The Parkland shooting was an incredible tragedy and too often the shooter is the one people remember. Emily Evan Rae made it her mission to make sure the families of the victims get a chance to remember their lost loved ones. Her documentary film "Stop the Bleed" is a stunning achievement and in this episode she tells us how she did it.
Have you ever heard of a film festival curator? If you're doing the festival circuit a good curator can mean the difference between success and failure. Leslie and Kymberly get deep into the details as well as how to find the perfect director of photography and specific techniques for actors who are blocked.
How does a successful TV and Film actress become an inspired Director/Producer of a powerful documentary that breaks through. Magi Avila is best known for her rolls in "My American Family" and with Nicholas Cage and William Defoe in "Dog Eat Dog", but turned her sights on becoming a filmmaker after a chance meeting with a man in a wheelchair who has an incredible story to tell. This episode is fun, inspired and filled with great information about film festivals and distribution for Independent F...
Leslie talks with ex-development exec and current TV and Film writer Cynthia Riddle about what Hollywood is looking for in today's environment, how to get in the door and find management and agent representation, the value of film festivals and writing contests, how to get staffed on a show and much, much more... This episode is a bit longer, but the flow of information is fantastic! CYNTHIA RIDDLE worked as a development executive for MGM and segued into a writing and producing deal with the st...
This episode writes itself! Actress/Producer Desiree Staples is a charming guest with great stories and incredibly valuable information about the business of producing feature films and networking your way through the film festival circuit to great success. Desiree Staples is a seasoned producer, filmmaker, and actress multi-hyphenate, experienced in both short-form and feature film content. Circus Person , Produced by Staples, premiered at Tribeca N.O.W.'s 2020 showcase, and also was one of the...
Leslie and Crystal dive deep as they discuss Crystal's path from her character Olivia on Guiding Light to producing her very successful web series "Venice." Crystal has taken control of her career by launching Open book Productions, a digital production company., which is currently making their first feature film. But that's not all, Crystal also co-founded the streaming platform "Real Women's Network." This episode is packed with inspiration and information. More about Crystal: Three-time Emmy ...
Film Noir wasn't always cool, but thanks to the success of Jeanne Marie Spicuzza's film "The Scarapist", filmmakers have been inspired to take up the mantle... and Hollywood has noticed. In this episode Leslie has a fun conversation with the passionate Writer/Director/Actor about financing an Independent Film, the struggles of being a female Director, the Me Too movement and diversity in Hollywood, navigating the best film festivals and much more... Jeanne Marie Spicuzza is an award-winning moti...
How do you get Hollywood to pay attention to your Independent short or Feature Film? In this episode Leslie gets the blueprint from successful Publicist/Producer Deborah Gilels. From the Festival Circuit to Packaging a Feature with a major studio, this conversation has it all from two professionals who know the industry. Deborah Gilels has run a successful PR/Media Consulting company for the past 16 years, assisting writers, filmmakers, and actors with PR and Marketing activities including promo...
How the heck do you get a period piece financed as an Independent Filmmaker? Well Writer/Producer/Casting Director Valerie McCaffrey knows and in this episode she shares her secrets with Leslie in a frank discussion about the creative business of filmmaking. But wait, she's also a Hollywood casting Director? That's right, and a very successful one. Don't miss this episode. From April 1994-2000, Valerie held the position of Vice President of Feature Film Casting for New Line/Fine Line Films. Duri...
Don't do that! In this episode Leslie gets to the straight talk with acclaimed Hollywood agent Rima Greer about what agents will and will not look for from writers who want representation. They also discuss the differences between large agencies and boutique agencies, contract negotiation, the different paths a writer can take in their career and with each project, and much more... Rima Greer paid her dues at the Writers Guild of America, William Morris Agency, and Writers & Artists Agency. ...
So you wanna be a storyteller? Would you be surprised to learn that storytelling is selling? In this episode, Leslie talks to Screenwriter/Producer/Director Caytha Jentis about all the things writers don't, but should know about the business of writing. From development of a project to the launch of a very successful web series, this episode is packed with great tidbits for you. Caytha is a successful independent filmmaker who began making movies while driving carpools in suburban New Jersey. Pr...
In this episode Leslie talks to Writer/Director Nicole Conn about life as a filmmaker in the LGBTQ community. From breaking barriers to thriving in the new world this is not an episode you'll wanna miss. More about Nicole: Nicole has just released her 8th film, More Beauitful for Having Been Broken, which has won over 30 Best Awards from the 2019/20 Festival Circuit. The Advocate calls it “her most personal film yet,” and it’s being released Worldwide through Vision Films. Conn is also in the pr...
In this information packed episode Leslie talks with guest Kristen Bedno - VP of Marketing and Distribution for Vision Films, Inc. about everything from how to choose and submit for consideration to the best distributor for your film to how to package your film for an on time and powerful release. If you ever wanted to know how to get your independent film into the hands of a great distributor then this is the episode for you.
