I’ve been interested in acting and filming for a while, and had been looking for roles and auditions for films,programs and anything that would help me with acting and give me a real experience of what being on set and performing on camera would be

Nine months ago I had an idea for a competition to get screenwriters writing, filmmakers connecting with writers and making films. We had no budget and no sponsors, but it seemed like a good idea. So we did it. The result was 50 Kisses, which

After reading all the scripts, I chose Nathan Gower’s ‘Colton’s Big Night’ because of its comedy factor and the interesting Colt character, which would give me another opportunity to direct a child actor. Also, its interesting to explore the perspective of children and how they

As soon as I read the idea for the 50 Kisses filmmaking challenge I knew I wanted to be apart of it. Of all the scripts I read there was one that really stood out, Richard Greens “The Last Supper”. Unfortunately like most projects I

I’ve been putting off penning this blog post for a while. Self-reflection isn’t a skill which I exercise very often, but here goes. I first encountered Chris Jones at Bournemouth University during the Southern Screenwriting Festival. The lecture was framed around Chris’ experience with his

Late on a cold evening in March, I encountered the woman who inspired “Other People’s Kisses”.  She was drunk, miserable, homeless and clearly in need of help, and in my semi-inebriated state I decided to try and help her. That night she slept on a

Last night I worked into the wee hours with editor friend Simon Reglar, planning the post production process for 50 Kisses. Simon is an old pal who worked with me on Urban Ghost Story before pursuing a career as an editor – he is currently

A snog, Valentine’s night, a two minute script – easy. So what on earth made me think of setting it in an optician’s? No idea. Various stuff filters through the murky quagmire that is my brain: sunsets, violins, roses, impossibly handsome men… stop. The practicality

I read all 50 scripts with my ‘Producer’ hat on knowing that due to my very limited budget, I could achieve a film at fairly short notice, with one location and with a minimal number of actors. In other words it was the accessible location,

Evan asks, “How’s your Irish accent, and would you kiss a guy no tongues?” The text came through on a sunny California Saturday morning. After working with Kerry and Evan Marlowe on their first feature project, “Blood Rush,” I have to admit, I wasn’t as

Why did I choose to make, “The Nearness of You?” Well, I was very impressed by its insightful, sensitively drawn script with a story that drew me into an authentic historical setting and kept me guessing until the end. I knew that the actresses could

I found 50 Kisses via Twitter, where I usually just read and write jokes. (I once tried to write a comedy with another Twitter humorist, but didn’t get past page 30. Maybe two-pagers are more in line with the short attention span of social media

I managed to beg steel and borrow for the shoot, pulling in some favours from people I’d previously worked with in an acting capacity, on their films. So a massive thanks to those good people that 1. Let me borrow there equipment and trusted me

I’ve delayed responding to the invitation to contribute to the blog in the forlorn hope that the filmmaker’s submission would be made. I was always concerned as to where the filmmaker would find two “Glaswegians” in Los Angeles! The only E-mail, from the filmmaker, enquiring

  50 Kisses is the first screenwriting competition I’ve ever entered, though it’s not likely to be the last! I was struck by its simple yet ambitious premise; 50 2-page scripts, 50 little stories, 50 talented filmmakers, 50 on-screen kisses. It was a chance to

How to make a short film for no money!? Well 50 Kisses had laid down the challenge and I wanted to be ambitious directing my first proper short. The team thought a Zombie comedy at night would be a test, and boy were we right!

I have never directed a live action film in my life.  So when I decided to direct “Romantic Hideaway” I went through all the emotions of excitement, nervousness, anxiety and panic (especially as I am Producing as well) and then finally ended with a “What

I was delighted to act in « Love », directed by Phil Peel, screenplay by Rob Burke. When I first heard of the 50 kisses, I told myself « I really got to be in it ! ». I searched through the web, but I