A Conversation With host Floyd Marshall Jr

Suppose you want to learn how to write a script for a short film and get it seen by a production company or movie studio, then this episode is for you. In this episode of "A Conversation With," I talked with Jessica Tanner,  the owner of "The Write Script Consulting Services." Jessica shares how to write a short film or screenplay script and get it seen by movie studios, production companies, and more. Jessica reminds us that one of the most common mistakes aspiring writers make is writing the script as if it's a book or a television show.

Screenwriting is an art form unlike any other.  The way our brains work is different—we can't just pick up a book and start writing, and we can't just sit down at our computer and start typing. Scripts are an art form, and you have to understand how to write and format them to be a successful screenwriter.

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BIO:

I'm Jessica Tanner, aka "The Script Surgeon" and Owner of The Write Script Consulting Services. I coach screenwriters before they send their projects out to movie studios, production companies, competitions, and more. 

The Write Script Consulting Services 

CEO: Jessica Tanner aka "The Script Surgeon" 

Website: https://www.writescript.biz

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessica_writescript/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ScriptWrite

In this episode of "A Conversation With," I sat down with Emelyn Stuart, owner, and creator of the "Ocktober Film Festival".  Emelyn shared how she opened Stuart Cinema & Café, an independent movie theater in New York, quickly making it a beloved community cinema. She didn't just open a cinema: she really put her heart and soul into it and turned it into a place that's unique and important in its community.

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Emelyn Stuart BIO

Emelyn Stuart embodies all things are possible when you marry purpose, passion, serious work ethic, and commitment. Production wasn’t an obvious path for this businesswoman that doesn’t deem herself an innate “creative,” but it has proven to be a fit for an extraordinary woman that has allowed making a difference to propel her to uncharted territory. With a degree in business and less than a decade in the industry, Emelyn Stuart has exemplified leadership and provided inspiration to filmmakers globally.

Stuart’s first project, “Wings and Beer” (2009), started as a script and a dream from a friend and then morphed into an award-winning short film—a testament to the difference realized with a producer that brings partnership, rigor, and powerful execution. The CEO and President of Stuart Films LLC, Emelyn Stuart, is a proven force in the independent filmmaking community.

A vast range of projects that includes a successful off-Broadway play makes a difference for her collaborators but also garners her recognition internationally. Her wildly successful web series, “12 Steps to Recovery,” earned Emelyn the Best Producer award at the 2011 LAWebfest. Stuart is partly responsible for multiple award-winning feature films, including The Turnaround and Title VII. Her feature film Life Is Too Short premiered to sold-out audiences in New York for its 2015 screening debut, and in 2017 it was awarded Best FeatureFilm domestically and internationally.

The ability to produce projects but still look at them objectively is a keen talent Stuart possesses and is a catalyst for her creating the coveted New York based Ocktober Film Festival founded in 2012. The Ocktober Film Festival is a “teaching festival.” Film screenings, workshops, resource fairs, pitch contests, award presentations, and special celebrity guests are a small part of the stimulating things that happen at OFF. The festival is a unique experience for filmmakers, industry guests, and moviegoers.

In 2018, Stuart opened an independent movie theater in New York. Stuart Cinema & Café quickly became a beloved community movie theater. The theater offers a distribution alternative for independent filmmakers and is a resource hub for artists. In the meantime, Stuart can still be found speaking at conferences and film festivals around the country. In addition to speaking engagements and producing, Stuart continues to receive accolades and awards for her work in the entertainment business. Acknowledged by visionaries in the industry for her accomplishments, she has proven to not only be a name that rings bells but a revolutionary presence that makes a difference.

Submit Your Short Film: The Film Collective

In this episode of "A Conversation With," I sat down with Amy Argyle, a Commerical Actress and Film Producer.  Amy shares her secrets to becoming a successful commercial actress. She also talks about how she got into acting, what it takes to be a compelling commercial actor, why you should always have your own agent, how to get noticed by casting directors, and much more!

If you want to learn from someone who is living proof that hard work pays off, then this interview will give you plenty of tips on how to make it happen for yourself.

I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation.

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Amy Argyle BIO: 

Amy Argyle brings a grounded honesty and personal spark to all of her roles.

Having started her career in Dallas, Amy has continued here in LA for the last 17 years.  She’s appeared in over 100 commercials,  several popular tv shows, and studio and indie films opposite some of the biggest names in the business, voiced characters in several serial podcasts, and is a 2-time film festival award winner. 

Amy's been an active stage actress, performing in plays in various theatres around Los Angeles. Her last production was for the 2019 Hollywood Fringe Festival where she produced and starred in What I Never Told You, a play she had translated to English from Spanish after seeing it in Mexico City the year before.

On the producer end, Amy has produced two short films of which she also was in, and is in the process of creating a tv-series and film from two of her play productions. 

 Outside of the entertainment world, Amy is passionate about helping inspire others by sharing her personal stories of healing from childhood traumas and shifting her life from one of lack to thriving through deepening her connection to God/Source and shifts in mindset. She also loves to discover and share ways to be more eco-friendly and sustainable in our everyday lives.

Connect With Amy Argle.

Reps: TalentWorks & Luciano Reeves Talent.

IG: @amy.argyle FB: @actress.amyargyle 

Submit Your Short Film: The Film Collective

In this episode of "A Conversation With," we interviewed Caryn Ward Ross. We are so lucky to have Caryn Ward Ross on the podcast today. Caryn is an actress, producer, writer, and global content creator. Caryn also studied dance at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City. She worked with various artists including Janet Jackson, Arsenio Hall, and Rosie Perez. In the interview, we discussed how Caryn got started as a black actress and now producer. 

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CARYN WARD ROSS BIO 

Caryn Ward Ross is an actress, producer, writer, and global content creator. Her television acting credits include guest-starring and recurring roles on such hit shows as BET’s “The Game", HBO’s “ Entourage”, “Jane The Virgin,” and “Lucifer” on FOX. Caryn is a series regular on Bounce TV’s “Grown Folks” from creator Bentley Kyke Evans and recurred on TruTV’s comedy series "Fameless" from executive producer David Spades.  Caryn was nominated for Best Actress in a comedy series by the Indie Spirit Awards. 

Currently, Caryn is the Executive Producer and writer of the provocative relationship drama series, “Craig Ross Jr’s Monogamy,” of which she also stars, on ALLBLK.tv (recently acquired by AMC Network).  The series, created by Caryn and her husband, follows the lives of four married couples on the brink of divorce who undergo a new "Swap Therapy" to try to repair their broken marriages.  

Monogamy is on Amazon Prime and was acquired by Netflix for worldwide distribution.  Season 3 will premiere in the Fall of 2021. 

A professionally trained dancer, Caryn studied at the prestigious Alvin Ailey Dance Academy and the famed Broadway Dance in NYC. Caryn has performed on stage, screen, and video with Janet Jackson, Usher, Debbie Allen, Arsenio Hall, and Rosie Perez to name a few. 

Caryn is the Founder and CEO of “MediTEAtions with Caryn”, a high-vibrational, premium loose leaf tea company centered on intentional living. MediTEAtions is a  *Liquid Meditation Experience* grounded in affirmations and accessing our highest human potential. 

Caryn is the wife of filmmaker, Craig Ross Jr. And the mother to two amazing daughters, Caris and Camryn. 

Connect with Caryn on Instagram

Submit Your Short Film: The Film Collective

Our latest guest on "A Conversation With" is  Quencie Thomas, the founder and host of Studio Q, which delivers fun, authentic and unguarded conversations with celebrities. You'll be fascinated to learn exactly what it takes to interview celebrities on the red carpet like Whitney Houston,  Chaka Khan, Jennifer Lewis, and Alfre Woodard, to name a few.

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Quencie Thomas BIO:

My name is Quencie Thomas, and I am the founder and host of Studio Q, which delivers fun, authentic and unguarded conversations with celebrities.  I go beyond Social Media and Tabloid headlines to really connect you with the person.  My career began on the campus of Clark Atlanta University where I did my first celebrity interview with platinum-selling So So Def recording artist, DA Brat, for my friend's college TV show called Premiere TV.  After that interview, I never looked back.  I went on to create a 30-minute weekly TV show entitled, Studio Q, on a local access channel in my hometown.  My celebrity guests at that time included: Grammy award winning Gospel artist Kirk Franklin, and Academy Award nominated actor, Danny Glover.  I also wrote a column for The Atlanta Voice newspaper entitled, "Q's Corner," and was a freelance writer for The State Journal Register.  

My most memorable celebrity encounter came a month before completing my Master's degree in Communications from the University of Illinois at Springfield.  It was a dream come true interview with my favorite singer, Whitney Houston, on a MTV show called FANatic.  It was the best graduation gift I could have ever received.  According to co-creator and executive producer of FANatic, Ed Connelly Jr., the Whitney Houston interview was one of their highest rated shows ever.  When asked about my interview performance, his response was: "Honestly, I think she was one of, if not the best interviewers, we've ever had."  

After obtaining my master's degree, I moved to Los Angeles and utilized my education and skills I acquired on Premiere TV and Studio Q to produce for networks like NBC, CBS, FOX, MTV and BET and for TV shows like The Tyra Banks Show and Divorce Court.  Now you can find me interviewing all of your favorite stars right here on Quencie.com.  Connect with me on social media by following me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok, Youtube and Snapchat @quencie @quencietv and @StudioQTV. 

Connect with Quencie Thomas

Facebook

Instagram

Submit Your Short Film: The Film Collective

In this episode of "A Conversation With", I sit down with Cheryl L. Bedford. Ms. Bedford founded Women of Color Unite, a 501(c)(3).  The Women Of Color Unite organization is a social action organization focused on fair access, fair treatment, and fair pay for women of color in all aspects of the entertainment and media industries. WOCU is an action-oriented organization that consults and advocates for fair treatment of women of color in the entertainment industry. 

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Bio for Cheryl L. Bedford

Cheryl L. Bedford, a NAACP Image Award Nominee for “Dark Girls” and Baltimore native, holds a BFA from NYU’s TSOA and MFA in Producing from AFI. She is currently based in Los Angeles, CA. As a Production Manager, Line Producer, and Producer, Cheryl has worked on countless film/tv/digital projects, including 17 Independent Features. Ms. Bedford served as CFO and Supervising Producer for a boutique studio. She was formerly Chair of Diversity Development and a Producing Instructor at New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, California. As Chair, Ms. Bedford developed the Diversity Series, the Industry Lab (creating a bridge from school to work), among other initiatives. She has also taught The Art of Line Producing at UCLA Extension in Westwood, CA. She is a currently a producer on The Early Smith Story and #VoteLove, both currently in development. Ms. Bedford formed her own company, Cheryl L. Bedford Productions, in January of 2001. In her spare time, she judges film festivals.

More recently, Ms. Bedford founded Women of Color Unite, a 501(c)(3), which purpose is to help WOC get Hired, their projects Funded and their content Distributed. From the members of WOCU, Cheryl created The JTC List. The JTC List is a database of 3500+ Women of Color in Entertainment, which is being shared throughout the Industry. Never again will someone be able to say, they can’t find any WOC for any job above or below the line. The list is named after her mother, Joan Theresa Curtis, an activist, warrior and Ms. Bedford’s biggest fan, who passed away in 2016. For more information: wocunite.org

Submit Your Short Film: The Film Collective

In this episode of "A Conversation With," I will talk about what Rejection means.

We all know that it's a tricky business to be a filmmaker or actor. You've got this passion for making movies or acting, but the odds are against you. You can fail over and over again. You can have your project sit in limbo for years. You can make a great movie, have it submitted to every festival, and it's not accepted anywhere. But, you don't give up. You keep trying. 

Submit Your Short Film: The Film Collective

In this episode of "A Conversation With", I had an opportunity to sit down and have a conversation with an entrepreneur that has revolutionized the business of film. Brenda Gilbert, the Co-Founder & President of BRON Media Corporation, a company she built with her husband, Aaron L. Gilbert.  Their latest hit production is "Fatherhood," starring Kevin Hart, released on Netflix on June 18th, 2021.

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BIO:

Brenda Gilbert is the Co-Founder & President of BRON Media Corporation, a company she built with her husband, Aaron L. Gilbert. As the President and Board Member of BRON Media Corp., Brenda leads an executive team that oversees and manages all of the company’s worldwide initiatives.

The Vancouver-based parent company has offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, and Toronto, operating global divisions: BRON Studios, BRON Creative, BRON Animation, BRON Releasing, BRON Digital, and BRON Life.

Previously, Brenda lead as the President of BRON Animation, where she produced and delivered the original animated film The Willoughbys to Netflix.

Currently, her focus is on BRON Life, the company’s non-scripted division, where she’s passionate about socially impactful content and stories that travel globally. Brenda also dedicates time to BRON’s charitable initiatives and on being BRON’s ambassador to the world.

She sits on the board of Film Independent, was the track chair for mentoring initiatives with Woman in Animation, an Advisor to the Vancouver Film School and La Salle College, plus volunteering time with Vancouver Community College.

Over the course of her 20+ years in the media and entertainment space, Brenda has produced, or executive produced several animated and live-action films, including the award-winning The Birth of a Nation, Henchmen, The Willoughbys, Red Sea Diving Resort, Monster, Assassination Nation, Solitary and The Nightingale. BRON’s films, including Fences, Joker, Bombshell, Judas, and The Black Messiah, have received a total of 27 Academy Award nominations and 6 Academy Award wins.

Submit Your Short Film: The Film Collective

In this episode of "A Conversation With," my special guest is Kisa Puckett, the creative director of Pink Icing, a marketing and branding agency, and the Founder of KP Media TV, a premiere streaming TV and global media company. Kisa's mission is to share her story as an entrepreneur with the world. She wants others to know that they can achieve their goals too.

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Kisa Puckett BIO:

Kisa Puckett is the creative director of Pink Icing, a marketing and branding agency; and the Founder of KP Media TV, a premiere streaming TV and global media company that supports media brands in creating legacy-focused businesses in the TV and film industry while distributing their digital talk shows, series, and documentaries across Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and many other mainstream media outlets.  In her years of experience in the marketing and branding space, Kisa has helped businesses build brands that command attention and become highly visible through thoughtful design, digital marketing, and branding.  She holds a Bachelor's in Management with a Concentration in Marketing from National University and has over 15 years of specialized training in digital marketing and branding. She has worked with prominent organizations such as Techstars, local government agencies, and nonprofits.  Kisa and her work have been featured in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Press-Enterprise, SDVoyager, iHeart Media, Univision, the Valley Business Journal, and Menifee Buzz. 

Submit Your Short Film: The Film Collective

In this episode of "A Conversation With," my special guest is Tanya Kersey Filmmaker's Success Mentor helping indie filmmakers get their films financed, seen & sold so they can make a living doing what they love! And she is also the Creator of the Hollywood Black Film Festival. Tanya and I discussed her journey as a filmmaker and how she got started in the film industry; Why.

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About Tanya Kersey

First, let me say that while filmmaking is an art, the reality is you can be talented, smart, skilled, have great ideas, a unique story to tell, a strong script, a great vision, and it's still not enough.

You can be trying everything and still be stuck not making it.

My life has been a fascinating ride. But before I let you in on the details, I have something for you that’s much more important. In fact, it may change the course of your career.

Tal­ent is a dime a dozen in Hol­ly­wood, and there are tens of thou­sands of film­mak­ers out there try­ing to do exactly what you’re try­ing to do. So you’ve got to bring more to the table. Much more!

I’ve always been about empowering, educating, inspiring, and motivating aspiring, beginning, and veteran Hollywood professionals to be the best version of themselves.

My belief is that people aren’t manifesting their Hollywood dreams because they don’t have all the information they need to make the right decisions, go in the right direction, and make the right moves.

My calling and my passion have always been to serve by sharing information and knowledge.

I think I have a rather unique perspective on the entertainment industry based on my working in “the business” and wearing many hats since I started modeling at the age of 5.

I’ve been an actress, model, entertainment journalist, radio host/producer, film critic, author, and speaker — to a film festival director, career coach and consultant. Yes! I’ve pretty much seen it all.

Following an uneventful career as a working NYC actress and model, I wrote a book for people who were looking to break into show business. The book went on to become a “Bible” for Hollywood hopefuls.

I followed that up by founding, Black Talent News, a Hollywood industry trade publication that I ran for 10 years. I started BTN, as it was affectionately called, to fill a gap because I saw that African Americans weren’t reading the mainstream trades (mostly because they didn’t print information pertinent to their careers) and therefore they were at a disadvantage when it came to being aware of all of the opportunities that existed.

My goal was to fill that gap and provide the career information and industry knowledge that would put my audience on a more even playing field. My mantra was, and still is, “information and knowledge are power.”

Then 15 years ago I founded the Hollywood Black Film Festival, which is now recognized as one of Hollywood’s most prestigious film festivals. Running a film festival has given me a pretty good grasp on the careers of filmmakers and the business of filmmaking.

I have had the good fortune to meet and work with a great number of wonderfully talented and exciting filmmakers. In total, I’ve helped discover and launch the careers of nearly 1,000 independent filmmakers from 25 countries.

Each year during submission time, I have had the benefit of seeing literally thousands of shorts, features, documentaries and student films pour into the festival office from all over the world.

In the festival’s early years, I quickly realized that a great majority of the filmmakers entering their films were making deadly mistakes in all sorts of areas — from storytelling, casting choices and editing — to sound, lighting and overall production value.

Submit Your Short Film: The Film Collective