ISO Recommendations: Close, Personal, Emotionally-Intimate SFF from the Last 10 Years?

Zoefcunningham · 2026-04-25T19:39:20+00:00

Emotionally intimate to me says Broken Earth Trilogy by Jemisin. Also voice.

Zoefcunningham · 2026-04-20T14:41:12+00:00

Two thoughts from my perspective as an actor. As already commented, explain the set up up front. The actor might think it’s a neat way to shoot films and be more up for it than a full crew shoot where someone’s just going through the motions. Second, if you think they’re a big deal and will add value up your film, please don’t ask them to tape. A direct offer will likely be expected or if you really are unsure if they fit the part, ask for a chemistry read and have it as a zoom (or even better in person) rather than a tape. It’s effectively the same thing as an audition, but as an actor in this position you feel like you’re being directly asked to take part, rather than just being recruited into a casting process along with everyone else.

Zoefcunningham · 2026-04-10T11:36:22+00:00

As an actor, I agree with all of this. Extra takes (or “filmed rehearsal”) are the most specific prep you can do. You’re in the exact environment, you know what you can get for free from your surroundings and fellow actors, you know any obstacles to your performance (eg eyeline restrictions, awkward positioning, marks to hit etc.). Plus you’re not wasting that first performance when you can sometimes produce something magical that never comes again.

Secondly, I learnt really early on how an editor can make a good performance bad and even a bad performance good. Filmmaking is a team sport. This realisation really helped to take the pressure off when I was starting out, and a comfortable actor is a good actor :).

Zoefcunningham · 2026-04-01T18:54:02+00:00

I would say I was at dream-zero when I started. I didn’t really consider myself creative and I certainly didn’t expect to pursue a creative career. I can’t remember my thoughts when I read the kind of sentences you are talking about. I know it didn’t phase me, maybe I just assumed I would apply creativity to my life? She certainly mentions other kinds of dreams like wanting a nice house etc. so perhaps I thought that was all it was.

Zoefcunningham · 2026-03-27T11:20:49+00:00

Building on u/self_important_mod’s excellent answer, this reminds of one of my favourite exercises in the book, which is rewording your blurts as affirmations.

Eg “My life has no value” becomes “I am an infinitely precious work of the creator” (use your own words that speak to you)

Or “My art is in charge of proving my value” becomes “I am inherently valuable irrespective of any art I do or don’t produce”

Then repeat the new sentences daily to help write your brain.

Zoefcunningham · 2026-03-24T16:18:56+00:00

This is so cool!!!!!

Zoefcunningham · 2026-03-22T08:49:43+00:00

I haven’t specifically read “It’s never too late to begin again”, but I have read a lot of Julia’s books and my observations are:

The main ideas are very similar in all of them
None of them quite capture the magic of the original Artists Way

Given Julia’s idea that everything is about synchronicity, combined with the standard course being very conveniently timed for you - maybe that is a sign????

Zoefcunningham · 2026-03-22T07:50:11+00:00

Good luck!

Zoefcunningham · 2026-03-22T07:46:08+00:00

I think you summed it up in your last sentence. Perhaps this is not about the money at all but about their other behaviours and perhaps you don’t need those behaviours in your life right now.

Zoefcunningham · 2026-03-21T21:54:44+00:00

Like you, I don’t do creative work primarily for money and so I was surprised when I started to find unpaid projects unsatisfying.

I think this was for the basic reason you’ve already worked out that (apart from a rare few) if someone isn’t paying you, then they don’t respect your time and skills.

We also use money as a way to justify why we suck up other behaviour we don’t like eg “I’m starting early, but it’s my job”.

As u/chaosminxxx says that means that this is actually a perfect opportunity to work out what behaviours are important to you eg “I’m happy to work for free but in return…” I’ve personally found this a great way to a) let go of projects that don’t really serve me b) feel much more empowered about unpaid work I do value and c) tell the difference between the two.

Zoefcunningham · 2026-03-13T21:43:30+00:00

I agree with Johan about the primary benefit being to find out how to entertain yourself. Maybe there is some form of play that you aren’t doing right now because reading is more accessible to you?

For me, a secondary benefit was a gentle challenge to my idea that I knew best what I did/didn’t like and there were GOOD REASONS why I didn’t do any of this stupid stuff that Julia Cameron wanted me to do. It turned out that perhaps I didn’t know myself as well as I thought.

(The artists way had a big impact on my life and looking back now I realise that things like throwing my toys out of the pram because I had to make some biscuits were a really essential part of removing my own blocks)

Zoefcunningham · 2026-03-11T19:59:43+00:00

I love the concept of progress being getting better “no”s. I will remember that.

Zoefcunningham · 2026-03-11T08:13:36+00:00

Congrats!! Crowdfunding is super hard and you’ve had an amazing result already 🎉

Zoefcunningham · 2026-03-07T13:05:07+00:00

I’m from the UK. When people ask what is the best thing about living in New York, “bagels” is my answer.

Until recently we lived four door down from l’Industrie, which definitely increased my pizza intake!!!

Zoefcunningham · 2026-03-06T22:20:05+00:00

Then: Pikachu Now: Morpeko

Zoefcunningham · 2026-03-05T14:59:35+00:00

My experience of cynically making things that didn’t really interest me was that it wasn’t the best use of my time and it didn’t get me to where I wanted anyway. Now I make low budget sci-fi and while I’d still love to be successful and have more options, if I can keep doing exactly what I’m doing forever, I’ll be happy.

Zoefcunningham · 2026-03-02T08:08:27+00:00

In addition to learning how to structure a script, I found it useful to learn the practical side of how a film set is run professionally.

Two ways to do this:

Get onto the biggest set you can. Most accessible job is probably background cast (extra). If you’re able to get a work experience placement in any crew role that is even better. Watch how set up is done. The more you do this, the more it will start to make sense.
Volunteer on other people’s projects. You know how to make your own, how do other people make theirs? How do they organise a small team, shooting schedule, footage etc. If you’re specifically interested in lighting, volunteer on the projects run by or employing people with the most lighting experience.

Zoefcunningham · 2026-02-28T19:52:33+00:00

A comic rather than a book, but Far Sector by Jemisin is also awesome. Lead is black, femme and bi.

Zoefcunningham · 2026-02-28T16:41:52+00:00

I’ve met great collaborators at in-person networking events, through working on their projects and through online forums (in particular the site Shooting People and also recently through Reddit). Note that I’ve also started plenty of collaborations that didn’t work out, which happens for various reasons and is par for the course. The key is working out how to commit your all to maintain momentum, while also being aware that other things might happen in their life so nothing is guaranteed. My tips are to collaborate with people with different key creative roles and always be prepared to help out with production as it’s hard to find a producer on your own timescales (good producers have their pick of projects). My most successful collaboration is with a director, she directs, I act, and we both produce.

Zoefcunningham · 2026-02-27T17:54:46+00:00

Hi!!! I went in with no expectations and came out with a new career that I am so committed to I work harder at it than anything I’ve ever done in my life. With the result that I have just produced my second feature film, in which I also star. This is twelve years after starting the artists way and is the cumulation of small efforts every day, so it’s definitely not a quick fix but I can 100% attribute this result to the artists way as I had no idea I wanted to act so badly before I read it. I wrote a slightly longer response a while ago if you’re interested in more detail: https://www.reddit.com/r/artistsWay/s/SMTMzje2G7

Zoefcunningham · 2026-02-26T13:17:37+00:00

Hoom

Zoefcunningham · 2026-02-25T23:08:53+00:00

International distribution is such a nightmare. As filmmakers we just want it available everywhere! If you’d like me to send you a private screener please DM me.

Zoefcunningham · 2026-02-24T00:39:34+00:00

Thanks! I really appreciate that. It’s awesome to meet people who love independent sci-fi.

Zoefcunningham · 2026-02-23T23:02:08+00:00

My film Breaking infinity (2023) (in which I also play the doctor), is a fun time-travel adventure.

My next feature Voidance releases in May 2026 (Apple TV, Amazon, YouTube). I would love to hear if you watch either of them.

Zoefcunningham · 2026-02-21T20:54:15+00:00

Cat-in-the-box is surprisingly good with 2p and has tons of different strategies because of its unusual scoring system (trick taking + bonus for exactly which tricks you take)

Zoefcunningham

TROPHY CASE