Building storytellers in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, Florida.
Why I Created the Gulf Coast Film Workshop?
I’ve spent much of my life figuring out how to make films without always having the roadmap.
From studying film and acting to producing independent projects, making my first feature, Nana’s Boys, and navigating the very real challenges of getting an independent film made, distributed, and seen, I’ve learned that filmmaking is as much about community and access as it is about the craft itself.
There are so many talented storytellers with incredible ideas, unique perspectives, and stories that deserve to be told. What’s often missing is access to the information, relationships, resources, and practical tools that can help turn an idea into a finished film.
The Gulf Coast Film Workshop is designed for emerging filmmakers in the Tampa, St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida area who want to move beyond the idea stage and gain the practical tools, knowledge, and confidence to bring their stories to life. Florida’s Gulf Coast is full of people with stories worth telling. From the communities and cultures that shape our identities to the everyday moments that change how we see the world, there is no shortage of material for meaningful storytelling.
The workshop is built on one around a simple belief that a person doesn’t have to wait for permission to become a filmmaker, especially with the resources available at our fingertips.
This workshop is an opportunity to pull back the curtain on the filmmaking process and share what I’ve learned through years of working across independent film, production, distribution, and creative development. I want participants to leave equipped with a clearer understanding of what it takes to move their projects forward and the confidence to actually do it.
During the workshop, storytellers will explore:
Story development and screenwriting: Find the heart of an idea and shape it into a story that can be told on screen.
Directing and visual storytelling: Learn how framing, composition, performance, and camera movement communicate meaning.
Filming with your phone: Discover practical ways to capture compelling footage using equipment you already have.
Collaboration and production: Work with a small team to bring a short film to life.
Editing and post-production: Explore how footage, pacing, and sound come together to create a cohesive story.
Sharing your work: Experience the excitement of premiering the film your team created.
Participants will work in small teams, making the experience collaborative, approachable, and focused on the creative process. No previous filmmaking experience is required, and you don’t need expensive equipment to participate.
Most importantly, I want this to be a space where filmmakers can meet one another, exchange ideas, ask the questions they’re sometimes afraid to ask, and build community.
I believe independent filmmaking thrives when we share what we know. The workshop creates an intimate space to learn, collaborate, ask questions, and connect with fellow storytellers. Through hands-on instruction and real-world insight, participants will explore the creative and business sides of filmmaking—from developing an idea and preparing for production to navigating the realities of getting a film made and seen.
Whether you’re making your first short film, developing a feature, or looking to strengthen your filmmaking practice, this workshop is an opportunity to sharpen your craft, expand your creative community, and leave with actionable tools you can put to work immediately.
