MediaMaker Spotlight
Women in Film and Video (DC)
The biweekly podcast "MediaMaker Spotlight" features conversations with industry professionals speaking on a wide range of topics of interest to screen-based media makers. The series is a great resource for creators and collaborators who want to learn more about filmmaking, production, and all that goes into bringing projects to life. Our show is a great place to learn, find inspiration, discover communities of support, and celebrate our shared passion for film, television, video and visual storytelling in all formats and mediums. "MediaMaker Spotlight" is produced by the Women in Film & Video Podcast Committee. Learn more at MediaMakerSpotlight.com.
New Doc Feature: Who the Hell is Regina Jones?
Host Sandra Abrams chats with publishing trailblazer Regina Jones and Soraya Sélène, one of the co-directors of the new documentary, “WHO THE HELL IS REGINA JONES?” The film tells the remarkable story of Jones’s journey from being a financially struggling young mother of five to witnessing the Watts Rebellion in 1965 to creating and running SOUL newspaper. SOUL became a nationwide publication, scoring scoop after scoop with some of the era's biggest artists, like Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Di
Mar 2, • 35:07
Actor Carl Lumbly Reflects on Alias, Captain America, & More
In this episode, host Tara Jabari interviews actor Carl Lumbly, known for his roles in Captain America, Alias, Doctor Sleep, and more. They discuss Lumbly's portrayal of Isaiah Bradley in the latest Captain America: Brave New World, a character rooted in historical injustices faced by African Americans, and the thematic elements of love and sacrifice in the Marvel Universe. Lumbly shares insights from his career, including his experiences on Alias and his aspirations to write a one-man show abou
Feb 16, • 32:11
Host Special: Love, Laughs, and the Rom-Com Genre
It’s time for another all-hosts special! Hosts Sandra, Tara, and Candice chat all about romantic comedies ahead of Valentine’s Day. We discuss some of our favorite films, actors, and tropes within the ubiquitous rom-com genre, while also sharing some fun facts. You’ll love hearing the banter about meet-cutes and steamy scenes, and you may even discover some classic movies to cozy up to with a special someone.---Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources
Feb 2, • 46:40
Stories that Reframe Aging and Celebrate Older Women
Documentary filmmaker Melissa Davey sits down with host Candice Bloch in this episode to discuss her filmmaking journey and her latest film, Climbing Into Life. The film is about the remarkable story of Dierdre Wolownick, an accomplished writer, artist and musician who got into rock climbing later in life and, at age 66, became the oldest woman to ascend Yosemite’s famed El Capitan. The two also talk about Melissa’s first feature, Beyond Sixty, and her goals of challenging stereotypes about wome
Jan 19, • 34:15
Art Amidst Adversity: A Journey from Ukraine to Venice
In this episode, host Tara Jabbari speaks with Zhanna Ozirana, a Ukrainian filmmaker whose first feature film premiered at the Venice Film Festival. They talk about the inspiration behind her film, the importance of art showcasing challenges like war, winning the Biennale Cinema Competition, plus much more.The film, Honeymoon (English title) is about a couple, Taras and Olya, who just bought an apartment in the suburbs and are spending their first night there before they are woken up by explosio
Jan 5, • 32:53
September 5: Inside the Day of Terror That Changed Live TV
In this episode, host Candice Bloch has a brief chat with Director Tim Fehlbaum and actors Leonie Benesch and Ben Chaplin of the film September 5. They talk about some of what went into producing the film, which unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today. Set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, the film follows the ABC Sports broadcasting team who quickly shifted from sports reporting to live coverage of the Israeli athletes taken
Dec 22, 2024 • 17:05
Making Films That Highlight Shared Humanity
In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with Monda Raquel Webb, former EVP of WIFV (and still a board member), and winner of the 2024 Trailblazer Award from the African American Women in Cinema of New York City. Webb is a book author, filmmaker, and performance artist. As an independent storyteller, she is dedicated to telling stories hidden in the crevices of history's pages through her production company, Little Known Stories. In this conversation, we learn why she describes herself as a vis
Dec 8, 2024 • 28:32
An Actor’s Career Retrospective and Observations
During a virtual press junket for 2024’s summer blockbuster, Borderlands, actor Benjamin Byron Davis spoke with host Tara Jabbari to discuss his role in the film, plus his experience working in over 50 projects ranging from Gilmore Girls to Guardians of the Galaxy. They talked about what makes a successful and worthwhile colleague in the film industry, his friendship with James Gunn, plus his advice for actors who are starting out. Listen to one of the most dynamic and versatile actors as he sha
Nov 24, 2024 • 36:21
Creating Visual Alchemy & Continuity Through VFX Editorial
VFX editor and DC native, Anedra Edwards sits down with host Candice Bloch to give us a peek behind the curtain of visual effects magic. Anedra shares her knowledge from over 15 years of experience in VFX and picture editing for film and TV, working with world’s biggest entertainment companies including Marvel, Netflix, HBO, BET, Discovery, NatGeo, NBC, Disney, ABC, and beyond. You’ll learn what a VFX editor does (which is different from a VFX artist!) and the importance of coordinating and ensu
Nov 10, 2024 • 43:49
Woman of Vision: Sylvia Bugg
In this episode, host Sandra Abrams sits down with another of WIFV’s 2024 Woman of Vision honorees, Sylvia Bugg. As the Chief Programming Executive and General Manager of General Audience Programming for PBS, Bugg shares insight into why she is a life-long learner, how her previous experience at Discovery and CPB shaped her, and what leadership skills she brings to her position. She also explains the PBS opportunity for media content creators to support long and short form documentaries produce
Oct 27, 2024 • 32:07
American Masters: Creative Spark with Minnie Driver
Today, we’re sharing a special episode from our friends at PBS’ Webby Award-winning podcast American Masters: Creative Spark. Join host Joe Skinner as he speaks with Oscar-nominated actress Minnie Driver about how she took on the role of one of the most powerful women in history. She talks about the joy of acting in period pieces, and reminds us to “never underestimate the power of dressing up,” even if the corset can be a little too tight at times.Listen and follow American Masters: Creative Sp
Oct 20, 2024 • 31:26
The Magic Makers: A Conversation with a VFX Producer
Host Tara Jabbari talks all about visual effects with Leah Orsini, a VFX Producer with over 20 years of experience. Leah shares how she started in production and moved to be a VFX Producer, and talks about projects she worked on such as The Gilded Age, Blindspot, Mr. Robot, Falling Skies, and Split, among others. You’ll learn about the difference between special effects and visual effects, how much the profession has changed due to technology enhancements, the growth of diversity on set and behi
Oct 14, 2024 • 20:58
Behind the Mix: Exploring Audio Excellence
Great sound is the mark of a quality project. In this episode, host Candice Bloch has a conversation with Charlie Hewitt of Mirror Studios to discuss all things audio post and sound design. From the difference between audio mixing and audio mastering, to layering in all the right sound effects at all the right levels, to the new frontier of fully immersive audio, you’ll leave this episode with a greater appreciation for how audio enhances projects and brings them to life. Tune in to hear some of
Sep 29, 2024 • 43:47
Lessons in Filmmaking with What Went Wrong Podcast
The What Went Wrong podcast series brings you behind-the-scenes of films from massive flops to record-breaking blockbusters to shed a light on what it really takes to make a film. The show’s hosts, Lizzie Bassett and Chris Winterbauer speak with Tara Jabbari about what they learned about what it really takes to make a film, why James Cameron punched his diver in the face, the long road to get the voice of Shrek, and other fun anecdotes. They also discuss how important it is to have more people o
Sep 15, 2024 • 41:22
Join the Celebration: Women in Film & Video Turns 45!
Women in Film & Video (WIFV) is turning 45! To mark the occasion, there’s going to be a big dance party on Friday, September 13. In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with WIFV Board President Connie St. John to learn more about the organization and the celebration. They discuss how this amazing non-profit got started back in 1979, how it serves a diverse visual media community, and why you should come to the party. St. John also explains many of the wonderful membership benefits includi
Sep 1, 2024 • 29:14
Host Special: Renaming, Recasting, Rebranding
In this special all-host episode, we are thrilled to debut our new podcast name, MediaMaker Spotlight! During their conversation, hosts Sandra Abrams, Candice Bloch, and Tara Jabbari explain the story behind our rebranding and how making the announcement inspired us to chat about some memorable Hollywood renames and recasts in television shows and films. Tune-in to learn more about our big news and hear some fun facts and industry trivia about other projects that have made changes!#recasting #r
Aug 18, 2024 • 43:37
Two Thumbs Up: How Siskel & Ebert Shaped Film Critiquing
In this episode, host Sandra Abrams has a conversation with Matt Singer - film critic, editor, podcaster, and author- about his new book, “Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel & Ebert Changed Movies Forever.” The book offers an insightful and funny look into the iconic pair of film reviewers and their combative style, and shares details about how their THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN trademark began. Plus, given Matt’s day job as film critic and editor of ScreenCrush.com, he talks about the role of film critic
Aug 4, 2024 • 46:44
Addressing Representation & Belonging With Molly McGlynn
In this episode, host Tara Jabbari sits with writer and director Molly McGlynn to talk about her new film, “Fitting In.” The comedic coming-of-age drama, starring Maddie Ziegler and Emily Hampshire, is a semi-autobiographical story about Molly’s journey with MRKH Syndrome. Molly shares the challenges but also the support she had while sharing such a personal story on a reproductive condition. They also talk about the responses the film has gotten since its release, the importance of representati
Jul 21, 2024 • 28:52
Giving Screenplays New Life With Immersive Audio Dramas
More stories get written than make it to screen, so what becomes of these lost narratives? In this episode, host Candice Bloch sits down with producer James Walker to dive into a project he and his company, Velocity Studios have embarked upon to revive some of these scripts in an exciting new way. You’ll learn how they produce immersive experiences that envelop a listener in a rich audio-only world. Hear about the benefits and challenges faced when adapting a story intended for screen into a med
Jul 7, 2024 • 38:25
Woman of Vision: E. Samantha Cheng
In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with WIFV’s 2024 Women of Vision honoree E. Samantha Cheng about her long resume in the media world. She is a writer, director, and producer that has worked in New York City and London before making the DMV home. Her passion and support of the Asian American community has formed the foundation of her work which includes Norman Mineta, the Boy from San Jose, and Honor and Duty: The Mississippi Delta Chinese, which ran nationally on PBS. During this episod
Jun 23, 2024 • 41:12
Discussing Film Portrayals with The Bechdel Cast Podcast
In this special double-host, double-guest episode, hosts Tara Jabbari and Candice Bloch sit down with Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus, the co-hosts of the popular podcast, The Bechdel Cast. The quartet of podcasters discuss The Bechdel Cast, a weekly podcast from iHeartRadio, that dives into the representation of women and other underrepresented groups in movies. The show gets its name and premise from the Bechdel-Wallace test which investigates whether or not a work includes at least two women
Jun 9, 2024 • 46:17
Bridgerton on Netflix: Behind the Scenes of Season 3
Lady Whistledown has news: Dearest Gentle Listener - Bridgerton is back! The Regency period romantic drama from Shonda Rhimes dropped on May 16 on Netflix. In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with many members of the talented production team to learn how Season 3 came together. Sandra discusses the music with Oscar-winner Kris Bowers, the wardrobe with Costume Designer John Glaser, all those dances with Choreographer Jack Murphy, and everyone’s looks with Emmy-winning Hair and Make Up Arti
May 26, 2024 • 51:38
Bringing Action to Life with Stunts and Motion Capture
Professional stuntwoman, motion capture performer, and champion martial artist, Thekla Hutyrova sits down with host Candice Bloch for a fun conversation all about bringing action to our screens - on film, television, and in video games. Thekla has worked on films such as Alita: Battle Angel, Logan, and Deadpool 2, shows such as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Ms. Marvel, and video games such as God of War: Ragnarok, Mortal Kombat 1 and Spider-Man 2. In their conversation, you’ll learn about how stunt
May 12, 2024 • 45:24
"Women of Valor" Doc: Orthodox Women Find Their Voice
Israeli director, Anna Somershaf sits down with host Sandra Abrams in this episode to talk about her award-winning feature documentary, Women of Valor. The film follows the odyssey of Esty Shushan, an orthodox mother and wife, as she seeks to change the law for Haredi women to be elected representatives to Israel's Knesset. Over a five year period, there are many obstacles, especially from ultra-religious men, as these Orthodox women become modern-day Suffragettes, fighting to have their own voi
Apr 28, 2024 • 28:27
Crafting Comedy: A TV Writer's Journey
Up-and-coming television comedy writer, Julia Lindon sits down with host Candice Bloch in this episode to chat about her journey in writing. You’ll learn more about the dynamics of the writers’ room, hear stories about leveraging connections to get in the door, and get a glimpse into the process of honing her comedy chops and bringing stories to the screen. Julia began by working at NBC’s Saturday Night Live and Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, and has gone on to work on such hit series as Netfl
Apr 14, 2024 • 26:06
"Oscar Wars" Author Talks 94 Years of Golden Moments
In this episode, Michael Schulman, author of "Oscar Wars: A History of Hollywood in Gold, Sweat, and Tears'' sits down with host Tara Jabbari for a conversation about notable Oscars moments and their larger significance. Michael shares how voting works for the Academy Awards, and the two discuss how the famous ceremony is a lens into how Hollywood thinks. You’ll hear more about some notable chapters from the book (like when Gregory Peck was the President of the Academy, or when Ha
Mar 31, 2024 • 31:05
Reality TV: Our Hosts Take a Candid Look
In this episode - our first with a video companion - join all three of our hosts on a journey through the dynamic world of American reality TV. We explore its origins, cultural impact, and evolving genres. From the groundbreaking series "The Real World'' to the global phenomenon of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," we unpack how these shows reflect and shape our society. Listen in as we share personal anecdotes and discuss how reality TV has become a platform for import
Mar 17, 2024 • 39:20
PBS’s Grantchester Star Talks Disability and Acting (Rerun)
People with disabilities have been historically underrepresented in the entertainment industry. In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with U.K.- based actress, writer, and disability advocate, Melissa Johns. Johns explains how she landed the role as the brainy Miss Scott in the British detective series, Grantchester, where her disability (born without her right forearm and hand) is a non-factor, who she called first when she landed a role on the iconic soap, Coronation Street, and how her fo
Mar 10, 2024 • 33:06
The Rewarding Chaos of Live Broadcasting (Rerun)
You’ve only got one chance to get it right when the broadcast is live. In this episode, host Candice Bloch talks with Remote Operations Manager, Pam Chvotkin all about the fast-paced and intense world of live event coverage. Pam has years of broadcast production experience ranging from professional sports, to concerts, competitions, awards shows, and more. In the conversation, Pam shares her knowledge about the often chaotic but rewarding lifestyle that keeps one adaptable and ready for anything
Mar 3, 2024 • 41:29
Two Thumbs Up For Film Critics (Rerun)
Thumbs up, thumbs down? Five stars (or are four stars the highest number?)! In this episode, host Tara Jabbari speaks with film critics to discuss how viewing films has changed over the last few years. When is it worth going to the movie theater? Where should we look to know what’s worth seeing? What’s the difference between Rotten Tomatoes versus Meta Critic? They dive into these topics as well as what goes into being a film critic. Our guests are: Ann Hornaday, who has been film critic at Th
Feb 25, 2024 • 57:31
Accessing the Marginalized So We're All Seen & Heard (Rerun)
Making a career pivot after 15 years in one job takes guts and some financial planning. Then add to the mix several disabilities and it sounds impossible. In this episode, host Sandra Abrams talks to filmmaker, advocate, and podcaster, Ariel Baska. Ariel shares how she made the leap to a new film career in a niche genre: Queer Horror, and founded the Access:Horror film festival. Ariel explains why inclusion in front of and behind the camera helps everyone on set, not just those with disabilities
Feb 18, 2024 • 32:33
Exceeding Indie TV Show SEXPECTATIONS (Rerun)
In this episode, host Candice Bloch talks with the creative team behind the hit indie TV show, ‘Sexpectations.’ Writer Jenna St. John and Director Kevin Good shed light on how they took the series from story concept through production, post-production, and eventually out to audiences on major streaming platforms. They talk about their multi-year journey including self-funding, casting, the show’s message, technical aspects of using CGI, and more.‘Sexpectations’ centers on an aspiring romance nov
Feb 11, 2024 • 36:47
Woman of Vision: Abby Greensfelder (Rerun)
Abby Greensfelder has an instinct for developing not only iconic cable shows such as, “Say Yes to the Dress,” but also documentaries featuring icons Megan Rapinoe and Alicia Keys. In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with the indie filmmaker and native Washingtonian, ahead of the World Premiere of UNCHARTED at the Tribeca Film Festival in June. The doc, from her company, Everywoman Studios, is a behind-the-scenes look at Keys’ songwriting camp that hopes to create a pipeline of women songwr
Feb 4, 2024 • 35:20
Casting the Best Performers for Your Project (Rerun)
Originally released Oct 1, 2023The choice of who is cast in a role can make or break a performance. In this episode, host Candice Bloch talks with casting director Anne Chapman all about the art and business of casting a project. Anne draws on her decades of professional experience casting projects of all sizes and styles as they discuss the methods and evolution of the process, the importance of chemistry, the difficulties of casting historical figures, advice for those interested in the career
Jan 28, 2024 • 32:06
An In-Depth Focus on Cinematography (Rerun)
Originally released on Oct. 8, 2023What is the difference between a cinematographer, camera operator, and director of photography? Has there been more gender diversity behind the scenes? What is the difference between filming on digital versus film? These questions and more are covered in this episode as host Tara Jabbari speaks with the award-winning South African cinematographer and camera operator, Pascale Neuschafer. To learn about Pascale’s work, visit: https://www.instagram.com/pascaleneus
Jan 21, 2024 • 23:17
The Art of Production Design (Rerun)
Originally released Nov. 12, 2023Screen-based media by its very nature, relies on visuals. And as stories unfold on set, the art department is key in not only building those sets, but making them look the part for the world being created. In this episode, host Candice Bloch sits down with Betsy Zuck, an experienced Production Designer, Set Decorator, Lead Person, Set Decorator, fabricator, and beyond. They discuss not only those roles and what they mean, but Betsy draws on her experiences workin
Jan 14, 2024 • 35:44
How 52 Literary Gems Became Films We Love (Rerun)
Originally released on Sept. 14, 2023Love the movie? Read the book before it’s banned! In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with Kristen Lopez, author of "But Have You Read the Book? 52 Literary Gems That Inspired Our Favorite Films” in association with Turner Classic Movies. Kristen knows her topic as creator of the Ticklish Business podcast and a film editor with entertainment daily, TheWrap. Film buffs will get the behind-the-scenes story of how THE THIN MAN, DUNE, and PASSING went from
Jan 7, 2024 • 29:46
Shimmy Isaacs of Netflix South Africa's Unseen (Rerun)
Originally released May 14, 2023In this episode, host Tara Jabbari sits down with actor Shimmy Isaacs on location in Cape Town, South Africa to talk about her Netflix hit crime thriller, Unseen. They discuss the show, Shimmy's acting journey in drama and comedy, her writing process, her time in the USA, and how the arts is a universal language.You can follow Shimmy for the latest on her work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shimmyisaacs/ or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/shimmyisaa
Dec 31, 2023 • 42:01
Holiday Special: Christmas Movies and More (Rerun)
Originally released on Dec. 18, 2022.Season two wraps up with this Holiday Special, where all three hosts – Candice Bloch, Sandra Abrams, and Tara Jabbari – discuss the mega genre of Christmas and holiday movies. The trio share fun facts, their personal opinions, and go over the results of Media & Monuments’ own holiday survey, which centered on movies related to “the most wonderful time of the year.” Here are a few highlights from the survey to get you into the holiday mood: Love Actually was v
Dec 24, 2023 • 35:25
Accessing the Marginalized So We’re All Seen & Heard
Making a career pivot after 15 years in one job takes guts and some financial planning. Then add to the mix several disabilities and it sounds impossible. In this episode, host Sandra Abrams talks to filmmaker, advocate, and podcaster, Ariel Baska. Ariel shares how she made the leap to a new film career in a niche genre: Queer Horror, and founded the Access:Horror film festival. Ariel explains why inclusion in front of and behind the camera helps everyone on set, not just those with disabilities
Dec 17, 2023 • 32:25
Making Money & a Name with YouTuber Evasive
Host Tara Jabbari sits down with influencer Nikole Eva, aka Evasive on YouTube, for this episode. After studying film, gaining experience as an editor, and working towards being a comedy writer, Eva started her YouTube channel to get her name out there… and it has been working! Tara and Eva talk about the start of her YouTube channel, how to make money through the videos, copyright issues, the importance of engaging with comments to build your audience, and much more! Evasive YouTube channel: ht
Dec 10, 2023 • 31:49
Exceeding Indie TV Show SEXPECTATIONS
In this episode, host Candice Bloch talks with the creative team behind the hit indie TV show, ‘Sexpectations.’ Writer Jenna St. John and Director Kevin Good shed light on how they took the series from story concept through production, post-production, and eventually out to audiences on major streaming platforms. They talk about their multi-year journey including self-funding, casting, the show’s message, technical aspects of using CGI, and more. ‘Sexpectations’ centers on an aspiring romance no
Dec 3, 2023 • 36:36
Award Winning Doc, Call Me Dancer - Filmmakers Spotlight
Call Me Dancer is a multiple award winning feature documentary that follows Manish Chauhan, a charismatic street dancer from Mumbai, who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer despite his parents misgivings. In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with the filmmakers behind this inspiring film: director and producer Leslie Shampaine, co-director Pip Gilmour, and editor Jennifer Beman. They share their journey of how they made the project that took them from India, to the UK, NY, and Israel, and wh
Nov 26, 2023 • 39:15
When Genres Collide - It’s a Wonderful Knife
Horror invades holiday in a genre mashup comedy! This episode, host Tara Jabbari speaks with director Tyler MacIntyre about his new horror-comedy, It’s a Wonderful Knife. Described as “It’s a Wonderful Life by way of Scream,” they discuss how story elements of the classic holiday film were infused into this killer thriller. Starring Jane Widdop, Jess McLeod, Joel McHale, Katharine Isabelle, William B. Davis, and Justin Long, It’s a Wonderful Knife opened in theaters on November 10th, 2023. It wi
Nov 19, 2023 • 18:01
The Art of Production Design
Screen-based media by its very nature, relies on visuals. And as stories unfold on set, the art department is key in not only building those sets, but making them look the part for the world being created. In this episode, host Candice Bloch sits down with Betsy Zuck, an experienced Production Designer, Set Decorator, Lead Person, Set Decorator, fabricator, and beyond. They discuss not only those roles and what they mean, but Betsy draws on her experiences working on crews of all types and sizes
Nov 12, 2023 • 35:33
PBS’s Grantchester Star Talks Disability and Acting
People with disabilities have been historically underrepresented in the entertainment industry. In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with U.K.- based actress, writer, and disability advocate, Melissa Johns. Johns explains how she landed the role as the brainy Miss Scott in the British detective series, Grantchester, where her disability (born without her right forearm and hand) is a non-factor, who she called first when she landed a role on the iconic soap, Coronation Street, and how her fo
Nov 5, 2023 • 32:58
Managing Locations with Kelly Stuart
When it comes to creating a story, where that story is told is very important. In this episode, host Tara Jabbari speaks with Kelly Stuart, a location manager for projects such as the award-winning film, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and television shows like True Blood, The Catch, and American Auto. In their conversation, Kelly talks about what her job entails, what she looks for in a location, how involved she is with other departments like safety and art, and what a person needs to be su
Oct 29, 2023 • 24:32
The Rewarding Chaos of Live Broadcasting
You’ve only got one chance to get it right when the broadcast is live. In this episode, host Candice Bloch talks with Remote Operations Manager, Pam Chvotkin all about the fast-paced and intense world of live event coverage. Pam has years of broadcast production experience ranging from professional sports, to concerts, competitions, awards shows, and more. In the conversation, Pam shares her knowledge about the often chaotic but rewarding lifestyle that keeps one adaptable and ready for anything
Oct 22, 2023 • 41:19
Special: Hosts Talk TV Sweeps & Fall Shows
It's time for our season four special! All three hosts - Candice, Tara, and Sandra - come together in this episode to chat about fall television. You’ll hear some background on fall “sweeps,” the origin of the term, and some information on how they impact advertising rates. The hosts also share their thoughts about some of the 2023 fall lineup for both broadcast and streaming, taking into account how the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes have changed the landscape this year. What has been paused or
Oct 15, 2023 • 31:11
An In-Depth Focus on Cinematography
What is the difference between a cinematographer, camera operator, and director of photography? Has there been more gender diversity behind the scenes? What is the difference between filming on digital versus film? These questions and more are covered in this episode as host Tara Jabbari speaks with the award-winning South African cinematographer and camera operator, Pascale Neuschafer. To learn about Pascale’s work, visit: https://www.instagram.com/pascaleneuschafer/https://quickbrownfox.co.za/
Oct 8, 2023 • 23:09
Casting the Best Performers for Your Project
The choice of who is cast in a role can make or break a performance. In this episode, host Candice Bloch talks with casting director Anne Chapman all about the art and business of casting a project. Anne draws on her decades of professional experience casting projects of all sizes and styles as they discuss the methods and evolution of the process, the importance of chemistry, the difficulties of casting historical figures, advice for those interested in the career, and more.To learn more about
Oct 1, 2023 • 31:56
Exploring the Lifestyle of Travel Influencers
In this episode, host Tara Jabbari speaks with two online travel personalities, Gabby Marcellus of Remote Ear and Ashley McDonough from Melanin on the Map. They share their personal journeys, tips on how to make it as a travel influencer, and the importance of creating relatable, engaging content. You’ll learn about the bond between social media influencers and their audience, practical safety advice in the digital world, and much more!Learn more about Ashley: https://www.instagram.com/ashley_mi
Sep 24, 2023 • 33:30
How 52 Literary Gems Became Films We Love
Love the movie? Read the book before it’s banned! In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with Kristen Lopez, author of "But Have You Read the Book? 52 Literary Gems That Inspired Our Favorite Films” in association with Turner Classic Movies. Kristen knows her topic as creator of the Ticklish Business podcast and a film editor with entertainment daily, TheWrap. Film buffs will get the behind-the-scenes story of how THE THIN MAN, DUNE, and PASSING went from book to an adaptive screenplay and th
Sep 17, 2023 • 29:38
Going Viral with YouTuber and Coach, Chimdi Ihezie
This episode, host Tara Jabbari speaks with content creator and coach, Chimdi Ihezie. She shares tips that she uses to get her videos seen, how she deals with negative comments, how you can show your authenticity online - and why it matters to be authentic, plus much more! Chimdi’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTC1vsvogotg9sn2j8s0aZQ Chimdi’s Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachingbychimdi/ Her Voice Notes From Your Friend Podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show
Sep 10, 2023 • 38:00
The Importance of the Strike with SAG-AFTRA Actors
The ongoing strikes have rocked the media community throughout the summer of 2023. Host Candice Bloch had a discussion on August 18th with three Mid-Atlantic SAG-AFTRA members and strike captains - Towanda Underdue, Gabriel Kornbluh, and Keith Flippen (bios below) - to learn more about their experiences being on strike. They discuss the current SAG-AFTRA strike which began on July 14, 2023, its impact and importance, as well as the value of solidarity with other unions. For more information abou
Sep 3, 2023 • 33:00
Spotlighting the Writer’s Guild of America Strike
Season four kicks off with a conversation about the ongoing Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) strike. Host Candice Bloch sits down with WGA member, tv writer, standup comic, and podcaster Robby Slowik on day 112 of the strike to learn more. They discuss the demands, the conditions that led to the strike, solidarity with other unions, and much more. To learn more about the WGA strike, visit https://www.wgacontract2023.org/To learn more about the WGA (West): https://www.wga.org/To learn more about t
Aug 27, 2023 • 28:01
Star Trek Advisor Brings Fact to Fiction - RERUN
Expert advisors help ground stories in plausibility, and can be vital sounding boards for crafting projects that pass muster with fans. In this episode, host Candice Bloch talks with Dr. Erin Macdonald, the science consultant for the Star Trek franchise. Erin Macdonald (PhD Astrophysics) is a public speaker, educator, STEAM advocate, writer, and technical consultant who explains complex physics and astronomy ideas to varied audiences. She is also the founder and owner of Spacetime Productions, a
Aug 20, 2023 • 28:16
Successful Producing Outside of Hollywood - RERUN
If you think you need to be in L.A. or New York to have a career as a film producer, think again. In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with Sara Elizabeth Timmins, the head of Life Out Loud Films before her trip to the Cannes Film Festival. Sara shares how she has carved out a successful film producer career while living outside of the Hollywood hubs. She also gives tips for fundraising, how to juggle multiple projects at the same time, and shares why she started her company to support wome
Aug 13, 2023 • 23:47
Capturing the Cosmos with NASA Mediamakers - RERUN
The ongoing stories of our planet and universe are vast and often highly visual. In this episode, host Candice Bloch talks with Wade Sisler, the executive producer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, and Lori Perkins, a computer engineer for NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio (SVS). They discuss the exciting process of bringing amazing science stories to the world, collaborating with engineers, explaining complex concepts with animations, and more. Listen to learn about climate-focused co
Aug 6, 2023 • 29:32
A Dialogue with Screenwriter Claudia Myers - RERUN
A good script is the foundation upon which great stories are brought to life on screen. In this episode, host Candice Bloch sits down with award-winning writer, director, and producer, Claudia Myers to discuss screenwriting. Claudia brings her knowledge and experience as a successful writer and longtime communications professor at American University to the conversation. Learn about her active film career amidst a plethora of great advice for crafting stories for the screen.To learn more about C
Jul 30, 2023 • 33:23
Woman of Vision: Vonnya Pettigrew - RERUN
Celebrating Women of Vision honoree, Vonnya Pettigrew! In this episode, host Sandra Abrams has a chat with Vonnya Pettigrew, founder of Baltimore-based Root Branch Media Group, media mogul, and one of WIFV’s 2023 Women of Vision honorees. Listen to hear more about her journey, great advice about building your own studio space, and more!To learn more about Vonnya and all that Root Branch Media Group has to offer, visit: www.rootbranchmediagroup.comTo learn more about Women in Film & Video (WI
Jul 23, 2023 • 26:24
The World of Music and Film Scores - RERUN
In any film, the music score is very important for setting the tone of the piece and supporting the story. Tara Jabbari speaks with Malakoff Kowalski, a Berlin-based musician and composer who has worked with filmmakers from Germany, Sweden, and the United States, to name a few. He shares his process, advice he has for directors on what they need to communicate with composers, and much more. Learn more about Malakoff: https://www.malakoffkowalski.de/His music on Spotify (Episode originally releas
Jul 16, 2023 • 32:49
Make a Film in a Weekend with the 48 Hour Film Project - RERUN
The 48 Hour Film Project (48HFP) challenges its participants to create a short film from scratch on a single weekend. In this episode, host Candice Bloch sits down with Lisa Giles, the city producer for the Richmond 48 Hour Film Project. They discuss how the 48HFP came to be and grow to over 100 cities internationally, the fun details and parameters of the challenge, and more. It just may inspire you to want to join in on a memorable weekend of your own!To learn more about this fantastic filmmak
Jul 9, 2023 • 30:45
The Journey of a Working Actor - RERUN
In this episode, Tara Jabbari speaks with Flora Mendoza, a singer and actor, turned political advisor and nomad. She shares her experience of getting her SAG card, being an extra for “Saturday Night Live,” finding agents, and more. Some websites that Flora recommends for extra work are:https://www.weistbarronryan.com/https://actorsaccess.com/Learn more about Flora here: http://floramendoza.com/ (Episode originally released on 4/16/23)---Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media
Jul 2, 2023 • 24:07
Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media - RERUN
Media directly impacts how people see themselves in the world. In this episode, host Candice Bloch has a conversation with Madeline Di Nonno, the president and CEO of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. They chat about the Institute’s mission, the valuable research and data they collect, and how that data is used to help reveal bias and create more equality. While it began with a focus on gender - “if she can see it, she can be it” - the Institute now focuses on gender, race/ethnicity,
Jun 25, 2023 • 33:18
Special: Our Hosts Talk Summer Movies
Season three wraps up with another of our specials! Once again, all three of our hosts - Tara, Candice, and Sandra - come together, this time to chat all about summer blockbusters. Learn some history and fun facts while also hearing our hosts share funny memories and insights into which big screen theater movies each is looking forward to this summer 2023. During our season break, we’ll be sharing some selected reruns. We return at the end of the summer with fresh new content for season four, bu
Jun 18, 2023 • 36:28
Star Trek Advisor Brings Fact to Fiction
Expert advisors help ground stories in plausibility, and can be vital sounding boards for crafting projects that pass muster with fans. In this episode, host Candice Bloch talks with Dr. Erin Macdonald, the science consultant for the Star Trek franchise. Erin Macdonald (PhD Astrophysics) is a public speaker, educator, STEAM advocate, writer, and technical consultant who explains complex physics and astronomy ideas to varied audiences. She is also the founder and owner of Spacetime Productions, a
Jun 11, 2023 • 28:04
Woman of Vision: Abby Greensfelder
Abby Greensfelder has an instinct for developing not only iconic cable shows such as, “Say Yes to the Dress,” but also documentaries featuring icons Megan Rapinoe and Alicia Keys. In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with the indie filmmaker and native Washingtonian, ahead of the World Premiere of UNCHARTED at the Tribeca Film Festival in June. The doc, from her company, Everywoman Studios, is a behind-the-scenes look at Keys’ songwriting camp that hopes to create a pipeline of women songwr
Jun 4, 2023 • 35:12
Creating Content with TikTok Star Austin Maguire
Social media success story and entertainer Austin Maguire sits down with host Candice Bloch in this episode all about creating constant short-form content that we view mostly from our phones. Austin began their self-titled TikTok channel (@austin_maguire) in 2019 and quickly rose to digital fame, creating content that’s mostly satirical characters and funny observations. Currently sporting 645k followers on TikTok and 45k on Instagram, they know a thing or two about making it big and maintaining
May 28, 2023 • 30:53
Successful Producing Outside of Hollywood
If you think you need to be in L.A. or New York to have a career as a film producer, think again. In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with Sara Elizabeth Timmins, the head of Life Out Loud Films before her trip to the Cannes Film Festival. Sara shares how she has carved out a successful film producer career while living outside of the Hollywood hubs. She also gives tips for fundraising, how to juggle multiple projects at the same time, and shares why she started her company to support wome
May 21, 2023 • 23:33
Shimmy Isaacs of Netflix South Africa's Unseen
In this episode, host Tara Jabbari sits down with actor Shimmy Isaacs on location in Cape Town, South Africa to talk about her Netflix hit crime thriller, Unseen. They discuss the show, Shimmy's acting journey in drama and comedy, her writing process, her time in the USA, and how the arts is a universal language.You can follow Shimmy for the latest on her work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shimmyisaacs/ or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/shimmyisaacs/Watch Unseen on Netflix here.
May 14, 2023 • 41:55
A Dialogue with Screenwriter Claudia Myers
A good script is the foundation upon which great stories are brought to life on screen. In this episode, host Candice Bloch sits down with award-winning writer, director, and producer, Claudia Myers to discuss screenwriting. Claudia brings her knowledge and experience as a successful writer and longtime communications professor at American University to the conversation. Learn about her active film career amidst a plethora of great advice for crafting stories for the screen.To learn more about C
May 7, 2023 • 33:11
Woman of Vision: Vonnya Pettigrew
Celebrating Women of Vision honoree, Vonnya Pettigrew! In this episode, host Sandra Abrams has a chat with Vonnya Pettigrew, founder of Baltimore-based Root Branch Media Group, media mogul, and one of WIFV’s 2023 Women of Vision honorees. Listen to hear more about her journey, great advice about building your own studio space, and more! To learn more about Vonnya and all that Root Branch Media Group has to offer, visit: www.rootbranchmediagroup.comTo learn more about Women in Film & Video (WIFV)
Apr 30, 2023 • 26:10
Capturing the Cosmos with NASA Mediamakers
The ongoing stories of our planet and universe are vast and often highly visual. In this episode, host Candice Bloch talks with Wade Sisler, the executive producer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, and Lori Perkins, a computer engineer for NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio (SVS). They discuss the exciting process of bringing amazing science stories to the world, collaborating with engineers, explaining complex concepts with animations, and more. Listen to learn about climate-focused co
Apr 23, 2023 • 29:19
The Journey of a Working Actor
In this episode, Tara Jabbari speaks with Flora Mendoza, a singer and actor, turned political advisor and nomad. She shares her experience of getting her SAG card, being an extra for “Saturday Night Live,” finding agents, and more. Some websites that Flora recommends for extra work are: https://www.weistbarronryan.com/ https://actorsaccess.com/Learn more about Flora here: http://floramendoza.com/ ---To keep learning more about filmmaking, production, media makers, resources for creators, visual
Apr 16, 2023 • 23:53
Uncovering How to Source Archival Materials
Whether footage, images, or audio, third-party archival materials are often needed to fill out a story on screen. In this episode, host Candice Bloch talks with archival producer Sarah Katz about the rewarding work of sourcing archives for documentaries. Learn more about the process and permissions needed and why it often pays to bring in an expert. You’ll also hear some fun stories from Sarah’s career sleuthing out archival footage for a wide range of clients.To learn more about Sarah and her w
Apr 9, 2023 • 26:37
The World of Music and Film Scores
In any film, the music score is very important for setting the tone of the piece and supporting the story. Tara Jabbari speaks with Malakoff Kowalski, a Berlin-based musician and composer who has worked with filmmakers from Germany, Sweden, and the United States, to name a few. He shares his process, advice he has for directors on what they need to communicate with composers, and much more. Learn more about Malakoff: https://www.malakoffkowalski.de/ His music on Spotify ---To keep learning more
Apr 2, 2023 • 32:38
Script DC: Tools for Building a Film Career
Script DC is a unique series of panels and classes from Women in Film & Video (WIFV) for anyone who loves filmmaking. It brings Hollywood-level resources to the DMV (District-Maryland-Virginia) for actors, producers, screenwriters, editors, and directors. Whether you are beginning your career or working on your third script, there are speakers and workshops to expand your skills, knowledge, and network. In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with Melissa Houghton, WIFV’s amazing executive
Mar 26, 2023 • 28:58
Make a Film in a Weekend with the 48 Hour Film Project
The 48 Hour Film Project (48HFP) challenges its participants to create a short film from scratch on a single weekend. In this episode, host Candice Bloch sits down with Lisa Giles, the city producer for the Richmond 48 Hour Film Project. They discuss how the 48HFP came to be and grow to over 100 cities internationally, the fun details and parameters of the challenge, and more. It just may inspire you to want to join in on a memorable weekend of your own! To learn more about this fantastic filmma
Mar 19, 2023 • 30:33
The Art of Storyboarding
In this episode, Tara Jabbari speaks with fellow podcaster and freelance storyboard artist & illustrator, Jim Penola. They talk about his start in his career working in short films, features, commercials, music videos, and documentaries. They also bond over how they got to know each other through his podcast, shared passions over the film, “The Invitation” and more. You can follow Jim here: https://www.instagram.com/jimpenola/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-penola-704536178/ https://t
Mar 12, 2023 • 33:34
And the Winner Is …An Oscar Preview with WTOP
Ahead of this year’s Academy Awards (airing on March 12th), host Sandra Abrams chats with WTOP’s entertainment reporter and award-winning movie critic, Jason Fraley, to discuss the front-runners of the Oscars race. Will the multiverse prevail with Everything, Everywhere All at Once or will the beautiful cinematography of All Quiet on the Western Front be the winner? Our guest is considered one of the best at picking winners, so tune in and have fun listening. Jason’s podcast, “Beyond the Fame wi
Mar 5, 2023 • 33:07
Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media
Media directly impacts how people see themselves in the world. In this episode, host Candice Bloch has a conversation with Madeline Di Nonno, the president and CEO of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. They chat about the Institute’s mission, the valuable research and data they collect, and how that data is used to help reveal bias and create more equality. While it began with a focus on gender - “if she can see it, she can be it” - the Institute now focuses on gender, race/ethnicity,
Feb 26, 2023 • 33:07
Blockbuster's Last Stand
In our season 3 premiere episode, host Tara Jabbari speaks with Sandi Harding, the General Manager of the very last Blockbuster in the world located in Bend, Oregon. They talk about the history of Blockbuster, its influence, and how the community of Bend as well as fans have helped keep this Blockbuster open. Enjoy listening to the memories, the business side of managing Blockbuster, and Tara geeking out.You can learn more and order souvenirs from Blockbuster by visiting their website: https://b
Feb 19, 2023 • 23:31
Oscar's History With the Ladies - RERUN
Ahead of the 94th Academy Awards on March 27, 2022, board member Sandra Abrams sits down with two amazing women to discuss Oscar’s history on nominations of women in non-actor categories. Our guests are Dr. Rosanne Welch, Executive Director of the MFA in TV and Screenwriting Program at Stephens College, and Leslie Combemale, a syndicated film critic known as Cinema Siren, and the creator and host of WomenRockingHollywood - an annual panel at Comic Con in San Diego which highlights female filmmak
Feb 12, 2023 • 50:36
Building the Magic of Real SFX - RERUN
While so much of the effects we see on screen can be CGI, there will always be a home for the physical, tangible art of special effects. In this episode, host Candice Bloch sits down with Ben Eadie, an experienced special effects designer, prop maker, fabricator, and multi-talented inventor and creator. Ben has worked on such projects as Star Trek Beyond, Arrow, The Predator, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Prey, and Fraggle Rock. In their conversation, Ben chats about inventing solutions to problems,
Feb 5, 2023 • 37:24
The Importance of JEDI: Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion - RERUN
C. Marie Taylor is the founder and president of Equity Through Action, a consulting company that helps organizations create equitable practices, policies, and mind shifts. In this episode, host Tara Jabbari talks with C. Marie about inclusion and diversity, films that have caused controversy, and the practice of examining the diversity in your own life. They discuss how people - from behind the scenes to the audience - need to see the humanity of each character, regardless of how they look, in o
Jan 29, 2023 • 30:08
How a Costume Designer Fashions a Character - RERUN
Clothes can make or break a scene without a character saying a word. In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with Screenwriter and Costume Designer, Alexandra Olivia Engelson. She shares her approach to putting together a wardrobe for independent films with small budgets, and what it means to be a wardrobe coordinate on big budget television shows such as Quantico and The Equalizer. To learn more about Alexandra and her work, visit https://www.aoengelson.com/(Episode originally released on 10/
Jan 22, 2023 • 17:55
Navigating Film Festivals - RERUN
While simply making a film is a passion project and can take years of work, getting your finished movie into a film festival can be nothing short of a miracle. In this episode, host Sandra Abrams takes a deep dive into film festivals and how to navigate the festival circuit for maximum exposure and a possible ticket to Hollywood. She speaks with Heather Waters, who is the founder and producer of the Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF) and runs the RIFF Arts Institute. In 2022, RIFF runs
Jan 15, 2023 • 53:07
A Montage of Memories From an Editing Career - RERUN
Ken Zemke is an Emmy-award winning film and television editor whose career spans over 50 years, working all over the world. In this episode, host Tara Jabbari sits down with him to talk about his career - from his mentor, Michael Kahn (the editor that Steven Spielberg works with), to his work as supervising editor overseeing a young Martin Scorsese’s edit for an Elvis music documentary, to why he left the States for New Zealand. They discuss the differences between editing films versus documenta
Jan 8, 2023 • 29:53
The Avalon Theatre: Lessons on How to Survive - RERUN
Just inside the Beltway is the historic Avalon Theatre, a rare gem in the movie theater world. Built in 1922 for silent movies, it is still operating today, showcasing hard-to-find independent films and documentaries. Host Sandra Abrams speaks to Executive Director Bill Oberdorfer about its survival, and how film directors and movie goers can support this landmark film center. To learn more, visit www.theavalon.org (Episode originally released on 10/9/22)---Subscribe to learn more about filmmaki
Jan 1, 2023 • 23:34
The Film Fund: One Sentence Can Get You Financing - RERUN
In this episode, host Candice Bloch talks with Thomas Verdi, the founder and CEO of The Film Fund, a simple and unique funding platform that grants money to filmmakers based on a single sentence pitch. And beyond the money, The Film Fund is also a community bursting with valuable resources for creators. Learn more at:https://www.thefilmfund.co/https://www.instagram.com/thefilmfund/https://www.facebook.com/filmfundcohttps://twitter.com/simplyfilmfundhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/the-film-fund/
Dec 25, 2022 • 21:22
Holiday Special: Christmas Movies and More
Season two wraps up with this Holiday Special, where all three hosts – Candice Bloch, Sandra Abrams, and Tara Jabbari – discuss the mega genre of Christmas and holiday movies. The trio share fun facts, their personal opinions, and go over the results of Media & Monuments’ own holiday survey, which centered on movies related to “the most wonderful time of the year.” Here are a few highlights from the survey to get you into the holiday mood: Love Actually was voted favorite holiday rom-com, Mi
Dec 18, 2022 • 35:15
The Beauty and Benefits of Disability Inclusion
Multi-faceted multi-hyphenate Nasreen Alkhateeb sits down with host Candice Bloch to discuss disability inclusion in media - both in front of and behind the camera. Nasreen pulls from her personal and professional experiences to help shine a light on those that are too often under-represented. As a filmmaker who loves to focus on projects that help shift our culture, Nasreen points out many of the advantages of disability inclusion, the vastness of the disabled community, and talks about some pr
Dec 11, 2022 • 27:34
Netflix’s New Doc, In Her Hands, Highlights Afghani Women
In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with first time director, Tamana Ayazi, about her film, “In Her Hands.” The film captures Afghanistan at a critical juncture: before, during, and after western forces leave, all through the eyes of the country’s youngest female mayor, the tough-minded Zarfia Ghafari. The documentary won the Audience Award at the Camden International Film Festival in September 2022. It is the first non-fiction release from former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and dau
Dec 4, 2022 • 26:49
Profiling a German Filmmaker
Saralisa Volm is a German actress and filmmaker. In this episode, host Tara Jabbari speaks with Saralisa about her start in the film industry and how different countries have reacted and could relate to her new film, “The Silent Forest.” They also discuss the importance of diversity in writers rooms and on-sets, as well as how to be respectful of those who wish not to be the focal point. To learn more and connect:Saralisa’s production company, Poison: https://poison-berlin.com/en/Connect with Sa
Nov 27, 2022 • 26:27
From Concept to Cannes: Discussing a Best Short
Best Short at The American Pavilion of Emerging Filmmakers at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival was awarded to a sweet ten-minute short called Noisy. In this episode, host Candice Bloch sits down with Cedric Hill, Noisy’s writer and director. They talk about the short film’s journey from concept to Cannes, as well as Cedric’s experience at the renowned festival and what winning there means. To learn more about Cedric and connect:https://www.cedrichill.us/Instagram: @chill2772IMDB: https://www.imdb.
Nov 20, 2022 • 23:32
The Importance of JEDI: Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion
C. Marie Taylor is the founder and president of Equity Through Action, a consulting company that helps organizations create equitable practices, policies, and mind shifts. In this episode, host Tara Jabbari talks with C. Marie about inclusion and diversity, films that have caused controversy, and the practice of examining the diversity in your own life. They discuss how people - from behind the scenes to the audience - need to see the humanity of each character, regardless of how they look, in o
Nov 13, 2022 • 29:56
A Producer’s Memoir from Book to Disney Film
Bringing a book to the big screen takes patience. In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with WIFV member and film producer, Catherine Hand about her new memoir, “Becoming a Warrior, My Journey to Bring A Wrinkle in Time to the Screen.” In their conversation, Hand discusses highlights from her book and how her personal journey helped her navigate all the twists and turns the film project took to finally become a Disney film in 2018, directed by Ava DuVernay. To learn more about Catherine and
Nov 6, 2022 • 36:40
Halloween Special: Our Hosts Talk Horror & Halloween
In this special episode, all three of our hosts, Sandra Abrams, Candice Bloch, and Tara Jabbari sit down together to discuss films that are all horror and Halloween! Listen as they share personal stories of watching horror films, their thoughts on some of the most notable horror films, and results from our survey. At the end of the episode, we give shout-outs to those who took the survey. These are the lists that we referred to in our discussion: The Best Horror Movies Of The Last Decadehttps://
Oct 30, 2022 • 55:35
How a Costume Designer Fashions a Character
Clothes can make or break a scene without a character saying a word. In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with Screenwriter and Costume Designer, Alexandra Olivia Engelson. She shares her approach to putting together a wardrobe for independent films with small budgets, and what it means to be a wardrobe coordinate on big budget television shows such as Quantico and The Equalizer. To learn more about Alexandra and her work, visit https://www.aoengelson.com/---Subscribe to learn more about fi
Oct 23, 2022 • 17:38
Building the Magic of Real SFX
While so much of the effects we see on screen can be CGI, there will always be a home for the physical, tangible art of special effects. In this episode, host Candice Bloch sits down with Ben Eadie, an experienced special effects designer, prop maker, fabricator, and multi-talented inventor and creator. Ben has worked on such projects as Star Trek Beyond, Arrow, The Predator, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Prey, and Fraggle Rock. In their conversation, Ben chats about inventing solutions to problems,
Oct 16, 2022 • 37:13
The Avalon Theatre: Lessons on How to Survive
Just inside the Beltway is the historic Avalon Theatre, a rare gem in the movie theater world. Built in 1922 for silent movies, it is still operating today, showcasing hard-to-find independent films and documentaries. Host Sandra Abrams speaks to Executive Director Bill Oberdorfer about its survival, and how film directors and movie goers can support this landmark film center. To learn more, visit www.theavalon.org ---Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator re
Oct 9, 2022 • 23:17
Music Videos: A Duet of Sights and Sound
In this episode, host Candice Bloch sits down with filmmaker Erica Silverman to delve into the world of creating music videos. With many years of experience in short-form media, including directing dozens of music videos in a variety of genres and styles, Erica knows a thing or two about this world. She’s worked with artists such as Lizzo, Leon Bridges, and Avril Lavigne, to name a few, and combined, Erica's work has racked up over 500 million views. She shares some of her journey, gives great a
Oct 2, 2022 • 27:30
A Montage of Memories From an Editing Career
Ken Zemke is an Emmy-award winning film and television editor whose career spans over 50 years, working all over the world. In this episode, host Tara Jabbari sits down with him to talk about his career - from his mentor, Michael Kahn (the editor that Steven Spielberg works with), to his work as supervising editor overseeing a young Martin Scorsese’s edit for an Elvis music documentary, to why he left the States for New Zealand. They discuss the differences between editing films versus documenta
Sep 25, 2022 • 29:40
The Film Fund: One Sentence Can Get You Financing
In this episode, host Candice Bloch talks with Thomas Verdi, the founder and CEO of The Film Fund, a simple and unique funding platform that grants money to filmmakers based on a single sentence pitch. And beyond the money, The Film Fund is also a community bursting with valuable resources for creators. Learn more at:https://www.thefilmfund.co/https://www.instagram.com/thefilmfund/https://www.facebook.com/filmfundcohttps://twitter.com/simplyfilmfundhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/the-film-fund/
Sep 18, 2022 • 21:13
Political Ads: The Extreme Sport of Editing
The DC-metro area may be known for politics, so it makes sense that it’s also an intense proving ground for the filmmakers who create political ads. In this episode, host Candice Bloch chats with freelance editor, motion graphics designer, and colorist, Nicole Haddock, who has been in the trenches of the political ad seasons for nearly a decade.We learn more about the skills and temperament needed to take on this lucrative but exhausting industry that requires more talents and stamina than one m
Sep 11, 2022 • 30:55
The WIFV DC Mentorship Program
In this first episode of season two, host Tara Jabbari speaks with Dylan Graves Barbeta-Comstock, a WIFV Board Member and the Founder and Chair of the WIFV DC Mentorship Program. Dylan and Tara (also a member of the Mentorship Committee) talk about the creation of the program’s curriculum, its application process, how mentors impacted Dylan’s career, the true value of mentorship, and more. To learn more or apply to WIFV’s Mentorship Program, contact mentorship@wifv.orgor visit: https://www.wifv.
Sep 4, 2022 • 21:07
Producer's Pick: Sandra Selects Episode #11
In the break between seasons, show producers recommend a past episode to check out. This week, Sandra Abrams recommends Episode #11 all about Film Commissioners of DC, MD, & VA.Full episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1928222/10617648Show page: https://www.wifv.org/podcast/Released on May 15, 2022, the original show notes are:Film Commissioners in different states and cities play a vital role in helping to get a film made, but who are these mystery people? In this episode, host Sandra Abrams pul
Jul 31, 2022 • 6:28
Producer's Pick: Steve Selects Episode #16
In the break between seasons, show producers recommend a past episode to check out. This week, our audio producer Steve Lack recommends Episode #16 - New to Netflix: Martha, Watergate, and the "G" Word - which highlighted two Netflix projects, including The Martha Mitchell Effect.Full episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1928222/10854359Show page: https://www.wifv.org/podcast/Released on June 26, 2022, the original show notes are:In this episode, we get the scoop on two new documentarie
Jul 24, 2022 • 4:12
Producer's Pick: Tara Chooses Episode #3
In the break between seasons, show producers recommend a past episode to check out. This week, Tara Jabbari recommends Episode #3 which was about Oscar's History with the Ladies.Full episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1928222/10279682Show page: https://www.wifv.org/podcast/Released on March 20, 2022, the original show notes are:Ahead of the 94th Academy Awards on March 27, 2022, host Sandra Abrams sits down with two amazing women to discuss Oscar’s history on nominations of women in non-ac
Jul 17, 2022 • 3:44
Producer's Pick: Candice Chooses Episode #5
In the break between seasons, show producers recommend a past episode to check out. This week, Candice Bloch recommends Episode #5 all about Remote Production - A Versatile Model for Modern Times.Full episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1928222/10366413Show page: https://www.wifv.org/podcast/Released on April 3, 2022, the original show notes are:In today's world, remote production is becoming more and more utilized as a tool for creating projects. In this episode, host Candice Bloch focuses
Jul 10, 2022 • 5:40
Producer's Pick: Sandra Selects Episode #10
In the break between seasons, show producers recommend a past episode to check out. This week, Sandra Abrams recommends Episode #10 all about Navigating Film Festivals.Full episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1928222/10574257Show page: https://www.wifv.org/podcast/Released on May 8, 2022, the original show notes are:While simply making a film is a passion project and can take years of work, getting your finished movie into a film festival can be nothing short of a miracle. In this episode, host
Jul 3, 2022 • 4:11
New to Netflix: Martha, Watergate, and The “G” Word
In this episode, we get the scoop on two new documentaries on Netflix. In part one, host Sandra Abrams chats with the two filmmakers behind “The Martha Mitchell Effect.” Using archival footage and interviews, it shows how Martha Mitchell paid a personal price for calling the press as her husband helped President Nixon cover-up a political crime, known as the Watergate Scandal. In part two, host Tara Jabbari speaks with Adam Conover about another Netflix documentary, “The G Word.” His six-part co
Jun 26, 2022 • 34:38
How I Got It Made (#4)
In this recurring series, host Candice Bloch takes you inside the world of how a project gets made. Through discussions with creators about their individual journey on a particular completed production, we gain insights about what it takes to bring a vision to fruition. Whether hearing about process or logistics, lessons or advice, these success stories of bringing a project to life can be informative and inspiring.On this month’s episode, the focus is on impactful documentaries. Maggie Burnette
Jun 19, 2022 • 1:03:04
Two Thumbs Up For Film Critics
Thumbs up, thumbs down? Five stars (or are four stars the highest number?)! In this episode, host Tara Jabbari speaks with film critics to discuss how viewing films has changed over the last few years. When is it worth going to the movie theater? Where should we look to know what’s worth seeing? What’s the difference between Rotten Tomatoes versus Meta Critic? They dive into these topics as well as what goes into being a film critic. Our guests are: Ann Hornaday, who has been film critic at Th
Jun 12, 2022 • 57:24
Women Led Production Companies
Female representation, in front of and behind the camera, is still disproportionately lower than it should be. However, more and more women are taking control of the entire process of production, making strides in representation. One way that women’s voices and perspectives are gaining ground is with women-run production companies. In this episode, we profile two full-service, mission-driven companies with women at the helm.Host Candice Bloch gets to know more about FLOWSTATE Films, based in the
May 29, 2022 • 55:27
How I Got It Made (#3)
In this recurring series, host Candice Bloch takes you inside the world of how a project gets made. Through discussions with creators about their individual journey on a particular completed production, we gain insights about what it takes to bring a vision to fruition. Whether hearing about process or logistics, lessons or advice, these success stories of bringing a project to life can be informative and inspiring.On this month’s episode: Via Bia talks all about her award-winning short, These C
May 22, 2022 • 1:00:11
Film Commissioners of DC, MD, & VA
Film Commissioners in different states and cities play a vital role in helping to get a film made, but who are these mystery people? In this episode, host Sandra Abrams pulls back the curtain and chats with the three film commissioners from the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia). She first speaks to Andy Edmunds, the Director of the Virginia Film Office, then Angie M. Gates, the Director of the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME) in Washington, D.C., and finally Directo
May 15, 2022 • 1:02:00
Navigating Film Festivals
While simply making a film is a passion project and can take years of work, getting your finished movie into a film festival can be nothing short of a miracle. In this episode, host Sandra Abrams takes a deep dive into film festivals and how to navigate the festival circuit for maximum exposure and a possible ticket to Hollywood. She speaks with Heather Waters, who is the founder and producer of the Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF) and runs the RIFF Arts Institute. In 2022, RIFF runs
May 8, 2022 • 53:01
On Location in Rome - Profiling an Italian Filmmaker
Enjoy an international perspective in this episode as co-producer, Tara Jabbari speaks with filmmaker Alberto Gelpi at a café in Rome, Italy. They talk about his journey from graphic designer to assistant editor to director. Alberto also shares lessons he’s learned from his mentor, his favorite part of filmmaking, thoughts on subtitles versus dubbing, and why he considers himself a “visual emotional storyteller.”You can learn more about Alberto and his work at: https://www.albertogelpi.com/ ---T
May 1, 2022 • 15:42
How I Got It Made (#2)
In this recurring series, host Candice Bloch takes you inside the world of how a project gets made. Through discussions with creators about their individual journey on a particular completed production, we gain insights about what it takes to bring a vision to fruition. Whether hearing about process or logistics, lessons or advice, these success stories of bringing a project to life can be informative and inspiring.On this month’s episode: Jane Barbara talks mostly about writing and producing th
Apr 24, 2022 • 1:04:12
Sounding Off On Optimal Audio
You’re going to want to hear this episode, as it provides listeners with insights and advice on how to get the best sound for your project. Our very own audio engineer and WIFV board member, Steve Lack expands on a presentation that offers guidance on sound equipment, locations, costuming, sound design, music, and more, so that you aren’t left trying to fix issues in post. We benefit from the length and breadth of Steve’s experience as he speaks with Cheryl Ottenritter from Otthouse Audio and Do
Apr 17, 2022 • 39:25
The Business of Independent Filmmaking
While filmmaking is a creative process, it's also a business. In order to be successful in your productions, it's important to manage those business aspects thoughtfully and properly. In this episode, host Candice Bloch talks with CPA and MBA John Aaron about things to consider when it comes to funding and taxes. Following that, she has a conversation with entertainment attorney Paige Gold, who gives advice about insurance, protections, and contracts. Finally, we hear some highlights f
Apr 10, 2022 • 48:47
Remote Production - A Versatile Model for Modern Times
In today's world, remote production is becoming more and more utilized as a tool for creating projects. In this episode, host Candice Bloch focuses on remote production through two engaging interviews with professionals that are highly adept and knowledgeable about the production model. First up, a conversation with Brandon Bloch, founding partner and executive producer at the global remote production company, Hometeam. After that, a discussion with Gary Adcock, a workshop instructor and th
Apr 3, 2022 • 44:33
How I Got It Made (#1)
In this recurring series, host Candice Bloch takes you inside the world of how a project gets made. Through discussions with creators about their individual journey on a particular completed production, we gain insights about what it takes to bring a vision to fruition. Whether hearing about process or logistics, lessons or advice, these success stories of bringing a project to life can be informative and inspiring.On this episode: Robin Noonan-Price talks about directing the short, "Tell M
Mar 27, 2022 • 53:49
Oscar's History With the Ladies
Ahead of the 94th Academy Awards on March 27, 2022, board member Sandra Abrams sits down with two amazing women to discuss Oscar’s history on nominations of women in non-actor categories. Our guests are Dr. Rosanne Welch, Executive Director of the MFA in TV and Screenwriting Program at Stephens College, and Leslie Combemale, a syndicated film critic known as Cinema Siren, and the creator and host of WomenRockingHollywood - an annual panel at Comic Con in San Diego which highlights female filmmak
Mar 20, 2022 • 50:28
2021 Highlights of WIFV's "Weds One" Program
This episode highlights the best of the “Wednesday One” program from 2021, giving you a taste of the wide-range of offerings WIFV has for its members. We listen in on clips from a couple of these seminars, held on the first Wednesday of each month, that include experiences from local crews involved in filming Wonder Woman 1984, and advice from a panel of seasoned producers on effectively promoting your project.To find out more about upcoming Weds One programs, check out the WIFV calendar: https:
Mar 13, 2022 • 15:31
