EP739: TL Nuggets #219 – Doug MacDougall – Twice Upon A Time

"When I retired, I figured I'm going into my second career and I'm going to be a filmmaker."  Big ideas don't always start with big budgets. Sometimes they start during moments of disruption, when plans fall apart and creativity has to take the lead. This episode highlights how shifting direction during uncertain times can open the door to entirely new worlds—both creatively and personally.  Doug MacDougall joins the conversation to share the story behind Twice Upon A Time, a bold sci-fi fantasy web series that blends mystery, psychology, and time travel. What began as a creative pivot during lockdown has evolved into an ambitious, multi-season project featuring remote actors, genre-bending storytelling, and a cliff-hanger designed to leave audiences wanting more. The series follows five residents in a near-future asylum whose treatment hides far darker intentions than they realize.  Doug is an independent film producer who creates cinematic web series with actors located across North America. Working entirely remotely, he combines green-screen production, post-production creativity, and a passion for storytelling to bring large-scale ideas to life—proving that even in disruptive times, imagination can still take center stage.  But this isn't just a movie for the sake of a movie. The series is dedicated to the memory of Doug's sister, Cheryl MacDougall-Oddie. Inspired by her generous spirit, each year, the production aims to raise $2000 of donations for Food Banks Canada and Feeding America. Over the last 5 years, our webseries have raised over $10,000.  We hope to again raise over $2,000 this Christmas season with the online première of Season 1 of TWICE UPON A TIME - a sci-fi/fantasy webseries, with 7 private screenings from Friday, December 12 to Saturday, December 27. Cheryl was always a great supporter of mine and an individual who gave whatever she had to those in need especially at Christmas!  Set in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic future, TWICE UPON A TIME is a sci-fi/fantasy webseries about a group of residents who find themselves in a mental asylum with no memory of how they got there. We soon come to realize that they are test subjects in an unsettling experiment. They eventually escape and must engage the services of a world-renowned time traveller to embark on a journey of self-discovery to find the truth before time runs out and a diabolical plot comes to fruition.  If you would like to attend one of the 4 remaining screenings, here is the link for more information....  https://resultsentertainment.com/twice-upon-a-time/  With the economic challenges families face these days and household food insecurity on the rise, CHRISTMAS is the ideal time for GIVING to those in need in our community at large!!  So, if you cannot attend, but would still like to make a tax-deductible donation (suggested $20) for food banks during the holiday season, here are the links:  FOODBANKS CANADA  www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/twice-upon-a-time-private-film-screening-charity-f/  FEEDING AMERICA  https://teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/participants/TwiceUponaTimeFilmScreening  Hope you can join us for this worthwhile Christmas charity fundraiser screening event!  Here is a link to our Season 1 official trailer  https://youtu.be/by4l-EEsHHk  Expert action steps:  Start creating with what you have instead of waiting for ideal conditions.  Use genre and format experimentation to keep audiences engaged.  Design projects that combine creative impact with social contribution.  Learn more & connect:  Check out all of Doug's YouTube content @dougmacdougall4338  Visit https://www.eCircleAcademy.com and book a success call with Nicky to take your practice to the next level.