Screenwriting
Produced Credits
Like most professional screenwriters, a lot of my work has never been filmed. It’s an occupational hazard. Some of my favorite scripts are still in the piano bench. But I’ve been fortunate enough to be credited on a few screenplays that have been produced.
Dolly Parton’s
Heartstrings
Netflix
Magnolia Hill Productions
Executive Producers: Dolly Parton and Sam Haskell
Three Episodes
“These Old Bones”
Director: Joe LazarovA mountain mystic battles a voracious timber company.
“If I Had Wings”
Director: Timothy BusfieldAdapted from the stage play “As the Crow Flies”By Gary GrubbsAn improbable family reunion reveals family secrets.
“JJ Sneed”
Director: Terry McDonoughLove and outlaws in the Old West.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR “THESE OLD BONES”
“One of the best crafted television dramas ever made.” – Movieguide
Movie Guide Faith and Freedom Award
Outstanding Television Movie Emmy Nomination
Christopher Award for Television
A WALTONS’ THANKSGIVING
CW Network
Warner Bros. Television
Magnolia Hill Productions
Executive Producer: Sam Haskell
Director: Joe Lazarov
The holiday that changed to Walton family forever
“A delightful Thanksgiving treat.”
~ Movieguide
SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR “A WALTONS’ THANKSGIVING”
Movieguide Faith and Freedom Award for Television
Christopher Award for Television
THE WALTONS’ HOMECOMING
CW Network
Warner Bros. Television
Magnolia Hill Productions
Executive Producer: Sam Haskell
Director: Lev L. Spiro
The 50th Anniversary remake of Earl Hamner, Jr.’s Christmas classic
“The message couldn’t be more perfect right now.”
~ Jim Halterman, TV Guide Magazine
SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR “THE WALTON’S HOMECOMING”
Family Film Awards: “Outstanding Television Film”
Christopher Award for Television
ALIEN X-MAS
Netflix
Producer: Edward Chiodo
Director: Stephen Chiodo
An unusual holiday story of a fiendish alien invasion that jeopardizes Christmas and the human race!
“The animation may be slicker and the alien characters less traditional, but Alien Xmas is at its heart an old-fashioned Christmas special that should delight kids of all ages.”
~ Common Sense Media
JUMANJI
Tri-Star Pictures
Director: Joe Johnston
Co-written with Greg Taylor
A mysterious jungle board game that isn’t over until it’s over.
“A visually impressive and exhilarating adventure that keeps the suspense, thrills and comedy running high through the surprising end and supplies interesting characters with moving plights that keep the audience rooting.”
~ Christine James, Boxoffice Magazine
SUMMER OF THE MONKEYS
Bonneville Entertainment
Director: Michael Anderson
Co-written with Greg Taylor
A coming-of-age adventure based on Wilson Rawls’ highly-regarded novel.
“The family film set at the turn-of-the-century is dripping with old-fashioned values and warmth in the tradition of “The Waltons” and “Litttle House on the Prarie” and effectively ambles through its relatively cut and dried story.”
~ Leonard Klady, Variety
Heartland Film Festival Crystal Heart Award
Award of Excellence, Film Advisory Board
Marco Island Film Festival – Best Feature Drama
Breckenridge Festival of Film – Best of Fest
SPACE WARRIORS
Arc Entertainment
Director: Sean McNamara
Co-Written with Stan Chervin
Space Camp youths hatch an ambitious plan on the ground to rescue astronauts stranded on the International Space Station.
“The heroes of the story are a bunch of brainy, indomitable teens whose acting cast manages to overshadow the likes of grown-up costars Danny Glover, Josh Lucas, Mira Sorvino, and Dermot Mulroney. An impressive feat, to say the least, but no more so than the story’s clever illustrations of solid messages about fair play, honesty, teamwork and grace under pressure.”
~ Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media
BINGO
Tri-Star Pictures
Director: Matthew Robbins
The world’s cleverest dog runs away from the circus to join a family.
“Everything about this shaggy dog story is a surprise. Jim Strain’s script is wiggy and off-the-wall; he’s the writer equivalent of a knuckle-baller, and his jokes keep breaking off in weird directions.”
~ Hal Hinson, Washington Post
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