We’re looking forward to introducing you to Zack Dionne. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Zack, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I feel like we all are wondering towards a path that we don’t even know will lead us out of the woods. To me, it’s a very rare occasion where a person knows their true path.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Zack Dionne, and I’m an independent filmmaker based in Rhode Island founder the production company, Tallstory Studios.
I founded Tallstory Studios as a way to turn pain into purpose. I discovered filmmaking during one of the lowest points in my life; when everything felt heavy and meaningless, stories became my escape. They gave me a way to understand myself and connect with others who felt the same kind of silence.
Through my camera lens, I strive to create stories that connect deeply with people, offering a sense of catharsis and reflection through raw, cinematic emotion. I’m drawn to the kind of storytelling that doesn’t just entertain, the kind that makes you feel something days later.
Right now, I’m developing several projects that push the boundaries of independent filmmaking both visually and narratively.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My dad taught me more about work than anyone else ever could. He’s a landscaper, and I grew up working beside him; long days in the heat, cold mornings before sunrise, and everything in between. He never complained, never took shortcuts, and never let me either. Watching him build something from nothing, day after day, taught me that real work isn’t about talent, it’s about showing up even when you don’t feel like it.
That’s where my work ethic as a filmmaker comes from. The discipline, the patience, the pride in doing things right. I learned all of that from him. He made me understand that hard work isn’t punishment, it’s how you earn the right to do what you love.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I don’t think I’ll ever completely stop hiding my pain. It’s part of me, something I’ve learned to live with rather than escape from. But over time, I realized I could give it purpose. I started channeling it into my films, weaving pieces of my own story into something broader, something others could see themselves in. No one will ever truly know what the exact meaning of moments mean to me, but I will and then someone else will have a different understanding of it that affects them and that’s the point, pain is universal, it just wears different faces.
By turning mine into art, I found a way to connect with people without ever having to say the words out loud. That’s why I started; not to be seen, but to make others feel seen.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
That pain can be beautiful. Most people see it as something to run from, something to fix or bury. But I think pain; when you really sit with it, is one of the few things that makes us human. It sharpens you, humbles you, and if you let it, it teaches you how to see the world differently. Every piece of art I’ve ever made came from something that hurt.
I don’t believe healing always means getting rid of the pain. Sometimes it means learning how to carry it and turn it into something that moves others. That’s the part most people don’t understand, the darkness doesn’t have to destroy you; it can rebuild you.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When have you had to bet the company?
Honestly, every project feels like a bet. When you’re an independent filmmaker, there’s no safety net, you’re the company. I’ve put every dollar, every hour, every ounce of belief I have into my work, not knowing if it’ll pay off.
I’ve learned that betting on yourself isn’t about confidence; it’s about commitment. Every time I pick up a camera, I’m betting on my vision, my story, and the idea.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Zackdionne25
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@zackdionne?si=s7w_yCdRcDVY80Cq
Image Credits
Gian Mancini
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