Episode Details

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Persistence of Vision podcast, host Clint Till sits down with Mississippi-based filmmaker, fine artist, and improv performer Glenn Payne. Clint and Glenn discuss the multi-faceted life of an independent regional creative. 

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to the Persistence of Vision podcast and guest Glenn Payne.

01:08 – Reminiscing on first meeting at the Tupelo Film Festival and Film Prize competitions.

02:05 – Who is Glenn Payne? Balancing filmmaking, fine arts, and improv comedy.

03:19 – Accidental beginnings: Making a dialog-free short film as a college final exam.

04:26 – Discovering improv art forms and training with Second City at the Chicago Improv Festival.

05:54 – How improv mechanics mirror the real-time writing, directing, and editing of screenplays.

07:33 – Learning the craft: DVD audio commentaries, studying film edits, and trial-by-error repetition.

10:28 – The value of early creative mistakes and acknowledging your growth as a director.

12:33 – Giving back to the next generation through youth film workshops and unexpected technical lessons.

14:58 – Making the leap from short films to feature films and adjusting to 90-page narrative pacing.

17:48 – Building a full spaceship interior inside a rented warehouse for the sci-fi feature Earthrise.

19:31 – The harsh reality of distribution curves and last-minute buyer rejections.

21:38 – Balancing creative freedom with marketability and keeping production budgets low.

23:49 – Turning town relationships into investors, crew, and extras for the upcoming indie feature Alien Eyes.

28:37 – Navigating creative burnout, taking intentional breaks, and changing artistic mediums to recharge.

31:07 – Pivoting to short documentaries: Investigating ghosts at the Lyric Theater in Tupelo.

32:59 – Surviving 10-degree shoot nights inside a single vehicle for the thriller Driven.

35:40 – Logistical illusions: Mapping streetlights and storyboarding every shot for a single-car location.

37:54 – Working with Supernatural star Richard Speight Jr. on an indie budget.

39:36 – Where to find Glenn Payne’s latest feature film releases and project updates.

41:22 – Episode wrap-up, subscription details, and Substack support.

Featured Resources and Links

Follow Glenn Payne: Connect across social media platforms via his handle @cinematicglenn.

Watch the Documentary: Stream Glenn's paranormal investigation documentary, The Most Haunted Theater in America, on Amazon.

Explore Feature Projects: Look out for Glenn's upcoming suspense thriller Safe and Sound and his sci-fi festival comedy Alien Eyes.

Calls to Action

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