In this episode of Inside the Business, Michael, Client Content Director at Rockrose Productions, sits down with writer, director, producer, and actor Ashton Swinford to explore her transformative journey from a PA (production assistant) to creative leadership in Hollywood. Ashton opens up about her experiences working on major shows like New Girl, producing with The Onion, and her new sci-fi film Wizdom. Dive into raw, unfiltered insights on overcoming challenges and building resilience in an industry known for its highs and lows.

Our goal with this episode is to offer a behind-the-scenes look at the filmmaking journey—from breaking into the industry to creating impactful videos that resonate with your audience.

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-The Rockrose Team 🤘

Timestamps:

0:00 - Ashton’s defining moment in filmmaking: Creating opportunities
1:00 - Introducing Ashton Swinford: Actor, producer, and writer
2:30 - Recalling early PA days and lessons learned on set
4:00 - The changing culture on film sets and leadership insights
6:30 - Breaking out of the PA role and career advancement tips
12:00 - Ashton’s car accident and pivot into production
15:20 - Passion and persistence: The realities of the film industry
20:00 - Choosing passion projects over celebrity opportunities
23:45 - New voices in film and the shift toward inclusive stories
25:00 - The power of a pitch deck in indie filmmaking
32:00 - Ashton’s experience on New Girl and impact on her career
39:00 - Ashton’s new sci-fi project Wisdom: Concept and inspiration
47:30 - Challenges of independent film financing
56:00 - Ashton’s advice to aspiring filmmakers: Real-world experience over film school