DECEMBER 2024 | VANCOUVER, BC.

Today, I had the privilege of visiting Fraser Academy to lead a creative writing workshop that was anything but ordinary in Ms. Erika Hurth’s classroom. On the menu: ten dedicated students and two passionate teachers, a silent short film flickering on the screen (Paperman by Disney Productions), and a challenge to bring the story to life with dialogue.

From the first frame, the room buzzed with curiosity. Without words to guide them, the girls became storytellers, piecing together motives, emotions, and even funny twists. What unfolded next was pure magic, as I like to call it.

Each team dove headfirst into the task, crafting witty exchanges, heartfelt conversations, and dramatic showdowns that elevated the film to something even more phenomenal than it already is. The performances were ingenious, blending humour, tension, and creativity in ways that all laughed and applauded.

What I’m most proud of as an instructor is how the students embraced the process. They didn’t just write; they collaborated, debated, and let their imaginations run wild. Some scripts leaned into humour, others into suspense, but all had that spark of originality that makes storytelling so powerful.

I sincerely want to thank Ms. Erika Hurth and the administrative team at Fraser Academy for welcoming me with open arms and for fostering an environment where creativity thrives. Watching these students transform a silent film into a kaleidoscope of voices was a testament to the power of imagination and the art of storytelling.