From Cleveland to LA: Rosie Sirk Discusses Independent Filmmaking, Creativity, and The Burning Question

An emerging filmmaker opens up about her process, her inspirations, and building a career in today’s indie film world.

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Independent filmmaking is full of unexpected turns, and few people embrace that unpredictability better than Rosie Sirk - a Cleveland-raised, LA-based filmmaker blending craft, emotion, and a whole lot of passion. From her early days in a strong high school art program to award-winning work at RIT and her current role at Old Fast Glass, Rosie has carved a path defined by curiosity and hands-on experience.

In our conversation,  she shares how she finds inspiration, what it’s like working behind the scenes with major productions, and the story behind her latest project, The Burning Question - a dark, atmospheric story filmed in the autumn landscapes of Cleveland. From unexpected snowstorms to all-night shoot camaraderie, Rosie shares the on-set memories, artistic motivations, and big-picture aspirations that continue to drive her forward.

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Getting to Know Rosie Sirk

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

Rosie Sirk: I got into filmmaking my senior year of high school, I went to Beaumont Highschool and the art program there was very strong. My teachers were very supportive with learning to shoot on film and making my own projects. I then went to the Rochester Institute of Technology, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Film Production. During my time there I worked on countless sets in many different positions, but I knew that cinematography and directing were my passion. My senior film received multiple accolades, including RIT’s Best Student Film for 2023. The environment was very inspiring, we were given a lot of freedom as well as access to high quality gear. Many of my classmates have continued to be my close friends and collaborators after college. After college I moved to Los Angeles to continue my career in filmmaking. I currently work as a senior prep tech at Old Fast Glass as well as a freelance AC on the weekends. It is definitely a busy schedule but I’m happy to be gaining as much experience as I can both with gear and on set.

Cleveland Camera Rental: Super cool to hear you currently work at Old Fast Glass! What’s it like being a Senior Prep Technician there? Do you have any cool stories to share?

Rosie Sirk: I love working at Old Fast Glass! It has opened up so many doors for me, being able to work with huge productions as well as representing my company for events like CineGear and ASC Lens Expos. My first friends in LA have all been at Old Fast Glass and we have grown alongside each other with our filmmaking careers. We are always crewing on each other’s sets.

Cleveland Camera Rental: Who or what typically influences your creative approach to cinematography/filmmaking?

Rosie Sirk: My typical influences for filmmaking come from the medium itself. Filmmaking is a unique storytelling tool with countless moving parts that all change how the audience is affected by your film. The freedom is both inspiring and daunting. My creative approach is shaped by how I feel I can best convey the emotions I feel. Reading a script, imagining the film, or relating my personal experiences and empathy are the strongest motivations for me. I then use programs like ShotDeck to find visual inspirations and physically draw shotlists that convey those ideas. Being able to show a cinematographer or art director a solid image is valuable, and enables them to bring their own creative vision to the project in alignment with my own.

I am also a big proponent of film and art history. I find paintings and sculpture to inspire my framing and expression while shooting. Filmmaking is connected to every other art form much beyond its own.

Cleveland Camera Rental: Outside of filmmaking, what are some other activities/hobbies you like to spend time doing?

Rosie Sirk: Outside of filmmaking I enjoy art, which encompasses so much. Painting, drawing, sewing, and general arts and crafts! I also enjoy rock climbing and running - both things I became more interested in once moving to Los Angeles and out of the Rochester weather.

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Behind the Scenes of The Burning Question

Cleveland Camera Rental: Tell us about this project - what’s it about, and how did it come together?

Rosie Sirk: The Burning Question came about because I wanted more experience with writing and directing. The only way to gain the experience of making a film is by actually doing it. For lack of a better term… this was created for “the love of the game.” For the love of art, for the love of filmmaking, and the love of storytelling. I feel most connected to dark and dramatic stories and this is no exception. We follow a devout nun who faced her own salvation when she is turned into a vampire. We are currently in post production and I am very excited to show it at film festivals.

Cleveland Camera Rental: What brought you back to Cleveland for this specific project?

I grew up in Cleveland and have a great love for the city. My family is still back there so I thought it was only fitting to bring some of my filmmaking home. I had never made a film in Cleveland prior to The Burning Question. I knew I wanted to showcase the beautiful autumn trees and rainy weather in this dramatic piece.

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

We were expecting only rain during the shoot, but around 2am it began to snow. Some of our crew members from Los Angeles had never been in a snow storm before, especially not on set. Despite this weather the crew morale was high and we all took turns gathering around the fire that was built for the scene but ended up playing a large role in keeping the crew warm. The final shot of the film is so striking because of the texture and movement of the snow. Even though we weren’t expecting it, the snow ended up creating my favorite shots of the film.

Cleveland Camera Rental: Any memorable behind-the-scenes moments you’d like to share?

Rosie Sirk: This film was all overnight shoots. After the completion of our last day, wrapping out all of the gear, and heading back to our basecamp the crew stayed up for an additional three hours to show each other our past projects. This crew was made up of two different groups of people in my life. One half being my collaborators from college and the other half being my collaborators in Los Angeles. Despite having never met before, the crew bonded instantly and rounding out the shoot with applauding each other’s past films, especially in an industry riddled with competition, was a rewarding experience as a director.

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What’s Next?

Cleveland Camera Rental: Besides post-production on this project - anything else in store for you in 2026? Fun plans? Upcoming projects?

Rosie Sirk: In 2026 I am going to continue to create my own projects and pursue my own filmmaking style. I want to explore the creative freedom I have now that I’ve gained experience working under other filmmakers and use that to manifest the stories that I have not been able to show before.

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

Your creative vision has value, no matter how experienced you feel. If you care about your idea, other people will too. Create pitch decks, treatments, care about your script, and treat it like your biggest project, every time. Don’t become caught up in what others are doing, filmmaking is an art and every artist is different. Good or bad, don’t stop creating.

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

Rosie Sirk: You can keep up with the project by following me at @rosiesirk on instagram and my website rosiesirk.com - thank you!

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Rosie’s story shows how far passion, perseverance, and a strong creative voice can take you. With The Burning Question in post-production and new projects already brewing, she’s continuing to shape her own path, one film at a time!