ART, ALL-NIGHTERS & THE APOCALYPSEInside the Frenzied, Funny Birth of “MONDAY”What do you pitch when you’re exhausted, on Zoom, and given 90 minutes to sell an idea that could make or break a 48 Hour Film Project? If you’re David Fritzson, you shock the room, quote Mallrats, promise a sex scene, and gamble everything on five minutes left to live.In this candid Richmond Film Network podcast episode, writers David Fritzson and Anson Kessinger unpack the chaotic, collaborative creation of the short script for the film "MONDAY," made for the City Producer 48 Hour Film Project. With a rotating pool of writers pitching ideas under extreme time pressure, Fritzson’s offbeat, apocalyptic-comedy concept—rooted in urgency, moral clarity, and pants-down honesty—wins out. Joined by co-writer Caitlin Whitaker, the trio writes through the night until 4 a.m., navigating technical mishaps, disappearing dialogue, and the relentless clock that defines the 48-hour experience.The conversation explores how trust, shared humor, and veteran instincts helped shape a cohesive story that integrates required elements organically rather than as box-checking exercises. Fritzson and Kessinger reflect on pitching under pressure, embracing collaboration over competition, and planting Easter eggs. At its core, Monday asks a simple question with global stakes: when panic hits and time is running out, what choices will you regret—and which ones will define you?

FLEXIBILITY, FOCUS & 48 HOURS

What would you do with your last five minutes on Earth?
That question—posed half in jest, half in existential dread—hangs over this podcast conversation with the cast of “Monday,” a film written, shot, and edited in just 48 hours for the 48 Hour Film Project's international City Producer Competition.

What begins as casual introductions quickly turns into a candid, funny, and surprisingly profound reflection on chaos, creativity, intimacy, and trust under extreme pressure.

Recorded after the film’s completion, the discussion brings together actors Louis Rivers, Leah Webster, Lisette Glodowski, Lamont Gonzalez, and Lee Lawson, all of whom participated in the film. They recount the uniquely nerve-wracking ritual of waiting for a 1 a.m. casting email, memorizing lines at dawn, driving hours on little sleep, and stepping onto set with no time to overthink—only to discover a production that was unusually organized, professional, and emotionally safe.

Ultimately, the podcast paints “Monday” not just as a successful 48-hour film, but as a reminder of why artists keep saying yes to impossible timelines: because in the chaos, something honest—and occasionally magical—can still break through.

PROTOCOLS, PROCESS & PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS

In this episode of the Richmond Film Network Podcast, guest host Alina McMahon sits down with fellow production assistants Matthew Tate, Addy Miner, and Payden Wilson to talk about life on set during the making of the short film “Monday,” directed by RFN Founder Lisa Giles. Created for the first-ever Global City Producer 48 Hour Film Project, “Monday” brought together a large, highly skilled crew of regional creatives under an intense timeline—and this conversation captures what it felt like to be in the trenches.

From first-time experiences to seasoned PA insights, the group reflects on what surprised them most: doubling as background actors, witnessing the careful choreography of an intimacy-coordinated scene, troubleshooting sound issues in a cavernous warehouse, and watching a bare industrial space transform into a fully realized botanical lab through exceptional production design. Again and again, they emphasize the professionalism, calm leadership, and collaborative spirit that defined the set—especially impressive given how quickly the project came together.

The episode also explores mentorship and growth: learning how departments intersect, finding confidence on a professional set, navigating walkie-talkie etiquette, and discovering new interests in producing, cinematography, art department, and assistant directing. The PAs share favorite moments, biggest challenges (including a last-minute location setback), and the pride they felt watching the final cut—particularly the editing, cinematography, and attention to detail that elevated the film.

Above all, this conversation celebrates “Monday” as a true community effort—described affectionately as “the Avengers of the Richmond film community.” It’s a candid, encouraging listen for anyone curious about what it’s really like to work on a 48 Hour Film Project, especially at a high professional level, and a testament to the generosity, talent, and collaborative energy that define Richmond’s film scene.

Technical note: Due to connectivity challenges, Addy Miner’s video is unavailable for part of the episode, and Payden Wilson’s connection ends shortly after the discussion begins. We’ve retained as much of the recording as possible to honor the conversation as it unfolded.