Stop rushing to page 10-12. Learn how slowing down and being present deepens your screenplay and connects you to your characters.

Explore the link between theme, character, and structure in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another with Jacob Krueger’s screenplay analysis.

Learn how The Girlfriend builds and breaks its series engine. Jacob Krueger shows how “game of the scene” fuels TV writing, structure, and audience tension.

Want to know the key to elevated horror? Jacob Krueger reveals how true genre elevation emerges from mining the thematic and emotional depth already present in your screenplay.

Want to know the key to elevated horror? Jacob Krueger reveals how true genre elevation emerges from mining the thematic and emotional depth already present in your screenplay.

Want to know the key to elevated horror? Jacob Krueger reveals how true genre elevation emerges from mining the thematic and emotional depth already present in your screenplay.

 


 
Hypnosis for Writers: Break Through Writers Block with Jacob Krueger
Recorded live during a Thursday Night Writes session, this episode features Jacob Krueger as he unpacks three major forms of writer’s block and their links to different forms of psychological trauma. 
If you’ve ever struggled to maintain a consistent writing practice, found yourself bouncing from project to project without ever finishing, doubted your talent, or felt like there was a wall inside you cutting you off from your authentic voice, this episode will be life changing. You’ll learn the common sources of each kind of writer’s block, and why many of the most deeply blocked writers don’t even realize they are blocked, where self doubt and procrastination come from, and most importantly, how to end them forever. 
You’ll even experience a simple yet profound self-hypnotic exercise to release the trauma blocking your writing, come to peace with your inner critic, and reconnect with your authentic voice as a screenwriter..
You’ll learn:

* The myth of “needing trauma to be creative”—and how to move past it
* How writing and hypnosis use the same storytelling mechanics
* How to return to joy and flow, even on tough writing days
* How hypnosis relates to writing, creativity, and emotional healing
* How to resolve conflict with your inner critic
* How your “identity” as a writer may be making writing harder for you.
* A simple self hypnosis technique to permanently resolve creative trauma in minutes
* How to identify blocks you didn’t know you had
* How to transform emotional blocks into creative clarity

 
You’ll leave with practical tools, a clearer perspective, and a renewed connection to your writing.



Join Jake for free every Thursday night at Thursday Night Writes, RSVP here and check all of our classes!
Upcoming Classes at
Jacob Krueger Studio.

 









 




 
 
Sinners: Theme, Tone & the Sea Change
 


Jacob Krueger takes listeners inside Sinners, Ryan Coogler’s genre-defying vampire allegory, to explore how structural shifts, mythic symbolism, and character design serve theme and tone. At the heart of the analysis is the “sea change”—a transformative midpoint moment that redefines not only the plot, but also the emotional and symbolic fabric of the film.
By analyzing Coogler’s use of bifurcated characters, musical motifs, and complex antagonists, Jacob unpacks how Sinners captures the pain and power of cultural appropriation, the longing for unity, and the cost of assimilation. This episode reveals how to write stories that resonate politically without falling into oversimplification.
You’ll learn:

* How to use sea change to shift genre, tone, and meaning mid-film
* Why sea change is a structural tool, not a formulaic beat
* How dual characters can externalize unresolved identity
* How to layer in theme through genre and tone
* How to balance character realism with political allegory
* How to anchor fantastical elements in grounded drama
* Why bifurcated characters can externalize inner conflict
* How music and motif build emotional resonance
* What Sinners teaches about reclaiming narrative voice

 
This episode is a deep dive into how one screenplay bends genre without breaking story—and what every writer can take from it.







Join Jake for free every Thursday night at Thursday Night Writes, RSVP here and check all of our classes!



Upcoming Classes at
Jacob Krueger Studio.

 











 



Adolescence Episode 4: Should You Write a Limited Series?

In the final episode of our Adolescence series, Jacob Krueger explores the creative opportunities and constraints of the limited series format. Through a detailed breakdown of the structure of Episode 4 of Adolescence, and the way it fits into the overall structure of the Adolescence limited series— Jacob helps you understand the similarities and differences between building structure and Engine for a Limited Series and a traditional TV Series.  Along the way, you’ll learn how to think about the format of your own TV series in any genre, how to build your own Series Engine, and how to determine whether your writing is best served as a traditional TV comedy, dramedy or drama series or a limited series.

Listeners will learn:

How to know if your idea should be developed as a limited series.
How to build TV structure without relying on recurring characters
The difference between Character & Pattern based series engine in TV Writing.
The structure of Adolescence Episode 4
How to build structure over the full season of a limited series. 
The engine of Adolescence and how it works over all four episodes of the limited series..
How to build an engine, structure and theme in your own limited series.
And much more!

 
Whether you’re debating between film, TV, or something in between, this episode will help you clarify which medium best serves your story—and how to write a limited series that stands out in today’s market.





Join Jake for free every Thursday night at Thursday Night Writes, RSVP here and check all of our classes!
Upcoming Classes at
Jacob Krueger Studio.

 











 



Adolescence Episode 3: Adolescence, The Wire & Pattern Based Engine

In this episode, Jacob Krueger explores how Episode 3 of Adolescence radically shifts focus from the core cast to a new character and setting—yet still maintains the series’ emotional engine. Drawing comparisons to The Wire, Jacob introduces the concept of pattern-based engine design, a rare but powerful alternative to traditional character-driven engines in television writing.
Rather than building consistency through returning characters, Adolescence matches emotional and thematic patterns across episodes—mirrored relationships, dialectical themes, character absences, and shifting points of view—to preserve unity even as the cast and tone evolve. Adolescence Episode 3 plays like a one-act play, centering a brilliant but emotionally taxing therapy session between Jamie and a state-appointed psychologist. Through this stripped-down structure, we explore new facets of Jamie’s character, revisit the central theme of the series, and re-experience the show's core emotional patterns from a fresh angle.

Listeners will learn:

What a pattern-based engine is—and how it differs from traditional engine design
How The Wire pioneered character-swapping as a structural tool
Why some series use cast changes to deepen theme and perspective
How Adolescence maintains emotional continuity even as characters disappear
Why matching patterns can sustain a show's identity across wildly different episodes
How to keep offscreen characters alive through dialogue and presence
How to structure a one-room episode like a stage play
What to do when your story demands you break your own “rules”
How dialectical storytelling guides structure and character choice
Why empathy—not judgment—leads to more powerful, human stories

Whether you're writing an anthology, an unconventional pilot, or just want to break out of formulaic storytelling, this episode will help you build engines that are driven by meaning, not just plot.





Join Jake for free every Thursday night at Thursday Night Writes, RSVP here and check all of our classes!
Upcoming Classes at
Jacob Krueger Studio.

 











 



Adolescence Episode 2: Dialectical Screenwriting

In this episode, Jacob Krueger explores how the second installment of Adolescence deepens the series’ thematic complexity by introducing a dialectical structure. Rather than following a single protagonist’s journey, Adolescence Episode 2 sets up a debate between opposing worldviews—embodied by DI Bascombe and his partner DS Frank—around the central question of whether we can ever truly understand why acts of violence happen. This conflict not only drives the drama but also mirrors the viewer’s own uncertainty, creating a compelling emotional and intellectual experience.

Listeners will learn:


What dialectical storytelling is—and how to use it in your own screenwriting and TV writing

The structure and series engine of Adolescence

How Adolescence turns a whodunit into a more profound question of “why”

Why great theme comes from opposing characters who both believe they’re right

How to use structure to embody debate, not just plot

What it means to “save the best for first” in serialized storytelling

How to deepen theme without sacrificing character or genre conventions

Why even action-free scenes can be shaped by tension and conflict

How to build variation into your series engine while still honoring the format


Whether you’re writing episodic television, a limited series, or a feature screenplay, this episode will show you how to turn your theme into the backbone of your story—and how to explore your most challenging ideas without needing to have all the answers.





Join Jake for free every Thursday night at Thursday Night Writes, RSVP here and check all of our classes!
Upcoming Classes at
Jacob Krueger Studio.

 











 



Adolescence Episode 1: Playing at the Top Of Your Intelligence

In the first installment of this four-part series, Jacob Krueger breaks down the pilot episode of Adolescence, the acclaimed limited series by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, and explores how it redefines the rules of the crime genre. Rather than relying on high-octane action or procedural tropes, Adolescence opens with a quiet moment between a father and son—immediately signaling a series more interested in emotional complexity than sensationalism. Jacob examines how the show uses a one-shot visual style, grounded performances, and a deceptively simple interrogation scene to set up its true narrative engine—not a mystery about what happened, but a deeper inquiry into why. Along the way, he introduces the concept of writing characters “at the top of their intelligence” and shows how this choice can lead to more authentic conflict, deeper suspense, and unexpected emotional payoffs.

Listeners will learn:


* How to hook your audience in the first 10 seconds of a pilot

* What it means to write characters “at the top of their intelligence”

* How Adolescence builds suspense without relying on genre clichés

* Why showing competent characters can create more compelling drama

* How the show uses limited perspective to reflect its central themes

* Why the central mystery isn’t “what happened?”—but “why?”

* How structure, theme, and cinematography work together to shape audience expectations

* What to do when your script demands a character make a less-than-smart choice


Whether you're building a limited series or just learning how to craft a great pilot, this episode offers valuable insight into writing complex characters and reinventing familiar genres from the inside out.





Join Jake for free every Thursday night at Thursday Night Writes, RSVP here and check all of our classes!











 

 

Thunderbolts: Theme in Action Movies



In this episode, Jacob Krueger breaks down how Thunderbolts, written by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo, uses explosive action sequences to explore surprisingly deep themes of depression, trauma, and connection. Rather than simply delivering high-octane superhero spectacle, Thunderbolts transforms its action scenes into a reflection of its characters' inner battles — revealing how even the most over-the-top superhero film can become a powerful exploration of the human experience.



Listeners will learn:




* How to write action movies that actually say something meaningful



* Why theme is essential to great genre storytelling



* How Thunderbolts uses action sequences to externalize its characters’ internal struggles



* Why even the most action-packed movies are really just dramas at heart



* How to develop a “visual language” that communicates theme



* Why every action movie is built on a foundation of character and emotion



* How to write characters who embody opposing sides of a theme



* How to balance spectacle with storytelling in genre films




Whether you're writing action, sci-fi, horror, or comedy, this episode will show you how to use theme to build emotional depth without sacrificing excitement.









Join Jake for free every Thursday night at Thursday Night Writes, RSVP here and check all of our classes!

In this episode, Jacob Krueger explores how The Last of Us, Season 2 tackles one of the toughest challenges in TV writing: resetting the series engine after a game-changing season finale. With Pedro Pascal’s Joel and Bella Ramsey’s Ellie seemingly completing their journey in Season 1, Jacob shows how creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann rebuild the show’s structure—reintroducing danger, redefining character dynamics, and elevating the stakes.



Listeners will learn how The Last of Us uses a new antagonist, rising internal tension, and a powerful twist to maintain momentum without losing its core identity. By examining the choices Mazin and Druckmann make, Jacob reveals the critical importance of a strong series engine—and why killing off a central character can be the ultimate reset button.



Listeners will learn:




* What a series engine is—and why it must feel both “the same and different” each season



* Why The Last of Us, Season 2 depends on character death to drive emotional stakes



* How to reset a series engine without losing your show’s core identity



* How to maintain tension even when your main relationship is resolved



* Why emotional closure can be a threat to your series engine



* How The Last of Us, Season 2 uses revenge as a new thematic focus



* How character arcs must reset in a multi-season show



* Why killing a central character can be a creative solution—or a trap



* How to rebuild stakes, threat, and suspense in a sequel season




Whether you're building a pilot, writing a series, or planning for multiple seasons, this episode will show you how to keep your story engine running strong.









Join Jake for free every Thursday night at Thursday Night Writes, RSVP here and check all of our classes!

In this episode, Jacob Krueger explores the difference between primary and secondary structure—and how understanding the relationship between them can transform your screenwriting. Using Shawshank Redemption and Nickel Boys as case studies, Jacob shows how both films use a nearly identical core structure to tell vastly different stories, each built around the same foundational dynamic: a hopeful protagonist changing the life of a more cynical friend.



Listeners will learn how Frank Darabont’s secondary structure choices in Shawshank—including misdirection, red herrings, and hidden motivations—disguise a plot that would otherwise feel predictable. Then, through Nickel Boys, Jacob reveals how Ramell Ross and Joslyn Barnes take the same narrative scaffolding and rewire it to land an emotionally devastating twist ending, using secondary structure not just to entertain, but to deliver a powerful thematic punch.



Listeners will learn:




* What primary and secondary structure are—and why they must work together



* Why Shawshank Redemption works, even when you know it ends with a prison escape



* How to use audience expectations to shape surprise and emotional impact



* Why genre promises matter—and how to subvert them without breaking trust



* How Nickel Boys mirrors Shawshank—and then flips its outcome



* How POV and delayed reveals can elevate a twist ending



* Why tricking your audience only works when it deepens your theme



* How to build structure from character—not from formula



* What “seeing through the character’s eyes” really means



* How to build your screenplay’s external shape without losing emotional truth




Whether you're writing a twist ending, adapting historical material, or just trying to avoid cliché, this episode will help you ground your structure in character—and make every surprise truly land.









Join Jake for free every Thursday night at Thursday Night Writes, RSVP here and check all of our classes!

In this episode, Jacob Krueger breaks down the structure of The White Lotus Season 3, and why—despite using the same engine elements as Seasons 1 and 2—it feels so different. By comparing the underlying theme, character arcs, and engine mechanics across the three seasons, Jacob reveals how changes in thematic cohesion, pacing, and structural execution impact the viewer’s emotional experience.



While Season 1 explored how oblivious privilege trickles down to create chaos, and Season 2 centered on scams and scammers, Season 3 introduces a new theme: the pursuit of enlightenment. But as Jacob shows, the season splinters into multiple competing themes—hope vs. pain, revenge, ambition, status—which ultimately disrupt the show's usual cohesion.



Listeners will learn:




* How to build a TV series engine that feels both “the same but different”



* How engine and theme function across multiple seasons of The White Lotus



* Why thematic unity in TV writing matters more than matching plot structures



* How The White Lotus uses series engine replication across seasons What happens when you shift tone or theme mid-series



* Why saving your best material for last can weaken your structure



* How character archetypes evolve across seasons (Belinda, Greg, Tanya)



* How to build a Series Engine for multiple seasons of your own TV show



* How to use Theme in your own TV writing



* Why escalation, early stakes, and "saving the best for first" are crucial to TV Writing success




Whether you're building a limited series or writing a pilot, this episode will show you how the choices you make about theme, pacing, and structure can elevate—or diffuse—your show’s impact.









Join Jake for free every Thursday night at Thursday Night Writes, RSVP here and check all of our classes!

In this episode, Jacob Krueger explores how Anora, the Oscar-winning film by Sean Baker, uses one of the most powerful tools of screenwriting structure: the “Sea Change.” Drawing from 7-Act Structure, Jacob breaks down how the midpoint of Anora functions not just as a plot twist, but as a seismic emotional shift for the protagonist — one that transforms both the character and the film itself.



Rather than saving the biggest moments for the end, Baker brings them to the middle of the film — an approach that flips the “Pretty Woman” genre expectations he sets up in the first half to create “funhouse mirror” reversals in the second half, and unlock deeper character complexity.



Listeners will learn:




* What a sea change”Sea Change” is (and why it’s not just the “midpoint”)



* How Anora builds its innovative structure as a response to Pretty Woman. 



* How a ”Sea Change” powers both your character’s arc and your story structure



* Why “Saving the Best for First” can make your screenplay more original



* How Anora uses mirrored scenes, tonal shifts, and flipped expectations to deepen its meaning



* How to move beyond cliché and find the real emotional truth of your story



* Why strong screenplays emerge not from plans—but from discovering what lies on the other side of your character’s biggest choice




Whether you’re just starting out or revising a finished draft, this episode will help you see your structure—and your characters—in a whole new way.









Join Jake for free every Thursday night at Thursday Night Writes, RSVP here and check all of our classes!