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

What does SAG-AFTRA actually do for actors—and how canindependent filmmakers work with union talent?

In this episode of Set Talks, host Nick Fiorellasits down with Sonny G, President of SAG-AFTRA Colorado, to break down the realities of working as a performer in today’s film and television industry.

Sonny has spent nearly two decades performing on stage andscreen and now leads the SAG-AFTRA Colorado local, advocating for actors across Colorado and Wyoming while helping strengthen the region’s growing film community.

Together, Nick and Sonny dive into:

• What SAG-AFTRA is and how the union protectsperformers
• How independent filmmakers can work with union actors (even onlow-budget projects)
• Common misconceptions about SAG contracts and minimums
• The role of unions in on-set safety, fair wages, and protecting actorlikeness
• How SAG-AFTRA is addressing AI and performer protections in theentertainment industry
• Why Colorado has incredible acting talent and why the state’s filmindustry is gaining momentum
• What the future looks like for film production in Colorado

They also discuss the growing collaboration across Colorado’s creative organizations, the momentum building in the local industry, and how actors and filmmakers can better connect to create more opportunities in the region.

If you’re an actor, filmmaker, producer, or creativeworking in Colorado, this episode is packed with insights about the industry, unions, and where the Colorado film community is heading next.

Learn more:
https://www.sagaftra.org/colorado

https://www.sagaftra.org/download-new-member-app

https://www.facebook.com/sagaftracolorado

Follow on Instagram @sagaftra

Follow Sonny on Instagram @sonnygactor

Sonny’s Work:

https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/sonnyG

Our Church Think’s we’re Dating: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9408462/

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 #ColoradoFilmIndustry #SAGAFTRA #ActorsLife#FilmmakingPodcast #FilmIndustryPodcast #ActingCareer #UnionActors #ActorsUnion#WorkingActor #ActingCommunity #ActorInterview #IndependentFilmmaking#FilmProduction #IndieFilm #FilmDirector #FilmmakersLife #ColoradoFilm#DenverFilm #ColoradoFilmmakers #ColoradoActors #FilmColorado

00:00 Introduction

02:39 Sonny G

04:02 President of SAG-AFTRA Colorado

06:49 The local Colorado scene

11:53 What is SAG-AFTRA?

13:56 Will AI replace actors?

15:06 Sonny’s message to the community

18:46 Is working with SAG-AFTRA difficult?

25:37 Elevate your production with SAG-AFTRA

27:03 Misconceptions about SAG-AFTRA

28:31 Tips for working with SAG-AFTRA

32:53 Colorado Film Industry

39:13 Working as an Actor in Colorado

42:12 Is Colorado ready for the film industry?

48:11 A successful Colorado Film Industry

50:22 Follow SAG-AFTRA and get involved

In this episode of Set Talks, Nick Fiorella sits downwith Gabriella Harris, Marketing Committee member and Newsletter & SOCO Coordinator for Women in Film & Media Colorado, to discuss the upcoming WIFMCO Industry Fair happening February 27–28, 2026.

The WIFMCO Industry Fair is one of the most valuableprofessional development events in the Colorado film industry, designed for emerging creatives, mid-career professionals, freelancers, students, and storytellers working in film, television, media, and journalism.

Together, Nick and Gabriella break down:

• Who the Industry Fair is for and why it matters right now
• What attendees can expect from the two-day event
• Workshops covering auditions, digital series development, lighting forinterviews, freelancing, and more
• The importance of access to working professionals in today’s media landscape
• The WIFMCO 10th Anniversary Celebration and Kickoff event
• The introduction of a new award recognizing women in below-the-line andtechnical roles
• How events like this help build a sustainable film and media career inColorado

If you’re a filmmaker, actor, crew member, producer, orcreative professional looking to grow your career in the Colorado film scene, this conversation offers clarity, inspiration, and practical next steps.

Learn more about the Industry Fair and register here:
👉 https://www.wifmco.org/industry-fair-2026

Join the conversation and explore more episodes of Set Talksas we continue investigating and spotlighting the Colorado film community.

Industry Fair Passes:
https://wifmco.wildapricot.org/sys/website/system-pages/?pageId=18008

Industry Fair Schedule & Info:
https://www.wifmco.org/industry-fair-2026

WIFMCO Website & Socials:

Website: https://www.wifmco.org/home

Members: https://www.wifmco.org/members

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wifmco/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wifmco/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wifmco/

Industry Fair Event details:

Dates & Times:

February 27th – March 1st

Friday (27th): 7–10 PM

Saturday (28th): 9 AM–6:30PM

Sunday (1st): 9 AM–6:30 PM

Location: Community College of Aurora – Lowry Studios

9075 E Lowry Blvd, Denver, CO 80230

You do not have to be a currentmember to attend.

Connect with the Local Colorado Film community!

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

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

#SetTalks #ColoradoFilm #DenverFilm #WIFMCO #WomenInFilm#FilmIndustry #FilmCommunity #FilmNetworking #IndieFilm #IndependentFilmmaker#CreativeCareers #MediaIndustry #FilmPodcast #ProfessionalDevelopment#SupportLocalFilm #BelowTheLine #FilmProduction #FilmEvents #ColoradoCreatives#FilmAndTV

00:00 Introduction

02:32 Gabriella Harris

06:48 WIFMCO Industry Fair

08:45 Who Should Attend?

11:35 Industry Fair Workshops & Presenters

16:53 Industry Fair Lunch

18:07 WIFMCO 10-Year Anniversary Party

19:05 Women in Below-the-Line Role Award

20:41 Why should people attend?

26:01 How can listeners follow WIFMCO?

In this episode of Set Talks, host Nick Fiorella sitsdown with Noah Smith, President of the Colorado Film & Video Association (CFVA), to discuss the current state of Colorado’s film and video industry and what’s ahead in 2026.

Noah shares insights into the CFVA’s mission, how they’resupporting filmmakers across Colorado, and what attendees can expect from the upcoming State of the State of Colorado Film & Media Industry event happening Thursday, February 12th at the Sie Film Center in Denver.

Whether you’re a filmmaker, producer, content creator, orpart of Colorado’s growing creative community, this episode offers valuable perspective on industry growth, networking opportunities, and how to get involved with CFVA moving forward.

🎬 Topics Covered:

What to expect at the State of the State event

The future of Colorado’s film and media industry

CFVA programs, events, and community impact

How filmmakers can plug into Colorado’s creative ecosystem

Check out the CFVA website: https://www.cfva.com/

Follow CFVA on Instagram @thecfva

Follow CFVA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecfva

Join the CFVA Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/81864884784?ref=profile_plus_visit_group

Connect with Noah Smith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/incontrastfilms/

Colorado Creative Industries: https://oedit.colorado.gov/colorado-creative-industries

Connect with the Local Colorado Film community!

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

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

#ColoradoFilmandVideoAssociation #ColoradoFilm&VideoAssociation#CFVA, #NoahSmith #ColoradoFilm #ColoradoFilmmakers #FilmInColorado #ColoradoActors,#ColoradoVideoProduction #FilmmakerLife #IndieFilmmaker #FilmProduction#VideoProduction #FilmIndustry #FilmCommunity #CreativeCommunity #WomenInMedia,#WomenInFilmAndTelevision #FilmGrants #FilmNetworking #FilmEducation#FilmPodcast #SetTalksPodcast #FilmDirector #FilmProducer #BehindTheScenes#OnSetLife #FilmCrew #MediaProduction #IndependentFilm #ColoradoArts #StateOfTheState

00:00 Introduction

00:46 What is the State of the State?

02:59 Colorado Film Industry 2026

05:43 CFVA at Sundance 2025

06:29 This year’s CFVA Member Highlight Reel

07:10 FAMCO Update?

09:38 Colorado Film Office Update

13:44 State of the State format

15:35 Colorado’s Creative Economy

25:45 Colorado Organizations Connecting

30:53 Independent Filmmaking in Colorado

34:03 Colorado Film Festivals

37:05 Sundance Film Festival in Colorado

39:19 Filming in Beautiful Colorado

41:23 A Successful Film Industry in Colorado

45:48 Watching Films in the Theater

50:30 First Time Attending the State of the State

53:14 How can people get involved?

What does it really mean to make a living getting hit,flipped, and thrown—for the camera?

On this episode of Set Talks, Nick Fiorella talks with stunt performers Cameron Carter and Tara Fox about life inside the stunt world across film, television, and video games. From high-risk coordination to motion-capture performance, they unpack the skills, discipline, and teamwork required to safely deliver unforgettable action on screen.

This conversation is a must-listen for filmmakers, actors,and creatives who want a clearer understanding of how stunts shape storytelling—and why stunt professionals are essential collaborators on set.

Sword Show YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@SwordShowChannel

Check out Tara’s website here:

https://www.tarajadefox.com/

Follow Tara on Instagram @tarajadefox

Follow Cameron on Instagram @cameroncarter_stunts

Connect with Tara on LinkedIn here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarajadefox/

Stunt Listings website:

https://stuntlisting.com/job_postings

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 #FilmPodcast #StuntPerformers #StuntLife#FilmIndustry #TVProduction #VideoGameDevelopment #MotionCapture #MoCap#BehindTheScenes #Filmmaking #IndieFilm #FilmCrew #CreativeCareers #ActorsLife#ActionFilm #FilmTVGames #MediaProduction #Storytelling #OnSet #ColoradoFilm#DenverFilm #FilmCommunity #PodcastLife #CreativePodcast #FilmEducation#EntertainmentIndustry #GameDev #ScreenAction#WomenInFilm #ColoradoCreatives#BeautyMakeup #FXMakeupArtist #AwardWinningMakeupArtist

00:00 Introduction

02:09 Getting into Stunt Performance Art

07:58 Colorado Stunt Groups

11:24 Video Game Stunts & Mocap

24:23 Stunts and Safety

31:38 Stunts contributing to Story

34:25 Collaboration with the Stunt Team

46:58 Key Skills for Stunt Performers

53:27 Stunts on set breakdown

1:00:39 Advice for Directors working with Stunt People

1:08:45 Working as a Stunt Performer in Colorado

1:17:12 Demo Reels for Stunt Performers

1:20:00 Stunt Performer Equipment Essentials

1:23:46 The Colorado Film Scene

1:32:13 Follow Cameron and Tara on Social Media