I want to help others succeed in making their projects who, like me, couldn't afford the traditional paths into filmmaking—whether through formal education, industry connections, or conventional financing.
MAKING A GREAT FEATURE WITH NO MONEY, NO CONNECTIONS, AND NO PRIOR TRADITIONAL FILM EXPERIENCE IS POSSIBLE—but it is extremely difficult. And doing it successfully requires a very specific set of skills.
I offer pay-what-you-can classes where all are welcome, regardless of finances. I work with indie filmmakers and writers who may not have formal training to help them learn the fundamentals, develop the ability to self-teach from there, build their creative networks, and ultimately get their projects made.
I passionately believe that storytelling belongs to everyone, and it has become my vocation to help people tell their stories successfully. I don't want finances to be the barrier that keeps someone from learning.
There is no set rate for my classes. We'll have a brief conversation to determine a price that works for your budget.
I passionately believe that storytelling belongs to everyone, and it is my vocation to help people tell their stories successfully. In my classes, I don't want finances to be the barrier that keeps someone from learning.
For reference, classes taught by film professionals with comparable experience and a similarly hands-on approach—including multiple rounds of personalized feedback and detailed script notes—often cost $150–$200 per hour (around $3,000 per course) due to demand. That's a price many aspiring and even established writers simply can't afford.
For some students, I won't charge anything at all. I will simply trust your word if you select $0.
If you think I'm a good fit to teach or mentor you and you have a genuine desire to grow creatively, you are welcome here. You will not be treated any differently because of what you can afford to pay. Everyone with a story they want to tell and a genuine desire to learn has the same opportunity here.
That said, this model relies entirely on honesty and mutual trust. I have had people take advantage of it in the past, so I want to be transparent about what makes this model possible.
This business is my sole source of income. I have chosen to earn less than I might otherwise in order to keep this kind of instruction accessible. I personally earn less than the average schoolteacher each year and don't receive traditional employment benefits.
I genuinely love helping others bring their stories to life, and I'm grateful that I get to make a career out of that passion—but I also need to make a living.
If you're in a position to pay, I simply ask that you choose a price that honestly reflects your financial situation. Those who are able to contribute help make it possible for me to continue offering reduced-cost and free instruction to writers and filmmakers who cannot afford it.
Thank you for understanding, and thank you for trusting me with your work. I look forward to reading it and helping you bring it to life! :-)