About
James O'Hara is a writer and narrative designer based in Los Angeles, working in storytelling across film, TV, and games.
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With a background in screenwriting, he has written features and television pilots in mystery, science fiction, and drama, focusing on character-driven stories that explore identity and environmental themes. ​He holds degrees in English Creative Writing and Film Studies from UC Davis, and has trained under industry veterans Adrian Ropp (Avalanche) and Adam Dolin (Santa Monica Studios).
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Alongside his work as a screenwriter, he serves as Lead Writer and Narrative Designer on The Otter Side with Seaside Studios, while developing his own games in Unreal Engine as a solo developer under Nightland Studios.
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Education & Awards
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University of California Davis
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Bachelor of Arts in English Creative Writing
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Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies
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Game Writing Certification, ELVTR, 2024
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Multimedia Arts and Design Academy
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Pixelles Game Writing Certification, 2024
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Advanced Game Writing Certification, ELVTR, 2025
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Finalist, 3rd Place, ELVTR Game Writing Contest, 2024
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Quarterfinalist, Final Draft Big Break 2025, hour-long drama category
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Skills & Software
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​Unreal 5, Ren'Py, Adobe Suite, Final Draft, FadeIn, Microsoft Suite, Sheets, Articy, Da Vinci Resolve, Trello, Twine, Miro.​
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Screenwriting, Narrative Design, Ambient Design
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Creative and Screen Direction, Research, Character Creation
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Storyboarding, Branching Narrative
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Lore Creation, Pitch Material, Film and Game Theory, Barks and Environmental dialogue
TESTIMONIALS
"James excelled in writing for game cutscenes and genre-specific storytelling. His writing enhances player immersion by smoothly transitioning through the scenes and connecting players to the game’s world. Working with James was a joy. His commitment, enthusiasm, and positive energy have made a lasting impression."
Adrian Ropp / Lead Writer / Avalanche Games, Hogwarts Legacy
"James' ability to balance player agency with narrative structure, incorporate environmental storytelling, and apply management techniques to lead the team with creativity and empathy makes them a valuable contributor to any game development team."
Adam Dolin / Narrative Designer & Senior Writer / Santa Monica Studios, God of War