Episode 4: A Fresh Angle with Filmmaker David Whitaker

Worlds Within is a podcast miniseries about place-based storytelling. On each episode, we talk with creators about the landscapes that shape stories, and the stories that shape landscapes.In this episode, we hear from filmmaker David Whitaker. David shares about his journey into film, as well as the influence of the faith community and Appalachian landscape around him. He cites C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien as literary influences, and we consider how these authors create immersive, cinematic worlds in their fiction.We also discuss David’s film Quest for Beauty, a documentary exploring the life and work of William Schickel, a twentieth-century Catholic artist. David reminds us that art is often found in a simple “turn” or shift that illuminates something true.Quest for Beauty is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime.Bio: David is a professor of film at Asbury University. He holds an MFA in Film and TV Production from Asbury University and a Masters in Creative Enterprise from the University of Reading (red-ing) in England. Before that, he worked in Hollywood in both production and digital rights management, serving clients from major studios like 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers, Lionsgate, MGM, and others. And in his free time, he continues to work on everything from feature films to commercials.Keep the conversation going in the comments section below!What are some films that made you feel as though you were truly immersed in the setting of the film?//Worlds Within: The Art of Place-Based Storytelling is a podcast miniseries exploring how writers bring landscapes to life on the page—and how attention to place helps us feel more at home in the world.Hosted by Jenna Brack and Adrienne Garrison, two writers drawn to art with a strong sense of place.Jenna Brack is the author of Pass-Through Place (Meadowlark Press, 2026), a collection of essays shaped by growing up in central Kansas. Her essays and poetry have been featured in Every Day Poems, Coffee + Crumbs, Fathom, The Sunlight Press, and others. A former educator and college instructor, Jenna now encourages other writers through editing and coaching. She holds an MA in English from Kansas State University and currently lives with her family in Germany.Pre-order Pass-Through Place. Follow Jenna on Substack: https://jennabrack.substack.com/Adrienne Garrison is a writer, educator, and podcaster based in Bloomington, Indiana. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Pacific University and has published work in Coffee + Crumbs, Literary Mama, and LETTERS Journal. Adrienne co-hosts the Exhale Creativity podcast, mentors young writers, and is currently seeking representation for her first novel. Follow Adrienne: https://adriennegarrison.substack.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adriennegarrison.substack.com