Typically, an initial session with me works like this:

1. I come in, sit down. Or we hop on Zoom. Whatever’s more convenient for you.

2. We exchange all the pleasantries and whatnot.

3. I listen to your pitch. Or your table read. Or I watch your animatic or your episode or your reels. You show me art or boards or character designs or whatever you have to show me.

4. I ask you all the pertinent clarification questions, to be sure that I fully understand the project, what you’re trying to accomplish, and what you’re trying to say with the project.

5. I do on-the-spot narrative analysis. I bring nearly 20 years of professional academic training and experience in the deconstruction and analysis of popular culture to bear on your project. I break your story’s messaging down to the molecule.

6. I walk you through your project and ask you a whole lot of questions. Many of those questions take the form of, “Your project is saying this. Is that what you meant for it to say right here?” Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes the answer is no. When the answer is no, we flag those things.

7. We go back and discuss those flags. I offer suggestions. Sometimes those suggestions solve a potential problem right there. Other times, we need additional sessions to solve an issue. Other times, you’d rather solve the issue yourself without my input. All of those are valid ways to deal with the flags.

8. At this point, our session time is usually up — and clients tend to schedule additional sessions because what I am bringing to the table is clear, valuable, and actionable.