Write Your Screenplay Podcast

What happens when you take the structure of a movie you love—and try to breathe new life into it? In this episode of the podcast, Jacob Krueger explores In the Blink of an Eye, the ambitious sci-fi drama written by Colby Day that premiered at Sundance and is now streaming on Hulu. Deeply influenced by Darren Aronofsky’s The Fountain, the film unfolds across three timelines connected by shared questions about death, evolution, and the fragile miracle of human life. Comparing the two films as a case study, Jake explores three deceptively simple craft lessons: how writers can repurpose the structure of the movies that inspire them toward new ends; why theme only lands when the writer is genuinely wrestling with it; and what you can learn about good dialogue from a family of grunting neanderthals. Along the way, he shows how even strong films with beautiful performances can lose their emotional punch the moment a writer stops trusting the audience.

A deep dive into how structure beats plot by forcing characters into impossible choices. The conversation examines moral pressure, fatherhood, and the cost of protecting family. Visual metaphors like burying bodies as trees and a tense plant scene are highlighted. Automation and identity loss from work are raised as surprising thematic threads.

What does it actually mean to adapt a story- and how can radically different adaptations emerge from the same source material? In this episode, Jacob Krueger looks at the novel and film versions of Hamnet and the ’90s award darling Shakespeare in Love to show how finding the location of your adaptation shapes character, structure, tone, and theme—and why successful adaptations are defined less by fidelity to source material than by the clarity of your intentions

A look at adapting big source material by finding a single narrative location. A comparison of Maggie O'Farrell's Hamnet and the film approach that leans into magic and visual grief. A contrast with Shakespeare in Love's London-centered romantic location and how cuts and language sharpen its love story. Discussion of how changing location shifts priorities and demands ruthless edits.

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!