Interview Series

Jason Fisher is the Founder and CEO of StageRunner, an online platform created to empower soundstage owners and to serve as a growing platform for the broader production community. Jason created StageRunner after recognizing the need for a centralized hub connecting filmmakers with ideal production spaces. Beyond being a marketplace, their goal is to build a thriving ecosystem that supports the entire film and television industry. Prior to StageRunner, Jason was the Vice President of Production at ABC Studios, overseeing blockbuster shows "Lost", "Desperate Housewives" and "Grey's Anatomy" and was the SVP and Head of Production at AMC overseeing hit shows including "Mad Men", Breaking Bad" and "The Walking Dead" and he was also the EVP and Head of Production at Paramount Television. We talk all of this and more on this episode of the Film Florida Podcast. Audio editing by Rob Hill.

Richard Botto is the creator of Stage 32, an online platform and marketplace designed to democratize the entertainment industry. Launched in 2011, the Stage 32 community has grown to over 1 million entertainment creatives and professionals worldwide. In addition, Stage 32 has curated the world's largest educational library with over 3,000 hours of webinars and classes designed to help all film, television and digital content creators and professionals hone their craft and navigate the industry. RB is also an accomplished actor, screenwriter and producer. We talk all of this and more on this episode of the Film Florida Podcast. Audio editing by Rob Hill.

Jamie Clemens is the Senior Account Executive for Tampa-based Vū Studios. After owning his own production company for six years Jamie joined Vu in 2022 where he now helps clients realize their creative vision using Vū’s products and services. Vū was a pioneer in Virtual Production technology and has evolved from being just a service provider to now offering a full portfolio of hardware and software solutions giving clients at any level one platform and endless possibilities for production and engagement. We talk Jamie’s background, the origins of Vū, the evolution of the company, the future of virtual production and more on this episode of the Film Florida Podcast. Audio editing by Rob Hill.

Mark Pentecost went from being a high school teacher to becoming a billionaire entrepreneur, a nationally recognized philanthropist, a world-renowned thought leader and filmmaker. Today, Mark is the founder of It Works!, a worldwide wellness company and a best-selling author. He’s also a riveting keynote and motivational speaker, focusing on helping people and companies achieve their dreams. Mark’s more resent goals include helping find cures for cancer and Executive Producing “Florida Wild,” a western filmed on the Pentecost Ranch in Florida. We talk all of this and more on this episode of the Film Florida Podcast. Audio editing by Rob Hill.

Todd Wiseman, Jr. is a Florida native writer, producer, director and all-around filmmaker. Besides being a wonderful advocate for filming in Florida, Todd is taking on one of the larger Florida-based projects in recent years, adapting the novel “A Land Remembered” into a television series. We talk to Todd about the history of “A Land Remembered,” his steadfast desire to base the production in Florida, his goals for the television series, challenges and opportunities, why he’s such an advocate for filming in Florida in general, and more on this episode of the Film Florida Podcast. Audio editing by Rob Hill.

Shane Brady and Emily Zercher-Brady are Florida-based Filmmakers. Shane is a Tampa native writer, actor and graduate of Florida State University. Emily is a producer and actress. They turned a 2021 tragedy into a film. Based on true events, after being victims to wire fraud and losing $20,000 while trying to buy their first home, the system failed them—police, banks, and title companies were no help. What started as a nightmare became a therapeutic revenge story that combines true events with fictional parody in the film “Hacked.” We talk all of this and more on this episode of the Film Florida Podcast. Audio editing by Rob Hill.

For more than twenty-five years, Freestyle Picture Company partners Kevin Chinoy and Francesca Silvestri have developed and produced award-winning film, TV, theater, and branded content with many of the industry’s most talented individuals and entertainment companies. Their films have played at major festivals around the world and have been represented at the industry’s biggest award ceremonies. Prior to Freestyle, Francesca was at Moxie Pictures from 2000 to 2006, where she launched and led their Film and TV Group, with a specific effort to develop relationships in the feature film and TV industries. Kevin’s previous film company Cineblast was listed in The Hollywood Reporter short list of top NY production companies each year in its existence, until its sale at the end of 2000. We talk about all of this, their long relationship with Sean Baker and more on this episode of the Film Florida Podcast. Audio editing by Rob Hill.

Katie Pryor and Tony Armer are the co-founders of FilmUSA, a national non-profit trade organization representing all film commissions across the United States. FilmUSA is dedicated to the enhancement of the Film, TV, and Digital Media production industry across the country. They partner with film commissions, filmmakers, and industry stakeholders to help connect the community and drive production across the states. We talk to them about their day jobs, how FilmUSA came to be, the mission and goals for the future and more on this episode of the Film Florida Podcast. Audio editing by Rob Hill.

South Florida’s Wil Shriner is a comedian, director, actor, writer, host & emcee. He began his career as a standup comedian in Los Angeles. After dozens of appearances with David Letterman, Jay Leno and Johnny Carson, Wil was tapped to host his own national talk show, "The Wil Shriner Show" in the late 1980s where he earned three Emmy nominations. In addition to his acting credits, he has directed hundreds of hours of television and film, including episodes of "Frasier," "Everybody Loves Raymond," "My Wife and Kids," "Gilmore Girls," and many more. Working closely with Florida legend Jimmy Buffet, Wil wrote the screenplay and directed the movie "Hoot," which was filmed in Florida and based on a Carl Hiaasen book. Hoot was inducted into the Museum of Modern Art’s collection in New York and was named by the Smithsonian Museum one of the top five environmental films. We talk all of this and more on this episode of the Film Florida Podcast. Audio editing by Rob Hill.

South Florida’s Marietta Carter-Narcisse is an internationally renowned, very accomplished, award-winning Department Head Makeup Artist and Global Educator with more than 30 years in the industry. A few of her credits include "Ghost," "Boyz n the Hood," "Malcolm X," "Dangerous Minds," "Whitney," "Tina: What’s Love Got to Do With It?" and "Beverly Hills Cop III" just to name a few. She is a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a member of the Make-Up Artists & Hairstylists Guild I.A.T.S.E Local 706 and she runs Marietta's Virtual Makeup Academy, a groundbreaking online training program specifically created for the professional Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist to bridge the gap between Makeup and Hair School and working on set. We talk all of this and more on this episode of the Film Florida Podcast. Audio editing by Rob Hill.