In this episode Leslie talks with film producer Lisa Freberg about her move from studio films to Independent Producer and they get really specific about mentorship and how to put together funding for your Indie film. This is a great one! About Lisa CEO / Founder / Producer Lisa J Freberg is the co-founder of One Good Man Productions, based in Los Angeles, CA. She is a former Dreamworks executive, having overseen development and production of branded content for franchises including How To Train ...
Aug 09, 2022•47 min
The TV & Film Industry is changing. Streamers filled a need during the pandemic, but theatrical releases are still an important aspect of the industry. On thing is for sure, the industry is adapting and it's changing the way filmmakers find funding and create their art. In this episode, Leslie talks with Valerie McCaffrey who has had a long and successful career as a Casting Director and now is finding success as a producer/writer/director.
Aug 02, 2022•31 min
Independent film is evolving and today Leslie speaks with two cutting edge filmmakers Tyler Rugh and Fernando Andres the writer/directors of "Three Headed Beast" to discuss the process of creating new art and how to effectively get it into the film festivals.
Jul 26, 2022•32 min
Sam Fox is a unique Director that is making her mark in Hollywood. Leslie sat down with Sam to discuss the techniques, inspiration and secrets behind her highly stylized films. More About Sam Born on a secluded animal farm at the top of Malibu’s infamous Mulholland Highway and now based in Venice Beach, Sam blends highly stylized imagery, music, and psychedelia with horror and genre cinema via her production company Foxy Films (WOWZERS, UNAGI). Inspired by a clothing collection from indie fash...
Jul 19, 2022•35 min
Today Leslie has a fascinating conversation with Documentary Filmmaker Cevin Soling about what it's like to investigate ancient tribes that still exist. How do you put together a compelling film when you have no idea what you will find? Do you go in with a planned story or agenda? Cevin addresses this and much more in this informative episode of Best in Fest. More About Cevin Cevin Soling, president of Spectacle Films and Xemu Records, works as writer, director, producer, artist, and academic. S...
Jul 13, 2022•42 min
Want to understand what it takes to understand the film industry? Listen to this episode! A distributor and a lawyer get together to create an independent film production company. Leslie talks with Jonathan Hlibka and Ryan Keller about the transition into production and the high-wire act it takes to get a film made. Jonathan Hibka & Ryan Keller Seeing the world change so quickly on 911, I took a step back and focused on developing music and writing for film. Around that time is actually when...
Jul 05, 2022•45 min
In a way, this episode is like a do-it-yourself guide to how to launch your career as a filmmaker. Leslie speaks with Brenton Tyner Bryan about putting together funding for independent projects, establishing yourself as a filmmaker, finding the right crew, guerilla-style filming, finding a mentor, asking the right questions and much more. The lesson? Get out there and start, complete, learn the lessons and then do it again. This is a great episode. Brenton Tyner Bryan HOLLYWOOD - MAY 18, 2022 --...
Jun 28, 2022•38 min
Are you looking for a class in how to write for stage and screen? This is the episode for you. Leslie speaks with writer and educator William Nedved on his life and process for writing and teaching writing. About William: I am a playwright, lyricist and screenwriter engaged with exploring the journeys that define us. I’m the co-founder of The Gift Theatre Company of Chicago, where I have premiered my plays Body + Blood (Jeff Recommended), Northwest Highway (2011 Steinberg American Theater Critic...
Jun 21, 2022•38 min
Caroline Friend is fresh out of film school and already making waves in the industry. In this episode, Leslie and Caroline discuss all things film and festivals. You're gonna love it. About Caroline: Caroline Friend is an award-winning director and writer. Caroline earned her degree in Film Production and History from the University of Southern California. Her latest film, Under Darkness, was a finalist for the Student Academy Awards®, premiered at Telluride Film Festival, and won the Horizon Aw...
Jun 14, 2022•35 min
Today, Leslie's guest is acclaimed actor, producer and writer Chris Mulkey! Leslie and Chris cover everything from his original music to Twin Peaks, , Captain Phillips, his most recent project "The World Without You", and how he's managed to have a career of such longevity and prestige. Do NOT miss this one. About Chris Mulkey Award-winning American actor, writer and director, Chris Mulkey has a long and diverse career in film, television and stage. Chris is best known for On the Basis of Sex (2...
Jun 07, 2022•34 min
Co-writing and film-making is a tricky business in Hollywood today which is why Leslie spoke with the team of writer/filmmaker Jacob Withers and writer/director/editor/composer Justin Norman. Jacob has over a decade of writing experience and four years of filmmaking experience. During those four years Jacob has worked on several short films, including seven award-winning shorts: Admission , winner of Best Film at the 48 Hour Film Project Des Moines (2018); Subtext , Runner Up Best Film at the 48...
May 31, 2022•33 min
Leslie talks with her guest Ana Tuazon Parsons about moving with her single mom from the Philippines all the way to Hollywood. Ana has appeared in projects such as Adam Ruins Everything, Dexter, Sherlock Holmes, the Asian That Didn't etc..., but may be best known as a theatre actor and stage comedian. Ana also discusses her writing background and storytelling style which has taken her on many incredible journeys and opened up all sorts of opportunities.
May 24, 2022•29 min
Today Leslie speaks with Actress and Acting Coach Kadina De Elejalde about how to transform and live inside a character. Next they discuss auditioning for major roles vs. supporting roles, auditioning with self tapes, the intimacy of film, casting during Covid, Kadina's specific coaching process. If you're an actor then this is your episode.
May 17, 2022•43 min
Joanna Mae Park is a much sought-after costume designer. Her love of storytelling, character and genuine passion for clothing as a form of expression led her to a career as a costume designer. Joanna’s designs are about the human condition, self-expression and the worlds in which a character lives. A keen observer with a very detailed eye for colour and tone, clothing has become her language in which she tells these stories. Most recently Joanna designed PIECES OF HER, the upcoming television ad...
May 10, 2022•48 min
Are you looking to build a career as a film editor? Maybe you just want to learn a few new tricks of the trade. Well, today Leslie sits down with film editor Matthew C. Hart to talk about everything from how to be a true partner with your director to how to break into the business. Don't miss this jam packed episode. More About Matthew: Matthew Hart is a British/American feature film editor living in New York.He has worked across genres on intense character studies, comedies, revenge thrillers, ...
May 03, 2022•41 min
So, how do you get your short film nominated for an Oscar? Well, you're in the right place. In this episode Leslie talks with Polish filmmakers Monika Ossowska and Tadeusz Lysiak about their Oscar nominated short film "The Dress", the requirements to get nominated, the event and much more. Tadeusz Łysiak – born in 1993, graduate of Cultural Studies at the University of Warsaw, student of Directing at the Warsaw Film School. Creator of two award-winning short films in Poland and abroad: "Techno" ...
Apr 26, 2022•42 min
It's impossible to overstate how important a role audio plays in the film viewing experience. While it’s perfectly natural to be drawn to the visual side of filmmaking, those striking visuals don’t hold the same weight without strong cinematic sound design to back them up. Whereas a painting is purely visual and a song can be purely aural, cinema combines sight and sound for a unified experience where one bolsters and elevates the other. In this episode Leslie talks to Craig Nimens, the Vice Pre...
Apr 19, 2022•30 min
How do you get a film on Netflix and what the hell do you do when you get there? In this episode Leslie dives into industry secrets with young filmmaker, Dan Abramovici, who has worked his way in and realized there's way more to it than just that. Dan Abramovici is an actor, writer, and director. He was one of only 8 actors selected for Canada's prestigious CFC Actors Conservatory program in 2016 and is known for his TV work on shows like The Detail, Man Seeking Woman, and Murdoch Mysteries. Aft...
Apr 12, 2022•34 min
Dave Asling is Creative Director and Owner at Creation Consultants Inc, a visual effects company specializing in the creation of miniature effects and specialty props for film, episodic television and commercial advertising. Backed by over 30 years experience in the industry, Dave continues to explore film and television projects that will challenge and entertain both himself and the audience. Specialties: Miniature effects and props design, engineering and fabrication, on-set vfx supervision, m...
Apr 05, 2022•44 min
In this episode, Leslie speaks with Author/Director/Educator John Swanbeck about his profound acting techniques laid out in his book " How To Steal The Scene & End Up Playing The Lead". This is truly the last book you will ever need on acting. John also gives some helpful tips on how to work with actors as a director. Do NOT miss this episode. More About John: John Swanbeck is an author, columnist, speaker, creator and publisher of CleverActorTips, Chief Creative Officer of BlueSwanFilms, an...
Mar 29, 2022•36 min
In this episode, Leslie talks with hybrid filmmaker (writer, director, producer, securing distribution, etc.) Sean Michael Beyer about Sean’s personal evolution within the film industry. how he approaches writing a new film, what inspired him to film “Randy’s Canvas,” a positive story about a kid with autism, his comedy podcast, “National Day Riff,” and how it was created. Sean also shares a few pieces of advice and a ‘dirty little secret’ for new filmmakers just starting out. Sean Michael Beyer...
Mar 22, 2022•44 min
Kevin James Barry is a Los Angeles based screenwriter and director. Originally interested in painting, he attended art school during both his high school and college years and continues to bring his highly focused artistic eye to filmmaking. His feature films “Serena and the RATTS”, “Among Them”and "Gridlocked" were all acquired for DVD/VOD distribution in North America and several foreign territories. In this episode, Leslie talks with Kevin about film festivals and How he got his Independent f...
Mar 15, 2022•36 min
Leslie and her guest Gloria Gifford discuss her dynamic career as a woman of color including all of the hard earned lessons she learned working on Broadway and in Hollywood. Gloria Gifford taught at the American Film Institute for six years in the Masters' Program. She taught Directors, Writers and Producers and among her successful AFI students: Patty Jenkins ( Monster (2003), Brian Dannelly ( Saved! (2004), Weeds (2005). In 2007, Gloria opened the prestigious Actors Academy Milano in Milan, It...
Mar 08, 2022•53 min
Jacob Rachinski is a 1st AD, line Producer and now a Covid-19 Compliance officer with a ton of on set experience. If you are a new filmmaker and you want to cut out about a billion potential mistakes you will probably make early on in your career, then you want to listen to this episode. http://www.lafemme.org
Mar 01, 2022•47 min
In this information packed episode Leslie speaks with Sales Agent Jenny Hayden about the best ways to get the industry interested in your independent film. This is straight from an industry professional who has been in this world her entire career. You don't want to miss her advice. More about Jenny: Jenny Hayden has over twenty years of experience in the acquisition and distribution of award-winning television programs, films, and home video / DVD releases across all platforms in the US and glo...
Feb 22, 2022•44 min
How do you write a great script that integrates well and allows the audience to accept the unacceptable? In this episode, Leslie has on Screenwriter James Napoli to break down his writing process Step by Step. If you're a writer or wanna be writer than you can't miss this episode of Best in Fest! More About James Napoli James has a master’s in film from the London Film School. He began his career on a one-year temp assignment re-cataloguing the coverage library of the Walt Disney Studios, and th...
Feb 15, 2022•50 min
Producer/Actor Suzanne Johnson talks about her film "The World Without You" with Leslie in this episode of Best in Fest. The conversation quickly goes to how an Independent can further his or her career and Suzanne gave nuggets of gold. Build the right team and spend what you must to get them was the advice, because your film and career will depend on it. Suzanne gives anecdotes about her casting director Valerie McCaffrey and publicist Deborah Gilels and much more.
Feb 08, 2022•38 min
In this episode Leslie speaks with multi award winning screenwriter Ben Sztajnkrycer. Listen in as they unravel the mystery of a great script and how to write one. Don't miss it. BEN SZTAJNKRYCER is an award winning screenwriter who works in both the U.S. and Canadian film industries. His supernatural thriller "Refuge" was shot in 2021, with Renny Harlin (“Cliffhanger”) directing and Yariv Lerner ("Angel Has Fallen"), Gary Lucchesi (“Million Dollar Baby”), Rob Van Norden ("The Protege") and Mich...
Feb 01, 2022•47 min
Don't miss this episode! If you want to sell your independent film to a distributor or are looking for investors, this episode is essential for you. Leslie LaPage, the Director of LaFemme Film Festival and the host of Best in Fest, takes control and gives a detailed and specific outline of what you need to provide in every page of your Look Book. For the past fifteen years Leslie La Page has produced, directed and line produced for Film, TV, Music Videos, commercials and Theatrical productions. ...
Jan 25, 2022•39 min
With a passion for film and filmmaking since childhood, Daniel decided to move to California in 2000 with an interest in the film business. After graduating at Cal State Northridge in 2006, he realized that young filmmakers had very little access to industry professionals, and few options for screening their films. And thus, the HollyShorts Film Festival was born. Now in its 18th year and Academy Award Qualifying in 3 categories, HollyShorts has quickly become the most influential short film fes...
Jan 18, 2022•43 min
