Why I Came Back to Filmmaking #47 w/ Filmmaker Richard Russel

After three failed feature attempts, a halted production due to the pandemic, and personal battles during Covid, indie filmmaker Richard Russel found himself at a crossroads. Eventually he channeled his frustrations into his latest production Shadow of Thulis—a revenge thriller inspired by Mike Leigh’s Naked. What started as a story of brutal violence evolved into something deeper: a character-driven exploration of pain, forgiveness, and the cost of vengeance.

In this episode, we dive into Richard’s journey as a zero-budget filmmaker navigating creative burnout, failed crowdfunding, and the harsh realities of independent cinema. Through stubborn persistence and a directing style built on trust and spontaneity.