Today we’d like to introduce you to Trisha Gianesin

Trisha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

About 14 months ago, my life changed forever. Before the pandemic, I was deeply fulfilled in my career in Human Resources—a path I had dedicated 20 years to. Unfortunately, complications and symptoms from Lupus forced me to retire. Lupus, an autoimmune disease, comes with a host of challenges, and one of the hardest for me was experiencing “lupus fog.” For those unfamiliar, lupus fog affects memory, focus, and cognitive processing. It’s like trying to think through a dense cloud, making even simple tasks feel monumental.

In August 2023, during a particularly severe bout of lupus fog, my doctor suggested an unconventional approach: a brain game. He encouraged me to take on something completely foreign to me—something I had never imagined doing—and learn it. The goal was to stimulate my brain in new ways and, hopefully, improve the fog. I knew immediately what I wanted to try. I turned to my husband and said, “I think I want to make a film, or a short film, or something.” At that moment, I didn’t know the how or the what—I just knew.

As I often do when making major decisions, I turned on one of my favorite science fiction series: Travelers. It’s a show that resonated with me deeply, especially during some of the hardest times in my life. Watching it, I had an epiphany—I didn’t just want to make a film; I wanted to write and produce a science fiction screenplay and actually see it through to completion.

It hasn’t been a simple journey. Since that realization, I’ve written original scripts, optioned stories from other writers, and surrounded myself with an incredible creative network. I’ve sent what I call “completely sober drunk emails” to talented individuals, pitching my ideas with unbridled passion and a lot of hope. To my surprise and gratitude, they didn’t laugh me out of the room. Instead, they embraced my vision and encouraged me to keep pushing forward.

Along the way, I’ve completed two short films. The first, #6, a darkly humorous and suspenseful piece, was my initial foray into filmmaking and taught me invaluable lessons about storytelling and production. Most recently, I produced Toxemia, a micro-short horror film that’s part of The Toxicity Anthology, a three-part series exploring psychological tension and non-linear narratives. Each project has been a stepping stone toward my ultimate goal.

Now, here I am—a little over a year later—just months away from filming my first feature project, The Cronos Paradox. What started as a doctor’s challenge to help with lupus fog has become my new passion.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Surprisingly, this journey has been one of the few areas in my life that hasn’t been riddled with too many hiccups. That said, it hasn’t been entirely smooth sailing either. Much of the challenge has stemmed from my inexperience in the creative world. Coming from a background in HR, I was entering a completely unfamiliar industry, and it was daunting at first to navigate the intricacies of filmmaking.

One of the biggest hurdles was simply learning the language of this new world—terms like “coverage,” “blocking,” or “color grading” were foreign to me. There were definitely moments of feeling overwhelmed, wondering if I was in over my head. I’ll never forget being on the set of #6 when my gaffer mentioned doing “wild sound.” I just stopped in the middle of everything and asked, “What’s that?” It was one of those moments where I felt completely out of my depth but also reminded myself that it’s okay to ask questions. Every time I admitted I didn’t know something, someone on the team would step up to explain, and I walked away knowing more than I did before.

Another challenge has been building a network. Unlike my HR career, where I had years to cultivate connections, I was starting from scratch in the film industry—a world full of professionals my kids’ ages. I’m in my late 40s, working with people who are often younger than my oldest child. At first, it felt a little intimidating stepping into a space where so many people had grown up immersed in this industry or had been pursuing it for years. But I quickly realized that creatives are some of the most generous and kind individuals you’ll ever meet. Their willingness to share knowledge, collaborate, and support one another made the steep learning curve much more manageable and helped me feel like part of the community, despite my late start.

Finally, working through lupus fog has added a layer of complexity. There are days when my mind feels like it’s stuck in quicksand, and even simple tasks require immense focus and energy. I’ve learned to pace myself, lean on my team, and give myself grace when things don’t go as planned.

Despite the bumps along the way, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have more successes than setbacks. The creative world is new to me, but it’s also become a place of discovery and joy. Every project, every connection, and every lesson has reinforced that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

In my role as the owner and producer of 6MP Films, I specialize in creating emotionally resonant, thought-provoking projects, with a particular focus on sci-fi thrillers and psychological horror. While I am still relatively new to the world of filmmaking, I have found a niche in blending complex narratives with real-world struggles. My work tends to explore deep psychological themes, often centered around identity, perception, and the human experience—especially in the context of challenging environments. My most recent project, Toxemia, is a prime example of this, showcasing my ability to tackle intricate, layered storytelling that resonates with audiences on a personal level.

What sets me apart from others in the industry is my unique journey. Having transitioned from a career in HR to film production, I entered this creative world with no formal training or background. But what I lacked in experience, I made up for with an unwavering passion and a commitment to learning. Over the past year, I’ve immersed myself in every facet of filmmaking, from writing and producing to managing technical aspects on set. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with a team of incredibly talented and generous creatives who have guided me through this learning curve.

One of the things I’m most proud of is the community I’ve built through this process. I’ve stepped far out of my comfort zone, put myself out there despite my inexperience, and taken risks—both personally and professionally. The relationships I’ve formed, the people I’ve met, and the collaborations I’ve initiated are the true highlights of this journey. From the actors to the crew, to the screenwriters and other industry professionals I’ve had the privilege of working with, these connections have shaped my growth and success. They’ve helped me realize that film production is as much about the people you work with as it is about the final product.

I believe what sets me apart is this willingness to embrace vulnerability—acknowledging what I don’t know and learning from others. It’s what allowed me to create something like Toxemia, a project that relies not only on a compelling narrative but also on the trust and collaboration of an amazing team. In the end, the connections I’ve made and the growth I’ve experienced as part of the creative community are what I’m most proud of. They’re a testament to the power of stepping outside your comfort zone and believing in the journey, even when the path ahead is uncertain.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?

Looking ahead, I believe the future of the film industry is shifting towards more collaborative, community-based approaches. If you’ve spoken to me for more than a couple of minutes, you know that I draw a lot of inspiration from Brad Wright and his approach, particularly in the way he built a loyal, tight-knit team for his projects. Brad was ahead of his time in recognizing the power of finding your people—building a group of trusted creatives who grow together over time, taking on different roles and honing their skills with each new project. This philosophy is something I strive to emulate on every set, and I truly believe it’s the future of filmmaking.

In the coming 5-10 years, I see this trend becoming even more pronounced. As independent filmmaking continues to grow, especially with the increasing accessibility of technology and distribution platforms, there will be a stronger emphasis on collaboration. Filmmakers will find their communities—groups of people who understand their vision, their style, and their voice—and will grow together, evolving as a team. This creates a sense of continuity and trust, which in turn leads to stronger, more cohesive work across multiple projects.

At the heart of all of this, I think it’s the people who make up a team that will continue to drive the industry forward. We’re moving away from a top-down, hierarchical approach to filmmaking and towards a more fluid, collective model. The future of filmmaking is about creating with your people—those who understand you, challenge you, and inspire you—and together, you’ll be able to create many masterful works that leave a lasting impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.6mpfilms.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/6mpfilms/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/6MPFilms
• Twitter: https://x.com/6MPFilms
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@6MPFilms