Joshua Shultz is a man who wears many hats: director, writer, actor, producer, and photographer. Shultz chatted about writing, directing, and starring in his short film “Ride or Die.”
“Ride or Die” is a story about “two lost souls searching for connection, who find themselves thrust into a whirlwind of chaos.”
Through a series of dangerous and unpredictable events, their bond is tested, while their character is revealed.
The cast features Emma Kotos, Joshua Shultz, Timothy V. Murphy, Reyneen Pedro, Kiana Kaye, Amber Black, Mike Gonzales, Liz Cotter, Lauren Kayati, and Joe Kayati.
Idea for the short film
“During a photo shoot with model Emma Kotos, she filmed herself riding on the back of my Harley Davidson as we cruised down the road,” he said about the idea for the movie.
“When she showed me the clip, something about it sparked an idea—two people finding connection in the middle of chaos. Right then and there, I pitched the concept to her,” he elaborated.
“That same night, I went home, wrote the script, and sent it her way. She loved it, and from that moment, we dove headfirst into bringing it to life,” he added.
Inspirations as a filmmaker, photographer and creative
On his daily inspirations as a filmmaker, photographer, and creative, Shultz remarked, “I love getting out into the world—exploring beautiful places, immersing myself in nature, and connecting with people.”
“Life itself inspires me—the experiences, the moments, the stories waiting to be told,” he noted.
“A great song or a powerful movie can spark something deep, just like flipping through old film photos and seeing the past come to life. Inspiration is everywhere; I just have to be open to it,” he elaborated.
Shultz on his experience making ‘Ride or Die’
Regarding his experience making the short, he said, “I spent several months developing the script, assembling the cast and crew, and bringing this project to life.”
“I was fortunate to work with an incredible town in Texas that fully embraced the film and came together to make it happen. A huge thank you to Karissa Winters for introducing me to Victoria, where we found the perfect backdrop for our story,” he elaborated.
“The support from the local community was incredible—the police chief even came out, and the deputy police chief stepped in to play an officer responding to a robbery,” he said.
“Given that this is a sort of Bonnie and Clyde origin story, it was surreal to film in the oldest deli in the U.S., where Bonnie and Clyde once had lunch. We also shot at a local bar called The Barn and an old 1950s motel, capturing the raw, timeless feel we wanted,” he explained.
The production brought together an amazing team from all over—our talented camera crew drove in from Denver, our art director came from New Jersey, and actors traveled from Los Angeles,” he said.
“Timothy V. Murphy (“Sons of Anarchy” and “National Treasure”) delivered an incredible performance as our villain, and Kiana Kaye was absolutely terrifying in her role. It was also great to reunite with Reyneen Pedro after working together on Americana,” he elaborated.
“We were lucky to have an Emmy-winning composer, Ali Helnwein, scoring the film and seven-time Grammy winner Buck Snow handling sound,” he added.
Working with Emma Kotos
“Our lead, Emma Kotos, not only gave a phenomenal performance but also played a key role in producing the film,” he said.
“This was a dream team of cast and crew, and while I barely slept that week, we pulled off something truly special. The film has action, drama, and heart, and I can’t wait for people to see it,” he acknowledged.
The digital age
On being a filmmaker and photographer in the digital age, he said, “I think if you use social media well it can be a useful tool to get your art out there. But you have to never let it dictate how you make art.”
“Always strive to keep your voice authentic and yours and don’t change to get likes etc. So it becomes sort of a double-edged sword,” he added.
Future plans
On his future plans, he shared, “My next project is my first full-length feature film, which I’m hoping to start filming this summer. It’s a dream I’ve had my whole life, and finally bringing it to reality is beyond exciting.”
“In the meantime, I’m keeping busy with photo shoots, directing music videos, commercials, and documentaries—pushing my creative boundaries every step of the way,” he added.
Advice for young and emerging filmmakers and photographers
For young and aspiring filmmakers and photographers, he said, “The key is to keep creating and learning—always exploring new ideas and pushing yourself. That’s how you develop your style and find your voice.”
“Don’t create just to please others; make art that you truly love. When it comes from the heart, it’s real, and that’s what makes it powerful,” he added.
Shultz on Tyler Hynes and Andrew Walker
Shultz had great words about working with Hallmark actors Tyler Hynes and Andrew Walker over the years.
“It’s always fun getting to make art with good friends. You get to just play,” he exclaimed.
Success
On his definition of the word success, he revealed, “Success is having and achieving ones goals in life. With balance. Family, friends, and career.”
Closing thoughts on his ‘Ride or Die’ short
For fans and viewers, he stated, “It takes a village to make a film, and what we accomplished with so little time and money is truly incredible. We’re in the final stages now, and soon it will be complete. I can’t wait for everyone to see it.”
“This team poured their hearts into bringing this story to life, and I couldn’t be more grateful for their dedication and hard work,” Shultz concluded.
To learn more about Joshua Shultz, follow him on Instagram and visit his website.
