Journey from Film Critic to Filmmaker

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After nearly two decades of critiquing films, one might assume that there’s no room for learning new skills. However, I discovered that wasn’t true. This movie critic, who used to believe his career would be confined to writing reviews, found himself transitioning from reviewing films to actually creating them. When some filmmakers recognized the value in receiving feedback during early stages of production, they sought out Stephen Aspeling, better known as Spling. Initially asked to provide notes on a film during its first edit, this task evolved into the foundation for reviewmyscript.com – a boutique script consultancy service.

Frequently watching numerous movies each week grants film critics a distinctive perspective, an advantage not commonly experienced by filmmakers who are usually engrossed in their ongoing projects. This external viewpoint with a touch of industry knowledge can provide innovative ideas and constructive advice that enhance the final product. Filmmaking is a collaborative effort, hence feedback should be provided throughout the entire production phase. Although this typically occurs internally, an external evaluation can be exceptionally beneficial when the project starts feeling too familiar to those involved in it. With 5 years of providing professional script services through reviewmyscript.com, this former film critic-turned-script editor chose to extend his expertise by composing something new.

Serving as a script editor brings you into contact with directors and writers during different phases of movie production, fostering potential future partnerships. Following my comments on a brief screenplay, I was offered the chance to collaborate as a co-writer and creative producer. This collaboration eventually led to writing a feature film script, starting with a short story about an elderly man and his loyal pet dog – a project that evolved into “Good Boy“.

When you help filmmakers and writers with their projects, you can exert some creative influence. This can be gratifying as you get to see your contributions in the final product, providing a sense of accomplishment. However, this influence falls short of having full control over the work, which would come with authorship and screenwriting credit. Therefore, while editing a script is valuable, it’s quite different from writing one.

This wonderful chance came my way to contribute to a short film that’s now available on YouTube. Though it’s a smaller production, it offers a unique learning experience for someone like me who has typically been on the sidelines and a consumer of content. Collaborating with actress and director Charlenè Brouwer felt very appropriate. Charlenè boasts an impressive resume in both acting and filmmaking, making her an excellent partner and guide in this cinematic journey. With 20 years of experience as an actor, producer, and director under her belt, she’s eager to focus on narrative-driven projects, now operating under the company Best Case Scenario Media.>

Creating a script can feel challenging at times, yet when you have a clear concept and a harmonious team, it becomes significantly less daunting. The journey doesn’t end with writing the script; filming and editing are crucial steps that directly impact the story and final product. It’s an intriguing process where your initial vision may evolve, necessitating adaptability and collaboration. As a co-writer, you should be prepared to make concessions or understand how each script’s dynamics function. As the idea generator, while your vision is crucial, you must remain open to constructive criticism and willing to modify your approach based on feedback and fresh ideas.

The indie film “Good Boy” was made independently by Brouwer Productions, Spling Movies, and Into the Light Films, with additional help from Brightburn Studios. As a co-writer, I then took on the role of producer, contributing financially to the project and handling various tasks like cleaning, catering, minor repairs, recording sound, helping make creative decisions, and transporting actors. This hands-on experience was both humbling and incredibly useful. It was also enlightening to observe Charlenè Brouwer as director, Kobus Louw as cinematographer, and Theo Scheepers as editor, understanding better what ultimately appears on screen.

In today’s AI-driven world, versatility has become increasingly crucial, especially when you find yourself limited within a specific field. The “Good Boy” short film served as a catalyst to build up courage and write a radio play titled “Close to Home,” currently being produced by SAfm. With several feature and short film scripts co-written and in development, it’s thrilling to watch the journey of Stephen “Spling” Aspeling – a movie critic transitioning into filmmaking – unfold in the coming days.

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2025-07-21 16:43