ACW EPS 160 -From TV Pilot to Tribeca Winner-How Red for Revolution Rewrote the Indie Playbook

What do you do when HBO doesn’t pick up the phone? In this powerful episode of A Conversation with , host Floyd Marshall Jr. and co-host Okema Moore sit down with award-winning creatives Renee Wilson and Jana Naomi Smith to unpack the journey behind Red for Revolution — a Tribeca-winning narrative audio drama that began as a television pilot and evolved into a groundbreaking independent project.

This conversation explores: • Why “independent TV” is nearly impossible without a studio • Turning rejection into creative innovation • Building an award-winning audio drama without traditional industry access • Casting major talent through cold outreach and persistence • The power of a bold pitch deck • Fighting to get audio drama recognized at the Grammys • The reality of hustle, doubt, and delayed celebration Renee Wilson shares how belief, manifestation, and strategic relationships helped bring the project to life through her production company, meta Manna Media. Jana Naomi Smith reflects on writing the project as a graduate thesis in 2017 and watching it grow into a nationally recognized series.

If you are an independent filmmaker, writer, or storyteller navigating gatekeepers, funding challenges, or industry doubt — this episode offers real strategy, transparency, and inspiration. 🎧 Listen now and discover how urgency, resilience, and collaboration turned an “impossible” project into award-winning storytelling.