In this episode of The Unscene Work, Erik Lingvall sits down with writer, director, and actor Madison Hatfield to unpack the invisible layers of artistry: the pressure to please, the politics of creativity, and what it means to make something that heals you while entertaining others.

Madison shares the story behind her viral short film I Could Dom, a comedy rooted in people-pleasing, identity, and personal transformation, and how writing it became a turning point in both her creative life and her healing journey.

They explore:

• Why the word “creativity” is more recent (and politicized) than you might think

• How people-pleasing shows up in performance and art

• The emotional cost of treating empathy like a job

• What happens when the art world gets flattened by tech and capitalism

• A vision for building a more sustainable, soul-aligned film industry, especially in Georgia
  
  

This one’s for the artists navigating gray areas, writing from the gut, and trying to stay whole in an industry that doesn’t always prioritize wholeness.

🎬 Madison’s short film I Could Dom is currently sweeping the festival circuit, including Oscar-qualifying stops.

Follow the show:
📲 IG & TikTok: @theunsceneworkpodcast
📲 Follow Erik: @eriklingvall
📲 Follow Madison: @madhat31

The Unscene Work is back, and we're kicking off the new season with award-winning filmmaker and storyteller Caroline Slaughter. In this episode, Erik and Caroline dive deep into the creative process: what it really means to trust your instincts, collaborate with your characters, and open yourself up to inspiration that doesn’t always make logical sense.

They talk about:

• Building emotionally whole characters from the inside out
  
  

• Why mindset is just as important as craft
  
  

• How stories sometimes find you—and what it takes to listen
  
  

• Working with energy, intuition, and yes, even AI
  
  

• What happens when you stop asking for permission and just make the thing
  
  

This conversation is for artists who care about the process, not just the product and anyone trying to create meaningful work in a noisy world.

🛠️ Mentioned:

• Caroline’s writing incubator
  
  

• The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
  
  

• Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
  
  

• The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
  
  

Subscribe for new episodes every other week.
Because the most important work? It's the work no one claps for.

Follow us on Instagram & TikTok: @theunsceneworkpodcast
Follow Erik: @eriklingvall
Follow Caroline: @cslaughters

The Unscene Work is a podcast that pulls back the curtain on what really happens in the acting room — the mindset, the preparation, the heartbreak, and the hustle that most people never see. Hosted by acting coach Erik Lingvall and brought to you by Catapult Acting Studios, this show is for artists who care about the process, not just the spotlight.

Whether you’re an aspiring actor, a working creative, or someone navigating the ups and downs of building a dream, this podcast is your space to reflect, learn, and grow. Because the most important work? It’s the work no one claps for.

New episodes drop bi-weekly, featuring real conversations with producers, casting directors, directors, actors, and so many more voices shaping the industry from the inside out.

For more on the unscene work behind every breakthrough, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Follow us on Instagram & TikTok: theunsceneworkpodcast
Follow Erik Lingvall on Instagram: eriklingvall