Asynchronous Portfolio, Script, & Media Audits

Finding your footing as a young writer, photographer, or filmmaker can feel like navigating a landscape without a map. In a world full of surface-level "likes" and automated tools, honest, expert creative feedback is incredibly hard to find.

The Open Studio is a low-cost, low-pressure space designed specifically for emerging creators who are looking for clear direction, structural guidance, and professional validation from a seasoned elder peer.

Instead of an intimidating live coaching session, this is a completely asynchronous, digital review. You send me a snapshot of your current work-in-progress, and I dive deep into it on my own time—delivering tailored, constructive, and actionable feedback straight to your inbox.

How It Works

• Step 1: Choose Your Element. Select one specific creative asset you want me to review. To respect both of our timelines, submissions must fit into one of these categories:

  • Writing: Up to 5 pages of a script excerpt, essay, or book chapter.

  • Photography: A curated layout of up to 10 images from a portfolio or photo essay.

  • Film/Video: A rough cut or scene excerpt up to 3 minutes in length.

• Step 2: Submit Your Work & Context. Use the submission form below to upload your files. Tell me a little bit about yourself, the core message of your project, and the single biggest roadblock you are currently facing with it.

• Step 3: Receive Your Audio/Video Blueprint. Within 7 to 10 business days, I will send you a private link to a personalized 10-minute video or audio recording.

What We Will Focus On

I don't just tell you if your work is "good" or "bad." Instead, I look beneath the surface of your project using the practical frameworks I’ve gathered across my own non-traditional creative journey. In your 10-minute roadmap, I will look at your work through three specific lenses:

• The Scientist’s Eye for Clarity & Core Truth: With a background in marine and medical biology, I learned early on how to look at complex, moving pieces and find the underlying structure. I will help you cut through the creative clutter, ensure your narrative logic holds strong, and make sure the deep, authentic heart of your story is translating clearly to an outside audience.

• The Published Author’s Grip on Pacing: Having walked the long, gritty road of writing, designing, and successfully publishing my debut book, When The Road Disappears, I know exactly where a narrative can begin to drag. I will look closely at your pacing and structure, helping you identify where the tension drops and how to tighten your layout or text to keep your audience engaged.

• The Film Producer’s Instinct for High-Impact Emotion: Having produced independent films that went on to win awards, I understand the delicate balance required to turn a raw concept into an emotionally resonant piece of media. I will give you honest feedback on how your visuals, audio, or script work together to make a lasting, emotional impression.

No matter where you are in your process, you will receive two or three concrete, practical adjustments you can make immediately to elevate your project and keep moving forward with confidence.

A 90-Minute Strategic Intensive for Storytellers

You have a beautiful manuscript draft sitting in a forgotten folder. You have a hard drive overflowing with years of stunning photography. Or perhaps, you are standing at a major life crossroads, ready to anchor your next chapter with a deep, meaningful creative film project.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, please know you don’t have to sit in that paralyzing space alone. The Project Audit & Roadmap isn't a sterile corporate consulting session—it’s a soft place to land and a practical way forward. Think of it as a collaborative pit stop where we will take all those beautiful, disorganized pieces of your journey, clear away the creative fog, and gently pull them into the light. Together, we’ll build a clear, honest map so you can take your next steps with confidence and absolute clarity.

How We’ll Map Out Your Journey

• Step 1: Gathering Your Pieces. Once you secure your session, you’ll send me a snapshot of your project ahead of time. This doesn't need to be perfect or organized. It can be a rough book manuscript, a scattered folder of up to 50 photographs, or simply a heartfelt letter detailing your life-transition and storytelling goals.

• Step 2: Looking Beneath the Surface. Before we ever meet face-to-face, I spend quiet, dedicated time sitting with your materials. I’ll look for the hidden threads in your writing, find the visual patterns in your imagery, and gently pinpoint exactly where the gears are grinding so we can get them moving again.

• Step 3: Our 90-Minute Sitting. We’ll meet together over Zoom for a warm, intentional 1-on-1 conversation. Together, we’ll untangle the technical publishing confusion that is keeping you paralyzed, sketch out a beautiful structure for your project, and anchor your true narrative focus.

• Step 4: The 2-Week Check-In & Accountability Call. Navigating a creative project can feel lonely once the initial excitement wears off. To ensure you don't lose momentum, we will gather again over Zoom two weeks later for a dedicated 30-minute follow-up call. We’ll look at the progress you’ve made, troubleshoot any new creative blocks that have popped up, and celebrate the steps you've taken to get your story out into the world.

The Lenses I Bring to Your Work

This session isn't about vague brainstorming; it is a practical, grounded partnership. I will look at your unique story through the specific lenses I’ve gathered across my own non-traditional life and career:

• The Scientist’s Eye for Core Logic: With my background in marine and medical biology, I learned how to look at chaotic, moving ecosystems and find the steady truth beneath them. I’ll help you sort through your archives to find the logical backbone of your project, ensuring your story makes complete sense to an outside audience.

• The Author’s Grip on Creative Layout: I know firsthand how intimidating it is to stare down formatting, paper stocks, and print margins. Having successfully written, designed, and published my debut book, When The Road Disappears, I will share my exact publishing blueprint with you so you can avoid costly mistakes.

• The Film Producer’s Instinct for True Connection: Having guided independent films to festival success, I understand how to shape media so it truly touches the human heart. I’ll help you weave deep emotional resonance into your project, making sure your final book or portfolio leaves a lasting impression on anyone who holds it.