Making "West of the West" Act one, Anchor magazine

As I unearthed multiple histories and realized how little even the local population actually knew about the Channel Islands, the filmmaker in me was raring to bring them to life. I sought acclaimed Hollywood screenwriter Peter Seaman and PBS producer Sam Tyler, who had originally pulled me into the documentary world and who I considered talented mentors. Both gentlemen graciously declined and wished me luck. I tried to rally other forces but struck out on funding and access to crucial contacts, and my dream project floundered. Nearly three years later, Sam Tyler rolled into my studio, and announced he had a change of heart, then the Santa Cruz Island Foundation and The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum joined the discussion to ascertain how the human history of the eight Channel Islands may translate on film. Still, we didn't have our writer.