Episode 114: Tricia Lee, Director

This episode generously sponsored by: 

Tricia is a Canadian film Director, who earned her US Green Card as an Artist of Extraordinary Ability. She has 3 award-winning feature films, 2 webseries and 11 shorts under her belt which can be found on various digital platforms. Meeting Mommy, for example is a moving and powerful film about a father and daughter coping with a life twist they didn’t expect. Find it here.

We talked about finding your voice as a director and an artist, learning to write your own stories, and Tricia’s upcoming projects. She is very disciplined in her process.

Also, Tricia's short film Affection will be having its world premiere at the Oscar-Qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival on July 29, 2018.

You can learn more about Tricia here: wwwtricialeedirector.com.

Episode 94: Heidi Philipsen, Actor, Writer, Director

Heidi is an actor, director and producer, and is currently releasing her feature film called “Darcy,” that is making its rounds on the film festival circuit and will be screening at the Socially Relevant Film Festival in NYC as the Closing Night Film on Thursday, March 22nd, 8 p.m.

Heidi has a very interesting story that takes her to Germany after college, where she got her start in television before coming back to the United States. Now a gentle word of warning. We do talk about adult themes in this episode in the #metoo genre, so if you usually listen in the car with your kids, perhaps you listen with your headphones in.

To find out more about Heidi:

www.heidielizabethphilipsenmeissner.com

www.personaeentertainmentpictures.com

Episode 90: Lynelle White, Writer, Director

This episode is brought to you by: 

Lynelle is a Writer and Director, whose first writing job was on Army Wives. Her first actual job was as a pilot in the Air Force. She flew the plane that refuels other planes while IN THE AIR. She is currently one of six participants the Film Independent Episodic Writers Lab.

Originally, she wanted to be a space pirate. Like Han Solo.

She has a BS in Engineering and an MFA in Screenwriting.

She was already a grown up while the rest of us were trying to figure out who we were in our 20s.

Not to brag, but this is a really good conversation.

Episode 82: Rachel Feldman, Director, Writer

Rachel is a Director and Writer. She has Directed many hours of television as well as films, and is currently developing the Lilly Ledbetter story for a feature film that she will also direct. Having been in this business since she was the voice of Lucy in the Peanuts cartoons, she has an important perspective on this business and where we are headed – for women in particular.

She has been directing television since Doogie Howser. And yet, she is asked to shadow before being hired. The hiring criteria for men and women is still different, and we are still operating under the myth that women in general need more training. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of female directors ready to work right now. No more training required. Let’s shift the focus away from more training and onto the people who hire to insist on more inclusion.

And you can sense an artist when you are talking to them.

Episode 56: Anabella Casanova, Producer, Director

Anabella is a Producer and Director and she owns a production company with her husband called Vacation Theory.  Her eyes were opened young to socio-economic differences and social justice issues.  She realized early that real change happens with the people and what shapes people is the stories we tell and the art we consume. She wanted to be a part of the storytelling.

Here is some great advice: develop an artisan skill to leverage against the thing you want to do. That means learn a craft to get into the room to gain the influence to get the job you want. In other words, your day job should be on set, not at a coffee shop.

Serious, smart and curious goes a long way. Soak up everything you can from that first job.  You are getting way more out of it than what are you being paid.

And Anabella’s driving priority – be a good human first and create a life.

As for feminism, let’s bring femininity back to feminism – we’ll unpack that.

And my cat makes a cameo. Welcome to my home studio.

You can see some of Anabella's work here:  That's What She Said and That's What He Said. And her company is here:  www.vacationtheory.com.

Episode 55: Heather Cappiello, Director

Heather is a Director. Her TV directing credits include Freakish, Madam Secretary, Criminal Minds, Blue Bloods, and Saving Grace with Holly Hunter. Before transitioning to Director, she was a sought-after Script Supervisor for many years.  Think Six Feet Under, Carnivále, Huff, Monk, Being Mary Jane, etc., etc. Her initial training was in theatre. She is the real deal.

She says that script supervising is the best day job that leads to directing.  And how could it not be?  You’re sitting next to all the directors for the best master class you can have.

We talked about steeling your courage to throw your hat in the ring, balancing your life and family, and how TV directing is a G*dd*&$n spiritual practice.

Episode 52: Lane Allison, Actor, Writer, Producer, Director

Lane is an actor, writer, producer and director. First, let me tell you she is in a play that you should go see – Welcome to your Alternative Reality.  Here’s the link. I went last weekend and loved it.  Theatre in LA is alive and well.

Lane just wrote, produced, directed and starred in a pilot called After Pluto.  Watch it here.

Here’s the thing: more and more women are now writing complex female characters for themselves and are producing the shows and putting them out there. I think it’s an incredible revolution.

Risk, fail, risk again.

Lane leaned in big time. And she is a delight.  And if you happen to cast for animation, have a listen to this voice!

And as I have oft suspected, there is something to marrying your college sweetheart.

Episode 49: "Group," the writer, director, and actors

Group is a play that explores people participating in group therapy for sufferers of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).  I was joined by (pictured left to right) Marjorie Lewit, the director (who we met on Stronger than Pretty), Lesley Gouger, the writer,  Barbera Howard and Jasmine Pierre, both actors.  It was such a joy to spend time with this group.  We had a real talk about some real things.  We laughed a lot, we cried a little, and they were fearless in sharing with me.

The play opens this Friday, June 16th, at the Avery Schreiber Playhouse in North Hollywood. Click here to find out more and buy tickets: http://www.defiancetheatrecompany.com. I will be there, and I hope to see you, too.

Episode 46: Stronger Than Pretty, Jaret Martino, Pat Branch, Marjorie LeWit

Stronger Than Pretty is a film about Jaret’s mother. She took her three children out of an awful situation and created a life for them all, despite everything she was expected to do as a nice Catholic girl in New York in the 70’s. In addition to that extraordinary tale, it is remarkable that her son recognizes the strength of her story and has created a piece to celebrate it. 

Jaret Martino is an actor and producer, with 10 films already under his producing belt, most of them with distribution. He is committed to hiring female crews on his projects to help counteract the dismal statistics for women in the industry.  He is a true feminist and is leading by example.

Pat Branch is a comedian, writer and teacher, and wrote the script for this project, with passion, humor and empathy.

Marjorie LeWit is an actor and director, who directed this film and the companion project Inner Warrior, which they tell us all about.

This is a master class in purpose driven content – purpose driven life. Their kindness, empathy and desire to bring people together drives their work and their lives. It is a joy to hang out with them, if only for an hour.

Remember this:  money is not what makes art.  Although, feel free to send the money anyway.  Strongerthanpretty.com.

Episode 45: Kat Coiro, Director

Kat is a Film, TV and Commercial Director.  For this, I call her a unicorn. She started as an actor but started to realize she wanted to have more influence on the final product. Kat went on to make a short with Funny or Die, where Janeane Garofalo told her to "stop f**&^%ing apologizing!" Oh, to have Janeane Garofalo yell at you!

Later she wrote and directed a beautiful film called And While We Were Here.  You can find it on Hulu.  It really is gorgeous. And she did it with no money. In Italy. While pregnant.  That is badass.

Currently, she is directing television - all your favorite shows, The Mick, Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce, and Alone Together.

She tells us her journey in directing, the state of women in the business, and what inspires her.

And, it turns out you can get big female stars to show up for your tiny shoot if you just ask them to act in a scene with another woman. With dialogue. This is the revolution.

And of course...preparation, preparation, preparation.

Episode 41: Cady McClain, Director/Producer/Artist

Cady is an actor/producer/director/writer/musician….maybe it’s just easiest to call her an artist.  I know her best from playing Dixie Martin on All My Children.  If I couldn’t marry Tad, I’m glad it was she.

More recently, she directed Seeing is Believing: Women Direct – a documentary series that profiles female directors.  It premiers a week from today at the Newport Beach Film Festival.  You can get tickets here.  She is also directing and acting in Venice: The Series.

We talked about her journey as an artist, the heroine’s journey in life, and how women can uplift and support each other.  It was the very juicy talk of an artist.

You shouldn’t have to go deep into the woods, wearing a floral maxi skirt and smelling of patchouli in order to see and celebrate women’s contribution in storytelling. Although that's fun too.

Episode 23: Jill D'Agnenica, Director/Editor/Artist

Jill is a Director, Editor and an Artist.  She worked her way up in the editing department, until she became an Editor. Her credits include Undercovers, The Division, Switched at Birth, and Pretty Little Liars, among others. She then went on to direct the independent feature film, Life Inside Out, and then the penultimate episode of Switched at Birth.

She walked us through the last two minutes of working with film, transitioning to digital editing, and having a couple of very important conversations that got her to the next levels.  She talks about editing and directing through the eyes of an artist. Her enthusiasm is contagious, her conversation juicy. This is a master class.

And she has documented her bad mothering as an art exhibition. You can find her website here:

http://www.jilldagnenica.com/Jill_Art/Welcome.html .

BONUS! In this short episode, Jill talks about her philosophy as an Editor, and also describes a very cool art project she did in every square mile of Los Angeles at the time of the civil unrest after the Rodney King verdicts.  As it turns out, some things in life ​are free.