In this episode of the Set Tracker Behind the Scenes Podcast, host Kyle McCachen talks with writer/director Tony Tost (Longmire, Damnation) about his debut feature film Americana, starring Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria, The White Lotus) and Paul Walter Hauser (Black Bird, Richard Jewell). Opening in theaters today from Lionsgate, Americana is a gripping neo-Western about love, loyalty, and survival on the edge of the law.
Tony shares how his rural upbringing, love of samurai films, and passion for epic, morally complex stories shaped his creative voice. He breaks down the elements that keep him coming back to the Western genre—open landscapes, impossible moral choices, and the constant threat of violence—and why he’s drawn to loaded, one-on-one conversations where the subtext is deadlier than any gunfight.
From writing his way into Hollywood with Longmire to creating Damnation, and now directing Americana, Tony discusses how he builds toward moments of action and catharsis, navigates tone, and crafts characters whose friction drives the story forward. He also reveals behind-the-scenes stories from working with Sweeney and Hauser, the improvisational moments that made it into the final cut, and the “movie gods” twists that shaped the shoot.
For aspiring filmmakers, this episode is a masterclass in carving out a creative lane, writing to your strengths, and making the leap from writer to director—while staying true to the story only you can tell.
Follow Tony Tost
Twitter: @tonytost
Instagram: @tonytost