MediaMaker Spotlight

MediaMaker Spotlight, the official podcast of the DC-based non-profit, Women in Film & Video, features conversations with industry professionals on a range of topics of interest to screen-based media makers. It's a must-listen resource for filmmakers of all interests and experience levels! Through fun and inspiring interviews with award-winning creators, you’ll learn all about what goes into bringing projects to life. We shine a light on subjects such as producing, editing, film festivals, costuming, sets, acting, diversity and inclusion on set, filmmaker resources, and so much more. It’s a great place to gain knowledge and inspiration, while celebrating visual storytelling!

Our interview-style episodes are typically around 30 minutes in length, hosted by our three rotating hosts: Candice, Sandra, and Tara. New episodes drop every other Sunday.

Find all episodes, learn more about the show, search topics, and more on our show website: https://mediamakerspotlight.com/

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!

Dr. Paul Heinzelmann of the documentary feature, Safe Sets, and Becky Morrison of the production company, The Light, sit down with host Candice Bloch to discuss humane production practices. They explore the systemic issues affecting health and safety on set, alarming statistics regarding mental health, and the historical context of production practices. The conversation highlights the importance of creating a supportive environment for crew members and the need for cultural change within the industry. They also discuss the Safe Sets documentary, which aims to raise awareness and advocate for better working conditions in film production.

To learn more about Safe Sets: https://wwwsafesetsmovie.org/ 

And https://linktr.ee/safesetsmovie

To learn more about The Light: https://thelight.nyc

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 Sandra Abrams chats with publishing trailblazer Regina Jones and Soraya Sélène, one of the co-directors of the new documentary, “WHO THE HELL IS REGINA JONES?” The film tells the remarkable story of Jones’s journey from being a financially struggling young mother of five to witnessing the Watts Rebellion in 1965 to creating and running SOUL newspaper. SOUL became a nationwide publication, scoring scoop after scoop with some of the era's biggest artists, like Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder. SOUL was where Black artists could get coverage. After her marriage ended, the newspaper shuttered, and her mother died, Jones explains how as a Black woman she navigated all the trials of life during that tumultuous time. Regina and Soraya also reveal how the film came to life thanks in part to the amazing SOUL archive that Jones’s grandson is preserving. 

To learn more about Who the Hell is Regina Jones, visit https://whoisreginafilm.com/ or follow the film on Instagram and Facebook @whoisreginafilm

You can watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZRdpxKUxKU

Learn more about co-director Soraya Selene at www.sorayaselene.com and on Instagram @soraya_selene

Learn more about co-director Billie Miossi at www.billy-miossi.com and on Instagram @billy_miossi

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, host Tara Jabari interviews actor Carl Lumbly, known for his roles in Captain America, Alias, Doctor Sleep, and more. They discuss Lumbly's portrayal of Isaiah Bradley in the latest Captain America: Brave New World, a character rooted in historical injustices faced by African Americans, and the thematic elements of love and sacrifice in the Marvel Universe. Lumbly shares insights from his career, including his experiences on Alias and his aspirations to write a one-man show about James Baldwin. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration and respect in the industry, as well as the anticipation surrounding Lumbly's upcoming projects.

Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World opened in theaters on February 14, 2025.

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!

It’s time for another all-hosts special! Hosts Sandra, Tara, and Candice chat all about romantic comedies ahead of Valentine’s Day. We discuss some of our favorite films, actors, and tropes within the ubiquitous rom-com genre, while also sharing some fun facts. You’ll love hearing the banter about meet-cutes and steamy scenes, and you may even discover some classic movies to cozy up to with a special someone.

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!

Documentary filmmaker Melissa Davey sits down with host Candice Bloch in this episode to discuss her filmmaking journey and her latest film, Climbing Into Life. The film is about the remarkable story of Dierdre Wolownick, an accomplished writer, artist and musician who got into rock climbing later in life and, at age 66, became the oldest woman to ascend Yosemite’s famed El Capitan. The two also talk about Melissa’s first feature, Beyond Sixty, and her goals of challenging stereotypes about women’s aging. Listen in to hear great advice about filmmaking and life, get inspired by Melissa’s personal story of finding filmmaking at age 65, and rethink your own possibilities for the years that lie ahead.

To learn more about Melissa and her films, visit: https://melissadavey.com/

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, host Tara Jabbari speaks with Zhanna Ozirna, a Ukrainian filmmaker whose first feature film premiered at the Venice Film Festival. They talk about the inspiration behind her film, the importance of art showcasing challenges like war, winning the Biennale Cinema Competition, plus much more.

The film, Honeymoon (English title) is about a couple, Taras and Olya, who just bought an apartment in the suburbs and are spending their first night there before they are woken up by explosions outside the window. A full-scale invasion has begun and the couple is trapped without electricity, water, and mobile communication. During the coming days, Taras and Olya face a new level of intimacy during a deadly threat.

Her film sites:
https://www.instagram.com/medovyi_misiats/
https://www.facebook.com/filmhoneymoon
https://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/2024/biennale-college-cinema/medovyi-misiats-honeymoon
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31039377/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cred_t_1

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, host Candice Bloch has a brief chat with Director Tim Fehlbaum and actors Leonie Benesch and Ben Chaplin of the film September 5. They talk about some of what went into producing the film, which unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today. Set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, the film follows the ABC Sports broadcasting team who quickly shifted from sports reporting to live coverage of the Israeli athletes taken hostage. Through this lens, September 5 provides an important perspective on the live broadcast seen globally by millions of people at the time.

At the heart of the story is Geoff (played by John Magaro), a young and ambitious producer striving to prove himself to his boss, the legendary TV executive Roone Arledge (played by Peter Sarsgaard). Together with German interpreter Marianne (played by Leonie Benesch) and his mentor Marvin Bader (played by Ben Chaplin), the story focuses on the intricate details of the high-tech broadcast capabilities of the time, juxtaposed against the many lives at stake and the moral decisions that needed to be made against an impossible ticking clock.

Paramount Pictures’ “SEPTEMBER 5” is a ‘Best Motion Picture - Drama’ nominee for the 2025 Golden Globes. The film is in select theaters on December 13, 2024, and opens Nationwide on January 17, 2025.

https://www.september5movie.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_5_(film)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28082769/

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, host Sandra Abrams chats with Monda Raquel Webb, former EVP of WIFV (and still a board member), and winner of the 2024 Trailblazer Award from the African American Women in Cinema of New York City. Webb is a book author, filmmaker, and performance artist. As an independent storyteller, she is dedicated to telling stories hidden in the crevices of history's pages through her production company, Little Known Stories. In this conversation, we learn why she describes herself as a visual archeologist and the “little known stories” behind several of her film projects. She is currently serving as the Executive Vice President of the Chesapeake Film Festival Board and as a programming coordinator for the Chesapeake Film Festival. Her latest film, “Mother Knows Best” will be released in January 2025. 

Learn more on her Instagram at @mondaraquelwebb 

Support the show

---
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!

During a virtual press junket for 2024’s summer blockbuster, Borderlands, actor Benjamin Byron Davis spoke with host Tara Jabbari to discuss his role in the film, plus his experience working in over 50 projects ranging from Gilmore Girls to Guardians of the Galaxy. They talked about what makes a successful and worthwhile colleague in the film industry, his friendship with James Gunn, plus his advice for actors who are starting out. Listen to one of the most dynamic and versatile actors as he shares what he has learned over his career. 

Follow Ben on social media:

Instagram and Threads @bigbendavis 
TikTok @benjaminbyrondavis

https://www.instagram.com/borderlandsfilm/
https://x.com/BorderlandsFilm
https://www.facebook.com/BorderlandsFilm

#BorderlandsMovie
#Borderlands

Support the show

---
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!