Kimberly Atwood & Atty Cleworth of Fieldhouse Productions on Five Things You Need to Be a Highly Successful Filmmaker
…I want to encourage others who are on unconventional paths to embrace it. I was diagnosed in my early 20s, and at 27, my life has been very different from others my age. But some of the best art and most creative ideas come from those difficult, dark times. I think it’s important to embrace slow living and carve your own path — there’s no one way to live or be successful. If you find what works for you and live authentically, people will follow. You’ll attract the right kind of people who align with your way of life. I’m on a personal mission to embrace what makes me different and encourage others to do the same…
I had the pleasure of talking with Kimberly Atwood and Atty Cleworth. Kimberly and Atty are the dynamic mother-daughter duo behind Fieldhouse Productions, a boutique film production company dedicated to impactful storytelling with an emphasis on authenticity and collaboration. Based outside Hollywood’s orbit, the mother-daughter duo has carved a unique space within the film industry, embracing both traditional cinema and unconventional narratives while championing young talent and innovative voices.
Kimberly’s background in business and media shaped much of her early career. Raised in an entrepreneurial household, she was immersed in business conversations from a young age. This upbringing informed her later work in marketing, production, and media, spanning multiple sectors, including professional sports, radio, television, and advertising. Her path into filmmaking, however, began unexpectedly. “I faked it till I made it,” Kim recalls about her first experience producing a documentary. After hiring a director and a cinematographer, she launched Fieldhouse Productions, finally realizing a lifelong dream of working in film.
Atty’s journey into film followed a different trajectory. Initially studying early childhood education with aspirations of becoming a special education teacher, Atty’s plans were abruptly altered when she fell ill her senior year of college. Later that year Atty was diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease, leading her to become a subject in and executive producer of Fieldhouse’s documentary, I’m Not Crazy, I’m Sick. Chronicling her battle with Lyme disease, the film not only raised awareness about the underrepresented illness but also marked Atty’s introduction to filmmaking. Following the experience, Atty joined her mother at Fieldhouse as a producer and head of business development.
At the heart of Fieldhouse’s mission is an emphasis on personal, raw storytelling. The company’s work blends social impact with entertainment, a guiding principle that began with their debut documentary and continues with their more recent projects. Fieldhouse recently collaborated with director Destry Allyn Spielberg on her feature directorial debut, Please Don’t Feed The Children, a horror-thriller that premiered at the prestigious Sitges International Film Festival in Spain in 2024. Atty played a leading role in managing the project, running logistics remotely from home during a day-long medical treatment — a testament to her resilience and dedication.
Despite their growing success, Kim and Atty take a deliberate approach to the projects they choose. As Kim notes, “We’re not just in this to make movies. We want to tell stories that connect with people.” Their focus extends beyond box-office potential to include collaborations with creators they respect and stories that reflect lived experiences. Working predominantly with female directors has been a natural, if unplanned, outcome of this approach. They also aim to foster a nurturing, ego-free work environment that balances professional ambition with personal well-being.
Kim and Atty are deeply committed to supporting emerging talent, particularly young women in film. They admire industry leaders like Greta Gerwig and Nancy Meyers, drawing inspiration from female filmmakers who have redefined storytelling in cinema. At the same time, their company thrives on collaboration across a variety of fields. “We can’t make movies alone,” Kim emphasizes. “The best ideas come from working in a group.” With this philosophy, Fieldhouse not only seeks innovative projects but also invests in cultivating meaningful professional relationships.
While Please Don’t Feed The Children has drawn attention for its genre-defying narrative and talented cast — featuring Michelle Dockery and Giancarlo Esposito — Fieldhouse’s ambitions extend beyond the horror genre. They are developing multiple scripted projects, including a new feature that balances comedy with heavy themes like chronic illness and mental health. These projects reflect their personal experiences and desire to engage audiences with meaningful, resonant storytelling.
Looking ahead, Kim and Atty envision expanding Fieldhouse’s reach into sports, fashion, and fine arts, leveraging Kim’s diverse professional background. Atty, with her literary sensibility, is eager to explore publishing and original screenplays. At the core of their work, however, remains a commitment to storytelling that makes an impact. Whether through documentaries, narrative films, or other creative ventures, Kim and Atty are driven by a passion for stories that inspire empathy and understanding.
Their advice for aspiring filmmakers emphasizes the importance of integrity, collaboration, and self-confidence. “Believe in yourself,” Kim says, “and others will believe in you.” Atty echoes this sentiment, adding that finding the right people to collaborate with is essential to long-term success. For both women, trust — both in oneself and in others — has been the foundation of their journey in film.
As Fieldhouse Productions continues to grow, Kim and Atty remain committed to their original mission of creating art that resonates with audiences. Their work reflects not only the challenges they have faced but also their belief in the power of storytelling to foster connection and change. Whether managing an international premiere remotely or balancing artistic ambition with personal health, Kim and Atty embody the spirit of perseverance, collaboration, and authenticity that defines their company.
Kim and Atty, it’s a delight and an honor to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about each of your personal origin stories. Kim, can you share with us your origin story?
Kim: Sure, thank you. Let me see… I grew up in a family where my father was an entrepreneur, and my mother was his silent but incredible business partner. He built a media and entertainment company with a national reach. He was big on teaching his kids about business — our dinner table conversations every night were all about it. So, I got a lot of experience just from being around that environment and working with them. I dabbled in every type of medium. My expertise was in marketing and production, and I worked in television, radio, professional sports, and even in airport advertising. We had a lot going on, and it was a great experience. About seven years ago, an opportunity kind of fell into my lap to work on a documentary. I completely faked it till I made it. I remembered a director I’d spoken to when I was in Seattle, quickly hired her and a DP, and that’s how Fieldhouse was created — and we were off and running. Film has always been a dream of mine. Ever since I was a little girl, I would go to the movies all the time, even by myself. So, being able to work in film now is a dream come true. I feel really privileged that we’re a small, nimble company. We’re not based in Hollywood — though we love Hollywood — it’s nice to have that separation. And we’ve just been really fortunate to hitch our cart to some really good people.
Yitzi: Beautiful. How about you, Atty?
Atty: Yeah, so for me, about five years ago, I was in college studying for my degree in early childhood education. I wanted to be a special education teacher. But during that time, I fell very ill with a chronic illness, and things got so bad that I had to take a medical leave of absence. My mom dropped everything in her work and personal life to become my full-time caregiver, helping me get diagnosed and onto a treatment protocol. In that process, I was diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease. My mom had just started Fieldhouse the year before, and once we were thrown into the world of chronic Lyme, we began learning how widespread it is — not just nationally, but globally — as well as how grossly underrepresented and misunderstood it was. My mom immediately saw an opportunity to make a documentary about it, and I was lucky enough to be one of the subjects we followed throughout the film. Not only was I a subject in the documentary, but I also got to executive produce it alongside my mom, which was an incredible experience. We met some amazing people throughout the process, and I kind of fell in love with the whole world of film production. Even after the documentary wrapped and we finished post-production and premiered it, I couldn’t really leave Fieldhouse behind. My mom kept me in the loop on projects she was working on, and eventually, I gave in. She officially hired me as a producer and head of development, and it’s been an amazing experience ever since. I’m learning so much, and I feel really lucky.
Kim: This last project with Destry Spielberg — which we’ll look forward to discussing with you, in two weeks — was managed by Atty, along with two of our employees. She also launched our new website and ran the entire premiere from here, even though it took place in Spain. So, she’s definitely up for the task.
Yitzi: That’s amazing. You must have some great stories and experiences from all the incredible people you’ve worked with. Can you share one or two of your favorite memories or anecdotes that stand out the most from your professional life?
Kim: Well, when I first started in this industry, the first project I worked on didn’t go well. I ended up collaborating with a director, but we had our differences, and unfortunately, it led to litigation. Thankfully, I had a wonderful entertainment attorney who helped me through it. After it was resolved, he asked me, “What do you want to do next?” And that’s when the idea for the Lyme documentary came to mind, and we jumped right into it. He made sure the next people he introduced us to were good people. That’s how we met the guys from Sypher Studios — Jason Pamer and Jens Jacob. They became producing partners on I’m Not Crazy, I’m Sick, and later on Please Don’t Feed the Children. We’re currently working with them on another script, attaching talent and directors. It’s been a wonderful partnership — built on good ethics and values — and that’s what we want for our business: working with good people. There are so many creative, talented people out there, and if you’re kind and honest, you can go far.
Yitzi: How about you, Atty?
Atty: One memory that really stands out for me was the night before we started filming the documentary. The next day was packed with filming — different appointments and parts of my life — and I had a bit of a panic attack about being on camera and sharing such a vulnerable part of my story. I was also dealing with some imposter syndrome, worrying that I wouldn’t do the film justice or deliver the story the way it deserved to be told. I just didn’t feel like I was the right person for it. We had an amazing director, Elle Brooks-Tao, who has since become one of my closest friends. She sat down with me that night and reassured me. What really stood out to me — and this ties into my mom’s story — was how genuine Elle and the whole team were. They were focused on telling an authentic story, not just about getting footage. It was all about making the subject feel comfortable so they could capture the truth. Elle told me to just be myself and reminded me of the good the documentary could do in the world, which, thankfully, it has. It’s made such an impact since it came out last year, which has been the biggest blessing. She shared all the reasons she believed I should be part of it, but in the end, she told me, “But you don’t have to. I’m not going to tell you that you need to do this or be on camera. It’s entirely your choice.” That moment was really special. She gave me back the freedom to make my own decision, which was important because I had been feeling obligated to do it. Knowing it was truly my choice made the whole process so much more enjoyable. It allowed me to be present and choose to be part of it every step of the way. I didn’t feel like I was just a subject being studied — I was actively involved behind the scenes, shaping the narrative and helping tell the stories of the other subjects. That experience gave me a sense of safety and comfort, knowing that even though I was in front of the camera, the people behind it were on my side. They wanted me to tell my story in a way that felt right for me. And that was really the beginning of everything for me.
Yitzi: It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a humorous mistake you made when you were first starting, and the lesson you learned from it?
Kim: When I was working on that project with the director that didn’t work out, I was already looking at my next project. There was another female director — fabulous — and I really wanted to invest in her film and the story she was producing. But my current director at the time talked me out of it. I didn’t realize it then, but she was jealous and didn’t want my resources going toward someone else’s work. It ended up being a missed opportunity. I was able to get back in later, but it wasn’t the same. The lesson I learned from that is to trust yourself — it’s so important to trust your gut in this business. Your instincts are your barometer. If you can, always follow your heart.
Atty: I think along the same lines of missed opportunities, there was a good year between the premiere of our documentary and me fully coming on board with Fieldhouse. During that year, I was really focused on my health, which rightfully took up a lot of my time and attention. But I also pushed away opportunities to join Fieldhouse full-time sooner because I doubted myself. I didn’t think I was capable. I wanted to make sure that if I came on board, I was earning my spot through my own effort, not just because my mom is the founder. I wanted to feel like I had truly earned my place in the company. As a result, there were plenty of meetings and opportunities where I was invited, but I kept myself out of those rooms because I didn’t think I belonged there. I didn’t feel worthy of being included. Looking back now, it’s kind of funny. Like my mom said, I managed to put together an entire premiere from another country while receiving treatment. The day of the premiere, I was hooked up to an 8-hour-long IV. I was getting everything done while receiving treatment, managing the whole event from afar. So, looking back, I realize how much I doubted myself, but in the end, I pulled off something huge in just a few weeks. The lesson for me is not to doubt myself again and to trust my gut. I really wanted to be part of Fieldhouse, but I kept coming up with reasons why I shouldn’t be — when all along, I belonged here.
Kim: I’m finding that the secret sauce of Fieldhouse is identifying young, talented people and giving them the chance to take the reins. I assign them to something, let them run with it, and they always impress me. They’re so smart, and in this digital world, I need that. I can do the big-picture stuff, but they ran the entire campaign last week. I’m surrounding myself with these beautiful young people, and I get to ride their coattails. [Laughter] And Atty’s one of them.
Yitzi: It’s amazing. You have so much impressive work. Please tell us about this exciting new film you just released.
Kim: Yeah, we absolutely loved being involved with Please Don’t Feed The Children. It all came together pretty recently. The opportunity was brought to us by one of our producing partners, Noli Mola. I have to say, with Destry’s name attached to it, we were immediately intrigued. They shared the rough cut with us as we were reviewing the deal, and honestly, the rough cut alone was enough. Her talent, the cast, and the involvement of Jason Dubin from Perry Street Films — who we really enjoy working with — made it an easy decision. It’s been such a great relationship investment, and on top of that, the product is absolutely fantastic.
Atty: It really is. Funny enough, we weren’t necessarily looking to get into horror, though we do love the genre. But ultimately, it wasn’t just the genre that pulled us in — it was the talent. As soon as we saw what Destry had created and had the chance to talk with her, it was clear she had immense potential. She’s such a lovely, mature person, and it just felt right. The film itself is amazing. The cast is phenomenal. Of course, we were already familiar with Michelle Dockery and Giancarlo Esposito from their past work, but the younger actors really stood out. I didn’t know most of them before, but now I’m a huge fan. They all have such bright futures, and we’re really honored to be part of helping share their talent with the world. The meeting with Dastrie, Jason, and their team really sealed the deal for us. After seeing the rough cut, we just knew, “Okay, this is fantastic. This is going to be a success.” But beyond that, we knew we were joining a team that simply wanted to make a great film. And honestly, there was something about Dastrie’s story that really resonated with both of us.
Kim: What stood out to me was the way she’s choosing her own path. I come from a family where people often accused me of nepotism, but my father had a way of handling us — he gave us big responsibilities and just told us to go. There was no hand-holding or coddling. So, seeing this young woman navigate her own journey felt very familiar, especially since Atty is her age and now working in a family business herself. The synergy between it all was incredible.
Yitzi: That’s great. So, is it a similar story — like her father told her, “Go out on your own and find your own way”?
Atty: Yes, exactly. I remember her sharing that with us on the call. She talked about how she naturally fell in love with film, growing up the way she did, but was always determined to carve her own path. Her father is really supportive, but she intentionally avoided using her last name — Dastrie Allen — so that her work could speak for itself. We really connected with that. And what’s even more impressive is that there’s just no ego with her.
Kim: So far, we’ve only worked with female directors — not because we set out to, but that’s just how the projects have lined up. And I have to say, the men who work with us as part of our female-led teams love it. There are no egos, and we create a naturally nurturing environment. As women producers, we’re also really good at juggling a lot of tasks, balancing work and life, and getting things done. Family always comes first, and then we handle the rest. That’s the kind of culture we want to foster in all our projects.
Yitzi: Yeah. Any other exciting projects on the horizon that you want to share, or that you’re allowed to?
Kim: We have so many exciting projects! Honestly, I wish I could do them all. We’ve got a pile of scripts, and we’re really diving into scripted features now, which I love. Independent films are especially close to my heart. Right now, we have a lot of deals in motion, but there’s one script we own that we’re particularly excited about. It’s a beautiful story, and we’re in the process of rewriting it, looking at directors, and thinking about lead talent. We’re really thrilled about it. We also have fantastic partners at Wonderdream and Fieldhouse who are producing it with us. This time, Atty and I aren’t just executive producers — we’re fully involved as producers, which we absolutely love.
Atty: Yeah, it’s something we’re really passionate about. I think one of the things my mom and I will always strive to do as we build our business is to work on projects from the very beginning. The most special ones are the ones where you’re part of the process from day one, helping shape the story from the initial script into what it eventually becomes. Being involved in that kind of genesis is so rewarding.
Kim: Absolutely. Our primary mission, though Please Don’t Feed The Children was a fun project, is to create entertainment with impact. The new film we’re working on is technically a comedy, but it also has some very dramatic themes. It touches on friendship, suicidal thoughts, and chronic illness, so there’s a lot of depth. It’s the kind of story that resonates with people who’ve been through similar experiences, and that’s exactly the kind of work we want to do — projects that truly connect with people.
Atty: Yeah, because our introduction to filmmaking was through documentaries, and it started with a personal story — my mom’s desire to tell the story of her daughter getting sick, hoping it would help other parents and children facing the same struggles. That was the heart of how we began, and it came from such an authentic place. When we were making the documentary, we used to say, “If just one person sees this and their life is changed, that’s enough.” Our goal wasn’t to make money or blockbusters — it was to tell a genuine story. And that’s something we want to keep at the core of all the work we do moving forward.
Kim: And, of course, we love supporting women in film. It’s not something we’ve set out to do intentionally — it’s just naturally happened that way. We also have some amazing women in the industry to look up to: Greta Gerwig, Nora Ephron, Reese Witherspoon — these women inspire us. We want to be part of that movement, giving women more opportunities to tell their stories, because women have incredible stories to tell. We play so many roles in life, and those perspectives matter.
Atty: Exactly. I think part of the problem is that, as a country, we’re only now starting to look back and reflect on the voices that have been missing from our historical narratives. So much history has been told from a male perspective, and while that perspective is important, we also need the female perspective. It’s about balance — the Yin and Yang — but there’s been a disproportionate lack of women’s voices, especially in the film industry. That’s something we really want to champion.
Kim: My two other employees are my sons. And the men they’ve grown into — they’re beautiful, thoughtful, and compassionate. Honestly, I’m so proud of this younger generation. They’re much more sensitive, compassionate, and open to equal partnerships. It’s really beautiful to see.
Atty: Yeah, my mom and I are leading the production side of Fieldhouse right now, but as my brothers get more involved, there’s a lot more to come. We have big plans for the future.
Kim: Definitely. There’s so much we want to do. We’re excited about expanding into sports and entertainment since we have a background in that. We also want to explore fashion — I have a lot of experience there — and I’m a fine artist with connections in the art world. We’d love to get involved in that space too. We’re also interested in publishing. Atty has an incredible literary mind, and I’m working on an original screenplay based on life stories. There’s so much we want to explore. The future for Fieldhouse is really exciting.
Yitzi: That sounds so promising and exciting. I really can’t wait to see how this story unfolds. Just out of curiosity, I often interview women directors and screenwriters — do you have a process for people to get their scripts in front of you?
Kim: We just launched our website, and people can contact us through that. They can also reach us on social media. Atty is heading up development now, and she has an assistant who helps manage all the new submissions. We’ll definitely get back to you.
Atty: Yes, absolutely. Our website is www.fieldhouse.productions and there you can find everything you need to know about us, our company, and our projects. We’re also on Instagram at fieldhouse_productions. In terms of direct contact, script submissions, or potential collaborations, you can email us at [email protected]. As Head of Development, part of my job is to read new scripts when they come in and decide if it has potential and aligns with our company’s values. If it does, I pass it along to our team for a more detailed read. They’ll provide notes, and together we’ll figure out the next steps. So, if anyone out there has a script they believe in and think it fits with what we do, please send it our way. We’d love to take a look!
Yitzi: So, this is our signature question that we ask in all our interviews. Both of you have been blessed with a lot of success. Looking back to when you first started, can you share five things you need to be a successful filmmaker?
Kim:
- The first one is integrity.
- The second is confidence — you need to fake it till you make it because honestly, nobody really knows what they’re doing! [Laughter] The attorneys can handle the contracts — let them worry about that stuff. Everything else is about the big picture.
- Oh, and stick to your budgets! [Laughter]
- Believe in yourself, and others will believe in you.
- And most importantly — follow your heart.
- One more bonus one, hire good people — and then get the heck out of their way! [Laughter] That’s the key to success. Collaboration is one of the cornerstones of our business. We love partnerships and working with others — we can’t make movies alone! And honestly, the best ideas come from working in a group.
Yitzi: Anything you’d like to add, Atty?
Atty: Gosh… along the lines of collaboration, I’d say finding like-minded people — people you love working with and can build future projects with. Collaboration really is key. If you try to do it all on your own, you’ll burn out. You need help from others, so finding the right people to work with is essential.
Yitzi: Amazing. Now, this is what we call our “matchmaker question,” and sometimes it works. We’re very lucky to have some prominent leaders in entertainment and business read this column. If you could sit down for coffee or collaborate with anyone in the world, who would it be? We could tag them on social media and maybe make a connection…
Kim: Oh my God, there are so many people!
Atty: Wow, what a fun question!
Kim: Well… I was going to say Nancy Meyers. I love her! [Laughter] I want to make a film with her.
Nancy Meyers is a brilliant director, producer, and writer. She’s done so many great rom-coms — It’s Complicated, Something’s Gotta Give, The Holiday. I adore her work. Her films have gotten me through some of the darkest times in my life, especially recently with my divorce. I’m an entrepreneurial woman, just like the characters she writes about, and I’m building my business now. I think I have some really fun, meaty stories to tell, and if she’s looking for a partner, I’d love to collaborate with her.
Yitzi: Well, we’ll do our best to get her attention!
Atty: For me, I’d probably say Shailene Woodley. She’s someone I grew up watching on screen. Obviously, she’s an incredible actress, but she’s also a producer, and I really admire the projects she chooses. I’ve watched and read every interview she’s ever done! Her latest project, Three Women, is based on the book by Lisa Taddeo, which I loved. She’s such a personal and professional inspiration to me.
Kim: If I had to name actors, it would be Julia Roberts and George Clooney. And Tom Hanks! Julia Roberts is my idol — she’s amazing. And Tom Hanks… oh my God, he’s just the most wonderful human being on the planet. Let’s manifest that! Manifestation is a big part of our lives. It really works. If you clear the noise from your life and focus on what you want — and surround yourself with good people — you can achieve anything.
Yitzi: This is our “aspiration question,” the last one, and it’s a little more serious. Because of your great work, both of you are people of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would it be?
Kim: That’s such a beautiful question. For me, it would be about spreading compassion, love, and understanding. I know war can be necessary at times, but if we could just put down our weapons and be kind to one another, the world would be so much better. And we need to slow down as a society. People need to go to theaters, turn off their phones, and lose themselves in the magic of movies. Life is stressful, and this digital world moves too fast. We’re in the middle of a mental health crisis, especially with young people. I just want to help people find happiness.
Atty: Yeah, I agree. For me, because of my personal experience with chronic illness, I want to encourage others who are on unconventional paths to embrace it. I was diagnosed in my early 20s, and at 27, my life has been very different from others my age. But some of the best art and most creative ideas come from those difficult, dark times. I think it’s important to embrace slow living and carve your own path — there’s no one way to live or be successful. If you find what works for you and live authentically, people will follow. You’ll attract the right kind of people who align with your way of life. I’m on a personal mission to embrace what makes me different and encourage others to do the same.
Kim: It’s always better to be the black sheep. Do you really want to follow the herd?
Atty: Exactly. Being different is usually a sign that you see the world in a unique way — and that’s something to celebrate.
Kim: The people who are labeled “different” are often the ones who aren’t satisfied with the status quo. They’re the ones who see a better future and head toward it. And while the world may try to tear them down, they’re the ones leading change. That’s what we’re trying to do — one day at a time.
Yitzi: Amazing. How can our readers watch Please Don’t Feed The Children or any of your other work?
Atty: Our documentary, I’m Not Crazy, I’m Sick, is available on several streaming platforms — Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and On Demand.
Kim: I also want to shout out another documentary we were involved in called Exposure, directed by Holly Morris. It’s about a group of women from different backgrounds and cultures who trained for two years to cross-country ski to the North Pole. Holly has been taking it to festivals and speaking events, promoting collaboration and peace. It’s a beautiful project, though it’s not widely available yet.
Kim: As for Please Don’t Feed The Children, it just premiered at the Sitges Film Festival in Spain.
We hope to do something in the U.S. soon, and of course, we’re aiming for a great distribution opportunity.
Yitzi: It’s been such a joy to meet you both. Hopefully, we can stay in touch. If you have any projects you think we should cover, we’d be delighted to feature them.
Kim: Thank you so much! We’d love to stay in touch.
Kimberly Atwood & Atty Cleworth of Fieldhouse Productions on Five Things You Need to Be a Highly… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.