Today we’re excited to be connecting with Richard Turrentine again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.
Richard, always such a pleasure connecting with you and thank you for sharing your stories, insights and inspiring messages with our community. We’re looking forward to getting the download and what you have been up to since our last interview, but first can you briefly introduce yourself to folks who might have missed the prior conversation.
Hey, thanks for having me back it’s always great connecting! For those who might not know me, I’m Richard Turrentine, a filmmaker, cinematographer, and entrepreneur with a passion for storytelling and creating transformative visuals. I specialize in short films, music videos, and commercials, and I’ve been lucky to work with some incredible names in entertainment like Doja Cat, Ty Dolla $ign, and Gwen Stefani as well as brands like Playboy, Amazon, and Target.
My journey’s been anything but smooth, though. I got my start at Howard University, filming campus events and honing my craft. After graduation, I moved to LA to chase my dreams and faced some real struggles—there were nights I was sleeping in my car, battling depression, and pushing through setbacks. But I stayed focused, and eventually, I built something I’m really proud of. Today, I run Turrentine Studios, a 5-acre creative haven for filmmakers, musicians, and advertisers to bring their visions to life.
In addition to that, I’m also the founder of Screen Indie, a platform dedicated to empowering independent filmmakers and streamers. We’re building a seamless and immersive space where creators can showcase their work, connect with audiences, and monetize their content directly through fan pay-per-view and other future revenue streams. Screen Indie is all about supporting indie artists, creating sustainable income opportunities, and giving audiences access to unique, powerful stories that often don’t get mainstream attention.
What sets me apart? I think it’s my grit, my deep belief in the power of creativity, and my commitment to supporting other artists. I’m not just about visuals—I’m about stories, opportunities, and building spaces like Screen Indie and Turrentine Studios where people can dream big, create without limits, and thrive. That’s what drives me every day.
Awesome, so we reached out because we wanted to hear all about what you have been up to since we last connected.
It’s great to be back, and I appreciate the opportunity to share where things are now—because the journey truly never stops evolving!
Since we last spoke, it’s been a whirlwind of progress, challenges, and really exciting developments. On the filmmaking side, Turrentine Studios has been busier than ever. The 5-acre space has hosted everything from music videos to commercials and film productions, and seeing it grow into a creative hub where artists can bring their visions to life has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve also been diving into new projects that push my creativity, collaborating with some amazing talent to tell stories that connect with audiences in fresh ways.
One of the biggest things I’ve been focused on, though, is Screen Indie, the platform we’re building to support independent filmmakers. This has been such a passion project for me because I know firsthand how hard it can be to get your work out there, find an audience, and sustain yourself financially as an artist. We’ve made a lot of progress—streamlining the user experience, building out new ways for filmmakers to monetize their content, and creating a space that feels immersive and artist-first.
Right now, I’m especially excited about our upcoming major updates to Screen Indie. We’re working on tools that will not only help creators showcase their films but also connect with fans on a deeper level—things like audience-specific experiences, fan pay-per-view, and membership options that allow for recurring income streams. It’s about building something sustainable for artists while giving audiences access to some of the best indie films out there.
Of course, the journey hasn’t been without its bumps. Growing a platform and balancing it with my filmmaking work has tested me, but it’s also been incredibly fulfilling. I’ve learned so much about building something from the ground up—how to pivot when needed, how to rally a team around a shared vision, and how to stay focused on the bigger picture.
What excites me most right now is the future—both for Screen Indie and the indie film space as a whole. There’s so much untapped talent and so many stories waiting to be told. Whether it’s through my own work or helping others through Screen Indie and Turrentine Studios, I’m all in on creating spaces where filmmakers can thrive.
So yeah, the journey’s alive and always evolving, and I’m just grateful to be part of it. I’m looking forward to seeing where the next chapter takes us and continuing to build opportunities for artists to dream bigger and create freely.
We also want to give folks a chance to get to know you a bit better so we’ve prepared a fun lightning round of questions. Ready?
- Favorite Movie: Dead Presidents
- Favorite Book: The Billion Dollar DET
- Favorite TV Show: South Park
- Favorite Band or Artist: JAY Z
- Sweet or Savory: Savory
- Mountains or Beach: Beach
- Favorite Sport (to watch): Football
- Favorite Sport (to play): Cycling
- Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): Football and Basketball
- As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: A Football player
- French Fries or Onion Rings: French Fries
- Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: Chuck Rhodes
- Favorite Cartoon growing up: King of the Hill
- Favorite Childhood movie: Jurassic Park
- Favorite Breakfast Food: Steak and Eggs
What would the perfect day look like for you? Please give us as many details as possible.
A perfect day for me starts early 5:00 AM, hopping into my future Porsche 911 Turbo S and driving to the gym for a solid workout to get my energy right. After a good breakfast, I’d head to the Screen Indie office, cruising in that same Porsche, feeling motivated and inspired.
The morning would be spent collaborating with the team reviewing updates, brainstorming ways to empower indie filmmakers, and planning next moves for the platform. Midday, I’d take a break to check in on clients at Turrentine Studios a music video, short film, or a commercial.
In the afternoon, I’d dive into lunch and talking to family. I’d wrap up the day catching a desert sunset at the studio property, or in the Screen Indie office reflecting on progress. Dinner would be with friends or collaborators good food, great conversation, and plenty of laughs.
And of course, I’d close the day in peace, grateful for the balance of creativity, connection, and progress toward my dreams.
