Hi Reader, Let’s talk about one of the biggest story problems I see in screenplays: plot-driven storytelling vs. character-driven storytelling. This is one of those things that can make the difference between a script that feels alive and one that feels like it’s just being pushed from scene to scene. And if you’ve ever watched a movie and thought: “Why would they do that?”“Why are they still there?”“Why does this feel like it’s happening to the character instead of because of them?” …then...
8 days ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, On the heels of my last newsletter (where I spoke about risk in storytelling), I’ve been thinking a lot lately about why some movies connect… and why others just don’t. Not just in terms of box office or streaming numbers. I mean on a deeper level - the level where audiences either lean in and say, “I’m in”, or quietly check out. That’s what got me thinking about two recent movies: Netflix’s War Machine and the theatrical release, The Bride! On paper, both had what it takes to...
15 days ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, Let’s talk about risk in storytelling. Because “taking risks” is one of those phrases everyone loves to say… but not everyone means the same thing when they say it. These days, “risk” often gets confused with one thing: shock value. A twist for the sake of a twist. Subversion just to be subversive.A left turn just to prove the writer is “bold” or "defying conventions".A moment designed to make people gasp - and then immediately forget it happened. That’s not real risk. That’s a...
19 days ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the future of movie theatres - and why it feels like we’re at a tipping point. Because here’s the uncomfortable truth: If theatres are going to survive (and if indie films are going to have a real shot), a mindset shift has to happen. Not just from audiences. Not just from filmmakers. But from the people who act as the first big filter in the system - film festivals and distributors. The festival-to-theatre pipeline (and why it matters) For...
26 days ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, Let’s talk about a word that makes writers nervous: Exposition. In a nutshell, exposition is the background information that explains your story’s world, characters, or plot. It’s the stuff your audience needs to help understand what’s going on… but it’s also the stuff that can kill your momentum if you dump it on the page like a boring textbook. And we’ve all seen it done badly. You’re reading a thriller… and suddenly you’re trapped in a three-page lecture about how a lab works....
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, If you’ve ever finished a screenplay draft and thought… “Is this any good?”“Is this ready?”“Why does the middle feel… weird?” …you’re not alone. That’s exactly where screenplay coverage comes in. What is “coverage”? In the simplest terms, script coverage is professional feedback on your screenplay, usually delivered as a written report. The goal is to give you a clear, unbiased read on what’s working, what’s not working, and most importantly… WHY. Good coverage doesn’t just say...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, A few weeks back, I got a call from a producer I know asking for help on a script. So between prepping for the BC theatrical premiere of Contamination and traveling for the screening, I was suddenly also deep in a rush rewrite on a feature-length screenplay. The producer had a hard deadline, and I had to deliver at the start of this past week. And I’ll be honest - with the screening landing right in the middle of it all, I had even less time than I wanted. But I’ve never missed a...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, The last few weeks have been a whirlwind! Between final prep, packing, and travel, I was all-in on getting ready for the Vancouver theatrical premiere of Contamination - and it was 100% worth it. Seeing the film on the big screen with a new audience was incredible, especially knowing how much heart and work went into every scene. But what really made the weekend special? The people. Unexpected Moments, Real Connections In addition to the premiere, I had the chance to meet and chat...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, You ever watch a movie and think… “This should have worked. The pieces were all there. So what went wrong?” That’s exactly what happened to me at the tail end of my winter holidays. I finally had a free evening to do something I rarely get to do during the year: absolutely nothing. Well… almost nothing. After a steady diet of holiday movies with the kids and way too much stuffing, I decided it was time for something a little different. So I fired up a movie I’d been meaning to...
3 months ago • 2 min read