MediaMaker Spotlight

For the first time, our three hosts: Candice Bloch, Tara Jabbari, and Sandra Abrams share the same recording studio for an in-person chat about all things animation! The trio discuss their early memories of the animated category, some of their favorite films and animated TV shows over the years, different voice actors, and some history of this unique and enduring form of entertainment. Learn more about the hosts from this insightful debate as they share more about themselves, the wide range in animation styles, genres, and audiences, and some hot takes on the impact of different storylines. From early cartoons and shorts to modern CGI features for kids and adults alike, you’ll no doubt join in the feelings of nostalgia and enjoyment that animation has brought, and continues to bring to screens in your life.

Happy Holidays from MediaMaker Spotlight!

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We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

Iconic and prolific costume designer Mona May chats with host Candice Bloch to share about her journey becoming a prominent figure in the film industry. Considered the Queen of 90s Movie Fashion, Mona has created iconic looks for over 70 films and television shows. She is best known for her work on Clueless, as well as Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion, The Wedding Singer, Never Been Kissed, Enchanted, The House Bunny, and countless other films and shows. She discusses the influence of her diverse multicultural background on her colorful design aesthetic, the collaborative process of costume design, and the challenges of working within budget constraints. Mona reflects on her work on fun and feel-good films like Clueless and the importance of positive representation in media. You’ll also learn about her upcoming projects, including a book celebrating the lasting legacy and costumes of Clueless, in honor of the film’s 30th anniversary. Throughout the discussion, she emphasizes the significance of personal style and self-expression in fashion.

The Fashion of Clueless, released in October 2025, is available wherever books are sold and would make a great holiday gift!

To learn more about Mona May and her costume design work, visit https://www.monamay.com/ 

Follow her on Instagram @itsmonamay

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Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain!

We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

Host Sandra Abrams chats with former Hollywood PR executive, Libby Gill, about her book, MALIBU SUMMER, a rom-com story inspired by her life marketing high powered TV shows. Using her years of experience promoting shows produced by Universal, Sony, and Turner, including Dr. Phil, Libby knows how to create compelling characters with Hollywood as the backdrop. As Libby tells it, she had no intention of writing a fiction book. After leaving Los Angeles, she jumped into executive career coaching and wrote many non-fiction books on corporate leadership making this unexpected career switch. Libby also shares behind-the-scenes anecdotes from being in boardrooms with Hollywood suits, advice on making career changes, and how having a writing group makes a big difference for getting your project done! Malibu Summer is a fun read that would make a great holiday gift. 

Learn more about Libby Gill at: https://libbygill.com/ and https://www.libbygillbooks.com/

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Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain!

We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

Host Candice Bloch interviews Sophia Dilley, the Executive Vice President of Concord Originals, about the art of creating music documentaries. They discuss the origins of Concord Originals, the film and TV division of legendary music company Concord, and get into various projects already out (“Stax: Soulsville USA,” “Let the Canary Sing - Cyndi Lauper,” etc.) and some upcoming projects still in work. The two chat about the emotional power of music, the importance of authentic storytelling, keeping a north star of a story’s “why,” and the collaborative nature of documentary filmmaking. Sophia shares insights on the joys and challenges of working with archival footage, engaging with artists and rights holders, and adapting to the streaming landscape and modern audiences. They also touch on upcoming projects, including a biopic about Robert Johnson, branching more into theater productions, and the future of storytelling in the music industry.

Learn more about Concord Originals and their projects here: https://concord.com/originals/

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Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain!

We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

Host Tara Jabbari talks with Michael Kennedy, one of the screenwriters and executive producers of the rom-com slasher horror film, Heart Eyes. Released a week before Valentine’s Day in February 2025, Heart Eyes - directed by Josh Ruben and starring Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding - was met with positive reviews and grossed nearly $30 million in its first month. In their conversation, Tara and Michael discuss his experience writing solo versus with a writing partner. They talk about how each department on Heart Eyes incorporated various tropes, homages, and much more. In time for the Halloween season, Heart Eyes is now available to stream on various platforms, including Netflix. 

Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cRzZcMlJh8

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Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain!

We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

Host Sandra Abrams has a lively conversation with James Beard Award winning chef, author, and TV show host, Pati Jinich. Pati shares insights on how she blends food, culture, and history into the making of her PBS docuseries, “Pati Jinich Explores Panamericana” - now streaming on the PBS app. In the series, Pati loosely tracks the “Pan-American Highway” where she travels from Alaska to Canada visiting the food scene in remote towns. In each episode, Pati weaves together culture, the history of migration, and food to help the audience understand what brings us together. 

In this conversation, Pati shares funny and colorful stories, including how her own family history of emigrating to Mexico from Poland helped her connect with the owner of a bagel and bialy stand in Alaska. The series reinforces that we often connect by sharing memories of the same family experiences with food. 

In addition to this three-part series, Pati has an Emmy-nominated public television series, Pati’s Mexican Table, which premiered its 14th season in September, and a James Beard Award-winning PBS primetime docuseries, La Frontera with Pati Jinich. Pati is also featured on the cover of Bethesda Magazine’s September/October issue, “Women Who Inspire: Meet local leaders who are making an impact now.” 

To learn more about Pati and her projects:

https://patijinich.com/

https://www.pbs.org/show/pati-jinich-explores-panamericana/

https://www.pbs.org/show/patis-mexican-table/

https://www.pbs.org/show/la-frontera-pati-jinich/

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/08/28/women-who-inspire-2025/

https://www.instagram.com/patijinich/

Support the show

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Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain!

We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

Host Candice Bloch interviews Steve Cohen, the Emmy Award-winning executive producer of HBO Max's documentary 'Billy Joel: And So It Goes.' Steve is Billy Joel’s longtime lighting designer, creative director, trusted collaborator, and close friend. He was handpicked by Billy to build a team that would tell his story in this documentary. 

In the episode, Candice and Steve discuss the evolution of lighting design in music, the impact of lighting on live performances, and the transition from lighting design to film production. Steve shares insights on the collaborative process of creating the documentary, assembling the team (including co-directors Susan Levy and Jessica Levin), the importance of including family and friends in the narrative, and the challenges of sourcing quality archival material, especially from the earlier years. He also reflects on the emotional journey of watching the documentary and the audience's connection to Billy Joel's music, while hinting at future projects.

The two-part documentary, “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” is an extensive look at Billy Joel's life and prolific music career, featuring exclusive interviews, performances, and personal archives. Released in July of 2025, the documentary is available on HBO Max.

Support the show

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Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain!

We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

Host Tara Jabbari has an animated conversation with actor Vincent Martella, best known as the voice of Phineas Flynn in the Disney Channel animated series, Phineas and Ferb. After a long hiatus, the show returned earlier this summer with Disney premiering season five on June 5. Vincent discusses with Tara the cultural significance of the show, the trials of being a child actor then navigating the industry as an adult, and the impact of social media on his fan base. He also shares the challenges of being a voice actor in Hollywood and offers actionable advice to other aspiring voice actors. 

Learn more about Vincent Martella, and follow him:

 https://x.com/vince_martella

https://www.instagram.com/thevincentmartella/

Support the show

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Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain!

We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

In this episode, MediaMaker Spotlight producer Brandon Ferry hosts behind-the-scenes interviews with two more illuminating artists – direct from the 2025 Ebertfest film festival. First, Brandon speaks with writer-director Angus MacLachlan of 2005’s indie breakout film, JUNEBUG and the soon-to-be released A LITTLE PRAYER (starring David Strathairn, Jane Levy & Anna Camp). Prior to screening at this year’s Ebertfest, MacLachlan’s acclaimed drama debuted at the Sundance Film Festival, and follows a loving, but fractured family in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Humble servant and small business owner, Bill (Strathairn) tries to protect his daughter-in-law, Tammy (Levy) when he suspects his son may secretly be having an affair. Angus touches upon his writing process, the quietly powerful performances of Jane Levy and the legendary David Strathairn, as well as the tough road traveled to get his film distributed (now scheduled for theatrical release in the U.S. on August 29th, 2025!)

Next up, Brandon spotlights composer, concert organist, and specialist in silent film accompaniment, Dr. Steven Ball. As the official organist and composer at Ebertfest, Steven dazzled audiences with his own musical compositions and his takes on classic film scores leading into the festival’s film screenings. In this conversation, Steven dives deep into the history of silent film accompaniment, his journey becoming a scholar in music composition, and stories of performing as a concert organist as an Artist in Residence at the Tampa Theatre.

Learn more about Ebertfest Film Festival

Watch the trailer for Angus MacLachlan’s award-winning A LITTLE PRAYER – 

planned for a limited U.S. theatrical release on August 29, 2025 through Music Box Films. Find showtimes in your area here.

To learn more about Steven Ball’s music compositions and view his silent film accompaniment performances, visit his website, his Facebook page and the Tampa Theatre Instagram page 

Support the show

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Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain!

We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

In this episode, MediaMaker Spotlight producer Brandon Ferry sits down with two visionary directors whose films were screened at this year’s Ebertfest film festival held at the Virginia Theater in Champaign, Illinois. Brandon first speaks with trailblazing director of the 80s and 90s, Susan Seidelman, best known for directing the cult classic, DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN (rapturously received at Ebertfest), as well as the pilot and multiple episodes of SEX AND THE CITY, and the early-90’s Meryl Streep dark comedy, SHE-DEVIL. The conversation explores Susan’s four-decade career directing genre-blending films that reflect her passion for classic Hollywood storytelling, mixed with a playful New Wave spirit– informed by her years living in downtown NYC. Susan also touches upon her recently-released (not to mention sharp-witted) book, titled Desperately Seeking Something: A Memoir About Movies, Mothers, and Material Girls.

Next, Brandon has an insightful conversation with up-and-coming writer-director, David Fortune, whose moving feature film debut, COLOR BOOK was warmly received by Ebertfest’s audience. COLOR BOOK beautifully tells the story of a devoted single father (William Catlett) embarking on a journey through Metro Atlanta with his 11-year-old son with Down Syndrome (newcomer Jeremiah Daniels) to attend their first baseball game together. Recently named one of Variety's 10 Directors to Watch in 2025, David financed COLOR BOOK after winning AT&T and Tribeca Film Festival’s $1 million Untold Stories prize in 2024. David dives deep into his journey writing and directing his debut feature, the challenges he encountered, and the incredible success he has achieved getting his film financed, developed, and screened across the country at numerous film festivals. Check out these behind-the-scenes interviews, recorded on location, direct from the festival with producer Brandon!

Learn more about Ebertfest Film Festival: https://www.ebertfest.com/ 

Check out Susan Seidelman’s book: Desperately Seeking Something: A Memoir About Movies, Mothers, and Material Girls (which can be found wherever books are sold). https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250328229/desperatelyseekingsomething/ 

Watch the trailer for David Fortune’s award-winning debut film COLOR BOOK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go9ZqJJq7f0

Support the show

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Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain!

We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!