Write Your Screenplay Podcast

With the LA Screenwriting Weekend approaching, Jake sits down with writer and teacher Steven Bagatourian to explore the balance between fire, craft, and voice. Together they dig into why instinct needs structure, why structure needs heat, and how the voice you’re seeking often emerges in the friction between the two.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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/