Tom Shepard talks about his documentary UNSETTLED: Seeking Refuge in America. The film looks at the plight of LGBTQ refugees and asylum-seekers who are forced to flee their homeland because of violence and persecution often at the hands of homophobic family members.

Adrienne Vanderocker, a multi-talented singer/songwriter and performance artist, talks about her indie music project— VANDEROCKER, an eclectic blend of devotional music, roadhouse blues, trip-hop, avant-garde, and indie-pop. Listen to the candid interview plus tracks from VANDEROCKER.

On this episode of Center Stage, I sit down with one of Canada’s most original and boundary-pushing filmmakers—Bruce McDonald—to talk about his wild and surreal film Dreamland. Known for his genre-defying work, McDonald takes us on a darkly stylish ride where a narcissistic crime boss, a haunted hitman, a child-stealing vampire, and a nod to jazz legend Chet Baker collide in a cinematic fever dream.

With its mix of noir, horror, and twisted humor, Dreamland is anything but ordinary—and in our conversation, Bruce shares how he crafted this bold, genre-blurring vision, why he’s drawn to the strange and subversive, and what it means to make films that dance on the edge of reality. Buckle up—this is a journey into the bizarre, the beautiful, and the unforgettable.

At the intersection of movement and emotion lies If I Sound Happy, That’s Your Mistake—a hauntingly beautiful short dance film that premiered as part of the 2020 Dance Camera West Virtual Film Festival. In this intimate conversation, I sat down with the film’s creative duo, choreographer Matilda Sakamoto and filmmaker Derrick Belcham, to explore the delicate process of translating inner turmoil into physical expression. Blending poetic visuals with raw, evocative choreography, the film blurs the boundaries between performance and confession, asking viewers to question what happiness really looks like. Sakamoto and Belcham share their inspirations, the collaborative process behind the camera, and how they used space, silence, and subtlety to craft a story that speaks louder than words. Step inside the creative process of two artists pushing the form of dance cinema forward.

A FINE LINE: HOW MOST AMERICAN KIDS ARE KEPT OUT OF THE BEST PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

César Díaz talks about his film "Our Mothers" (Nuestras Madres)on Center Stage with Mark Gordon.

Robert Jury talks about his film Working Man.

On this episode of Center Stage, I sit down with filmmaker Tom Shadyac to talk about his deeply personal and thought-provoking documentary I AM. Known for directing blockbuster comedies like Ace Ventura, Liar Liar, and Bruce Almighty, Tom made a dramatic turn after a life-changing bicycle accident left him questioning everything he thought he knew about success, happiness, and purpose.

In I AM, Tom sets out on a journey to ask two fundamental questions: “What’s wrong with the world?” and “What can we do about it?” Through conversations with scientists, philosophers, spiritual leaders, and thinkers, the film becomes a powerful exploration of human connection, compassion, and the science of interdependence. In our conversation, Tom opens up about his transformation from Hollywood insider to seeker of truth—and why he believes the answers we’re looking for begin not with what we have, but with who we are.

Jim Akin talks about making the film THE OCEAN OF HELENA LEE.

For more Center Stage with Mark Gordon

Website - www.stageandscreen.com

Twitter - www.twitter.com/MGCenterStage

Instagram - www.instagram.com/mgcenterstage/

Facebook - www.facebook.com/Center-Stage-347190296482/

Composer Edwin Wendler talks about writing music for the horror films Unnatural, I Spit on Your Grave 3, and Tales of Halloween.