Breaking Down Barriers: Creative Partnerships, Spec Work, and Indie Filmmaking with Addison Henderson

Who Are We?

  • Rob Szobski is a creative director, media strategist, and founder of Szobski Design, as well as the host of the Buffalo Business & Banter podcast. Specializing in brand consulting, photography, video production, and motion graphics, Rob works closely with local and national creators to bring high-level visual concepts to life.

  • Addison Henderson is a filmmaker, writer, director, actor, and producer from Buffalo, NY. Known for his award-winning documentaries like The Forgotten City and his apocalyptic sci-fi thriller Givers of Death (now streaming across major platforms), Addison has spent years building a distinct cinematic voice while collaborating with major industry figures, including the late Chadwick Boseman.

What We Cover in the Interview

In this episode of Buffalo Business & Banter, Rob sits down with longtime friend and collaborator Addison Henderson to dive deep into what it truly takes to navigate the film industry and build a sustainable creative career.

Key topics discussed in the video include:

  • How We First Connected [01:27]: The story of how Rob and Addison met at a local fundraiser in 2019, leading to an animated promo, movie poster designs, and a lasting creative partnership for Givers of Death.

  • The Power of "Spec" Work [05:52]: Why taking on unpaid passion projects or spec writing early on can open doors to lifelong relationships, higher-value client work, and full creative control.

  • Behind the Scenes of Givers of Death [10:38]: Insights into the editing room, cutting dialogue vs. scenes, crafting character reveals, and working with composer Christie Marshall on the film's score.

  • Future Cinematic Projects [09:26]: Addison shares a sneak peek into his upcoming feature project—a reimagining of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds—and his vision for taking indie cinema to international red carpets.

  • Business Survival Tips for Filmmakers [36:56]: Learning multiple departments on set, diversifying your skill set ("Jack of all trades"), navigating lean financial years, and using modern platforms to stay independent.

  • Roots, Family, and Purpose in Buffalo [47:02]: A personal reflection on family influence, storytelling heritage, the Buffalo waterfront, and staying grounded in purpose over profit.