Isn´t it funny how executives and studios are so quick to shoot you down unless you've got talent attached? Yet, it's the talent that are sometimes the ones that are holding you up?

I graduated from a pretty intensive practical filmmaker course in 2008 at the Met Film School, which still ran rings around my University experience in Screenwriting & Cinematography barely 5 years later. Unfortunately, both never opened the door to a job for me despite my best efforts.

I only ever wanted to write but my scripts always made me hurl when I see what came back on screen when left in the hands of students. Gradually, I started bulking up on my producing and directing skills, doing more experimentation on editing and I'd gotten pretty decent on camera at this point too. Employers always hit you with that "jack of all trades, master of none" rubbish but then just look at their job descriptions - They want a master of everything!

In 2015, I discarded the idea of writing a 10,000 word dissertation that I know no one is ever going to read, instead I had the option of doing a creative project instead. Being a fan of Edward Packard's "Choose Your Own Adventure" books, I decided I'd write a multi-linear interactive film based on the concept.

When supervisors told me it was impossible - I wanted to demonstrate how wrong they were. It was around this time I discovered Stage 32 as the LinkedIn for filmmakers and was looking for composers. Little did I know, this would become the greatest connection I had ever made.

Me, Mike, and George

There was some great talent attached from Stage 32 already; Stefan Kristinkov & even Jakub Gawlina but also Michael O'Neill that reached out. I couldn't even choose but thought how many times producers and writers have to work collaboratively on projects... Why not composers?

All three agreed and what came back was phenomenal. The project, Survivor, shook my supervisors and I even got an interview with the BBC. Later I also got my first magazine feature, in Digital Filmmaker Magazine.

What happened next? Michael calls me. Obviously, I thank him for all his hard work as he's inviting me to Bournemouth International Center on the same night "THE" George Benson - Father of Jazz was performing. was he a side act or something? Did I mishear the date? He was AND STILL IS - George Benson's guitarist! Oh my f*****g God!

Hell yes, a VIP ticket for me & the incredible girl I was dating at the time. Buying him a coffee at the Aruba bar, talking over our journeys, checking out his fancy tour coach, meeting the band (who'd ALL played through the film) exclaiming; "Oh, so THIS is Dan?" & having a chat with the man George himself over a quick glass of champagne.

I had to struggle from keeping calling him "sir" - He asked in his cool accent; "So Dan man, when am I gonna compose for one of your films?" - Jumping Jesus! Too much! The day got better - their performance was electric. My girlfriend & I left with George serenading us as we walked away from one of the best nights in my life.

My most ambitious project to date; Jenna The Great had Michael get back in touch with me again - "So Dan, here we go again. Whaddya need?" This time, his awesome daughter; Sadie came in to sing a custom made track for our film. It was SO good I almost cried and Michael even realized he could rap. Which later on, him & Sadie won an award for.

Once again, I saw him and George perform - this time in Ronnie Stott's, overtaking the queue & sitting for free in one of the most expensive looking places in the city - everyone wondering who the HELL I was when Michael slapped me on the back and we hugged like distant relatives.

EVER since this experience alone, EVERY class I taught on filmmaking, EVERY networking discussion, I shout about Stage 32. I get shot down A LOT!

I deal with A LOT of bureaucrats with far more money than I but there's something incredible knowing what I can pull in that they cannot. The next thing I want to do is make a Latin American based feature horror based on Paraguay folktale with some LGBTQ characters in honour of my increased networking for Stage 32 & travels.

Naturally, I'm dealing with the usual "It can't be done" attitudes but once again, I'm hoping to make some new links with people on Stage 32 who alike me - believe the opposite.