The BraveMaker Podcast

Ray Maiello is an award-winning film producer and former Netflix and Paramount Pictures executive. He founded Moontower Productions to champion independent voices and produce bold films. In just three years, Ray has produced five films, including My Dead Friend Zoe, winner of the 2024 SXSW Audience Award and Chasing Summer, which is premiering at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.Other recent projects include "Are We Good?" starring Marc Maron and documentary films Jean-Michel Basquiat and The Trial of Alec Baldwin. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and based in Venice, California, Maiello's producing career builds on an earlier chapter in music, where he founded Moontower Entertainment to develop artists from New York's indie rock scene, including Wheatus, whose global hit "Teenage Dirtbag" topped one billion streams on Spotify.

Nicholas Bruckman is an Emmy-nominated director and founder of People's Television, a NYC- and DC-based storytelling studio producing award-winning independent films as well as creative campaigns for the world's leading brands, foundations, and social movements. His feature documentary Not Going Quietly, about healthcare activist Ady Barkan, won both the Audience and Jury Awards at SXSW and was released to critical acclaim in theaters nationwide and on Hulu. His follow-up, Minted: The Rise (and Fall?) of the NFT, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and was released on Netflix in 2025. Most recently, his docuseries The Price of Milk—which uncovers the hidden story behind the iconic “Got Milk?” campaign—had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6734003265077248

Join Tony Gapastione in conversation with 2026 Sundance selected film: TAKE ME HOME. Written/directed by Liz Sargent. https://takemehomefilm.com/Liz Sargent is a Korean-American adoptee and award-winning filmmaker whose work delves into adoption, disability, and family dynamics. With a background in choreography, she brings emotional depth to her storytelling, shaped by her experience as the middle child of eleven in an intersectionalfamily.A two-time NY EMMY winner (2020 & 2021), Sargent is also a HALF Initiative Mentee (2022 & 2023), an MSSNG PCES AICP Mentee (2023), and NBCU's Launch Director (2024-2026). Her debut narrative short,Strangers' Reunion, (2019), was a personal adoptee film produced by Ritz- Carlton and Hearst under the mentorship of Mike Figgis, released in six languages worldwide.Her proof of concept, Take Me Home, premiered at Sundance (2023), won the Grand Jury Prize at American Cinematheque's PROOF FF (2024), and was the centerpiece at the White House to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Olmstead Act, where Sargent and her sister, the film's star, shared theirstories with key officials.The feature pitch won the largest production award in the world at AT&T Untold Stories at Tribeca FF (2025) and will world premiere at Sundance in U.S. Dramatic Competition 2026.

Go with us for the LAST TIME in Park City Utah---with filmmaker Tony Gapastione who has been attending for 14 years and Naee Anderson who volunteers at the Library theater and has been for 7 years!Tony Gapastione is a writer/director/actor and the founder of BraveMaker. With three feature films he's written and produced, 2 he's directed and many more to come, Tony is passionate about community development and elevating the arts to create change. From the SF Bay to L.A., Tony hosts monthly mixers, weekly podcasts and classes as well as the BraveMaker film festival every July. Tony recently started his feature filmmaker club---a year long coaching co-hort for filmmakers who want to take action and bring a feature film to life. Natalie “Naee” Anderson is a Richmond-born film director, producer, visual storyteller and festival programmerwith a multidisciplinary approach to filmmaking and crafts stories that explore themes of identity, transformation, and authenticity. Naee embodies a cinematic style that blends emotional depth and visual intention. Her footprint has reached to prominent festivals including Sundance, Tribeca, BraveMaker, and the Morehouse Human Rights Film Festival, reflecting her commitment to bold storytelling that resonates on and off screen. Whether behind the camera or leading a production, she brings a clear vision that centers truth and connection in every frame.

Join BraveMaker founder, Tony Gapastione--  / tonygapastione  a filmmaker who has produced three feature films and founded a film festival--in conversation with actress/Youtuber Belgica Rodriguez---an actress and Youtube content creator based in Los Angeles and San Francisco. She is known for her many commercials and short films such as Land of Opportunity which premiered at the SF Latino Film Festival and Creature Comforter that will be premiering at the 2024 BraveMaker Film Festival. On TV, she played Ted Bundy's wife, Carole Ann Boone on Reelz in Ted Bundy: Serial Monster. To learn more about how she has broken into acting and continues to learn about the industry, you can subscribe to her youtube channel!    / belgicapaola    / belgica.rodriguez.professional  also on the podcast will be actress/comedian: Leah KnauerAn extremely gifted improviser, actress, and singer, Leah's performances are a captivating blend of sass, wit, and charm that leave audiences in stitches. Leah's impressive resumé includes collaborations with some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Wayne Brady, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Mary J. Blige, Jimmy Kimmel, Meghan Trainor, and Jack Black. She has also made her mark on the big screen, appearing in films such as JAY AND SILENT BOB REBOOT, PINK SKIES AHEAD, and DOGNAPPED: HOUND FOR THE HOLIDAYS. As a co-star on Comedy Central's CORPORATE and NOT SAFE WITH NIKKI GLASER, Leah has proven herself to be a versatile performer capable of entertaining audiences on every medium and stage. Leah is the Gemini co-host of the popular spiritual-comedy "BASIC WITCHES" podcast, which was recorded in the haunted basement of The World Famous Comedy Store in Hollywood.   / leahknauer  

Start the year with filmmaker Tony Gapastione and grab some strategies for a fulfilling creative year!

Get ready for an inspiring convo with filmmaker Diane Bell — Sundance award-winning screenwriter/director and bestselling author of Shoot From the Heart.⁠  / shootfromtheheart1  ⁠Diane's debut feature OBSELIDIA premiered at Sundance (winning two awards + two Indie Spirit noms), followed by BLEEDING HEART starring Jessica Biel & Zosia Mamet. She's penned screenplays for legendary director John McTiernan (Die Hard, Predator) and is currently in post on her first documentary filmed in Ukraine.⁠⁠She's on a mission to demystify filmmaking and empower new voices, and we can't wait to dive in.⁠

BraveMaker Podcast 311 — LIVE on YouTubeFeaturing the creative team behind Two Weeks, One FoolLogline:When a man grows suspicious that the girl he's seeing is a stripper, his investigation takes a shocking turn when he crashes one of her performances.Join us for a lively conversation with four dynamic filmmakers bringing Two Weeks, One Fool to life:• Airric Qualls – Actor, producer, screenwriter, and director from Sacramento, CA. Airric is the co-creator of AK Film Group and producing partner of 11th Hour Creatives, where he develops bold, character-driven stories across film and digital media.• Hugo F. Martínez – A Bay Area first-generation Mexican-American filmmaker whose multidisciplinary expertise spans Production Design, Art Direction, Set Design, Prop Fabrication, Carpentry, and Practical FX. His creative fingerprints can be seen in projects like the horror thriller “Blood Wine” (starring Amanda Detmer of Empire) and Hogar HGTV's “El Sabor de Aaron,” a competition cooking show featuring celebrity chef Aaron Sánchez with guest judge Oscar De La Hoya.• Michaela P. Shelton – Bay Area filmmaker, actress, and writer best known as the creator and producer of Reckless Behavior: The Series, the hit dramedy about millennial life in the Bay Area—now streaming on Tubi and Amazon Prime. She also produces short films and centers underrepresented voices with authentic, relatable storytelling.• Derrick Hogan Jr. – Born and raised in the Bay Area, Derrick brings a rich background in sports and theatre to his work in film and television. His mission: climb as far as he can in the industry while staying grounded in the community that shaped him.

Masha Ellsworth is a Ukrainian-American storyteller, independent filmmaker, and leader in the animation industry. As a Lead Technical Director in the Characters Department at a top animation studio, she has spent over two decades bringing iconic characters to life in some of the most celebrated animated films.Beyond studio animation, she is deeply committed to independent filmmaking—using her craft to explore untold stories and cultural narratives. Born and raised in northern Ukraine, Masha brings a unique perspective to her work, blending technical expertise with a passion for art and storytelling. She holds dual degrees in Computer Science and Visual Art from Brigham Young University.

Marcos James is an actor/performer based in Los Angeles. He is mostprominently known for playing the role of White Rat in the hugely successfulHBO series, Game of Thrones. Marcos was also one of the primary stars of thetelevision movie series, Keeping up with the Joneses (LMN), in which heplayed the recurring role of William French. Other appearances include thelead role of Kody in the Amazon film, Cabin Pressure, appearances in Days ofour lives, the lead role of Arjuna in the theatre production, The Mahabharata,at the prestigious Sadler's Wells Theatre (UK), as well as prominent roles inDisney's, The Lion King (West End: London) and Aida.Alongside his activities in theatre, film and television, Marcos has carved outan impressive resume in the commercial sphere. He has appeared as afeatured actor, performer and commercial model in high profile campaigns forbrands such as Nokia, Heineken, Cadbury's, Viasat (Europe) and others andhas appeared as a lead actor in videos for high profile artists such as the rockband, Shinedown.Currently, Marcos is working on a key guest star role for a television series,which will be entering its sixth season in 2026.

Meet the writer/director and producer of the new psychedelic buddy comedy   / thelemuriancandidate  

We attempted something pretty outrageous--but we accomplished it, learned and laughed really hard.

Some thoughts on why you might not be booking.

Tony discusses why we need to do things that scare us and plan goals that are bigger than we think we can achieve on our own--so we learn by being stretched.   / tonygapastione  

Actor/Filmmaker Tony Gapastione---on not just talking about it--but DOING IT.

Jane Kaczmarek is best known for her role as ‘Lois' on television's award winning Malcolm in the Middle, for which she received 7 consecutive Emmy nominations, multiple Golden Globe and S.A.G. nominations, as well as the Television Critics Award two years running, the only woman to be so honored. She will next be seen among the all-star ensemble in the Duffer Bros upcoming Netflix limited series The Boroughs. She just wrapped the long-awaited reboot of Malcolm in the Middle for Disney +, reuniting with Bryan Cranston & Franke Muniz. Jane's television career began with iconic series St Elsewhere, The Paper Chase, and Hill Street Blues after graduating from The University of Wisconsin and the Yale School of Drama. Starring in innumerable television series since, she continues in her role as ‘Judge Harm' on The Simpsons, and more recently received raves from critics & fans for her role as ‘Cal' opposite LaKeith Stanfield on the Apple + limited series The Changeling, adapted from the bestselling novel.Rani DeMuth is a Carpinteria-based writer/director. Her feature script END OF THE LINE was selected for Film Independent's Screenwriting Lab, Directing Lab & Fast Track Finance Market, with Christina Sibul (Thirteen, Monica) set to produce. Her films have screened at over fifty international festivals and won awards across all categories.She received LACMA's first Art of Film Award for her short THE DOUBLE starring Oscar-nominated actor Eric Roberts, which sold to Shorts International. Her recent short, AND NOW I LAY ME DOWN, starring Jane Kaczmarek, premiered at the 2024 Santa Barbara International Film Festival and won Best Dark Comedy at the HollyshortsComedy Film Festival and the Portland Comedy Film Festival. Rani is a Ryan Murphy HALF Initiative fellow and holds a BFA in painting & experimental film from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago & an MFA from the UCLA School of Theater, Film & TV. She's a member of the Alliance of Women Directors and a classically trained pianist.

Sasha Timan is a fearless storyteller whose work bridges documentary realism with emotional, character-driven narratives. A former TV journalist in Moscow and Washington, DC, Sasha now creates intimate films rooted in human rights, immigration, motherhood, and survival. Based in Los Angeles and holding an MFA from UCLA, her latest short Timelessness follows a Russian pianist seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. Her award-winning film Holy Water, about an elderly woman trapped in a televangelist's scheme, earned Best Student Film at LA Indies Film Fest.Darya Ekamasova is a Russian award-winning actress whose performances have been featured at Cannes, Venice, and Berlinale. Known for her nuanced and powerful portrayals, she starred in The Americans and most recently played a striking role as a ruthless oligarch mother in the Oscar-winning Anora.Marc Thureau-Dangin is a UCLA Film & TV alum and seasoned 1st Assistant Director. With experience across French television and international productions, he's worked on projects filmed in prestigious locations like the Élysée Palace and continues developing his voice as a director and producer.Hosted by BraveMaker founder Tony Gapastione, this LIVE episode recaps the most powerful moments from BraveMaker Film Fest 2025, and dives into Sasha's creative journey, process, and passion for telling stories that matter.Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#BraveMaker #BraveMakerPodcast #BraveMakerFilmFest #WomenInFilm #IndieFilm #BraveStories

300th LIVE with Tony Gapastione and Priscilla Lam AND special guests from the BraveMaker Film Fest.July 10th, 2025 at the Bravemaker HQ in Redwood City, California with: Hilliard GuessSaeed CrumplerDave ThiesShoshannah Stern Zach Gottsagen Kathryn Smith-McGlynnNiema JordanNaee AndersonLeah Knauer Ken WhittinghamPriscilla LamWatch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join hosts Tony Gapastione and Belgica Rodriguez for a special conversation with selected creators whose bold stories will be featured in our upcoming festival.

Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Nijla Mu'min is a powerful creative voice shaped by poetry, music, fiction, and dance. Born and raised in the East Bay Area, she weaves deeply personal and socially resonant narratives that spotlight the intersections of identity, justice, and belonging.Her debut feature Jinn — a coming-of-age story about faith, freedom, and first love — premiered at SXSW, where it earned her the Special Jury Award for Screenwriting, and went on to be named a New York Times Critics Pick. Since then, Nijla has made her mark directing episodes of Queen Sugar, Insecure, Swagger, Blindspotting, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, All Rise, and more.She is a Sundance Institute alum, a recipient of the MPAC Media Award for Courage and Conscience, and a ReFrame Rise fellow. She's currently developing her second feature, Mosswood Park, which was awarded the SFFILM Rainin Grant. Her academic background includes a dual MFA in Film Directing and Creative Writing from CalArts and a BA from UC Berkeley, where she studied under the legendary poet June Jordan.Nijla's work is bold, intimate, and evocative — and this conversation will dive into how she tells stories that stay with you long after the credits roll.Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#BraveMaker #BraveMakerPodcast #WomenInFilm #Filmmakers #IndieFilm

Writers — ever feel like breaking into the industry is a mystery no one's willing to explain? Joey Tuccio has been changing that for nearly a decade.Starting his career at Bold Films (Drive, Nightcrawler, Whiplash) and reading for companies repped by Hugh Jackman and George Clooney, Joey saw just how tough it is for writers to get real access and actionable feedback. So he co-founded Roadmap Writers, now one of the leading platforms connecting writers to execs and reps across the industry.Since 2016, Roadmap Writers has helped 440+ writers sign with reps and launch careers at Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Lionsgate, and more. Joey also mentors for Cinestory and The Writers Lab, and somehow still finds time to rescue animals.Whether you're new to screenwriting or ready to take the leap toward staffing and selling your script — this is your moment.Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#BraveMaker #BraveMakerPodcast #JoeyTuccio #RoadmapWriters #Screenwriting #Writers #BreakInHollywood #FilmIndustry #TVWriters

Writers, directors, and creatives — want to turn your vision into bold, unforgettable stories? Don't miss this live conversation with Kim “Kimmie P” Callaway, an award-winning writer-director whose work blends humor, heart, and social impact.For over a decade, Kim has written and directed original web series, sketches, music videos, and commercials for major networks and brands including Amazon, Verizon, Ring, AOL, and HuffPost Comedy. Her commercial directing has earned her 4 Telly Awards.She's the founder of Pillowfight!! Productions, a boutique company focused on visually striking, socially conscious comedy. Her latest short film, Mildred 4 a Million — starring the legendary Marla Gibbs — is currently on the festival circuit, winning Best Comedy Short at Worldfest Houston and screening at Raindance, Dances with Films, BraveMaker, and the SAG-AFTRA Showcase.Originally from Houston with deep creative roots in New Orleans, Kim brings sharp wit and soulful storytelling to every project — along with a background in theater, TV production, and a little Texas Hold'Em.Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#BraveMaker #BraveMakerPodcast #KimCallaway #KimmieP #WriteDirectFilm #WomenInFilm #IndieFilm #FilmFest #BraveMakerFilmFest #AmazonStudios

Actors and creative entrepreneurs — want to build a sustainable career on your own terms? Don't miss this.Join us for a deep-dive convo with Tristina Lee Bryant, a Los Angeles-based actor and brand strategist whose work spans studio films, network TV, and viral indie hits.You've seen her in Unstoppable (Amazon Prime), Rap Sh!t (HBO Max), Burning Little Lies (Lifetime), and the viral short Default Mode — which racked up over 22K organic YouTube views.But off-camera, Tristina is a powerhouse brand builder, combining storytelling and strategy to help creatives grow. From directing UGC to leading branded campaigns, she works where art meets entrepreneurship — documenting her journey and teaching others how to navigate the evolving industry with confidence and clarity.If you're ready to act with intention and build your brand with purpose, this one's for you.Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#BraveMaker #BraveMakerPodcast #ActingCareer #CreativeEntrepreneur #PersonalBranding #IndieFilm #ActorLife #TristinaLeeBryant #BuildYourBrand

From raising funds to facing rejection, from burnout to breakthroughs — this convo doesn't hold back. If you're dreaming of making your feature, don't miss this raw, honest look at what it REALLY takes.Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#BraveMaker #BraveMakerPodcast #Filmmaking #FilmProducer #FeatureFilm

We're going deep into the real, raw truth of screenwriting with Hilliard Guess — writer, producer, podcaster, and director. From breaking into the industry to surviving the writer's room, Hilliard is here to spill it all.With credits on Deadly Class (SYFY), the award-winning digital series TICKER, Amazon's CROSS: AFTER HOURS, and the upcoming coming-of-age film MERMAID!, Hilliard knows what it really takes to make it in Hollywood.He's also the longtime host of Screenwriters' Rant Room, a WGA advocate, and a voice for underrepresented writers across genres. Expect real talk, wild stories, and serious insight.Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#BraveMaker #BraveMakerPodcast #Screenwriting #TV #BlackWriters #Live

BraveMaker Podcast with special guest Kathryn Smith-McGlynn!Kathryn Smith-McGlynn is an award-winning actor, writer, director, and producer whose powerhouse performances span theatre, film, and television. She's graced the stage in acclaimed productions like HENRY V (The Old Globe), FAIRVIEW and SWEAT (Capital Stage), and DISGRACED (San Jose Stage), and shined onscreen in The Surrogate, Mazerunner: The Scorch Trials, The Best Man, and series like Better Call Saul, Grey's Anatomy, and The Cleaning Lady.She's also the force behind The Green Room podcast, a platform amplifying Black artists, and the writer/director of COME AWAY WITH ME, a play for youth about Harriet Tubman's legacy.Join us for a powerful conversation on the intersections of art, activism, and representation.Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#BraveMaker #BraveMakerPodcast #LIVEstream #KathrynSmithMcGlynn #Actor #Director #Producer #TheGreenRoomPodcast #WomenInTheatre #IndependentFilm #BlackArtistsVoices

Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

BraveMaker Podcast -- Micro-Budget Filmmaking with special guest Noam Kroll!Noam Kroll is a Los Angeles-based narrative filmmaker and creative entrepreneur best known for his incredibly DIY approach to the craft. His micro-budget features Shadows on the Road, Psychosynthesis, and Disappearing Boy have earned acclaim at international festivals, and he's not stopping there.As the founder of Creative Rebellion, Noam has led projects for major brands like Google, NBC/Universal, and Warner Bros Technology. He also educates and inspires fellow filmmakers through his blog, podcast Show, Don't Tell, and newsletter Micro-Budget Weekly.Currently in post-production on his fourth feature Teacher's Pet, Noam joins us to talk all things micro-budget filmmaking: building a career on your terms, staying scrappy, and turning constraints into creative power.Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#BraveMaker #BraveMakerPodcast #LIVEstream #NoamKroll #MicroBudgetFilmmaking #IndieFilm #CreativeRebellion #ShowDontTell #IndependentFilm #DIYFilmmaking #FilmmakingTips #BraveStories

BraveMaker Podcast -- How To Direct Female-Centric Feature Films with special guest Traci Hays.Traci Hays is best known for bringing female-centric stories to the forefront, and her fourth feature, ON THE RUN, is no exception—landing on Tubi's Most Liked List as her third installment for FOX. Her international dark comedy MY BLOODY GALENTINE is also streaming on Tubi, and her psychological thriller BLOOD, SWEAT, AND CHEER, starring Tammin Sursok (Pretty Little Liars), was named one of Tubi's Top 10 Originals by Vulture and Screen Rant.Before stepping behind the camera, Traci built a decade-long career in production design on features like A Little White Lie (starring Michael Shannon and Kate Hudson) and Amazon's Emmy-nominated DARK/WEB. As a director, her award-winning short FREDERICK won 20 awards after premiering at Dances With Films, while 40ISH gained recognition at Cannes' Short Film Corner.Don't miss this conversation about storytelling, women in film, and navigating the evolving entertainment industry.Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#BraveMaker #BraveMakerPodcast #LIVEstream #WomenInFilm #IndependentFilm #TraciHays #FemaleFilmmaker #TubiOriginals #FilmmakingJourney

Join our engaging BraveMaker Podcast conversation -- Making Short Films: VIRGIN and STEADY.Welcome our guests:Ramone Menon, a filmmaker from Bangalore, India, currently based in Los Angeles, California. Ramone has crafted a niche in genre cinema, particularly horror intertwined with social commentary. His film "Virgin" adds to his portfolio of thought-provoking films that challenge traditional narratives. His works have been showcased at major film festivals worldwide, including the Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival and others such as LA Shorts and Brooklyn Horror.Joey Rogoff, Founder and Executive Producer at JoRo Productions. Starting with a strong foundation in social media content that captivated millions, Joey has pivoted to producing narrative films that aim to leave a mark on its viewers. His inaugural narrative project, 'Guardian Angel,' set the stage for his production house and was followed by the critically acknowledged 'Steady.'Brian Yuran, Partner at JoRo Productions and a recognized writer-director. Brian has a history of creating films that resonate deeply with audiences. An alumnus of the prestigious Newhouse School at Syracuse University, he has consistently brought to life stories that explore the human condition through unique lenses. His latest project, 'Steady,' featuring Tate Donovan, explores the redemptive power of new relationships formed under unusual circumstances.In-Depth Look at the Films:VIRGIN directed by Ramone Menon, brings a daring reimagining of the nativity story set against a backdrop of horror. The film, which premiered at FilmQuest, delves into the psychological and supernatural elements that might have surrounded the historical event, using a blend of Aramaic dialogue to enhance authenticity.STEADY, co-directed by Brian Yuran and Joey Rogoff, portrays the life of Cody, a teen struggling with personal demons, who finds guidance and friendship in Kasey, a former boxer facing his own battles with Parkinson's disease. This film not only navigates the challenges they face but also highlights their journey towards mutual healing and empowerment.Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠#BraveMaker⁠ ⁠#BraveMakerPodcast⁠ ⁠#PatrickCaligiuri⁠ ⁠#TVProduction⁠ ⁠#BehindTheScenes⁠ ⁠#ContentCreator⁠ ⁠#Filmmaking

Join our conversation with Patrick Caligiuri, an award-winning producer, writer, and content creator behind some of TV's most thrilling reality shows, including The Amazing Race, Big Brother, Naked & Afraid, and American Idol!Most recently, Patrick served as Co-Executive Producer for Fight to Survive (Roku) and The Quest (Disney+). With over 20 years in the industry, he's mastered the art of authentic storytelling and creative innovation in unscripted television.Beyond television, Patrick shares behind-the-scenes insights as “Producer Patrick” on social media, offering a peek into the evolving world of unscripted content.Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠#BraveMaker #BraveMakerPodcast #PatrickCaligiuri #TVProduction #BehindTheScenes #ContentCreator #Filmmaking

Join Tony Gapastione and Priscilla Lam conversation.They share insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and how this trip impacted the BraveMaker team.Don't miss this post-Sundance breakdown!#BraveMaker #PodcastLive #Sundance2025 #FilmFestival

Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠#BraveMaker⁠⁠ #Sundance2025⁠⁠ #FilmFestival⁠⁠ #THIRD ACT

Join Tony Gapastione and Priscilla Lam as they chat with Rachel Alig, star of the Sundance 2025-selected drama Omaha.Dive into the making of this emotional film that follows siblings Ella and Charlie on a cross-country journey with their father after a family tragedy — only to discover that not everything is as it seems.Welcome our special guest, Rachel Alig, an award-winning actress known for her performances across film and television. With over a decade of experience, Rachel has portrayed a wide range of characters, captivating audiences with her depth and versatility. Her notable projects include leading roles in films such as The Cleaning Lady (2018), where she played Shelly, and At Granny's House (2015), portraying Rebecca Torrance. She also starred in First Blush (2020) and Ghostline(2015).Don't miss this inspiring discussion about Rachel's career, her approach to complex roles, and the creative journey behind Omaha, premiering at Sundance!Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook#BraveMaker#Sundance2025#FilmFestival#Omaha

Join our conversation with the special guest, Erin Brown Thomas. Tony Gapastione and Priscilla Lam host this episode about Making the Sundance Selected episodic project: CHASERS.Welcome our guest, Erin Brown Thomas, creator, director, and storyteller extraordinaire. Erin shares how her unique perspective and single-shot filmmaking style brought this bold, visually striking pilot to life.With its mix of drama, comedy, and surreal twists, CHASERS explores the lives of ambitious creatives navigating the fine line between ambition and exploitation. Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook#BraveMaker#Sundance2025#FilmFestival#Chasers

The BraveMaker Team is heading to the Sundance Film Festival 2025!

This episode will explore how creatives can set professional goals and stay on track to achieve them.Join to get ideas, tips, and inspiration for a successful and fulfilling year.Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook#BraveMaker#BraveMakerPodcast#Podcast

BraveMaker Podcast with special guests Juliana Folk and Fearon DeWeese! Join our FIRST conversation in 2025 hosted by Tony Gapastione! Meet our special guests, Juliana Folk and Fearon DeWeese, the powerhouse team behind Ashella Productions!Juliana is an actress, producer, and writer with a knack for creating opportunities for diverse voices. Between acting, developing her script Namasté B*tches, and launching Napa Valley StreamFest, she's always got something exciting in the works.Fearon spent years directing and producing, including leading roles at Napa Valley, Mill Valley, and Sundance film festivals. Her award-winning pilot UnCredited showcases her talent for storytelling, and she's gearing up to direct her first feature, Country Roots.Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow BraveMaker on social media:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook #BraveMaker#BraveMakerPodcast#LIVEstream#Filmmaking#FilmFestival#entertainment

We're pumped to have Christopher Cobbs as our guest! Christopher's story is one for the books. From singing church hymns as a kid to studying vocal music at the Oakland School for the Arts, he's been chasing his creative spark from the start. After earning his degree in Broadcasting at San Francisco State, he launched ItsCobbsProductions and brought some amazing projects to life—like the stage show The Gift and the web series Big Girl Blues, which landed on Keke Palmer's KeyTV this year. Oh, and did we mention he's also worked with Disney Streaming and the Golden State Warriors Studio? Talk about wearing a lot of hats! Christopher's all about creating art that inspires young people to dream big and go for it. Come hang out with us and hear from a guy who's making waves in entertainment. And doing it his way. Join BraveMaker's conversation hosted by Tony Gapastione and Priscilla Lam. Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow BraveMaker on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠ #BraveMaker #BraveMakerPodcast #LIVEstream #Filmmaking #music #entertainment

Join us for a conversation hosted by Tony Gapastione and Priscilla Lam as they welcome filmmaker, producer, and podcast host Alrik Bursell! Alrik is an award-winning filmmaker behind feature films RED SNOW and THE ALTERNATE, boasting fresh ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. With over a decade of experience in commercial film, working with brands like Comcast, HBO, and the NFL, Alrik brings a wealth of knowledge about the art and business of filmmaking. As the co-host of the podcast Making Movies is HARD!!!, Alrik has explored the triumphs and challenges of independent filmmaking through over 500 episodes and 500k downloads. Whether you're a filmmaker, film lover, or simply curious about the creative journey, this is an episode you don't want to miss! Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow BraveMaker on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠ #BraveMaker #BraveMakerPodcast #LIVEstream #Filmmaking #music #entertainment

BraveMaker Podcast with special guest Shia Smith! Welcome our special guest, Shia Shabazz Smith, a filmmaker, screenwriter, poet, and educator whose work celebrates and authentically represents diverse communities. Shia is a powerhouse storyteller with accolades from the Moondance and Tribeca All-Access competitions and is a three-time Sundance Screenwriters' Lab Stage Two finalist. Her short films, like the poignant Dawn and the humor-filled Curdled, showcase her ability to weave powerful narratives. A Cave Canem Fellow, award-winning poet, and educator, Shia's passion for storytelling extends to empowering young minds. Tune in to hear Shia's journey, creative insights, and passion for impactful storytelling. Let's celebrate the art of authentic narratives together! Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow BraveMaker on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠ #BraveMaker #Podcast #LIVE #Stream #Fundraising

What do creative people dream about? BraveMaker's founder, Tony Gapastione, and actress Belgica Rodriguez share gift ideas for creative people in your life. Join our weekly LIVE Stream and be prepared for the upcoming holiday season! #BraveMaker #Podcast #LIVE #Stream #Holiday Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow BraveMaker on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

With 100+ film and TV credits, 50M+ online views, and a career spanning Hollywood and beyond, Brendan Bradley is a master of reinvention and creativity. He's not just an actor—he's a trailblazer in virtual reality theater, starring in award-winning VR productions like Jettison, Welcome to Respite, Gumball Dreams, and Non-Player Character. Brendan's innovation doesn't stop there. He's the co-founder of The 5th Wall Forum and OnBoardXR, supporting over 50 artists worldwide, and he established The Innovation Lab at NYU Tisch. His journey is nothing short of inspiring, and we can't wait to unpack his fascinating career and creative vision. Join BraveMaker's LIVE conversation hosted by Tony Gapastione. Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow BraveMaker on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

Would you like a closer look at how some of your favorite TV shows and films are made? Join us for a conversation with two editors Jon Higgins and Daysha Broadway!