My approach to film story? Start with the universal. Then make it your own.

Stories are built from the same timeless principles — character, conflict, desire, change. Those principles are universal. What makes a story great is how you bring your voice and vision to them.

My approach is to help you master the fundamentals, cut through the noise, and see your story more clearly — so you can rewrite smarter, not just harder. I’ll give you honest, actionable feedback that respects what you’re trying to say and helps you say it in the strongest way possible.

I’m Xandra Castleton — a screenwriter, story consultant, and teacher who believes great screenplays aren’t born, they’re built.

Over the past twenty years, I’ve worked with writers, producers, and storytellers at all levels — from first‑time screenwriters to award‑winning filmmakers — helping them turn their raw ideas into stories that truly work.

I know how it feels to stare at a messy draft and wonder if it’s even worth finishing, to feel pulled in every direction by competing notes and conflicting advice, to lose sight of the story you set out to tell. That’s why I stay with you through those hard parts — helping you cut through the confusion, keep your eyes on the big picture, and take it one clear, achievable step at a time — until you get there.