In the latest episode of Persistence of Vision, I sat down with Allyson Morgan, a multifaceted creative professional with a strong background in theater. Allyson and I first met at the Magnolia Film Festival, where we bonded over our shared experiences in the film industry. During our conversation, Allyson shared her journey from acting to writing and filmmaking, emphasizing the importance of networking and making genuine connections at film festivals and industry events.

Timestamps:

00:00:00  - Introduction by Clint Till

00:00:32  - Introduction of Allyson Morgan

00:01:21  - Allyson's background and meeting Clint at the Magnolia Film Festival

00:02:02  - Allyson's professional introduction and career journey

00:05:13  - Networking and making connections at film festivals

00:07:08  - Allyson's experience at the Tallgrass Film Festival

00:08:12  - Allyson's early career and transition from acting to writing and filmmaking

00:12:02  - Moving to New York and starting a theater company

00:15:02  - Working in TV casting and volunteering in film-related organizations

00:19:05  - Mentorship and advice from industry friends

00:23:29  - Significant career moments and booking roles on Law and Order SVU

00:31:18  - Overcoming challenges and staying motivated in the industry

00:35:06  - Auditioning for a play directed by Woody Harrelson

00:43:31  - Developing the short film "First Date" into the feature "Jagged Mind"

00:50:17  - Writing and receiving notes on "Jagged Mind"

00:54:40  - Directing the short film "The Ghost" and future aspirations

00:57:21  - On-set challenges and lessons learned

00:58:10  - Final thoughts and upcoming projects

Key Takeaways:

Networking and Connections: Allyson emphasizes the importance of networking and making genuine connections at film festivals and industry events. She shares how these connections have led to collaborations and opportunities in her career.

Career Transition: Allyson discusses her journey from acting to writing and filmmaking, highlighting the importance of creating your own work and being adaptable in the industry.

Challenges and Resilience: Throughout the conversation, Allyson shares various challenges she has faced, including auditions, rejections, and the difficulties of working in a competitive industry. She emphasizes the importance of resilience and tenacity.

Directing and Filmmaking: Allyson talks about her experience directing her first short film, "The Ghost," and the lessons she learned from the process. She also discusses her aspirations to continue directing and creating her own work.

Links:

Allyson's website - allysonm.com

Jagged Mind on Hulu - https://www.hulu.com/movie/27e89f53-355d-4459-9155-32e725ba85dd

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

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