In this episode, Lisa Giles sits down with filmmaker and photographer Tricia Dumm, whose short film "The Picnic" makes its world premiere at RFN Indie Fest on Saturday, May 17 at 2 p.m.. Tricia shares how her early passion for storytelling—born out of childhood stop-motion films and homemade music videos—evolved into a bold debut as a writer-director.

We talk about the creative spark behind "The Picnic," a deceptively serene tale of a married couple’s outing that hides a much darker truth. Tricia dives into how her multidisciplinary background—acting, music, photography—helped her navigate a production full of curveballs, from last-minute crew changes to her first time yelling “cut.”

She opens up about the emotional stakes of exploring domestic violence in her script and why she wanted to show a perpetrator wrestling with his conscience—not to excuse him, but to resist turning him into a flat stereotype. We also discuss visual choices that reveal how seemingly minor details—a sandwich, a surprise, a setting—can quietly expose the fault lines in a relationship.

Finally, Tricia reflects on claiming her title as a director, the nerves and triumphs of her first shoot, and how community and creative determination helped her silence imposter syndrome.

The Richmond Film Network podcast is your weekly front-row seat to the people, stories, and process behind independent film. Each episode features in-depth conversations with filmmakers, writers, actors, and other creatives shaping the indie film landscape. Whether you're an aspiring storyteller or a devoted cinephile, you’ll find inspiration, insight, and community here.

New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe and listen on YouTue, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Want more RFN? Follow us on social media and visit richmondfilmnetwork.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’re joined by Roman Willi, an award-winning wildlife filmmaker and photographer from Lucerne, Switzerland, to discuss his captivating new short film, "The Leap Beneath," screening Saturday, May 17 at 4:30 PM at The Park RVA. Roman shares how his lifelong fascination with insects and overlooked creatures led to a career dedicated to wildlife storytelling through film and photography.

He reveals the origins of "The Leap Beneath"—a collaboration with macro lens manufacturer Venus Laowa—and explains how filming the microscopic world of springtails required an entirely studio-based setup, a first for him. Roman walks us through the technical and creative challenges of telling a compelling narrative using insects as characters, striking a balance between scientific fact and playful storytelling.

We also learn how Animal Planet personality and adventurer Coyote Peterson came to narrate the film, adding charm and accessibility to its tale. Roman offers insight into the evolving narrative arc during post-production, his thoughtful approach to sound design, and why eye-level perspective is essential when filming the tiny protagonists of the forest floor.

This episode is a must-listen for nature lovers, filmmakers, and anyone curious about the hidden wonders beneath our feet.

The Richmond Film Network podcast is your weekly front-row seat to the people, stories, and process behind independent film. Each episode features in-depth conversations with filmmakers, writers, actors, and other creatives shaping the indie film landscape. Whether you're an aspiring storyteller or a devoted cinephile, you’ll find inspiration, insight, and community here.

New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe and listen on YouTue, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Want more RFN? Follow us on social media and visit richmondfilmnetwork.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.