How is this a real British person, it's like if there was an American actress named Cowgirl Gunburger

Quite something when former PM Boris Johnson - who introduced voter ID requirement - is turned away from his polling station after forgetting to bring his 🤦. Sky News

The 'Freedom Caucus' in the Missouri Senate is currently threatening to close rural hospitals if they aren't allowed to defund cancer and STI screenings for poor women.

Now, read that again.

‘Q&A: Lena Waithe on the Film That Changed Her Life’

The screenwriter, actor, and producer discusses her creative journey from Chicago to Hollywood and back to where it started with ' #TheChi ' - all through the lens of 'The Wizard of Oz'.

colehaddon.substack.com/p/q-and-a-lena…

#screenwriting

Republican voters: 'Wait, we're cool with animal cruelty now? Because that sounds terrible.'

GOP politicians: 'Not really. Don't be a liberal pussy. Did you know Joe Biden owns a dog?

Republican voters: 'Yeaaaaah, death to all dogs!'

This is the golden rule of screenwriting. It's nothing to do with structure, with pronouns, with how much you direct or don't direct on the page. Make your reader unable to stop themselves from reaching THE END.

I hope he caught something that made him shit himself inside out.

Felt like a dam broke today as callers responded to news of Brexit-related food price rises by expressing regret for their 2016 vote. Always important to show compassion to well-meaning people who swallow lies & nonsense served up by liars & charlatans. globalplayer.com/podcasts/episo…

Border agent: purpose abroad?
Me: scientific conference.
BA: topic?
Me: single cell biology.
BA: prokaryotic or eukaryotic?
#reallyhappened

'What Would David Lynch Do?'

I reflect on the legendary director's six tips for creative filmmaking, translating them for aspiring/emerging screenwriters based on my own experiences in Hollywood and other film/TV markets.

colehaddon.substack.com/p/what-would-d…

#screenwriting

What does she think the 'Dr.' in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. means?

‘When Thor Became the Strongest Avenger’

The handling of Thor’s depression in 'Avengers: Endgame' - which was released five years ago this week - was a transformative moment for the character, the MCU, and all superhero films.

colehaddon.substack.com/p/when-thor-be…

I know that it was overshadowed by Trump's lawyers arguing that presidents should be able to murder political opponents, but I don't think I'll ever get over Clarence Thomas hearing a case related to Jan 6 knowing that his wife was an active participant in the attempted coup.

'How to Survive Your Biggest Mistakes as an Artist'

25 filmmakers, authors, and comic book writers from around the globe discuss what they learned from their worst professional and creative missteps.

colehaddon.substack.com/p/how-to-survi…

The Supreme Court of the United States would cut the heart out of America’s Democracy and the Rule of Law and unsoul the Nation were it to rule that an American president is immune from prosecution under the Constitution

White woman, world renowned academic, brutalised by cops in full view of video cameras and arrested. They still lied on court records about the event. Now think how often cops lie about those without similar privilege

Has anyone ever started a discussion about how AI-driven photo upscalers always lighten the skin of Black people? I've tried it with multiple photos now and the result is always the same.

'What '5AM StoryTalk's' First Year on Substack Taught Me'

Happy anniversary to everyone who helped make this arts newsletter such a successful and meaningful creative conversation for this past year!