The BraveMaker Podcast

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!

Is it possible to succeed in filmmaking outside of Los Angeles? Let's talk about it with our special guest, Andy Compton! Join us for a conversation with Andy Compton, an Asian American writer and director from St. Louis, Missouri. Once a hard-partying high school dropout, Andy found sobriety in his late 20s, graduated Cum Laude from Webster University, and sharpened his storytelling skills at The Improv Shop. Andy's characters often mirror his journey, exploring themes like class struggle and addiction with a unique blend of humor and drama. His comedy feature BELLYACHE is currently optioned, and his 2023 short film CAPTCHA has earned multiple awards, including Best Narrative Film at the St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase. Andy hosts The Social Screenwriters Podcast, which you can check out on YouTube, Spotify, and other platforms. #BraveMaker #BraveMakerPodcast #Filmmakers 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

Join us for an inspiring conversation with three incredible creatives shaping the entertainment world! Meet our special guests: Miatta Vincent Ronca Screenwriter and Executive Producer Miatta Vincent Ronca has optioned several films, including Once Upon a Wedding to Foxboro Productions and Butterflyto Sidney Kimmel Productions. In 2019, she won the Writers Lab Screenwriting Competition, and in 2020, she was a semifinalist in the CineStory TV Fellowship Contest. Later that same year, she debuted her sketch show Miatta's Festival Show on TikTok. In 2022, she formed her production company, II of Cups Productions. In 2024, her screenplay The Academy was a semifinalist in The Pan African Film Festival's John Singleton Competition. Her short film The Devil Ain't Pius premiered at the Essence Film Festival in July 2024 and was nominated for Best Short Film at the Bronzelens Film Festival in August. Keena Ferguson Frasier Director / Producer Keena Ferguson Frasier is an actor's director. Having starred in TV shows like Atlanta, The Young and the Restless, S.W.A.T., Sistas, Lessons in Chemistry, and many more, Keena has become a director that actors love to work with. She is an NAACP award winner and an HBO nominee for her film Lindon Passing, which she wrote and directed. Recently, she directed seven episodes for season 2 of the AMC series Lace and two episodes of the Chicago drama KoldxWindy for season 2. Delece James Producer Delece James is an experienced Development Executive and Executive Producer in the television and film industry. Her recent successful projects include American Gangster: Trap Queens, First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story, and The Devil Ain't Pius. She is also a philanthropist and an active member of several organizations. Delece's passion lies in showcasing diverse content and challenging industry norms. Don't miss this chance to gain insights from these powerful voices in the industry! 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

Welcome our special guests making waves in the film and music industry!

Willie Macc, a breakout from the hit BET show 'College Hill: Virgin Island,' has transitioned seamlessly from reality TV stardom to an accomplished Hollywood actor and comedian. With over 100 million views on his stand-up and comedy videos across various social media platforms, Willie's humor resonates globally. He's graced screens in over 50 national commercials for brands like Kia, Verizon, Credit Karma, Progressive, Snapple, and more. Beyond commercials, Willie Macc has made notable appearances on shows like CSI, Hulu's 'Casual,' ABC's 'The Goldbergs,' and more. He's taken his comedic talent worldwide, entertaining the US Military abroad and headlining stand-up shows internationally. His stand-up has been featured on Netflix as a Joke Radio, TruTV's LaffMobb LaffTracks, and his Don't Tell Comedy performance has accumulated over 45 million views online. Alongside his thriving comedy career, catch Willie Macc and co-host Danny Plom on their podcast 'Afronoodles,' available on TikTok and Instagram. Join our funny-spooky episode, co-hosting Belgica Rodriguez! 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

Join us for a fun and insightful conversation with Aadip Desai, an LA-based Indian American screenwriter, comedian, and musician whose career journey is as multifaceted as his talent. Aadip has worn many hats, combining his love for music and filmmaking into an incredible career that spans writing for shows like ABC's The Goldbergs to performing standup comedy and working as a music supervisor and executive for Starbucks. He's been recognized as a BAFTA Breakthrough for his work in television and has written for major networks like Netflix, Disney Jr., Nickelodeon, and DreamWorks. Beyond screenwriting, Aadip's passion for music saw him performing as a jazz trumpet player, indie rock drummer, and even developing a vigilante series with a spy/music twist. He's also taught and advised at top institutions like Sundance, AFI, NYU, UCLA, USC, and WGA. 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

Join us for a conversation with Chelsea Bo, an award-winning writer/director with a background in theater and improv. Chelsea graduated from Loyola Marymount University's School of Film & Television and was selected for Film Independent's Incubator Lab and Village Roadshow's Emerging Talent Program. She co-founded the production company Paxeros with her husband, and together, they've produced several feature films, including Fully Realized Humans (Tribeca 2020) and The Drop (Tribeca 2022).Chelsea's directorial debut, No Right Way , is a heartwarming drama, filled with comedy, about Georgie, a bold tween, and her half-sister Harper, who's grappling with guardianship. At the same time, they both confront the scars of their shared childhood. It's a film that will open your heart and inspire you to see the potential for hope and healing.No Right Way has already won 16 awards across 19 festivals, and during the podcast, we'll dive deep into Chelsea's creative process and journey in filmmaking.  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

Welcome our special guest, director, writer, and editor, R.J. Daniel Hanna. As an Irish/Canadian/Arkansan, Daniel never quite knew where he belonged—until he found his way to Hollywood. He's a proud Academy Nicholl Fellow for Screenwriting.Danie's acclaimed indie feature, HARD MILES (starring Matthew Modine and Sean Astin), has been screened in over 600 theaters across the U.S. and U.K. and garnered multiple awards at prestigious film festivals. Before that, his other film, MISS VIRGINIA (starring Uzo Aduba and Vanessa Williams), landed distribution deals with BET and Netflix. Daniel's new horror film, SUCCUBUS (featuring Ron Perlman and Rosanna Arquette), has just been released, so now is the time to check whether this horror feature breaks all the rules!Let's discuss making a horror with Daniel! 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

Be sure that you're ready for this action-packed episode! BraveMaker founder Tony Gapastione and director Shaun Piccinino will discuss directing feature films and working with big names like Netflix, HBO, Spike, and others. Shaun Paul Piccinino, an acclaimed film and television director, has an impressive portfolio, including six Netflix features and over 250 million hours viewed.With his career rocketing skyward, Piccinino has directed 11 feature films and 3 television series, showcasing his versatility across various genres and platforms, including HBO, Netflix, Warner Brothers, and Lionsgate. Shaun is also renowned for his skill in action sequences, stunts, and visual effects. His early career highlights include significant roles in ‘Deadliest Warrior' and contributions to the “Call of Duty” franchise. Did you know he even works on specials for iconic ‘Robot Chicken' and ‘Star Wars'? 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

Nidhi is a passionate advocate for ethical and equitable technology. She's been working in AI policy, fighting against cyber-surveillance, and advocating for privacy rights nationally and internationally. As a Bay Area native, Nidhi protects the vibrant culture she loves. Plus, she's stepping into filmmaking with her first documentary 'Watch the Watchers'. 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

Conrad, a proud dog dad to Frenchie Martin, brings humor and wisdom to the screen with his ongoing sketch series featuring the hilarious, unwavering Sergeant and the clever Father Time. His unique content has attracted big brands like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, McDonald's, and Dove, who have partnered with him on social media campaigns. 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

Michelle has written and produced a variety of projects, from indie films to major productions. She has crafted over 250 pieces of content, taking indie films to new heights and getting recognized at prestigious film festivals like ABFF and BronzeLens. In this episode, Michelle will share everything you need to know to make it in the world of indie filmmaking—from her storytelling passion to the importance of supporting each other in this creative space. 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

Niema Jordan is a writer, speaker, and award-winning filmmaker from Oakland, CA, who is passionate about character-driven stories. Niema's harnessing the power of media for positive community impact. Early in her career, Niema navigated the New York media landscape and got her start at Essence magazine. She later returned home to pursue graduate degrees in journalism and public health. Her work has been published in Ebony and Glamour. Her production credits include Oasis, The Chosen Life, Bobby Kennedy for President, The Me You Can't See, Eyes On The Prize: Hallowed Ground, and Bree Wayy: Promise, Witness, Remembrance. Niema is also the founder of Marie Media and Consulting and the co-director of @cinemama.film , an Oakland-based non-profit servicing the local film community. Tune in for a deep dive into creativity, passion, and intentionality in filmmaking. 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

Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠⁠BraveMaker YouTube⁠⁠. Description Our special guest, the co-founder of SIMPLE DCP Garrett Sergeant, talks about what a DCP is and why you need one as a filmmaker, especially in our BraveMaker Film Fest. Do your research. Get good quality sound. Export a PRO RES version of your film and upload it to the Simple DCP portal. They will do a quality check. Once approved, they will send your film to our DIGITAL PROJECTION APPROVED theater on a hard drive! Follow BraveMaker on social media: ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

Watch the weekly LIVE stream on ⁠BraveMaker YouTube⁠. Description Tony Gapastione, Belgica Rodriguez and special guest Kimberly Jentzen talks on Acting WITH Impcat. Acclaimed acting coach, filmmaker, and author Kimberly Jentzen has won multiple Backstage Reader's Choice Awards and is the author of ‘Acting with Impact' and ‘Life Emotions Cards.' Coaching actors to build characters and book roles for more than 30 years in Los Angeles, Kimberly has been invited to teach The Jentzen Technique throughout the United States and abroad. Kimberly has directed over a dozen plays in Los Angeles, and her students have appeared in major motion pictures, hit TV series, and on Broadway. On set, Kimberly coached actors starring in feature films. She hit television series, worked as a sought-after performance coach for professional singers, and as a mentor coach for up-and-coming and established directors. Tune in to discover Kimberly's journey, her unique approach to acting, and how her teachings have shaped the careers of countless actors. Follow BraveMaker on social media: Instagram TikTok Facebook --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

Creatives need to make stuff...and stop talking about it. Get it done! Put it on your schedule. But you can't do it alone. Creatives need support, accountability, and professional development to learn HOW to achieve their creative goals. The BraveMaker MasterMind does just that! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

Director Tony Gapastione talks about auditioning and the importance of 1-following casting directions, 2-preparation, 3-making interesting choices and 4-staying in touch with decision makers (without being a shady stalker) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

Tony Gapastione, founder/executive director of BraveMaker, offers suggestions on how to NOT turn off potential collaborators by PICKING their BRAIN. Just think about that image for a second. (EW!) Take a listen and get better at building relationships. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

Solo show with Tony Gapastione. What can you do to SURVIVE the tough times in filmmaking? ⁠ What can you do when you feel LOW, discouraged and/or depressed after a film shoot? OR what do you do when crashing/coming down after HIGH HIGHS of @bravemakerfilmfest? ⁠ ⁠ Tony talks through some ideas to Actively and intentionally plan to take care of yourself: emotionally, physically and creatively. Want to WATCH this episode? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B2eTMyrLUk&t=312s --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

BraveMaker + No Film School CROSSOVER: Navigating All Facets of Comedy With 'The Office' & 'Abbott Elementary' Director Ken Whittingham hosted by GG Hawkins and Priscilla Lam Ken Whittingham has directed shows we all know and love such as, The Office, 30 Rock, and Parks and Recreation. More recently, he has worked on the TV comedy, Abbot Elementary, which uses a mockumentary production style, similar to The Office. While Ken is an award-winning director with over 25 years of experience, he believes in the power of teamwork and respecting everyone on set regardless of their title. In today's episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins speaks with director Ken Whittingham and BraveMaker podcast host Priscilla Lam to discuss: Selling a script as a new PA How Ken became a television director  Learning how to clearly communicate with actors The balance between giving actors autonomy and giving them direction An awkward moment with Alec Baldwin on the set of 30 Rock Tone meetings - what are they and why are they important Treating the documentarian in The Office as if it were a separate character The power of subtlety in comedy How Ken and Priscilla met  Transitioning from TV into film Our favorite shows, movies, and hobbies Memorable Quotes “I still get nervous. Every Sunday night before I shoot Monday morning, I'm nervous.” [10:37] “You can't get into this business, thinking about money. You have to go with your passion, and really believe in yourself.” [42:56] “Everybody's job is important and nobody's job is more important than the other. It's a team effort.” [48:01] Mentioned Abbott Elementary S2E21 The Office S1E3 Ken's Instagram Priscilla's Instagram BraveMaker on Instagram  BraveMaker Film Festival Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web https://nofilmschool.com/ Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Twitter  https://twitter.com/nofilmschool YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

Our 250th podcast was recorded LIVE July 11, 2024 at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative in Redwood City, Ca during OPENING DAY of our 6th ANNUAL FILM FEST. The podcast was recorded/streamed live by Pen Media with BraveMaker founder/executive director Tony Gapastione and actor/producer Priscilla Lam hosting special guests from the BraveMaker Film Fest (VIP Impact Honorees): LAUREN WELLS Screenwriter on "WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS" and creator of "Mina and Lucy's Guide to Killing Dracula." (podcast). AVRIL SPEAKS Showrunner/Director of Netflix's "Files of the Unexplained" and host of Distribution Advocates presents podcast. KEN WHITTINGHAM Director for decades on such TV shows as: "The Office," "Parks and Recs," "Abbott Elementary," "Good Girls," "Black-ish," "The Upshaws" and more! LEAH KNAUER Actress, Comedian/Impressionist and Social Media Influencer NADINE CROCKER Actor/Writer/Director/Producer of films: "Continue" and "Desperation Road." OLIVIA ALLEN Actress, Producer and podcaster of: Broad Ideas with Rachel Bilson --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

Become a donor today! https://bravemaker.com/donate/ Want to watch the VIDEO of this podcast? https://www.youtube.com/live/NKWmmaYE2o4?si=a-4lGBAo5acjKPmA All our podcasts go LIVE on our Youtube channel and are available to watch on reply. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

Born and raised in Nigeria, Jesse Kuba moved to San Jose, California at the age of 17. A graduate from SFSU's Film school. Jesse has a unique perspective on how we see each other, and a fervent belief in the importance of storytelling, and seeing indigenous stories on screen. He has directed two acclaimed shorts and his first feature film (The Moon is in Aquarius). THE MOON IS IN AQUARIUS which screened at our 6th annual BraveMaker Film Fest. www.kubanproductions.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

We had so many great filmmakers at our 6th annual film fest. If you want to submit your film for 2025---mark your calendar: https://filmfreeway.com/bravemakerfilmfest --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

Recorded July 5th, 2024 (watch the interview here) hosted by BraveMaker's Tony Gapastione. Meet the filmmakers of our opening night film: DAUGHTERS, a multi-award winning Sundance 2024 film. (Comes out August 14th, 2024 to stream on NETFLIX). https://www.daughtersdocumentary.com/ In this PODCAST: Angela Patton, Co-Director, Executive Producer Angela Patton, CEO of Girls For A Change, is committed to advancing opportunities for Black girls. Her TEDWomen talk garnered over one million views and inspired the making of Daughters. As a speaker, author, and co-director, Patton is dedicated to celebrating and sharing the multifaceted experiences of Black girls. Lisa Mazzotta, Producer Lisa Mazzotta is a multiple award-winning producer, dedicated to sharing stories to ignite positive social change. Her work on the award-winning documentary RiverBlue led to tangible reform in the fashion industry, and her work on NBC's hit show Heroes led NBC.com to win its first Primetime Emmy Award. With Daughters, she continues to share the stories that shed light on important issues. Chad M. Morris is the Chief Executive Officer of Trinity Village Center at Trinity Family Life Center (TFLC) in Richmond, Virginia.  Trinity Baptist Church established Trinity Village Center a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization which operates Trinity Family Life Center. TFLC's Strengthening Families Uplifting Communities Program is a national pilot for Casey Family Programs' faith- based initiative—a part of their 20/20 Strategy. Chad's approach to family strengthening and community regeneration has been demonstrated through the development and implementation of the following TFLC Programs: Positive Paths: A Resource Center for Foster Care Alumni, Responsible Fatherhood, Motherhood and Co-parenting Support Groups, Youth Rites of Passage and The R.O.P.E.S. Youth Violence Prevention Program. Chad is a speaker, advocate for social change, an NPCL Certified Fatherhood and Family Life Coach, Master Trainer and Legacy Mentor. In his work with men, fathers, and families, Chad developed The Proving Grounds: Success and Wellness Strategies, focusing on supporting positive shifts in mindset, values, physical health and wellness and accountability. Chad's supportive work with men and fathers is also evident in his role as the Fatherhood Family Life Coach for the dads in the film DAUGHTERS, a documentary that gives a glimpse into the lives of incarnated fathers and their daughters and the importance of their relationships as they prepare for a date with dad dance. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

Tony Gapastione shares thoughts on bringing value as a filmmaker no matter what your role. If you're a PA or a background actor you bring value...and if you a GOOD producer or director---you realize everyone on set is crucial and should be treated accordingly. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

Do you want to get into a FILM FEST? This conversation is important to ensure you do everything in your control to represent yourself AND your film well. Podcast includes behind the scenes of what you need to do with your film's [Film Freeway] profile to stand out. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

With Fredericka Meek, Jennifer Marie, Saurav Mohapatra, and Neha Shah in conversation with Tony Gapastione --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

Meet some of our film fest filmmakers for 2024   / noahbayshore    / cine.dexx    / meghannatherton   --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

Meet actors/writers MaryLynn Suchan (@marylynn_suchan) and Poonam Basu (@iampoonambasu) of the short film MY DEAREST ELIZABETH (@mydearestelizabethshort) which was selected to screen at our Film Festival!!! Poonam Basu (she/her) loves a good hyphen/backslash. She is a bi-coastal (LA/NY) actor/writer/director. Having just returned to LA from shooting a bloody Horror-Comedy in NY, Poonam is now writing a sweet Christmas Rom-Com because… well, balance. Last fall, Poonam was honored with the Best Director award at NJWebFest for My Dearest Elizabeth. She is thrilled to share MDE with new audiences at BraveMaker this summer alongside her dearest bestie, MaryLynn Suchan! A Jersey-girl at heart, MaryLynn Suchan is an actor, writer & producer based in LA by way of NYC. Most recently, MaryLynn served as an Associate Producer on ABC's Grey's Anatomy & Station 19. In season 18 of Grey's Anatomy, MaryLynn played a recurring role as MaryAnn Suchan (your eyes don't deceive you; it's basically her real-life name) a member of the Medical Accreditation Council. Created in honor of her grandmother, MaryLynn's short film, “My Dearest Elizabeth'' was proud to be screened at BraveMaker where you'll find her and Poonam Basu consistently overdressed and hamming it up in front of cameras big and small. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

Tony Gapastiones shares some thoughts on evaluating when to say HELL YES or HELL NO to a project. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

After completing multiple short films together Tony Gapastione and Darryl Merquillo breakdown things learned and share LIVE feedback on set life. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

Actress, producer, writer and director Cylla Senii (@cyllasenii) is a versatile and daring artist who shines both on and off screen as an actress, producer, director, and writer. Her series SITUATIONSHIPS, which she created, wrote, directed, produced, and starred, made its first debut on BET and is now available on Tubi & Amazon. SITUATIONSHIPS is currently in development for television with Monami Productions. Cylla is a member of the Producers Guild of America. Cylla is a graduate from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts and Journalism in Advertising with an emphasis in Film Studies and Music Business. In New York City, she's sharpened her acting and improv skills by studying at Terry Schreiber Studios and the UCB Training Center. Currently, Cylla received the Cornell University Women's Entrepreneurship certificate. In her spare time, she loves to travel, dance, read, and spend time with her loved ones. She reps her Liberian-Chinese-Trini background proudly and holds down Queens, New York where she was born and has a love for the deep southern city of Warner Robins, GA where she spent her youth! https://www.instagram.com/cyllasenii/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

Avril Z. Speaks Producer/Director https://www.instagram.com/azuspeak/ Avril Speaks has been carving out her path as a bold, innovative storyteller for years, not only as a Producer and Director but also as a film educator through Film Independent, the Sundance Institute, and Distribution Advocates, and formerly as a professor at Howard University. Avril has produced several award-winning films including Jinn, which premiered at SXSW and won Special Jury Recognition for Writing, and the South African film African America, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award and four African Movie Academy Awards. She also produced the documentary Black America Is..., which premiered at the Afrikana Film Festival and won Best Feature Documentary at various film festivals. As a director and showrunner, Avril has worked with companies such as Now This and Vox Media Studios on docu-series such as Uprooted: The Untold Keith Warren Story, Keep This Between Us, and Files of the Unexplained, which recently debuted as the #1 show on Netflix. Avril is a recipient of the inaugural Dear Producer Award, the Sundance Momentum Fellowship, and is a recent recipient of the Film Independent Amplifier Fellowship. She is one of the founding members of Distribution Advocates, where she hosts the podcast Distribution advocates Presents, and is a board member for the Black TV and Film Collective. Hosted by actor/filmmaker Tony Gapastione --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

Ever wondered how to handle those awkward moments at a film fest talk back? Tony Gapastione gives some tips on what TO DO and WHAT TO AVOID. Read it here: https://bravemaker.com/film-fest-panels-dos-and-donts/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

This episode is an important listen for actors and filmmakers of all kinds. Brooke M. Haney (they/she) is the creator of The Actor's Warm Down, editor of The Intimacy Coordinator's Guidebook: Specialties for Stage and Screen, and one of the first 50 intimacy coordinators recognized as qualified by SAG/AFTRA. They specialize in staging authentic representation of queer intimacy and work in TV/Film and Theater. Catch their work on CBS, Paramount+, Peacock, HBO, Amazon Prime and more. www.brookemhaney.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support

Giovannie Espiritu's identity is inherently political: A bisexual, once-undocumented immigrant Filipina mom who spent time in a Biblical doomsday cult as a teen. Her first short film, “Ultra-Feminist,” got an Honorable Mention at Outfest:Fusion, and her second film, “ALLY 3000,” won over 12 awards at film festivals mainly in scriptwriting and social justice. Her newest short doc film, “Legacy,” won the Hyundai Evolve Innovation Award is in the film festival circuit. It has exhibited at the OutMuseum, and will be showing in the New Americans Museum in San Diego. Most of her work has taken aim at dismantling the patriarchy, healing generational trauma, and exposing systems of bias with humor. Her IRL and reel life mantra is to “Break Hearts Wide Open and Create More Moments of Joy.” As an actor, she was once nominated alongside Academy Award nominees Alfre Woodard and Amy Irving for Best Supporting Actress, but she didn't know what to do with that information other than put it on her business card. Her primetime credits include a recurring role on Young Sheldon, ER (NBC), Bones (FOX), Gilmore Girls (ABC), and Trauma (NBC). She can be seen as the lead in the Amazon series, “Dyke Central,” which was featured in After Ellen, BuzzFeed, Bust Magazine and Curve Magazine as a top LGBTQ series to watch, Nancy on the Tubi Original “Titanic 666,” alongside AnnaLynneMcCord and will be on Season 4 of 911 Lone Star as Joni. In her spare time, she rock climbs and advocates for Domestic Violence Awareness/Prevention and LGBTQ equality. She has served on the Board of Directors for C.O.R.A. (a Bay Area domestic violence hotline and agency) and been awarded a Certificate of Recognition from the Senate and California Assembly for her community service. She was recognized as one of 23 "Most Influential Filipina Women in the World" in the Innovator & Thought Leader category by the Filipina Women's Network. She is a proud member of the Alliance of Women Directors and the Producer's Guild of America. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bravemaker/support