Done! Documentary Film on Frances Glessner Lee & The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death

We finished it. It's done. It's complete. After almost a decade of trying to get funding for this documentary film, but coming up short, we wrapped the edit on our own. 

After our screening of the fine cut at the Smithsonian in 2018, I thought we might be done. Most indie filmmakers don't even dream of having one of their films screen to a standing-room-only crowd at such a prestigious institution. It was such a wonderful experience and at the time I thought, this is enough for me. 

But it's hard to leave things unfinished. So we continued. COVID got in the way. We continued some more. And then we interviewed two more people for the film and then it felt as complete as we could get it (without funding), so we reworked the edit and now it's ready for the world! 

Susan Marks ISA Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2026

                                       

I am so honored to be named one of the ISA Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2026. Exciting projects ahead!

2026 Documentary Film on Frances Glessner Lee & the Nutshell Studies Update

We are so close to being done and you being able to finally see this documentary film! We are putting on the finishing touches throughout this month and then we will hand it off to New Hampshire PBS. Thank you for your patience!

Michael Horse PBS Arts Segment

One of the best parts of being a storyteller is no matter what the genre, you get to meet interesting characters who change you, just by being in the presence. I spent 2 days with Michael Horse of Twin Peaks fame and his wife, Pennie Opal Plant, of saving the earth fame for a PBS art/culture/history show.  Not only did I get to work with Michael on this project but another one for PBS as a voice over narrator. And I hope to cast him again and again. And spend quality time with Pennie is rare and enchanting. She is truly phenomenal.  I could not be any luckier!

I look like I photoshopped myself in! 

We are collecting Michael Horse photos for the segment, so please send them my way!

Keeping up with the Nutshells!

Check out this great Nutshell story by Frances Glessner Lee biographer, Bruce Goldfarb 

2025 Emmy win for director/producer Susan Marks

Susan Marks aka Marks won a regional Emmy for her documentary storytelling with Pioneer PBS for Held in Minnesota: Untold WWII POW Stories.

Screenwriter and filmmaker, Marks recently received another region Emmy for a historical documentary film about a very under-told WWII story that even some WWII experts were shocked to learn. This project was definitely a labor of love with a pretty happy ending. 

Murder in a Nutshell: The Frances Glessner Lee Story documentary film update

We had a great fine cut of the documentary film and then I pulled it apart in edit so I could add some great new interviews. We still have a lot of work to do but it's coming together beautifully! The film will be done very soon. (As God and all of you as my witness!)