As I reflect on 2024 there were things I did that I hadn’t planned for. It was those unplanned activities that made this past year a memorable one for my personal history books.  Being cast as Father Clayton in the thriller Stonegate booked as a model for the grand opening of the Museum of Illusions in Boston, and just last week playing multiple characters in the Oxygen network’s TV series Fatal Family Feuds, I would never have guessed that I would participate in so many diverse acting projects this year.

While the museum and series were great, it was playing a starring character in Stonegate that was the highlight of the year. From the research I did to my work on set with director/writer Dan Groom and a host of talented actors and crew, Stonegate reminded me of my true passion—filmmaking—on both sides of the camera. It’s work I hope to pursue more of in 2025.

On the other side of the camera First Launch, my screenplay for the sequel to First Signal, ended the year with 18 wins, 4 finalist positions, and 9 official selections. With a festival acceptance rate of 72%, compared to the average of 10%, I could not be more pleased with these results, and my heartfelt thanks to the juries that selected First Launch.

The entertainment industry is the hardest and most humbling I have worked in.  When one considers the endless rejections, any acceptance is grand (again, on both sides of the camera). I’m reminded of what Konstantin Stanislavski the legendary actor and director said, “There are no small parts, only small actors.”

Of course, 2024 wasn’t all acting and writing. A fun article in The Wall Street Journal included me and my purchase of a 2020 BMW 3 Series (which appears in Stonegate) along with some wonderful day trips, rounded out the year. Unsurprisingly, one of my favorite trips was to Boston for the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. I’ve almost lost track of the number of Titanic exhibitions I’ve attended over the years, but regardless of the number, I always learn something new about the legendary liner and the people who sailed on her.

One project I devoted a good amount of time this year was SOS United States as both a screenplay and manuscript. With the manuscript being considered by publishers and the screenplay ready for presentation with a completed pitch deck, I’m hoping 2025 sees some solid activity on this project. But as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, this is a project for the long haul and nothing in this industry comes easy or quick but is accomplished only with perseverance and patience—more of that next year!

One thing I don’t talk much about in this forum is my personal life. But I want to end the year by thanking that one person who has always supported me from day one—my mother Eleanor. Last night during our Christmas Eve when I took the picture you see here, it dawned on me (again) how lucky I have been to have a parent like her. For everything life has thrown at us, she has always been the constant in our lives to instill in us that for every valley there is a peak and to always look forward never behind.

Thank you, Mother.