Podcast appearances and mentions of maverick entertainment

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Lionel Anthony Cook, a filmmaker who started out as an indie filmmaker and made his way to Hollywood! It was fascinating to hear about his journey in the film business and how he managed to achieve success through sheer perseverance and talent. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/live/Hjc8KxLZcwE?feature=share ============= BIO Lionel Anthony Cook is a film and television editor Director of Photography, and producer who has over a decade of professional working experience. A Philadelphia native, Cook obtained his bachelor's degree in film and television production from Temple University. He went on to write, direct and produce his first short film, “Keep Calling Me”. The film received High Acclaim at the 2008 Philadelphia Independent Film Festival. His feature film “Sure Looks Good” was an official selection of the 2010 San Diego Black Film Festival and was distributed by Maverick Entertainment. Cook went on to direct, edit, and produce four short films, a web series, and a feature film from 2012 to 2018. In 2019 Cook got the opportunity to edit the independent feature film “The Available Wife”. This film went on to be selected for the 2020 American Black Film Festival, where it received high acclaim. Later that year, “The Available Wife” aired on BET. Later that year, Cook relocated to Los Angeles, California, where his editing career ascended. Cook was hired as the assistant editor for the feature film “True to The Game 2” which was one of the highest-grossing theatrical releases in the Indies and 2020. ================== Submit Your Film to Our Film Collective: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ifapfilmcollective.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect With Floyd Marshall Jr: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/floydmarshalljr⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠tiktok.com/@floydmarshalljr0⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠FlodyMarshallJr⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aconversationwithfm/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aconversationwithfm/support

Mimi Loftus started her professional career in New York City teaching Literature, Writing, and Psychology at Monroe College in the Bronx, and then English and History at the Beacon School in Manhattan. After taking a complement of students to Cuba in 2000, Mimi moved to New Orleans (the northernmost Caribbean country!) where she was invited to participate in the National Writing Project. Shortly thereafter, she joined New Orleans Access Television as Education Coordinator and Senior Writer where she produced educational programming, wrote and administered several training grants, consulted on all film training programs developed by the City of New Orleans, and helped design curriculum for media programs offered in local schools. In addition, Mimi wrote the curriculum for film and video production, certified by the State of Louisiana, and taught Screenwriting and Introduction to Production at Louisiana Technical College. In 2009, Mimi returned to New York and to Monroe College as Director of the Writing Center and Writing Across the Curriculum. She was also a member of the Honors Executive Board, the Honors Program Coordinator for the Bronx campus, and taught Honors sections of Film as Literature, Expository Writing, and The Psychology of Child Development. Formerly the English and World Languages Department Head, Mimi currently teaches English and Humanities classes at Fusion Academy, a progressive private school in Southlake, Texas, where the student-teacher ratio is 1:1. At Fusion, Mimi writes and customizes her curriculum to meet each student's learning style and interests, while tailoring the instruction to capitalize on strengths and develop academic areas of growth and life skills. Her pedagogical approach is rooted in inquiry-based learning, where students develop authentic, real-world connections to the content through exploration and high-level questioning. A freelance writer since 2003, Mimi writes grants, submissions for RFQs and RFPs, feasibility studies, advertising copy, and screenplays. One of her feature-length screenplays was independently produced and internationally distributed through Maverick Entertainment. An avid traveler, Mimi has been to 40 US states and 14 foreign countries. She is literate in Spanish, and conversational in French and Italian. She earned her BA from the University of Massachusetts, her MA from Boston University, and a certificate from Harvard University's Graduate School of Design. When she's not scolding her students for ending sentences in prepositions, Mimi is hanging out with her dog Phoenix, attending nerdy events, spending time with her family, and practicing Jedi mind tricks on unsuspecting Padawans. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/deeplyrootedshow/message

Show Synopsis: ACT I, SCENE 1 OF ELECTRIC SERENADE Down, despondent, and a little drunk over the seeming end of a long-term relationship, Joanna is at her lowest point while at a friend's anniversary party when in walks Mark. Immediately she vents her frustrations to him before they formally introduce themselves to each other, and he tries to lift her spirits with empathy and encouragement. They get to know each other as she expresses her hopes and dreams and he talks about his own aspirations. They become acquainted by the end of the scene, and their budding relationship will take more twists and turns over the course of the play before unforeseen events bring Joanna to a crossroads at play's end.Carrie Wesolowski (Director/Joanna) Born and raised in NYC, Carrie Wesolowski is a NYC-based Actor, Director, Host, and Singer who is a seasoned film, television, theatre and now Zoom actor. Carrie studied acting with Michael Harney, Phil Gushee and Joe Anania. Carrie hosted Movie Talk Show from 2014-2018 and served as its Associate Producer, giving indie actors, writers, and directors a platform for their work. Carrie is thrilled to once again be a finalist in Manhattan Rep's Stories Film Festival. Her work as Director/Actor in Coni Koepfinger's The Unusual Chauncey Faust can be seen in Manhattan Rep's Stories Film Festival from September 15-October 3, 2021. You can catch her Q&A with Festival Director Ken Wolf, get a festival ticket and vote for The Unusual Chauncey Faust @ https://www.manhattanrep.com/stories-film-fest It's always such a joy for Carrie co-hosting, directing, and acting on AirPlay. Juan Perez (Mark)Juan studied film, theater, and acting at New York University, Brooklyn College, and Michael Howard Studios. He has performed in theatrical and cinematic productions for over a decade. Theatrically, he has performed in productions including ‘A View from the Bridge,' ‘Wait Until Dark,' and ‘Pulp Shakespeare.' In video productions, Juan parlayed his memorable performance as Bernardo in ‘Jose's Place,' into the uniquely manic lead in ‘La Casa Loca'(Maverick Entertainment). Juan currently produces videos for corporate clients and artists in Los Angeles. Juan was most recently seen in the NYC production of Still, Birth.Robert Kirkendall (Playwright)Robert Kirkendall grew up in San Jose, California, and presently lives over the hill in Santa Cruz. He was a member of the Briefly Scene playwriting workshop where he developed a number of scripts, and his short plays have been performed at Actors' Theater of Santa Cruz and Community Television of Santa Cruz. Last February, his two-act workplace drama Dermalogic was performed as part of Theater for the New City's On the Air series and Robert hopes to someday give it a fully-staged production. He is currently co-writing a screenplay named Twenty with director Hilary Davidson for Nineteen85 Films, and has written a screenplay he plans to direct about a man trying to escape Santa Cruz called Leaving Paradise. You can read more of his work on his website @ www.robertkirkendall.com Byron C. Saunders (Narrator) Byron is an Arts Management Consultant / Actor / Director / Producer / Dramaturge / Historian Byron's highlights and many credits currently include working as an independent Arts Management Consultant helping artists and arts organizations with grants administration, fund development, marketing, public relations, event planning, and capacity growth and development. Based in Washington, DC…most recently, he produced a theatrical/film short…SIMON SAYS…as a finalist for the 1st Annual Playbill Virtual Theater Festival 2020; and directed The Fannie Lou Hamer Story an award winning theatrical production starring Mzuri Moyo Aimbaye; and he was the Acting Assistant Director at the Louis Armstrong House Museum located in Corona, NYC. Other recent credits include…Director of the Best Play of the 2016 One Festival – Marlene Goes to Hollywood; Mohandas K. Gandhi in the production of Peace Speaks; Dr. A.C. Jackson in the production of Black Wall Street: The Story of the 1921 Tulsa, OK Race Riots. In New York City, he was the Executive Director of the Frank Silvera Writer's Workshop and won an Obie Award for Playwriting Development.

COMING SOON! Recession Proof is a comedy about: Regina Holloway, a Wall Street executive  who loses her entire lifesavings in a ponzi scheme and is forced to move back home with with her momma in the hood and find a new way of life. Starring: Khadijah Karriem. Directed by: Arthur Muhammad Actress, writer, producer, Khadijah Karriem has worked in the industry for over 30yrs. She’s worked with such stars as Angelina Jolie, Charles Dutton, Jon Cryer of Two and Half Men and many more. Ms. Karriem has guest starred in such shows as NYPD Blue, The Practice, Lincoln Heights, Arliss, Any Day Now, to name a few. Her feature film credits include Redemption, The Perfect Wife and Kissed by the Devil, where she starred.  Recession Proof is just one of her many scripts she has written. Now, she looks forward to adding executive producer to her list of credits. Arthur Muhammad, award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker, and producer of the 2015 release, “Carter High” (Charles Dutton, Vivica Fox, Pooch Hall, David Banner), has a keen eye, cinematic hands, and a patent gift for storytelling; the three key ingredients for developing ranking entertainment. C’Ya claimed dual wins as Best Film in the Dallas Black Film, and 21st Annual Scottsdale Film Festivals. His inaugural feature, Solitaire nabbed Best Film yet again from the Dallas Black Film Festival making it just ripe for pick up for international release by an industry mainstay distributor, Maverick Entertainment. Currently he’s signed on to direct “Behind the Mask”, a documentary on mental health with best-selling author and documentarian, N’Tyse. (Beneath My Skin).

Susan is not only a single struggling NYC actress but struggling at life and she has even just lost her Mom. Will her visit to a renowned psychicseeking employment bring her much more than she planned and change her fate forever? Can Madame Lily get Susan to trust herself and allow her spirit to rise, so that Susan can overcome her fear of rejection, follow her heart, and finally find true love?BIOS: MARY ELLEN ASHLEY (Madame Lily): Actress, Singer, Dancer, and Producer of Broadway, Television, and Film, Mary Ellen Ashley has been recognized as a Distinguished Professional in her field through Women of Distinction Magazine. where she was featured in their 2016 edition. Born and presently living in the Big Apple of New York City, Mary Ellen Ashley has spent time living and working throughout the United States, including Los Angeles, California, as well as in Europe. Performing in her very first theatrical role at the age of four on Broadway, playing Laura Thornton in the original cast of 'The Innocent Voyage', she was then cast in 'Annie Get Your Gun' and in the original Broadway cast of 'Yentl'. Ashley has since dedicated her entire career as an Actress, Singer, Dancer, and Producer of Broadway, Television, and Film. Her resume includes many Off-Broadway credits and, most recently, filmed two pilots: 'The Bunny Hole' and 'Americanos'. She's also spent many years in regional theaters, including playing Dolly Levi in 'Hello Dolly' 11 times, and was in 'Music Man', 'Funny Girl', 'Cabaret', 'Best Little Whore House', '42nd Street', 'Fiddler', and 'Gypsy', to name a few. Ashley has been seen on children's television shows on ABC, has headlined in Las Vegas with Eddie Fisher and Andy Williams, opened in New York City for comics Jackie Mason, Rodney Dangerfield, and George Burns, made television appearances on 'Saturday Night Live', and has guest starred on the hit dramas 'Law and Order' and 'Law and Order: SVU'. She's also worked on radio for a variety of soap operas and weekly episodes. Ashley was also featured in the Mel Brooks feature film 'The Producers', as well as several shorts and indie films. As a Producer, she's been involved with 11 Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, including: 'High Rollers'; 'Angels in America'; 'Marlene'; 'Grace and Glory'; 'Christmas Story'; and the revival of 'Godspell'. Extremely well-known in the community, especially in the theatrical venue, Ashley said that she has relied heavily on being well prepared for each and every job opportunity and through lots and lots of study. "The wonderful reception I've received and the adoration for what I do has motivated me to continue doing what I do," Ashley said about her wonderful career in entertainment. "My rewards have been in the constant work I've been blessed to do in a field that is so ultra-competitive." The wife and mother of two, who is now very successful, credits her family for much of her good fortune in her career. Although she had to make adjustments in order to raise a family and still be able to work, she wouldn't have changed a thing. For more information, visit: www.maryellenashley.comCARRIE WESOLOWSKI (Director/Susan Sanders): Born and raised in NYC, Carrie is a NYC-based Actor, Director, Host, and Singer who has appeared in international news programs, film, television and Off Broadway/theatre productions (at venues such as The Players Club, Theatre for the New City, Expanded Arts, Julia’s Reading Room). Carrie is a graduate of the Gushee/Anania Studio where she studied with Phil Gushee and Joe Anania. Carrie hosted “Movie Talk Show” from 2014-2018 and served as its Associate Producer, giving indie film actors, writers, and directors a platform for their work. It's always such a joy for Carrie co-hosting and performing on AirPlay, acting and directing various pieces. Carrie’s recent credits include Coni Koepfinger’s SIMON SAYS as Director/Actor (Destiny) which was 1 of 15 finalists in Playbill’s VTF Live. SIMON SAYS can currently be seen streaming worldwide until February 28, 2021 as part of Manhattan Rep’s STORIES Film Festival where you can purchase an online festival pass and vote for SIMON SAYS: https://www.manhattanrep.com/stories-film-festival-online...JUAN PEREZ (Dr. Matthew Michaels) Juan studied film, theatre, and acting at New York University, Brooklyn College, and Michael Howard Studios. He has performed in theatrical and cinematic productions for over a decade. Theatrically, he has performed in productions including 'A View from the Bridge,' "Wait Until Dark,' and 'Pulp Shakespeare.' In video productions, Juan parlayed his memorable performance of Bernardo in 'Jose's Place' into the uniquely manic lead in 'La Casa Loca' (Maverick Entertainment). Juan currently produces videos for corporate clients and artists in Los Angeles.

The program all about TV. Our guests: Doug Schwab, president of Maverick Entertainment and the company's new smart TV product-distributed venture, Maverick Free Black Cinema, and Jacob Navok, showrunner of River Peak, Facebook Watch's groundbreaking interactive competition TV project.

No, it's not the biblical story on film. This is our third Maverick Entertainment movie and it's a 70's style cop movie but set in the modern day of 2006. Listen as we try or best and fail miserably at staying on topic as we talk about everything else from risky sex, underage drinking, candy bars, Spirits dead fish, Brent's ashes and Spirit gives some Spanish lessons. We hope you enjoy the show! All Our Links - https://linktr.ee/homevideohustlepodcast Music By: Trade Voorhees - http://tradevoorhees.com/ Promo: The Superiority Complex Podcast - https://superioritycomplex.podbean.com/ Support The Show At - https://www.patreon.com/homevideohustle Get HVH Merch At - https://www.teepublic.com/user/hvhpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Michael Litten "The Last DJ" Brooke Alford Bio When Brooke Alford plays the violin, she connects with her audience and takes them on an unforgettable journey. The electrifying blend of Smooth Jazz, R&B, Hip-Hop, Classical, Pop, and more flows through Brooke's strings. Her strong stage presence, smooth, expressive sound, and fresh musical approach create that one-of-a-kind magic of The Brooke Alford, The Artist of the Violin Experience. For over a decade, Brooke has had a number of outstanding performance opportunities in her professional career. She has opened for national and international recording artists and entertainers such as The Whispers, Mint Condition, Peabo Bryson, Najee (Nah-G), Will Downing, India.Arie, Tony, Toni, Tone`, Robin Thicke, Bo Bice, LeAnn Rimes, The Temptations Review, Marion Meadows, Paul Taylor, and Comedians Paul Mooney and the late Dick Gregory. Brooke has also shared the stage with Mike Phillips, Bob Baldwin, Julian Vaughn, Alex Bugnon (Boon-yun), and several others. Several of Brooke’s broadcasting, publication, and film features include Sister Circle LIVE, SapphirEmerald Magazine, Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) with Gospel Artist Rodney Dean Boyden (Boy-den), and WATC Channel 57 “Atlanta Live”. Four of Brooke’s original compositions from her first album, “Expressions”, are featured on the Maverick Entertainment independent film, “’Til Love Comes”. You can even find her circulating commercial on Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s television channel, ASPiRE, on the Comcast network. EARLY LIFE Surrounded by creativity from birth in Aberdeen, North Carolina, Brooke’s Mother, Dell Alford (who is a retired music educator and piano instructor), and her Father, Dr. Vernon Alford Jr. (who is a retired educator, author, and visual artist), nurtured her and her two siblings' fascinations with music and the arts from an early age. Brooke's older sister, Mia Alford Fearon, is professional clarinetist and music specialist, and their younger brother

In the Spring of 2012 Jay released is 2nd feature film entitled Shots Fired. Shows Fired was picked up for Global distribution by Maverick Entertainment. It is currently available at Best Buy, Walmart, Family Video, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon On-Demand. In 2013, Jay finished his 3rd project entitled Choke On That in. Choke On That is uncensored, controversial sketch comedy. Choke On That is a culmination of real life scenarios Jay Davis has experienced over the last two years. Sketches ranging from the hilarious prank show “You’ve Been Sh***ed On” to different awkward moment situations he has encountered. Choke On That is in your face, jaw dropping, sketch comedy that is guaranteed to bring more laugh out loud moments then any DVD of its kind. On March 21st Jay released is 4th feature projected entitled Not Another Zombie Movie at the Patio Theater to a crowd of nearly 1,000 people Not Another Zombie Movie is currently available at Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Sears, Amazon Prime, Barnes & Noble, and VUDU. Jay finished up his 5th project Choke On that Reloaded, which is a following up to the sketch comedy series Choke On in November 2015. Jay is currently working on his 4th feature film entitled Not Another Black Movie. Not Another Black Movie is about when a family’s matriarch, Big Mama, passes away, her dying wish is to make sure the family she raised address their personal demons. Now, her dysfunctional family must seek unconventional therapy in order to get a multi-million dollar inheritance. Chaos ensues as they are forced to deal with old rivalries, volatile marriages, and failed dreams. Radio One Chicago airs live on WLUW, 88.7fm every Thursday night from 6p to 8p.

Listen in as Jonathan talks about his experience with Maverick Entertainment in Tales From The Set Podcast Ep 04 "Distribution Hell."

CRAIG SPECTOR is an award-winning and bestselling author, editor, screenwriter, and musician, with eleven books published, millions of copies sold, and reprints in nine languages. His fiction has been published by Tor/St. Martins Press, Bragelonne, Bantam Books, Harper Collins, Pocket Books, Arbor House, and others; his film and television work includes A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 5: THE DREAM CHILD and projects for TNC Pictures, Anonymous Content, ABC, NBC, Fox Television, Hearst Entertainment, Davis Entertainment Television, New Line Cinema, Beacon Pictures, and Wonderful World of Disney. His feature film adaptation of ANIMALS was a 2010 release from TNC Pictures and Anonymous Content (distributed by Maverick Entertainment)and stars Marc Blucas, Nicky Aycox, Eva Amurri, and Naveen Andrews. Spector's graphic novel THE NYE INCIDENTS (co-created with Whitley Streiber) was a June 2008 release from Devils Due Publishing and has been optioned by RKO Pictures with Todd Lincoln {The Apparition, Warner Bros.] attached to direct.

CRAIG SPECTOR is an award-winning and bestselling author, editor, screenwriter, and musician, with eleven books published, millions of copies sold, and reprints in nine languages. His fiction has been published by Tor/St. Martins Press, Bragelonne, Bantam Books, Harper Collins, Pocket Books, Arbor House, and others; his film and television work includes A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 5: THE DREAM CHILD and projects for TNC Pictures, Anonymous Content, ABC, NBC, Fox Television, Hearst Entertainment, Davis Entertainment Television, New Line Cinema, Beacon Pictures, and Wonderful World of Disney. His feature film adaptation of ANIMALS was a 2010 release from TNC Pictures and Anonymous Content (distributed by Maverick Entertainment)and stars Marc Blucas, Nicky Aycox, Eva Amurri, and Naveen Andrews. Spector's graphic novel THE NYE INCIDENTS (co-created with Whitley Streiber) was a June 2008 release from Devils Due Publishing and has been optioned by RKO Pictures with Todd Lincoln {The Apparition, Warner Bros.] attached to direct.

  CRAIG SPECTOR is an award-winning and bestselling author, editor, screenwriter, and musician, with eleven books published, millions of copies sold, and reprints in nine languages. His fiction has been published by Tor/St. Martins Press, Bragelonne, Bantam Books, Harper Collins, Pocket Books, Arbor House, and others; his film and television work includes A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 5: THE DREAM CHILD and projects for TNC Pictures, Anonymous Content, ABC, NBC, Fox Television, Hearst Entertainment, Davis Entertainment Television, New Line Cinema, Beacon Pictures, and Wonderful World of Disney. His feature film adaptation of ANIMALS was a 2010 release from TNC Pictures and Anonymous Content (distributed by Maverick Entertainment)and stars Marc Blucas, Nicky Aycox, Eva Amurri, and Naveen Andrews. Spector's graphic novel THE NYE INCIDENTS (co-created with Whitley Streiber) was a June 2008 release from Devils Due Publishing and has been optioned by RKO Pictures with Todd Lincoln {The Apparition, Warner Bros.] attached to direct.

  CRAIG SPECTOR is an award-winning and bestselling author, editor, screenwriter, and musician, with eleven books published, millions of copies sold, and reprints in nine languages. His fiction has been published by Tor/St. Martins Press, Bragelonne, Bantam Books, Harper Collins, Pocket Books, Arbor House, and others; his film and television work includes A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 5: THE DREAM CHILD and projects for TNC Pictures, Anonymous Content, ABC, NBC, Fox Television, Hearst Entertainment, Davis Entertainment Television, New Line Cinema, Beacon Pictures, and Wonderful World of Disney. His feature film adaptation of ANIMALS was a 2010 release from TNC Pictures and Anonymous Content (distributed by Maverick Entertainment)and stars Marc Blucas, Nicky Aycox, Eva Amurri, and Naveen Andrews. Spector's graphic novel THE NYE INCIDENTS (co-created with Whitley Streiber) was a June 2008 release from Devils Due Publishing and has been optioned by RKO Pictures with Todd Lincoln {The Apparition, Warner Bros.] attached to direct.

CRAIG SPECTOR is an award-winning and bestselling author, editor, screenwriter, and musician, with eleven books published, millions of copies sold, and reprints in nine languages. His fiction has been published by Tor/St. Martins Press, Bragelonne, Bantam Books, Harper Collins, Pocket Books, Arbor House, and others; his film and television work includes A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 5: THE DREAM CHILD and projects for TNC Pictures, Anonymous Content, ABC, NBC, Fox Television, Hearst Entertainment, Davis Entertainment Television, New Line Cinema, Beacon Pictures, and Wonderful World of Disney. His feature film adaptation of ANIMALS was a 2010 release from TNC Pictures and Anonymous Content (distributed by Maverick Entertainment)and stars Marc Blucas, Nicky Aycox, Eva Amurri, and Naveen Andrews. Spector's graphic novel THE NYE INCIDENTS (co-created with Whitley Streiber) was a June 2008 release from Devils Due Publishing and has been optioned by Dark Castle/Warner Bros/Silver Pictures. Spector is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston MA and an alumni of the Atlanta College of Art in Atlanta GA, and was the founder and Chief Creative Officer of the late Stealth Press, an Internet-enabled publishing company that specialized in quality hardcover reprints of titles by such authors as Peter Straub, Ray Bradbury, Clive Barker, Peter Atkins, William Nolan, Dennis Etchison, John Shirley, and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. Spector's novel UNDERGROUND won Le Prix Masterton for best foreign novel of horror for 2008. Spector divides his time between Virginia Beach, VA and Los Angeles, CA. You can reach him on facebook, reverbnation.com, myspace, twitter, and even in the real world.

CRAIG SPECTOR is an award-winning and bestselling author, editor, screenwriter, and musician, with eleven books published, millions of copies sold, and reprints in nine languages. His fiction has been published by Tor/St. Martins Press, Bragelonne, Bantam Books, Harper Collins, Pocket Books, Arbor House, and others; his film and television work includes A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 5: THE DREAM CHILD and projects for TNC Pictures, Anonymous Content, ABC, NBC, Fox Television, Hearst Entertainment, Davis Entertainment Television, New Line Cinema, Beacon Pictures, and Wonderful World of Disney. His feature film adaptation of ANIMALS was a 2010 release from TNC Pictures and Anonymous Content (distributed by Maverick Entertainment)and stars Marc Blucas, Nicky Aycox, Eva Amurri, and Naveen Andrews. Spector's graphic novel THE NYE INCIDENTS (co-created with Whitley Streiber) was a June 2008 release from Devils Due Publishing and has been optioned by Dark Castle/Warner Bros/Silver Pictures.

This week, an indie film success story was completed when Patrick Pierre's new feature "The City Is Mine" was released nationwide by Maverick Entertainment. To those that know and understand the incredibly difficult process of making a truly independent feature, this is a moment for celebration, a rewarding culmination of alot of hard work and effort. It is always wonderful to see an indie filmmaker achieve a major success, which raises the credibility of indie filmmaking and opens up new possibilities for indie filmmakers everywhere.Writer/Director Patrick Pierre's career has certainly taken a big step forward, and he is already ramping up for his next project. In this interview, we will be going into the story behind the making of "The City Is Mine", including the path that it took from being a locally made indie film in Mercer County, New Jersey to becoming an acquisition by industry heavyweight Maverick Entertainment. There are lessons to be learned, and inspiration to be had. Indie Filmmakers and those involved in the world of indie film are definitely advised to pick up a copy of "The City is Mine", and share in a great indie success story.-Stephen Zimmer for Indie Movie Masters, August 21, 2009SZ: Tell us a little about your personal background prior to the making of “The City Is Mine”PP: I'm a native of Haiti; I immigrated to the U.S. when I was 8 years old. I lived in Brooklyn NY for many years where I attended school and graduated from Erasmus Hall High School in 1995. Shortly after, I moved to Trenton, NJ where I currently live. I attended community college at Mercer County in 1998, 2001 & 2003 where I took some courses in Theater, Acting and Stage Production. I was a volunteer in a lot of small independent productions where I gain some crew experience working on set. In 2005 I decided to form my own production company, Pierre Films, LLC. After writing and directing several short films, I decided to take the plunge into feature film. In 2007 I started production on "The City Is Mine"SZ: Describe the time line involved in “The City Is Mine”, from pre-production to final cut.PP: From pre-production to final cut was one year. The script development process started in February of 2007 where my co-writer, Adriana Gittens, worked on the first draft of the script. After several draft, the screenplay was ready in about 2 months. From then, we started planning the actual production, from holding auditions to rehearsals. Finally we were ready to begin production May 2007. Production lasted for 4 months. We filmed on weekends only. Production was wrapped in September 2007. Not wasting time, we went right into the post-production phase, which lasted 4 months. The Film Premiered on February 16, 2008 to a sold out audience in Trenton, NJ.SZ: Where did you shoot “The City is Mine? How many locations did you endup using in the movie?PP: The City Is Mine was filmed throughout Mercer County NJ, mostly in the city of Trenton and some surrounding towns including, Ewing, Hamilton and Lawrence. We did end up going to New York to do one scene in upper Manhattan. A little over 15 locations were used shooting the film. Most of our locations were outdoors so it made things a little easier because working on an independent film is a little tough securing locations. Filming outdoors only required us getting permission from the City, which wasn't difficult. Due to limited budget and time we had to be creative and use certain interior locations multiple times in different shots giving the illusion it was several locations. For example we used one house in the film to be the home of several different characters in the movie. As you watch the film you can’t tell it's the same location.SZ: What were the biggest challenges in balancing a shooting schedule usingweekends and nights?PP: The biggest challenges in balancing the shooting schedule was working around all the actors' schedules and making sure everyone was available at the same time. A good example, we may have a scene Saturday with actor A and actor B, but actor A wouldn’t be available on Saturday and actor B wouldn’t be available on Sunday. I would resolve this situation by pushing that particular scene back to a date when both actors were available on the same day. Lucky for us, we didn't have that problem too often because I gave the cast and crew a shooting schedule way ahead of production, but things do come up and as a director, you have to learn to adjust.SZ: Shooting a staggered schedule (Nights and weekends), were you able to maintain a core crew, or did you have to use/rotate a larger team?PP: Shooting a staggered schedule was very difficult to maintain a core crew. In the beginning we had problems with people not being able to remain with the production team, because of the time involved on a daily shoot. Long hours were very common shooting The City is Mine. At times we started shooting in the early afternoon and wouldn't wrap till midnight or later. As production went on, the crew shrunk, but luckily the ones who stayed on board were dedicated and I believe things ended up running much smoother with a small dedicated crew.SZ: As indie filmmakers end up performing multiple functions on most productions, how many “hats” did you end up having to wear to get this project completed?PP: I had to wear several hats in completing "The City Is Mine." I was the director, set designer, Cinematographer, Sound, Editor, Music Composer and a few others, though I did wear many hats, I did not do this alone. Every member of the production crew contributed to the production of the film, whether it was the PA who was holding the boom mic or the actor who volunteered to do the slate board in between takes.SZ: One gear question: What kind of cameras/format did you use for “The City is Mine”, and what were the main software elements used in post-production?PP: The camera that was use for "The City Is Mine" was the Panasonic DVX100a, which is DV(Digital Video) format. In post-production, Sony Vegas 6d was used to edit the film. Magic Bullet was also used for color correction. Sony Acid to create the score and sound FX. Our visual effects artist used Adobe After Effects to create some of the gun and other visual effects in the film.SZ: How would you describe your style as a director?I would describe my style as very visual. Before every scene, I make sure I do a thorough storyboard. I like to visualize a scene before I begin any kind of blocking. Visualizing the scene in my mind gives me a big advantage when it's time to yell action. In turn, being so visual, the end results is a stunning visual scene composition with every shot well thought out, every frame analyzed. I personally believe the story is the most important aspect in any film, without a good story, you will lose your audience, so having that knowledge, coupled with my visual style and love for cinematography, I feel the audience is not only enjoying a beautiful story being told, their eyes are also being treated to something amazing, whether they realize it or not.SZ: Tell us a little about the principle cast and your experience with them, from your perspective as the director.PP: The principle cast was amazing. As a director the biggest gift you can have on a film production is a wonderful dedicated and talented cast. Each one had something special about them. A majority of them had prior film and stage experience which helped tremendously in the day to day shooting because of the long hours involved, they knew how to deal with that. Our lead actor, Kirk Ponton had never acted before, this was his first major production. He surprised himself, me and everyone who saw the film. He hit the part out the park. All members of the principle cast were easy to work with, but not all were easy to direct. I took the challenge as a director to push them to the limit in terms of their performance and what I expected to get out of them. At times, some would get annoyed from the many takes that were involved in a particular scene but it was my job to explain the scene to them and try to get the best performance out of a take, whether it took 2 or 20. To the less experienced principle cast members, they learned a lot working on The City Is Mine, I have to say I also learned many things from them which I plan to utilize in my next production.SZ: Once completed, what was the path you took regarding festivals and other exhibitions?PP: Once the film completed it was our goal to have the biggest Premier/screening we could. I started researching several venues and ultimately went with "The Contemporary Auditorium" which seats 400+. In February 16, 2008 we screened at The Contemporary to a sold out audience. Due to the success of the first screening, 2 others followed at the same place. Then shortly after, I went right into the festival circuit. I researched several film festivals and created a plan to give "The City Is Mine" the best opportunity to screen at film festivals. I started looking at festivals which catered to the type of genre The City Is Mine was and started submitting to them. We were selected to screen at many film festivals which included: 2008 American Black Film Festival, 2008 San Diego Black Film Festival and 2008 Twin Cities Black Film Festival. We received a total of 4 nominations in the 2008 American Black Film Festival for the Jury Prize Best Actor, Innovational Film and Inspirational Film.SZ: How did your distribution deal with Maverick Entertainment come about When did they become aware of your project and show interest?PP: The Distribution deal with Maverick came about right after we were an Official Selection at the 2008 American Black Film Festival. Maverick became interested in acquiring the film once news hit that we were nominated for the awards. They contacted me and the negotiation process began.SZ: What’s up next for Patrick Pierre? And how can people continue to follow you and your filmmaking career (main website and/or social networking links)PP: What's next for Patrick Pierre is a wonderful film that I am especially excited about called "Visions of Yvette". The synopsis is: during our economic downturn, a single mother is forced into prostitution and drug addiction causing internal turmoil in her attempt to maintain custody of her son. I hope to begin shooting Visions of Yvette late this year. You can visit www.thecityisminemovie.com to get up to date information with that production or follow me on facebook.