As writer, actor, and Sundance-winning creator Kathreen Khavari joins the Jacob Krueger Studio faculty, Jake sits down with her for a candid conversation about voice, character, creative audacity, and the art of paying attention.
From overheard subway conversations to guerrilla filmmaking, Kat shares how she created her breakout viral short Brain of Terror b ... Show More
May 11
Beef Season 2: Metaphor, Engine, and Breaking the Rules
How do you reinvent a TV series without breaking its engine? Jacob Krueger breaks down Beef Season 2 to explore one of the most difficult balancing acts in screenwriting: evolving a show's engine without alienating your audience. At first, the second season of Beef appears to del ... Show More
47m 46s
Aug 2025
261 | Clarity, Subtext, and Want vs. Need: Kaz Firpo on Crafting Great Screenplays
JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so In this episode, Meg and Lorien sit down with Kaz Firpo (Marvel’s ETERNALS, RUIN) to talk about the timeless craft lessons that make a great screenplay. From writing scenes that still land without sound, to creating emotional cla ... Show More
1h 18m
Apr 2020
7 | Mastering Structure In Your Screenplay: Part II
If you haven't listened to last week's episode, jump back and make sure you're caught up, because this week, we're picking up at the midpoint. PLUS, as always, we answer your incredible questions, here, on The Screenwriting Life podcast! Make sure to subscribe to Popcorn Talk! - ... Show More
47m 6s
Aug 2025
260 | From Barf Draft to Next Draft: 5 Steps to Take Now
Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so In this episode, Meg and Lorien dive into a messy, magical stage of screenwriting: the barf draft — your first unfiltered pass at a script. They share how to tackle chaos on the page, whether your draft is too long, too short, to ... Show More
1h 2m
Mar 2020
3 | What Actually Is THEME In Your Screenplay?
Theme is the essence of good storytelling, but what does it actually mean, and how does it play into screenwriting? Meg and Lorien deep dive today, and answer your questions, here on The Screenwriting Life!
Welcome to The Screenwriting Life. Join us as professional screenwriters, ... Show More
45m 57s
Apr 2020
6 | Mastering Structure In Your Screenplay: Part I
Writers dread the idea of feeling confined by a structure, but what they don't realize, is that structure is one of the greatest gifts that they can be given as a writer. Structure = story, and the best films ever made know how to "play within the rules." Today, we go over those ... Show More
39m 8s
Sep 2025
263 | Feature Film Story Engine Checklist: 8 Elements to Turn a Situation Into a Movie (REBROADCAST)
Check out our premium TSL WORKSHOPS program here: https://tslworkshops.circle.so STORY ENGINE. Two words we so often dread, but let's be honest: the engine of your story is what POWERS your movie. It's make, or break. And today, we break down eight elements to test whether or not ... Show More
1h 10m
