Karen Kizzire joins me for a conversation that starts with college theater memories and ends with real talk about the chaos and creativity of life as an ad agency producer. We talk about what it’s like to lead production at an ad agency, how theater shaped our careers, and why overcommunication is a survival skill. Karen shares stories from set, lessons from mentors, and what it means to be both the “Crusher of Dreams” and the calm in the storm.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Cold opens, Bond girls, and college theater

05:00 – Falling into advertising and falling in love with production

15:00 – Mentorship, first big shoots, and learning to lead

25:00 – Mistakes, over communication, and the producer’s mindset

35:00 – Creative tension, collaboration, and bullhorns on set

45:00 – Budget shifts, iPhone myths, and the house of cards

55:00 – Pottery, parenting, and what inspires Karen today

Key Takeaways:

- “You can never overcommunicate.” Karen learned this the hard way—and now lives by it.

- Theater teaches you how to pivot, collaborate, and think on your feet—skills that still serve her today.

- Being a producer means balancing grace and grit, and sometimes crushing dreams with a smile.

- The job isn’t glamorous, but it’s deeply rewarding when you love the people and the process.

Resources & Mentions:

- Luckie & Company: https://www.luckie.com

Calls to Action:

🎧 Listen and subscribe to the podcast

⭐️ Leave a review if you enjoyed the episode

💬 Share this episode with someone who’s navigating the creative grind

📩 Join the newsletter at https://clinttill.substack.com

If you have a story to share and want to be featured on a future episode, reach out at clinttill.net/contact and tell me about it.

🎙️ Persistence of Vision: Mitchell Cole on DIY Filmmaking, First Features & Finding Your Voice

Episode Summary

In this episode, I reconnect with filmmaker Mitchell Cole, whose feature debut Against the Spread made waves at the Magnolia Film Festival. We dive into his journey from blue-collar work to indie filmmaking, the lessons learned from building a feature on a shoestring budget, and the importance of authenticity, regional storytelling, and creative resilience. Mitchell shares how he adapted Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice into a Southern-fried comedy, the value of mentorship, and how a chance encounter at a film festival changed everything.

Whether you're a filmmaker just starting out or someone who’s been grinding for years, Mitchell’s story is a reminder that grit, community, and a little bit of luck can go a long way.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction & Magnolia Film Festival recap

03:00 – Mitchell’s filmmaking origin story

08:30 – From acting to writing/directing

12:45 – Learning film without film school

17:00 – The “mom quote” and staying motivated

22:00 – Writing from regional experience

27:00 – Adapting Shakespeare for the Panhandle

31:00 – Meeting producer Tom Rondinella

37:00 – Lessons from producing Against the Spread

43:00 – Festival experiences and audience turnout

48:00 – Gear, grit, and DIY filmmaking

54:00 – Overcoming wardrobe and football scene challenges

01:01:00 – The next project: horror

01:04:00 – Final thoughts and where to follow Mitchell

🎯 Key Takeaways

- Make what you know: Mitchell’s decision to set his film in the Florida Panhandle gave it authenticity and heart.

- Don’t wait for permission: DIY filmmaking taught him to move fast, adapt, and create with what’s available.

- Mentorship matters: Producer Tom Rondinella’s guidance helped Mitchell navigate his first feature with confidence.

- Festivals are about connection: A chance meeting at a screening led to a life-changing collaboration.

🔗 Resources & Links

🎬 Watch Against the Spread: https://jackrabbitmedia.com or search on Amazon

📸 Follow Mitchell on Instagram: https://instagram.com/wakeupmistercole

🎥 Follow the film: https://instagram.com/againstthespreadfilm

📚 Learn more about public domain adaptations: https://www.gutenberg.org

📣 Calls to Action

- Subscribe to Persistence of Vision on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

- Leave a review to help others discover the show

- Share this episode with a fellow filmmaker or creative

- Find everything I'm doing online at https://linktree.com/clinttill

Filmmaker Joshua Caldwell explores the resourceful path he’s carved through Hollywood. From childhood VHS adventures to directing a Netflix hit, Joshua shares how he’s built a career by embracing limitations and turning them into creative fuel.

We dive into his $6,000 feature Layover, the philosophy behind his 6K Filmmaker course, and the mindset shifts that helped him transition from micro-budget indies to larger productions.

Joshua doesn’t just talk theory—he shares war stories, including a wild encounter with federal agents while filming a trailer.

In this episode of Persistence of Vision, I sit down with filmmaker Joshua Caldwell to explore the gritty, resourceful path he’s carved through Hollywood. From childhood VHS adventures to directing a Netflix hit, Joshua shares how he’s built a career by embracing limitations and turning them into creative fuel. We dive into his $6,000 feature Layover, the philosophy behind his SixK Filmmaker course, and the mindset shifts that helped him transition from micro-budget indies to larger productions. Joshua doesn’t just talk theory—he shares war stories, including a wild encounter with federal agents while filming on what turned out to be an Air Force base. Whether you're a seasoned filmmaker or just starting out, this episode is packed with practical insights, candid reflections, and a whole lot of inspiration. Tune in to hear how Joshua proves that you don’t need permission—or a massive budget—to make something great.

Timestamps:

- 00:00:00: Introduction

- 00:01:37: Joshua Caldwell's Background

- 00:05:49: Early Filmmaking Experiences

- 00:12:33: Starting a Production Company

- 00:16:54: Making Layover

- 00:26:08: SixK Filmmaker Course

- 00:33:41: Marketing Your Film

- 00:38:28: Unexpected Outcomes

- 00:41:42: On-Set Nightmare Stories

- 00:49:37: Final Thoughts and Plugs

Key Takeaways:

- Embrace limitations and turn them into creative fuel.

- You don’t need permission—or a massive budget—to make something great.

- Modular storytelling allows you to produce scenes regardless of budget.

- Live environment filmmaking can make your film feel bigger and more dynamic.

Resources and Links:

- 6K Filmmaker Course

- Joshua Caldwell's Substack

- Clint Till's links

- Clint Till's Substack

Calls to Action:

- Subscribe to Persistence of Vision on Apple Podcasts.

- Leave a review and let me know what you think

In this episode I talk with Anna Birkedahl, a seasoned content producer with a rich background in local news and public broadcasting.

Anna shares her journey from studying opera and working as a classical radio music announcer to becoming a prominent figure in television production.

She discusses the challenges and rewards of working in public broadcasting, the transition to commercial television, and the importance of maintaining authenticity in news reporting.

Anna also reflects on the evolving landscape of journalism, emphasizing the need for dedication to storytelling and the impact of social media on the industry.

Listen to this month’s episode and be sure to leave a rating on Apple Podcasts to help other find the show.

If you like my work here, why not consider helping me keep my Internet connection active? That way, I can continue to deliver good stuff straight to your inbox.

If you have a story to share and want to be a future guest on the podcast, let me know my leaving a comment.

In the latest episode of Persistence of Vision, I sat down with Allyson Morgan, a multifaceted creative professional with a strong background in theater. Allyson and I first met at the Magnolia Film Festival, where we bonded over our shared experiences in the film industry. During our conversation, Allyson shared her journey from acting to writing and filmmaking, emphasizing the importance of networking and making genuine connections at film festivals and industry events.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction by Clint Till

00:00:32 - Introduction of Allyson Morgan

00:01:21 - Allyson's background and meeting Clint at the Magnolia Film Festival

00:02:02 - Allyson's professional introduction and career journey

00:05:13 - Networking and making connections at film festivals

00:07:08 - Allyson's experience at the Tallgrass Film Festival

00:08:12 - Allyson's early career and transition from acting to writing and filmmaking

00:12:02 - Moving to New York and starting a theater company

00:15:02 - Working in TV casting and volunteering in film-related organizations

00:19:05 - Mentorship and advice from industry friends

00:23:29 - Significant career moments and booking roles on Law and Order SVU

00:31:18 - Overcoming challenges and staying motivated in the industry

00:35:06 - Auditioning for a play directed by Woody Harrelson

00:43:31 - Developing the short film "First Date" into the feature "Jagged Mind"

00:50:17 - Writing and receiving notes on "Jagged Mind"

00:54:40 - Directing the short film "The Ghost" and future aspirations

00:57:21 - On-set challenges and lessons learned

00:58:10 - Final thoughts and upcoming projects

Key Takeaways:

Networking and Connections: Allyson emphasizes the importance of networking and making genuine connections at film festivals and industry events. She shares how these connections have led to collaborations and opportunities in her career.

Career Transition: Allyson discusses her journey from acting to writing and filmmaking, highlighting the importance of creating your own work and being adaptable in the industry.

Challenges and Resilience: Throughout the conversation, Allyson shares various challenges she has faced, including auditions, rejections, and the difficulties of working in a competitive industry. She emphasizes the importance of resilience and tenacity.

Directing and Filmmaking: Allyson talks about her experience directing her first short film, "The Ghost," and the lessons she learned from the process. She also discusses her aspirations to continue directing and creating her own work.

Links:

Allyson's website - allysonm.com

Jagged Mind on Hulu - https://www.hulu.com/movie/27e89f53-355d-4459-9155-32e725ba85dd

Find everything I'm doing online at linktree.com/clinttill

(Timestamps are approximate)

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Kate's background as a writer, producer, and actor with Chestnut Tree Films and Enchanted Valley Productions.

00:01:12 - Kate discusses her journey from middle school theater to becoming a producer of Christmas movies.

00:02:01 - The importance of pre-production and planning in filmmaking.

00:03:06 - Kate shares her experiences directing and producing films, and the lessons learned from acting.

00:04:02 - The significance of background actors and their impact on a scene.

00:09:05 - Kate's first Christmas movie, "Colorado Christmas," and working with notable actors.

00:12:12 - The importance of pre-production for feature films and understanding deliverables for distribution.

00:14:06 - Budget constraints and creative solutions in independent filmmaking.

00:16:16 - Lessons learned about hair, makeup, and wardrobe on set.

00:18:03 - Filming "A Merry Little Christmas" in seven days and the challenges faced.

00:20:00 - The importance of trust and collaboration on set.

00:22:17 - Kate's love for Christmas movies and the inspiration behind making them.

00:24:41 - The business side of filmmaking and deciding which films to greenlight.

00:26:12 - The importance of film incentives and finding investors.

00:31:00 - Future projects and where to find Kate's work online.

Key Takeaways:

Kate emphasizes the importance of pre-production and planning in filmmaking.

She shares valuable lessons learned from acting, directing, and producing.

Kate offers insights into the challenges of independent filmmaking, including budget constraints and creative solutions.

Show Notes

Host: Clint Till

Guest: Jared Callan

Timestamps (starting after the intro; timestamps are approximate):

00:00:01: Introduction and Jared Callan's background

00:01:06: Meeting and collaboration on "That's My House"

00:02:25: Importance of patience and collaboration on set

00:03:33: Continuous learning and building relationships in filmmaking

00:05:08: Relationship between DP and gaffer

00:07:54: Jared's journey from aspiring rock star to filmmaker

00:10:42: Attending Full Sail University

00:13:13: Importance of practical experience and continuous learning

00:17:19: Balancing freelance work with personal life

00:20:40: Challenges and rewards of filmmaking

00:25:00: Building relationships on set

00:32:13: Lessons learned from early freelancing experiences

00:39:05: Importance of contracts and professionalism

00:42:43: Jared's podcast and social media links

Key Takeaways:

Patience and Collaboration: Jared emphasizes the importance of patience and collaboration on set, noting that the process often speeds up as the shoot progresses.

Continuous Learning: Jared reflects on his journey from aspiring rock star to filmmaker, highlighting the value of continuous learning and building strong relationships on set.

Balancing Work and Passion Projects: Jared discusses the challenges of balancing corporate work with passion projects and the unpredictable yet rewarding nature of filmmaking.

Professionalism and Contracts: Jared shares lessons learned from early freelancing experiences, emphasizing the importance of contracts and professionalism in the industry.

Resources and Links:

Jared Callan's podcast: The Movie Crew Podcast (@moviecrewpod on X)

Jared Callan on Instagram: @checkthegate

Calls to Action:

Subscribe to the podcast for more insightful interviews.

Leave a review and let us know what you think.

Find me at linktree.com/clinttill

If you have a story to share and want to be on a future episode of the podcast, email me at clinttill@substack.com