Cinema After Dark Podcast

This is a special episode of the interview conducted with Actress, Mela Hudson. https://www.gofundme.com/in-loving-memory-of-mela https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/burbank-ca/mela-hudson-7967439 https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4706738/

Melessa Y. Sargent returns to talk about screenwriting and her organization, the Scriptwriters Network. She provides an update on their networking events, services, programs, guest speakers, and the consultants that the Scriptwriters Network offers. How do you overcome writer's block? What are the benefits of script coverage? What is a high concept screenplay? Do you need to reside outside of Los Angeles to have a successful writing career? Find out this and more in this episode. Melessa is looking for people like you to join. Listen and learn how you can participate, join, learn, and network with other entertainment professionals. http://scriptwritersnetwork.com/ https://www.meetup.com/The-Scriptwriters-Network/

Suzanne Schmidt joins us and discusses her latest web series, HEY YOU, IT’S ME. Producing this series led to a successful crowdfunding opportunity, and through festival success, a private investment group helped her deliver season one. This series is currently distributed via Seed&Spark. We also discuss the genesis of Susanne’s newly formed production company, High Tide Pictures. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2929563/ http://suzanne-schmidt.com/ http://www.heyyou-itsme.com/

Raeshelle Cooke joins us and discusses her latest films, MT. WASHINGTON and WRATH CITY. We discuss her influences, love for music and music videos, and the use of misdirection, social commentary, and twists and turns in cinema. We also talk about the importance of #WomenInFilm, especially from the perspective of a woman of color. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5597640/ https://raeshellecooke.com https://vimeo.com/raeshelle

Max sends a shout-out and shares an update with guests and to everyone that has listened to this podcast. Thank you for sharing this podcast with friends, family, and colleagues. Please use the links below to continue spreading the word. Keep filming! I greatly appreciate your support!

Social Media Strategist, Heidi Dean, revisits us with an update. What do you post when you’re not booking? Heidi discusses the influence of the Chewbacca Mask Lady video and the impact it had on social media and within the Facebook Live community. We also talk about Sophie Turner and the influence of followers when booking a job. Heidi also shares the three steps necessary to increase follower growth. What is an Inspiration Station, and why should you have one? What are the best social media platforms? What is Heidi's 21 Day Social Rockstar Challenge? Find out this and much more in this episode. http://marketing4actors.com/cinema/

Ciera Foster returns with an update. We discuss 3 Levels of Focus, Feminism, The Bechdel Test, #WomeninFilm, Ethnic Diversity, how to dismantle gender and racial stereotypes in film, as well as the inclusion of women in films. Ciera shares her love and appreciation for comics, and we discuss her role as Amanda McKee | Livewire in NINJAK VS THE VALIANT UNIVERSE (TV Series). We also discuss her roles in MY APOCALYPTIC THANKSGIVING, ON THE RUN, and all of Ciera's amazing charity work. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5998600/ http://cierafoster.com/

Alexandra Boylan shares the fascinating story of how she went from homeless to relocating back to Albuquerque, New Mexico to make her first feature film. Alexandra provides several distribution pointers. We discuss HOME SWEET HOME — a film she raised $2500 via a crowdfunding campaign that was sold and distributed for $20,000. We talk about what it means to be a #WOMENINFILM and why men and women must act to create change in the industry. We also discuss AT YOUR OWN RISK, WISH FOR CHRISTMAS, THRESHOLD, and TO THE NEW GIRL. Alexandra serves as the Outreach Coordinator for Ms. In The Biz. She is the co-collaborator of the book, “Thriving in Hollywood.” http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0102153 http://mirrortreeproductions.com/

Rod Hermansen shares a touching story about his father that inspired him to continue pursuing acting and storytelling. We discuss his roles in WHOEVER KNEW, THE LYME LYTE, GEOSTORM, THE HUNGAR GAMES: MOCKINGJAY, and COMING HOME — the feature film he wrote, directed, and stars in, inspired by his relationship with his daughter. Rod is currently developing another feature film, AN EYE FOR AN EYE. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5516261

During Part 2 of my discussion with Burgandi Trejo Phoenix, we discuss Talentboom and her work as a Brand Ambassador. We also talk about her work on CONAN (TV) and the one woman show that she is developing with a self-created character, Chiquita Bonita. We also discuss SPEED DRAGON. Burgandi is in the process of producing her first short film and feature film. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4553974/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM54gZ_6NBhtaqKxFN19yDA

Denell Johnson shares a crazy life changing story at the beginning of this episode. He discusses his transition to Los Angeles and some of the lessons he learned while trying to navigate the business side of the film and television industry. He tells a hilarious story involving Don Cheadle, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, John Cho, and Kristen Bell. He also shares a fantastic story about the time he auditioned for Damon Wayans and how he was able to book that job and work with him. We discuss his roles in DEAR WHITE PEOPLE (TV Series), HOUSE OF LIES (TV Series), THE ORVILLE (TV Series), LETHAL WEAPON (TV Series), and NCIS: LOS ANGELES (TV Series). Denell also talks about the web series he wrote and produced, DOGS ARE A WOMAN’S BEST FRIEND. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2695249 https://twitter.com/denellj

Myah Hollis and Sarah Hawkins join us and discuss the genesis of OR DIE TRYING, a web series written and created by Myah and executive produced by Sarah. We talk about the promotional concept trailer they shot as a pitch for their crowdfunding campaign, as well as how they were able to launch season one. http://www.odtseries.com/ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5613014/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm8053109 http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5174038

Jackie Dallas shares a cool story about her transition into the entertainment industry. She shares several important pointers for those inspiring to start an acting career. We discuss the impact of her role as Jen on the hit Netflix series, STRANGER THINGS. We also discuss her roles in THE PINING, MR INVINCIBLE and TALK WITH ME. Jackie also announces her upcoming role in the web series, REPRESENT. She is currently producing a feature film titled, LOOK INTO THE FIRE. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm6399766/ https://www.jackiedallas.com/

Jonathan T. Coleman shares how working for a college radio station was his first exposure to broadcast. He discusses the importance of exercising your creative and rest muscles. We also discuss the methods that he uses to obtain voice-over work. Jonathan reminds us of the importance of selecting the right equipment. He shares several do’s and don’ts that will help anyone looking to start a career in the voice-over industry. In addition to his work in film development and production, and as an established Voice-Over Artist, Jonathan has been developing a cerebral puzzle platformer game (Albatross Game), about time travel, causation, and death with Chad Voss. https://www.jonathantcoleman.com/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2994572/

Ethan Paisley explains how his YouTube channel, which quickly landed over 600,000 views, taught him the business aspect of filmmaking. Ethan credits social media for jump starting his career and shares several pointers. We discuss THE ART OF ESCAPE, PLAYING THE GAME, POINT 453, INDELIBLE, and the upcoming film, THE ART OF LOVE — a film project under James Franco’s production company, produced by Elysium Bandini. We also discuss the genesis of Ethan’s production company, TAKE 18 ENTERTAINMENT, a company run by a group of film enthusiasts under the age of 18, as well as how much Ethan enjoys producing and directing. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm6704806/ https://www.ethanpaisley.com/

Bentley Michaels returns with several significant career updates as a Voice-Over Artist. We share several laughs, discuss the voice over services that he offers, and we also discuss two of his latest projects: VOICE OVER VLOG and INCONVENIENCE: A CLERKS MUSICAL. Learn how voice overs are created and produced from one of the industry's best! You don’t want to miss this episode! http://www.bentleymichaels.com/voice https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsvosj3yL5K1nOFPFx5eHCQbr

Jamie Bernadette joins us to discuss her love for acting, producing, and writing. We review her latest work, including ALL GIRLS WEEKEND, I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE: DEJA VU, THE 6TH FRIEND, and AMERICAN SATAN. Jamie also shares her appreciation for horror/thriller films, as well as her desire to continue writing and producing more content. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2584117 http://jamiebernadette.com/

Tim Calandrello shares a fascinating story about how he was able to break into the industry through the editing room. We discuss his preference for NLE’s and the difference between scripted and documentary editing. We also discuss the genesis of his production company, Twisted Pumpkin Inc. (a film and television production and marketing company that specializes in documentaries, theatrical trailers, and promo campaigns), as well as the importance of creating great trailers for documentary filmmakers. Tim also shares the importance of referrals and explains what it was like working with the likes of Steven Spielberg, Nancy Spielberg, Morgan Spurlock, James Moll, Francis Ford Coppola, Meryl Streep, and many others. He has worked exclusively with musicians and composers including Hans Zimmer, Nathan Wang, The Crystal Method (who also scored Hired Gun), Foo Fighters, Everclear, and others. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1872054

Lindsay Wilner shares how the Sundance Film Festival, and the desire for a career change, inspired her to write her first feature film screenplay, LEDGE DWELLER. She explains how a midlife crisis, and identifying with her protagonist, became the backbone of the story. We discuss the impact of the mid-life on relationships. Lindsay also shares the genesis of her production company, Look and See Film Productions. We also discuss Lindsay’s recent experience in Amsterdam. http://ledgedwellerthemovie.com

Christine Jace explains how playing characters take her out of her shell and are her biggest escape. We discuss her recent roles in and DREAM GIRL and CEO. Christine is also developing a new dramatic short. She looks forward to participating in the 48 Hour Film Festival. Christine is an advocate for animal rights. She shares a fun fact that might make you think of dog food and horse grain differently. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4037381/ http://christinejace.com/