About
James O'Hara is a writer and narrative designer based in Los Angeles, working in storytelling across film, TV, and games.
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).
Alongside his work as a screenwriter, he is active as a solo developer in Unreal Engine 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
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