We started our 18-day shoot of our Christmas comedy called "Nutmeg and Mistletoe."

I decided I would just hit the record button, usually at the end of each day, with my thoughts what was happening that day? What I learned, and generally what being on set for 12 hours a day is like.

It is quite unfiltered and unedited (with the occasional beep) - hope you enjoy being backstage!

In this episode: Cold and bored today. Mads "oner" movie for $26k. One scene today: Angela's coffee shop with 5+ characters. 2nd Unit / C Cam and Electronic Press Kit. Constant juggling and shuffling. I'll be Groundskeeper! First sad scene.

Send us a text

Questions or thoughts? => charlie@abyssal.co

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We started our 18-day shoot of our Christmas comedy called "Nutmeg and Mistletoe."

I decided I would just hit the record button, usually at the end of each day, with my thoughts what was happening that day? What I learned, and generally what being on set for 12 hours a day is like.

It is quite unfiltered and unedited (with the occasional beep) - hope you enjoy being backstage!

In this episode: Food, level 1 and level 2 Christmas, Katey optimizing, scene repetition, the grind of film vs games, how much do actors need to memorize?, video village and transmitters, comedy over years of script development, grievances, first time directing!, 1st unit always take priority, fish line on mailbox, Jasper's garage is a garage IRL, the Martini shot and the Abby Singer, right person in every position.

Send us a text

Questions or thoughts? => charlie@abyssal.co

Get daily work updates on Instagram

Charlie shares seven essential strategies for giving helpful feedback on creative projects, drawing from his experience transitioning from video game development (Subnautica, Natural Selection) to independent filmmaking.

The insights come from months of working closely with writers on their Christmas movie screenplay "Nutmeg and Mistletoe," where they aimed to transform a good B-script into an exceptional A-script through thoughtful feedback.

1. Do no harm - creative work is fragile and requires protection
2. Be descriptive not prescriptive - focus on symptoms rather than prescribing solutions
3. Prioritize and filter feedback - don't overwhelm creators with every minor note
4. Merge stakeholder feedback before sharing - resolve contradictions internally first
5. Emotion is gold - emotional reactions are the most valuable feedback in creative work
6. Try working sessions instead of back-and-forth notes - 2-3 hour meetings for complex issues
7. Highlight what you love - creators need to know what's working, not just what isn't

🔗 Show Notes

• 🎧 Scriptnotes Podcast – (this is a must for screenwriters): Watch
• 🎧 Rick Rubin on Listening – Watch
• 📘 The Creative Act by Rick Rubin (particularly the "Let It Be" chapter)
• 📗 Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull (”Honesty & Candor”, Chapter 5)
• ✍️ On actor line readings – Read here
• ✍️ More on Giving Helpful Feedback for Games - My game design blog

Send us a text

Questions or thoughts? => charlie@abyssal.co

Get daily work updates on Instagram