Ep. 31: Adam Mackie, "End of Story"

WIT, WHISPERS & WRITER'S BLOCK

When Your Characters Talk Back: Inside the Creative Spiral of “End of Story”

In "End of Story," filmmaker Adam Mackie turns a writer’s worst fear—writer’s block—into a darkly comedic mind game where characters refuse to stay on the page. In this episode of the Richmond Film Network podcast, Mackie opens up to host Lisa Giles about the very real creative paralysis that inspired the film, how animation became his directorial superpower, and why sometimes the best way to finish your dream project is to put it on hold.

Born in Beirut and now based in New York, Mackie reveals how his early years under constraint shaped his storytelling voice—one that now celebrates personal freedom and artistic control. His 19-minute short, screening at RFN Indie Fest, began as a form of self-prescribed “practice” for a more serious feature he’s yet to make. But in a twist worthy of the film itself, "End of Story" became the breakout instead.

Mackie discusses everything from his meticulous pre-visualization process—animating every frame in 2D and 3D before arriving on set—to the collaborative trust he built with actors Tracie Bennett and Sebastian Beacon. He shares his admiration for co-writer Adam Bertocci, the inspirations behind the film’s isolated cabin setting, and how real-life experiences (like domestic abuse in his extended family) subtly inform his screenwriting.

The episode wraps with personal insights, and Mackie’s belief that no story truly ends—only pauses, morphs, and continues beyond the frame.

Whether you’re a filmmaker, screenwriter, or someone who’s ever stared at a blinking cursor too long, this episode reminds you: sometimes your characters know the way forward better than you do.