Write Your Screenplay Podcast

Explore why New Year's resolutions often fail, revealing that they falter because we plan for an idealized version of ourselves. Discover the importance of anticipating obstacles and treating your goals like a character’s journey. Learn to define a clear want and leverage your super objective as a guiding North Star. The podcast emphasizes sensory details to make goals vivid and discusses breaking big dreams into actionable steps. Small, consistent efforts can lead to significant, lasting change in your life.

Discover how raising stakes in a screenplay is rooted in empathy rather than just action-filled plots. Explore the importance of knowing what your character truly wants and how to express that desire through visible actions. Learn to make challenges more daunting by escalating obstacles that force your character to struggle. Delve into the nuances of differentiating plot events from deeper emotional stakes that resonate with the audience. This engaging discussion invites writers to connect character aspirations with emotional needs for heightened impact.

Every year, writers make New Year’s resolutions with the best intentions—only to watch those resolutions crumble under real life. The problem isn’t discipline or willpower, but the same structural mistakes that cause character arcs to collapse in screenplays. Learn how to build 2026 resolutions that actually work by drawing on the same techniques writers use to create journeys of lasting change for their characters.

What happens when a classic modern “Western” like First Blood is reimagined for a world where moral clarity has collapsed? In this episode, Jacob Krueger analyzes Ari Aster’s Eddington in comparison to First Blood to reveal how theme drives character, action, dialogue, and structure when adapting within a genre.

Pluribus isn’t just a masterclass in character, it’s a study in how the world around your protagonist shapes our empathy. Jake explores how Vince Gilligan uses contrast, irony, and a disruptive structural design in the pilot and second episode of Pluribus to draw us toward a protagonist who isn’t trying to be likable, revealing a deeper craft approach to writing truthful, compelling characters without having to “save the cat.”

In this conversation, award-winning screenwriter Steven Bagatourian shares insights on balancing passion and structure in screenwriting. He emphasizes the need for scripts to immediately engage tired Hollywood readers and highlights the importance of character intensity in driving narratives. Bagatourian discusses how a screenplay should evoke emotional experiences and stresses the significance of a unique voice in writing. Additionally, he offers advice on navigating notes and the essential nature of rewriting, showcasing that craft and artistry are both crucial in storytelling.

Discover the secrets of introducing a main character in a compelling way! Learn how to dramatize desire and use humor to reveal personality traits. Dive into the dynamics of status games within scenes and understand how a pilot’s first few minutes can dictate the entire series' tone. Explore the art of creating dramatic irony and setting up rivalries for maximum effect. Plus, find out how character flaws and conflicts can lead to satisfying narrative payoffs. Perfect for aspiring screenwriters!

Many writers rush to the inciting incident, weakening their scripts. By slowing down and embracing the present, writers can enhance their storytelling. Ordinary world setups often bore readers, so creating immediate interest is crucial. Every scene can carry structure through present-moment action. Distinguishing between character-driven and commercially driven drafts is key to engaging narratives. Jacob encourages writers to make bold character choices early and savor details to elevate their work.

Dive into a fascinating analysis where themes take center stage! Discover how a cohesive thematic throughline can elevate character journeys. Explore the motivations behind characters like Perfidia and Lockjaw, and question the film's political resonance. The discussion highlights the importance of believable character choices and reveals unfinished themes that could have made an impact. Lastly, learn rewriting strategies that emphasize character-driven narratives, which can significantly enhance emotional engagement in scripts.

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.