From Hallmark to Thrillers: Caitlin Delaney on Building Canada’s Film Industry and Uplifting the Next Generation

In this episode of Geek Freaks Interviews, Frank sits down with powerhouse Canadian producer Caitlin Delaney. With over 90 films under her belt, Caitlin opens up about her start in Hallmark-style holiday films and her evolution into producing larger thrillers and studio features. She also shares how she’s paying it forward with her new mentorship platform, Up Light Academy, where she’s shaping the next generation of film professionals. This is a must-listen for aspiring filmmakers, indie creators, and anyone curious about how the industry really works behind the scenes.

Timestamps and Topics:
00:00 – Intro and Caitlin’s current work in film production
00:58 – What a service producer does and Caitlin’s early days in Christmas films
02:00 – Launching Up Light Academy: training the next generation of filmmakers
03:30 – Caitlin’s own path from theater kid to producer
04:50 – Challenges breaking into acting and shifting to behind the camera
06:05 – Choosing projects, genre shifts, and following market trends
07:45 – The pressure of being a production hub and managing multiple teams
09:00 – Caitlin’s passion project on human trafficking
10:08 – The importance of industry relationships and collaboration
11:45 – Streaming’s influence on low-budget, high-return holiday content
13:50 – Why story still matters most, not budget
15:44 – The rise of character-driven drama in streaming
17:10 – Pitching lessons: it’s about worldbuilding and story, not logistics
18:11 – Caitlin’s admiration for actor Walton Goggins
20:00 – Why mentorship matters more than ever
21:20 – Surprising lessons about the business of film
23:00 – Teaching respect between producers and creatives
24:30 – How Caitlin teaches communication with large crews
25:10 – Closing and where to find Caitlin online

Key Takeaways:

• Caitlin’s career began in holiday films but now spans thrillers, studio features, and independent theatrical releases.

• As a service producer, she manages every physical part of a production—from talent deals to post-production.

• Her Up Light Academy offers free foundational video lessons and live weekly mentorship from industry professionals.

• Mentorship shortens the learning curve and provides real-world insight that no classroom can replicate.

• In modern filmmaking, every creator needs to understand producing and marketing.

• The industry is trending toward character-driven stories, with less emphasis on big-budget spectacle.

• Success in film still hinges on having a good story and being able to clearly articulate it.

• Caitlin highlights the value of collaboration, and the evolving role of streamers in creating community-driven content.

Quotes:
🎙️ “We just take years of onsite experience, crunch it down into 30 videos, and away you go.”
🎙️ “You’re not going to make a movie without money. And you’re not going to spend the money without filmmakers.”
🎙️ “Mentorship can shave off years of learning. But I’m still being mentored myself—I just spent four hours learning TikTok.”
🎙️ “Story is what people care about. Not budget. Not logistics. If you don’t have a good story, you’ve lost them.”

Call to Action:
Love what you heard? Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review Geek Freaks Interviews wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with your fellow film enthusiasts and use #GeekFreaksPod to join the conversation online.

Links and Resources:
🔗 Visit GeekFreaksPodcast.com — your source for all things geek and film industry news.
🔗 Learn more about Caitlin Delaney’s Up Light Academy.

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Listener Questions:
Have a question for Caitlin or want to learn more about breaking into the film industry? Message us on social or email us via the website and we’ll feature your question in a future episode.