EXT. LOS ANGELES - DAY
A new short film
An aspiring actress decides to escape the script of her life, and writes her own ending.
In an exploration of cinematic storytelling, we combined the script with the screen, so that every single word of the screenplay appears within the frame as the action happens. The interplay between text and image calls to mind both silent films and comic books, but in a new and interactive way.
American teen Sean has his whole life planned out, from college to law school to a career at a white shoe law firm. The next step is spending a semester abroad, which looks great on the college application.
But there’s a mixup at the exchange program. Instead of going to France as planned, Sean winds up in Cartoonisia, an entirely animated country. Back home, his family receives Trixie, a cartoon girl who’s ready for the real world.
This pilot was developed at Imagine Impact, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’s writers program, under the mentorship of Saladin Patterson. As part of that program, I retain all the rights. Please email me if you’d like to see the script.
Miles Miller has inherited superpowers from his parents, the world’s greatest superheroine and its worst villain. But with that kind of pressure, Miles takes the easy way out and hides his powers.
Until his best friend and the girl of his dreams discover his superhuman abilities, and push him to choose the world of superheroics or supervillainy.
I developed this pilot during my MFA program, in Jonathan Vandergriff’s comedy class. Please email me if you’d like a copy of the script.
Television
Comedy Pilots
You wouldn’t think it just looking at these high-concept pitches, but both of these stories are very personal to me.
I lived it New Zealand for a time (my wife is from there). It’s like America but… not. There are little differences, like the words the use: “lift” instead of “elevator;” “biscuit” instead of “cookie.” And they don’t call biscuits anything, because they don’t have those there.
But the strangest thing, I think, was looking up at the night sky. The Southern Hemisphere has entirely different constellations. They don’t even have the North Star, which is the metaphor we use for finding our way home.
I took that feeling and amped it up to cartoonish levels. The result is Exchange Students.
As for Inertia, superheroes are popular right now, but I was into them back when reading a comic book would get you beaten up by the school bully. I bought The Dark Knight Returns with money from my 9th birthday. (Something the comic book guy should NOT have allowed me to do.)
I even still have my homemade Flash costume in a box somewhere. My love of comics is not catching a fad; it comes from a sincere place.
But superpowers and action aren’t what Inertia is about. Instead, it’s about someone who has potential, but feels too much pressure to actually do anything. So instead, he retreats into inaction. Which I think is something we can all relate to.
TV Specs
Sample Scripts from Shows I Like*
*Turns out, I like cop comedies. I honestly didn’t notice until I was making this website.
Webseries
Palpatine/Vader
Presidential Campaign
Who doesn’t like a little political humor? I wrote these faux-campaign ads, as well as the radio interview above. I directed the original material, as well sourced the news footage and scenes from the movies.
We Need to Talk
Miranda Parham approached me for advice her on webseries. I liked the concept so much, I asked if I could co-write it with her. I directed the episodes, while Miranda produced and co-starred.
It’s about a guy who wakes up with a strange woman in his bed (a situation I have no experience with), and has to explain himself to his girlfriend (something I am very familiar with).
Part 1:
Shit Got Loco
Part 2:
Get Rid of That
Part 3:
Please Leave
Part 4:
Big Step
If you’ve been on my horrors page, you might recognize Carson Nicely and Elizabeth Peterson in a short film over there.