Jacobs & Herzberg · Story Coaching · Script Doctoring · Worldwide
For storytellers, writers, screenwriters, playwrights, theatre makers, filmmakers, and multidisciplinary creatives who want to uncover the beating heart of their story and shape it with greater emotional truth, structural clarity, and artistic precision.
Whether you are at the beginning of an idea, deep inside a draft, or trying to understand why a story is not yet landing, this is a space for rigorous insight, honest reflection, and careful development — so the story can become more alive, more exact, and more fully itself.
Work with Jacobs & Herzberg
Iris Jacobs and Jonathan Herzberg bring together intuition, emotional intelligence, cinematic insight, structural clarity, and exacting narrative care. Together, they help uncover what your work is truly carrying beneath the surface — and shape it into a more coherent, resonant, and compelling whole.
What this is
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We work with you to uncover what the story is really about: its urgency, emotional core, hidden stakes, rhythm, and deeper necessity. We listen for what wants to emerge, what wants to be sharpened, and what the work is asking for.
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When a project needs structure, stronger scene work, clearer character movement, or more exact dramatic architecture, we help refine the form so that content and storytelling become inseparable.
Who this is for
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For writers who want to move beyond plot and connect more deeply to voice, structure, emotional logic, and narrative purpose.
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For performance-based storytellers shaping scene flow, rhythm, dialogue, embodiment, theatrical language, and dramatic tension.
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For creatives developing treatments, scripts, visual story worlds, tonal coherence, and the deeper pulse of a film or moving-image project.
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For those working across form who need support translating instinct into structure, and inner material into meaningful artistic expression.
How we work
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We begin by identifying what is essential: why this story matters, what it is carrying, and where its deepest emotional energy lives.
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Together we examine stakes, subtext, chronology, tone, character movement, and dramatic focus to understand what the story truly needs.
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We refine the architecture of the work so that pacing, structure, language, and scene design support the emotional core with clarity and force.
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You leave with sharper direction, practical next steps, and a clearer relationship to the material so the project can keep evolving with purpose.
Ways to work together
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20–30 minutes · complimentary
A first conversation to hear where you are in your process, what the project needs, and what kind of support would serve the work best.
Most booked
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90 minutes · tailored feedback
A focused deep dive into your script, play, treatment, concept, film, or project in progress, with close attention to emotional truth, structure, character, and tone.
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Multi-session package · bespoke support
A more sustained process for stories that need continuity, depth, accountability, and careful development over time.
Why Jacobs & Herzberg
Iris brings a strong instinct for rhythm, emotional resonance, atmosphere, and artistic truth. Jonathan brings rigorous narrative thinking, structural intelligence, and a sharp eye for what makes a story land.
This is not generic feedback. It is close attention, real artistic dialogue, and thoughtful, tailored support for the writer and the work.
Tailored support can include
Story development, script doctoring, emotional core work, character clarity, structure and pacing, chronology, scene selection, dialogue refinement, thematic deepening, tonal coherence, feedback on works-in-progress, treatment development, and bespoke guidance shaped around your process, project, and artistic voice.
Testimonials
Story coaching for writers, filmmakers, journalists, artists, and makers who want sharper structure, deeper purpose, and stronger emotional clarity.
“One of the most important elements in Jonathan’s classes is that you need to find out why you want to tell your story before you’re ready to tell it properly. He teaches you how what you want to say determines how you say it — and helps you find form to strengthen your content.”
“Each time we meet, I learn more than just technical scriptwriting, I learn what it means to be an artist. His feedback taught me how to identify a piece’s subtext and the emotional touchstones I did not even realise I was working on.”
“Delivered excellent work! Definitely a professional. Highly recommended!”
“Working with her was a pleasure once again. She is accurate, reliable, and professional.”
Reach out to book a discovery call, enquire about a session, or create a bespoke story coaching or script development process.
Worldwide available · info@studioirisjacobs.com
We work with a broad spectrum of narratives, from feature films, series pilots, and shorts to theatre plays, novels, and branded content. Whether your project is dramatic or comedic, genre-driven or character-led, we will help you uncover its unique heartbeat and shape it into a cohesive, compelling story.
Our Story Coaching is ideal for emerging and established creators alike: filmmakers, screenwriters, playwrights, novelists, copywriters, and advertising creatives. If you have ever felt stuck on structure, theme, or voice; or simply want to deepen the emotional core of your work: our one-on-one guidance will sharpen your vision and boost your confidence.
Script Doctoring is a surgical approach to your draft. We perform a comprehensive “story health check,” identifying issues in pacing, character arcs, dialogue, and dramatic stakes. You receive a detailed report with targeted revisions, scene rewrites, dialogue polish, or structural tweaks tailored to preserve your voice while maximising audience impact.
Timelines vary by project size and depth of feedback: a 10–15 page short might take 1–2 weeks, while a feature-length script or novel draft could run 3–6 weeks. We will agree on milestones up front; first draft review, mid-process check-in, final polish. So you always know where you stand.
We combine active listening with probing questions, creative exercises, and actionable feedback. Our goal is to empower you; never to overwrite. You will leave each session with clarity on your story’s next steps and renewed excitement for the work ahead.
Email us a brief project summary and sample pages. We will schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation to discuss your goals, review your material, and recommend the best package, whether a storyboard deep dive, full script doctoring, or ongoing coaching sessions.
We offer flexible packages, single sessions, bundled consults, and payment plans; to accommodate varying needs. Our aim is to invest in your long-term growth, so let’s talk about what works for you.
With award-winning credits, international teaching experience, and a passion for authentic storytelling, we bring both creative flair and disciplined craft to every collaboration. Unlocking your potential is our priority; together, we will transform your vision into the powerful story only you can tell. Our teamwork makes us a killer duo because we won’t rest until we found the beating heart of your story.
We are flexible and meet you where you are most comfortable: in our fully equipped studio, on location to suit your project, or online via video call. Wherever you choose, you will receive the same dedicated attention and expert guidance to elevate your story.