Writing Tools
Taming The Elephant: The Inner Critic’s No-Win Loop When Selecting Creative Task
... and not before long, the same voice returns with a different complaint: "You’re not moving fast enough."
Olaf de Fleur
Creative unlocker. At your disposal. I direct and write films. Two-decade experience. Fifteen films. Sold high concepts. Corporate consultant.
The Threshold State: When Too Many Creative Projects Cancel Each Other Out
Four questions for getting through the strange doorway between thinking and doing. “I’m working on six projects,” I used to say early in my career. Like it was a sign that I was highly active. I’m the same today—a wagon being pulled in different directions by too
The Scene That Starts The Film Process & Writing For Actors
In my case, there is usually one scene that starts the process of making a film. I may not know the film yet. I may not know the ending. I may not know if the idea is strong enough to survive all the practical humiliations of making a film. But
Film Production
A Few Thoughts After Finishing a Feature Film
A couple of weeks ago, I finished shooting a feature film. Months of preparation, schedules, rewrites, weather forecasts, batteries charging, lens choices, emotional pressure, compromises, accidents, and tiny miracles.
Writing Tools
The Creative Case for Doing Absolutely Nothing
Some ideas belong in an unfinished state. Crooked. Half-formed. Still breathing.
Film Edit
Final Cut Pro X and the Shape of Thought
I Didn’t Switch to Final Cut Pro X -- I drifted into it.
Writing Tools
THE STRANGE FOCUS TRICK
Why looking away from the screen helps you work longer
The Creative Path
Stopping Is the Work
For me, writing is never just about producing words. It is a custom job each day, sometimes each hour, where the real task is figuring out how to interrupt momentum long enough for that something to appear.
Writing Tools
Creative Overwhelm: “I would like to be able to do the stuff I need to do.”
Clean Language: A beautiful, symbolic system at work.
Writing Tools
The Freedom of Restriction
"A word limit, a location limit, a time limit, a stylistic rule, a format."
Skillshare
10-Second Film - New Challenge - Full Free Access
This is a community filmmaking challenge where anyone can create and share a 10-second short film. There are no judges, no competition, and no single winner.
Personal Stuff
A Dress That Broke My Heart
A short tale of my daughter's magic.
Writing Tools
Designing the Wait Gap
The principle is simple: design the gap instead of letting it design you.
Berlinale Talents — Applications Close Sept 3, 2025 (Video)
If you’re looking to supercharge your network and sharpen your project with world-class mentors, Berlinale Talents is the one to circle in red.
Writing Tools
Bent, Crooked, and Timeless
How I use small posture shifts, mental framing, and the occasional rule-break to stay focused for hours—keeping both my body and creativity working at their best.
Writing Tools
Infographics for Writers: How to Stay Focused and Break Inner Loops
Simple visual tools to help you manage distractions, quiet inner dialogue, and stay in creative flow.