Filmmaker Spotlight

Filmmaker Spotlight is where filmmakers talk honestly about the work behind the work. Host Warren Workman sits down with directors, producers, writers, actors, and other independent filmmakers to discuss how their projects came together, what they learned along the way, and what it really takes to keep creating. These are practical, down-to-earth conversations about filmmaking, film festivals, collaboration, and building a sustainable career—without pretending the process is always clean or easy. Presented by the Utah International Film Festival.

Filmmaker Spotlight is a general podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 0 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Filmmaker Spotlight, a general show with 0 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #8

  Filmmaking Is Expensive Therapy with Rodrigo Moreno-Fernandez

  Sep 13, 202634 minS0

  <p>Warren Workman welcomes writer-director Rodrigo Moreno-Fernandez, whose short film EL Lloron received six nominations at the 2026 Utah International Film Festival, with Renée Victor winning Best Supporting Actress. Rodrigo explains how losing his father and remembering a professional mourner from his childhood inspired him to use comedy as a way to explore grief. He shares why filmmakers should build stories from personal experiences instead of trying to satisfy a particular festival, audience or trend. Warren and Rodrigo also discuss using AI for scheduling and clerical work without surrendering the creative decisions that give a film its soul. Rodrigo previews h...

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  Episode #7

  How Erick Lozano 10X’d His Film Budget

  Sep 13, 202633 minS0

  <p>Warren Workman welcomes Utah filmmaker Erick Lozano to talk about the lessons that only come from making the movie before you feel completely ready. Erick shares how he moved from editing basketball highlights to directing his first feature, Among the Eight, and why managing people, schedules and morale became just as important as directing the scenes. He explains how festival recognition and licensing opportunities helped him increase the budget for Stay Awhile from $5,000 to $50,000. Erick also discusses collaborating without ego, learning filmmaking skills online and treating editing as the place where a movie can finally come together. His advice...

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  Episode #6

  They Can’t Find You If You Don’t Show Up with Damarr Jones

  Sep 13, 202641 minS0

  <p>Warren Workman talks with actor, writer, director, producer, retired Air Force technical sergeant, and mentor Damarr Jones about the long road from performing in secret to earning a recurring role as Bram in Homestead. Damarr explains how military discipline shaped his preparation, why his family determines what receives his time, and how he turned painful early experiences into tools for storytelling and service. He also shares why he deleted social accounts with a combined following of roughly 530,000, what brought him back, and how he now separates purpose from praise. The conversation closes with practical advice for actors: create with...

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  Episode #5

  Building an Acting Career by Making Bold Choices with Charla Bocchicchio

  Sep 13, 202632 minS0

  <p>In this episode of Filmmaker Spotlight, Warren Workman sits down with actor, acting coach and filmmaker Charla Bocchicchio to talk about building a sustainable acting career, preparing for challenging roles and becoming the kind of person filmmakers want to invite back to set.</p><p>Charla shares what she has learned from more than 100 acting credits, including why training remains essential, how actors can avoid common mistakes on set and why performers should arrive with their own creative choices instead of waiting for a director to build the character for them.</p><p>The conversation also explores two very...

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  Episode #4

  Make the Film Before You Feel Ready with Mary Hailstone

  Sep 13, 202634 minS0

  <p>Actor, filmmaker, director, producer, and UIFF volunteer Mary Hailstone joins Warren Workman to discuss building a film career before you feel completely ready. Mary shares how she moved from childhood theater into film, turned a deeply personal experience into An Early Return, learned directing lessons while working as a stand-in on The Chosen, and discovered the value of staying involved at film festivals. She also offers practical advice about accepting direction, creating your own material, forming sincere relationships, and protecting your self-worth while pursuing a creative career.</p><p>Mary Hailstone on IMDb:<br>https://www.imdb.com/name...

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