The Lowdown

New Jersey native Jeff Ludwig has worked in Hollywood for over seven years at companies such as The Firm, Anonymous Content, and Lionsgate. Ludwig currently presides as Vice President over at Guy Ritchie's production company, Ritchie/Wigram Productions.   On this episode of The Lowdown, Ludwig discusses what it's like working in development at a company whose bottom line is developing 100 million dollar franchises.

Writer/Director Ryan Landels has traversed the land of short films, commercials, and features garnering attention throughout them all. He's staked a place in the online arena, working on The LXD – The Legion Of Extraordinary Dancers, the Streamy-winning show Masterclass, as well as producing and developing an entire slate of shows for the Webby-honored DS2DIO.   Most recently, Ryan was hired to write the live-action feature adaptation of Hasbro's classic animated series and toy line, Jem and the Holograms.   On this episode, Ryan talks about his motivation for directing spec commercials, where that led him in his career, and the tools he feels are valuable to make it in the industry.   Check out more info on Ryan at: www.RyanLandels.com  

Nick Kinney is an architectural designer based in Los Angeles. From 3D animation on projects like the Jurassic Park 3D logo, to designing the giant astronaut at Coachella 2014, Nick and his company NKdsgn provide a bountiful of design expertise.   On this episode, Nick talks about his background as a designer, and what it takes to build a sixty foot moving astronaut.   To find out more about Nick, please visit: http://www.nkdsgn.com

Jason Baum is an LA based Director/Producer who has produced music videos for Arcade Fire, Childish Gambino, Ellie Goulding, Cut Copy and more.   On this episode of The Lowdown, Jason talks about being both a director and producer, how he got into producing and sheds some light on his latest video for Arcade Fire.   For more info on Jason please visit: http://www.jasonbaum.com

Jake Emanuel, along with writing partner WIllie Block, are LA-based writers who most recently were apart of the writing room for the FX show Chozen.   On this episode of The Lowdown, Jake discusses how he landed Chozen, his first day in the writer's room, and what it's like working with a co-writer.   For more information on Chozen, please visit: http://www.fxnetworks.com/chozen 

Willie Block, along with writing partner ‎Jake Emanuel, are LA-based writers who most recently wrapped on Season 1 of the FX animated series Chozen.   On this episode of The Lowdown, Willie discusses his journey into television, from writing on spec, to attaining representation, through booking work, and how time is best used in between.   For more information on Chozen, please visit: http://www.fxnetworks.com/chozen   

David Shawl is an an award winning Cinematographer and Steadicam Operator in Los Angeles. He is a  member of the International Cinematographers Guild - IATSE Local 600, the Society of Camera Operators (SOC), the Steadicam Operators Association, the Steadicam Guild, and is SCUBA Certified.   His clients include NBC Universal, ABC, CBS, Bravo, SyFy Channel, Discovery Channel, PEPSI, Nike, Activision, Ubisoft, Lifetime TV, Adidas, 7-Eleven, The CW, Dow Chemical, CitiBank, Weiden+Kennedy, Partizan, KTLA, Endemol and Major League Soccer,   On this episode of The Lowdown, Dave talks about working on various sets, the latest in cameras and steadicam tools, and how to construct a great shot.   For more information on Dave please visit: http://www.davidshawl.com

A Boston native, Andrew earned his BFA as a Writer/Director from the SUNY Purchase Film Conservatory before earning his MFA in Directing from the American Film Institute. His graduate thesis short "The Response" won First Place at the Student BAFTA/ LA Awards and was a Blue Panel Finalist for the Student Emmy and West Coast Regional Finalist for the Student Academy Awards.  Andrew has been active in the Independent Feature world as a First Assistant Director on films such as We Gotta Get Out Of This Place, Faults and V/H/S/2.  He is currently writing his own feature script with the prospects of going into production by the end of the year.     On this episode of the Lowdown, Andrew talks about his adventures as an AD and how that relates to his goals as filmmaker.     For more information on Andrew please visit:  www.andrewspieler.com 

Tony Piantedosi has been with Premiere Entertainment Group since January 2013.  Formerly Director of Development at Televix Entertainment,  he oversees all feature film development and acquisitions for PEG. Piantedosi grew up in Boston,  where he graduated cum laude from Northeastern University,  with a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema Studies and Communications.   In this episode, Tony talks about the business of International Sales, from the daily grind of watching films and reading screenplays, to attending film festivals, acquiring films and predicting their success.   For more information on Premiere Entertainment please visit:   http://www.premiereentertainmentgroup.com

Zach Donohue is an upstate NY born/LA based writer/director whose first feature The Den was released by IFC Midnight on March 14th, 2014 and is currently available to rent on iTunes and VOD. Zach spends his days working as an assistant, and his nights pounding out a new script for his second horror feature.   For more information on the Den visit: Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07eSKWsr2fg iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-den/id826192915   For more information on Zach head to: IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3628670/   Twitter: @zachary_donohue

Brett Pawlak has projects ranging from music videos with Bruno Mars, commercials for McDonalds, Ford, and Mercedes, a web series for the Halo, and the features I Am Not A Hipster, Short Term 12,  and the soon to be released Hellion.   In this episode of the Lowdown, Brett talks about his favorite gear, his approach to various projects, and what it's like working with a variety of filmmakers.   For more information on Brett, please check out:   http://www.brettpawlak.com

Travis Baker is a Jersey-born, LA-based writer/director whose first film, Mischief Night, will be released by Lionsgate and After Dark Films on May 20th, 2014. He is also a screenwriter with various projects set up around town, including scripts with Zoe Saldana and Mark Wahlberg attached.   In this episode of the Lowdown, Travis talks about working with Malcolm McDowell, shooting a horror film on a tight budget, and his day-job as screenwriter.   To check out the official trailer for Mischief Night visit:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHILZ4G-mN8

Ryan Kohler produces commercials, branded content, web sketches, music videos, photo shoots and more. He was also a producer on Sarah Silverman's new HBO special We Are Miracles.   In episode 7 of The Lowdown, Ryan discusses what it's like working with various types of directors, tricks for pulling of low budget projects and gauging when to turn down an opportunity.   For more information on Ryan, please check out his website at: www.RyanKohler.tv

Keto worked in feature post-production on The Spirit,  TRON: Legacy, and Clash of the Titans before switching to her dream job of television writing. She started on NBC's short-lived show The Cape, spent two seasons on Syfy's Being Human, and now writes for the CW's DC Comics adaptation, Arrow.     In this episode of The Lowdown, Keto talks about how she got her start in writing, what it's like being in the writing room, and tips for new writers entering the television world.   For more information on Keto's show Arrow check out: http://www.cwtv.com/shows/arrow      

Ian Midgley has been working in Los Angeles in music video, commercial, and television for seven years and has toured the subcultures of America through his activist-minded documentary work.  While completing his first feature documentary, The Spark, he is continuing to create web content aimed at topics of environmental and social justice and is also developing several narrative feature projects.    In this episode of The Lowdown, Ian gives us the down and dirty approach to making a documentary on a dime. Focusing on his film, The Spark, Ian gives us his inspiration, anecdotes from the road, and tips for like-minded filmmakers.   For more information on Ian please check out: www.ianmidgley.com   For more information on his film, The Spark, and to DONATE the project, please visit:   www.thesparkfilm.com

Writer/Director Julian Higgins' short films have screened worldwide and won numerous awards, including two Student Emmys and the gold medal Student Academy Award. He made his TV directorial debut with one of the final episodes of House M.D., and is currently developing both feature and television projects.   On this episode of the Lowdown, Julian talks candidly about his trajectory from short films at Emerson College and the American Film Institute to directing an episode of a widely acclaimed international television series.    For more information on Julian please check out:       http://www.julianh.com

  Jason Zone Fisher has hosted and produced successful TV shows, web series and viral content for major brands including Skype, Gillette, Butterfinger and more.   In this episode, Fisher discusses his documentary Swing State, how to schmooze during an NBA finals game, and working with Gillette.   For more information on Jason please check out: www.jasonzonefisher.com

Los Angeles based writer/director Lex Halaby has directed music videos for a slew of artists including Islands, Piranhas Club and Train and commercials for Microsoft, Nickelodeon, Mobeam and more.   On Episode 2 of The Lowdown Lex discusses his diverse portfolio, from music videos, commercials and shorts to online interactive projects.   Check out Lex's work at: www.LexHalaby.com  

Producer John Corser talks about cost vs. value pertaining to screenplays, working on branded content, the perils of having a diverse resume ad more.   Check out John's work at: www.Corser.com www.FilmUtah.org