Calum Chalmers
@calchal.bsky.social
Producer - director - writer of short films. 8/10 writer (top 2%) over at the blacklist. Sometimes an actor. I make films about well intentioned people making mistakes. I produce films about broken people trying to fix themselves.
Pinned
Calum Chalmers
@calchal.bsky.social
· Sep 26
Each Coming Night
The debut short film from writer-director Dakota Blue Richards, starring Evanna Lynch. When Gwen arrives at a hotel which was recently the scene of a brutal murder, receptionist Sophie assumes she has...
greenlit.com
I'm producing Dakota Blue Richards (The Golden Compass, Skins) directing debut. She's starring in it along side Evanna Lynch (Harry Potter). We've already raised a fair amount privately, but we're crowdfunding to cover post production costs.
greenlit.com/project/each...
greenlit.com/project/each...
This. All the touristy gift shops in Edinburgh (and I'm guessing other major cities) had art that was all genAI (prints, cushions, tins etc). What's the point of buying something like that when you could do it at home?
Just a heads up with all the Christmas markets and fairs on at the moment - if you see art or art-based pieces for sale, ask who the artist is, because the amount of people deceptively slapping "made locally" on pieces locally farted out by their computer and a genAI prompt is getting depressing
November 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM
This. All the touristy gift shops in Edinburgh (and I'm guessing other major cities) had art that was all genAI (prints, cushions, tins etc). What's the point of buying something like that when you could do it at home?
An addition to the whole "write your spec" discussion. Last year the AI thriller ALIGNMENT sold for over $3m. The writer was a true outside the industry nobody. And the grand old men of screenwriter twitter were openly saying how they'd "fix" it in rewrites. Is that why they want specs written?
November 30, 2025 at 2:49 PM
An addition to the whole "write your spec" discussion. Last year the AI thriller ALIGNMENT sold for over $3m. The writer was a true outside the industry nobody. And the grand old men of screenwriter twitter were openly saying how they'd "fix" it in rewrites. Is that why they want specs written?
People dunking on Stranger Things for the cast being 20-22 playing 16... as if that hasn't been the norm for decades in US shows and films. Smallville had a 24 year old playing 14! Hell, someone I know was 24 playing 14 on a CBBC show.
November 30, 2025 at 12:44 AM
People dunking on Stranger Things for the cast being 20-22 playing 16... as if that hasn't been the norm for decades in US shows and films. Smallville had a 24 year old playing 14! Hell, someone I know was 24 playing 14 on a CBBC show.
Anyone know why the Ninja Turtles would be reading the UK TV listings mag Radio Times?
November 29, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Anyone know why the Ninja Turtles would be reading the UK TV listings mag Radio Times?
If Notting Hill were made today, Hugh Grant wouldn't be crashing a press junket, he'd be rolling into Hot Ones. Trying to win over Julia Roberts while biting into a chicke wing, having his throat scorched by Da Bomb. Cut to a bemused Sean Evans.
November 27, 2025 at 5:33 PM
If Notting Hill were made today, Hugh Grant wouldn't be crashing a press junket, he'd be rolling into Hot Ones. Trying to win over Julia Roberts while biting into a chicke wing, having his throat scorched by Da Bomb. Cut to a bemused Sean Evans.
Ben's spot on. Various people will say here's my successful short made for no money. And then you'll later learn it actually cost 8 grand. Which compared to a Hollywood blockbuster or even an indie, is "no money." But if you don't have 8 thousand to spend, then what?
This thread. Also: at my (upper/mid) level, all I'm hearing is "make your own thing." I've been doing that for 20 years. It's been a nice way to supplement my scattered income from selling scripts. But to make something, you need to pay the people helping you (at a certain point). So, who funds it?
Said with love but there is a tone deafness in the "just write your spec!" advice that seems to be totally ignored in the current climate.
It works if you're repped. If reps are taking new clients. If places are buying A LOT. If rooms are staffing unknowns/lower levels. If not? It's a platitude.
It works if you're repped. If reps are taking new clients. If places are buying A LOT. If rooms are staffing unknowns/lower levels. If not? It's a platitude.
November 27, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Ben's spot on. Various people will say here's my successful short made for no money. And then you'll later learn it actually cost 8 grand. Which compared to a Hollywood blockbuster or even an indie, is "no money." But if you don't have 8 thousand to spend, then what?
Agree with all of this. The entire thing is fucked. You've got new-ish TV writers who should probably be high up/running their own shows by now, competing each year with well established writers/showrunners who are now also struggling to land gigs.
Said with love but there is a tone deafness in the "just write your spec!" advice that seems to be totally ignored in the current climate.
It works if you're repped. If reps are taking new clients. If places are buying A LOT. If rooms are staffing unknowns/lower levels. If not? It's a platitude.
It works if you're repped. If reps are taking new clients. If places are buying A LOT. If rooms are staffing unknowns/lower levels. If not? It's a platitude.
November 27, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Agree with all of this. The entire thing is fucked. You've got new-ish TV writers who should probably be high up/running their own shows by now, competing each year with well established writers/showrunners who are now also struggling to land gigs.
Abby McDonald's 2022 black list script is fantastic. I was a big fan of it. What ended up getting shot... well, I'll say again Abby McDonald's 2022 black list script is fantastic.
Cheers to Abby McDonald - her 2022 Black List script JINGLE BELL HEIST arrives on Netflix TODAY!
November 27, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Abby McDonald's 2022 black list script is fantastic. I was a big fan of it. What ended up getting shot... well, I'll say again Abby McDonald's 2022 black list script is fantastic.
Having just smashed through 118 eps and 2 TV movies in 2 months (finishing yesterday), I'm super excited by this news.
deadline.com/2025/11/star...
deadline.com/2025/11/star...
‘Stargate’ TV Series From Martin Gero Based On Sci-Fi Franchise Ordered By Amazon
Amazon MGM Studios has given a series order to Stargate, based on the iconic sci-fi franchise, from Stargate veteran Martin Gero.
deadline.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Having just smashed through 118 eps and 2 TV movies in 2 months (finishing yesterday), I'm super excited by this news.
deadline.com/2025/11/star...
deadline.com/2025/11/star...
They had the creator of Tilly Norwood there. But remember folks, the BFI absolutely didn't help fund her.
deadline.com/2025/10/till...
deadline.com/2025/10/till...
November 18, 2025 at 5:05 PM
They had the creator of Tilly Norwood there. But remember folks, the BFI absolutely didn't help fund her.
deadline.com/2025/10/till...
deadline.com/2025/10/till...
I know of a filmmaker, prolific with short films, and all his pitch decks and concept posters are AI. Then he'll be like "AI is bad". Maybe then don't use it?
If you're a writer who's cool with using AI to create art for your pitch (instead of hiring an actual artist), I guess you'd also be cool with the studio using AI to write the screenplay instead of hiring you?
November 18, 2025 at 5:02 PM
I know of a filmmaker, prolific with short films, and all his pitch decks and concept posters are AI. Then he'll be like "AI is bad". Maybe then don't use it?
Why is the BFI hosting an AI creative summit?
November 18, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Why is the BFI hosting an AI creative summit?
*Patiently waits for not another X crowd*
BBC reboots The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ with new drama adaptation from David Nicholls. More details:
www.tvzoneuk.com/post/thesecr...
www.tvzoneuk.com/post/thesecr...
THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE: BBC COMMISSION NEW DRAMA ADAPTATION BASED ON HIT BOOK AND CLASSIC TV SERIES
The BBC has commissioned The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ from Big Talk Studios (Ludwig, The Outlaws) for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. Based on Sue Townsend’s best-selling book of the same name, t...
www.tvzoneuk.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:39 PM
*Patiently waits for not another X crowd*
Say Nothing last year, Trespasses this year... Lola Petticrew really is a star. What a fantastic mini series.
November 16, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Say Nothing last year, Trespasses this year... Lola Petticrew really is a star. What a fantastic mini series.
Between this and David Cameron, I would say world leaders need to stop putting their dicks in swine.
Although many people are saying it, I do not believe our current president sucked off former president Bill Clinton on camera. I have not seen sufficient evidence that our current president gave the former president a blowie in a way that was memorialized in a photo. That's not something I believe.
November 15, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Between this and David Cameron, I would say world leaders need to stop putting their dicks in swine.
A brilliant choice.
A new #StarTrek movie is in the works at Paramount, with Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves duo Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley set to write, direct, and produce.
Read more: www.empireonline.com/movies...
Read more: www.empireonline.com/movies...
November 14, 2025 at 8:07 PM
A brilliant choice.
I wish British TV had something as wildly fun and daft as 911. This season's first 4 eps had them sending two of their characters into space. Last season had a 3 parter about a bee tornado and a kid flying/landing a passenger plane.
November 14, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I wish British TV had something as wildly fun and daft as 911. This season's first 4 eps had them sending two of their characters into space. Last season had a 3 parter about a bee tornado and a kid flying/landing a passenger plane.
Reposted by Calum Chalmers
Great to see *checks notes* two time Emmy nominee Nick Mohammed finally breaking through.
November 7, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Great to see *checks notes* two time Emmy nominee Nick Mohammed finally breaking through.
What the fuck is this story?
Why is the director not leading & looking after his actors?
Why is he allowing crew to shout (conflicting?) directions at one of his leads?
Why is an A-lister present during this and allowing it to happen in the first place?
deadline.com/2025/11/aime...
Why is the director not leading & looking after his actors?
Why is he allowing crew to shout (conflicting?) directions at one of his leads?
Why is an A-lister present during this and allowing it to happen in the first place?
deadline.com/2025/11/aime...
Aimee Lou Wood Reveals How Angelina Jolie Backed Her When She “Spoke Up” On ‘Anxious People’ Set
Aimee Lou Wood has revealed how she has continued to find her voice after she called out the “mean and unfunny” 'Saturday Night Live' impression.
deadline.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:17 PM
What the fuck is this story?
Why is the director not leading & looking after his actors?
Why is he allowing crew to shout (conflicting?) directions at one of his leads?
Why is an A-lister present during this and allowing it to happen in the first place?
deadline.com/2025/11/aime...
Why is the director not leading & looking after his actors?
Why is he allowing crew to shout (conflicting?) directions at one of his leads?
Why is an A-lister present during this and allowing it to happen in the first place?
deadline.com/2025/11/aime...
The new Species sequel is going in a bold direction.
deadline.com/2025/11/anth...
deadline.com/2025/11/anth...
Anthony Hopkins & Charlotte Rampling To Star In ‘The Species’
The film was written by Jacob Killion.
deadline.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:34 PM
The new Species sequel is going in a bold direction.
deadline.com/2025/11/anth...
deadline.com/2025/11/anth...
This campaign finished on Halloween. 106% funded!
We smashed our initial goal of 5K by 16% and our stretch goal of 2500 by 6%.
Just wanted to say a massive thank you to those that shared and/or donated to our crowdfund. And to the rest of you for tolerating me posting incessantly about it.
We smashed our initial goal of 5K by 16% and our stretch goal of 2500 by 6%.
Just wanted to say a massive thank you to those that shared and/or donated to our crowdfund. And to the rest of you for tolerating me posting incessantly about it.
Three days left and we're at 88% of our stretch goal!
greenlit.com/project/each...
greenlit.com/project/each...
November 2, 2025 at 11:34 AM
This campaign finished on Halloween. 106% funded!
We smashed our initial goal of 5K by 16% and our stretch goal of 2500 by 6%.
Just wanted to say a massive thank you to those that shared and/or donated to our crowdfund. And to the rest of you for tolerating me posting incessantly about it.
We smashed our initial goal of 5K by 16% and our stretch goal of 2500 by 6%.
Just wanted to say a massive thank you to those that shared and/or donated to our crowdfund. And to the rest of you for tolerating me posting incessantly about it.
Three days left and we're at 88% of our stretch goal!
greenlit.com/project/each...
greenlit.com/project/each...
October 27, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Three days left and we're at 88% of our stretch goal!
greenlit.com/project/each...
greenlit.com/project/each...
Oh yay, another UK company no longer interested in actually making films.
www.screendaily.com/news/sky-res...
www.screendaily.com/news/sky-res...
Sky restructures Original Film division to focus on acquisitions
EXCLUSIVE: The UK film division has moved away from commissioning, in-house development and financing of original UK features.
www.screendaily.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Oh yay, another UK company no longer interested in actually making films.
www.screendaily.com/news/sky-res...
www.screendaily.com/news/sky-res...
After hitting 116% we're back down to 77% as we're gluttons and added a stretch goal with 19 days left!
With three weeks left, we're at an amazing 115%.
Still plenty of cool perks (various credits, production books, script feedback, zooms) left as we aim to fund our festival campaign.
greenlit.com/project/each...
Still plenty of cool perks (various credits, production books, script feedback, zooms) left as we aim to fund our festival campaign.
greenlit.com/project/each...
Each Coming Night
The debut short film from writer-director Dakota Blue Richards, starring Evanna Lynch. When Gwen arrives at a hotel which was recently the scene of a brutal murder, receptionist Sophie assumes she has...
greenlit.com
October 11, 2025 at 4:44 PM
After hitting 116% we're back down to 77% as we're gluttons and added a stretch goal with 19 days left!
With three weeks left, we're at an amazing 115%.
Still plenty of cool perks (various credits, production books, script feedback, zooms) left as we aim to fund our festival campaign.
greenlit.com/project/each...
Still plenty of cool perks (various credits, production books, script feedback, zooms) left as we aim to fund our festival campaign.
greenlit.com/project/each...
Each Coming Night
The debut short film from writer-director Dakota Blue Richards, starring Evanna Lynch. When Gwen arrives at a hotel which was recently the scene of a brutal murder, receptionist Sophie assumes she has...
greenlit.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:28 PM
With three weeks left, we're at an amazing 115%.
Still plenty of cool perks (various credits, production books, script feedback, zooms) left as we aim to fund our festival campaign.
greenlit.com/project/each...
Still plenty of cool perks (various credits, production books, script feedback, zooms) left as we aim to fund our festival campaign.
greenlit.com/project/each...