Nothing Shines Like Dirt

Elise and Lesley sit down with comedian and coach Gunnar Todd Rohrbacher. They discuss the Actor's Comedy Studio that he owns and teaches, film and tv script analysis and being dangerous in comedy.

Elise and Lesley sit down Writer/Filmmaker Colette Freedman. They discuss her feature film Miles Under Water, being a Structure Queen and "Don’t Ask Permission”!

Elise and Lesley sit down with Writer/Director Haroula Rose, her film Once Upon a River making the festival circuit, developing character from emotion and Twitter robbers!

Elise and Lesley sit down with Documentary Filmmaker Michele Jouse. They discuss her documentary series HAPPY JAIL streaming now on NETFLIX, people are more than just a headline and boarding school is wild!

Elise & Lesley sit down with writer/director Sarah Haught. They discuss working on the hit CBS series BULL, taking notes, & the Great British Baking Show.

Happy Summer! We are back September 23rd with more guests!

Elise and Lesley sit down with Actor/Producer Natalie Britton. They discuss her production company Queen's Gambit Films, helping women build their resumes and raising kids...the Production.

Elise and Lesley sit down with Actor/Producer Amanda Markowitz. They discuss her production company Three Tales Productions, becoming a working mom, and carrying a film across a suspension bridge.

Elise and Lesley sit down with Actor/Filmmaker Allison Powell. They discuss her feature Banging Lanie, low budget tips and drop the prop gun!

Elise and Lesley sit down with writer Hollie Overton. They discuss writing novels to TV, entering into writing contests and mothers always know best!

Elise & Lesley sit down with Producer/Actor Caity Ware. They discuss her feature film "We are Gathered Here", being a lighthouse vs. life boat, and Jen! (aka Jennifer Aniston)

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 63. Elise and Lesley sit down with the creators of Ctrl Alt Delete. They discuss their web series streaming on Vimeo (https://vimeo.com/channels/ctrlaltdeleteshow , the circle of collaboration and being funny!

Holiday Update 2018

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt, Episode 62. Elise and Lesley sit down with ACTOR/FILMMAKER Lauren Chavez-Myers. They discuss her feature film DEAD BILLY on Amazon Prime, New Mexico TV/Film scene, and community.

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 61. Elise and Lesley sit down with Actor/Writer/Producer T Sahara Meer. They discuss going to Sundance with the feature film NANCY, women supporting women, and chopping up your baby... as in your script.

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 60. Elise and Lesley sit down with writer/director Hannah Macpherson. They discuss her featured Sickhouse made on Snapchat starring Andrea Russet, her series T@gged on Hulu, and the psychology of horror.

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 59. Elise & Lesley sit down with Producer Tanner Sawitz. They discuss his production company Leviathan Filmworks, line producing, and shifting.

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 58. Elise and Lesley sit down with Actor/Writer Alexa Alemanni. They discuss writing as an actor, The Collaborative (an Actor's Co-op), and the written rules of the land: working with your spouse.

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt. Episode 57. Elise and Lesley sit down with Denise Cruz-Castino and discuss her film 5 Weddings, which premiered at Cannes International Film Festival, the League of Women Writers, and Dangerous encounters in India.

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 56. Elise & Lesley sit down with Actor/Writer/Editor Amy Kersten. We discuss all the advice for making a web series, using your resources, and networking through the zombie apocalypse.

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt. Summer UPDATE:) BACK September 10th!!!!

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 55. Elise & Lesley sit down to discuss where to start, building your team, holding space for collaboration and facing your fears.

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 54. Elise & Lesley sit down with ActorFilmmaker Robin Rose Singer. They discuss all her many projects, PA's the unsung Hero, and take an editing class.

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 53. Elise and Lesley sit down with Actor/Filmmaker Galia Barkol. They discuss her feature film "Mia", European Filmmaking, and filmmaking as therapy.

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 52. Lesley & Elise sit down to discuss Creativity, finding your process and #Don'tInstagramInPublicRestrooms.

Welcome Back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 51. Elise and Lesley sit down with filmmaker/festival director, Kimberly Browning. They discuss her festival Hollywood shorts, shorts are short, and film festivals are sexy.

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Ep 50. NSLD is officially over the hill. Thank you guys for listening for the past 2 years. Let's celebrate! Elise & Lesley sit down and talk with the talented writer/director Dito Montiel. They discuss working with icons, the Sundance Writers lab, and ya never know where the path will lead!

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 49. Elise & Lesley sit down with Backstage Casting Editors Jill Heller and Anna Paone. They discuss how to write a casting notice, an institution with a start-up feel, and all the many resources of Backstage. www.backstage.com

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 48. Elise and Lesley sit down with the hilarious Filmmaker/Actors Etta Devine & Gabe Diani. They discuss their script featured on the Blacklist, raising funds for your film, and get married or make a movie?

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 47. Elise and Lesley sit down with the Dell Sisters, Emily (writer/director) & Elizabeth (producer). They discuss "scoopy" brain, communicating your vision and there is always a lesson to learn.

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 46. Elise and Lesley sit down with Actor/Filmmakers Liz Masucci and Gio Crovatin. They discuss their production company, In the Meantime, Neil LaBute's advice "the best idea wins", and "Why Not?"

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 45. Elise and Lesley sit down with Katrina Medoff and Tracy Sayre who founded the Women's Weekend Film Challenge. They discuss how they put together the challenge in under 2 months, with 150+ female filmmakers creating 9 films...in one weekend.

Welcome Back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 44. Elise and Lesley sit down with Actor/Director Catherine Eaton. They discuss the beauty in silence, Ryan Murphy’s half foundation, and Cinderella stories do exist.

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 43. Elise and Lesley sit down with some of the finalists of the Katra Film Series taking place on February 6th in Brooklyn at the ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE CINEMA.

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 42. Elise and Lesley sit down with triple threat designer (costumes, lights, sets) Sarah Cogan. They discuss creating the world, assistant costuming CBS sitcom Kevin Can Wait, and being comfortable in the unknown.

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 41. Elise and Lesley sit down with Actor/Director Cat Rubenis-Stevens. They discuss her short film "Erosion", the art of speaking and check your ego.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!! THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! WE ARE SO EXCITED FOR ALL THE CREATING THAT 2018 WILL BRING.

Welcome Back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 40. Elise and Lesley sit down with cinematographer Carloine Mariko Stucky. They discuss playing with light, the camera an extension of self, and ... Love and Acceptence.

Ep 39 - Ali Weinstein by Elise Sievert & Lesley Shannon

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt episode 38. Elise and Lesley sit down with Actress/Producer Haley Rawson. They discuss making acting a priority, falling into producing and karma. Upcoming Film & TV: The Last O.G. – from Jordan Peele – opposite Tracy Morgan. Airs 2018 on TBS. Humor Me – directed by Sam Hoffman. Opposite Jemaine Clement. Premiered at 2017 LAFF. 10 Things we should do before we Break Up – directed by Galt Niederhoffer. Opposite Christina Ricci and Hamish Linklater.

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt episode 37. Elise and Lesley sit down with Emmy award winner Actor Joey Pantoliano and his filmmaking daughter Dani Pantoliano. They discuss celebrity verses craft, family vacations to movie sets, and leaving a little room for luck. Joe Pantoliano was born in Hoboken, New Jersey. After appearing on several sitcoms and TV movies, he had a film role in Risky Business in 1983. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he was one of Hollywood's busiest character actors. In 2001, he joined the cast of HBO’s hit dramatic series The Sopranos as Ralph Cifaretto, for which he earned an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in 2003.

Welcome Back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 26. Elise & Lesley sit down with Casting Director Kate Geller of Chrystie Street Casting. They discuss how everything comes back to the script, casting projects that capture the realness of life, and also being a good person. Kate Geller of Chrystie Street Casting is known for her work on John Wick (2014), Don't Think Twice (2016) and The Incredible Jessica James (2017).

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 35. Elise and Lesley sit down with Director/Producer/Writer Geoffrey Guerrero. They discuss the Katra Film Series that he founded, researching film festivals and his advice; “Make a feature before your 30.” Born and Bred in NYC, Geoffrey Guerrero is an award-winning writer, director and producer. He was selected as a finalist for the 2006 National Film Your Issue Competition for his provocative short “Here to Stay,” where then Senator Obama served as an honorary jury member. In 2007 he guest directed a short film called “Rewind” and won Best Short Film “On The Edge” Award at the 2007 HBO New York International Latino Film Festival. His original short film “The New McCarthyism,” which he wrote, directed, and produced in was an Official Selection at the 2007 Long Island Latino International Film Festival. In 2008, his short film “Baile (Dance)” won the Best Short Film “Fruit of the Vine” award at the Vine Shorts Film Festival in Santa Monica, CA and screened at the 2009 HBO New York International Latino Film Festival and 2009 Babelgum Online International Film Festival. Guerrero’s film “J-1” premiered at the 2013 Coney Island Film Festival and went on to screen at the 2014 Socially Relevant Film Festival, Palm Beach International Film Festival and made its European Premiere at the Let’s All Be Free Film Festival in London, Academy-Award Qualifying 18th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival.Guerrero’s most recent film “Prerequisite” premiered at the 2017 Lighthouse International Film Festival and screened at the 2017 SOHO International Film Festival and was recently picked up for the Ocktober Film Festival and New York No Limits Film Series. In June 2012, Guerrero launched the Katra Film Series – a widely hailed international festival showcasing quality short-form content and feature films by emerging and award-winning Filmmakers. In partnership with Everyone Matters and Rhino Films the Grand Prize Winner is awarded a one-on-one meeting with acclaimed Producer Stephen Nemeth from the Academy-Award Nominated The Sessions and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

Welcome back to Nothing Sounds Like Dirt Episode 34. Elise & Lesley sit down with writer/filmmaker Bri Castellini. They discuss Stareable: a free community and catalogue for web series, her web series BRAINS, and how to deal with Trolls. www.bricastellini.com From Bri: I'm the Community Director for Stareable.com, a hub for web series discovery and reviews. I'm the creator, writer, producer, and star, among other things, of the award-winning comedic zombie web series Brains; the writer, director, producer, and editor of the award-winning short film Ace and Anxious; the creator, writer, producer, and co-star, among other things, of the upcoming web series Sam and Pat Are Depressed; the executive producer (among other things) for the sci fi time travel web series Relativity; and the producer and assistant director of the web series Stray.

Welcome Back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt episode 33. Elise & Lesley sit down with Casting Director/Acting Coach Mel Mack. They discuss acting tips for auditions, her studio "Mel Mack Acting Studio" and her dance off with Madonna. www.melmackactingstudio.com Melonie “Mel” Mack has been involved in the entertainment industry professionally in both NY and L.A. for over 18 years. She began her teaching experience under Lesly Kahn of Lesly Kahn and Company for many years where she learned to develop her comedic chops as an acting coach and teacher. Melonie has worked with actors on film/tv shows including: Blindspot, Blue Bloods, Legion, 24: The Legacy, Gotham, The Detour, Difficult People, Show Me A Hero, Broad City, Public Morals, House Of Cards, OITNB, Community, Two Broke Girls, The New Girl, House, Bones, Criminal Minds, Weeds, NCIS, Burn Notice, Californication, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Mad Men, Big Love, Ugly Betty, Two and A Half Men, Studio 60, The Defenders, Rules of Engagement, Hangover II, Grey’s Anatomy, Grown Ups, The Kids Are Alright. In addition to teaching, she has continued to cast commercials. Her combined National Commercial Credits include: Ikea, Verizon, Nutella, Toyota, Bud Lite, Pampers, Visa, Tampax, T-Mobile, Verizon, Welch’s, Heineken, Kia, Wal-Mart, Sears, Geico, McDonalds, Clean and Clear, Burger King, ARMY, Swifter, Tide, Nike, Nature Valley,as well as hundreds of others. Melonie has also appeared in numerous network television shows. This first hand knowledge gives her the understanding of the emotions and feelings the actor experiences both on set as well as in the audition room. She has worked with: Mark Harmon, Damian Lewis, Eva Longoria, Madonna, Megan Mullaly, Michael Weatherly, Paget Brewster, Corin Nemic, and Amy Maddigan.

Welcome back to Nothing Shines like Dirt episode 32. Elise & Lesley sit done with Writer/Director/Line Producer Arthur Vincie. They discuss Arthur's book Preparing for Take Off; Preproduction for the Independent Filmmaker, his new web series "Three Trembling Cities", and what is a Line Producer? From Arthur: I'm a writer, director, and line producer. My latest project, "Three Trembling Cities," is a fiction webseries about the inner lives and daily struggles of two circles of NYC immigrants. It's available now online. My last feature, "Found In Time," went to 26 festivals, picked up a number of awards, and is available on Amazon and other VOD platforms. I also wrote "Preparing For Takeoff" (Focal Press), a book on preproduction.

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 31. Elise & Lesley sit down with director/editor Shari Berman. They discuss working with Tony Award winning actress Alice Ripley, an editor's brain on set, and Pink Midst; ghosts in the attic with bizarre grandmothers. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SABerman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shariaberman/ Website: www.shariberman.com Shari Berman. Award winning filmmaker. Member of Film Fatales & The FilmmakeHers. Shari’s two features and breakout short have all garnered awards and her work has played at festivals around the world including the Sarasota Film Festival, the St. Louis International Film Festival and the Rhode Island International Film Festival. Shari is the producer/director/writer/editor of the feature MY LIFE AS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (rave reviews from The New York Times, Variety, Film Journal International and others), the director/editor of the feature SUGAR! (Tony Award Winner Alice Ripley, SAG Award Winner Robert Clohessy) and the co-producer/director/writer/co-editor of her breakout 3-D Expressionist film – THE TRIAL OF JACK. Shari began editing as a small child by cutting puzzle pieces to make them fit as she thought best. Though her older sister did not appreciate her talents, Shari knew she was on to something. She has edited music videos, documentaries, web series episodes, and narrative feature films. Credits include IT’S ALL ABOUT THE HARRIETS, ELLE DECO: BEHIND THE DESIGN, ROYALLY, A SCIENTIST’S GUIDE TO LIVING AND DYING. Shari is also a producer on the feature film THE UNSPEAKABLE ACT, which premiered at Rotterdam and played at BAM. Shari grew up in the Bronx and currently lives in Brooklyn with her husband and dog. Shari offers her skills pro bono to advocacy groups, volunteers at East Rockaway JR/SR High School as choreographer for the school’s musicals, and is one of the NY Chapter Leaders of Film Fatales.

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 30. Elise & Lesley sit down with the team behind THE LIGHT OF THE MOON, Writer/Director Jessica M. Thompson and Producer Carlo Velayo. They discuss winning their audience award at South by Southwest, how they prioritized diversity in front of and behind the camera, and GAME OF THRONES; does it wrong. https://www.facebook.com/TLOTMfilm/ https://www.thelightofthemoonfilm.com/ You can see our cast and crew bios here: https://www.thelightofthemoonfilm.com/cast-crew/ THE LIGHT OF THE MOON After her world is irrevocably changed, a successful New York City architect struggles to regain intimacy and control in her life. Carlo Velayo Carlo Velayo is a Philippine-born, Australian-raised, NYC-based producer at Stedfast Productions. He was an Associate Producer on Cheryl Furjanic’s Emmy-nominated film, "Back on Board: Greg Louganis," and made his debut as a p.g.a. Producer with Jessica M. Thompson’s "The Light of The Moon," receiving the 2017 SXSW Audience Award for Narrative Feature Competition. Carlo recently spent two months at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), working as Line Producer on Emmy Award-winning, Filipina-American filmmaker, Michele Josue's forthcoming documentary project, "Happy Jail." He is proud to be a Producer on Isabel Sandoval’s third feature, “Lingua Franca.” Carlo double majored in Film and International Studies at the University of Technology, Sydney, and holds a Master of Liberal Arts (Cultural Heritage) from the Australian National University.

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt, Episode 29. Elise and Lesley sit down with Actor/Producer Rachel B. Joyce. They discuss Royally, her web series, available online, being a lady boss, and Producing; it's like hosting a party! https://www.facebook.com/rachelbjoyce Twitter: @rachelbjoyce Instagram: @rachelbjoyce Website: www.rachelbjoyce.com www.royallyseries.com Rachel is an actress and producer from Milwaukee, WI who has lived in NY for 10 years. She works in both theatre and tv/film. Her background is in producing theatre, mostly with her husband and their theatre company Less Than Rent. Royally is the first series she has produced.

Welcome Back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 28, featuring composer and Film Producer Simon Taufique. We have a lovely conversation about reaching out and maintaining relationships, enjoying the process and the people, and why wait? Act now. "It’s all about creating, maintaining. Maintaining means like a plant, you are watering that plant in order to keep it alive, you also are maintaining those relationships by staying in touch with people you have worked with. I’ve been really diligent about that over the years, And that pays off when you have something of real worth and value and excitement to share with them."

Welcome back to Nothing Shines Like Dirt Episode 27, featuring director/filmmaker Elyse Niblett. Her film "The Broken Ones" premiered at the Soho International Film Festival, lessons learned while directing a feature, and digging for the emotional life of your characters. Born and raised in California, Elyse began a life of performance as a ballet dancer. After thirteen years she began training in sketch and paint art. At 21 years of age she discovered acting. She graduated with a BFA in Screen Acting at Chapman University but it wasn't until a few years after graduating that she shifted her focus to directing. With the help of Tony Spiridakis and his Manhattan Film Institute, she made her debut film, The End of the World, about a woman at the end of her rope in a loveless marriage. At MFI, Elyse met Cece King, who would later hire her as the director for the Independent Feature Film, The Broken Ones, which just had its world premiere at the opening night of the SOHO Int'l Film Festival to a sold out theater. Last year Elyse created her production company, Gray Space Productions, with her long time colleague and friend, Blair Nichols. Through her company she has created video content for companies along with narrative short films. They are now in development with two separate feature films, with Elyse at the helm as director. Elyse was always drawn to storytelling and found her home behind the camera. Her background in acting has aided her interpretation of scripts and her ability to shape actor performances. She is beyond excited and grateful for the continued success of her first feature, The Broken Ones, and looks forward to many more. Her favorite part about film is the collaborative process, working with fellow creatives to build a narrative that strives to move, inspire and enlighten her viewers. She would not be here were it not for the tireless support of her family and friends. " Facebook.com/Elyse.niblett None E_niblett Www.elyseniblett.com The Broken Ones - http://m.imdb.com/title/tt4060498/ www.grayspaceproductions.com iLove - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=K9nk154nOMo "