original? SSN takes a look at other sequels that took their sweet time – and the ROI results in the final wash – from the Wall Street franchise to the longest gaps between Tron, Indiana Jones and the Toy Story sequels. (SSN)

MTV VMAs: Which Music Video Directors Have Made it Big in Features?

SSN names the most notable directors to have transitioned successfully from music videos to features – from Michael Bay and David Fincher to Antoine Fuqua and McG. Also, we list our pick of 2014 nominees who are ripe for crossover, including Melina Matsoukas, Rich Lee, and Terry Richardson. (SSN)