Set Talks

How do you pitch a TV series and turn your idea into a winning television pitch? In this episode of Set Talks, Colorado's film industry podcast, host Nick Fiorella sits down with writer, filmmaker, and producer Marteene Gabrielle Diaz , co-creator of Golden Groves , a half-hour mockumentary that won the SeriesFest Season 12 Pitch-a-Thon . Marteene takes us behind the scenes of developing Golde...

How do you turn a horror screenplay into an independent feature film? UCK writer, director, and producer Ty Bradford joins Nick Fiorella on Set Talks to share how he brought his Colorado-made horror comedy to life, with practical effects, local talent, and a 21-day shoot. Behind UCK’s mysterious carpet stains and outrageous effects is a father-son story with an emotional core. Ty explains how he b...

Did you know Cañon City and Colorado’s Royal Gorge region have a filmmaking history stretching back to the early days of cinema? On this episode of Set Talks, host Nick Fiorella sits down with filmmaker and Regional Film Liaison Benjamin Black to explore the surprising history of filmmaking in Cañon City and the Royal Gorge region and what the future could hold for Colorado’s growing film industry...

Colorado’s independent film community is growing — and the Short Circuit Film Festival has spent the last decade helping Colorado filmmakers get their work in front of audiences. In this episode of Set Talks, host Nick Fiorella sits down with filmmaker, educator, community leader, and Short Circuit Film Festival Director Ralph Michael Giordano to talk about the festival’s 10th anniversary, the fil...

Can Colorado become a major hub for animation? On this episode of Set Talks , host Nick Fiorella sitsdown with Jason Shwartz , Emmy-nominated animation director, producer, and President of ASIFA-Colorado , to talk about the growing animation community in Colorado and what it will take to build a sustainable industryhere. Jason has worked across animation for more than two decades, including projec...

Can Colorado become one of America's top filmmaking destinations? In this episode of Set Talks , host Nick Fiorella sits down with Colorado Film Commissioner Lauren Grimshaw Sloan to discuss the future of filmmaking in Colorado, the state's film incentive program, Sundance's move to Boulder, and what it will take to create more jobs, attract major productions, and grow Colorado's film economy. Lau...

What does it really take to make an ambitious independent feature film in Colorado? In this episode of Set Talks, host Nick Fiorella sits down with two filmmakers helping build Colorado’s independent film scene: writer-director Jesse Stewart, founder and CEO of Epocene Motion Picture Company, and producer Alex Rhodes-Wilmere, CEO of ARWorks Motion Picture Company. Together, Jesse and Alex share th...

How do you build a successful career in commercial filmmaking? In this episode of Set Talks, host Nick Fiorella sits down with Christian Silberbauer, Executive Producer and Head of Production at Futuristic Films, one of Colorado's premier commercial production companies. Christian shares his journey from Production Assistant in New York to leading award-winning commercial productions for major...

How do independent films actually get financed, packaged,and distributed? In this episode of Set Talks, host Nick Fiorella sits downwith producer, distributor, and educator Shayla Riggle to discuss the business side of filmmaking and the launch of the Colorado Film & Video Association (CFVA) Producer Accelerator. Shayla shares her journey from theater and acting to filmsales, acquisitions, and...

🎬 What does the future of Colorado's film industry look like? In this episode of Set Talks , host Nick Fiorella sits down with Bruce Borowsky, Boulder County Film Commissioner, filmmaker, educator, and community builder, for a deep dive into the opportunities and challenges facing Colorado's growing film industry. Bruce shares his journey from filmmaker to film commissioner and explains how the B...

🎬 What makes a movie feel cinematic? In this episode of Set Talks , host Nick Fiorella sits down with Mike Henderson, founder of Plan 9 Sound, for a deep dive into the world of sound design for film, television, andadvertising. From Foley and ADR to Dolby Atmos mixing and emotional sound storytelling, Mike breaks down how professional post-sound work can completely transform a project. We discuss...

In this episode of Set Talks , host Nick Fiorella sitsdown with Randi Kleiner , co-founder and CEO of SeriesFest , one of the leading festivals dedicated to episodic storytelling. Randi shares how SeriesFest was built to become a discoveryplatform for independent creators , connecting emerging filmmakers with studios, networks, and industry professionals. We dive into: • How SeriesFest helps filmm...

In this episode of Set Talks , host Nick Fiorella sits down with Denver-based gaffer Tyler Kaschke , widely known as the Colorado Gaffer . Tyler has worked in the production industry since 2010 and is a member of the International Cinema Lighting Society, collaborating with ASC cinematographers and award-winning crews on national commercials, brand content, and feature documentaries. Tyler shares...

What does it really take to make a movie—from the firstscript to distribution? In this episode of Set Talks , host Nick Fiorella sits down with Producer, Director, and Visual Effects Artist Evan Alderson , an award-winning filmmaker with over two decades of experience across Hollywood studio films, indie productions, and commercial projects. Evan shares his unique journey from working on majorprod...

What does SAG-AFTRA actually do for actors—and how canindependent filmmakers work with union talent? In this episode of Set Talks, host Nick Fiorella sits down with Sonny G , President of SAG-AFTRA Colorado , to break down the realities of working as a performer in today’s film and television industry. Sonny has spent nearly two decades performing on stage andscreen and now leads the SAG-AFTRA Col...

In this episode of Set Talks – Colorado’s Film IndustryPodcast , host Nick Fiorella sits down with media strategist,producer, and entrepreneur Julie Ann Crommett to discuss how creatives can build a powerful personal brand that opens doors in the entertainment industry. Julie Ann Crommett is the Founder & CEO of CollectiveMoxie , a global storytelling and narrative strategy firm that advises s...

In this episode of Set Talks , Nick Fiorella sits downwith Gabriella Harris, Marketing Committee member and Newsletter & SOCO Coordinator for Women in Film & Media Colorado, to discuss the upcoming WIFMCO Industry Fair happening February 27–28, 2026 . The WIFMCO Industry Fair is one of the most valuableprofessional development events in the Colorado film industry, designed for emerging cre...

In this episode of Set Talks , host Nick Fiorella sitsdown with Noah Smith , President of the Colorado Film & Video Association (CFVA) , to discuss the current state of Colorado’s film and video industry and what’s ahead in 2026. Noah shares insights into the CFVA’s mission, how they’resupporting filmmakers across Colorado, and what attendees can expect from the upcoming State of the State of...

What does it really mean to make a living getting hit,flipped, and thrown—for the camera? On this episode of Set Talks , Nick Fiorella talks with stunt performers Cameron Carter and Tara Fox about life inside the stunt world across film, television, and video games . From high-risk coordination to motion-capture performance, they unpack the skills, discipline, and teamwork required to safely deliv...

In this episode of Set Talks , host Nick Fiorella sits down with Colorado filmmakers Billy Jack and Justin Cole , two of the founders of Sparrow Street Films . Fresh off producing their first two feature films — Sparrow Street and The Silicant — Billy and Justin share what they’ve learned building an independent production company in Colorado’s growing film community. The conversation dives deep i...

On this episode of Set Talks , I sit down with Elizabeth Mihelich , Founder & CEO of Inspired Idea Productions and one of Colorado’s most respected Line Producers. With credits on Aporia , Welcome to the Fishbowl , Go Love Go , and a wide range of commercials and indie films, Elizabeth brings a rare blend of Type-A precision and creative intuition to every project she touches. Together, we div...

On this episode of Set Talks , host Nick Fiorella sits down with Shawna Schultz — filmmaker, VFX Artist, community advocate, and board member of the Colorado Film & Video Association (CFVA). Together, they dive into how Colorado’s Film, TV, and video production community is coming together to shape the future of the industry. Shawna shares updates on the 2024 FAMCO Industry Town Hall (November...

On this episode of Set Talks , host Nick Fiorella sits down with Becky Donnelly to talk about her 12-year journey as a professional makeup artist working in the Colorado film, TV, and video production industry . Becky, a Local IATSE 7 Licensed Artist , shares insights into what it takes to work in makeup, collaborate on narrative films, and bring characters to life through both beauty and special...

In this episode of Set Talks , host Nick Fiorella sitsdown with Noah Smith, the newly appointed president of the Colorado Film and Video Association (CFVA). Noah shares his filmmaking journey—from early Lego stop-motion experiments to professional projects with Liquid Life Productions and his current role at the University of Denver. He reflects on the evolution of Colorado’s film scene, his visio...

In this episode, I sit down with Allen McLain , owner of SkyTheory Studio in Denver, Colorado. Based in the heart of the RiNo Arts District , SkyTheory is a multidisciplinary production studio with a soundstage and creative offices that serve as a hub for innovative video content. Their work spans commercials, non-profit storytelling, web series, music programming, documentary, and feature film de...