Correctly speaking, The Wonderful Counsellor is 200% a Peter Sagnia film. Peter worked tirelessly to bring this project to life.
Four years ago, he invited me to write the pilot for a TV project titled The Wonderful Counsellor. The draft came together pretty quickly because Peter’s vision was clear. After getting feedback from local actors and other writers, Peter was determined to write and produce 5 episodes.
Writing 5 episodes of a televised drama was a big undertaking. Especially because at the time my focus was comedic writing. I invited fellow Caribbean screenwriter Diane De La Haye of Jamaica to join. Diane’s resume has a good mix of drama and comedy. Diane and I co-wrote the second episode pretty quickly. At the end of the table read, one of the actors exclaimed, “Wow, this is great! Even better than the previous script!”
I was the sole writer on the pilot so that was a blow to my ego. Nevertheless, it was exciting to be part of a project that had legs and actors excited to perform. In the end, Peter and Diane were the true champions of this project. I’m happy to retain a writing credit.
If you’re on Sint Maarten this February 9, 14 and 15, please support Caribbean screenwriters, actors, and producers by getting tickets for The Wonderful Counsellor. If you got it like that, consider buying a ticket for Peter to donate to someone local.
Want to watch the film but you’re unable to attend an in-person screening. Contact Peter Sagnia. I’m sure he’ll figure out an online screening option if there is interest.
Romcom table read update
I’m using every brain cell, skill, and dollar to make this table read a reality. I’m still looking for actors interested in reading for TRUDY, SHEREE, and ALEXIA. Seems everyone wants to play the lead. However, I promise you these side characters are fleshed out and so much fun. Please have your actor friends in the Chicago area—especially females over 60—check out the casting call.
Don’t know any actors in Chicago? Still send them the casting link. Actors know other actors!
TRUDY/GERTRUDE
supporting/60 going on 30/female/Black
Gertrude is 60 going on 30. Following a lifetime of being out of shape and chronically single, she determined not to waste her second act. The gawds saw her fitness efforts and rewarded her with a glow-up; her skin-removal surgery went left and she woke up with a BBL and new tiddies! Now she’s in Ruby Nicole’s Gems Bootcamp and ready to go from sugar baby to high-value housewife.
YouTube Monetization Journey
For a YouTube channel to be monetized, I need 500 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours. The table below shows a summary of my progress.
| YouTube Goal | Week 4 of 16 | Week 6 of 16 | Progress |
| 500 Subscribers | 276 | 278 | +2 |
| 4,000 Watch hours | 33.4 | 21.2 | +? |
Yay, we’re still growing. YouTube says my watch hours are still up even though the number is lower than last week. I think it’s because I need to upload longer videos so subscribers actually have more to watch.
I always feel weird about making videos needlessly long. But I guess I need to do it to get monetized and then I can go back to more concise videos. Please forgive me.
This 15-week challenge has been good for forcing me to share all those partially edited videos and vlogs with the world. Thanks for watching, liking, and commenting. Send me video ideas. What types of videos from those I already make do you like the most?
‘Fab 4 and the Silent Retreat’ – Caribbean screenwriter Diane De La Haye interview
Fab 4 and the Silent Retreat: Faced with a myriad of issues as they approach 40, a group of loud, feisty Caribbean friends travel to Nepal for a Silent Retreat.
Fab 4 was written by Diane de la Haye and directed by Peter Sagnia. The super funny comedic short film was shot on St Maarten and stars Rita Gumbs, Shama Flurton, Clarisse Glasgow and Kedisha Vidal.
BetterHelp for couples therapy?
The Wonderful Counsellor premieres at Caribbean Cinemas this February 2025.
