Chasing the Extraordinary with Alexia Melocchi

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My special guest today is Harvard graduate cinematographer Akis Kostantakopoulos. Akis has lensed more than 25 films and over 100 scripted and unscripted projects, spanning 20 states, eight countries, and 30 cities. He's a graduate of the American Film Institute. One of his most recent credits is Running from Grace, starring Matt Dillon, and Jim Caviezel. We discuss how he chooses the projects he gets behind, working during the pandemic, on set etiquette, and his advice on always saying yes to jobs when starting out in the Entertainment Industry.

Connect with Akis Kostantakopoulos:

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Alexia Melocchi - Website

Little Studio Films - Website

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The heart of show business is getting to know the people that are pursuing a career in the world of arts, it doesn't matter if they're A listers or if they're up and coming. In this episode I talk with a gorgeous Texan girl, Kelsey Deanne, who I had the pleasure of meeting when she interviewed me during Scott's week on her podcast, Kelsey studied at Rada, which is the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, Tisch University and the Beverly Hills playhouse. She is also an accomplished concert pianist. .

My birthday twin and I chat on how she got the acting bug, viewing acting as a creation, and spreading the message of body positive when going to auditions. She believes strong is the new sexy and has the talent and integrity to boot. 

And of course, we discuss about her involvement with the celebrated Scots Week and how playing the piano helps her stay centered.

Connect with Kelsey Deann:

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Scotweek

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Alexia Melocchi - Website

Little Studio Films - Website

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What if you could get INSIDE THE MIND of a successful literary manager?

Are you curious to find out about the journey to get represented In Hollywood?

Here is your chance! In this episode I chat with Leslie Conliffe, a Literary Manager who is a Partner at Intellectual Property Group in Los Angeles where she represents television and motion picture writers, directors and authors. 

Her clients have worked on such television series as Empire, Spartacus, The Leftovers, Orange is the New Black and Black Lightning and written films such as Eddie The Eagle, Precious, Stepmom, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Real Women Have Curves. IPG’s library includes Pulitzer Prize and bestselling authors such as Richard Russo, James Ellroy, and their authors' books have been adapted into such projects as Big Little Lies, BlacKkKlansman, The Life of Pi, The Wolf of Wall Street and Million Dollar Baby. 

Follow this inspiring conversation as we discuss:

How Leslie became an Agent, then a Manager and Producer.

The learning curve of an Agent and how it helps relationship building.

What catches Leslie’s attention

The differences between a manager and producer

The story of how Eddie and The Eagle got made.

Seeing her client win an Oscar for Precious.

Championing diversity before it was a thing.

Why it is important to be nice to Assistants.

And so much more.

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In this episode, we talk about making conscious content for a better world.  Emmanuel is an experienced feature film producer and documentary filmmaker.  A regular at all the major Film Festivals and Conventions, Emmanuel scouts for films for French distributors. We sit in line watching films together and talking about what's good and what's not for our clients.  Of course, he has a ton of film credits. But I do want to speak about his documentary work because it's so meaningful and so needed today. I was involved in his Peace documentary THE INVOCATION narrated by Sharon Stone and starring Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama, Deepak Chopra, as well as many other worldwide peace activists. I got a little special thanks credit on that film, because I brought in some actors, and I brought in some really great spiritual leaders that contributed to the documentary. He's also on the board of the Santa Barbara Film Festival for a decade. 

During a spirited conversation, we opened the lid to the world of documentary production and the challenges of making content for a purpose and not for capital gain. Some  highlights: 

Our actions need to speak for us more than our talks.

Why Emmanuel started making documentaries.

The distribution and growing popularity of docs today.

Working with actress Sharon Stone.

Having faith in what you believe in and how faith helps us to keep going.

Meeting Desmond Tutu.

And so much more!  

Connect with Emmanuel Itier:

IMDb

Website

Instagram

World Peace Conference

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Alexia Melocchi - Website

Little Studio Films - Website

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CHARLES AND VLAS PARLAPANIDES ON WRITING ANIME FOR NETFLIX, AND THE AMALGAMATION OF CHARACTER AND ACTION IN IMPACTFUL STORYTELLING. 

Charles and Vlas Parlapanides are a true family business and a tight writing and producing unit. Not only they are siblings, but they are a successful writing team that has deals at Universal Pictures Warner Brothers Columbia, Paramount Pictures and Netflix. The first produced studio film Immortals open a number one in the worldwide box office, both domestic and foreign and earned over 250 million dollars globally. I get to talk to them just as their Anime series premieres this week, “ Blood of Zeus, aka gods and heroes” on Netflix. 

In this honest, engaging and incredibly insightful conversation we speak about our Greek roots, the discipline of writing, finding the commercial elements of a script , the power of a family bond, and how Arthur Miller wrote the first act of Death of a Salesman while building a shed.

Special Highlights:

How features are beholden to the director while television is the writer’s playground.

The importance of being open to notes.

What makes a script a commercial property.

How the story of the movie IMMMORTALS came about.

How their knowledge of Greek Mythology helped the making of BLOOD OF ZEUS 

Why it is important to get an executive to truly champion your writing.

Connect with Charles and Vlas: 

Netflix

Facebook

Instagram

Charles Imdb

Vlas Imdb

Let’s Connect!

Alexia Melocchi - Website

Little Studio Films - Website

Twitter

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Facebook

LinkedIn

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Have you ever had things magically come together in your artistic endeavors? Most of the time, though we call it magic, it’s actually happening in moments where LIFE says YES to our dreams and our needs.

But is this luck, serendipity or do we magnetize it?

My special very special guest today is Gary Quinn. Gary Quinn is an international motivational speaker, life coach, strategist, educator and best- selling author. Several of his recent books that become bestsellers in the self- help categories, and are acknowledged as essential tools for those seeking to improve their lives, business and relationships. Gary was also seen in the inspirational documentary the Invocation, narrated by Sharon Stone from filmmaker Emmanuel Itier.

We discuss about the power of mission statement, getting published,  meeting Roberto Benigni, and his passion for all things Italy.

The need to transform ourselves- going from an Olympic hopeful to being invited on the Paramount Lot and making a mission statement to become a published author(2:28). 

The concept behind THE YES FREQUENCY BOOK and its connection to Jim Carrey (18:40)

The importance of having a purpose (22:38).

How money is energy (26:28) and how to choose your next project based on how it makes you feel.

A daily practice to expand our hearts and connection to others (27:59)

Appreciating those who help you on the way up (33.20)

How anybody can be a "manifester" (35:10)

Connect with Gary: 

Website

Instagram

Podcast

Let’s Connect!

Alexia Melocchi - Website

Little Studio Films - Website

Twitter

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Ever wonder what the creative process looks like to create a movie based on a book?  

In this episode, I talk with Lane Shefter Bishop, a multi-award-winning producer and director. She’s produced feature films including The Duff and Assassination Games, TV series, and more. Many of her works in film were inspired by or based on books, giving her a unique perspective on how stories are told through both written text and film. 

Throughout our conversation, Lane shares the behind-the-scenes story of what inspired her book Sell Your Story in a Single Sentence: Advice From the Front Lines of Hollywood and why she feels it’s essential to sell your story in a single sentence. She also shares her perspective on how different directing is from producing, how to work with an author on a book-to-movie project, and what inspires her to keep driving forward. 

Tune in to learn more about how to get the attention of directors and producers and sell your story in a single sentence. 

In This Episode You Will Learn: 

• How I met Lane Shefter Bishop. (3:13)
• The pros and cons of producing and directing. (6:03)
• The importance of being able to sell your writing in a single sentence. (9:51)
• The story behind creating The Duff. (18:16)
• How Lane involves the author in the creation of the movie based on their book. (24:00)
• How Lane inspires herself to continue putting out great work. (26:14)

Connect with Lane Shefter Bishop: 

Website

Sell Your Story in A Single Sentence by Lane Shefter Bishop

Facebook

Let’s Connect!

Alexia Melocchi - Website

Little Studio Films - Website

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

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Support the show

Thanks for listening! Follow us on X, Instagram and Facebook and on the podcast's official site www.theheartofshowbusiness.com

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How do actors cope when all productions are put on hold?  When loved ones are being kept at a distance, in this episode, the Hollywood veil gets lifted to give us a glimpse of the real and raw emotion of an artist.

Maeve Quinlan was in my premiere episode but there was so much more to share about how we all cope when our natural desire to be close is being put to the test and how to keep creating and working on our dreams even when all appears to be hopeless.

In this episode, I have a freestyle conversation with Maeve Quinlan that will bring a smile to your face. She is a critically acclaimed Irish American actress, starring in over 40 features films, television series, and movies. She works with actors on all levels, both alongside them in front of the camera and from the producer’s point of view. 

Right here, Maeve  talks about the reality of working as an actress: what “Hollywood types” are really like, why she nearly gave up on acting, and how she decided to stick with it. Going deeper, we continue on to have a really moving conversation about what Maeve ’s experience is like amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when it comes to visiting her mother in a nursing home. 

In This Episode You Will Learn: 

• Why the myth of the “fake” Hollywood types just isn’t true. (4:05)
• Why Maeve nearly gave up acting and how Jon Lovitz inspired her to keep going. (8:59)
• How The Bold and the Beautiful started production again after pausing during the pandemic. (20:29)
• What it was like for Maeve to see her mom, who lives in a nursing home, for the first time in months and why it caught the attention of the press. (23:16)
• The story of how Maeve rescued a dog for her mother. (33:37)

Connect with Maeve: 

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Let’s Connect!

Website

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Resources: 

Bichons and Buddies

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Ever wonder what the job of a production designer looks like? 

Production design is one of the most important elements in film and TV. It sets the tone, creating an immersive world for the actors and viewers alike. 

In this episode, I talk with Carolos Barbosa, an extremely talented production designer who has worked on the pilot of 24 – which nominated him for an Emmy – Lost, CSI Miami, Studio 60, among many others. Carlos was born in Colombia and moved to Los Angeles to work on an architecture project, but this is also where the world of designing for the silver screen became a real possibility for his career. 

Throughout our conversation, Carlos shares his story of how he transitioned to architecture to production design, what it’s like to collaborate with directors and showrunners, and how he sees the future of design in the TV and film industries. 

Tune in to hear more about the life and career of a production designer!

Some Questions I Ask: 

• How did you go from architecture to production design? (5:41)
• How does it feel when your production designs get torn down after wrap? (8:35)
• How does the production design process start? (12:50)
• Have you ever been tempted to leave a project after butting heads with the director or showrunner? (18:58)
• What directors are you dreaming to work with right now? (24:55)
• What is your life and career’s mantra? (31:08)

In This Episode You Will Learn: 

• What it was like on set for the television show Aquarius. (3:38)
• How Carlos got his first job in production design. (5:56)
• How Carlos evaluates his projects and picks what to work on. (13:17)
• How Carlos protects the integrity of his work. (19:24)
• What the future of production design and augmented reality looks like. (27:18)

Connect with Carlos Barbosa: 

Website

Let’s Connect! 

Website

Little Studio Films 

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

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Today I’m joined by a very special guest, Craig McGinlay! Some of you may know Craig from his coveted and renowned role as Percival in ‘King Arthur: Legend of The Sword’, or from his appearances in the critically acclaimed series ‘Outlander’ and ‘Knightfall’. Having come from a background as a rugby professional player, Craig has definitely worn many hats across many different industries and has pursued his passion for acting with an amazing perspective and outlook on the craft.

In this episode, we discuss the ways in which Craig has honed his skills as a performer and actively learned from the practical experience he’s gained on set, why our ego needs to be put aside in order to be successful as performers, as well as how he made his childhood dream a reality. We also get into Craig’s experience working alongside ‘Sons of Anarchy’ star, Charlie Hunnam, as well as what he’s learned from being directed by a prolific and renowned figure in the entertainment industry, Guy Ritchie.

To hear more, tune in to Episode 9 of The Heart of Show Business! 

Some Questions I Ask:

• When was the moment you realised you wanted to pursue acting and transition out of coaching sports? (2:54)
• Had you ever travelled outside of Scotland before you became an Actor? (14:12)
• Have you ever had the desire to pack up and move to Hollywood, or do you prefer living in Europe? (15:55)
• Could you expand on the connection you have with your roots as a Scotsman & How that has tied into your acting roles? (18:41)
• Has there ever been a low point in your career or personal life that you’ve had to dig yourself out of? (21:18)
• Where do you see yourself ten years from now? (29:55)
• What is the number one thing that you use to get yourself into a strong headspace? (31:25)

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• Working with Guy Ritchie and soccer legend David Beckham and the trajectory towards pursuing acting full time (3:26)
• Craig’s experience filming in Bollywood & why he fell in love with the culture on set (8:40)
• The opportunities Craig has been offered during lockdown as a Producer & How the pandemic has affected his most recent projects (9:56)
• How having practical experience on film and TV sets has taught Craig so much about the industry and enriched his knowledge in other aspects of the creative process (11:08)
• The effect that the film ‘Braveheart’ had on me personally and my involvement in the upcoming Television Series (17:49)
• How Craig has actively worked to hone his skills as an Actor (23:12)
• Why our ego needs to be put aside in order to be successful in this industry & Craig’s advice for aspiring performers (26:31)

Let’s Connect!

• Alexia Melocchi - Website
• Little Studio Films - Website
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

Connect With Craig McGinlay:

• Instagram 

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