Never Compromise

🎙️ 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'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clinttill.substack.com/subscribe