A Passion for Storytelling, A Drive for Innovation
I’m excited to share a bit about my journey with you. Storytelling has always been at the heart of everything I do, and I’m constantly curious about finding new and exciting ways to bring those stories to life. Over the years, I’ve worn a lot of hats—working in sales and distribution, producing films, directing projects—and now, I’m diving into the incredible space where creativity meets technology.
For me, filmmaking isn’t just about making movies. It’s about creating connection, making an impact, and evolving with the world around us. Whether it’s writing compelling stories, teaming up with amazing people, or exploring tools like AI to push the limits of creativity, my goal has always been the same: to tell stories that move and inspire people.
Let’s explore the magic of storytelling together!
Embracing AI: A Creative Partner, Not a Replacement
In the past year, I’ve seen a remarkable shift in how AI tools are being used in filmmaking. Honestly, I was hesitant at first to explore AI – I wasn’t sure if it was something I needed. But as I started experimenting, I realized how much it enhanced my work. Whether it was writing loglines, creating storyboards, or designing moodboards for pitching projects, AI became an incredibly helpful tool in my creative process. And then in August, I presented a top producer storyboards for a movie he wanted to do. After finalizing the prompts, I emailed the shotlist and he was excited, he greenlit the film straight away. Incredible to witness the power of AI! And that, with a $10 monthly subscription fee on Midjourney! In July we were in post-production with a new TV show, and we needed to do ADR on a few lines. Guess what? We used the voice cloning in ElevenLabs and we had perfect audio in 10 minutes! That for a $5 monthly fee!
I know many filmmakers feel nervous about using AI, often because it means learning a new skill or stepping into unfamiliar territory. But here’s the thing: AI is just a tool. It’s like a knife—you can use it to prepare a delicious meal or, well, cause harm. While that might sound extreme, the point is that the tool itself isn’t good or bad – it’s all about how we choose to use it.
There’s also a common fear that AI will replace human creators. The reality, though, is that it’s here to enhance our creativity, not replace it. Think about brainstorming ideas or finding new ways to tell stories – AI can make those processes faster and more effective. With the right prompts and a clear direction, AI can assist us in bringing our creative visions to life.
So, instead of fearing AI, let’s embrace it as a partner in storytelling. Together, we can explore the tools available and use them to tell even better, more compelling stories. Let’s dive in!
My Story So Far
My background is in sales & distribution. Through Kinowelt and Crescendo Films I released New Line Cinema titles in Eastern Europe. Our biggest releases were Rush Hour 3 and Austin Powers The Spy Who Shagged Me.
To focus more on producing, I set up Red Pictures Media in London, as an independent production company to develop feature length screenplays. My first feature film as a producer and co-writer was Are You Ready For Love?, a romantic comedy produced at Carnaby Films and distributed in England by Sony Pictures Classics. The film received five awards at the prestigious Monaco Film Festival in 2006, including Best Screenplay and it reached Top 10 in the UK DVD market.
At Carnaby, I also produced Dolphins (released in the US under Octane by Lionsgate) a fast-paced high octane film, co-produced the psychological thriller Daddy’s Girl (released in the US as Cravings by Grindhouse Entertainment) and was the Assistant Producer on The Last Drop (released in the UK by Sony Pictures Classics).
Inspired by the incredible training in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) with Richard Bandler, I decided to pursue a directing career. Road to Damascus, a short film with a nonlinear storyline about the racial judgements we encounter in our lives, marked my debut as Director.
Attracted to deep stories with troubled characters, I directed and produced thrillers and dramas like The Boy Who Became King, Classified, Fighter’s Chance (shooting it 3D native), Siempre Seras, 5IVE , Because I Want To, which have earned international and domestic recognition through various festival awards.
My feature credits as director include: Savage Girls, Wavy, Predators of the Deep: The Hunt for the Lost Four, produced at Blackgold Media Partners, The Long Way, produced by Jordan Escoto, Slammed! produced at Red Pictures Media and distributed in the US by ITN, Angels on Tap, produced at HOPE Entertainment and released by IndieRights.
My credits as producer include: Jupiter Jones, produced for AllBlk by New Kingdom Pictures, Premeditated, Riding on Faith, Momma Said Come Home For Christmas, King of the Castle, produced by Blackgold Media Partners and released on BET+, Passionate Betrayals, A New Kind of Woman, After Party Secrets, In The Shadows, produced by Blackgold Media Partners and released on FUBU, A House Divided, produced for UMC by New Kingdom Pictures.
Together with Terry Loveday, from Haymarket Films UK, we set up That Film Festival, a competition with four showcases in Berlin, Cannes, Los Angeles and Marbella. The prize is £250,000 in production finance to the winning filmmaker.
Aside from the film business, I am a Tony Robbins trainer and I have volunteered in Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe with various organisations and charities.
