FEATURE FILMS
The Crimson Pool
Psychodrama/ Thriller
When a young, disenfranchised writer discovers the crime author who publicly humiliated her dead in his home and his new book unfinished, she seizes the opportunity to finish the novel and steal acclaim for herself. It’s the perfect plan —
Until the author wakes up.
Coverfly Endorsed, Summer Holiday Reading List 2024
2nd Rounder/ Drama Feature, Austin Film Festival 2024
Finalist, WeScreenplay Feature Lab 2023
Honorable Mention, WeScreenplay Feature Lab 2023
Quarterfinalist, Final Draft's Big Break Screenwriting Contest 2024
The Empress of DäGar
Sci Fi/ Action/ Drama
Desperate to prove that her mother didn’t commit suicide, a lonely girl enlists the aid of a waylaid intergalactic warrior to help find the killer in exchange for a way back to her alien world, but is the warrior woman’s story true, or is she actually an escapee from an institution?
"[Daniel] has crafted some staggering beautiful descriptions from the very start, yet it's the final ones that really move us so deeply as Lareena finds [spoiler] again and Maya once again [spoiler]. The story comes full circle, but now we're in a place of light, healing, and joy. Messages like this have the power to uplift audiences, and this couldn't be more timely."
- WeScreenplay
Semifinalist, PAGE Awards - PAGE International Screenwriting Awards Competition 2023
Quarterfinalist, ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship 2023
The Great Zombie Recess War
Horror/ Young Adult/ Adventure
Still traumatized by his father's death, an introverted fourth grader must find the courage to lead his friends to defend their elementary school from a zombie breakout while also confronting the school bully.
"[Daniel's script uses] the zombie trope in an interesting way, highlighting issues and concerns affecting young people while still being entertaining, with good action and characters.
...
I like that you develop complex relationships between [the kids]. Too many scripts have kids' friendships and animosities as black and white, but you find the layers between."
- WeScreenplay
Quarterfinalist, Final Draft's Big Break Screenwriting Contest 2024
Quarterfinalist, WeScreenplay Feature Lab 2023
Quarterfinalist, ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship 2023
SHORT FILMS
Bridge
sci-fi | drama
A tense interrogation in a post-2nd Civil War, newly segregated America gets turned on its head when the inquisitive black woman who’s been captured confesses to her white interrogator that she’s his descendent, and she’s there to interrogate HIM.
Quarterfinalist, Screencraft Film Fund 2024
TELEVISION
Unsung
co-writer/ co-creator: Zak White
half-hour comedy/ superheroes
Pilot: "Comet"
The explosive misadventures of Barry, Gil, Candace, and Carl; four blue-collar workers whose mundane job has them cleaning up after superheroes (all of whom are assholes) -- and not the cool, post-battle clean up. Cleaning their toilets, doing their laundry, walking their super pets. Even worse, these four now have to contend with the threat of losing this shitty job if they don’t improve their conduct and impress their middle manager from hell.
Pilot and Series Bible available.
Rival-in-Laws
co-writer/ co-creator: Ryan Lacen
half-hour comedy
Pilot
Rival-in-Laws focuses on lifetime rivals Phillip and Larry attempting (but usually failing -- often violently) to find common ground when their children, Alexis and Mark, get engaged, eager to build a happy, new life together.
Pilot and Series Bible available.
Class Act
series co-created w/ Betsy Moore & Parisa Fakhri
half-hour comedy/ adult/ prestige
Pilot: "The Robert Kwan Party"
Desperate for cash and the self-confidence she has yet to achieve in her 25 years on Earth, introverted middle-school teacher Olivia Thayer applies for a night-time clerical job at an event management service only to stumble feet first into party stripping.
Pilot and Character Breakdown available.
Fire Hazard
co-writer/ co-creator: Zak White
half-hour workplace comedy
Pilot
A fire station full of losers, troublemakers, and underachievers in Chicago’s north side must prove they’ve got what it takes if they’re ever going to earn the city’s, and each others’, respect.
Pilot and Series Bible Available.
Fleas
co-writer/ co-creator: Zak White
half-hour workplace comedy
Pilot: "The Return of Old Poot's Gold"
Professionally adrift 20-something wallflower Ruth takes over her sick father's flea market bookstore and befriends a group of vendors who've spent years breaking up the monotony of their day-to-day by finding adventures and trouble to get into together.
Pilot and Series Bible available.