How 'Fowl Play' Became My First Short Film & Screenwriting Crash Course

IT’S FINALLY HERE!!

​🎬🔥During Q4 2023, as I reflected on the year and set goals for 2024, I gave myself one mission: finish writing a feature film script based on my doctoral dissertation and fieldwork.

The deadline? 11:59:59 PM on December 31, 2023.
And guess what? I DID THAT.

But what does that have to do with Fowl Play?

By January 2024, with a completed draft in hand, I realized that finishing the script was just Act 1. Now came the real challenge: rewriting.

The Problem? Two things:

• 1️⃣ I learned screenwriting entirely from books—which often contradicted each other more than they complemented.
• 2️⃣ I had zero firsthand knowledge of how a script translates to production.
• So, I had to get hands-on. I wrote two short scripts--Fowl Play and Quieted—as my training ground.
• Fowl Play became my crash course in film production.
• Quieted went out to festivals for writing feedback.

Because learning-by-doing is the best way forward. And I’m all in. 🎥🔥

From Research to Romance: Why Fowl Play?

Fowl Play emerged from my desire to capture the playful dynamics of modern Black love through a lens that celebrates both tradition and innovation. As a cultural anthropologist, I’ve always been fascinated by how couples navigate attention and affection within established routines—in this case, the sacred space of game day.

The film deliberately subverts traditional narratives about relationship conflict by presenting a couple who understand each other's love language, even when they appear to be at odds. Through Tiana and Ezra's dance of attention and attraction, Fowl Play explores how modern couples create their own traditions and methods of connection, balancing respect for each other's passions with playful competition for attention.

Bringing the Script to Life: Directing Fowl Play

As I transitioned from writing to directing, I incorporated direct address to the audience and sports commentary as stylistic elements to emphasize the performative nature of romance and the ways we often narrativize our relationships.

The basketball game serves as both a backdrop and a metaphor, highlighting how love—like sports—requires strategy, timing, and understanding your partner’s moves.

The film’s intimate setting within their luxury apartment creates a stage for exploring themes of comfort, competition, and courtship in established relationships. Through careful attention to visual details—from Tiana's rose pink vanity to Ezra's prized Jordan sneakers—we create a world that feels aspirational and authentically lived-in.

Beyond the Screen: Fowl Play and Black Love Representation

Focusing on a Black couple’s playful navigation of a common relationship dynamic, Fowl Play contributes to the broader conversation about representation in romantic comedy while maintaining cultural specificity.

The film celebrates Black love through joy, playfulness, and mutual understanding, moving beyond traditional narratives of conflict to show the beautiful choreography of a couple who knows how to play the game of love.

This short film is ultimately a love letter to the small moments that make relationships work—the understanding glances, the strategic plays for attention, and the shared rituals that become part of a couple's unique love story.

Through Fowl Play, I wanted to show that sometimes the most profound expressions of love come wrapped in the most ordinary moments, seasoned with just the right amount of spice. 🌶️💛

🏆 Festival Recognition:

Fowl Play has been recognized as a Semi-Finalist in the 29th Annual Fade In Awards Short Film / Short Script Competition (2025). This achievement reaffirms the power of Black love stories on screen and highlights the impact of bringing playfulness, cultural specificity, and everyday relationship dynamics into the romantic comedy genre.

This milestone is more than just a win—it's a reflection of the storytelling potential that Fowl Play carries. From its roots in anthropological research to its evolution into a vibrant romantic comedy, this film represents the joy, strategy, and connection that define modern Black love.

🎬🔥 And with Fowl Play, I’m just getting started.

​What’s Next for Fowl Play?

🏆 Fowl Play has already gained recognition as a Semi-Finalist in the 29th Annual Fade In Awards Short Film / Short Script Competition (2025)—but the journey doesn’t stop here.

• 🔹 Festival Circuit: The film is currently being submitted to additional festivals, with the goal of bringing this celebration of Black love and playful romance to wider audiences.
• 🔹 Screenings & Discussions: I’m exploring opportunities for community screenings and panel discussions on Black love in media, relationship dynamics, and the art of storytelling through film.
• 🔹 Future Projects: This experience has opened the door for more narrative work rooted in cultural anthropology and visual storytelling—because Fowl Play is just the beginning.

🎬🔥 Stay tuned—there’s more to come.


Final Thoughts: Lessons From My First Film

• ✅ Screenwriting is only the first step. Writing a great script doesn’t mean you’re ready to direct--I had to learn by doing.
• ✅ Film is a collaborative process. Every moment on screen is the result of casting, cinematography, set design, and editing.
• ✅ There’s more than one way to tell a story. What started as a research study transformed into a romantic comedy—because storytelling is about discovery.

🎬🔥 And with Fowl Play, I’m just getting started.