Writer and director Richard Schenkman joins THE FILM SITUATION for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from the earliest days of MTV to the making of his cult classic THE MAN FROM EARTH.

Richard shares how he became one of the first people hired at MTV before it even launched, what it was like building something from scratch, and how a James Bond fan club unexpectedly helped him land the job. From there, we get into his path as a filmmaker and the long journey behind bringing THE MAN FROM EARTH to life from a screenplay written by Jerome Bixby on his deathbed.

We go deep on micro-budget filmmaking, including how Richard raised just over $100K, assembled a strong cast led by Tony Todd, and shot the film in eight days under extreme limitations with no water, no power, and a dust storm hitting on the final night. He also breaks down working with actors, the importance of rehearsal, and why 12 ANGRY MEN was a key influence on the film’s structure.

This is a great conversation about persistence, creative problem solving, and finding a way to make the film you believe in, even when nothing goes according to plan.

Hosted by Zef Cota 

Produced by Cole Howard

(c) 2026 - The Film Situation