Film North Dakota Podcast

North Dakota Film & Media Association

5.0 (1)
TV & Film
Monthly

Welcome to the Film North Dakota Podcast brought to you by the North Dakota Film & Media Association. Our mission is to connect, advance and promote North Dakota's audio and visual media industries and to further local development and economic impact.

1d ago

Developing North Dakota Talent: “We’re Just as Good as the Big Guys”

Natalie Sparrow has spent more than 25 years helping actors and models build their skills, find work, and pursue bigger opportunities from right here in North Dakota. On this episode of the Film North Dakota Podcast, host Matt Fern talks with the Crosby native and Fargo-based owner of Natalie Sparrow Management and director of Ultimate Studios about her unexpected path from aspiring actor to talent manager, educator, and entrepreneur. Natalie shares how she built relationships in major markets, brought training resources home, and continues to advocate for hiring (and paying) North Dakota talent. They also discuss why actors never stop training, how social media can influence casting decisions, and what performers should watch for when an opportunity sounds too good to be true. Plus, Natalie previews the return of the Fargo 48 Hour Film Project, happening November 6–8, 2026, and explains how one weekend of filmmaking can help actors, writers, and production crews connect and create something together. Connect with Natalie and get involved:• Natalie Sparrow Management: https://www.nataliesparrowmgmt.com• Ultimate Studios FM: https://www.ultimatestudiosfm.com• Fargo 48 Hour Film Project: https://www.48hourfilm.com/fargo The Film North Dakota Podcast is presented by Film North Dakota, connecting and growing the state’s film and media industry. Become a member at https://filmnorthdakota.org.
Sep 28

Why I Left London's VFX Industry for North Dakota: “There Are Opportunities Here”

What does it take to work on blockbuster films like Batman Begins and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire—and why would someone leave London's visual effects industry for North Dakota?In this episode, Matt Fern sits down with Birdtree Studio co-owner and Director of Animation Edward Sargeant to discuss his journey from England to North Dakota, his work in Hollywood visual effects, and what he learned from some of the world's biggest film productions.They also explore the launch of Birdtree Studio, why specialization is the key to world-class animation, and Edward's vision for creating opportunities so the next generation of North Dakota artists can build successful creative careers without leaving the state.
Sep 21

Toby Jones on Building a Hollywood Career and Making Movies in North Dakota

Fargo native Toby Jones has built a successful career in animation, working on acclaimed series including 'Regular Show', 'OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes', 'Jellystone!' and 'Shape Island'. Most recently, he returned to the world of 'Regular Show' as a supervising director on 'Regular Show: The Lost Tapes'. In this episode of the Film North Dakota Podcast, Toby talks about growing up making movies with friends in Fargo, studying filmmaking at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and continuing to create after graduating during the 2009 recession. He also explains why he keeps returning to North Dakota to make independent films, including the Fargo-made absurdist comedy 'AJ Goes to the Dog Park'. Toby shares an early look at his next feature, currently titled 'God Save the Queen', a hybrid narrative and documentary project inspired by a screenplay his friend wrote when he was 15. The conversation also explores self-financing, finding your creative voice, the differences between animation and live-action production, returning to 'Regular Show' and why filmmakers shouldn’t wait for permission to begin making their work.
Sep 11

Telling North Dakota Stories: “You Have to Allow Yourself to be Surprised”

Award-winning filmmaker Derek Fletcher joins the Film North Dakota Podcast to discuss building a career telling compelling stories from right here in North Dakota. He shares the making of his latest true-crime documentary, Call Me Shelly, his collaboration with Dakota Spotlight, and lessons learned from projects including Grit and Grace, The House on Sweet and Seventh, and the Emmy-nominated Liquid Gold. Derek also opens up about balancing filmmaking with a full-time career and family, finding creative solutions on limited budgets, and why filmmakers must “allow yourself to be surprised” while shaping a story.
Aug 26

The Numbers Behind North Dakota’s Film & Media Industry: “This Is More Than Movies”

Film and media production in North Dakota is about more than making movies.In this episode of the Film North Dakota Podcast, we take a closer look at the newly released North Dakota Film & Media Industry Report 2026 and what 116 industry professionals told us about working in the state.The results show an experienced workforce producing advertising, social media, video, film and other content for businesses and organizations across North Dakota. But they also reveal a major challenge: too many of those professionals are leaving the state to find opportunities elsewhere.We break down some of the report's biggest findings, what they tell us about the industry today, and why growing film and media production is about more than movies — it's about creating jobs, supporting businesses and building opportunities for North Dakotans.To view the full North Dakota Film & Media Industry Report 2026, visit FilmNorthDakota.org.
Jul 1

North Dakota’s Wild West Comes to Life: “We Have Stories to Tell”

For one week each summer, the North Dakota Badlands become a living movie set. On this episode of the Film North Dakota Podcast, Host Matt Fern sits down with actress, producer, and Echoes of the West co-founder Beth Hurt alongside Nick Schultz of Schultz Wrangling to discuss the unique event that's bringing photographers, painters, filmmakers, actors, horse wranglers, and Western history enthusiasts from across the country to North Dakota. They discuss how Echoes of the West was created, what goes into transforming the Badlands into authentic frontier scenes, and why preserving the history of the American West through visual storytelling matters. Nick also shares how Schultz Wrangling became one of the region's premier providers of horses, livestock, stunt performers, and period equipment for film and television productions, while Beth explains how the event is creating opportunities for local actors, artists, and businesses. Whether you're a filmmaker, photographer, painter, history buff, or simply love the Badlands, this episode offers an inspiring look at how North Dakotans are creating new opportunities by celebrating the stories of the American frontier. Podcast listeners can also save $300 on registration by entering the code "Film North Dakota" in the comments section when registering for Echoes of the West. Learn more about Film North Dakota at FilmNorthDakota.com and discover Echoes of the West at EchoesoftheWest.com.
May 25

From Music to Movies: “Don’t Be Afraid to Use Your Imagination”

Filmmaker and musician Zeapoe Matalda joins the Film North Dakota Podcast to talk about creating Pretty The Musical — an ambitious action-comedy musical short film produced in the Fargo-Moorhead region.Originally from West Fargo and now studying computer science at NDSU, Zeapoe shares how music composition led into filmmaking during the pandemic and how collaboration, creativity, and community helped bring the project to life.From building a creative team in Fargo-Moorhead to producing ambitious indie films with limited resources, this conversation dives into the realities of making original films in the Midwest and why collaboration is everything.We also talk about Zeapoe’s upcoming project America’s Most Wanted, building community, and why now is such an exciting time for filmmaking in our region. Learn more at: https://www.xenafilms.netThis podcast is brought to you by Film North Dakota. Become a member or collaborate with us at www.FilmNorthDakota.com
May 11

Grassroots Filmmaking: “Just Go Out There and Do It”

Jessica Hayes joins the Film North Dakota Podcast to talk about making movies in Fargo, building creative momentum in the Midwest, and learning to trust herself as a filmmaker. Jessica shares how a background in acting eventually led her into casting, producing, and writing indie films being made right here in North Dakota. From Pretty: The Musical to Roommate and Amal's Christmas Reunion, she talks about the grassroots collaboration behind independent filmmaking and the network of artists helping each other create opportunities in the region. Jessica also dives into the future of filmmaking in North Dakota, why smaller communities can be powerful production locations, and how local creators are proving you don’t need Hollywood to start making films.

Welcome to the Film North Dakota Podcast brought to you by the North Dakota Film & Media Association. Our mission is to connect, advance and promote North Dakota's audio and visual media industries and to further local development and economic impact.

Creator

North Dakota Film & Media Association
Years Active

2020 - 2026
Episodes

32
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© North Dakota Film & Media Association
Show Website

Film North Dakota Podcast