When I launched the Beyond Film School Script Competition, I had one simple goal: give filmmakers an opportunity to see their work come to life.

Thirty-five scripts were submitted from writers hoping their story would be selected. The prize wasn’t just recognition, it was production. Every writer who entered knew that the winning script would actually be made into a film. After reading all 35 submissions, one script stood above the rest. Seen, written by Sean Martyn from Ireland.

The reason it won was simple: it made me feel something. The story follows Beth, a spirited illustrator, and Andrew, a charming stranger, as they navigate the delicate art of communication and discover connection in a world that often feels too loud. At its core, Seen is a slice-of-life story about human connection, vulnerability, and the small moments that bring people together.

We also recognized two runner-up scripts, Not a ROM-COM and Dog Mom, but Seen was the story that ultimately moved forward into production. What makes this project even more special is that Sean had never had one of his scripts produced before. A writer from Ireland submitted a screenplay to a competition run by Beyond Film School, and just a few months later that screenplay was being filmed in Brooklyn, New York.

Ironically, we ended up shooting on March 17th – St. Patrick’s Day.

We didn’t plan it that way. The Brooklyn Public Library gave us access to their Arlington Branch location, and the date that worked best for everyone happened to be St. Patrick’s Day. It felt like a fitting coincidence considering the writer was Irish.

Our primary location was the Brooklyn Public Library Arlington Branch, with additional scenes filmed near the Dawn of Glory statue in Highland Park. None of this would have been possible without the generosity and support of the Brooklyn Public Library staff. Not only did they welcome us into the space, but when we needed a little more time to complete our work, they worked with us and helped us finish the day successfully.

One of the most important decisions we made during casting involved the role of BETH. Because BETH is deaf, it was important to us that we cast a deaf actress in the role. Authentic representation mattered. We were fortunate to cast Samara Maldonado as BETH and Mario Del Cubo as ANDREW. To support communication on set, we also brought in an ASL interpreter for the production.

The response to that decision was overwhelmingly positive. Many people expressed appreciation that we took the extra steps necessary to cast authentically and create an environment where everyone could do their best work.

One of my favorite parts of the process happened before we ever rolled a camera. We held two rehearsals with the actors. Those rehearsals became invaluable. Not only did they allow the actors to build chemistry, but they revealed deeper layers of the story that simply weren’t present on the page. We discovered new moments of humor, subtle inside jokes, and emotional nuances connected to Beth’s experience as a deaf woman. Those discoveries only happened because people were in a room together collaborating.

It’s a reminder that filmmaking is never just about what’s written on the page. It’s about the human beings who bring those words to life. By the time production arrived, we had assembled a team of 11 crew members, 3 principal cast members, and 9 background actors. Even more meaningful, roughly half of the crew consisted of Beyond Film School alumni.

The project wasn’t just producing a screenplay. It was creating opportunities for filmmakers to gain experience, build relationships, and practice their craft. And somehow, despite the usual challenges that come with independent filmmaking, we wrapped early.

As a first-time director, I learned a lot from the experience. The biggest lesson was understanding just how important preparation really is. The rehearsals helped. The tech scouts helped. The conversations before the shoot helped. Those moments gave people time to connect with each other before the pressure of production arrived. The stronger those relationships became during pre-production, the smoother the shoot became.

I also gained a new appreciation for Assistant Directors. As a career 1st AD myself, stepping into the director’s chair gave me a completely different perspective on how critical that role is. A strong AD doesn’t just keep the day moving they become an extension of the director’s vision.

Another lesson was realizing how important a creative support system is. Directing can feel surprisingly lonely. There are moments where everyone is looking to you for answers, and there isn’t always someone you can turn to for creative guidance. Having trusted producers, writers, collaborators, or mentors around you can make a tremendous difference.

I also learned something about myself. I’m a fast director. I move quickly, make decisions quickly, and have very little patience for unnecessary delays. If something isn’t getting done, my instinct is often to jump in and do it myself. Understanding that about myself will help me become a better leader on future projects.

Most importantly, Seen proved something I’ve believed for a long time: Opportunities don’t always need to come from someone else. Sometimes you create them. A writer received their first produced screenplay. Beyond Film School alumni gained on-set experience. Actors, crew members, and filmmakers built new relationships. And a story that existed only on paper became a real film.

That’s exactly why the Beyond Film School Script Competition exists.

Because sometimes all someone needs is a chance. And that’s what Beyond Film School is all about. Currently Seen is in post production and we will be sharing our winning shot film as soon as we can!