

Write Your Screenplay Podcast
Jacob Krueger
Rather than rating movies and TV shows like a critic, “two thumbs up” or “two thumbs down,” WGA Award Winning screenwriter Jacob Krueger breaks down scripts without judgment (from scripts you loved, to scripts you hated) to show you what you can learn from them as screenwriters. Plus meet special guests, and get answers to your most pressing screenwriting questions! WriteYourScreenplay.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 3, 2025 • 42min
The Girlfriend: Game and Series Engine
In this Write Your Screenplay Podcast episode, Jacob Krueger analyzes Amazon’s The Girlfriend to explore how the “game of the scene” fuels a lasting series engine. Learn why mirrored perspectives, foils, and escalation drive audience engagement—and what happens when writers break the very patterns that hold a show together. Perfect for writers seeking practical screenwriting tools for TV structure.

Sep 19, 2025 • 23min
Weapons: Should You Write a Horror Movie?
Thinking about writing a horror movie as your way into Hollywood? Horror is an $8.5 billion genre hungry for new voices and original stories. In this episode of the Write Your Screenplay Podcast, Jacob Krueger analyzes Zach Cregger’s Weapons to reveal why the most powerful horror films are built not on gore or jump scares, but on character dynamics, emotional journeys, and human struggles that resonate with audiences everywhere. Learn how metaphor, allegory, and authentic voice can elevate horror, action, or comedy—and why horror remains one of the most exciting genres for screenwriters today.

4 snips
Sep 5, 2025 • 29min
K-Pop Demon Hunters: 3 Ways to Elevate Your Writing
Dive into the transformative world of K-Pop Demon Hunters, where a seemingly wild premise becomes a profound narrative. Discover three essential writing tools: effective research that enriches cultural context, themes that enhance emotional depth, and authentic characters that resonate with audiences. Learn how these elements can elevate your storytelling while maintaining the excitement of your creative ideas. Perfect for both novice and seasoned screenwriters, this discussion inspires a balance between craft and imagination.

Aug 22, 2025 • 37min
Opus: ‘Elevated’ Horror and Allegory
In this episode of the Write Your Screenplay Podcast, Jacob Krueger breaks down Mark Anthony Green’s Opus to reveal how elevated horror and screenwriting allegory can emerge organically from what already exists on the page. Through deep analysis of character wants, political themes, and mirrored choices, you'll learn how to create meaning without exposition, use your first image to establish emotional stakes and tone, and develop structure that resonates from the inside out. Perfect for writers seeking to craft screenplays that are both emotionally grounded and commercially viable.

10 snips
Aug 8, 2025 • 37min
Hypnosis for Writers: Break Through Writers Block with Jacob Krueger
Discover a powerful self-hypnosis technique to break free from writer's block and emotional barriers. The discussion reveals how trauma can impact creativity and offers strategies to enhance your connection with characters and your writing voice. Learn to harness past experiences for greater creative clarity and resilience. With tools rooted in hypnosis, NLP, and neuroscience, elevate your writing journey and unlock your full potential as a storyteller.

Jul 25, 2025 • 41min
Sinners: Theme, Tone & the Sea Change
Explore how sea change, bifurcated characters, and mythic symbolism power the structure and politics of Ryan Coogler’s Sinners.
Join us for a Special Thursday Night Writes! Our Happy Hour of Writing Exercises with Jake every Thursday night at 7:00 pm ET, RSVP: https://www.writeyourscreenplay.com/free-writing-classes-thursday-night-writes/

Jul 11, 2025 • 1h 6min
Adolescence Episode 4: Should You Write a Limited Series?
This episode pulls it all together, with a deep dive into the structure of Adolescence Episode 4 and how it fits into the overall structure and series engine of Adolescence and how to know if your project should be a Limited Series.
Join us for a Special Thursday Night Writes! Our Happy Hour of Writing Exercises with Jake every Thursday night at 7:00 pm ET, RSVP: https://www.writeyourscreenplay.com/free-writing-classes-thursday-night-writes/

Jun 27, 2025 • 38min
Adolescence Episode 3: Adolescence, The Wire and Pattern Based Engine
Learn how Adolescence Episode 3 (building upon structural techniques from The Wire) uses a Pattern Based Series Engine to navigate rare changes in characters and narrative form while still preserving the feeling of the series
Join us for a Special Thursday Night Writes! Our Happy Hour of Writing Exercises with Jake every Thursday night at 7:00 pm ET, RSVP: https://www.writeyourscreenplay.com/free-writing-classes-thursday-night-writes/

Jun 13, 2025 • 40min
Adolescence Episode 2: Dialectical Screenwriting
Learn how to use dialectical structure to deepen your screenplay’s theme, character arcs, and emotional impact through a deep analysis of Adolescence Episode 2.
Join us for a Special Thursday Night Writes! Our Happy Hour of Writing Exercises with Jake every Thursday night at 7:00 pm ET, RSVP: https://www.writeyourscreenplay.com/free-writing-classes-thursday-night-writes/

10 snips
Jun 6, 2025 • 40min
Adolescence Episode 1: Playing at the Top Of Your Intelligence
Discover how adolescence captivates viewers from the very first moments! Unpack the innovative one-shot filming technique that immerses the audience in complex father-son dynamics. Explore the gripping interplay of guilt and intelligence against a backdrop of crime, highlighted by tense character development. Dive into the nuanced themes surrounding familial relationships and the challenges of growing up. Plus, engage in writing exercises designed to enhance your storytelling skills and creativity!