Why do some screenplays connect deeply with audiences, while others only scratch the surface?
In this episode of the Write Your Screenplay Podcast, Jacob Krueger takes a deep dive into Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another to explore the vital link between theme, character development, and structure.
Is this film simply an action-packed spectacle, or does it deliver a powerful call to revolution? Jake unpacks how a screenplay’s emotional core depends on clear, consistent themes that grow organically from character motivation, not just plot points.
✍️ What You’ll Learn
How time functions (and sometimes doesn’t) in One Battle After Another
The difference between writing like a world-famous screenwriter and a new writer aiming for their first sale
How to craft stories that inspire social change
Techniques to uncover the real story hiding beneath your first draft
When to hold onto your outline — and when to let it go
How to spot missed opportunities in your screenplay
Practical rewriting strategies to transform a functional script into one that truly resonates
Why theme should be the emotional engine driving your screenplay
How to create authentic, motivated characters that feel real
Why focusing on core ideas beats piling on plot twists
How to distinguish characters who truly live on the page
Ways to develop theme through your characters’ choices
How to find the hidden story beneath your first draft
🎧 LISTEN NOW to get Jake’s take on One Battle After Another.
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