Episodes
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Joshua: Joshua is a diverse, singing actor who has worked on Broadway and regionally at esteemed theaters such as Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Arena Stage, Theatre Under the Stars, Folger Theatre, Triad Stage, and Signature Theatre. His television appearances include "FBI," "Law and Order," "Law and Order: Organized Crime," "Law and Order: SVU," "Lincoln Rhyme," and HBO’s "Paterno." Joshua co-founded and served as Artistic Director of the Helen Hayes Award-winning No Rules Theatre Company in Washington, DC, and Winston-Salem, NC.
Mike Labbadia (co-host) an actor, producer, writer and filmmaker, a “multipassionate” you can say. As a company member of BEDLAM he's appeared Off-Broadway in shows from Arcadia to Julius Caesar. Regional work includes Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Gulfshore Playhouse, Penguin Rep and Virginia Rep. He's in the upcoming film "On the End" with Tim Blake Nelson. As a producer he's had films premiere at prestigious festivals around the world.
In this episode, we discuss these "Rules" actors should break:
06:15 - Rule 1 - Don't pitch yourself
Sent 37 self pitching emails, without an agent, and booked a Broadway show9:03 - Rule 2 - Don't complain to our Reps
12:45 - Rule 3 - We can only be one "kind of artist"
17:15 - Rule 4 - Wait until you have a big project to grow an audience
21:20 - Rule 5 - Don't actively pursue industry relationships
15:52 - Rule 6 - Take on Gig work to support your career
30:29 - Rule 7 - Let the Industry define you as an artist
PODCAST DESCRIPTION: “CREATIVE RISK”, is a new podcast hosted by actors Joshua Morgan and Mike Labbadia of Artist’s Strategy where they explore all things art, entrepreneurialism and everything in between. The acting industry is more volatile and competitive than ever before, therefore the artist must evolve in order to take radical ownership over their creative businesses. Each episode, Mike and Joshua will get raw and unfiltered, giving hot takes and cutting edge strategies on how to build a sustainable career in the arts.
Guest:
For Joshua Morgan :
Website IMDb Instagram Broadway World
For Podcast: Spotify Apple Podcasts Youtube Instagram TikTok
Host:
Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelleStay tuned to the end of the episode for a clip of the Creative Risk podcast.
If you like this episode, check out my episode on their podcast"
Apple Podcasts Spotify
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A graduate from Aberystwyth University, BEN THOMPSON left Wales and London to settle in New York. Soon after arriving he joined the Tribeca Film Festival where he is currently the VP of Shorts Programming. From the start of his career as a filmmaker Ben has always had a keen interest in short form storytelling and discovered while at Tribeca a passion for programming and presenting short films to new and engaged audiences. He is fascinated by the influence film has on our world and culture and travels to search out new stories from around the globe. He has watched over 12,000 short films for Tribeca alone.
In this episode, we talk about:
• Internships that prepared him for working at Tribeca Festival
• Pros/Cons for submitting early to film festivals
• The process for programming short film blocks for the festival and advice for short film filmmakers who want to submit to festivals like Tribeca (timing, theme, etc)
• Whether filmmakers can monetize short films and the value from having your short in a festival
• Festivals are seasonal work and the different festivals he used to work in one year and moving to a full time position
• What goes into a Festival Coordinator position and working as a liaison between the festival and the filmmakers
• Whether it’s important to have celebrities or famous people in short films
• What’s important in a cover letter - description and how you are positioning your film
• What he recommends is the most important investment in creating your short film.
• Benefits he’s seen of screening at Tribeca and other opportunities available for short film filmmakers at the festival
• Internal scoring process at Tribeca
• Advice for those who want to be a programmer at a festival
Guest:
LinkedIn Tribeca Profile
2025 Tribeca Festival Submissions overview
Host:
Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelleIf you like this episode, check out How I Got my Press Badge for Tribeca Festival - 4th Anniversary Solo Episode
TRIBECA SERIES: RESOURCES, PROGRAMS and AWARDS with Director of Artist Programs Bryce Norbitz
Becoming... Festival Director and Senior VP of Programming at Tribeca Festival Cara Cusumano
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Missing episodes?
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Presenting... Part 2 of my Filmmaker Roundtable at the Hampton International Film Festival.
In this episode, we talk to the filmmaking teams of four short films. We delve into the process of creating their films and their experience at the festival.
Including:
Director Jack Kendrick and Producer Taylor Ervin for TORNADO: A struggling contractor risks his young sons’ wellbeing to cut a sweet deal. Director Geneva Peschka and Cinematographer Safiyah Chiniere for THE SOLACE OF SISTERHOOD: The Caramel Curves are an all-Black female biker crew in New Orleans that defies societal norms by embracing their multifaceted identities. Director Jenifer McShane for QUILTERS: The movie follows a men's quilting group inside a maximum security prison as they create personalized quilts for local foster children. Director Lily Ahree Siegel for EQUAL PLAY: The movie delves into the lives of disabled youth, uncovering the transformative power that sports can wield.Host:
Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelleIf you like this episode, check out Hampton Film Festival Filmmaker Roundtable - ADULT BEST FRIENDS, LOS FRIKIS, A MAN WITH SOLE: THE IMPACT OF KENNETH COLE (Part 1)
TRIBECA SERIES: RESOURCES, PROGRAMS and AWARDS with Director of Artist Programs Bryce Norbitz
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Tom Nesher - Director & Writer
Born in Los Angeles in 1996, Tom Nesher is a graduate of the Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School. She directedfour award winning shorts, and has created dozens of unique freeform documentary pieces as a journalist at oneof Israel’s most prominent networks. Come Closer is Nesher’s debut feature film.
Logline:
When Eden’s beloved brother suddenly dies, she takes desperate measures to fill the void. Once she discovers hehad a secret girlfriend, these measures assume a passionate and dangerous twist.
The 2024 Israeli film Come Closer won several awards, including Best Film at the Ophir Awards, and will represent Israel at the 97th Academy Awards.
Come Closer won the Viewpoints Award at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. It recognizes films that present "bold and exceptional voices" in independent cinema.
In this episode, we talk about:
• Her first feature film ‘Come Closer’ after directing three short films
• The 5 year filmmaking process which included 4 months of rehearsal
• Adapting the film as she processed her grief over the years
• Tom’s experience at Tribeca Film Festival
• Her unique process with her actors: they read it, they improvised the scenes, and then Tom rewrote it
• Her advice for filmmakers is to trust and listen to your crew and your team
Guest: IMDb Instagram
Host:
Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
If you like this episode, check out TRIBECA: Tim Blake Nelson, Andrew Liner and Vincent Grashaw for "BANG BANG"
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Presenting... Part 1 of my Filmmaker Roundtable at the Hampton International Film Festival.
In this episode, we talk to the filmmaking teams of two feature narratives and one documentary. We delve into the process of creating their films and their experience at the festival.
Including:
Delaney Buffet (Director, Lead Actress, Writer) and Katie Corwin (Lead Actress, Writer) for Adult Best Friends. Nothing holds a mirror up to your life more than the examination of a friend from childhood. While Katie (Katie Corwin) should be celebrating her engagement to John (Mason Gooding), she can't help but fret over what her best friend, Delaney (Delaney Buffett), will think. Driftless and unambitious, her opinions and feelings matter most to Katie. In an effort to reconnect and break the news gently, she plans a girls' trip to assuage her codependent friend, setting the stage for a hilarious buddy comedy. With an attractive cast (including Zachary Quinto, Cazzie David and Alexander Hodge) and zippy dialogue, closeness and self-deprecating humor are felt through the screen. Michael Schwartz (Writer, Director - Los Frikis, Peanut Butter Falcon), Eros de la Puente (Actor), and Hector Medina (Actor) for Los Frikis. Inspired by the audacity and resilience of kindred souls facing the challenges of Special Period Cuba, the plot tells the story of youthful members of a punk rock band, who, seeking musical freedom, relief from poverty, and a sense of independence, purposely infect themselves with HIV. This allows them entry to an isolated government run sanatorium where they live life on their own terms, forging a seemingly utopian community and looking to an uncertain future with hope and resilience. Dori Berinstein (Director) for A Man with Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole. More than just a global fashion icon, footwear designer Kenneth Cole has put cause before commerce for 40 years, driven by heart and 'sole.' Undoubtedly a trendsetter, Cole inspired and mobilized cultural norms and perceptions for the better as a pioneer of corporate social action; he advocated for social causes—from HIV/AIDS and homelessness to LGBTQIA+ rights and mental health—through his groundbreaking advertising campaigns. Featuring a treasure trove of archival footage and interviews with fashion leaders, global scientists, and longtime collaborators, Tony and Emmy Award winner Dori Bernstein celebrates Cole’s enduring legacy of combining style with social conscience.Host:
Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelleIf you like this episode, check out How I Got my Press Badge for Tribeca Festival - 4th Anniversary Solo Episode
TRIBECA SERIES: RESOURCES, PROGRAMS and AWARDS with Director of Artist Programs Bryce Norbitz
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Carol Baum has produced thirty-four movies, seventeen of them independently. Before becoming an independent producer, Baum was co-president of Sandollar Productions, Dolly Parton and Sandy Gallin’s production company, for ten years, where she produced such hits as Father of the Bride; the Academy Award-winning HBO documentary Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt; Tidy Endings; I.Q.; Jacknife; True Identity; Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Gross Anatomy; Shining Through; Straight Talk; and Kicking and Screaming. As an indie producer, Baum made, among other movies, The Good Girl; My First Mister; $5 A Day; You Kill Me; and Boychoir. She has produced five television movies for Hallmark and several documentaries.
Baum currently teaches producing in the Film and Television Production Division at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. She is also a mentor for the Peter Stark Producing Program at USC.
In this episode, we talk about:
• The lesson she learned working at her first job at Bantam Books which led to the purchase and development of the autobiography of Malcolm X
• Being an advocate for the material and develop your taste
• Getting pregnant and working freelance for awhile
• Her 5 years at Palomar Pictures working on projects like The Stepford Wives and then moving to LA with her husband and becoming the studio VP at Lorimar
• Becoming known for developing “The Shining” at the Producer’s Circle
• Being a VP at 20th Century Fox and what she sees as the difference between a producer and an Executive
• Working at Dolly Parton’s company Sandollar
• How The Fountainhead made her love the business and why she thinks its important for young producers to watch movies from the 40s and 50s
• Launching the careers of David O. Russell and Mike White
• The story of developing with Father of the Bride and getting the rights from Ted Turner, the invention of Martin Short’s character, and how Jack Nicholson was thrown as a possibility for Steve Martin’s role
• Developing multiple projects as a producer and how it’s all about timing. She said that if David Cronenberg hadn’t had success with The Fly, he wouldn’t have been able to do Dead Ringers.
• Her recommendations for writers on what is commercially viable right now
• Carol’s explanation for spec scripts for films
• Her recommendation for writers on how to get an agent
Guest:
IMDb Wikipedia Website
Buy her book!
Host:
Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelleIf you like this episode, check out Excerpt from Creative Producing: a Pitch-to-Picture Guide to Movie Development by Carol Baum
The Do’s and Don’ts of PITCHING YOUR FILM with Hollywood Producer Carol Baum
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Cara Cusumano has been with Tribeca since 2008, during which time the festival has become a globally respected showcase for film and TV premieres, live music, talks, interdisciplinary events, and talent discovery. During her tenure as Festival Director, Tribeca has been called “an annual powerhouse” (Time Out), “reliably and inarguably excellent” (Village Voice), and “one of the most prestigious festivals of the new millennium” (Playlist). She has served on nominating committees for the Cinema Eye Honors, the International Documentary Association Awards, the Gotham Awards, and the Irish Film and Television Academy Awards, and festival juries including CPH:DOX, Los Cabos Film Festival, DOC NYC, Nordisk Panorama, Bogota Audiovisual Market (BAM), and the Nantucket Film Festival. She holds a degree in Film from Columbia University’s Barnard College, and an MA in Cinema Studies from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
In this episode, we talk about:
• Internships and her first job as short film programmer at Brooklyn Film Festival
• The different programming teams involved in Tribeca and how she oversees them all
• Choosing films to be featured at Tribeca
• Typical day-to-day routine
• Networking at film festival and how do you get a seasonal job there
• Famous filmmakers/cast vs unknown first time filmmakers and films coming with distribution and film coming in without distribution
• Want a job at Tribeca or any festival? Cara’s recommendation for a starting position in the screening committee
• Advice for filmmakers who are hoping to get their film into a festival including in the pre-production and post-production stages of their films
• How to identify what films are “right” for Tribeca Festival
• Collaborations and partnerships with brands like Chanel, Mazda, Indeed, AT&T, and Canva
Guest:
Linkedin Instagram Tribeca Website
Host:
Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelleIf you like this episode, check out How I Got my Press Badge for Tribeca Festival - 4th Anniversary Solo Episode
TRIBECA SERIES: RESOURCES, PROGRAMS and AWARDS with Director of Artist Programs Bryce Norbitz
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Bryan Smiley is President & Chief Content Officer of Hartbeat, the global multi-platform media company founded by Kevin Hart.
Named to Variety’s 2022 “New Leaders” and Hollywood Reporter’s 2018 ”Next Gen” and “Rising Executives 35 under 35” lists, Smiley oversees Hartbeat production, financing, and development, including the company’s 70+ projects in development and more than 20 projects released in 2022 across top tier partners including Netflix, Peacock, SiriusXM, Netflix, Audible and more.
In 2021, Smiley negotiated a first look deal with Netflix to produce feature films for the streamer, a strategic move that would allow Hartbeat to continue creating content during aglobal pandemic. Smiley was also instrumental in getting Fatherhood released on Netflix, which was watched by more than 91 million accounts globally, making it one of the most successful original dramatic movies on Netflix. Since then, Smiley oversaw and produced Me Time and True Story, which went to #1 on the Netflix charts, and produced the upcoming 2024 film Lift.
In this episode, we talk about:
• Working as an assistant story editor out of college and how networking helped him get to New Regency
• How his early assistant roles taught him about the business and how he identified where the company needed help and resources
• His work as Vice President of Creative Development & Production at Columbia Pictures, a Sony Pictures Entertainment company
• How the range of his individual companies that he co-founded (list them) help him in his role today
• Why he’s never had a fear of failure and the reality of starting a business
• How he transitioned to development with an executive position at a studio
• Some of his favorite deals at SONY with Steph Curry a multi-picture deal with Issa Rae
• A breakdown of the divisions at Hartbeat and his rise to President and CCO
• Their hands-on, full-service approach to projects including their show “Olympic Highlights with Kevin Hart & Kenan Thompson” on Peacock
• His 4 picture guarantee and first look deal with Netflix and his thoughts on the importance of a first look deal in the current marketplace
• How they decide what project to take on and develop?
• Some pivotal moments and decisions that impacted his career
Guest:
Linkedin Hartbeat website IMDb
Host:
Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelleIf you like this episode, check out Becoming... VP at Disney Television Animation of Current Series & Diversity Jay Francis
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ROB DECINA - In December of 2018, Rob Decina was named VP, Casting in NY for CBS Studios. He has contributed to the casting of many shows across several broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms, including: Your Honor, The Comey Rule (SHOWTIME), Nancy Drew & The Dynasty (CW), Diary of a Future President (Disney+), Guilty Party & The Game (Paramount+) and Swagger ( Apple TV+).
At CBS, he developed two programs: a Casting Fellowship, designed to encourage diversity and inclusion in the profession of casting, and an Educational Outreach Program, where he speaks to colleges and conservatories about auditioning. Previous episodic television casting credits include, Insatiable for Netflix, Shades of Blue for NBC, as well as pilots for the CW Network. His book, The Art of Auditioning: Techniques for Television had its second edition published in April of 2022.
In this episode, we talk about:
• Directing and casting internships and first full time job was a casting assistant at Warner Bros
• How a forgotten resume at Disney led to a job at Warner Bros
• His personal favorite story of working The West Wing
• Differences between working for a network and working freelance with your own casting office and why networks focus on pilots and hire out for the rest of the season
• The projects he had turned down at Rob Decina casting
• Casting a soap opera like Guiding Light for a decade and how different it was in comparison to other projects
• Role of VP of Casting at CBS Entertainment (combination of studio and network) and how it works there
• Tips for dealing with nerves ahead of the in-person audition or callback
• Accepting an associate position later in his career
• His book: The Art of Auditioning: Techniques for Television
Guest:
IMDb LinkedIn
Host:
Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelleIf you like this episode, check out Becoming... award-winning Casting Director Bernie Telsey ("The Color Purple," "The Idea of You," "Hamilton," "SMASH," "Wicked," "The Gilded Age"
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With 15 wins and 76 nominations, Bernard Telsey is one of the premier Casting Directors in the industry. Casting our favorite films, television shows, and Broadway shows, Telsey Casting is well known for excellence in casting. From the original production of RENT to NBC's This Is Us to Only Murders in the Building to Wicked (both the upcoming movie and the show), their office is constantly busy.
In this episode, we talk about:
• His first job as a casting assistant and building his rolodex of actors
• Casting RENT as an off-Broadway musical and why it was a difficult year long process
• Putting an ad in the Village Voice for a rock musician for RENT
• That ideally, he would like to be part of the early development process of a project
• Giving Casting their credit and how that has evolved
• How is the office doing post-pandemic
• What he sees in actors who shine with 4 lines or for a lead role, like in the case of Annaleigh Ashford
• How actors can get on their radar and what projects Telsey is working on now
Guest:
Website Wikipedia MCC Website
Instagram for MCC Theater
Instagram for The Telsey Office
IMDb
Host:
Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelleIf you like this episode, check out Becoming... Casting Director Susanne Scheel ("Past Lives," "The Wife")
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LIVE on the Red Carpet of the World Premiere of the film "All That We Love."
Starring:
MARGARET CHO (Cast)
JESSE TYLER FERGUSON (Cast)
KENNETH CHOI (Cast) (Halloweentown, Captain America, Ironside, American Crime Story, The Wolf of Wall Street
ALICE LEE (Cast)
ATSUKO OKATSUKA (Cast)
DEVON BOSTICK (Cast) (Pppenheimer, Saw 4 and 5, Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies)
YEN TAN (Writer, Director)
Missi Pyle (Just my Luck, Soul Place, A Cinderella Story (with Lucy Hale), Dodgeball, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
Logline: Upon the loss of her beloved dog, Emma Gwon faces an empty nest and renewed feelings for her estranged ex-husband, as she navigates the joy and sorrow of starting anew.
Host:Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
For more like this, try NYWIFT Muse Awards RED CARPET: Kyra Sedgwick, Alex Borstein, Tantoo Cardinal & more
Click here to join our Mailing list.
Image: NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 08: Devon Bostick, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Atsuko Okatsuka, Yen Tan, Alice Lee and Kenneth Choi attend the "All That We Love" premiere during the 2024 Tribeca Festival at SVA Theater on June 08, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Mendez/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)
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LIVE on the Red Carpet of the World Premiere of the film "Sacramento."
Starring: Michael Cera, Kristen Stewart, Michael Angarano, and Maya Erskine
Written by: Michael Angarano and Chris Smith
Interviews including Michael Angarano, Chris Smith, AJ Mendez, and Iman Karram
Logline: Ricky, an energetic and free-spirited young man convinces Glenn, his long-time friend who's settled into domestic life, to go on an impromptu road trip from Los Angeles to Sacramento.
Host:Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
For more like this, try NYWIFT Muse Awards RED CARPET: Kyra Sedgwick, Alex Borstein, Tantoo Cardinal & more
Click here to join our Mailing list.
B-roll Videos: Edited byGetty Video @ Getty Images
"Sacramento" Premiere - 2024 Tribeca Festival (EPK Clips HD)
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Video Available on Spotify.
This year, I achieved one of my goals of covering a Film Festival for my podcast.
I interviewed big actors, incredible filmmakers, Tribeca programmers, and enjoyed myself immensely.
In this special 4th Anniversary episode of Mentors on the Mic, I share:
• What made me feel more confident and relaxed at this Film Festival in comparison to others
• How I booked red carpets and big interviews with Lisa Edelstein, Margaret Cho, Gina Torres, Mark Duplass, Katie Aselton, Tim Blake Nelson, and more
• How I just missed interviewing Michael Cera and Jesse Tyler Ferguson
• My tips for anyone planning to attend a Film Festival
Host:
Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelleIf you like this episode, check out TRIBECA: Lisa Edelstein and Gina Torres discuss "THE EVERYTHING POT"
Video edited by Gideon Friedman
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Susanne Scheel is a New York-based casting director with a Bachelor of Science in Film and Television from Boston University. Susanne has won three Casting Society of America Artios Awards for Excellence in Casting and has been nominated for nine more. Susanne has had the honor of collaborating with several visionary creatives including Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Frances McDormand, Barry Levinson, George Clooney, Kasi Lemmons, Ryan Murphy, Jim Mickle, Cherien Dabis, John Lee Hancock, Peter Chelsom, Celine Song, Dean Craig, Bjorn Runge, Xavier Manrique, Danya Taymor, Patrick Wilson, and Whitney White. She has worked for and with some of the industry’s top casting directors including spending the last ten years and counting working with Ellen Chenoweth.
As a casting director, Susanne’s debut feature film “The Wife”, starred Glenn Close, Jonathan Pryce, Christian Slater, Annie Starke, Max Irons, Harry Lloyd, and Elizabeth McGovern. More recently, Susanne co-cast Celine Song’s “Past Lives” with Ellen Chenoweth. “Past Lives” premiered this year at the Sundance Film Festival and also screened at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival.
In this episode, we talk about:
• Her first casting internships in Boston and her first assistant role in LA
• Vivid memory of working with the Coen brothers and asking her “What do you think?”
• Going to LA for periods of time for a project and what coast she prefers
• Why there are more female CDs then male CDs
• Casting the Oscar-nominated film Past Lives and the challenges COVID and the time difference to Korea posed
• How many actors get called in for an average day player role
• Tips for actors for auditions
Guest:IMDb
LinkedIn
SAG-AFTRA Foundation panel - Casting Directors for Oscar Best Picture Nominees Barbie, American Fiction, & Past Lives
Host:
Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelleIf you like this episode, check out Becoming... Emmy winning Casting Director Julie Schubert "Luke Cage," "Manifest," "House of Cards," "The Departed," "The Devil Wears Prada"
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I had the opportunity to go LIVE on the RED CARPET at Tribeca for three movies. The first was interview the Duplass family for their film "Oh, Christmas Tree."
This 11 minute short film was shot in their cabin in upstate NY. It truly was a family affair, written by Mark Duplass to star in with his daughter Ora Duplass, and directed by Katie Aselton, Mark's wife and Ora's mom.
I asked them a couple of questions about shooting this short film and working together. It was Ora's first time in a film, so I asked her about her preparation for this role and whether it felt performative to ask with her Dad.
I also asked about advice for filmmakers. I truly found this particular short very inspiring. They shot this as a family, with only one extra person to record sound.
I was able to tie in a fun question at the end!
Synopsis: It’s been a bit of a year for 16 year-old Claire and her father Ben. All they really want to do is put it behind them. But Christmas is here and their silly holiday traditions are staring them dead in the face, practically taunting thesetwo to give them a try after all they’ve been through. This short film by the Duplass family is as much an examination of mental health as it is an attempt to explore the emotional minefield of ever-shifting family dynamics.
Mark Duplass - Mark is a filmmaker, actor, writer and musician. His credits include Bombshell, Safety Not Guaranteed, Tammy, The Mindy Project, and Charlie "Chip" Black on The Morning Show. Wikipedia IMDb
Katie Aselton - Katie is an actress, director and filmmaker. Her acting credits include Bombshell, The Morning Show, Old Dads, Veep, Book Club, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Host:Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
For more like this, try TRIBECA: Lisa Edelstein and Gina Torres discuss "THE EVERYTHING POT"
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Nicole Frail is a senior editor at Skyhorse Publishing, a traditional publishing company based in New York City. She has been with the company more than a decade and currently works on both adult and children's titles in both fiction and nonfiction categories. She has worked with debut authors and illustrators, as well as New York Times bestsellers, James Beard Award winners, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musicians.
In this episode, we talk about:
• Getting a full time publishing internship in NY from outside the city
• What goes into the role of an editorial assistant and getting that promotion only a couple of weeks into her internship
• Whether it's important to have challenging words in books for that age range
• What makes Skyhorse different from other publishing houses
• How long it will take an author to see their book printed through traditional publishing (often 12-18 months) but that Skyhorse can get it out faster in certain instances
• Advice to promote your book and whether they look for a high social media following and engagement
• If it’s worth getting illustrations for your book when submitting
• Self publishing vs traditional publishing
• Advice to authors for querying including synopsis, log line, and bio (why are you coming to me in first paragraph) and comparative title advice
*Note: We recorded this episode a few months ago. As of July 3rd, 2024, Nicole is no longer at Skyhorse. She is devoting her time to her small business, Nicole Frail Edits.
Guest:
Website
Contact Nicole Frail
Linkedin
Host:
Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelleIf you like this episode, check out Mini-Series: Creating Atomic Habits with guest host Kate Bone (part 1)
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Since 1994, Timothy Travaglini has worked in trade marketing for Scholastic, Inc.; been a bookseller for Books of Wonder, an all-children’s bookstore in New York City; and has edited for Henry Holt and Company, Walker & Company, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, and Open Road Integrated Media where he was the director of children’s acquisitions. Tim is now a Senior Agent at Transatlantic Agency. He primarily represents authors and illustrators of book for young readers of all ages, and select fiction and nonfiction for adults.
Books he has acquired and edited have been, among other things, #1 New York Times bestsellers, a Washington Post Best Children’s Book of the Year, Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner, Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction winner, have been made into an award-winning musical, made into an award-winning animated television show (currently on Netflix), and traveled on board the International Space Station. He has edited, published, and now represents artists and authors who either previously won, or have gone on to win, nearly every award and honor under the sun. He has edited an American Library Association’s 10 Most Frequently Challenged book as well as a Christianity Today Book Award for Fiction winner.
In this episode, we talk about:
• Trade Marketing at Scholastic after 9 months of temp work and being Clifford the Big Red Dog for his boss’s kid’s birthday party
• What are the responsibilities of an editor
• Unpaid intern at Henry Holt agency while being a bookseller at Books of Wonder
• All the ways to grow the success of the book including selling the translations and film rights
• Difference between working at a mid size company like Henry Holt vs a big company like Penguin and how that affects the writer
• Advice he gives authors to market their books in this industry and the mindset a writer needs to have right now
• Having a book at a bigger publishing house vs a smaller publishing house
• How many books get sold at a typical school visit and tips for making them successful
• Other recommendations for authors to market a book and who are the gatekeepers
• Whether he recommends authors hiring PR teams and when that would be helpful
• Books turning into animated series such as “Oddball” on Netflix and “Fangbone!” available on Prime Video and other work on Nickelodeon
• What he hopes to see in a query letter, including bio, synopsis, page count, word count
Guest:
Website LinkedIn
Twitter InstagramHost:
Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelleIf you like this episode, check out Mini-Series: Creating Atomic Habits with guest host Kate Bone (part 1)
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TIM BLAKE NELSON - Actor, writer, director, and producer Tim Blake Nelson has appeared in over ninety feature films, including Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, Ang Lee’s Billy Lynne’s Long Halftime Walk, Louis Letterier’s The Incredible Hulk, Jay Roach’s Meet the Fockers, Steven Gaghan’s Syriana, Miguel Arteta’s The Good Girl, Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report, Terrence Malick’s The Thin Red Line, Andrew Davis’ Holes, and the Coen Brothers’ O Brother Where Art Thou? Nelson also starred as the title character in Netflix’s The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, written and directed by the Coen Brothers. He next appears in Marvel’s Captain America: New World Order, reprising his role as “Samuel Sterns” from The Incredible Hulk.
Andrew Liner - Andrew Liner can most recently be seen starring in Peacock’s VAMPIRE ACADEMY from ExecutiveProducer Julie Plec and can currently be seen in HBO Max’s original film, GRAY MATTER. Next up, he will be shooting a lead role in Destry Spielberg’s directorial debut, PLEASE DON’T FEED THE CHILDREN opposite Michelle Dockery.
Vincent Grashaw - Director/Editor And Then I Go with Melanie Lynskey, Justin Long, and newcomers Arman Darbo and Sawyer Barth. Also, What Josaiah Saw and Coldwater. Synopsis: Retired pugilist Bernard “Bang Bang” Rozyski (Tim Blake Nelson) is inspired to try his hand at training once he reconnects with his estranged grandson. While their training brings Bang Bang out of the hole he’s been living in, everyone questions his motivations, including an ex-girlfriend from decades ago, who was privy to Bang Bang’s meteoric rise in the sport in the 80s as well as the rivalry with his former opponent, her cousin and Detroit's Mayoral candidate Darnell Washington. Is Bang Bang merely passing down inherited rage, or is there true altruism behind his tutelage?Questions:Vincent Grashaw: How did he come across this script from Will Janowitz?Why he chose to edit the entire film and taking a month?How did editing inform your directing?How did his background inform what he wanted to say about boxing?Tim Blake Nelson: How did this script come to you? What went into the preparation for this film?Andrew Liner: What was the audition like?How did you guys do his signature droopy eye and why was that important to include?
Host:Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
For more like this, try TRIBECA: Lisa Edelstein and Gina Torres discuss "THE EVERYTHING POT"
Click here to join our Mailing list.
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LISA EDELSTEIN - From her role as Dr. Lisa Cuddy on the hit Fox series “House” to her star turn as Abby McCarthy in Bravo’s first scripted series “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce,” Lisa Edelstein’s range of roles are as diverse as her talent. “Girlfriends’ Guide” is a dramedy following a best-selling author of a self-help series who separates from her husband and must navigate big career changes and the dating world as a newly single mother. Edelstein also starred in the Golden Globe, Critics Choice, and AFI Award-winning Netflix series “The Kominsky Method,” starring Michael Douglas and created by Chuck Lorre. Edelstein playsPhoebe, the drug-addled hot mess daughter of Alan Arkin’s character. In addition, she juggled an arc on Ryan Murphy’s “911: Lonestar” which reunites her with her “West Wing” paramour, Rob Lowe. She portrayed his call-girl girlfriend on the show.
GINA TORRES - Gina Torres has spent the past thirty years establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the screen.
With her fan-favorite character of Jessica Pearson on USA Network’s hit original series “Suits,” Torres broke boundaries when, in 2019, she became the first Afro-Latina to create, star in and produce a TV series, “Pearson,” which saw Jessica take on the world of Chicago politics. The role was a life changing one, earning Torres an ALMA Award, an Imagen Award (as well as multiple additional Imagen nominations), and the National Hispanic Media Coalition’s Award for Outstanding Performance in a Television Series and the Visionary Award from the LA Femme Film Festival. Currently, Torres can be seen on FOX’s “9-1-1: Lone Star,” portraying paramedic captain Tommy Vega, who answered a call to action and returned to work amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
THE EVERYTHING POT
2024 Tribeca Film Festival | Spotlight Narrative | World PremiereSYNOPSISA comedy of errors ensues when empty nester Rachel (Lisa Edelstein) hastily sends a gift to Charlie (James Wolk), a former colleague, upon receiving his wedding invitation. The young couple’s wedding gets Rachel out of her perpetual state of ennui in her own marriage and brings unexpected excitement, which inadvertently causes chaos in both unions. As one domino falls after another, cracks begin to show in their respective relationships especially while Rachel’s husband Adam (Erik Griffin) becomes obsessed with getting back their wedding gift: The Everything Pot.Guests:
Lisa: Wikipedia IMDb InstagramGina: Wikipedia IMDb Instagram
Host:
Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
For more like this, try Becoming... Series Regular Melissa Navia (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds on Paramount+) Season Finale
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BRYCE NORBITZ is currently the Director of Artist Programs at Tribeca Studios, where they oversee filmmaker development programming. Prior to this, they served as the Director of the Stowe Launch Program at Stowe Story Labs.Bryce also has extensive experience at the Tribeca Film Institute, where they held various roles including Director of Scripted Programs, Manager of Artist Programs, and Coordinator of Artist Programs. Bryce supported both scripted and documentary programming, executed events, reviewed submissions, and provided creative feedback and mentorship to filmmakers.
In this episode, we discuss:Kickstart with Canva: A Creative Program in collaboration with Tribeca Session #1 (June 10th, 4pm at Tribeca Festival, max 90 creators - Register Here) - Creating a Dynamic Pitch Deck with CanvaSession #2 (July, remotely, max 300 creators) - DETAILS COMING SOONSession #3 (August, remotely, max 300 creators) - DETAILS COMING SOONTHROUGH HER LENSTHL Submissions email: [email protected]&T Untold StoriesPitch Attendee programThe 2023 winner’s premiereGuest:LinkedInHost:
Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller
Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic
Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michelle-miller4/support - Show more
