Me and my sister Lisa

My sister Lisa has been a great help to me over the years and not in the most obvious ways people may think (ie, reading my scripts). Yes, it’s true; she has read almost everything I’ve written. She knows when she likes something. When she’s less than thrilled she uses the words “good” or “okay”. I know then it didn’t do much for her. She recently read a re-write of my screenplay Who is Molly Steele and said she loved it. I struck gold with that script.   I don’t go to her for script notes although she does give the odd note here and there. She is someone who gives me an overall impression of what’s good and what’s not so good in a script. But the biggest ways she has helped me over the years in this crazy business of writing, is her continual support and encouragement.  Just her simple words to “keep writing” and “keep doing what you love” have given me much hope. And we all need hope to carry on and be better.

Lisa in STORY OF A BOY, one of her favorite parts where her character aged 50 years over the course of the play.

She used to do lots of acting and was/is very good at it. Although she hasn’t acted for some years now, I never had to give her much direction because everything she did on the stage was so natural, easy (although she was always petrified whenever she acted). She approached acting, like she approaches most things: learn your part, show up on time, give 100% and go home.   She is one of my biggest cheerleaders and always believes the best for me.   I would not be where I am today without her support.

This photo was taken a few years ago of me and my siblings: Lisa, me, Adam, Robert and John

I am a lucky man, blessed to be born into a large family of creative types. My oldest brother John started us all off by making short movies when we were young. My brother Adam to this day is a stop-motion animator…check out his short film BROKEN:

He does it, not for the acclaim or money but for the love of just doing it. My brother Robert is a photographer and has been taking photos ever since I can remember.  Below are a couple of his photos and you can check out more on his website,  quietlifephotography.

Me and my mom

All of my siblings love movies, music, tv – we have absorbed ART and all its forms since we were young which is kind of ironic as my parents were not necessarily the creative types (although my father played the trumpet and loved the opera), and my mother was (and still is) an incredible cook. Together they used to plant a wicked vegetable garden.

My mother, like my sister, is someone who continues to be a great support to me. She finds it just as difficult as I do when I receive any rejections to do with my writing. We laugh a lot and she is probably one of the bravest persons I know. She has been an inspiration to my writing and continues to influence what I write today.

Speranza is the Italian word for “hope” and that is something that I try to live in everyday. My writing is a reflection of hope. It may not be an easy hope. Sometimes the hope is hidden in shadows, but it’s always present in some form or another.

The latest hope is a screenplay tentatively called The Living Water, about an old man and a young woman both looking to find joy in their lives after suffering loss and living in loneliness.   The script is currently being read and re-read and soon to be re-written.   I’ve already got a focus for my next screenplay, a story that will centre around 2 children.

The ideas continue to flow. I live very much for ART and how it can uplift and challenge others as we make our way through life’s journey.   May your day today be filled with hope.