Featuring Tim Russ & Charles M. Cartwright
Episode 1 of The Emergent Lens,“Bananas or Oranges?”, launches the series with an energetic and revealing conversation between host Tim Russ and filmmaker Charles M. Cartwright. This story-first filmmaking series begins by screening Charles’s work before diving into how it was made, giving viewers a rare perspective from inside a filmmaker’s process.
The episode opens with Cartwright’s sharp satire Set Stories, inspired by real on-set chaos; missing water, exhausted crews, and the kind of absurd frustrations filmmakers know too well. Tim Russ highlights Charles’s clever use of fantasy cutaways and cartoon-style exaggeration to express the emotional truth behind the humor. Cartwright credits influences like Spike Lee, Stanley Kubrick, and Drunk History while explaining how he developed his unique narrative voice.
Next, the conversation shifts to Holy Smokes, a stylish proof-of-concept short created to pitch a larger feature film. Charles and Tim break down how tone, music, and visual design communicate the world of a bigger story, especially when working with a limited budget.
Finally, the episode closes with Than and Now, Cartwright’s powerful documentary about his recovery from addiction and the life-changing journey that led him into filmmaking. Tim guides a meaningful discussion on documentary structure, emotional storytelling, and the discipline required to shape hundreds of hours of footage into a focused narrative.
Produced and created by Calix Lewis Reneau, Episode 1 sets the tone for a filmmaking series that blends craft, personal truth, and candid conversation.
The Emergent Lens is streaming now online and on Roku at Fancy A Movie.
- Search “The Emergent Lens” on your Roku device
- Watch now on the web at: FancyAMovie.com.
- Download the Fancy A Movie app on Roku
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