Filmmaker Joshua Caldwell explores the resourceful path he’s carved through Hollywood. From childhood VHS adventures to directing a Netflix hit, Joshua shares how he’s built a career by embracing limitations and turning them into creative fuel.

We dive into his $6,000 feature Layover, the philosophy behind his 6K Filmmaker course, and the mindset shifts that helped him transition from micro-budget indies to larger productions.

Joshua doesn’t just talk theory—he shares war stories, including a wild encounter with federal agents while filming a trailer.

In this episode of Persistence of Vision, I sit down with filmmaker Joshua Caldwell to explore the gritty, resourceful path he’s carved through Hollywood. From childhood VHS adventures to directing a Netflix hit, Joshua shares how he’s built a career by embracing limitations and turning them into creative fuel. We dive into his $6,000 feature Layover, the philosophy behind his SixK Filmmaker course, and the mindset shifts that helped him transition from micro-budget indies to larger productions. Joshua doesn’t just talk theory—he shares war stories, including a wild encounter with federal agents while filming on what turned out to be an Air Force base. Whether you're a seasoned filmmaker or just starting out, this episode is packed with practical insights, candid reflections, and a whole lot of inspiration. Tune in to hear how Joshua proves that you don’t need permission—or a massive budget—to make something great.

Timestamps:

- 00:00:00 : Introduction

- 00:01:37 : Joshua Caldwell's Background

- 00:05:49 : Early Filmmaking Experiences

- 00:12:33 : Starting a Production Company

- 00:16:54 : Making Layover

- 00:26:08 : SixK Filmmaker Course

- 00:33:41 : Marketing Your Film

- 00:38:28 : Unexpected Outcomes

- 00:41:42 : On-Set Nightmare Stories

- 00:49:37 : Final Thoughts and Plugs

Key Takeaways:

- Embrace limitations and turn them into creative fuel.

- You don’t need permission—or a massive budget—to make something great.

- Modular storytelling allows you to produce scenes regardless of budget.

- Live environment filmmaking can make your film feel bigger and more dynamic.

Resources and Links:

- 6K Filmmaker Course

- Joshua Caldwell's Substack

- Clint Till's links

- Clint Till's Substack

Calls to Action:

- Subscribe to Persistence of Vision on Apple Podcasts.

- Leave a review and let me know what you think

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit clinttill.substack.com