🎙️ Episode 9: Building a Horror Film Community – First Cut Productions
In this episode of Backstage at TENCROW Studios, we sit down with Mark Bellinger and Christine Golden of First Cut Productions, the creative force behind the First Cut Horror Film Festival in Wilmington, NC. 🎬

Now entering its second year, the festival has quickly become a cornerstone for indie horror filmmakers—showcasing spine-tingling shorts from around the globe while spotlighting local talent with heart and humor. Mark and Christine talk about the origins of the festival, its explosive growth, their wildly creative award design, and how they’re building a deeply connected horror film community in Eastern North Carolina.

We also explore:

• The secret sauce behind a successful horror festival 🧛‍♂️

• What it really takes to host 31 films in a single day

• Why Wilmington is becoming a magnet for indie filmmakers

• The challenges of producing passion projects with limited budgets

• Future goals and how YOU can get involved as a filmmaker or sponsor

🩸 Submissions for this year’s festival are open through August 3rd — don’t miss your chance! You can submit your film on Film Freeway here: https://filmfreeway.com/TheFirstCutFilmFest?pending=true

💀 Visit https://www.firstcutproductionsllc.com/ or follow @firstcutproductions on Instagram for more.

#FirstCutFilmFest #IndieHorror #WilmingtonNC #BackstageAtTENCROW #ShotAtTENCROW

Backstage at TENCROW Studios: How the Civil War Could’ve Been Avoided | Part 2 w/ Bob Worden

In this gripping Part 2 of our ongoing podcast series with mediator and historian Bob Worden, we dive deep into one of the most defining and misunderstood chapters in American history: the Civil War.

Using his experience as a mediator and former litigation strategist, Bob approaches history the same way he analyzes lawsuits—dissecting decisions, identifying missed opportunities for resolution, and asking: Could this war have been prevented?

Together with host Mike McCoy—retired Special Operations veteran and co-founder of TENCROW Studios—they explore the conflict not just through the lens of battlefield strategy, but through the deeply human failures of leadership, communication, and compromise.

This conversation is inspired by Bob’s book, How to Stop Wars and Save the World: Lessons in Negotiation, Settlement, and Leadership, available now in print and audiobook formats.

Purchase the book on Amazon at the link below:

https://a.co/d/dhpSJ9E

🔍 Key Themes in This Episode:

• The economic, political, and social forces leading up to the Civil War

• How Southern arrogance and poor risk assessment sealed their fate

• The untold plan for Southern expansion into Latin America

• The real impact of the Fugitive Slave Act and Uncle Tom’s Cabin

• Why the Emancipation Proclamation was both brilliant strategy and deeply controversial

• Robert E. Lee’s pivotal (and fatal) mistake at Gettysburg

• How inflation and bad fiscal decisions crippled the Confederacy

• Parallels between 1860s America and today’s polarized political climate

💡 Why This Matters Today:
History doesn’t repeat itself—but it often rhymes. This episode reveals how leadership failures, tribal thinking, and inflexible ideologies led to catastrophic conflict. As modern America navigates political division, economic strain, and culture wars, the lessons from 1860 are more relevant than ever.

If you’re interested in American history, conflict resolution, leadership, or simply want to understand how we got here—don’t miss this powerful and thought-provoking episode.

🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts.
📘 Learn more about Bob’s book at your favorite audiobook retailer.
📍 Filmed at TENCROW Studios in Jacksonville, NC.
🔗 tencrowstudios.com

#CivilWar #AmericanHistory #Leadership #ConflictResolution #Podcast #TENCROWStudios #HistoryPodcast #BackstageAtTENCROW #BobWorden #Gettysburg #EmancipationProclamation #Lincoln #HistoricalAnalysis #HowToStopWars

🎙️ Backstage at TENCROW Studios | Episode 7 — Honey Head Films

In this episode, we sit down with Kristi Ray and Erika Arlee of Honey Head Films, the powerhouse behind the award-winning indie feature A Song for Imogene. What begins as a conversation about their creative journey quickly evolves into a deep and candid discussion about building sustainable careers as filmmakers outside of Hollywood.

We talk about the magic of grassroots filmmaking, the power of trusting your gut when assembling a team, and what it really takes to make a micro-budget feature film — and then level up. Kristi and Erika open up about their transition from making a $200K regional film in Eastern North Carolina to developing their next feature: a high-concept, female-led, post-apocalyptic thriller titled Host Country.

They share insights into how their unique creative dynamic works, what they’ve learned about packaging, pre-sales, and distribution, and the emotional cost of constantly pushing the boulder uphill in pursuit of meaningful art. The episode dives into filmmaking as both a spiritual and strategic practice — with reflections on intuition, manifestation, and staying grounded while scaling.

We also touch on how Honey Head has created an unmistakable culture on set, affectionately known as a “Honey Head set” — where mental health, trust, and collaboration are foundational.

Books mentioned in this episode:
📖 Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
📖 The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin

Whether you're a filmmaker, creative entrepreneur, or someone navigating your own leap from passion to profession, this episode will leave you inspired, informed, and energized to keep building.

Topics include:
• Making A Song for Imogene in Eastern NC
• Why they cast first-time crew and actors
• Building community through film
• What makes a “Honey Head” set so different
• How they’re packaging and funding their next feature
• Navigating industry bias and protecting your creative voice
• The emotional toll of chasing the dream — and why it’s worth it
• Using manifestation and intention in the creative process

📍Recorded at TENCROW Studios in Jacksonville, NC
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more
📲 Follow @tencrowstudios and @honeyheadfilms for behind-the-scenes content