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.

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