Texted my agent the second I heard the news.

This is what I want the star of your movie to look like.

I know this is a joke but it really does go to show why movies were better back in the day. People looking relatable, even if very attractive, is way more interesting than everyone looking perfect. Bring back the leading actors who look like they’ve been through some shit.

Just going to put this out there since Twitter is where it began... We now have a draft of THE CROSSING OVER EXPRESS feature. I want to make it independently, low budget, the way we made the short.

Getting there...

Me after saying I wasn't gonna buy any more books for a while

So thrilled to announce our film, SENSE OF EMERGENCY, was officially selected by HollyShorts 🫀✨ S/o @bradmjohnson.com & @lukebarnett.bsky.social - my boyz from the beginning. Onward!!

My next short is a creature feature (err... creature short) and let me just say, exploring practical SFX looks and options is just THE BEST. Long live practical filmmaking.

Wrote another short. I guess now I gotta make it. Fun update coming soon on this one.

Everyone here will say you don’t have to live in LA to work in this industry but I just got off an hour call with one of my all time favorite actors that absolutely 100% would not have happened if the director hadn’t met him in LA through real, in person relationships. Take it for what it’s worth.

Me trying to get a bunch of people who work on huge movies and TV shows to come work on my no budget short film.

FYI: Ahead of its premiere at Dances With Films Festival later this month, today brings a first look at high school-set thriller TEACHER'S PET, starring Barbara Crampton and Luke Barnett.

I don’t normally send people to Twitter, but if you have a chance to watch @lukebarnett.bsky.social's short film “Crossing Over,” I highly, highly recommend it. Please and thank you ;) variety.com/2024/film/fe...

Great night to watch LOVE & MERCY. One of the best biopics I've ever seen.

Late post but working on this fantastic show with these fantastic people has been just the best experience. I'm so very grateful. deadline.com/2025/05/dark...

Me renting one indie film on Apple for $.99.

Two years since Lance Reddick passed. I was lucky to play his adoptive son in a movie and even luckier to call him a friend.

Get at it this week.

A few things I would avoid in your pitch decks, just based on the fact that I see them in 90% of amateur pitch decks. -That Nosferatu shot -Mentioning A24/Neon -More than one shot from Hereditary -Get Out as a comp -How much Terrifier 3 made (see also: Paranormal Activity, Blair Witch, etc)

The Circle of (Filmmaking) Life -Make no budget passion project. -Use it to get a slightly bigger feature off the ground. -Use that to get meetings with much bigger producers. -Land the 17th sequel to a tired action franchise. -Use Fast & Furious 17 money to fund a no budget passion project.

Me to everyone who passed on my script when the movie gets announced.

It's Sunday. I wanna hear the best thing that happened for you this week. Did you go to Hawaii? Finish a script? Have a good job interview? Move? Read a good book? Go on a date? Don't be shy, brag a little.

lol

SUNDANCE 2025. Couldn’t have asked for a better first experience. I feel so lucky to have a tiny role in Sunfish (& Other Stories on Green Lake). Bucket list weekend. 1. If you don’t have the Getty logo did it even happen? 2. Quintessential Sundance. 3. Snow drinks. 4. Got to meet a hero.

The Substance. Academy Award nominated screenplay. There are no rules if what you write is engaging.

Just listened to the Safdie Bros on a podcast talking about how Uncut Gems took 10 years to get off the ground. Every time it wouldn't work they'd just say screw it and make another small movie they could control until they got there and man, if that isn't the best advice.

There is a crop of filmmakers that started to pop 5-10 years ago and it really makes me feel great about the future of movies. Eggers, Aster, Lowery, Kurzel, Peele, Corbet, Baker, Fargeat, Flanagan, Gerwig, Chazelle, Zhao, The Daniels, etc. Even more recently. Really inspiring.

Hey. Have a great weekend.

The last few weeks have been so surreal. I’m so grateful for everyone who watched or shared The Crossing Over Express. We’ve gotten to meet so many filmmakers we admire and I think 2025 is going to be pretty exciting. Go make your short film.

The winner of "most emotionally resounding" is @lukebarnett.bsky.social's THE CROSSING OVER EXPRESS. A viral hit that explores grief and what we would do with two more minutes with a loved one. www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVgn...

Having bartended for a decade, the best advice I can give for meeting someone is to be positive. People love to feel good. About themselves, about the world, about wherever they are at that moment. Being a positive person goes a LOOONG way.

Once again thinking of @lukebarnett.bsky.social’s short The Crossing Over Express. It’s such a gorgeous film and hits all the feels, especially during the holidays. Take 10 minutes and check it out below. #filmsky

I didn’t write a single word or produce even a short until I was 29. Wrote very first feature script at 32. Didn't book my first TV role till 38. Time is a flat circle. No need for aspiring social media life coaches, just enjoy life.

If I'm ever hired to write a sequel to a beloved film franchise, here is what I will study: Rogue One Andor The latest Planet of the Apes sequels. All of these masterfully take us into the world while also telling new stories with new characters. These would be my bible.

@lukebarnett.bsky.social ’s film went viral for good reason. If you haven’t already, check it out right now!

Same. Gimme your recs.

People always blame Marvel and sequels, but there is direct correlation between people not going to the movies and people becoming so addicted to their phones and social media that they literally can't put it away for two hours.

Five tips on how to be a successful filmmaker from a guy who’s directed one short film. medium.com/authority-ma...

I honestly think Disney would make more money putting their animated movies back in theaters for a full run than they are fully recreating the same movie as live action. Just do that and then spend $100M of the $200M you're saving on 5-10 original films. Let me be studio head.

Never forget: READING FOR PLEASURE has the biggest positive impact of any factor on children's life chances. So never stop sharing books with kids. Never stop reading to them, and helping them to read. Never stop changing lives. #literacy #kidlit #books

I reposted on library thing here and now my feed is dominated by pro-library content and honestly I'm here for it.

Me explaining why Tori appeared on Saved by the Bell when Kelly and Jessie left but then Kelly and Jessie were suddenly back for the graduation finale and Tori disappeared.

If Christopher Nolan can make Oppenheimer for $100M there is not reason something like Red One needs $250M.

Let's get it this week.

This.

When you forget to exit the zoom meeting.

Luke made a really awesome short that's made an impact on a ton of people including myself and you should take some time out of your day to give it a watch.

I really dig Luke's short. It's masterful, honestly. Maybe give it a watch. I think you'll be glad you did.