There are places in the world where time collapses. In the summer of 2017, I boarded a plane alone and flew across the ocean to Scotland, chasing an itch I couldn’t quite name. I told people I was going to hike, to write, to practice …
Why Authenticity Resonates in Film and TV
The Power of Generational Storytelling Whether it’s the heartbreak of This Is Us, the bone-chilling revelations of Hereditary, or the tear-jerking beauty of Coco, generational storytelling has a way of hitting us right in the feels. Why? These stories don’t just tell us about characters; …
How to Make Your Cold Pitch Warm: Tips for Emerging Screenwriters
As someone exposed to countless cold pitches and screenplays each week, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to stand out. A great introduction email and a polished script are your ticket to catching attention in a competitive industry. Here are some practical tips …
How to Write for Reality TV
During my foray into reality TV, I came to understand that the story producers/editors are essentially the writers. Although they are not writing screenplays with dialog and action, they are outlining what needs to happen for each episode of the series to be engaging. Their …
Behind the Scenes: How Reality TV Comes to Life
I’ll admit, I don’t watch reality TV. I mean, I’ve occasionally watched a few episodes out of curiosity, but my real interest is in how it’s made and what makes it successful. Since there has been little work for me in the world of scripted …
The WGA and SAG Strike: A Crossroads for Hollywood But a Boon for Vancouver’s Independent Filmmaking?
WHAT’S HAPPENING Even for those who are not “in the industry” a hotly debated topic of conversation these days is, of course, the ongoing WGA and SAG/AFTRA dual strike. It’s a hot bed of complex issues, with far-reaching implications for the global film industry. It …
10 Steps for Rewriting Your First Draft
Rewriting a screenplay is like sculpting a piece of art. It’s a process of refining, reshaping, and sometimes even starting over. Here’s a step-by-step approach that I’ve found to be effective: Take a Break: After you’ve finished your first draft, take a little time away …
Character & Story
Story comes out of Character. No matter what world you create for your characters, or the inciting incident that sets them on their journey, nor even the conflict you think will drive the story, it all goes nowhere if your character is not well developed. …
Unlock Writers Block
Sometimes we need a little something to get the creative juices flowing. Using creative writers prompts often unlocks writers block. I believe the best stories come out of character development and I boil the primary building blocks down to three main things: Negative Traits, Positive …
On My Bookshelf
Those who know me personally, know that I began my storytelling journey a lifetime ago but my foray into the world of film and tv production started 5 years ago. Since then, I have hustled hard, starting off as a locations PA (if you know, …
Workshops / Vancouver Island Creative Getaways
Join my creative friends and me for workshops on Vancouver Island! Think ‘Paint Nite’ workshop parties, but for screenwriters and filmmakers. These workshops are focused on all things filmmaking and screenwriting. The workshop instructors work in the entertainment world and have a yen for mentoring …
10 Steps to a Compelling Scene
Creating a compelling scene in a screenplay is a delicate balance of several elements. Here are some key aspects to consider: Objective: Every scene should have a clear objective or purpose. This could be to advance the plot, reveal something about a character, or set …
Character Arcs / Film vs TV
CHARACTER ARC COMPARISON: TV Series vs. Feature Film Scope and Duration: TV Series: The character arc may span multiple seasons or episodes, allowing for more gradual and nuanced development over time. Feature Film: The character arc needs to be condensed within the limited runtime of …
Six Elements of Character Arcs
IN A NUTSHELL: Character arcs refer to the transformation or development of a character over the course of a story. They represent the emotional, psychological, or moral journey that a character undertakes, often resulting in growth, change, or self-discovery. Character arcs typically involve the following …
10 Character Arcs
These character arcs are well known and a good place to start. Hero’s Journey – The hero starts in the ordinary world, gets a call to adventure, faces challenges and temptations, goes through a transformation, and returns home changed. Examples: Luke Skywalker, Harry Potter. Rags …