Shane Johnson is an American actor with numerous credits in both television and film. He is noted for playing Scott in Black Cadillac. He has also appeared as Will Cooper in two episodes of the 2008 TNT show Raising the Bar.
Shane has also ventured into producing, writing and animation. Given his passion for one particular project, he taught himself how to animate and has since been developing multiple projects. He's also ventured into scripted and reality TV as a writer/creator, striking deals with production companies and navigating the maze.

If you liked this podcast, shoot me an e-mail at [email protected]

Also, you can check out my documentary The People of Brixton, on Kwelitv here: www.kweli.tv/programs/the-peopl…xton?autoplay=true

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JULIUS AMEDUME’S film education began with black & white film noirs, comedies and musicals screened on TV each afternoon while he was home schooled due to illnesses as a child. Film became his passion and he made his first short film at the tender age of 16.
Years later after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree (BSC Hons) in communication and technology, his passion which was now a hobby transitioned into a career.
His first broadcast credit was on CANAL PLUS in Belgium and France for a short documentary about the Cinefondation award at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival. After founding his production company, AMEDUME FILMS, he wrote and directed three short films (THE MEETING ,THE PHONE CALL and THE VIDEOTAPE) and a low budget feature film shot in two continents. These shorts and the feature attracted a number of nominations and won awards including the Festival Vision Award, Best Feature at The 15th Pan African Film Festival 2007 for his feature film A GOAT’S TAIL.
Years later he was awarded a Toledo scholarship to study a Masters in Directing Fiction at the National Film & Television School. During his time there, Julius wrote and directed four short films. MARY AND JOHN was nominated for Best Short at the 2009 Rushes Soho Film Festival and a Golden Lion at the 2010 Taipei county film festival in Taiwan. LORRAINE premiered at the 2009 Edinburgh Film Festival and was nominated for Best Short at the 2010 Rushes Soho Film Festival. MR. GRAHAM premiered at The 14th UrbanWorld Film Festival in New York 2010 and his graduation film PRECIPICE Won Best Short at the 19th Pan African Film Festival 2011 and a African Oscar for Best Diaspora Short at the 2011 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in Nigeria.
Julius was then one of 18 students from the British, French and Polish film schools who were selected by the MEDIA DESK UK to help develop his graduation film into a feature film. He was then selected out of 3,000+ applicants for 1 of the 12 places offered by Channel 4 to work with writers to create an original series or serial for television. Julius has since directed episodes of BBC’S long running series called Doctors, helped create content and develop an application with the BBC R&D department called Perceptive Media, an application which changes its narrative based on your personality in real time.
His latest feature, Rattlesnakes won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the 2019 Pan African Film Festival and won an Independent Film Production Spirit Award at the 2019 SCREENNATION film and television Awards in London. It’s lead actor was also nominated for best leading Actor and Julius was also nominated for the Micheal Anyiam Osigwe Award for Best African Director Living Abroad at the 2019 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in Nigeria.
Among Julius’s most rewarding work is the mentoring young artists and facilitating workshops in school and community centers. He regularly teaches at the National Film and Television School and has been a judge and panelist at a number of different film festivals.
In 2019 Julius was invited to become a member of The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

If you liked this podcast, shoot me an e-mail at [email protected]

Also, you can check out my documentary The People of Brixton, on Kwelitv here: www.kweli.tv/programs/the-peopl…xton?autoplay=true

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Ava DuVernay is a writer, producer, director and distributor of independent film.

Winner of the Emmy, BAFTA and Peabody Awards, Academy award nominee Ava DuVernay is a writer, director, producer and film distributor. Her directorial work includes the historical drama SELMA, the criminal justice documentary 13TH and Disney’s A WRINKLE IN TIME, which made her the highest grossing black woman director in American box office history. Based on the infamous case of The Central Park Five, her next project is entitled WHEN THEY SEE US and will be released worldwide on Netflix in May 2019. Currently, she is overseeing production on her critically-acclaimed TV series QUEEN SUGAR, her new CBS limited series THE RED LINE and her upcoming OWN series CHERISH THE DAY. Winner of the 2012 Sundance Film Festival's Best Director Prize for her micro-budget film MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, DuVernay amplifies the work of people of color and women of all kinds through her non-profit film collective ARRAY, named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies. DuVernay sits on the advisory board of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and chairs the Prada Diversity Council. She is based in Los Angeles, California.

If you liked this podcast, shoot me an e-mail at [email protected]

Also, you can check out my documentary The People of Brixton, on Kwelitv here: www.kweli.tv/programs/the-peopl…xton?autoplay=true

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In this episode of Filmmaking Conversations, I speak to Adam Fenderson and his documentary UNLIKELY.

Filmmakers investigate America's college dropout crisis, and the barriers students face in their pursuit of an education and meaningful career.

In cities across the nation, five individuals failed by the higher education system fight for a second chance at opportunity.
A feature documentary from Three Frame Media filmmakers Jaye & Adam Fenderson, Unlikely investigates America’s college dropout crisis and the barriers students face in their pursuit of a college degree and meaningful career.

In the US less than 50% of students who start college ever finish, making America’s college completion rates among the worst in the world. Now there are more than 35 million Americans who started college but never finished, leaving them saddled with debt, and behind their peers in earning power. Featuring interviews with LeBron James, Howard Schultz, and our nation's leading voices in education, this penetrating and personal new film investigates America’s college dropout crisis through the lives of five diverse students as they fight for a second chance at opportunity and highlights the innovators reimagining higher education for the 21st century.

You can view the trailer for the documentary here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5YASi5J4Kc

If you liked this podcast, shoot me an e-mail at [email protected]

Also, you can check out my documentary The People of Brixton, on Kwelitv here: www.kweli.tv/programs/the-peopl…xton?autoplay=true

Damien Swaby Social Media Links:

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We also discuss, having a baby on set, work-life harmony and so much more!

I am excited and thrilled to have the honor of interviewing the cinematographer Roberto Schaefer ASC. He has been the director of photography on some of my favorite films, “Monster Ball,” and “Stranger Than Fiction,” and “Quantum of Solace” featuring Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Judy Dench, and Gemma Arterton. Roberto has been extremely kind to find time in his busy schedule to talk about his work and the visual turn that the iconic series took with his decisions as a cinematographer.

On this podcast, we speak about:

Roberto being the first cinematographer to use an Arri Alexa instead of Panavision, for a James Bond movie.

Testing the first Red One camera.

Everyone in the industry being upset with Red at the beginning, coming out of nowhere. “They weren’t one of the old school.” Roberto Schaefer.

Halle Berry didn’t hold back, a very giving actor.

“Even if you’re shooting on film, everything goes on a digital domain so now, the latitude is there, and there is so much you can do in post, you can change everything.” Roberto Schaefer.

Being a part off the ASC.

Specific crews don’t have the background for major Hollywood films.

Why Roberto Schaefer is against giving out awards - we win as a team.

“I’m convinced there are so many actors, writers, and cinematographers that never get what they want because they are in the wrong place.” Roberto Schaefer

If you liked this podcast, shoot me an e-mail at [email protected]

Also, you can check out my documentary The People of Brixton, on Kwelitv here: www.kweli.tv/programs/the-peopl…xton?autoplay=true

Damien Swaby Social Media Links:

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Lauren Sowa is a New York-based actor and filmmaker.

“MARISOL” 15-MIN. DRAMATIC SHORT, 2019
A narrative short film about one young mother’s experience as an undocumented immigrant in NYC. Premiered at the San Diego Latino Film Festival, March 2019. Currently available on HBO, and being developed as a series.

Watch Marisol (2019) on HBO Latino, HBO GO & HBO NOW:
https://www.hbo.com/movies/marisol

Directed by Zoé Salicrup Junco
Written by Tim Eliot
Produced by Lauren Sowa

Lauren Sowa is an actor and independent filmmaker. In 2016, she co-founded Form & Pressure Films to tell stories that inspire and provoke thought, while encouraging diversity and equality on set and on screen. Producing credits include: Marisol (now on HBO), directed by Zoé Salicrup Junco, Shield, written and directed by Danielle Eliska Lyle, Stray, directed by Nora Unkel, and Show & Tell, directed by Sakshi Gurnani, among others. Directing credits include: Midsummer 3.2, In Development, LinkedOut, and To Be in America. As an actor, Lauren has been featured in the films 42 Seconds of Happiness (now available on Amazon Prime), Café Artist, The Rainbow Experiment (Slamdance 2018), and The Devil’s Well. Upcoming: Paris is in Harlem. She received her BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Proud member of SAG-AFTR.

If you liked this podcast, shoot me an e-mail at [email protected]

Also, you can check out my documentary The People of Brixton, on Kwelitv here: www.kweli.tv/programs/the-peopl…xton?autoplay=true

Damien Swaby Social Media Links:

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In this episode I get to once again interview Crystal Waters.

We discussed:

Being on a unhealthy set.

You’ve got to know when you’re having those “Why am I doing this?’ moments, and you need to have a good answer.

The ramifications of working outside of 9-5 and keeping relationships with family and friends.

The business being worst for actors and more.

If you liked this podcast, shoot me an e-mail at [email protected]

Also, you can check out my documentary The People of Brixton, on Kwelitv here: www.kweli.tv/programs/the-peopl…xton?autoplay=true

Damien Swaby Social Media Links:

Instagram www.instagram.com/damien_swaby_video_producer/

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I love iPhone filmmaking, my latest short film shot on one, you can view it here! vimeo.com/348228831

It was amazing for me to interview Yvonne and Jason, Lagralane Group.

Yvonne Huff Lee

Yvonne Huff Lee is co-CEO of Lagralane Group. She is an actor, creative investor, philanthropist and mother to three with her husband and co-founder Jason Delane Lee. Yvonne is inspired by the female experience and seeks to elevate both female-driven narratives and women’s perspectives. Through Lagralane, Yvonne has breathed life into a diverse slate of films. Personal credits include executive producing two 2017 SXSW premiere documentaries (SERVED LIKE A GIRL and THE BLOOD IS AT THE DOORSTEP) and associate producing 2017 Sundance premiere documentary UNREST which was shortlisted for an Academy Award. Yvonne also starred alongside Harry Dean Stanton in his final film LUCKY, which was distributed by Magnolia Pictures in 2017. In 2018 Yvonne associate produced Sundance premiere narrative NIGHT COMES ON and co-executive produced Sundance premiere documentary THIS IS HOME.

Jason Delane Lee

Jason Delane Lee is co-CEO of the Lagralane Group. Additionally, he is an actor, philanthropist and father to three with his wife and co-founder, Yvonne Huff Lee. Jason co-executive produced the 2018 Academy Award winning documentary ICARUS, executive produced the documentaries SERVED LIKE A GIRL, UNREST, THE BLOOD IS AT THE DOORSTEP and a narrative feature LUCKY, all of which screened at SXSW 2017. Jason is a member of SAG/AFTRA and AEA and is a life member of the Actors Studio. He is also a founding member of the Los Angeles-based Lower Depth Theatre Ensemble. Jason currently serves as a board member of the Geffen Theater, Classical Theatre of Harlem and the Chicago Media Project. Jason is also an active supporter of United Way of Greater Los Angeles and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children where he serves on the West Coast Advisory Board.

https://lagralane.com/

Also, you can check out my documentary The People of Brixton, on Kwelitv here: www.kweli.tv/programs/the-peopl…xton?autoplay=true

Damien Swaby Social Media Links:

Instagram www.instagram.com/damien_swaby_video_producer/

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I love iPhone filmmaking, my latest short film shot on one, you can view it here! vimeo.com/348228831

Sonja O'Hara is a multi award winning actress and filmmaker. She is a proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA. Sonja was featured as one of INDEPENDENT Magazine's “10 Filmmakers to Watch in 2017”, chosen by a jury from MovieMaker Magazine, the Sundance Institute and Austin Film Festival. Sonja created and stars in the series DOOMSDAY (The Spectator's "7 Series To Binge Watch."), which qualified for the 2017 Emmy award and was nominated for "Best Indie Series" at the Streamy Awards. Sonja was also awarded the prestigious “Best Director” prize at The New York Television Festival out of 4000 pilot submissions. She is a four time semi finalist for the Sundance Labs. Sonja has been featured on panels at SXSW, SeriesFest, The BAFTA's, HBO's ITVFest, NYU Tisch, and The Nordic Film Festival.

As an actress, Sonja was awarded the Indie Soul Special Recognition Award at the Boston International Film Festival for her lead role in the feature film OVUM (“Best Picture” at The Big Apple Film Festival) which she also wrote and produced. The film was released this spring by Sony's The Orchard and can be watched On Demand or on iTunes here. It will be re-released by the prestigious Tribeca Shortlist in the spring of 2018. Sonja can also be seen playing Lauren in the feature film CREATIVE CONTROL (opposite Nora Zehetner of IFC's MARON) which won the Grand Jury Prize at SXSW Film Festival and was released internationally by Magnolia Films & Amazon.

Sonja is originally from a fishing village in Nova Scotia, Canada. She attended Marymount Manhattan College and is a graduate of the two-year Meisner acting program at the New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts.

As a filmmaker, her work has been hailed as, “deeply unsettling” (Splash Report), “provocative” (After Ellen), and “whip smart” (Rogue Cinema). Like Brit Marling and Greta Gerwig before her, Sonja is committed to creating diverse and female-driven boundary pushing content.

"One of the many things I love about my recurring gig as a moderator for SAG-AFTRA Foundation Q&As, like my recent chat with Jessica Chastain, is getting to meet up-and-coming actors...One such rising star, Sonja O’Hara — like Chastain, a wildly talented redhead — breaks out this week in two newly released movies."
-Bruce Fretts/ The New York Times

"O'Hara is as smart and funny as she is attractive with a real knack for writing that’s sure to get her discovered sooner rather than later."
ComingSoon.net

You can view her work here: https://www.sonjaohara.com/reel

Speaking to Sonja was truly inspirational.

Also, you can check out my documentary The People of Brixton, on Kwelitv here: www.kweli.tv/programs/the-peopl…xton?autoplay=true

Damien Swaby Social Media Links:

Instagram www.instagram.com/damien_swaby_video_producer/

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I love iPhone filmmaking, my latest short film shot on one, you can view it here! vimeo.com/348228831

Amy Adrion is a director and writer whose work has screened at the Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca and Los Angeles Film Festivals, been broadcast on PBS and MTV, and won numerous awards.
HALF THE PICTURE, Amy’s debut feature, celebrates the groundbreaking work of women film directors and had its World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018. HALF THE PICTURE won the #WhatNext Award at Sundance: London, the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Lighthouse Film Festival and the Impact Award at the Through Women’s Eyes Film Festival. Amy won a Directors Guild of America (DGA) Student Film Award for her narrative short SHOEGAZER, which was Executive Produced by Miranda July.
Amy is currently writing a comedic coming-of-age script about a high school girls basketball team, based on her experience playing ball in suburban New Jersey, and is attached to direct PICANTE, a wild, feminist Western about a motley crew of rebellious prostitutes in the Old West.
Amy is a graduate of the MFA Film Directing program at UCLA, with an undergraduate degree in Literature and Theology from Georgetown University. Amy grew up in Hillsdale, New Jersey and now lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two sons.

On this podcast we discuss her brilliant documentary HALF THE PICTURE, which celebrates the groundbreaking work of female film directors and investigates the systemic discrimination that has, for decades, denied opportunities to far too many talented women in Hollywood.

Currently playing in select theaters.

Official Selection: Sundance Film Festival, SXSW Film Festival, San Francisco International Film Festival, Sarasota Film Festival, Newport Beach Film Festival, Greenwich International Film Festival, Inside Out Toronto, Sundance Film Festival: London, Sydney Film Festival, Lighthouse Film Festival, Oak Cliff Film Festival

I had a blast discussing this with Amy, and so much more! She truly is an inspirational filmmaker.

http://amyadrion.com/about/

Also, you can check out my documentary The People of Brixton, on Kwelitv here: www.kweli.tv/programs/the-peopl…xton?autoplay=true

Damien Swaby Social Media Links:

Instagram www.instagram.com/damien_swaby_video_producer/

Twitter
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I love iPhone filmmaking, my latest short film shot on one, you can view it here! vimeo.com/348228831