Honey Head Films - Indie Filmmaking, Growth & Strategy

🎙️ Backstage at TENCROW Studios | Episode 7 — Honey Head Films

In this episode, we sit down with Kristi Ray and Erika Arlee of Honey Head Films, the powerhouse behind the award-winning indie feature A Song for Imogene. What begins as a conversation about their creative journey quickly evolves into a deep and candid discussion about building sustainable careers as filmmakers outside of Hollywood.

We talk about the magic of grassroots filmmaking, the power of trusting your gut when assembling a team, and what it really takes to make a micro-budget feature film — and then level up. Kristi and Erika open up about their transition from making a $200K regional film in Eastern North Carolina to developing their next feature: a high-concept, female-led, post-apocalyptic thriller titled Host Country.

They share insights into how their unique creative dynamic works, what they’ve learned about packaging, pre-sales, and distribution, and the emotional cost of constantly pushing the boulder uphill in pursuit of meaningful art. The episode dives into filmmaking as both a spiritual and strategic practice — with reflections on intuition, manifestation, and staying grounded while scaling.

We also touch on how Honey Head has created an unmistakable culture on set, affectionately known as a “Honey Head set” — where mental health, trust, and collaboration are foundational.

Books mentioned in this episode:
📖 Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
📖 The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin

Whether you're a filmmaker, creative entrepreneur, or someone navigating your own leap from passion to profession, this episode will leave you inspired, informed, and energized to keep building.

Topics include:
• Making A Song for Imogene in Eastern NC
• Why they cast first-time crew and actors
• Building community through film
• What makes a “Honey Head” set so different
• How they’re packaging and funding their next feature
• Navigating industry bias and protecting your creative voice
• The emotional toll of chasing the dream — and why it’s worth it
• Using manifestation and intention in the creative process

📍Recorded at TENCROW Studios in Jacksonville, NC
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more
📲 Follow @tencrowstudios and @honeyheadfilms for behind-the-scenes content