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.
Expert action steps:
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Start creating with what you have instead of waiting for ideal conditions.
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Use genre and format experimentation to keep audiences engaged.
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Design projects that combine creative impact with social contribution.
Learn more & connect:
Check out all of Doug's YouTube content @dougmacdougall4338
