Burying Mitchell

The brief

'Burying Mitchell' was the first project where someone took a real chance on me. Director Sam Williamson, a respected voice actor and actor in his own right, known for his role in Andrea Arnold's Cannes Jury Prize-winning film 'American Honey' and voice work for brands like Wrangler, Lexus, and Maserati, brought me on as the lead producer for his narrative short film. It was a big step up: a fully scripted dramatic production with a real cast, real budget, and real stakes. Sam saw something in my work ethic and creative instincts and gave me the opportunity to prove I could operate at that level.

The approach

As the lead producer, I oversaw the entire production infrastructure: budget management, crew hiring, casting, assistant directing, storyboarding, and post-production editing. This wasn't a music video where you show up with a small crew and figure it out. This was a structured narrative production that demanded planning, coordination, and the ability to solve problems before they reached the director.

Sam Williamson's direction brought a naturalistic, performance-driven approach: longer takes, quiet tension, and the kind of patience that lets actors inhabit a scene rather than perform for the camera. Sharon Conley's lead performance anchored the entire film. Working under Sam's direction was a masterclass in restraint and storytelling economy that fundamentally shaped how I approach my own narrative work today.

The experience taught me what a real film set demands from a producer: every dollar accounted for, every crew member in the right place, every creative decision supported by logistics that actually work. It was the bridge between making music videos and making films.

The result

'Burying Mitchell' earned a 9.0 rating on IMDb, a testament to Sam's direction, Sharon's performance, and the production foundation we built underneath them. For me personally, this project was the turning point. It proved I could produce at the narrative film level and gave me the confidence and experience to pursue my own directorial work in short film and, eventually, features.

Sam Williamson took a chance on a young producer from Kansas City, and that bet shaped the trajectory of my career. Every narrative project I've taken on since, and the feature film I'm currently developing, traces back to what I learned on this set.

Credits

Director

Sam Williamson

Producer

Cameron Logan Cox

Starring

Sharon Conley

Format

Narrative short film

Year

2019