Cleveland Filmmaker Payton Burkhammer Brings First Love to Life in On The Street Where You Live

Filmmaker Payton Burkhammer shares the inspiration, challenges, and creative vision behind her latest short film: a nostalgic, female-centered story about teenage love, memory, and self-discovery.

Cleveland’s indie film scene continues to grow with passionate storytellers bringing deeply personal stories to the screen and Payton Burkhammer is one of them. With her fourth short film, On The Street Where You Live, she explores the tender, awkward, and unforgettable experience of first love through a distinctly local lens. In this interview, she shares how the film came together, what she learned along the way, and why Cleveland remains such an important part of her creative path.

Getting to Know Payton Burkhammer

Cleveland Camera Rental: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background in filmmaking?

Payton Burkhammer: I'm super excited to share more about my short! On The Street Where You Live is the fourth short film I've written and directed. I am a full-time freelancer in the film and television industry, recently working on projects like "Love Is Blind" and "Carousel". I was lucky to be selected for the Cleveland Indie Film Incubator in 2023, and I'm so happy to once again have the support from Cleveland Camera Rental.

About the Film

Cleveland Camera Rental: Tell us about this project! What’s it about and how did it come together?

Payton Burkhammer: On The Street Where You Live is a female-centered story that celebrates the exploration of girlhood, confidence, and self-worth. The film is about 14-year-old Julia, a romantic at heart who can't find a way to break the ice with her crush. Until a lesson on Romeo and Juliet inspires her to linger around her crush's neighborhood, hoping to spark a connection. As a director, I love exploring heartfelt, true-to-life films that connect audiences to memories they might have forgotten. This film brings you face to face with the awkwardness of being a teenager, grasping for any kind of guide to how to make it through love unscathed. I wanted to make this film to explore the theme that when it comes to love, history is always repeating itself.

Cleveland Camera Rental: Was there a particular shot, scene, or moment that you’re especially proud of?

Payton Burkhammer: This was my first time pulling off a poor man's process for a car scene, and I was really proud of the results! With the tough weather conditions in December, we decided the safest option for our budget would be to keep the car parked and use our lights strategically to create the illusion of movement. Our Gaffer, Phil Palumbo, guided our G&E team to create a very realistic effect that served our story in a major way.

Cleveland Camera Rental: What was the most challenging day of the shoot - and why?

Payton Burkhammer: Our most challenging day of filming took place on day two. Ohio was hit with a major snowstorm, and we almost had to cancel the shoot. Luckily, our team was able to push through and film the last, and arguably most important, scene of the film. I had hoped I would be able to capture the magic of snow during the holiday season, but we ended up getting a blizzard! Although it was tough to film in the freezing weather, we were able to capture beautiful footage that reflects a perfect Ohio snow day.

Cleveland Camera Rental Gear and Equipment

Cleveland Camera Rental: Your film was selected as a grant recipient for Cleveland Camera Rental’s rental credit grant program! How did receiving the grant affect your film’s production?

Payton Burkhammer: This grant was paramount to the creation of our film. We relied heavily on our CCR credit to fill in the gaps of our equipment budget. With limited resources, we really appreciated the program's flexibility in helping us source equipment that fit our dream aesthetics for the film.

Cleveland Camera Rental: Was there a specific camera, lens, or lighting tool you rented that you were most excited about or that shaped the visual language of the film?

Payton Burkhammer: Our Director of Photography, Jackson Clark, loved the opportunity to work with the Cooke Panchro lenses from CCR. Throughout pre-production, we had many conversations and references to the film's vintage feel, and our lens choice felt incredibly important. Combined with our filters, the Pancros gave us a soft, organic feel that felt cinematic without the added harshness.

Reflection and Final Thoughts

Cleveland Camera Rental: What do you hope audiences feel when the credits roll?

Payton Burkhammer: After watching the film, I hope that audiences feel more connected to their past. The biggest compliment I could receive is if it reminded someone of their own childhood or first crush. I think this film can be a conversation starter about the ways we've tried to seek connection in our lives, and maybe struck out or embarrassed ourselves along the way. It might take you back to a teenage version of yourself and bring up memories you can laugh or reminisce about with those you love.

What's Next for Payton Burkhammer

Cleveland Camera Rental: Any advice you’d give to other filmmakers starting out in the indie scene?

Payton Burkhammer: There are so many great opportunities to connect with other filmmakers in Cleveland, so use that accessibility to your advantage. Don't take for granted how easy it is to meet other filmmakers, learn from peers, and gain support from community partners. My advice would be to find filmmakers who are on the next 'rung' in their career and get their advice before you start production. Before I began casting this project, I connected with a fellow filmmaker about how they registered as a SAG project, which was a major help as I began the application process. Not asking for help along the way can bring you unnecessary headaches. Learn from others' mistakes and ask lots of questions before you start!

Cleveland Camera Rental: Please let us know how our audience can keep up with this project and your other work!

Payton Burkhammer: You can follow this project on Instagram at @streetwhereyoulive_film

At its core, On The Street Where You Live is a love letter to growing up. Through thoughtful storytelling and a strong sense of place, Payton captures the universal experience of vulnerability while grounding it in the spirit of Cleveland’s creative community. As she continues her path in filmmaking, her work stands as a reminder of the power of local stories, collaboration, and taking risks. Be sure to follow along with the film’s journey and see where Payton’s storytelling goes next!