In this episode of Set Talks, host Nick Fiorella sitsdown with Randi Kleiner, co-founder and CEO of SeriesFest, one of the leading festivals dedicated to episodic storytelling.

Randi shares how SeriesFest was built to become a discoveryplatform for independent creators, connecting emerging filmmakers with studios, networks, and industry professionals.

We dive into:
• How SeriesFest helps filmmakers sell pilots and launch careers
• The rise of independent television and new distribution models
• What makes a great pitch (and how to stand out)
• The importance of networking, collaboration, and being open to opportunity
• How the film and TV industry is evolving in the streaming era
• The growth of the Colorado film industry and its future

Randi also shares insights on how creators can maximizeopportunities at festivals — from pitching projects to building relationships that can change their careers.

One key takeaway:

Success at festivals isn’t just about selling one project — it’s about opening doors to long-term career opportunities.

If you're a filmmaker, writer, or creative looking to breakinto TV or grow your career, this episode is packed with actionable advice and industry insight.

For more information visit SeriesFest.com

For tickets/passes to SeriesFest, check out the link below.

https://seriesfest.com/festival/box-office/passes/

Set Talks is a podcast exploring the Colorado filmindustry and the creatives shaping it.

Hosted by filmmaker Nick Fiorella, each episodefeatures conversations with filmmakers, actors, producers, crew, and industry leaders about storytelling, career strategy, and the future of film and television in Colorado.

Follow Set Talks for more conversations with the creativesshaping the industry.

Connect with the LocalColorado Film community!

Become a member of WIFMCO - https://www.wifmco.org/members

Become a Member at CFVA - https://www.cfva.com/memberships

#SetTalks #FilmmakingPodcast #FilmIndustry #IndependentFilm#FilmProducer #FilmDirector #SetTalksPodcast #ColoradoFilmIndustry#FilmmakingPodcast #FilmLighting #Gaffer #FilmCrew #Cinematography#BehindTheScenesFilm #IndependentFilmmaking #ColoradoFilmmakers #SeriesFest

00:00 Introduction

01:53 SeriesFest Year one to now

08:28 SeriesFest 2026 Lineup

12:31 SeriesFest 2026 Panel Discussions

18:28 Supporting up incoming talent

20:41 SeriesFest Pitch-a-thon Advice

25:35 Advice for Shows Premiering at SeriesFest

28:97 Colorado Film and TV Scene

31:52 What’s next for episodic television?

34:00 Follow and support SeriesFest

In this episode of Set Talks, host Nick Fiorella sits down with Denver-based gaffer Tyler Kaschke, widely known as the Colorado Gaffer. Tyler has worked in the production industry since 2010 and is a member of the International Cinema Lighting Society, collaborating with ASC cinematographers and award-winning crews on national commercials, brand content, and feature documentaries.

Tyler shares how he built a career in the lighting department, his philosophy on cinematic lighting, and what a gaffer actually does on a professional film set. We also dive into practical lighting techniques, working relationships between gaffers and cinematographers, and how freelancers can build meaningful connections in the film industry.

If you’re a filmmaker, cinematographer, or aspiring crewmember looking to work in film production, this conversation is packed with insights about film lighting, networking, and building a career in the Colorado film industry.

🎬 Topics in this episode:
• What a gaffer does on a film set
• Lighting philosophy and working with cinematographers
• Building a career in the film industry
• Networking and finding work in production
• The state of the Colorado film industry

Follow Tyler Kaschke:
🌐https://coloradogaffer.com
📸Instagram: @colorado_gaffer

Set Talks is a podcast exploring the Colorado filmindustry and the creatives shaping it.

Hosted by filmmaker Nick Fiorella, each episodefeatures conversations with filmmakers, actors, producers, crew, and industry leaders about storytelling, career strategy, and the future of film and television in Colorado.

Follow Set Talks for more conversations with the creativesshaping the industry.

Connect with the LocalColorado Film community!

Become a member of WIFMCO - https://www.wifmco.org/members

Become a Member at CFVA - https://www.cfva.com/memberships

#SetTalks #FilmmakingPodcast #FilmIndustry #IndependentFilm#FilmProducer #FilmDirector #SetTalksPodcast #ColoradoFilmIndustry#FilmmakingPodcast #FilmLighting #Gaffer #FilmCrew #Cinematography#BehindTheScenesFilm #IndependentFilmmaking #ColoradoFilmmakers

00:00 Introduction

01:35 Tyler Kasche – Becoming a Gaffer

04:51 The Colorado Gaffer

06:09 What does a Gaffer do on set?

09:49 Gaffers working well with DPs

12:05 Success on Set

14:19 Planning with Previz

15:43 How to Light a Scene

21:44 Special Lighting

23:25 Preferred Lighting Brands

25:56 Using Only One light source

27:47 Back Light Importance

29:20 Interview Lighting

31:59 Lighting Tricks

35:52 Outdoor Lighting

38:13 Advice for being a Successful Gaffer

41:22 The Importance of Networking

49:19 Advice for Directors

54:07 Working in Colorado

59:40 Follow Tyler’s Work

What does it really take to make a movie—from the firstscript to distribution? In this episode of Set Talks, host Nick Fiorella sits down with Producer, Director, and Visual Effects Artist Evan Alderson, an award-winning filmmaker with over two decades of experience across Hollywood studio films, indie productions, and commercial projects.

Evan shares his unique journey from working on majorproductions at Paramount Pictures to stepping away from Hollywood and helping grow the film ecosystem in Colorado. Along the way, he dives into the realitiesof the film industry, including how movies actually get financed, the misconceptions filmmakers have about breaking into Hollywood, and why many creators are finding new opportunities outside Los Angeles.

The conversation also explores Evan’s transition from actingto directing, how learning visual effects opened doors early in his career, and the lessons he learned working inside the studio system. Evan also discusses his current feature film project “Devil in the Trunk” and why he believes Colorado has the potential to become a major filmmaking hub.

If you’re an aspiring filmmaker, producer, or creativelooking to understand how the film industry truly works—from studio politics to independent filmmaking—this episode offers an honest, behind-the-scenes look at building a career in film.

The Film Intensive:

https://www.filmintensive.com/

Follow Evan on Instagram @evan_alderson

Follow Alderson Film Company @AldersonFilmCompany

Follow Devil in the Trunk @devilinthetrunk

www.devilinthetrunk.com

Set Talks is a podcast exploring the Colorado filmindustry and the creatives shaping it.

Hosted by filmmaker Nick Fiorella, each episodefeatures conversations with filmmakers, actors, producers, crew, and industry leaders about storytelling, career strategy, and the future of film and television in Colorado.

Follow Set Talks for more conversations with the creativesshaping the industry.

Connect with the LocalColorado Film community!

Become a member of WIFMCO - https://www.wifmco.org/members

Become a Member at CFVA - https://www.cfva.com/memberships

#SetTalks #FilmmakingPodcast #FilmIndustry #IndependentFilm#FilmProducer #FilmDirector #VisualEffects #VFXArtist #HollywoodFilmIndustry#StudioFilmmaking #IndieFilmmaking #FilmProduction #ScreenToScreen#ScriptToScreen #FilmDistribution #FilmmakerLife #AspiringFilmmakers#FilmCareer #FilmBusiness #ColoradoFilmIndustry #ColoradoFilmmakers#ColoradoFilm #DenverFilm #FilmCommunity #BehindTheScenesFilm #MakingMovies#FilmIndustryInsights #PodcastForFilmmakers #FilmPodcast #CreativeEntrepreneur

00:00 Introduction

01:40 Moving to LA

04:10 Evan Alderson, Actor turned Director

07:07 Getting into VFX

09:47 What really happens behind the scenes in Hollywood?

14:17 Hollywood to Colorado

17:51 Colorado Talent

18:28 The Film Intensive

22:56 Gun Safety on Set

26:36 Studio Film Funding & Distribution

28:46 Indie Film Funding & Distribution

34:23 Film Markets and Selling a Film

37:08 Devil in the Trunk – Script

41:00 Devil in the Trunk – Shoot

43:00 Devil in the Trunk – Distribution

46:01 Colorado’s Film Scene

53:28 Follow & Connect with Evan