Resume
SCREENWRITING
I began screenwriting in 2005. I started to learn the trade through mentoring and feedback from a veteran SA screenwriter and producer, Chris Dresser. I immersed myself in screenwriting books, from Syd Field’s Screenplay to Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat. I moved to LA and lived there between 2009-2014. During that time I attended numerous screenwriting and film seminars, particularly from the late Eric Sherman (consultant to Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures and others in Hollywood), as well as a week-long film convention in the Caribbean.
In 2014 I moved to Tel Aviv. It was there that I helped develop and promote several series for an Israeli producer for purposes of international co-production. I also worked with an Israeli writer and celebrity on the adaptation of his childrens' book.
In 2016 I was contracted to adapt the book and memoir He Died Alone in Tijuana, by Raymond Dayan. This became the true-life, historical drama Crossing Borders. In 2019 this screenplay was rated by a National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Emmy-winning screenwriter in the top 5% of scripts they've reviewed: "I found this to be an incredibly unique, compelling story... There was some fantastic visual storytelling throughout the script." It also placed as a semi-finalist in the 2019-2020 WeScreenplay international screenwriting contest.
In 2017 my comedy feature, Affirmative Action, was selected for development by South Africa's National Film and Video Foundation. In 2019 it placed as a semi-finalist in the Writer's Guild of South Africa's Muse Awards.
I’m currently developing an animated family feature with my LA-based writing partner called The Little Five, and helping to secue financing for an international co-production to be shot in Kwazulu-Natal, entitled Ubuntu: The Last Warrior.
I am a current member of the Writer's Guild of South Africa.
Apart from screenwriting, I have done extensive copy writing and editing work for corporate, marketing and non-profit firms. I also wrote my own educational books in 2013, which are available on Amazon. My educational website, www.accounting-basics-for-students.com, provides free accounting information to hundreds of thousands of students a year.
In 2014 I moved to Tel Aviv. It was there that I helped develop and promote several series for an Israeli producer for purposes of international co-production. I also worked with an Israeli writer and celebrity on the adaptation of his childrens' book.
In 2016 I was contracted to adapt the book and memoir He Died Alone in Tijuana, by Raymond Dayan. This became the true-life, historical drama Crossing Borders. In 2019 this screenplay was rated by a National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Emmy-winning screenwriter in the top 5% of scripts they've reviewed: "I found this to be an incredibly unique, compelling story... There was some fantastic visual storytelling throughout the script." It also placed as a semi-finalist in the 2019-2020 WeScreenplay international screenwriting contest.
In 2017 my comedy feature, Affirmative Action, was selected for development by South Africa's National Film and Video Foundation. In 2019 it placed as a semi-finalist in the Writer's Guild of South Africa's Muse Awards.
I’m currently developing an animated family feature with my LA-based writing partner called The Little Five, and helping to secue financing for an international co-production to be shot in Kwazulu-Natal, entitled Ubuntu: The Last Warrior.
I am a current member of the Writer's Guild of South Africa.
Apart from screenwriting, I have done extensive copy writing and editing work for corporate, marketing and non-profit firms. I also wrote my own educational books in 2013, which are available on Amazon. My educational website, www.accounting-basics-for-students.com, provides free accounting information to hundreds of thousands of students a year.
OTHER WRITING &
GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Education, Accounting Website and Books: Between 2004-2008 I was largely involved in education. I tutored accounting to college students privately, drafted various accounting courses and materials (for SA government entities as well as for Johnnic Communications) and even lectured briefly at Varsity College.
In 2009 I founded www.accounting-basics-for-students.com and over the next few years developed its content on a part-time basis. I learned and implemented online marketing, copy writing and search engine optimization. Today this website receives 100,000+ visitors per month. In 2013 I also wrote a series of accounting books and published these through Amazon.
Marketing Work: Between 2009-2011 I did marketing and copy writing work for a non-profit mental health watchdog organization in LA, called Citizens Commission on Human Rights. From 2012-2013 I did marketing for an online US retailer that sells products through Amazon, helping to increase the online sales by 4-5 times during that time. I have also written and edited numerous marketing pieces for Israeli firms, from corporate videos to articles, sales funnel campaigns, and more.
Other Work: Volunteer/non-profit work in Johannesburg between 2002-2003 and 2006-2008, handling communications, staff and public services.
In 2009 I founded www.accounting-basics-for-students.com and over the next few years developed its content on a part-time basis. I learned and implemented online marketing, copy writing and search engine optimization. Today this website receives 100,000+ visitors per month. In 2013 I also wrote a series of accounting books and published these through Amazon.
Marketing Work: Between 2009-2011 I did marketing and copy writing work for a non-profit mental health watchdog organization in LA, called Citizens Commission on Human Rights. From 2012-2013 I did marketing for an online US retailer that sells products through Amazon, helping to increase the online sales by 4-5 times during that time. I have also written and edited numerous marketing pieces for Israeli firms, from corporate videos to articles, sales funnel campaigns, and more.
Other Work: Volunteer/non-profit work in Johannesburg between 2002-2003 and 2006-2008, handling communications, staff and public services.
EDUCATION
Advertising & Marketing Diploma – Vega Advertising College (2001-2002)
B. Comm Accounting – University of Johannesburg (2002-2004)
B. Comm Accounting – University of Johannesburg (2002-2004)