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. 4d ago

    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?

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Sep 21

    How to Find Film Friends and Actually Make Your Short Film

    You don't need a huge budget or a professional crew to make your first short film. Sometimes you just need a couple of film friends who are willing to make something with you. In this episode of Filmmaker Spotlight, Warren Workman talks about how to find people to make short films with, whether you're entering a 48-hour film competition, making something for fun, building your reel, or trying to prove you can actually finish a film. We cover meeting local filmmakers, helping on other people's projects, finding collaborators through festivals and filmmaking groups, working with limited resources, and why your first crew doesn't need to be made up of seasoned professionals. The goal is simple: find a few people, look at the resources you already have, make something, finish it, and then make another one.

  5. Sep 18

    What Should I Do With My Short Film?

    What should you do with your short film after you finish it? Learn how to submit your short film to film festivals, build a film festival strategy, and find the right festivals for your movie. Finishing your short film is only the first step. Next, you need to decide what success looks like. Do you want to win film festival awards? Watch your short film with a live audience? Meet other filmmakers? Find representation? Attract investors? Or use your short film as a calling card to help you make a feature film? Warren explains why filmmakers should answer those questions before spending money on film festival submissions.

  6. Sep 18

    Your Film Synopsis Might Be Costing You Festival Selections

    Learn how to write a film synopsis that grabs the attention of festival programmers and potential audiences. Master the art of summarizing your movie's core appeal. Writing an effective film synopsis is essential for getting your project noticed. This guide breaks down the core elements required to craft a compelling summary that conveys your story's essence quickly. Whether you are aiming for film festival submission or trying to attract a wider audience, these techniques will help you clarify your narrative. We also walk through a concrete movie synopsis example, focusing on a historical drama about a family's journey and conflict. By analyzing this specific case, you can see how to balance plot points with emotional stakes to make your script stand out. These screenwriting tips are designed to help you communicate your vision clearly to industry professionals. Subscribe for weekly screenwriting tips, and comment below with the biggest challenge you face when summarizing your own scripts.

  7. Sep 18

    The Real Cost of Making a Film with James Lee Young

    Learn the realities of executive producing and how to bridge the gap between business and creative storytelling. I am sitting down with James Lee Young to discuss the practical side of getting projects off the ground. We cover the essential filmmaking methods that apply whether you are shooting on a phone or working with a larger crew, and why the scale of your production often depends on your ability to secure resources. Funding a movie is rarely just about the art; it is about leveraging your existing business savvy to make your vision a reality. We break down how to approach film production with a professional mindset so you can focus on the story you actually want to tell. Subscribe for weekly breakdowns on the business of independent cinema, and let me know in the comments: what is the biggest hurdle you face when trying to get your scripts financed?

  8. Sep 13

    Filmmaking Is Expensive Therapy with Rodrigo Moreno-Fernandez

    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 his developing feature, Panza Loca, and closes with honest advice about rejection, persistence and deciding whether filmmaking still brings enough joy to make the struggle worthwhile.

    Filmmaking Is Expensive Therapy with Rodrigo Moreno-Fernandez
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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
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Warren Workman / Utah International Film Festival
  • Show Website
    Filmmaker Spotlight