Story Developer / Story Artist / Screenwriter
STORY
“Make me care.
Emotionally, intellectually, aesthetically
just make me care.”
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— Andrew Stanton, Pixar
Writing Samples
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Christopher Vogler - The Writer's Journey
Development Process
Here's my story development process for more than 20+ years
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I start with my characters. I figure out what the journey (story) will be. What will my characters do to get to the end of the Journey, and why? Cause and effect. The emotion and theme come next. The theme usually reveals itself as I develop the story.
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​I outline character arcs and story beats using the 3-act structure, the Hero’s Journey, and classical Aristotelian beats.
I also rely on Pixar’s 22 storytelling (flexible) rules to keep the heart of the story honest and focused, especially principles like keeping it simple, giving characters opinions, and chasing the truth of the emotion. Focusing on motivation, stakes, and transformation, ensuring every scene serves the bigger picture.
Stories / Scripts in Development
Title: Fixit the Dragon
Format: Animated Feature Film
Genre: Fantasy / Family / Adventure
Tone: Whimsical, heartfelt, Pixar-style with humor and emotional depth
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Log Line
In a magical castle where dragons keep everything running, Fixit, a small, self-doubting dragon, dreams of becoming the next Repair Master. But when a castle-wide crisis forces him to team up with his overachieving rival, Blaze, the two must journey deep beneath the castle to uncover its hidden heart, confront old wounds, and discover that the key to fixing what’s broken isn’t perfection, it’s believing in yourself.
Title: Katelynn MacLaren, Princess of the Fifth King
Format: Animated Feature Film
Genre: Fantasy / Coming-of-Age / Adventure
Tone: Lyrical, heartfelt, and empowering with magical realism, emotional discovery, and sweeping fantasy rooted in personal growth, reminiscent of Brave and The Princess Bride
Title: The Music Box
Format: Animated Feature Film
Genre: Fantasy / Family / Adventure
Tone: Imaginative, emotional, and suspenseful, blending classic fairy tale magic with modern character-driven storytelling. The tone captures a balance between childhood wonder and darker themes of loss, legacy, and inner strength, reminiscent of Coraline, Harry Potter, and Kubo and the Two Strings.
My Published Children's Books
Title: Smudge the Cat, Finds His Fairytale
Format: Animated Film / Series / Children's Book
Genre: Fantasy / Family / Adventure
Tone: Gentle, whimsical, heartwarming, with a touch of wonder. The story strikes a balance between sweetness and adventure, concluding on a comforting and uplifting note.