DreamPath Podcast

In this recap episode, Bryan and Jason discuss:

• Takeaways from Bryan's interview with actor, novelist, and screenwriter Lisa Foiles;
• What it was like to cover SXSW for the first time;
• BJ Thomas' recent diagnosis of lung cancer;
• Bryan's experience so far as a grandfather; and
• Next week's interview with filmmaker Michèle Ohayon.

Lisa Foiles has been acting in Hollywood since she was 12. Best known as a series regular on the Nickelodeon sketch comedy show All That, she also appeared on Even Stevens and Malcolm in the Middle. Her film work includes the thriller Shiver and the comedy The Master of Disguise with Dana Carvey. Lisa currently stars on the YouTube series Stuff of Legends, created by Joshua Ovenshire, and authored the 5-star Amazon rated novel Ash Ridley and the Phoenix, about a 12 year-old's chance encounter with a bird named Flynn, who turns out to be a Phoenix.

What you will learn:

• How Lisa's childhood love of fantasy novels inspired her to create her own universe with the novel Ash Ridley and the Phoenix. Advice she has for aspiring fantasy writers. [0:00-7:13]
• What it was like to voice the audiobook for Ash Ridley and the Phoenix, and how quarantine almost ruined her chance to record it. What she learned about perfection versus authenticity in the process. [7:13-12:14]
• How Lisa was able to write and publish her book with no literary connections. Why she values fan responses over sales or critical reviews. [12:14-18:52]
• What it was like performing on the new Dungeons and Dragons YouTube series Stuff of Legends, created by Joshua Ovenshire. Why this series was a perfect fit for her given her love of D&D and fantasy games. [18:52-24:02]
• The story behind Lisa's transition from Nickelodeon actor to the video game world. How acting has always been in her DNA, even if it wasn't always her main focus. [24:02-31:37]
• Why she left the acting in her late teens, and how she was able to get grounded via academia and exposure to friends outside of Hollywood, whereas some of her colleagues who stayed in the industry did not fare as well. [31:37-37:44]
• How becoming a mother changed Lisa's approach to social media. Lisa's future plans in entertainment, which include acting and screenwriting. [37:44-47:09]

Resources:

• Lisa Foiles': IMDb, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook
• Stuff of Legends

After graduating from the prestigious SUNY Purchase Film School, Jessica Brunetto edited Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story, and Sicko. She went on to become a highly sought-after editor on television comedies like Comedy Central's Another Period, FX's Man Seeking Woman, American Vandal on Netflix, Do You Want To See A Dead Body with Rob Huebel, and Broad City. She recently made her directorial debut with Sisters, starring Sarah Burns and Mary Holland, which premiered at SXSW 2021.

What you will learn:

• How an experience in art class creating a collages inspired her to apply to film school;
• Why she chose editing as her discipline within film initially;
• What inspired her to write and direct her first film;
• How she broke into the film industry as an editor;
• How her background in editing trained her to create an efficient narrative, which helped her make tough decisions as a director;
• The logistics of making movies on a limited budget; and
• What the future holds for her as a filmmaker.

Bryan and Jason:

• Discuss takeaways from the Niki Pilkington episode;
• Talk about a fundraiser for small music venues they watched live on YouTube, Keep Music Live WA, co-hosted by Sir Mix A Lot and Rachel Flotard, featuring the Foo Fighters, Rainn Wilson, Heart, and a mind-melting performance by Brandi Carlisle singing Nothing Compares 2 U.
• Reminisce about seeing bands play live in small music venues, and about playing at small music venues;
• Discuss the importance of helping independently owned music venues get through the pandemic;
• Catch up on Bryan's press coverage of SXSW;
• and Preview next week's interview with actor and writer Lisa Foiles.

Niki Pilkington is a London-based Welsh illustrator who creates playful yet highly detailed "extra neon" fashion portraits and lifestyle art, which echo her support for Women empowerment, body positivity & mental wellbeing. Her work reflects her love of fashion & nature, as well as her respect for Welsh culture. With more than 60,000 instagram followers, a thriving online store, commission work from all over the globe, and commercial work for Nike, Google, and Facebook, Niki is a unique and sought-after talent in the art world.

What you will learn:

• Niki's rich history of travel, from working and living in London, Paris, New York and West Los Angeles; how she has incorporated her interest in preserving the Welsh language into her art through her use of Welsh proverbs. [0:00-10:03]
• How a scheduling catastrophe in college ended up being "The best thing that's ever happened," for Niki; the moment she realized that people in LA and throughout the world were interested in her Welsh illustrations; what it mean to her to receive so much support from the Welsh community. [10:03-16:27]
• Why Niki moved from New York to LA; the differences between New York and L.A. in terms of business opportunities for artists and quality of life; why she decided to move back to the UK and how the covid lockdown changed her plans. [16:27-24:01]
• How Niki attempts to create art in a sustainable manner. What being a freelance illustrator is like, from social media promotion to having an exhibition [24:01-34:35]
• The importance of finding a supportive community, especially "super fans." How Niki forms a connection with people on social media, through vulnerability and openness. [34:35-44:27]
• Advice Niki has for listeners struggling with anxiety, her ways of coping, and areas that she's still working on; how she tries to navigate social media in a mentally healthy way. [44:27-58:05]

Resources:

• Niki Pilkington's: Website, Etsy, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Bryan and Jason discuss:

• Takeaways from Bryan's interviews with MooseCat Studios and horror filmmaker Keith Thomas who is remaking Stephen King's Firestarter this year with Blumhouse Horror.
• The trauma they still feel from watching The Exorcist.
• Jason's new recording equipment.
• Bryan's invitation to cover SXSW as a member of the press.
• The upcoming episode feature Welsh fashion illustrator Niki Pilkington.

Bryan reflects on reaching the milestone of 100 episodes, expresses gratitude to those who helped him along the way, and previews what's to come.

Carly Rosenthal and Mike Post own and operate MooseCat Recording Studio in Los Angeles. They are also musicians and recording artists. Carly is the lead singer in Carly and the Universe, an indie-soul pop band. Mike is the lead singer, guitarist, and keyboard player for Young Creatures, an indie-rock band with three released albums. Mike also recently released a solo album, The Crunch.

What you will learn:

• What inspired Mike and Carly to open a recording studio.
• Their approach to recording other artists.
• How covid has affected the music industry, and specifically the recording industry.
• How they continue to record musicians safely in a pandemic.
• Why they prefer analog over digital for some songs and artists.
• How they developed the skills necessary to run a recording studio.
• Why there is no substitute for an in-person recording studio experience.
• What it was like recording Alice Cooper.
• Advice Mike and Carly have for those aspiring to work in this field.
• How recording other artists professionally has given them the financial freedom to fulfill their personal dreams of writing and recording their own music.

Resources:

• MooseCat Recording Studios' Website, Facebook, Instagram
• Mike Post's Instagram
• Carly and the Universe's Website, Instagram, Spotify, Youtube, SoundCloud, Apple Music, Twitter
• Young Creatures' Website, Instagram, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, BandCamp

Keith Thomas is Denver-based a screenwriter and director whose horror feature, The Vigil, was released on February 26 by IFC Midnight. Starring Dave Davis, The Vigil is about a man providing overnight watch to a deceased member of his former Orthodox Jewish community, who encounters a malevolent entity. After Stephen King saw The Vigil, he approved Keith to direct a remake of King's 1984 horror film, Firestarter, which will begin shooting this year.

What you will learn:

• What inspired Keith to write The Vigil.
• How his previous career as a medical researcher in nursing homes informed his narratives in both his short film, Arkane, and The Vigil.
• How witnessing a hate crime in real life inspired Keith to write a particular scene in The Vigil.
• How a very specific world or community with a defined set of rules (like the Hasidic Jewish community in Brooklyn, where this movie is set), can make for a compelling setting in a horror movie.
• Why Keith rejected an offer to buy the screenplay for The Vigil, instead choosing to direct it on his own.
• Why he cast Dave Davis as the lead and what previous roles Davis played that convinced Keith he was right for the part.
• How making his short film Arkane, which is still available on YouTube, opened the door to making The Vigil.
• How aspiring filmmakers can make short films to open similar opportunities.
• Why aspiring filmmakers should not take the path taken by Keith into film.
• Why a remake of Stephen King's Firestarter is the perfect classic horror film for him to direct.

Resources:

• Keith Thomas' IMDB
• IFC Midnight Website for The Vigil
• Arkane short

Bryan and Jason discuss takeaways from the interviews with Carlson Young and Isom Innis, Justin Connor, and Castille Landon. Bryan reveals to Jason what he's been doing in his spare time. And Bryan and Jason discuss an upcoming podcast milestone: 100 episodes.