First Snow not only marks a significant achievement for a director of any level of experience, but for a debut from first-timer Mark Fergus, the film stands as a true testament to potential. Though adept as a writer, typically teaming with his traditional writing partner Hawk Ostby, Fergus made the decision to step behind the lens for a change. The idea to direct came about when the two had the idea of writing something so poignant and powerful that it could suffice with relatively little movement, special effects and superfluity, leaving open the option to make a film that was entirely their own. A vision on screen, from start to finish, complete written and directed using their own efforts and talents. Some negotiations later surfaced to sell the film to Miramax for a substantial sum, but talks fell through, returning the screenwriters to their original plan and allowing Fergus to further cast his own print on the one of a kind script. Ultimately in filming, Fergus found their efforts in writing at times were overkill when hearing the spoken word suffice, and not need repeating throughout the script. A learning experience he made quick work of in order to turn out such a compelling reel of footage, finely edited and brought to fruition on-screen.Since his directorial debut, Fergus has not returned to the chair, rather continuing to focus on his screenwriting, alongside Hawk. In fact, Fergus and Hawk’s work was coupled with the efforts of fellow duo Arthur Marcum and Matt Holloway to produce the blockbuster hit Iron Man, with both group’s scripts combined by director John Favreau, with smoothing out efforts by veteran writer John August. Since Iron Man, Fergus and Hawk have gone on to write the screen play The World After and adapt the 2006 graphic novel Cowboys & Aliens to film (also directed by Favreau), both of which are currently in production stages.