Filmmaker Spotlight

Warren Workman
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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.

  1. 1d ago

    Making a Movie in ONE TAKE with 40+ People | Brandie Lee McDonald

    What does it take to pull off a one-take film with more than 40 people? Utah filmmaker Brandie Lee McDonald joins Warren Workman to discuss the creative challenges, surprising opportunities, and relationships that make independent filmmaking possible. From shooting Convicts and Chocolate inside an airplane used in Con Air to directing Number Seven: A Space Opera, Brandie shares what she's learned about collaboration, leadership, and making films with limited resources. We also explore New Ogden Cinema, finding your filmmaking community, and why aspiring filmmakers should start small and keep creating.

    Making a Movie in ONE TAKE with 40+ People | Brandie Lee McDonald

  2. 3d ago

    Stop Waiting to Get Cast with Jared Palmer

    Warren Workman welcomes actor and filmmaker Jared Palmer for a conversation about creating opportunities in Utah’s film community. Jared recalls his childhood experience on The Sandlot and his return to acting through Yellowstone, then explains how music, interviews, and his Utah Doesn’t Exist page helped him put himself in front of new audiences. They discuss developing his award-winning character in Gruff, the differences between independent and larger sets, and why directing his own work made him more patient as an actor. Jared also shares how he challenged assumptions about his appearance and found collaborators through festivals. His advice for filmmakers is practical: make work with the tools you have, build real relationships, and keep learning through classes, workshops, and panels. LinksInstagram: @JaredGlenPalmerActorInstagram: @utahdoesntexistFacebook: JaredGlenPalmerActing Resume https://linktr.ee/jaredglenpalmer BioJared Glen Palmer is an Utah-based actor and filmmaker whose screen experience began as a child in The Sandlot. His work spans major productions and independent films, including Yellowstone, Homestead, and Gruff, which earned him Best Supporting Actor at the Utah International Film Festival. Beyond acting, Jared hosts Utah Doesn’t Exist and creates music as Uncle Opey. He is represented by Rob Diamond Talent.

    Stop Waiting to Get Cast with Jared Palmer

  3. Oct 29

    How Do You Restart an Acting Career?

    Warren Workman welcomes actor, producer, and content creator Pietro D'Alessio to Filmmaker Spotlight for a candid conversation about rebuilding an acting career and becoming someone people want to work with. Their connection began with Proper Manors, a Utah-made streaming series that brought together actors and crew who continued collaborating beyond the show. Pietro shares how returning to theater led him back to auditions, why he pursued thesis films and timed film competitions to rebuild his footage, and what traveling from job to job actually demands. They also discuss receiving useful feedback, recognizing when ego gets in the way, and supporting a production through honest communication and dependable work. Pietro's closing advice is simple: show up, keep learning, and give relationships a chance to grow.

    How Do You Restart an Acting Career?

  4. Oct 22

    What Making Decode Me Taught Its Filmmakers About Accessibility

    Warren Workman welcomes Decode Me writer, director, and producer Sharon Sibyl Gatt and co-producer and mentor Yorgo Glynatsis to discuss how a personal story became a collaborative film. Sharon shares why she wanted to portray her experience as an autistic woman and how asking for help opened the door to working with a crew. Together, they discuss developing the script, creating an accessible set, navigating festival rejection, and finding audiences beyond their home countries. They also reflect on Decode Me’s Woman Filmmaker award at the 2026 Utah International Film Festival and describe their journey toward Oscar consideration following a Los Angeles theatrical run. Their advice for filmmakers getting started: look to your peers, keep your first production manageable, and be honest about what you have to offer.

    What Making Decode Me Taught Its Filmmakers About Accessibility

  5. Oct 15

    Are You Choosing the Wrong Festivals?

    Warren Workman welcomes Katie Bignell, founder of Festival Formula, to discuss how filmmakers can build a festival run around the film they've actually made, the money they have, and the career they want. Katie shares why chasing the biggest names isn't a universal strategy, how submission budgets shape decisions, and why a world premiere matters differently from festival to festival. They also discuss the cost of attending, warning signs worth investigating before submitting, and the limits of recognizable cast members and industry connections. Thank you so much for watching. Sign up for the Newsletter at: https://tinyurl.com/UFFnewsletter Check out our website at https://theutahfilmfestival.com Submit your project to the Utah International Film Festival at: https://filmfreeway.com/UtahFilmFestival About KatieKatie Bignell founded Festival Formula in 2014 to help filmmakers build festival strategies suited to their films, goals, and resources. With a background in scriptwriting and festival marketing, she focuses on research, managing expectations, and informed submission decisions. Katie and Ian Bignell received Heartland Film’s Pioneering Spirit Award in 2024. Festival Formula received London Breeze’s Outstanding Contribution to Film award in 2024 and Poppy Jasper’s Impact Award in 2025. Her current focus is more detailed festival data and better budget allocation. LinksWebsite: https://www.festivalformula.com/katieFestival Formula Clients: https://www.festivalformula.com/theslateInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/festivalformula/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/festivalformulaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/festivalformulaltd/

    Are You Choosing the Wrong Festivals?

  6. Oct 8

    What Does It Take to Build a Film Career From Scratch?

    Daylen Pollard, founder of Pollard Pictures, joins Warren Workman on Filmmaker Spotlight to talk about what it really takes to build a filmmaking career from scratch.Daylen left the corporate world, sold his house, and committed to making movies full time. His path went from the ultra-low-budget Day Hero to the award-winning punk rock musical comedy Frugal Man, then into theatrical documentary releases including Women in Christ and Brother Joseph Again. In this conversation, Daylen talks about learning filmmaking without film school, finding the story in the edit, building a creative partnership with his wife, getting theatrical distribution, the value of film festivals, and why new filmmakers need to stop waiting and start making their first film. Filmmaker Spotlight is presented by the Utah International Film Festival and focuses on practical lessons from filmmakers who are actively building sustainable careers.Learn more about the Utah International Film Festival at theutahfilmfestival.com. Thank you so much for watching. Sign up for the Newsletter at: https://tinyurl.com/UFFnewsletter Check out our website at https://theutahfilmfestival.com Submit your project to the Utah International Film Festival at: https://filmfreeway.com/UtahFilmFestival About DaylenDaylen Pollard is the founder of Pollard Pictures and a filmmaker who took one of the biggest swings you can take on a creative career. He left the corporate world, sold his house, and decided to go all-in on making movies. That journey started with ultra-low-budget projects like DayHero and eventually led to Frugalman, a punk-rock musical comedy that won at the Utah International Film Festival. Since then, Daylen has moved into theatrical documentary filmmaking with Women in Christ, and he’s now preparing for the release of Brother Joseph Again. LinksBrother Joseph Again — Official Website / Ticketshttps://brotherjosephagain.com/Instagram — @daylenpollardhttps://www.instagram.com/daylenpollard/YouTube — Pollard Pictureshttps://www.youtube.com/@PollardPicturesLinkedIn — Daylen Pollardhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/daylen-pollard/FilmFreeway — Daylen Pollardhttps://filmfreeway.com/DaylenPollard

    What Does It Take to Build a Film Career From Scratch?

  7. Oct 1

    How to Break Into the Film Industry Without Connections with Evan Morton

    How do you break into the film industry without connections? Filmmaker Evan Morton shares how persistence, networking, and making work without waiting for permission helped him move from door-to-door sales into professional film and television work, including field and post-production roles on National Geographic's Life Below Zero. In this Filmmaker Spotlight, Evan talks with Warren Workman about following up for six months to land an opportunity, building real relationships at film festivals, directing his award-winning short documentary Folsom Run, and spending seven years developing his feature documentary War on Wolves. He also explains why filmmakers should stop waiting for the perfect budget, perfect connection, or perfect moment and start creating with the resources they already have. If you're trying to break into filmmaking, build a sustainable film career, network at film festivals, make a documentary, or figure out what to do after film school, this conversation offers practical lessons from Evan's own path. Filmmaker Spotlight is presented by the Utah International Film Festival and focuses on the real experiences, decisions, setbacks, and relationships that help independent filmmakers keep moving forward.

    How to Break Into the Film Industry Without Connections with Evan Morton

  8. Sep 24

    How to Fund, Make & Festival Your Short Film with Bartley Taylor

    Filmmaker Bartley Taylor joins the Utah International Film Festival’s Filmmaker Spotlight to break down what it really takes to make an independent short film, survive the film festival circuit, and build a sustainable filmmaking career. Bartley takes us behind the scenes of his award-winning horror short KILTER, a 1990s-set coming-of-age story that explores mental health through a practical creature effect, and explains how the film was designed as a proof of concept for a feature. We talk about crowdfunding a short film, working with SAG-AFTRA, producing on a limited budget, practical effects vs. CGI, choosing the right film festivals, dealing with festival rejection, turning short films into professional opportunities, and why new filmmakers shouldn’t wait for the perfect budget, equipment, or connections before making their first film. Bartley also shares hard-earned directing advice, why filmmakers need multiple skills to build a career, and why story will always matter more than expensive gear or beautiful shots.

    How to Fund, Make & Festival Your Short Film with Bartley Taylor
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Warren Workman
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Warren Workman / Utah International Film Festival
  • Show Website
    Filmmaker Spotlight