How I made a short film in under 32 hours with nothing but an idea, an iPhone, and a little creative nerve.

At 43, I know what it means to put your dreams on pause.

Not because you stopped believing—but because life asked you to prioritize survival, stability, and everybody else first. But just because the dream goes quiet doesn’t mean it disappears.

It waits.

So when a creative opportunity came my way—one that asked for two narrative short films directed by me—and I only had one? I had a choice.

I could’ve said, “Nope. I’m not ready.” Or I could say, “Yes. I’ll make it happen.”

I said yes.

BLOCKED was written, shot, directed, and edited in under 32 hours. No crew. No studio. No full lighting setup. Just what I had—and what I knew how to figure out.

I’m not an actor. I’m not a cinematographer. But I’m a storyteller. And that has always been enough.

I leaned on instinct, intention, and YouTube University. I worked with my iPhone 15 Pro, my old MacBook, a koala suit, and a ball borrowed from my son. I made something from scratch. Not to check a box—but to prove to myself that I could.

Not just that I could finish it—but that I could be proud of what I made.

BLOCKED is what it looks like when creativity refuses to wait for perfect conditions. It’s part comedy, part confession, part creative exhale. It’s the story of trying to push through when you feel stuck—and doing it anyway.

People have told me it made them laugh, made them pause, made them feel seen. And honestly? That means everything. Because that’s the work. That’s the calling.

Here’s the thing about chasing dreams in your 40s:There’s no perfect moment. No production crew standing by. No resounding applause waiting on the other side. Just you, your gut, and the grit to say, “I’m doing this anyway.”

We spend years thinking we need more time, more money, more permission. But most of the time? We just need to begin.

Start where you are. With what you have. In the body you live in. With the wisdom you’ve gained. With the softness that comes from living and losing and loving again.

Perfect conditions are a myth.

Messy beginnings are the birthplace of real work. Whatever you're holding onto—book idea, short film, small business, podcast, poetry, healing retreat—stop waiting for perfect.

Pick up the tools you’ve got. Use your voice, your phone, your light, your lived experience. Trust that what’s inside you is worth making room for.

Because someone out there needs to hear it. Because you need to hear it. Because creativity doesn’t need your perfection. It needs your participation.

🎬 Watch BLOCKED –

What creative idea have you been holding onto, waiting for the 'perfect' moment? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your story. And if BLOCKED resonated with you, consider supporting future projects: https://ko-fi.com/michelleelaine. Every contribution fuels the next creative spark.

Until next time,