Season 3 of Cinemactivist will focus on two new feature film and immersive theater projects and feature discussions with creatives. The podcast aims to provide insights into independent productions and the creative process, addressing the challenges of film and immersive site-specific productions.

Published on May 28, 2026 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions and Cinemactivist LLC | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey | Recorded and Edited with Riverside

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From an extra on Phone Booth, to Cannes in her 20’s and breaking out on her own, meet Priscilla Smith the domestic sales agent for Unearth and owner of The Coven and Foxglove Entertainment. This is Part 1 of our conversation. Part 2 releases next week.

00:00 - The Road to France

03:43 - Heading to Hollywood and Finding her way to Film Sales

10:55 - The Cannes Experience in your 20’s and the Social Aspects

15:53 - How a Sales Agent can help you and your Film and the Importance of Pacing

20:23 - What happens when you are selected by a recognizable festival and why she started her own company

24:20 - Cut a Trailer first, if you can…

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In episode 28 you met writer, Shiara Pettis. In this episode we introduce you to our remote writing process over the past 12 months and tease some Unleash script details. 

00:00 - The Big Ask

05:24 - Writing and Eco Horror Film

09:04 - Meet Unleash’s characters

13:40 - Our Process and Timeline

17:38 - Reader Feedback after Year 1

22:18 - Differences from Unearth’s development process

24:11 - Next steps

| Published on June 8, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions

Writer, Shiara Pettis, received her Masters of Arts in Creative Writing - Poetry at Southern New Hampshire University and her Bachelor’s degree in Communications & Journalism at Slippery Rock University. When John was ready to further explore a sequel to Unearth, he was sent her name. That was a year ago. In this episode, get to know Shiara. And in next week’s Part 2, learn about our process for writing a script with a partner.

00:00 - Meeting Shiara

04:25 - School & Early Interests

10:14 - Writing a Poetry Book

14:23 - Therapeutic or Cathartic?

16:24 - Going to College and 11th Hour Change

21:15 - Creative Writing and Reading in front of People

27:47 - Grad School with a Baby

| Published on June 1, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions

COMING SOON!

Season 2 of CINEMACTIVIST

Featuring:

UNLEASH - the sequel to UNEARTH, co-written by Shiara Pettis

LAKE ERIE, OUR KIN - two-part documentary collaboration with Melissa Troutman

and more!

| Published on May 25, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST and Lyons Den Productions by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions

In this episode, I am joined by educator, Dr. Rhonda Matthews. Dr. Matthews has been a university professor of Sociology & Politics in Higher Ed since 1992 and was the perfect guest to dive into Mariama Diallo's Sundance film, Master. Beyond the film, we talk about how truth-telling media is dangerous, Incrementalism in storytelling and representation, Individual Work vs Institutional Change and much more. Master is available on Amazon Prime and stars Regina Hall, Zoe Renee and Amber Gray.

[00:00] Dr. Rhonda Matthews’ education background and working at a wide variety of Educational institutions

[07:48] Intro on Master by writer/director Mariama Diallo

[12:15] The Intended Audience of a Film and Incrementalism in Representation

[20:11] General Impressions of Master

[27:57] Who is being skewered in Master and who do you feel is the intended audience?

[33:00] The theme of Rotting in Higher Education and empty signaling

[39:50] The Liv character, How Identity can be commodified and Individual Work vs Institutional Change

[49:19] Freedom of speech or Privileged speech and Cancel Culture

[58:01] Studying Popular Culture and recognizing its power

[01:04:49] The “Horror” and “Scary” definition debate and the Horror of the Mundane, and diversifying critic commentary

[01:15:09] Jordan Peele comparisons

[01:19:58] Eerie Horror Fest presents… with Dr. Rhonda Matthews

Support CINEMACTIVIST and Lyons Den Productions by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions

Today, April 19 2022, we are self-releasing the UNEARTH Ultimate Edition Blu-ray. You can purchase the film through all the major online retailers: Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, you name it. We’re there. You can also order through www.unearthmovie.com.

On today’s episode, I wanted to give you a preview of a couple of the new extra features on the Blu-ray. First, you’ll hear some comments from Marc Blucas, Allison McAtee, PJ Marshall, Monica Wyche and Rachel McKeon from last year’s cast reunion Q&A at the Eerie Horror Fest. Second, we will have film critic, Michael Guillen’s commentary from a scene in the film where Kathryn (Adrienne Barbeau) and Christina (Allison McAtee) get ready to go fishing, and Kathryn confronts Christina about the importance of protecting the land and the concept of querencia.

[00:00] Unearth Blu-ray Release Day Intro

[02:29] 2021 Eerie Horror Fest Cast Reunion Q&A

[12:37] Film critic, Michael Guillen’s, Querencia scene breakdown

[14:53] Unearth Blu-ray Promo

Support CINEMACTIVIST and Lyons Den Productions by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions

In this episode, we take a deep dive on trans portrayals in Film, TV and other media. I am joined by Dr. Tyler Titus and Elisabeth Koromaus. Dr. Titus is a mental health professional, small business owner and recently ran an awesome campaign for County Executive in Erie County, Pennsylvania. Elisabeth is finishing up her degree in the Animation program at Edinboro University. Our conversation should be of use to all writers, filmmakers, and all creatives considering the inclusion of characters who do not share their lived experience. 

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According to stats from 2021 WGA West’s Screen Inclusion Report, LGBTQ+ screenwriters are faring relatively well compared to other underrepresented groups. “The best data available puts LGBTQ+ Americans at roughly 8% of the U.S. adult population,” the report says. “In 2020, LGBTQ+ writers were hired for 6% of screenwriting jobs. “However, the fact that LGBTQ+ screenwriters fare better in this chart than other underrepresented groups does not mean that they do not face discrimination in the workplace and erasure of LGBTQ+ characters in their stories. According to a recent survey of 158 members of the LGBTQ+ Writers Committee, 22% report having been the target of overt discrimination and/or harassment in an industry setting. Meanwhile, over half of the surveyed writers reported experiencing microaggressions based on their identity. Unfortunately, the most targeted individuals are often the most underrepresented and those who have multiple intersectional identities: transgender, non-binary, intersex, BIPOC, disabled, over 55, etc.” For the full report go to https://www.wga.org/uploadedfiles/the-guild/inclusion-and-equity/2021_Screen_Inclusion_Report.pdf

[00:00] Meet Dr. Tyler Titus and Liz Koromaus

[08:55] Fear of the Unknown and Othering People

[13:00] What is Cisgender and how well are we portraying trans people today in media?

[17:05] Should a cisgendered person write a trans story? What questions should they be asking?

[24:27] What moves the social needle

[26:30] Earliest memories of Trans characters in Media

[32:40] Boys Don’t Cry

[40:10] Laurence Anyways and Casting choices

[46:02] Film, TV and Game Recommendations

[55:54] Contributing to the Trans Narrative

[57:32] Don’t just tell a transness story (Euphoria, Single Drunk Female, Life & Beth)

[1:03:38] Advice for Creatives

Check out the Netflix documentary "Disclosure": https://www.netflix.com/title/81284247

| Published on April 13, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST and Lyons Den Productions by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions

In this episode, we bring you Part 2 of our conversation with Jane Saunders. Jane Saunders is a New York based composer, arranger, musician and educator.  As a music technology & musicology enthusiast, she has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe with various projects and is the creator of the Avant-Garde Metal project The Greatest Fear (recipient of The Independent Music Awards Hard Rock/ Heavy Metal Album of the year). Jane composed the awesome film score for our feature film, Unearth. Check out her work at http://www.janesaunders.org

Please note we get into some light spoilers for Unearth in this discussion. The Unearth: Ultimate Edition Blu-ray features Jane's score as an isolated track option in the audio features. The Blu-ray releases April 19, 2022 but you can order it today at all major online retailers with 2 cover choices:

[00:00] With technological advancements in music and sound our minds are the only limitation

[06:25] The horrors of progress, constant pressure of perfection and Analog vs. Electric debate

[11:58] Music Technology: Measuring earthquake magnitudes for An Agitated Earth

[18:02] Unearth Origin Story and the impossible choice of livelihood vs. uninhabitable planet

[25:00] Living a Mindful Life and affects of the Industrial Revolution

[29:30] Inspired by composer Jóhann Jóhannsson (Arrival), Alien, The Shining

[36:34] The Sound Balance and Scoring stories & tips

[48:04] Post-production on Unearth and Chris Bell’s sound work and importance of a comfortable working environment

[52:48] Hearing Unearth in a real Cinema and talk about specific moments and motivations

| Published on April 6, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST and Lyons Den Productions by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions

In this episode, John sounds off about our reliance on fossil fuels, an update on a plastics processing plant in Erie Pennsylvania, and more. For more information go to www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions. This episode references:

Exclusive: oil companies’ profits soared to $174bn this year as US gas prices rose

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/dec/06/oil-companies-profits-exxon-chevron-shell-exclusive

Breaking Points

https://www.youtube.com/c/breakingpoints

Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar is a fearless anti-establishment Youtube show and podcast.

Does FOX News want to Nationalize Big Oil? — Krystal Ball

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-AlxvlATfQ

Bad Faith

https://www.youtube.com/c/BadFaithPodcast

Bad Faith is two shows in one: it's a panel show about politics and pop culture with a rotating cast of performers and politicians, artists and activists, writers and radicals; and it's a two-way podcast where two people from two very different parts of the left make the case for one less terrible world.

Film Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania

Film Grain Virtual Cinema: The Story of Plastic - Panel Discussion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbujChY98EU

Filmed across three continents and featuring interviews with experts and activists on the frontlines, THE STORY OF PLASTIC presents a cohesive timeline of how we got to our current global plastic pollution crisis and how the oil and gas industry has successfully manipulated the narrative around it.

Panelists:

Stiv J. Wilson - Producer, The Story of Plastic

Monica Wilson - Policy and Research Coordinator and the Associate Director for the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives

Sherri A. “Sam” Mason, Ph. D. - Sustainability Coordinator for Penn State Behrend

| Published on March 17, 2022 | Produced by Lyons Den Productions | Hosted by John C. Lyons | Music by Tony Grey |

Support CINEMACTIVIST and Lyons Den Productions by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/lyonsdenproductions