#realconversations #filmmaker #Spielberg #Scorcese#humanexperience #GenZ #GardenStateFilm Festival #GSFF

CONVERSATIONS WITH CALVIN — WE THE SPECIES

Hosted by Calvin Schwartz

Meet JR STOKES   “Into our interview for the Garden State Film Festival, I called out to JR, “Ijust realized I’m over a half-century older than you!” Testament to the depth,poise, passion, experience, and grasp of JR, a filmmaker and storyteller from ayoung age. At times, I was reminded of Steven Spielberg or Martin Scorsese. JRis introspective, brilliant, and dedicated to his art. Filmmaking. We had agreat time talking about film and, most importantly, his latest film,“Beautiful Pam.” I watched the trailer several times in a row. Absorbing andemoting. Many questions. Boundaries. Instinct. Human experience. Enough said.”Calvin

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JR STOKES; NY-Based Filmmaker, screening “Beautiful Pam” atGarden State Film Festival; Way under 30; LIVE from Long Island

YouTube:

BIO  J.R. Stokes is aNew York based Independent Filmmaker. From a very young age, J.R. has taken astrong interest in the art of storytelling and hopes to continue having theprivilege of curating films that push the boundaries of independent filmmaking.J.R’s upcoming feature film, “Beautiful, Pam” is an official selection of the24th Annual Garden State Film Festival. His film screens with GSFF on Saturday,March 28th at 8:30PM at the Berkeley Crystal Ballroom in the BerkeleyOceanfront Hotel. Bloc Code: CBR21. Tickets available at GSFF.org

LINKS:  OfficialLinks:

J.R’s Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/sidscinematics?igsh=OGxpYjBheXhqZmQ4

J.R’s Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CC3qTL6pq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

J.R’s Youtube:

https://youtube.com/@sidscinematics?si=9uVt4zFD7bSpNxiF

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#realconversations #cinematographer #director #actor #comedy#cult

CONVERSATIONS WITH CALVIN — WE THESPECIES
Hosted by Calvin Schwartz

Meet PETER PAVLAKIS: “The universe made it difficult to pulloff this interview. Crazy power failures and things lost in space. But it wasworth the wait. Peter is endearing, introspective, dedicated, illuminating, andbrilliant. Reminded me of Jimmy Stewart. He’s an award-winning Brooklyn-basedfreelance cinematographer. Of course, I brought up the cinematography from Dr.Zhivago and how it magically transported me over time. He is the quintessenceof moving images, helping us see the world. He emanates devotion to craft andart.

 His film, ‘ApostasyBlues’ is a feature comedy drama. He is the writer, director, not thecinematographer. The premise is unique. A cult-leader raptures with donationmoney and then a manhunt. Comedy. Drama. I asked him, as a cinematographer, if he sees himself as a technician ora philosopher with a camera. Emphatically, he said more cinematic. I sensedthat. Balance life for what you believe in. Cinema can unite a divided culture.Part of his living comes from making commercials.

Microbudget. I mentioned how that word has come up invirtually every interview so far. My fantasy. Hitting Powerball and fixingthat. In the future, he’d like to make provocative films like this. He’s theessence of deep thought. The power stayed on. Until we finished.” Calvin

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PETER PAVLAKIS: Writer, Director, “Apostasy Blues;’Screening at Garden State Film Festival

YouTube:

ABOUT: About

Award-winning Brooklyn-based cinematographer with 12 yearsof experience bringing stories to life across narrative film, commercials,fashion, music videos, branded content, and documentaries. I specialize incrafting visually striking, emotionally resonant imagery that elevates abrand’s message and connects with audiences.

I believe the power of moving images lies in revealing thebeauty within everyday moments and sparking empathy through fresh perspectives.Known for a collaborative spirit, creative problem-solving, and a steady handunder pressure, I thrive in fast-paced productions where vision and executionmust align seamlessly.

Please reach out if you're interested in working together!

www.pyrrhicproductions.com

Peter Pavlakis is writer and director of Apostasy Blues, anindependent comedy/drama about two cult members whose leader “raptures” withtheir donation money, sending them on a manhunt from rural Ohio to New YorkCity.

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LINKS: www.petercpavlakis.com

 www.instagram.com/peter.pavlakis/

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#realconversations #MarilynMonroe #director #composer#timetravel #BacktotheFuture #piano #TheGodfather #GSFF

CONVERSATIONS WITH CALVIN — WE THE SPECIES

Hosted by Calvin Schwartz

Meet REMI GANGAROSSA and JASON PELSEY; “A few weeks beforethis interview, energies out of the universe communicated how this was going tobe extraordinary. Notwithstanding their film, “Marilyn’s Dark Paradise.’ Yes,Marilyn Monroe. Written and directed by Remi. Jason was honored with the BestComposition for Short Film award by the Garden State Film Festival. Yes, I justwatched the film. Overwhelmed with its artistry and reverence, and Marilyn.

If I wrote a traditional piece here. Several pages ofpraise. Better to share words and ideas. A motivation for readers. I am a movieperson. Part of my life. This film is so beyond mind, thought, and artistry.Ten years for them to do this.  Suchdetail. Precision. Years to get the pill bottles just right. Remi loves ‘Backto the Future.” He was wearing a hat from the movie. Particulates of that loveare evident.

When Jason is composing, sitting at the piano, he hearsdifferent instruments on the piano. He wakes up from a dream, and there’s themusic. It took months on a two-second shot. Refuse to get details wrong. Adecade project infused with love and Marilyn. Silent film. Items in the filmthat Marilyn actually owned. Beyond. Sure, we talked about the Godfather, theart of composing, spirituality, Marilyn, the deep, complex, haunting woman. Waybeyond an actress. And on and on. This was such a precious time with Remi andJason, brilliant, sensitive, funny, serious, and wondrously dedicated to theirart. I’ve known them all along.” Calvin

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REMI GANGAROSSA, Writer, Director, JASON PELSEY, Composer,‘Marilyn’s Dark Paradise.’ (Marilyn Monroe) Screening at Garden State FilmFestival

YouTube:

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SYNOPSIS: Before the world knew her as a legend, MarilynMonroe endured a childhood marked by trauma and a career shaped by relentlesspressures. Even so, she rose to become an icon, a respected actress, and adetermined independent producer. As she confronts her past and wrestles withwhat it means to be enough, her time-traveling companion faces his own demons.He is tempted to rewrite history, even if it risks unraveling everything.

LINKS:  RemiGangarossa (Director & Executive Producer) – [email protected]

Jason Pelsey (Composer) - [email protected]

**

Jason Pelsey composed the score for our short film,Marilyn’s Dark Paradise, and is being honored at the Garden State Film Festivalfor his original composition, “Norma Jeane.”

**

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#realconversations #documentary #filmmaker #GSFF#girlsflagfootball #LongIsland

CONVERSATIONS WITH CALVIN — WE THE SPECIES

Hosted by Calvin Schwartz

Meet ERIC FELLER. “Getting a chance to interview Eric Fellerfor the Garden State Film Festival was the best of all worlds for me. Lovefilms, love documentaries, and love sports. Here’s Eric. Intensely involved. Hegot his MFA with distinction in Documentary Studies and Production. Sports. Heimmediately noticed my Rutgers hat and a picture on the side of the NY Yankeescelebrating a 2009 playoff win. Sharp, incisive, and all-knowing sports-wise.And his film ‘Blazing a Trail’ is impressive in telling the story of the firstgirls' high school flag football team on Long Island. His intensity carriesover into his vision for a documentary film. He filmed this as essentially aone-person crew. Purist intensity. But he was quick to tell me, it’s the peoplewho make the film. I like that he said, documentaries are the ultimate realityshow. Especially sports. Eric’s youthful exuberance is refreshing. His futureis as illuminating as Blazing a Trail. A very special interview. Great forstudents of film.” Calvin

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ERIC FELLER; Filmmaker, Documentary, Blazing a Trail’, Screening, Garden State FilmFestival

YouTube:

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ERIC FELLER BIO SYNOPSIS

"Blazing A Trail" is a documentary feature filmthat tells the story of the first-ever girls' high school flag football teamfrom the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District in the inaugural seasonof the sport on Long Island during the Spring of 2022.  You can ask me about the origins of the film,my experience working on it as a one-person crew, what impressed me most aboutthe girls taking on a brand-new sport, and what I hope people take away fromthe film.  I think the conversation willflow from these starter questions, which will lead into more points I'd like toaddress.

A brief bio about me: I am a documentary filmmaker whocurrently resides in New York.  I'm a2006 graduate of SUNY Binghamton with a Bachelor of Arts in History, and in2014, I received my Master of Fine Arts with Distinction in Documentary Studiesand Production.  During my career, I'veworked on a variety of documentaries covering many sports, where I most enjoyconnecting with the athletes and the driving force that moves them.  Beyond sports, I've created documentariesabout summer special education programs, and for the past 6 years, I've been aconsulting film editor for Nassau BOCES on Long Island, where I've filmed andedited numerous events and celebrations highlighting the accomplishments ofstudents and educators alike.

LINKS:

https://www.youtube.com/@efeller1

https://www.fellerdigitalproductions.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-feller-a70bb343/

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#realconversations #comedy #producer #Canada #grief#motherdaughterrelationships

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CONVERSATIONS WITH CALVIN — WE THE SPECIES

Hosted by Calvin Schwartz

Meet WENDY LITNER (Creator, Writer) and LAUREN CORBER(Executive Producer) My Dead Mom.’  “Hugeanticipation for this interview. Personal stuff for me. My mother came out ofan old picture behind my computer a few years ago and typed ‘Mom’ on anoutgoing message on my cell phone. I got a haircut the next day. For real.Wendy and Lauren use their character, Emmy, to explore her struggle to makepeace with her dead mother, who keeps hanging around. Hugely funny premise.This is the second collaboration with Wendy and Lauren. Their first, How to Buya Baby.’ I relate to that too. Exceptional bonding with my guests. They arepure energy, comedic brilliance, honest, and poised. Beyond the comedy, heavyelements here. They stressed that relationships don’t end. Loved theirmentioning Erma Bombeck’s quote about wishing she had let the kids sit on thegood couch. Absurdity is funny. I agree. I watched the trailer twice.  Preciously funny as Wendy and Lauren are. Andserious too. And brave. Dealing with confronting grief right on. MadelynAlbright came up in the chat. More bravery on their part. They bring on deathdirectly. Our culture avoids it. I know. What a special interview. Hours later, there is still tinnitus in myears, thinking about Wendy and Lauren.” Calvin

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WENDY LITNER; Creator, Writer, LAUREN CORBER, Exec Producer,My Dead Mom;’ Screening Garden State Film Festival; LIVE from Toronto

YouTube:

TRAILER:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7P3_kjNows

SYNOPSIS: Synopsis:

Emmy's mother died and she hates what she's wearing. Emmyknows she could live her best life, if her dead mother would JUST. STOP.TALKING. Fern pops into Emmy’s life to question her lipstick and life choices,as only a mother can. Even death can’t stop Fern from being fabulous… anddisappointed. Emmy wants to make peace with her mother, move to the other sideof grief, but how do you get over someone who is so present?

MY DEAD MOM explores the complicated and overwhelming natureof grief and the everlasting hold our mothers have on us. With dark wit andaching honesty, the series shows us that we all must learn to become ourselvesbecause of, or perhaps in spite of, our mother’s love. May Emmy’s mom rest inpeace. Please.

LAUREN CORBER — BIO

Lauren Corber is a two-time International Emmy–nominatedexecutive producer and founder of LoCo Motion Pictures, a company known forbold, audience-driven content across television and digital platforms. Aleading force in Canada’s digital production space, she has executive producedacclaimed comedy series including How to Buy a Baby (Canadian Screen Awardwinner, International Emmy nominee), My 90-Year-Old Roommate (Webby Honoree,CSA winner), and The Communist’s Daughter (Web Series World Cup winner). Herwork has reached global audiences through partnerships with Warner Bros, HBOMax, and international adaptations across Europe.

She is widely recognized for shaping innovative, globally resonantstorytelling.

WENDY LITNER —  BIO

Wendy Litner is an award-winning writer and creator knownfor sharp, emotionally honest comedy rooted in real life. She is the creator ofMy Dead Mom, a darkly funny series inspired by the loss of her mother, whichearned her the 2025 Canadian Screen Award for

Her television writing credits include The Beaverton, RunThe Burbs, Children Ruin Everything, and The Popularity Papers. Wendy’s voiceextends beyond television into published essays in The Globe and Mail,HuffPost, and McSweeney’s, blending humor with deeply personal insight.

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#realconversations #Rocky #screenplay #martialarts #GSFF

CONVERSATIONS WITH CALVIN — WE THE SPECIES

Hosted by Calvin Schwartz

Meet MARK BUERCK; I set my interview with Mark assuming he’sbeen doing this screenwriting stuff for a few decades, after all, he won BestShort Screenplay at the Garden State Film Festival. I love it when I dial wrongnumbers. The look on my face as comprehension slowly began crystallizing.Numerically, I’m basically six decades older than Mark. Yet he still seemed tohave two decades of experience. Yet there was that youthful exuberance wrappedaround a sensitive screenwriter with a mastery of dialogue. His screenplay,‘One Last Time’, is inspired by shows and movies he grew up watching, such asRocky, The Avengers, etc. He’s into martial arts as well. And finishing upScreenwriting at Brookdale-Rutgers. I asked about martial arts and his writing.A strong influence. We bonded more when I told Mark about Chuck Wepner, a boxerfrom Bayonne who fought Muhammad Ali. An inspiration for Stallone. I absorbedhis words and enthusiasm. He’s a young guy but has been on this writing journeya long time. He’s great fun. Endless enthusiasm. Back to ‘One Last Time.’ It'spowerful stuff coming from Gen Z. Passion. Sacrifice. Emotionally Intense. Iforgot to ask this rising star how he feels about writing comedy. Next time.”Calvin

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MARK BUERCK: Short Screenplay Winner at Garden State FilmFestival; “One Last Time”

YouTube:

INSTAGRAM: @mark_buerck

BIO: Background

Mark Buerck is a 23-year-old screenwriter, actor, andmartial artist from Wall Township, New Jersey. He studies Liberal Arts throughthe Rutgers–Brookdale program and has been actively developing his career inwriting and filmmaking over the past several years.

Mark first became interested in storytelling when he was 13years old, writing short chapters of his own stories in notebooks. In highschool, while taking creative writing classes, he discovered that his strengthswere particularly strong in dialogue and character interaction. His classmatesand teacher often pointed out that his writing felt very cinematic anddialogue-driven, which naturally led him toward scriptwriting.

He also created and starred in his own short film titled“The Enigmatic Crew,” which was inspired by a real-life day with his closefriends.

Mark’s long-term goal is to continue writing for film andtelevision while also acting in projects he creates. He hopes to build a careertelling stories that combine action, emotion, and personal experiences

Project description:

One Last Time is a dramatic short screenplay about two bestfriends and fighters, Ethan and Ryan. Ethan is determined to keep fightingdespite suffering serious injuries, including multiple concussions and a tumor.Fighting is the only thing that gives his life meaning, and he refuses to walkaway from it.

Ryan, his closest friend and training partner, tries toconvince him that it’s time to move on and protect his health. However, Ethanpersuades Ryan to spar for him one last time.

During the sparring session, emotions rise and the fightescalates beyond what either of them expected. Ryan accidentally knocks Ethandown, triggering a fatal medical episode. Ryan is left devastated, realizingthat Ethan’s final fight was against his best friend.

The story explores themes of passion, identity, sacrifice,and the difficult question of when someone should stop pursuing what they love

Inspiration behind the script:

Being a martial artist helped me visualize the fight scenesand emotional tension between the characters

**

#realconversations #musician #jerseyshore #animator#illustrator #GSFF #synchronicity

CONVERSATIONS WITH CALVIN — WE THE SPECIES

Hosted by Calvin Schwartz

Meet VINCENT CORONA-EVANS “Every blue moon over the Jersey shore Atlantic, something powerfullysynchronistic arrives. That would be Vincent (Vinnie). From the moment hecontacted me for an interview about his entry into the Garden State FilmFestival for his animated ‘The River Song,’ I knew meant to be. Vinnie and Iexplored that theme. Why? His song is a glimpse of when his family moved to theTides Motel along the riverfront of Shark River Hills. A long time ago. Also, along time ago, I spent childhood summers sitting on the jetty at Shark River. Aselfie I took of my adult foot on the jetty is the cover of my novel, There’s aTortoise in My Hair. Enough said. Vinnie is wondrously amazing, poignant,talented, brilliant, and effervescent. The cover of his song is priceless. I kept staring like I was in atrance. He wrote the song, played the instruments, recorded, mixed, andmastered it. He told me it was a year to do. At this point in my writing, Ilike to throw in words, concepts, and thoughts. Vinnie filled up pages. Yes,watch the interview. He grew up poor, living in winter and summer rentals. Heloves rainy days. (a song?) His bike was stolen. He was gifted a guitar. Heteaches music these days. He drew pictures all the time. It’s funny, Diane Raver’s(founder of GSFF) father owned The Tides for a while. Wild stuff. He has dreamsof being attacked by a bear. Heavy stuff. We talked about human antennas.Spirituality. Yes, the Jersey shore. Vinnie is the Jersey Shore. Lovesynchronicity.”  Calvin

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VINCENT CORONA-EVANS: Musician, Illustrator & Animator,“The River Song,” Garden State Film Festival: LIVE from Jersey Shore

YouTube:

Vincent was born and raised at Jersey Shore, where he stilllives with his beautiful wife, son, and adopted pet family. He attended classesat the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and studied web design atBoston University. Over the past 30 years, he’s worked as an illustrator anddigital graphic artist, while also pursuing his lifelong passion formusic—performing for over 40 years and teaching for more than 18. Creatingmusic videos for his original songs has allowed him to blend all these creativethreads into one. He’s excited to see where this new path takes him.

Synopsis:

“The River Song” is an animated music video drawn fromchildhood memories. It follows a young boy exploring his new home at the TidesMotel along the shoreline in Shark River Hills, NJ, as his playful,shape-shifting shadow transforms everything from an imaginary friend to asymbol of inner strength and childhood wonder.

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Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/share/1CeahYN4n6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vce.music

Bandcamp: https://vcemusic.bandcamp.com/

Banditt Records:  https://www.bandittrecords.com/vce

**

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#realconversations #actor #writer #GSFF #Northwestern#DavidBowie #filmmaker #TheEqualizer

CONVERSATIONS WITH CALVIN — WE THE SPECIES

Hosted by Calvin Schwartz

Meet BLAKE MERRIMAN: “I marvel at the journey. Blake’screative journey was inspired by Northwestern, the School at Steppenwolf, andthe Maggie Flanagan studio. He’s poised, spirited, eloquent, and brilliant,sitting across the Zoom divide with me. Thinking I’m a lucky guy to be exposedto this passionate insight. His first short film, ‘The Escort,’ (screening atthe Garden State Film Festival) is hugely provocative to me. The film is abouttwo people trying to connect through incompatibility. I heard him say, “Let goof what you want and do what you need.” Powerful stuff. He’d like to spend aday with David Bowie. I love this segment, Blake mentioned Al Pacino in‘Serpico’ and asked if I knew what Save The Cat was. Not. He explained (withhis great depth into the film business), “The core concept is that a heroshould do something likable early on (the "save the cat" moment) tomake the audience root for them.” It became part of a screenwriting course andbook. I was taking notes. Blake laughed when I told him, “Two pages already.”“Words of advice”, I asked. “Show up early, know lines, be flexible, and bekind.” Final analysis. A hugely fun interview.” Calvin

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BLAKE MERRIMAN; Actor, Writer, The Escort’; Screening atGarden State Film Festival

YouTube:

**

BIO: Blake Merriman is an actor, writer, and producer livingin New York City. As an actor, he trained at Northwestern University, theSchool at Steppenwolf, and the Maggie Flanigan studio.

You may have seen him in The Equalizer (CBS) Pretty LittleLiars: Original Sin (HBO), Manifest (Netflix), and Crashing (HBO).

Blake also starred as Andy in the indie feature TheGraduates and Richard in Drinking Games (a feature that he co-wrote andco-produced).

His most recent film, The Escort, which he wrote and starredin, is screening at the Garden State film festival on March 28 in Asbury Park,New Jersey.

Blake’s hope is that through playful, moving, and subversivestorytelling, he can help heal and nourish souls, open minds, and create newconnections.

LINKS: The Escort on Letterboxd -https://letterboxd.com/film/the-escort-2025/

Blake Merriman on Letterboxd -https://letterboxd.com/blakemerriman/

Insta / Twitter - @blakemerriman AND @animbleremark

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@blakemerrimanactor ANDhttps://www.youtube.com/@animbleremark

Web – BlakeMerriman.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BlakeMerrimanActor/  AND https://www.facebook.com/animbleremark/

TikTok - @blake_merriman

FILM SYNOPSIS: A troubled young man, Tommy, hires an escort,Lucy, to keep him company. While Tommy is all thumbs, Lucy goes about businesslike a pro. But what Tommy has in store for Lucy may test the limits of herprofessionalism.

**

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#realconversations #horror #thriller #comedy #trauma#TheShining #Kubrick #NYUTisch #Oregon #comicbooks

CONVERSATIONS WITH CALVIN — WE THE SPECIES

Hosted by Calvin Schwartz

MeetVINCENT MORANO (Writer, director, producer), ADAM GREENE (Co-writer) ‘Night isfor Screaming “. I keep repeating to myself how much I love the Garden StateFilm Festival. It offers wondrous opportunities to get to know and interviewforces of creativity, imagination, and excellence in filmmaking. Welcome,Vincent and Adam.

Theirfilm blends horror, comedy (yes), and thriller. I’ve been around the block. Thefilm's hook is so unique. They are unique. Lifetime journey. Their passionexudes. I like Vincent’s childhood. He prayed for rainy days so he could go tothe movie theater. They make movies about his life journey.

Adamrevealed his backdrop. Keys to unlimited imagination. Comic books. Eisner’s.Vincent, a Jersey guy, summered in Ocean City, where he saw ET, The Natural.Adam, an Ohio State Buckeye fan. Yes, I was at home and comfortable. Now Iswitch to words and thoughts. To induce. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.Anthony Burgess, who wrote A Clockwork Orange. Tonal influences. The Shining.Kubrick. 2001. Vincent watches films with his 14-year-old daughter.

Sophie’sChoice. Yes, human horror. Cult psychology. Trauma. Challenges bringing ‘Nightis For Screaming’ to Life. Money. We’re all indies. I marvel at Vincent, Adam.Their passion, brilliance, grasp, devotion to craft, and their humor. Iscreamed inwardly. Please come back,” Calvin

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VINCENT MORANO; Writer, Producer, Director; ADAM GREENE;Co-writer; Night is For Screaming;’ Horror, Comedy, Thriller; Screening GardenState Film Festival; LIVE NY, Oregon

YouTube:

BIO: We were not a sports household. There was no Sundaybasketball, Monday Night Football, and the World Series came and went with allthe pomp and circumstances of a routine dental appointment. My earliestmemories are going to the movies. Always. Whenever possible. In the summers, Iprayed for rain because that meant no beach, and instead we would go to the oldmovie house on the boardwalk. To say I’d discovered my passion early would be arank understatement. There was no choice in the matter. To me, movies, art,acting, and writing were everything. 

learned the discipline of being an actor, an enormous appreciation for thecraft. Soon though, I realized that I wanted to be on the other side.

ADAM GREENE: Co-Writer

Adam has spent 20 years in the film and television industry,working in multiple departments and serving in many facets of the industry.

SYNOPSIS: www.nightisforscreaming.com

 “Night is for Screaming” is a horror/comedy/thriller.But it is also a celebration of the craft of filmmaking. It is the culminationand the enormous next step in what has already been a fruitful career. It is astory of a woman, haunted by trauma, desperately seeking a moral compass,coming to grips with her internal and external violence and, most tragically,facing motherhood for the first time. It is the story of a haunted family withsinister secrets and even more sinister intentions. It is the story of thenight when these terrible, violent, and desperate characters come together in agory battle of wills, conscience, and the truth behind their individualrealities.

A runaway train of action and gallows humor lead afascinating, diverse cast of characters to hell and back—and then to hellagain. It is a movie for audiences, by one of cinema's most loyal audiencemembers.

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#realconversations #SylvesterStallone #acting #directing#cryptoheist #UnitedNations #multilingual #voiceover #producer #Standoff

CONVERSATIONS WITH CALVIN — WE THE SPECIES

Hosted by Calvin Schwartz

Meet AL and MARLYN BANDIERO: “Thirty minutes before ourinterview, I was panicking (attack). Where do I begin? This amazing couple iscollaborating, producing, writing, acting, and directing. Al was the ringannouncer in Rocky IV, hand-picked by Sylvester Stallone. Marlyn,multi-lingual, with a degree in International Affairs, worked at the UN. Thecreation of ‘Because I Can Productions.’ This ‘stuff’ is swirling (an importantword) in my consciousness. Even more swirling. Al is also a voice-over actor.He has done countless voice-overs for commercials, narrations, and animations.Marlyn rewrites other scripts for people who need their scripts punched up.This interview is about their film, Standoff.’ I just saw the trailer.Riveting. Real. Certainly, an unconventional crypto-heist film directed by awoman, Marlyn. Not the usual genre. Al and Marlyn are not the usual. Abrilliant, accomplished, animated, introspective, delightful, consummate filmindustry couple. I was swirling throughout. So much to learn, talk. Here are afew words and thoughts. Just easier. Children’s book author. A handicapped dogon the cover. Learning from the best of the best (Stallone). Most importantly,have some vision and tell good stories. ‘Standoff’ is our baby. Don’t ask,don’t get. Getting people to invest in films. Being an actor and producer. TheFox series, ‘Desire.’ Getting actors to work together again means chemistry.The rollercoaster is indie films. A bright future here in Jersey. I’m stillswirling while writing this. How gracious and genuine, Al and Marlyn. Now myswirling into the late night.” Calvin

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GLOBAL Reach. Earth Life. Amazing People.

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AL BANDIERO, Actor, Producer; MARLYN BANDIERO, Writer,Director, Producer, Standoff,’ screening at the Garden State Film Festival

YouTube:

LINKS:   http://www.becauseicanproductions.com

NOTE: Al is also a voice-over actor. He has done countlessvoice-overs for commercials, narrations, and animations. Marlyn rewrites otherscripts for people who need their scripts punched up.

AL BIO: Al Bandiero (Actor/Producer) launched his filmcareer with Rocky IV, the highest-grossing film in the iconic franchise,personally selected by Sylvester Stallone for the role of the ring commentatorand mentored by Stallone himself. He went on to star in 72 episodes of the FoxNetwork series Desire, which aired the U.S. and reached 52 countries worldwide.

On the big screen, Al played the male lead opposite GoldenMARLYN BIO: Marlyn Bandiero (Writer/Director/Producer) Namedone of 30 filmmakers to watch in 2025!

Born in Havana and raised in New York City, Marlyn Bandierois a multilingual storyteller fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, and French.She holds a degree in International Affairs from Manhattan University, whichled to a prestigious role at the United Nations, where her passion for writingbegan while editing for the DepT for Disarmament Affairs

Book 2 – Believe, Achieve, inspired by her 14-year journey with her beloveddisabled German Shepherd.

A visionary storyteller, Marlyn Bandiero continues to createoriginal, character-driven content across film, television, and publishingplatforms.

STANDOFF  filmdescription:  A seasoned crew chasing onelast, life-changing score discovers that in a world built on loyalty, betrayalis the real currency.

Three of the actors (Al, Joe and Tomy) were series regularstogether on a Fox drama called Desire. Michelle was a series regular on a series on Cinemax called StrikeBack.   Standoff is a  genre not usually written/directed by awoman.

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