Clayton Tony Au is an American film director and screenwriter. ​ He first gained recognition for his award-winning crime drama Suburban Jungle which won multiple top festival awards including "Best Short Film" at San Pedro International Film Festival and "Best Drama Film" at Oregon Short Film Festival. Today, we're chatting about his screenwriting …

Is, Jaron Lockridge's latest movie, CLOSE CAPTION, any good? Find out in this review! Close Caption is written, directed, and produced by self-described guerilla filmer Jaron Lockridge, who shot the film with cast and crew local to Jackson and Memphis, TN. Connect with Rod ► https://linktr.ee/rodkirby Subscribe on YouTube ► https://bit.ly/348eAAl W…

Lawless is a 2012 film that stars Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, and a host of other Hollywood A-listers. However, did you know the movie is based on the book, The Wettest County in the World by Matt Bondurant? Join me as I sit down with Matt to discuss how his book became a Hollywood blockbuster, his journey into the world of Hollywood pitch meetings, a…

Coming to Africa is an independently produced film that has impacted American film festivals and African cinema since 2020. It's written, directed, and produced by Anwar Jamison, a Memphis-based filmmaker and English professor at Arkansas State University. The film was made in Accra, Ghana, and Memphis, TN, by a team of passionate filmmakers. It's …

Welcome to another episode of The Rod Kirby Show! Today, I'm chatting with the filmmaker behind the uber-popular project, 12 Westerns 12 Months. Travis Mills wrote (a majority of the scripts), directed, and produced 12 feature films in only 12 months! It's an incredible undertaking and you're going to love Travis' story as he breaks down how in the…

I hope you've got a pen and paper handy because this one is going to be a doozy! Not only did Jessica B. Smith have a film script under consideration at BET, but they passed after holding it hostage for six months! However, Jessica didn't stop; she directed, produced, and starred in the film and expanded it into a series in less than two years! You…

Hello there! I hope you're gearing up for an epic Thanksgiving. We've got some exciting content coming up in December. Here's a quick overview of what to expect, plus a sneak peek from one of our featured guests! First, there's a great interview with the filmmaker, Jessica B. Smith. She wrote, produced, and starred in her first feature film, ELLE R…

Welcome to another episode of The Rod Kirby Show. Today, my special guest is, YOU! I want to talk to you about chasing your dreams of writing, filmmaking, and/or producing full-time. You can make it happen but it's going to require a bit of hard work, elbow grease, and a lot of sacrifices. Learn more in this episode of The Rod Kirby Show! Connect w…

Welcome to a special episode of The Rod Kirby Show. Today, I'm chatting with the cast of Down Bad. We talk about their favorite episodes, what made them jump on board the project, how their characters would evolve in season 2, and much more! Stick around towards the end for a quick game of Down Bad Fast Money! Connect with Rod ► https://linktr.ee/r…

Today, I’m chatting with screenwriter, actress, and filmmaker, Brandi Nicole Payne. Join us as we discuss her journey as she navigates Hollywood writer’s rooms, how she connects her personal experiences to the stories she tells, the challenges of producing her latest film, SPIN, and much more! Connect with Rod ► https://linktr.ee/rodkirby Watch on …

In this episode, I'm chatting with the ultra-talented, Princeton James. He's an actor, producer, director, and he's got his hands in just about every facet of the entertainment industry. Join us as we talk about his early beginnings in the industry, his feature film directorial debut, lessons learned from working on network TV and so much more. Enj…

In this episode, I'm chatting with former Indie Memphis executive director, Ryan Watt, and filmmaker, Matteo Servente. They've worked together on various films and are now partners on a new entrepreneurial venture. Connect with Rod ► https://linktr.ee/rodkirby Watch the show on YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/c/RodKirby --- Send in a voice messag…

Today I’m sitting down and talking to one of my most favorite indie filmmakers, Jaron Lockridge; also known as the guerilla filmer. Jaron’s projects include series such as The Stix and feature films like Smith, and his latest movie, Close Caption. Jaron is the definition of a guerilla filmmaker. He writes, directs, produces, and edits his projects …

Welcome to The Rod Kirby Show! Today, I'm talking with director, producer, and improve actor Glenn Payne on today's show. Along for the ride is his producing partner, writer, and actress, Casey Dillard! Glenn & Casey's recent film, DRIVEN (2019), stars Richard Speight Jr. (Supernatural) and has received great reviews. We talk about what it's like w…

In this episode, I sit down with filmmaker, playwright, and author Tymika Chambliss! Tymika is a New Orleans native who currently resides in Memphis, TN. She recently directed and produced her first short film, TIMOTHY. It's a project that highlights the dynamics between the LGBTQ+ community and the black church. We discuss how she leaped from writ…

In 2019, I entered 11 screenwriting and film grant competitions. However, after months of developing and writing projects, none of them qualified, placed, or won any of the competitions I entered. I came to the startling conclusion that screenwriting competitions are a waste of time. And while that's true to a certain degree, there are a few very i…

Disney's Lion King remake is finally here! Is it any good? Does the story still hold up after all these years? Find out in the latest episode of The Rod Kirby Show! Today's guest is Kimberly Kirby. Not only is she Rod's wife, but she's also a published author, songwriter, and enthusiastic singer of Disney theme songs. They'll discuss their thoughts…