🎙️ Persistence of Vision: Mitchell Cole on DIY Filmmaking, First Features & Finding Your Voice

Episode Summary

In this episode, I reconnect with filmmaker Mitchell Cole, whose feature debut Against the Spread made waves at the Magnolia Film Festival. We dive into his journey from blue-collar work to indie filmmaking, the lessons learned from building a feature on a shoestring budget, and the importance of authenticity, regional storytelling, and creative resilience. Mitchell shares how he adapted Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice into a Southern-fried comedy, the value of mentorship, and how a chance encounter at a film festival changed everything.

Whether you're a filmmaker just starting out or someone who’s been grinding for years, Mitchell’s story is a reminder that grit, community, and a little bit of luck can go a long way.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction & Magnolia Film Festival recap

03:00 – Mitchell’s filmmaking origin story

08:30 – From acting to writing/directing

12:45 – Learning film without film school

17:00 – The “mom quote” and staying motivated

22:00 – Writing from regional experience

27:00 – Adapting Shakespeare for the Panhandle

31:00 – Meeting producer Tom Rondinella

37:00 – Lessons from producing Against the Spread

43:00 – Festival experiences and audience turnout

48:00 – Gear, grit, and DIY filmmaking

54:00 – Overcoming wardrobe and football scene challenges

01:01:00 – The next project: horror

01:04:00 – Final thoughts and where to follow Mitchell

🎯 Key Takeaways

- Make what you know: Mitchell’s decision to set his film in the Florida Panhandle gave it authenticity and heart.

- Don’t wait for permission: DIY filmmaking taught him to move fast, adapt, and create with what’s available.

- Mentorship matters: Producer Tom Rondinella’s guidance helped Mitchell navigate his first feature with confidence.

- Festivals are about connection: A chance meeting at a screening led to a life-changing collaboration.

🔗 Resources & Links

🎬 Watch Against the Spread: https://jackrabbitmedia.com or search on Amazon

📸 Follow Mitchell on Instagram: https://instagram.com/wakeupmistercole

🎥 Follow the film: https://instagram.com/againstthespreadfilm

📚 Learn more about public domain adaptations: https://www.gutenberg.org

📣 Calls to Action

- Subscribe to Persistence of Vision on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

- Leave a review to help others discover the show

- Share this episode with a fellow filmmaker or creative

- Find everything I'm doing online at https://linktree.com/clinttill

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clinttill.substack.com