Behind The Lens

As it's the last day in July, seems appropriate for BEHIND THE LENS to turn its attention this week to the post-apocalyptic horror film END TIMES, written and directed by JIM TOWNS and starring JAMIE BERNADETTE and CRAIG STARK. Lucky for us that Jim and Jamie were both available to speak with me this past Thursday afternoon about the film.

Already long known for his work in the horror realm, JIM TOWNS makes a leap into zombie territory for the first time with END TIMES and does so to great success. A film that truly speaks to the idea of what it means to be human when humanity appears lost, in this interview Jim discusses bringing his vision to life not only through Jamie and Craig's characters and performances but with cinematography, editing, very specific locations, make-up, happy accidents and more.

A boots-on-the-ground producer and lead actor in END TIMES, JAMIE BERNADETTE brings a unique perspective to the film both in front of and behind the camera thanks to a keen eye that melds both disciplines in her approach to producing the film and in performance and character. As you will hear, Jamie is confident, knowledgeable, and assured with a good sense of humor as we discuss the details of not only END TIMES, but her concerns as a producer when looking at projects.

The movie may be END TIMES, but it's not the end for Jim and Jamie as you'll hear what each has coming up down the road.

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This week on BEHIND THE LENS we take a look at two films and three directors, each making their feature directorial debut. SOPHIA CASTUERA brings us the "mumblecore" narrative AUGUST AT TWENTY-TWO while GARY MATOSO and CAMERON ZOHOORI take us behind the lines of volunteer firefighting in the United States with ODD HOURS, NO PAY, COOL HAT.

First up is SOPHIA CASTUERA talking about her debut narrative feature – AUGUST AT TWENTY-TWO. A wannabe actress fresh out of school trying to make it in the Big Apple and filled with all the confusion and trouble that comes with being 22 from floundering in a career, making bad decisions, pushing away a BFF, jealousy, partying versus work, etc. Very much in the vein of the Duplass Brothers early "mumblecore" films, not to mention being very female-centric in front of and behind the camera, Sophia discusses the challenges and the joys of directing not just this film, but a feature film at that.

Then things get hot when directors GARY MATOSO and CAMERON ZOHOORI join us live discussing their new documentary ODD HOURS, NO PAY, COOL HAT. An insightful and intimate look behind the lines of volunteer firefighting in the United States, Gary and Cameron hone in on this diverse community of firefighting brethren across the country meeting select volunteer fire companies and their members and getting "up close and personal" with these brave dedicated men and women. It may come as a shock to many that we have such a large number of volunteer firefighting companies in this country, but these firefighters are essential to the fabric of first responders, especially in more rural or very small communities without a municipal budget to sustain a career firefighter company.

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A fantastic episode of BEHIND THE LENS that's jam-packed with two talented filmmakers, MICHAEL OBLOWITZ and BENJAMIN POLLACK – both who have a music video background – and actor JON LINDSTROM who many of the "General Hospital" fans out there will recognize, as we talk about CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANT and WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO JONNY FAITH.

Right out of the gate, writer/director MICHAEL OBLOWITZ and actor JON LINDSTROM join us discussing their new film CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANT. A well-paced slow-burn noir police thriller with a twist, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANT boasts an exceptional cast (along with Lindstrom, there's Mel Gibson, Nick Stahl, Dominic Purcell, and Kate Bosworth) and an interesting story POV that we rarely, if ever, see onscreen.

We get into all the ins and outs of the "making of" CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANT including Michael's A-list cast, crafting and conveying authenticity and reality, the very specific color palette and production design and how that plays into the work of cinematographer Chris Squires, performances, and more, while Jon has some great insight for us on working with Michael, selecting projects, his approach to acting, informing his character, and, of course, what’s up on "General Hospital"!

Then it's a big welcome for writer/director/editor BENJAMIN POLLACK who also joins us live talking about his new dramatic short narrative film WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO JONNY FAITH. A "Must See" Festival Film at the upcoming LA Shorts Fest (the film screens July 20th), this one has got all the feels, plus a terrific cast, beautiful lensing, and strong production values.Energetic and passionate, Benjamin shares all about "the making of" as he discusses the genesis of the film, transitioning from music videos and documentary short films to a narrative film, the benefit of directing and editing (especially with a short film), bringing together a dynamite cast with musician/actor Frank Noon in the title role, Bruce Greenwood, Wayne Knight, Debbie Pollack, and a "cameo" appearance by famed guitarist Rusty Anderson.

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A fun-filled show this week on BEHIND THE LENS as we wrap up the month of June and the first half of 2023 as we take a look at ELEMENTAL with voice actor SHILA OMMI and SHEROES with writer/director JORDAN GERTNER!

First up, take a listen to my exclusive interview with writer/director JORDAN GERTNER who makes his feature directorial debut with the kick-ass action film SHEROES. Known best for his producing work, notably the James Franco-Vanessa Hudgens-Selena Gomez wild ride of "Spring Breakers", Jordan now steps into the director's chair with SHEROES and delivers a beyond entertaining adventure.

Lensed in Thailand, SHEROES is the story of four BFFs intent on partying and adventuring a la "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas", only now it's Thailand. Things go awry from the start when one of the girls is kidnapped by a local drug lord. Rather than call the police for help, the remaining three BFFs decide to save their friend themselves.

AAnd keep listening because we've got a real treat for you as the oh-so-talented actor SHILA OMMI is on hand discussing her latest work voicing Mrs. Cinder Lumen in the new Pixar animated delight – ELEMENTAL, the tale of Ember Lumen, tough and "fiery" gal who develops a friendship with the "go with the flow" Wade and how the idea of opposites attract just may have some truth to it. And while Ember's dad is a shopkeeper at the family business, her mother Cinder prides herself on her skills as a "matchmaker" and her belief in the power of love.

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It's time again for DANCES WITH FILMS film festival now in its 26th year, and as usual, BEHIND THE LENS is celebrating some of the wonderful films and filmmakers you'll see and meet at this year's fest. To get into the spirit of things, this week we are joined by D.MITRY GELFAND talking about his poignant and powerful short HEDGEHOG, while GRAHAM STREETER discusses his latest feature UNFIX.

First up is writer/director D.MITRY GELFAND who is no stranger to me thanks to his feature directorial a few years ago, the beautiful and tender film "My True Fairytale". D.Mitry now joins us discussing his latest narrative short, HEDGEHOG, a look at the war in Ukraine through the innocent eyes of a 6-year-old girl and what happens when she finds an injured Russian soldier in her grandmother's barn. An emotionally powerful short that speaks volumes in its mere 17 minutes, Dmitry gives us a unique perspective based on his own life experience as an immigrant from the USSR when he was only 15 years old. There is a purity and honesty to HEDGEHOG that speaks to the heart and to humanity, all exquisitely brought together through cinematography and production design, impeccable sound design, a unique score, and an unbelievable performance by Emma Pearson as 6-year-old Nina.

Then, writer/director/editor GRAHAM STREETER discusses his emotionally charged narrative feature entry at DWF entitled UNFIX which speaks to the sensitive themes surrounding Conversion Therapy and the lasting effects it can have on an individual and their journey to self-discovery. Going beyond the issue of Conversion Therapy, Graham also explores the harmful nature of secrets and delivers characters who each have something to hide that is of such magnitude as to eat away at each individual while threatening to explode into a dangerous situation. Set during the Covid lockdown, Graham uses the close quarters of four people living together, two of whom are complete strangers to 17-year couple Ari and Ava, to metaphorically intensify and showcase the unfolding drama.

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An eclectic #BTLRadioShow this week as we are joined by EDWARD SAVIO talking his YA novel LEAGUE OF AULD, plus our exclusive interview with filmmaker PAUL COLLETT discussing his new film, THE HAUNTING OF HELL HOLE MINE.

How about some chat on action, authors, and audiobooks thanks to author EDWARD SAVIO who joins us live discussing his latest YA novel (now in audiobook form), LEAGUE OF AULD, Book 3 in the "Battle for Forever" series. Listen as Edward dives into the "Battle of Forever" series and his inspiration, as well as crafting characters, most notably his protagonist, 1500-year-old Alexander X as well as the genesis of his villains Peter Kroll and Elam Khai, the structural design of what will be a four book series and how he develops and moves the plot. Also, given June is "Audiobook Appreciation Month", Edward talks about the audiobook process and the narrators/readers of the "Battle for Forever" series with Wil Wheaton reading Books 1 and 2 and audiobook legend Ray Porter now picking up the mantle with LEAGUE OF AULD, in addition to Edward's own audiobook narration. A conversation so in-depth and interesting that we'll be picking it up later this summer when Edward returns to #BTLRadioShow for more insight into his writing process as an author as well as a screenwriter.

But first, we've got our exclusive interview with writer/director/actor PAUL COLLETT talking about "the making of" his latest film THE HAUNTING OF HELL HOLE MINE. An ambitious project that stars veterans Tom Sizemore and Sally Kirkland, it's the behind-the-scenes work that Paul did to bring this film to life that really stands out on screen and you'll hear all about it in this interview. Listen as Paul talks at length about wearing multiple hats, production design and the building of the "Hell Hole Mine", visual effects, casting, his approach to filmmaking, and more.

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It's some of the best of the best on this week's #BTLRadioShow thanks to writer/director PATRICIA CHICA talking about MONTREAL GIRLS while editor CHAD GALSTER talks YELLOWSTONE!

Joining us live and fresh off a screening at Cannes Film Festival and a successful theatrical opening weekend is writer/director/editor PATRICIA CHICA to discuss her award-winning film MONTREAL GIRLS. A wonderful coming-of-age story of 20-somethings in the artistic community of Montreal, with a diverse blend of cultures, ethnicity, characters, and generations, MONTREAL GIRLS is a refreshing new film in the genre. A debut feature directorial for Patricia, she brings a very special energy to the film, both onscreen and behind the lens. A fascinating conversation as she discusses her lengthy pre-production, curated casting, using metaphysical energy and individual chakras in preparing her actors, designing the color palette of the film, and so much more.

AND – – it's Emmy Awards season and FYC campaigns are kicking in which means interviews with some hot contenders, starting with Editor CHAD GALSTER talking Season 5-Part One of YELLOWSTONE. From the land to politics to horses and cattle to the seething hatred between Beth and Jamie, it's Chad and his team who find the balance that builds the tension, celebrates the romance of Rip and Beth, showcases the land, and keep us on the edge of our seats wanting more. Chad and I go deep discussing the editing of YELLOWSTONE Season 5 Part One with the various eight episodes complete with some editing challenges and opportunities thanks to cattle, branding events, live concerts, and the optics of John Dutton as governor, as well as interstitial transitions, aerials and montages of the landscape, and the contrast and opportunities presented with the introduction of the 6666 Ranch in Texas, among others. This is one exclusive interview that no "Yellowstone" fan or voting Emmy member wants to miss!

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We're getting FUBARed with fun and action this week on #BTLRadioShow thanks to our very special guest, the incomparable and hilarious SIMON PHILLIPS, and his role in the new Netflix action comedy series FUBAR starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in his first television series. And as if Simon and FUBAR aren't enough for you, how about my prerecorded exclusive interview with director RIC ROMAN WAUGH talking about his new film starring Gerard Butler, KANDAHAR!

It is always a good time when SIMON PHILLIPS and I start chattering, so kicking things off and having him back live on #BTLRadioShow this week was a real treat. And as you'll hear, what a time we had talking about FUBAR and soooo much more! Simon is always working, be it acting, writing, or producing so for him to make time for our show means a lot. Listen as we bounce back and forth among Simon's various projects and films, always coming back to the fun of FUBAR. A key thing about FUBAR is that Simon's role and his one-on-one interaction with Arnold really set the tone for what's to come in the entire eight-episode series. But beyond FUBAR, we dive into some of Simon's projects, his approach to acting and selection of roles, upcoming films already set to release in 2023, and how about his dream to now round out his co-starring with action heroes by getting involved in Ric Roman Waugh's upcoming "Cliffhanger 2" with Stallone. A lot of laughs and a lot of insight in this conversation with Simon.

And speaking of RIC ROMAN WAUGH and action, we've got plenty of it with Ric's latest film, KANDAHAR, starring Gerard Butler. Starring Gerard Butler along with Ali Fazal, Navid Negahban, Travis Fimmel, Tom Rhys Harris, and Bahador Foladi, just to name a few, with script by Mitchell LaFortune and under Ric's directorial eye, KANDAHAR is the story of undercover CIA operative Tom Harris (Gerard Butler) who is stuck deep in hostile territory in Afghanistan. After his mission is exposed, alongside his Afghan translator Mo (Navid Negahban), the two must make their way to an extraction point in Kandahar, some 400 miles away, all the while avoiding multiple enemy forces and foreign agents with ever-changing alliances, all of whom are out to extinguish Harris. Plus, you'll hear a proud father talking about having his sons with him on set, stepping in to learn the craft, just as Ric and his brother Scott did with their dad. And how about some tidbits on “Cliffhanger 2”????

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It's Ladies Day on this episode of #BTLRadioShow as you hear from two very talented actors – MADISON ISEMAN talking about her new film KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC and LEAH GIBSON who jumps into the action world with MERCY. As I was doing some interviews off-camera when the live show airs, I did a prerecord for you with prerecorded exclusive interviews with these wonderful ladies.

First up, take a listen to my prerecorded exclusive interview with the wonderful MADISON ISEMANN. Already known for her work in films like Clouds, Feast of the Seven Fishes, Annabelle Comes Home and the acclaimed tv series I Know What You Did Last Summer where she played 3 different characters, Madison now ups the ante and co-stars in the fantasy adventure KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC.

Based on the international anime sensation, Knights of the Zodiac brings the Saint Seiya saga to the big screen in live-action for the first time. Seiya – played by Mackenyu – a headstrong street teen, spends his time fighting for cash while he searches for his abducted sister. When one of his fights unwittingly taps into mystical powers he never knew he had, Seiya finds himself thrust into a world of warring saints, ancient magical training and a reincarnated goddess who needs his protection. And then there's Sienna, a young woman on her own journey as she too has mystical powers, powers of the gods, and will transition into the Goddess Athena. Madison stars as Sienna/Goddess Athena and she is fantastic.

Then we turn our attention to another actor who is no stranger to many – LEAH GIBSON – who may be best known to a large contingent of Hallmarkies for her work in The Christmas Note and other Hallmark tv movies as well as years of tv one-offs. Teaming up with Jon Voight and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, under the direction of Tony Dean Smith (a Hallmark editorial legend to all the Postables fans), Leah now stars in MERCY – an action-packed thriller with Leah as an ex-military doctor finds herself in a deadly battle for survival when the Irish mafia seizes control of the hospital at which she works. When her son is taken hostage, she is forced to rely upon her battle-hardened past and lethal skills after realizing there's no one left to save the day but her. Talk about stretching her acting chops! Boy does she ever and she's fantastic.

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A terrific show this week on #BTLRadioShow thanks to our special guest FREDDIE STEVENSON discussing his documentary TRIALS TO TRIUMPH, and our prerecorded exclusive interview with BILL HOLDERMAN & ERIN SIMMS talking BOOK CLUB: THE NEXT CHAPTER.

Five years ago BILL HOLDERMAN and ERIN SIMMS were live on #BTLRadioShow to talk about a new feature film they co-wrote which also marked Bill's feature directorial debut. That little film was "Book Club." With big name talent – Fonda, Bergen, Keaton, and Steenburgen – leading the way, we all hoped for a hit so that a sequel might follow, but no one had any idea just how big a hit "Book Club" would become. But here we are, five years later, and I once again got to chat with Bill and Erin about the sequel BOOK CLUB: THE NEXT CHAPTER. And while we couldn't mesh schedules for them to join me on the live show this time, we did speak for this prerecorded exclusive interview about this latest "page-turner" covering everything from story to casting (especially the supporting players) and the return of these formidable women, to Italy and filming logistics, to addressing the passage of time and the pandemic in the film and dealing with shooting protocols overseas, editing, and so much more….. I think you're going to like hearing this one!

Then take a listen as we are joined by a very special guest. Former NFL fullback turned motivational speaker, FREDDIE STEVENSON, is with us live to discuss his documentary based on his best-selling book, TRIALS TO TRIUMPH. And what a journey Freddie has had! Exploring not only his story but stories of others who have turned darkness into light, including Maurice Benard, Delvin Breaux, Tony Gaskins, Ryan Green, Tyrell Lyons, and Neno Torres, TRIALS TO TRIUMPH touches us all.

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