CINEMACTIVIST

John C. Lyons | CINEMACTIVIST
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Weekly

Filmmaking and immersive theatrical experiences at the intersection of art and activism. We explore the films and filmmakers, immersive theater and their creators, who use their art to bring about political or social change, inform their audiences of important issues and perspectives, and whose goal is to ultimately make the world a better, more informed and empathetic place. This is the official podcast of Lyons Den Productions and Tethered Immersive.

  1. S03E05 - The YouTuber Wave

    1d ago

    S03E05 - The YouTuber Wave

    Please note: this episode contains spoilers for the feature films Obsession (2026) Backrooms (2026) and Shelby Oaks (2026). A new wave of filmmaking is bubbling up from the digital underground—and it's reshaping what horror and indie cinema can be. Forget what you thought you knew—these creators are proving that small budgets and internet followers can catapult stories to global prominence, rivaling Hollywood giants. The question is: are we witnessing a rebellion, or just raw talent breaking free? This episode dives deep into the explosive rise of YouTube-born filmmakers like Curry Barker, Kane Parsons, and Markiplier—artists who harness the power of digital platforms, grassroots marketing, and sheer audacity to beat box office giants. In this episode, Eerie Horror Fest's Aaron "Madman" Mook and David Bostaph join us at Centennial Hall in downtown Erie to talk about: How independent films like "Obsession" and "Backrooms" are setting new box office standards, outpacing even star-studded IP.The secret sauce behind creators like Markiplier leveraging their online audiences for direct-to-fan distribution, bypassing traditional Hollywood bottlenecks.Why analog horror, found footage, and internet lore are transforming horror's aesthetic and narrative rhythms—some even hinting at the next film movement.The rising phenomenon of crowdfunded and self-released films, championed by creators like Chris Stuckman, reshaping what it means to debut in the modern era.The cultural implications: are we entering a renaissance where horror's raw, experimental edge can thrive amid mainstream's formulaic sameness? This isn’t just about movies—it’s about a seismic shift in who creates, how they create, and how audiences connect with stories in the age of TikTok, Reddit, and YouTube. If you care about the future of horror, or want to see how independent voices are fighting back against blockbuster fatigue, this episode is your front-row seat. Published on July 2, 2026 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions and Cinemactivist LLC | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey | Recorded and Edited with Riverside Support us by becoming a patron at Patreon

    1h 24m
  2. S03E04 - Miami Immersive Intensive

    Jun 25

    S03E04 - Miami Immersive Intensive

    John heads to Miami, Florida for the Miami Immersive Intensive and Summit! The event brought together professionals and enthusiasts in the immersive theater space, providing a platform for learning, collaboration, and community building. Participants shared their experiences and takeaways, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and gain valuable insights into immersive storytelling and performance art. Takeaways Immersive theater offers diverse approaches and tools for experiential storytelling.The event fostered a sense of community and collaboration among participants, inspiring creativity and personal growth. Learn more at https://www.miamiimmersiveintensive.com/ Published on June 25, 2026 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions and Cinemactivist LLC | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey | Recorded and Edited with Riverside Support us by becoming a patron at Patreon

    16 min
  3. S03E03 - Meet Jill Killington

    Jun 18

    S03E03 - Meet Jill Killington

    Meet producer, director, writer, and author JILL KILLINGTON before we take a deep dive into her upcoming feature film, Mr. + Mrs. Death. She's a real Jill of all trades. The conversation covers Jill Killington's journey as a filmmaker, from her early experiences in the industry to her involvement in various film and TV projects. It delves into her multifaceted roles, challenges, and the evolution of independent filmmaking. Jill discusses her extensive involvement in the adaptation of 'The Stand' and the challenges she faced during the production and release of the TV show. She also shares her experiences as a writer and her aspirations to produce and direct her own indie films. Takeaways Independent filmmaking requires wearing multiple hats and adapting to changing industry dynamics.Personal experiences and a passion for storytelling drive creative adaptation and production processes. Adaptation ChallengesDream Project Realization Published on June 18, 2026 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions and Cinemactivist LLC | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey | Recorded and Edited with Riverside Support us by becoming a patron at Patreon

    51 min
  4. S03E02 - Meet Tethered

    Jun 11

    S03E02 - Meet Tethered

    The podcast episode provides an in-depth look at the Tethered performance art company and its immersive theatrical experiences. It covers the inspiration behind Tethered, the themes of the shows, the concept of immersive theater, and the future projects of the company. Takeaways Tethered is a performance art company specializing in immersive theatrical experiences.Immersive theater combines elements of dance, film, theater, escape rooms, video games, and haunted houses to create a unique and interactive live experience. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Tethered & Immersive Theater06:47 First Tethered - Codependency Theme09:31 Second Tethered - Memory Theme16:39 New Tethered Projects Published on June 11, 2026 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions and Cinemactivist LLC | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey | Recorded and Edited with Riverside

    21 min
  5. S03E01 - Meet The Holy Ghost

    Jun 4

    S03E01 - Meet The Holy Ghost

    Host and filmmaker, John C. Lyons, discusses the development of his new feature film project, The Holy Ghost, and provides insights into its inspiration, themes, and progress. He also shares details about his previous film, Unearth. Takeaways Film DevelopmentInspirationFundraising Published on June 4, 2026 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions and Cinemactivist LLC | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey | Recorded and Edited with Riverside Support us by becoming a patron at Patreon

    22 min
  6. S03E00 - Intro to Season 3

    May 28 ·  Bonus

    S03E00 - Intro to Season 3

    Season 3 of Cinemactivist will focus on two new feature film and immersive theater projects and feature discussions with creatives. The podcast aims to provide insights into independent productions and the creative process, addressing the challenges of film and immersive site-specific productions. Published on May 28, 2026 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions and Cinemactivist LLC | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey | Recorded and Edited with Riverside Support us by becoming a patron at Patreon

    4 min

  7. 06/22/2022

    30 - Meet Priscilla Smith

    From an extra on Phone Booth, to Cannes in her 20’s and breaking out on her own, meet Priscilla Smith the domestic sales agent for Unearth and owner of The Coven and Foxglove Entertainment. This is Part 1 of our conversation. Part 2 releases next week. 00:00 - The Road to France 03:43 - Heading to Hollywood and Finding her way to Film Sales 10:55 - The Cannes Experience in your 20’s and the Social Aspects 15:53 - How a Sales Agent can help you and your Film and the Importance of Pacing 20:23 - What happens when you are selected by a recognizable festival and why she started her own company 24:20 - Cut a Trailer first, if you can… | Published on June 22, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey | Support CINEMACTIVIST by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions

    30 min

  8. 06/08/2022

    29 - Unleash with Shiara Pettis

    In episode 28 you met writer, Shiara Pettis. In this episode we introduce you to our remote writing process over the past 12 months and tease some Unleash script details.  00:00 - The Big Ask 05:24 - Writing and Eco Horror Film 09:04 - Meet Unleash’s characters 13:40 - Our Process and Timeline 17:38 - Reader Feedback after Year 1 22:18 - Differences from Unearth’s development process 24:11 - Next steps | Published on June 8, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey | Support CINEMACTIVIST by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions

    31 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Filmmaking and immersive theatrical experiences at the intersection of art and activism. We explore the films and filmmakers, immersive theater and their creators, who use their art to bring about political or social change, inform their audiences of important issues and perspectives, and whose goal is to ultimately make the world a better, more informed and empathetic place. This is the official podcast of Lyons Den Productions and Tethered Immersive.

Information

  • Creator
    John C. Lyons | CINEMACTIVIST
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 John C. Lyons | CINEMACTIVIST
  • Show Website
    CINEMACTIVIST