Filmmaker and cinematographer Clay Liford (Earthling, Wuss, Slash) joins In the Room to share candid insights from a career in indie film. Clay reflects on his path from SXSW premieres to teaching film, why coverage is the most misunderstood part of directing, and how embracing happy accidents can change your filmmaking.

He also unpacks the challenges of modern distribution and output deals, offers perspective on AI’s impact on editing, and previews his upcoming dark comedy The Texas High School Regional Theater Festival Murders. Plus, we explore his new education initiative Those Who Do, designed to bring working filmmakers into the classroom.

A must-listen episode for anyone passionate about independent filmmaking, cinematography, and the future of the industry.

This week, director William Kaufman (The Channel, Daylight’s End) returns to In the Room to discuss his newest release: Osiris—a gritty sci-fi thriller that’s part Aliens, part Black Hawk Down, and 100% badass.

He’s joined by producer Christian Sosa to break down how they:

• Shot massive firefights on an indie budget

• Created terrifying practical aliens

• Landed Linda Hamilton for a critical role

• Turned a New Orleans soundstage into a spaceship

• Pulled off some of the best creature effects of 2025

Osiris is now available to stream. Catch the chaos, then come behind the scenes with the people who made it happen.

Directed by William Kaufman
Starring Max Martini, Brianna Hildebrand, LaMonica Garrett, Linda Hamilton

This week In the Room, Emmy-winning casting director Jessica Daniels joins us to pull back the curtain on one of the most essential—but misunderstood—roles in film and TV. From The 40-Year-Old Version to Will Trent, Jessica has cast some of the most nuanced and compelling projects of the last two decades. We talk about her days at Disney and Fox, how casting has changed post-pandemic, and what separates a good audition from a great one. Whether you’re an actor, producer, or just curious how your favorite shows get made—this is a must-listen.

Jaime Schwarz has helped over 100 brands speak for themselves—but now, he’s building something bigger.

From co-founding seven startups to inventing a patent for self-authenticating media, Jaime is a true pioneer in the next chapter of content creation. In this episode, he joins John Williams In the Room to break down how blockchain, remix rights, and smart contracts are giving power back to creators—and why the service economy is giving way to the IP economy.

If you’re a filmmaker, artist, or digital creator, this is the conversation you need to hear.

Filmmaker and creative producer Christopher Shea steps In the Room to reflect on the twists, pivots, and passion projects that have defined his multi-decade career in indie film, TV, and theater. From directing Berlin-premiering shorts to fixing chaotic sets, Shea unpacks what it really takes to survive—and thrive—in the creative trenches.

We talk about:

• The realities of being a fixer in indie production

• The Austin days of DIY theater and sketch collectives

• Working with today’s rising stars before they broke out

• The emotional and logistical cost of being an AD

• Why story—not stardom—sells abroad

This is a raw and energizing conversation about creativity, commitment, and the community that makes it all possible.

Award-winning casting director Alyson Silverberg joins John to reflect on a career spanning two decades and some of television’s most beloved series. From Jane the Virgin to Greek, Alyson has built iconic ensembles and discovered fresh talent with a sharp eye and heart-led intuition.

They dive into:

• What it really takes to cast a hit show

• How the audition process has evolved from VHS tapes to Zoom

• The emotional stakes of testing actors for life-changing roles

• The impact of AI, shifting platforms, and the unknown future of casting

• Why human connection still wins

Whether you're an actor, producer, or industry fan, this is a masterclass in the art—and heart—of casting.

On this episode of In the Room, Sundance filmmaker Chelsea Christer joins John and Heather to share the wild true story that inspired her dark comedy short Out for Delivery. From a real-life medical shipping disaster to shooting the film in just two days, Chelsea reveals how she brought her sharp, satirical vision to life with zero budget and total heart.

We talk casting, making art with your community, and staying true to your voice when Hollywood comes knocking. In the Room is your backstage pass to the world of casting and storytelling—this is one of our most honest and inspiring conversations yet.

What does it take to direct a sci-fi thriller with no script, no studio, and just 8 days of filming? In this week’s episode, John sits down with filmmaker Chris Folkens, whose debut feature Catalyst is turning heads in the indie world.

Shot guerrilla-style with an ensemble cast improvising every scene, Catalyst is more than a film—it’s a mirror to society, challenging everything from ego to identity. Chris shares the 9-year journey behind the film, how he raised money in phases, the choice to avoid studio interference, and why trusting your instinct is everything in independent filmmaking.

If you’ve ever dreamed of making a movie, this is the episode you need to hear.

Watch Catalyst now on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

🎬 Guest: Chris Folkens, Writer/Director of Catalyst
📍 Hosted by: John Williams
🎙 Produced by: In the Room
🔗 YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/ZPAOP8tHJeE

Award-winning indie filmmaker Luca Pizzoleo joins casting director John Williams In the Room to reveal how he bypassed traditional Hollywood and built a massive audience online. With viral shorts like OCD (1M+ views on YouTube, 17M+ on social), 70+ awards, and features in Variety and NYT, Luca is reshaping how films are made, funded, and seen.

We dive into:

• Using TikTok to launch a directing career

• Making powerful films on shoestring budgets

• The new rules of building audience-first filmmaking

• Why the future of indie film lives online

If you’re a filmmaker, creative, or storytelling junkie—this one’s for you.

Filmmakers Yangzom Brauen and Martin Brauen join us In the Room to talk about their powerful new documentary, MOLA: A Tibetan Story of Love and Loss, which premiered at SXSW. The film follows Yangzom’s 100-year-old grandmother, a Buddhist nun exiled from Tibet, whose final wish is to return to her homeland to die.

What unfolds is an intimate exploration of exile, faith, aging with dignity, and the complex bond between a mother and daughter. We talk about the challenges of filming a deeply personal story across three generations, capturing private moments on camera, and the unexpected turns that shaped the documentary.

This is an unforgettable conversation about storytelling, legacy, and love at the end of life.

Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TdHfKQA6Wpc?si=rvozE2kB9UCjQPA4
Learn more about the film: molafilm.com