GEM'S JOURNALS

GEM'S JOURNALS

By Gemma GordonEducationSelf-Improvement
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GEM'S JOURNALS episodes

  • HOLLYSHORTS - Rani Demuth: Risk-Taking in Filmmaking: 'Even Great Artists Don't Know They're Doing Something Great'

    Hey lovelies <3

    Rani DeMuth, writer, director, and visual artist, discusses her film 'And Now I Lay Me Down' and the themes of aging, fame, personal decline, and holding on. She shares her creative process and the inspiration behind the film's dark yet witty tone. Rani also opens up about her personal experience with skin cancer and how it influenced the film. She talks about the challenges of being a female filmmaker in a male-dominated industry and the importance of taking risks as a creative.

    Takeaways

    • The film 'And Now I Lay Me Down' explores themes of aging, fame, personal decline, and holding on.
    • Rani DeMuth's creative process involves combining dark and comedic elements to create depth and substance in her work.
    • Rani's personal experience with skin cancer influenced the film and allowed her to explore exaggerated versions of aging and personal struggles.
    • Being a female filmmaker in a male-dominated industry can be challenging, but Rani emphasizes the importance of finding support and believing in oneself.
    • Taking risks is essential for creativity and growth as an artist.
      • The Importance of Taking Risks as a Creative
      • Navigating the Challenges of Being a Female Filmmaker
        • "Ultimately who has the most wisdom? Senior citizens."
        • "My film is pretty wacky sometimes."
        • "I think the theme was just dealing with what I was experiencing, but sort of like an exasperated version of like, oh my gosh, I'm getting older. My career isn't where I want it to be."

          • Sound Bites

          00:00Introduction and Background

          01:36Screening at Holly Shorts and Film Reactions

          02:21Exploring Aging, Fame, and Personal Decline

          03:06The Creative Process: Combining Dark and Comedic Elements

          05:27Personal Struggles and Exaggerated Versions of Aging

          08:50Challenges of Being a Female Filmmaker

          12:42Importance of Taking Risks as a Creative

          Gem xx

          26 min
        • HOLLYSHORTS - Talia Shea Levin: Beyond Good, Embracing Risk and Excitement in Art

          Hey hey!

          Talia Shea Levin, writer, director, and producer, discusses her unconventional film Make Me a Pizza, which explores the themes of absurdity and intimacy. The film follows a pizza delivery boy who is asked by a lonely housewife if the pizza can be paid for with methods other than money, leading to a discussion about the value of a pizza and an attempt to turn each other into pizzas. Talia shares her motivations for making the film and the risks she took in its production. She also talks about the importance of taking breaks as an artist and shares her upcoming projects.keywords Talia Shea Levin, Make Me a Pizza, film, unconventional, absurdity, intimacy, pizza delivery, lonely housewife, value, risks, breaks, upcoming projects

          Takeaways

          • Make Me a Pizza is an unconventional film that explores the themes of absurdity and intimacy.
          • The film follows a pizza delivery boy and a lonely housewife who discuss the value of a pizza and attempt to turn each other into pizzas.
          • Talia Shea Levin took risks in the production of the film, pushing boundaries and challenging herself creatively.
          • She emphasizes the importance of taking breaks as an artist to recharge and restore.
          • Talia has upcoming projects, including a feature version of Make Me a Pizza and a film about a former sex worker in a post-apocalyptic landscape.
            • The Importance of Taking Breaks as an Artist
            • Exploring Absurdity and Intimacy in Make Me a Pizza
              • "The only way to pay for a pizza or to be worth a pizza is to become a pizza themselves."
              • "The start has to be something deep and felt and something that's exciting."
              • "It's taking away that perfectionist, you know what I mean? It's like, this is what I want to make, this is what I'm excited about, and if it's not good, it doesn't matter because we're gonna make it anyway."

                • Sound Bites

                00:00Introduction and Background

                00:54Overview of Make Me a Pizza

                03:35Absurdity and Intimacy in the Film

                06:21Taking Risks and Challenging Boundaries

                10:28The Importance of Taking Breaks as an Artist

                18:40Embracing Personal Creative Vision

                22:59Upcoming Projects

                Gem xx

                31 min
              • HOLLYSHORTS - Behind the Lens: Janek Ambrose’s Mission to Support Ukrainian Refugees through Film

                Hey guys <3

                Summary

                The conversation is about Janek Ambrose's documentary 'Ukrainians in Exile' and the filmmaker's experience helping refugees in Ukraine. The filmmaker, Janek, shares his motivation for making the documentary and his connection with one of the subjects, Anya. He discusses his goal of raising awareness and support for Ukrainian refugees and the importance of partnering with a charity. Janek also gives advice to aspiring documentary filmmakers and talks about the surprising responses he has received. The conversation ends with a discussion about Blue Check, the charity he partnered with, and his upcoming projects.

                Takeaways

                • Janek was compelled to make the documentary after the war broke out in Ukraine and he felt a personal connection due to his Eastern European background.
                • He decided to help refugees and brought his camera to document their experiences.
                • The filmmaker partnered with Blue Check, a charity that ensures donations go directly to helping Ukrainian refugees.
                • He advises aspiring documentary filmmakers to partner with a nonprofit organization or charity and to consider making shorter films that can reach a wider audience.
                • The filmmaker's goal with the documentary was to raise awareness and support for Ukrainian refugees and to keep the message simple and impactful.
                • He has received both positive and negative responses to the documentary, but believes that raising awareness and encouraging donations is the most important outcome.
                • The filmmaker is working on upcoming projects, including a film that recently won at Sundance and a political satire about Richard Nixon.

                  • Chapters

                  00:00Introduction to 'Ukrainians in Exile' documentary

                  03:02Motivation to Help Refugees in Ukraine

                  05:14Raising Awareness and Support for Ukrainian Refugees

                  08:05Advice for Aspiring Documentary Filmmakers

                  10:45The Power of Simple and Impactful Storytelling

                  11:27Navigating Responses and Encouraging Donations

                  13:00Partnering with Blue Check: Making a Difference

                  15:13Supporting Ukrainians: Donations and Awareness

                  16:47Filmmaking Style: Documentary vs Narrative

                  18:46Upcoming Projects and Success at Sundance

                  So much love to you xx

                  21 min
                • HOLLYSHORTS - From Music to Movies: Jaren Hayman's Filmmaking Journey and Creative Insights

                  HEY GUYS <3

                  Here is another HOLLYSHORT Episode.

                  Summary

                  Jaren shares his journey from the music industry to documentary filmmaking and then transitioning to scripted films. He talks about his experiences shooting his first film in London and the challenges he faced in the industry. Jaren discusses his goals and interests in filmmaking, including political dramas and comedies. He also reflects on the importance of timing and the challenges of handling sensitive subjects in documentaries. Jaren emphasizes the value of having mentors and being open to feedback in the creative process.

                  Chapters

                  00:00Introduction and Filming in London

                  03:03Challenges and Dodgy Situations

                  06:27Jaren's Journey in the Film Industry

                  08:47Exploring Political Dramas and Comedies

                  10:59The Importance of Timing in Filmmaking

                  13:43Mentors and Feedback in the Creative Process

                  Big love to you, Gem xx

                  18 min
                • ZION - Zion Clark on Success, Mental Strength, and Embracing British Culture

                  Summary

                  Zion Clark, a two-time Emmy Award-winning Netflix documentary star, shares his journey as a professional wrestler and MMA fighter. He emphasizes the importance of having fun and enjoying what you do, as well as creating your own luck through hard work. Zion also discusses the mental strength and pressure that come with competing at a high level and the role of a supportive team. He encourages flexibility and adaptability in pursuing goals and offers advice for those striving for success. Zion shares his interests outside of sports and his positive impressions of British culture.

                  Takeaways

                  • Having fun and enjoying what you do is crucial for success.
                  • Creating your own luck through hard work is more important than relying on chance.
                  • Mental strength and the ability to handle pressure are essential in competitive sports.
                  • A supportive team can help keep you on track and motivated.
                  • Flexibility and adaptability are key in pursuing goals and overcoming challenges.
                  • British culture is similar to American culture, but with a different accent.
                    • The Role of a Supportive Team in Success
                    • Exploring British Culture with Zion Clark
                      • "I just wanted to have fun."
                      • "Pressure is necessary for progress."
                      • "There's no such thing as luck. We create our own luck."

                        • Sound Bites

                        Chapters

                        00:00Introduction and Background

                        02:08Developing Mental Strength

                        04:10Handling Pressure and Creating Luck

                        07:05Zion's Personal Interests

                        09:18Advice for Achieving Success

                        11:15Impressions of British Culture

                        13:20Conclusion

                        14 min
                      • Flickers Road Film Festival Finalist: ELSA - Rebecca King and Nina Yndis

                        Summary

                        In this episode of Gem's Journals, I chat to Rebecca King, a director, and Nina Yndis, an actor and producer, about their short film Elsa. The film is set in Nazi-occupied Norway and is based on true events. The conversation focuses on their journeys in the entertainment industry and the challenges they faced. The key themes include the importance of perseverance, the balance between personal and professional relationships, the challenges of being an actor and producer, the process of making a historical film, and the importance of celebrating achievements.

                        Takeaways

                        • Perseverance is key in achieving success in any industry.
                        • Balancing personal and professional relationships is important.
                        • Being an actor and producer requires careful time management and prioritization.
                        • Making a historical film involves intense research and finding a balance between accuracy and artistic interpretation.
                        • It is important to celebrate achievements, no matter how big or small.
                          • The Journey to Creating Elsa
                          • The Importance of Celebrating Achievements
                            • "If you want to create something, if you have a desire to do something, if something is in your heart that you want to achieve, because you think it's worthwhile, especially if you think it will be a positive impact on other people's life, then it's totally worth doing."
                            • "We've always kind of admired each other from afar. We even lived together at one point."
                            • "It's so good to kind of keep almost the opposite, you know, on set."

                              • Sound Bites:

                              Chapters

                              00:00 Introduction and Overview of ELSA

                              03:00 The Journey to Creating Elsa

                              05:26 Balancing Personal and Professional Relationships

                              07:24 The Challenges of Being an Actor and Producer

                              11:37 Making a Historical Film: Research and Artistic Interpretation

                              14:21 The Importance of Celebrating Achievements

                              Gem x

                              33 min
                            • Landon Brock: Ex-convict and former heroin addict - reformed


                              Happy Monday!

                              Today’s POD is slightly different, and I’m so excited about it.

                              "Gladiator Skool" captures Landon’s remarkable

                              journey from the gritty streets to a prison cell and ultimately, to personal transformation and redemption.

                              We discuss what it's really like in Prison: The Reality, The Days, and The Slowest Time Ever. More importantly, how Landon found a catalyst for change.

                              Landon Brock, an ex-convict and former heroin addict. Brock narrates his life from making poor choices that led to early incarceration, to enduring the difficulties of prison life, homelessness, and drug addiction. His story highlights the pivotal moment that inspired him to change and seek redemption.

                              Gem x

                              26 min
                            • Jenn Presser - The Journey of a Casting Director: Recognitions and Global Expansion

                              Hey Everyone!

                              This week, I chat with casting director and podcast host, Jenn Presser.

                              Jenn Presser, a celebrated casting director and founder of BREAKAWAY CASTING, began her career unexpectedly as a casting assistant on the Hannah Montana Movie. Mentored by Marsha Ross, she emphasizes the importance of kindness and the critical role of casting in a production's success. Jenn, who has received multiple ARTIOS Award nominations, co-hosts the TIPSY CASTING podcast to provide an honest look at the casting industry. She prefers in-person auditions for deeper insights but acknowledges the practicality of self-tapes, especially comparing the collaborative spirit in London's industry to Los Angeles.
                              I hope you feel inspired after this!


                              27 min
                            • Nina Samuels - Professional Wrestling Superstar

                              Breaking Barriers: How Nina Samuels, Professional Wrestling Superstar, is Changing the Game for Female Wrestlers

                              Dive into the world of professional wrestling with Nina Samuels, a trailblazing superstar who's redefining the landscape for female wrestlers. Join us as we explore her intense training regime, delve into the mindset that fuels her success, and discover her love for Reese's Pieces. This is one journey you won't want to miss!

                              23 min
                            • Eddy Armani - Tina Turners former PA and Best Friend

                              Eddy Armani, who has contributed astronomically to the music industry, is most known for being Tina Turner’s former PA and best friend. My chat with her covers Tina’s own mental health struggles on her rise to fame and how this affected Eddy. We also discuss how persistence and hard work can really propel you into the life you envision for yourself.


                              Article in FABUK Magazine:

                              https://fabukmagazine.com/eddy-armani-who-has-contributed-astronomically-to-the-music-industry/


                              31 min

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